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Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District (California Mining District), La Plata County, Colorado, USA i
Regional Level Types
Copper Hill Mine Mine
La Plata Residential Area
La Plata Mining District (California Mining District) Mining District
La Plata County County
Colorado State
USA Country

Regional Level Types
Copper Hill Mine	Mine
La Plata	Residential Area
La Plata Mining District (California Mining District)	Mining District
La Plata County	County
Colorado	State
USA	Country

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The “Glory Hole”

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

View of the mine opening

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

Evidence of mine blasting

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

The “Glory Hole”

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

View of the mine opening

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

Evidence of mine blasting

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

The “Glory Hole”

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

View of the mine opening

Copper Hill Mine, La Plata, La Plata Mining District, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):

37° 24' 1'' North , 108° 4' 23'' West

Latitude & Longitude (decimal):

Type:

Köppen climate type:

Dsb : Warm, dry-summer continental climate

Nearest Settlements:

Place	Population	Distance
Mancos	1,380 (2017)	20.1km
Durango	18,006 (2017)	22.0km
Rico	255 (2017)	32.7km
Dolores	963 (2017)	38.9km
Bayfield	2,567 (2017)	46.3km

Nearest Clubs:
Local clubs are the best way to get access to collecting localities

Club	Location	Distance
Four Corners Gem & Mineral Club	Durango, Colorado	22km

Mindat Locality ID:

27484

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:2:27484:8

GUID (UUID V4):

Other/historical names associated with this locality:

Gold Eagle; Delaware Claims

A copper-silver mine located near La Plata & 21 miles NW of Durango. Started 1911 and closed 1917. Produced 2,300 tons of ore yielding 4,500 oz. Ag & 225,000 pounds of Cu (1911-1917). Workings featured an open cut plus a 600 foot long tunnel (adit ?).

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.

ⓘ Copper

ⓘ Silver

Mineral List

27 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Aegirine

Formula: NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Albite

Formula: Na(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Ankerite

Formula: Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ 'Apatite'

Formula: Ca₅(PO₄)₃A

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Augite

Formula: (Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆

References:

Eckel, Edwin Butt; Cobban, Robert R.; Mosburg, Shirley K.; Foord, Eugene E. (1997) Minerals of Colorado. Fulcrum Publishing.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Azurite

Formula: Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ 'Biotite'

Formula: K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Bornite

Formula: Cu₅FeS₄

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Calcite

Formula: CaCO₃

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Chalcocite

Formula: Cu₂S

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Chalcopyrite

Formula: CuFeS₂

References:

Rocks & Min.: 13: 307.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Covellite

Formula: CuS

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Enargite

Formula: Cu₃AsS₄

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Fluorite

Formula: CaF₂

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Galena

Formula: PbS

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ 'Garnet Group'

Formula: X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ 'K Feldspar'

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ 'Limonite'

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Magnetite

Formula: Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Malachite

Formula: Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Marcasite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Merenskyite

Formula: PdTe₂

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Native Palladium ?

Formula: (Pd,Pt)

References:

Eckel, Edwin Butt; Cobban, Robert R.; Mosburg, Shirley K.; Foord, Eugene E. (1997) Minerals of Colorado. Fulcrum Publishing.

ⓘ Native Platinum ?

Formula: Pt

Description: May be in solid solution in chalcopyrite.

References:

Eckel, Edwin Butt; Cobban, Robert R.; Mosburg, Shirley K.; Foord, Eugene E. (1997) Minerals of Colorado. Fulcrum Publishing.

ⓘ Pyrite

Formula: FeS₂

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Rutile

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Sanidine

Formula: K(AlSi₃O₈)

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Sopcheite

Formula: Ag₄Pd₃Te₄

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

ⓘ Sphalerite

Formula: ZnS

References:

(2005) Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS), US Geological Survey.

ⓘ Titanite

Formula: CaTi(SiO₄)O

References:

Summerlin, E. (2014). PGE mineralization at the Allard stock: Implications for the porphyry to epithermal transition, La Plata Mountains, Colorado (Auburn University MS thesis).

