Omega Mine, Monument Mountain, Helvetia, Helvetia-Rosemont Mining District, Pima County, Arizona, USAi
Regional Level Types | |
---|---|
Omega Mine | Mine (Abandoned) |
Monument Mountain | Mountain |
Helvetia | Town (Former) |
Helvetia-Rosemont Mining District | Mining District |
Pima County | County |
Arizona | State |
USA | Country |
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
31° 51' 21'' North , 110° 46' 9'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Mine (Abandoned) - last checked 2024
KΓΆppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
Place | Population | Distance |
---|---|---|
Corona de Tucson | 5,675 (2011) | 12.2km |
East Sahuarita | 1,622 (2006) | 17.9km |
Sahuarita | 25,707 (2017) | 20.9km |
Green Valley | 21,391 (2011) | 21.2km |
Vail | 10,208 (2011) | 22.0km |
Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities
Club | Location | Distance |
---|---|---|
Old Pueblo Lapidary Club | Tucson, Arizona | 43km |
Tucson Gem and Mineral Society | Tucson, Arizona | 43km |
Mindat Locality ID:
5437
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:5437:2
GUID (UUID V4):
ae1c45fe-ae17-43b5-b68e-6056b699ab9b
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Omega tunnel; Omega Extension Mine
A former small surface and underground Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn-Au-Mn-W-Mo mine located in West-central sec. 24, T18S, R15E, on the steep southwest slope of Monument Mountain, nearly 1.5 miles (2.41 km) east of Helvetia and 0.25 mile (ca. 402 m) south of the Isle Royal Mine, and a few miles south of the present-day town of Sahuarita, at about 5,100 feet (ca. 1,554 m) of altitude. It adjoins the Isle Royal property on the SW and comprises the Omega and Omega Extension claims. Produced 1877-1920. Owned at times, or in part, by the Zeckendorfs (since the early 1880s); the Omega Copper Co.; and, McKay. The first Cu produced in any considerable quantity in Pima County came from this mine.
Mineralization is partly oxidized copper and minor lead-zinc minerals, largely soft and earthy, with manganese and iron oxides, and local massive chalcopyrite and pyrite, in replacement bodies with garnet-magnetite gangue along a fault zone between Paleozoic limestone and Precambrian granodiorite. Host rock units include the Martin Formation, Escabrosa Limestone, and the Horquilla Limestone. Ore control is the thrust fault zone. Alteration includes epidotization and altered limestone.
The limestone is partly mineralized, much epidotized, and otherwise altered. It is usually crystalline and near the contact dips 30ΒΊNE. The granite for a distance of nearly 100 feet (ca. 30 m) from the contact is sheared and altered and contains subordinate faults, dipping in all directions, especially to the north and to the south. At the joints occur much limonite, manganese oxide, and mica. Aplite dikes are also intruded along the contact between the granite and the limestone in places.
The ore is mostly a soft earthy mixture of copper and iron sulfides, with the manganese, copper, and iron-ore minerals of the oxidized zone. In the upper tunnel, a lens of almost pure massive pyrite and chalcopyrite, in places coated with limonite, occurred. Additionally, a 2-foot (ca. 60 cm) wide vein of chalcopyrite and pyrite occurs in one tunnel with gouge on either wall. At the end of a drift, next to a very siliceous dike, probably an aplitic rock, a band of epidotized granite 10 feet (ca. 3 m) wide occurs containing considerable pyrite and chalcopyrite.
Local structures include homoclinal, tilting and broad open folds in the south and extensive faulting in the north. WNW-striking thrust fault zone, permeable fracture zones.
Workings include 4 tunnels, a shaft, a winze, an open cut and minor openings, aggregating some 2,000 feet (ca. 610 m) of workings distributed over a vertical distance of 300 feet (91.44 meters). One of the earliest mines, producing sporadically some 7,000 tons of ore averaging about 6% Cu, 1 oz. Ag/T and minor Pb from the 1880s to 1920. Produced 500,000 pounds (226.8 t) of Cu valued at $95,000 (period values)(1883).
