Lone Mountain Mining District, Grant County, New Mexico, USAi

Regional Level Types
Lone Mountain Mining District	Mining District
Grant County	County
New Mexico	State
USA	Country

Lone Mountain mining district consists of low hills about 7 mi southeast of Silver City. The district was discovered in 1871 by Frank Bisbee, for whom the historic Arizona copper-mining town took its name. Once rich silver ore was identified, a mill was erected and mining and milling continued for two or three years until the ore ran out and the mines were shut down. Except for a small amount of manganiferous iron production during World War I, the area was dormant until 1920, when other silver discoveries were made, and from 1921 to 1923, when mining was again active. It was during this latter period, that lead was produced along with silver. These later discoveries continued to be worked sporadically in the late 1930s to 1950. Since then to at least 1967, no additional silver has been produced. In 1942, 30 short tons of manganese ore averaging 39.5% Mn were produced. From 1950 to 1955 another 800 short tons of sorted ore averaging 29.1% Mn was shipped to the government purchasing depot in Deming. As of 1967, the silver and manganese deposits were mostly mined out and nearly all of the shafts are caved or unsafe.