The Big Mine is a barium-barite and copper mine located in Pinal county, Arizona.
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
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.
Big Mine MRDS details
Site Name
Primary: Big Mine
Commodity
Primary: Barium-Barite
Primary: Copper
Secondary: Lead
Secondary: Silver
Location
State: Arizona
County: Pinal
District: Owl Head District
Land Status
Land ownership: Private
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: Surface/Underground
Ownership
Not available
Production
Not available
Deposit
Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S
Physiography
General Physiographic Area: Intermontane Plateaus
Physiographic Province: Basin And Range Province
Physiographic Section: Sonoran Desert
Mineral Deposit Model
Not available
Orebody
Not available
Structure
Type: L
Description: Fault Trending N35w, Dip 65s
Alterations
Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Propylitic Alteration, Sericitic, Veins Oxidized, Illite
Rocks
Name: Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock Unit
Age Young: Neoproterozoic
Name: Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Pliocene
Analytical Data
Not available
Materials
Ore: Malachite
Ore: Chrysocolla
Ore: Barite
Ore: Galena
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Illite
Comments
Comment (Deposit): 1 TO 2 CM VEINS DISTRIBUTED SPARSELY OVER 500 FOOT WIDTH. GOSSAN SEEN ON THE OUTCROP. ONE PROSPECT PIT SALTED WITH LARAMIDE PORPHYRY. MINERALIZATION IS LARGELY BARITE ALONG A FAULT WITH SOME COPPER OXIDE AND OCCASIONAL GALENA.
Comment (Location): INFO FROM LAND.ST :(1965)
Comment (Production): NO PRODUCTION DATA AVAILABLE. A LIKELY PRODUCER.
Comment (Workings): MAJOR SHAFT DEEPER THAN 675 FT, MINOR SHAFT APPROX. 610 FT; ADIT WITH RAISES TO THE SURFACE; 10-15 PROSPECT PITS.
Comment (Geology): VEINS ARE CROSS CUT BY FAULTS.
References
Reference (Other Database): CIMRI
Reference (Deposit): BARTER, C.F., 1962, GEOLOGY OF OWL HEAD MINING DISTRICT: UA MS THESIS.
Reference (Deposit): BANKS, N.G., FIELD EXAM, 1976.
Reference (Deposit): MOORE, R.T., AND VARGA, R.J., 1976, MAPS SHOWING NONMETALLIC MINERAL DEPOSITS IN THE PHOENIX AREA, ARIZONA: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MISCELLANEOUS INVESTIGATIONS MAP I-845-J, SCALE 1:250,000.
Arizona Gold
"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.