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.Mineral List
41 valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
β Actinolite Formula: ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 References: |
β Aurichalcite Formula: (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
β Azurite Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 Habit: Blocky, tabular, terminated Colour: Azure-blue Fluorescence: None Description: Exceptionally sharp crystals common in gossan cavities and fissures. References: |
β Brochantite Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 References: |
β Calcite Formula: CaCO3 Colour: White, limonite stained. Fluorescence: Red (SW UV) Description: Occurs as coarsely crystalline masses with curved cleavages. |
β Cerussite Formula: PbCO3 References: |
β Chalcanthite Formula: CuSO4 · 5H2O |
β Chalcocite Formula: Cu2S References: |
β Chalcopyrite Formula: CuFeS2 |
β Chlorargyrite Formula: AgCl References: |
β Chrysocolla Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 References: |
β Copper Formula: Cu |
β Cuprite Formula: Cu2O References: |
β Cuprotungstite Formula: Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
β Epidote Formula: (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
β Fluorite Formula: CaF2 References: |
β Fornacite Formula: Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) References: |
β Galena Formula: PbS |
β 'Garnet Group' Formula: X3Z2(SiO4)3 References: |
β Goethite Formula: Ξ±-Fe3+O(OH) |
β Gypsum Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O References: |
β Hematite Formula: Fe2O3 References: |
β Hemimorphite Formula: Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O References: |
β Lepidocrocite Formula: γ-Fe3+O(OH) References: |
β Libethenite Formula: Cu2(PO4)(OH) References: |
β 'Limonite' References: |
β Magnetite Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4 References: |
β Malachite Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 References: |
β Mottramite Formula: PbCu(VO4)(OH) References: |
β Muscovite Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
β Muscovite var. Sericite Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
β Opal Formula: SiO2 · nH2O References: |
β Osarizawaite Formula: Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 Colour: Yellow-green Description: Microcrystalline crusts. |
β Plancheite Formula: Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O References: |
β Powellite Formula: Ca(MoO4) |
β Pyrite Formula: FeS2 |
β Quartz Formula: SiO2 References: |
β Quartz var. Chalcedony Formula: SiO2 References: |
β Rosasite Formula: (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
β Scheelite Formula: Ca(WO4) Habit: Di-pyramidal Colour: Honey-yellow, tan Fluorescence: Blue-white (SW UV) Description: Occurs as crystals in cavities and as specks, blebs and masses in matrix. References: |
β Smithsonite Formula: ZnCO3 Habit: Micro-crystals |
β Sphalerite Formula: ZnS |
β Stolzite ? Formula: Pb(WO4) Habit: Small (less than 1 mm) Description: Occurs on rosasite. |
β Tremolite Formula: ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 References: |
β Wulfenite Formula: Pb(MoO4) References: |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
Group 1 - Elements | |||
---|---|---|---|
β | Copper | 1.AA.05 | Cu |
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
β | Chalcocite | 2.BA.05 | Cu2S |
β | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
β | Chalcopyrite | 2.CB.10a | CuFeS2 |
β | Galena | 2.CD.10 | PbS |
β | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
Group 3 - Halides | |||
β | Chlorargyrite | 3.AA.15 | AgCl |
β | Fluorite | 3.AB.25 | CaF2 |
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
β | Goethite | 4.00. | Ξ±-Fe3+O(OH) |
β | Cuprite | 4.AA.10 | Cu2O |
β | Magnetite | 4.BB.05 | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
β | Hematite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2O3 |
β | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
β | var. Chalcedony | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
β | Opal | 4.DA.10 | SiO2 Β· nH2O |
β | Lepidocrocite | 4.FE.15 | Ξ³-Fe3+O(OH) |
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
β | Smithsonite | 5.AB.05 | ZnCO3 |
β | Calcite | 5.AB.05 | CaCO3 |
β | Cerussite | 5.AB.15 | PbCO3 |
β | Azurite | 5.BA.05 | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
β | Rosasite | 5.BA.10 | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
β | Malachite | 5.BA.10 | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
β | Aurichalcite | 5.BA.15 | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates | |||
β | Brochantite | 7.BB.25 | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
β | Osarizawaite | 7.BC.10 | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
β | Chalcanthite | 7.CB.20 | CuSO4 Β· 5H2O |
β | Gypsum | 7.CD.40 | CaSO4 Β· 2H2O |
β | Fornacite | 7.FC.10 | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
β | Scheelite | 7.GA.05 | Ca(WO4) |
β | Stolzite ? | 7.GA.05 | Pb(WO4) |
β | Wulfenite | 7.GA.05 | Pb(MoO4) |
β | Powellite | 7.GA.05 | Ca(MoO4) |
β | Cuprotungstite | 7.GB.15 | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates | |||
β | Libethenite | 8.BB.30 | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
β | Mottramite | 8.BH.40 | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
Group 9 - Silicates | |||
β | Hemimorphite | 9.BD.10 | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 Β· H2O |
β | Epidote | 9.BG.05a | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
β | Plancheite | 9.DB.35 | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 Β· H2O |
β | Tremolite | 9.DE.10 | β»Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
β | Actinolite | 9.DE.10 | β»Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
β | Muscovite | 9.EC.15 | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
β | var. Sericite | 9.EC.15 | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
β | Chrysocolla | 9.ED.20 | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 Β· nH2O, x < 1 |
Unclassified | |||
β | 'Limonite' | - | |
β | 'Garnet Group' | - | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
H | Hydrogen | |
---|---|---|
H | β Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
H | β Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
H | β Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
H | β Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
H | β Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
H | β Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
H | β Cuprotungstite | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
H | β Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
H | β Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
H | β Goethite | Ξ±-Fe3+O(OH) |
H | β Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
H | β Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
H | β Lepidocrocite | γ-Fe3+O(OH) |
H | β Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
H | β Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
H | β Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
H | β Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
H | β Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
H | β Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
H | β Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O |
H | β Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
