Chalcanthite Photos
Cochise College               
Photos of Minerals
Geology Home Page

Roger Weller, geology instructor

[email protected]     copyright 2010-R.Weller 

 
chalcanthite, New Mexico-5
 

chalcanthite                                                                                                                                     005
Photo is copyright free only for non-commercial educational uses.
Just credit photo to Ron and Julie Burgess at www.rockroost.com

"We found these beautiful specimens in Sierra County, New Mexico in the
Copper Flat area of the Hillsboro Mining District.

According to the New Mexico Country Byways, this area has a history of
mining dating back to 1877 when silver and gold were found along Percha
Creek. Modern copper exploration began in the 1950's. But it wasn't until
1982 that Quintana Minerals Corporation established the open pit copper
mine. The open pit operation lasted for only 3 months, during which time
7.4 million pounds of copper, 2,306 oz of gold and 55,966 oz of silver were
extracted. After that the mine was closed due to low copper prices. The
Copper Flat mill was dismantled in 1986."