Swisshelm Mine

The Swisshelm Mine is a lead, silver, and gold mine located in Cochise county, Arizona at an elevation of 5,499 feet.

About the MRDS Data:

All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property.

Mine Info

Name: Swisshelm Mine  

State:  Arizona

County:  Cochise

Elevation: 5,499 Feet (1,676 Meters)

Commodity: Lead, Silver, Gold

Lat, Long: 31.71028, -109.54250

Map: View on Google Maps

Satelite View

MRDS mine locations are often very general, and in some cases are incorrect. Some mine remains have been covered or removed by modern industrial activity or by development of things like housing. The satellite view offers a quick glimpse as to whether the MRDS location corresponds to visible mine remains.


Satelite image of the Swisshelm Mine

Swisshelm Mine MRDS details

Site Name

Primary: Swisshelm Mine


Commodity

Primary: Lead
Primary: Silver
Primary: Gold
Tertiary: Zinc
Tertiary: Copper


Location

State: Arizona
County: Cochise
District: Swisshelm District


Land Status

Land ownership: BLM Administrative Area
Note: the land ownership field only identifies whether the area the mine is in is generally on public lands like Forest Service or BLM land, or if it is in an area that is generally private property. It does not definitively identify property status, nor does it indicate claim status or whether an area is open to prospecting. Always respect private property.


Holdings

Not available


Workings

Type: Underground


Ownership

Owner Name: Swisshelm Gold And Silver Mining Co. (Ben Heney)
Years: 1958 -


Production

Not available


Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Producer
Deposit Type: Replacement
Operation Type: Unknown
Year First Production: 1918
Year Last Production: 1958
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S


Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Intermontane Plateaus
Physiographic Province: Basin And Range Province
Physiographic Section: Mexican Highland


Mineral Deposit Model

Not available


Orebody

Form: IRREGULAR


Structure

Type: R
Description: Nnw Thrust Faults In Swisshelms Overthrust Penn Naco Group Over Rhyolite Porphyry

Type: L
Description: On Upthrown Side Of Nw Trending Fault; Penn Naco Group Strikes Nw


Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Strong Oxidation


Rocks

Name: Limestone
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Pennsylvanian

Name: Limestone
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Pennsylvanian


Analytical Data

Not available


Materials

Ore: Gold
Ore: Silver
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Hematite
Gangue: Calcite


Comments

Comment (Workings): WORKINGS INCLUDE A 300 FT LONG 30 DEGREE INCLINED SHAFT WITH DRIFTING AND CROSS CUTS AT 75 FT LEVEL AND BOTTOM; 75 FT LEVEL CONNECTS WITH AN ADIT; ALSO AN 80 FT VERTICAL SHAFT WHICH CONNECTS WITH AN ADIT CONNECTING TO THE SHAFT AT THE 40 FT LEVEL

Comment (Location): DIRECTLY NORTH OF THE MAMMOTH AND WHALE MINE ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1979)

Comment (Development): CLAIMS INCLUDE N. MAMMOTH, N. WHALE NO. 1-4, LITTLE TREE, AND NEW HILLSIDE


References

Reference (Deposit): ABGMT-USBM FILE DATA

Reference (Deposit): ABGMT CLIPPINGS FILES

Reference (Deposit): AZ DEPT MIN RESOURCES FILE DATA

Reference (Deposit): LORING, W.B., 1947, THE GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS OF THE MOUNTAIN QUEEN AREA NORTHERN SWISSHELM MOUNTAINS, AZ, M.S. THESIS, U OF AZ

Reference (Deposit): USGS MAP MF 213


Arizona Gold

Where to Find Gold in Arizona

"Where to Find Gold in Arizona" looks at the density of modern placer mining claims along with historical gold mining locations and mining district descriptions to determine areas of high gold discovery potential in Arizona. Read more: Where to Find Gold in Arizona.