H | β Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
H | β Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
C | Carbon | |
C | β Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
C | β Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
C | β Calcite | CaCO3 |
C | β Cerussite | PbCO3 |
C | β Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
C | β Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
C | β Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
O | Oxygen | |
O | β Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
O | β Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
O | β Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
O | β Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
O | β Calcite | CaCO3 |
O | β Cerussite | PbCO3 |
O | β Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
O | β Quartz var. Chalcedony | SiO2 |
O | β Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
O | β Cuprite | Cu2O |
O | β Cuprotungstite | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
O | β Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
O | β Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
O | β Goethite | Ξ±-Fe3+O(OH) |
O | β Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
O | β Hematite | Fe2O3 |
O | β Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
O | β Lepidocrocite | γ-Fe3+O(OH) |
O | β Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
O | β Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
O | β Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
O | β Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
O | β Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
O | β Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
O | β Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
O | β Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O |
O | β Powellite | Ca(MoO4) |
O | β Quartz | SiO2 |
O | β Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
O | β Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
O | β Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
O | β Stolzite | Pb(WO4) |
O | β Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
O | β Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
O | β Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
O | β Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
F | Fluorine | |
F | β Fluorite | CaF2 |
Mg | Magnesium | |
Mg | β Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
Mg | β Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
Al | Aluminium | |
Al | β Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Al | β Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Al | β Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Al | β Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Al | β Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Si | Silicon | |
Si | β Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
Si | β Quartz var. Chalcedony | SiO2 |
Si | β Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Si | β Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Si | β Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
Si | β Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Si | β Opal | SiO2 · nH2O |
Si | β Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O |
Si | β Quartz | SiO2 |
Si | β Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
Si | β Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Si | β Garnet Group | X3Z2(SiO4)3 |
P | Phosphorus | |
P | β Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
S | Sulfur | |
S | β Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
S | β Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
S | β Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
S | β Chalcocite | Cu2S |
S | β Galena | PbS |
S | β Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
S | β Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
S | β Pyrite | FeS2 |
S | β Sphalerite | ZnS |
Cl | Chlorine | |
Cl | β Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
K | Potassium | |
K | β Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
K | β Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
Ca | Calcium | |
Ca | β Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
Ca | β Calcite | CaCO3 |
Ca | β Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Ca | β Fluorite | CaF2 |
Ca | β Gypsum | CaSO4 · 2H2O |
Ca | β Powellite | Ca(MoO4) |
Ca | β Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
Ca | β Tremolite | ◻Ca2Mg5(Si8O22)(OH)2 |
V | Vanadium | |
V | β Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
Cr | Chromium | |
Cr | β Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
Fe | Iron | |
Fe | β Actinolite | ◻Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
Fe | β Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Fe | β Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
Fe | β Goethite | Ξ±-Fe3+O(OH) |
Fe | β Hematite | Fe2O3 |
Fe | β Lepidocrocite | γ-Fe3+O(OH) |
Fe | β Magnetite | Fe2+Fe23+O4 |
Fe | β Pyrite | FeS2 |
Cu | Copper | |
Cu | β Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Cu | β Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
Cu | β Brochantite | Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 |
Cu | β Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
Cu | β Chalcanthite | CuSO4 · 5H2O |
Cu | β Chalcocite | Cu2S |
Cu | β Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
Cu | β Cuprite | Cu2O |
Cu | β Cuprotungstite | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
Cu | β Copper | Cu |
Cu | β Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
Cu | β Libethenite | Cu2(PO4)(OH) |
Cu | β Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Cu | β Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
Cu | β Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Cu | β Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 · H2O |
Cu | β Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Zn | Zinc | |
Zn | β Aurichalcite | (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 |
Zn | β Hemimorphite | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O |
Zn | β Rosasite | (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Zn | β Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
Zn | β Sphalerite | ZnS |
As | Arsenic | |
As | β Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
Mo | Molybdenum | |
Mo | β Powellite | Ca(MoO4) |
Mo | β Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
Ag | Silver | |
Ag | β Chlorargyrite | AgCl |
W | Tungsten | |
W | β Cuprotungstite | Cu2(WO4)(OH)2 |
W | β Scheelite | Ca(WO4) |
W | β Stolzite | Pb(WO4) |
Pb | Lead | |
Pb | β Cerussite | PbCO3 |
Pb | β Fornacite | Pb2Cu(CrO4)(AsO4)(OH) |
Pb | β Galena | PbS |
Pb | β Mottramite | PbCu(VO4)(OH) |
Pb | β Osarizawaite | Pb(Al2Cu2+)(SO4)2(OH)6 |
Pb | β Stolzite | Pb(WO4) |
Pb | β Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
Other Databases
Link to USGS MRDS: | 10103745 |
---|
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Mexico
- Sierra Madre OccidentalMountain Range
North America
- Sonoran DesertDesert
North America PlateTectonic Plate
- Basin and Range BasinsBasin
- Mazatzal DomainDomain
USA
- Arizona
- Santa Rita MountainsMountain Range
This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to
visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders
for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.
References
(n.d.) Minerals Availability System (MAS), U.S. Bureau of Mines.file ID #0040190339