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘ	Native Palladium ?	1.AF.10	(Pd,Pt)
ⓘ	Native Platinum ?	1.AF.10	Pt
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘ	Chalcocite	2.BA.05	Cu₂S
ⓘ	Bornite	2.BA.15	Cu₅FeS₄
ⓘ	Sopcheite	2.BC.55	Ag₄Pd₃Te₄
ⓘ	Covellite	2.CA.05a	CuS
ⓘ	Sphalerite	2.CB.05a	ZnS
ⓘ	Chalcopyrite	2.CB.10a	CuFeS₂
ⓘ	Galena	2.CD.10	PbS
ⓘ	Merenskyite	2.EA.20	PdTe₂
ⓘ	Pyrite	2.EB.05a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Marcasite	2.EB.10a	FeS₂
ⓘ	Enargite	2.KA.05	Cu₃AsS₄
Group 3 - Halides
ⓘ	Fluorite	3.AB.25	CaF₂
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Magnetite	4.BB.05	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Rutile	4.DB.05	TiO₂
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ	Calcite	5.AB.05	CaCO₃
ⓘ	Ankerite	5.AB.10	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
ⓘ	Azurite	5.BA.05	Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
ⓘ	Malachite	5.BA.10	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Titanite	9.AG.15	CaTi(SiO₄)O
ⓘ	Augite	9.DA.15	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Aegirine	9.DA.25	NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆
ⓘ	Sanidine	9.FA.30	K(AlSi₃O₈)
ⓘ	Albite	9.FA.35	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Biotite'	-	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
ⓘ	'Limonite'	-
ⓘ	'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'	-
ⓘ	'K Feldspar'	-
ⓘ	'Garnet Group'	-	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
ⓘ	'Apatite'	-	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Azurite	Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
H	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
C	Carbon
C	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
C	ⓘ Azurite	Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
C	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
C	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Aegirine	NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
O	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
O	ⓘ Azurite	Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
O	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Sanidine	K(AlSi₃O₈)
O	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
O	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
O	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A
F	Fluorine
F	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
F	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
Na	Sodium
Na	ⓘ Aegirine	NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆
Na	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Mg	Magnesium
Mg	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Mg	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Mg	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Al	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Al	ⓘ Sanidine	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Aegirine	NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Albite	Na(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Si	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Sanidine	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Si	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Si	ⓘ Garnet Group	X₃Z₂(SiO₄)₃
P	Phosphorus
P	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A
S	Sulfur
S	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
S	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
S	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
S	ⓘ Covellite	CuS
S	ⓘ Enargite	Cu₃AsS₄
S	ⓘ Galena	PbS
S	ⓘ Marcasite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
S	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
K	ⓘ Sanidine	K(AlSi₃O₈)
Ca	Calcium
Ca	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Ca	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Ca	ⓘ Calcite	CaCO₃
Ca	ⓘ Fluorite	CaF₂
Ca	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Ca	ⓘ Apatite	Ca₅(PO₄)₃A
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Ti	ⓘ Rutile	TiO₂
Ti	ⓘ Titanite	CaTi(SiO₄)O
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Aegirine	NaFe³⁺Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Ankerite	Ca(Fe²⁺,Mg)(CO₃)₂
Fe	ⓘ Augite	(Ca_xMg_yFe_z)(Mg_y1Fe_z1)Si₂O₆
Fe	ⓘ Biotite	K(Fe²⁺/Mg)₂(Al/Fe³⁺/Mg/Ti)([Si/Al/Fe]₂Si₂O₁₀)(OH/F)₂
Fe	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Fe	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe₂³⁺O₄
Fe	ⓘ Marcasite	FeS₂
Fe	ⓘ Pyrite	FeS₂
Cu	Copper
Cu	ⓘ Azurite	Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
Cu	ⓘ Bornite	Cu₅FeS₄
Cu	ⓘ Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
Cu	ⓘ Chalcocite	Cu₂S
Cu	ⓘ Covellite	CuS
Cu	ⓘ Enargite	Cu₃AsS₄
Cu	ⓘ Malachite	Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
Zn	Zinc
Zn	ⓘ Sphalerite	ZnS
As	Arsenic
As	ⓘ Enargite	Cu₃AsS₄
Pd	Palladium
Pd	ⓘ Merenskyite	PdTe₂
Pd	ⓘ Native Palladium	(Pd,Pt)
Pd	ⓘ Sopcheite	Ag₄Pd₃Te₄
Ag	Silver
Ag	ⓘ Sopcheite	Ag₄Pd₃Te₄
Te	Tellurium
Te	ⓘ Merenskyite	PdTe₂
Te	ⓘ Sopcheite	Ag₄Pd₃Te₄
Pt	Platinum
Pt	ⓘ Native Palladium	(Pd,Pt)
Pt	ⓘ Native Platinum	Pt
Pb	Lead
Pb	ⓘ Galena	PbS

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent

Rocky MountainsMountain Range

North America PlateTectonic Plate

Great Plains DomainDomain
Paradox BasinBasin
Southern Rocky MountainsOrogenic Belt

USA

Colorado PlateauPlateau
San Juan 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

Zodac, P. (1938) Rocks & Minerals, 13.p.307

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