Mine detail: Buena Esperanza

Previously called 'Buena Esperanza Cu Mine'

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Location

Lat / long: -22.18255, -70.20955

Resource(M)

Primary: Copper
Ore: Atacamite, Bornite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Covellite, Digenite, Malachite
Gangue: Calcite, Gypsum, Hematite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz, Sericite
Orebody form: TABULAR, ANYGDALOIDAL LAVA FLOWS CONTAINING POCKETS OF BRECCIATED VOLCANIC ROCKS SEVERAL METERS THICK
Discovery year: 1954

Production

Operation type: Unknown
Production size: Large
Development status: Producer
First production started: 1954

Geology

Host rock:La Negra Formation;Metamorphosed Sedimentary Sequence
Host type:Sandstone,Andesite,Basalt
Associated rock:La Negra Formation;Andean Diorite Complex
Associated type:Andesite,Basalt
Structure:North-Trending Broad Open Folds. Faults Of Varying Lengths And Displacements And Plutonic Masses., Faults At N90e, 90 Fractures Trend N40e. Deposit Terminated On North By Post-Mineral, Vertical, East-Striking Fault.
Tectonic:Andean Coridillera And Batholith
Alteration processes:Albitization, Chloritization, And Carbonitization; Deposit Located Below Intense Epidotization; Weak Sericitization. No Evidence Of Hydrothermal Alteration.

References

MRDSTC03517
DEP10106983
Reference{Deposit:: FRUTOS, J. AND PINCHEIRA, M., 1986, FICHAS METALOGENICAS DE YACIMEINTOS MINERALES METALICOS CHILENOS, IN FRUTOS, J., OYARZUN, J., AND PINCHEIRA, M., EDS., GEOLOGIA Y RECURSOS MINERALES CHILENOS: UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION, CONCEPCION, P. 841-888.}{Deposit:: RUIZ, C. AND PEEBLES, F., 1988, YACIMIENTOS METALIFEROS DE CHILE: SANTIAGO, 334 P.}{Deposit:: CAMUS, F., 1986, LOS YACIMIENTOS ESTRATOLIGADOS DE CU, PB-ZN, Y AG DE CHILE, IN FRUTOS, J., OYARZUN, J., PINCHEIRA, M., EDS., GEOLOGIA Y RECURSOS MINERALES CHILENOS: UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION, CONCEPCION, P.548-635.}{Deposit:: LOSERT, J., 1973, GENESIS OF COPPER MINERALIZATION AND ASSOCIATED ALTERATIONS IN THE JURASSIC VOLCANIC ROCKS OF THE BUENA ESPERANZA MINING AREA: UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE, PUBLIC NO. 40, 64 P.}{Deposit:: LOSERT, J., 1974, ALTERATION AND ASSOCIATED COPPER MINERALIZATION IN THE JURASSIC VOLCANIC ROCKS OF THE BUENA ESPERANZA MINING AREA, ANTOFAGASTA PROVINCE, NORTHERN CHILE: UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE, V. 41, P. 51-85.}{Deposit:: PALACIOS, C. AND DEFINIS, 1981, PETROLOGIA DEL YACIMIENTO BUENA ESPERANZA, II REGION NORTE DE CHILE: FIRST COLOQUIO SOBRE VOLCANISMO Y METALOGENESIS, UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE, P. 82-91.}{Deposit:: SASAKI, A., ULRIKSEN, C., SATO, K., AND ISHIHARA, S., 1984, SULFUR ISOTOPE RECONNAISSANCE OF PORPHYRY COPPER AND MANTO-TYPE DEPOSITS IN CHILE AND THE PHILLIPPINES: BULL. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY JAPAN, V. 35, P. 615-622.}{Deposit:: DEFINIS, 1980, PETROLOGIA, ALTERACION, Y METALOGENESIS DEL INTRUSIVO BASICO BUENA ESPERANZA, TOCOPILLA, II REGION, CHILE: TESIS DE GRADO, UNIVERSIDAD DEL NORTE, 67 P.}{Deposit:: ROGERS, G., 1985, A GEOCHEMICAL TRAVERSE ACROSS THE NORTH CHILEAN ANDES: PH.D. THESIS, THE OPEN UNIVERSITY, LONDON.}{Deposit:: MINING MAGAZINE, JANUARY, 1990.}{Deposit:: BORIC, R., DIAZ, F., AND MAKSAEV, V., 1984, COMPLEMENTO MAPA METALOGENICO, II REGION: GERENCIA DE DESAROLLO, SANTIAGO, (12 VOLS.).}{Deposit:: RUIZ F., CARLOS, 1965, GEOLOGIA Y YACIMIENTOS METALIFEROS DE CHILE: INST. INV. GEOL. CHILE, P. 196 (SPANISH)}{Deposit:: KNOWLES, P.H., AND OTHERS, 1964, EXPLORACION DE MINERALES RADIOACTIVOS EN CHILE, PROV. TARAPACA AND ANTOFAGASTA: CHILE INST. INV. BOL. 18, PT. I, P. 33-37 (SPANISH).}{Deposit:: 1961 COMPILE UNIV. OF CHILE}{Deposit:: 1964 RECON U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMM. & INSTITUTO INVESTIGACIONES GEOLOGICAS, CHILE.}{Other Database:: CIMRI}{Production:: RUIZ AND PEEBLES, 1988; BORIC ET AL., 1984. MINING MAGAZINE, JANUARY, 1990.}{Reserve-Resource:: BORIC, ET AL., 1984.}
ReporterWilliams, William C., Davidson, Claire B.