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Diablo and Pirquitas Cu Mines

CL / Valparaíso
-32.57247, -70.85619View on MapOpen in Google Maps
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About this location

Diablo and Pirquitas Cu Mines is a historic mining site, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The mineralization is hosted in Volcanic Breccia (Agglomerate), within the Andean Cordillera And Batholith setting. Reported specimens include Bornite, Calcite, Chalcanthite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chlorite; logged ore minerals are Bornite, Chalcanthite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Covellite, Sphalerite; gangue is recorded as Calcite, Chlorite, Epidote, Magnetite, Pyrite, Specularite.

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Found Here

BorniteCalciteChalcanthiteChalcociteChalcopyriteChloriteChrysocollaCopperCovelliteEpidoteGoldMagnetitePyritePyrrhotiteSilverSpeculariteSphalerite

Geology and deposit

Host rock
Volcanic Breccia (Agglomerate)
Associated rock
Diorite Batholith, Cret ( Ref. 2 ), Tert ( Ref. 3 ) — Diorite, Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
Orebody form
TABULAR MASSES PARALLEL TO BEDDING PLANES
Tectonic setting
Andean Cordillera And Batholith
Ore minerals
BorniteChalcanthiteChalcociteChalcopyriteChrysocollaCovelliteSphalerite
Gangue minerals
CalciteChloriteEpidoteMagnetitePyriteSpecularite
Other materials
Pyrrhotite
Structure

North-Trending Broad Open Folds Faults Of Varying Lengths And Displacements, And Plutonic Masses, E-Dipping Monocline Cut By Diorite Batholith. Zone Of Block Faulting East Of Diorite Caused By 2 Sets Of N & N 75 Deg. W. Striking Faults. Displacements Range From Few Cm To 30 M. Two Sets Of Porphyritic Andesitic Dikes Cut Deposit. Strike N. 60 Deg. W., Dip N.

Ore control

During Intrusion Of Diorite Batholith Hydrothermal Mineralized Solutions Emanated From Magmas Into Surrounding Rocks Deposits Probably Formed At 1000-4000 M Depth & Consist Of Disseminated Sulfides That Have Replaced The Calcareous Matrix Of Tuff Pebble Conglomerate And Breccia

Alteration

Not Prominent But Some Silicification And Chloritization

Mining history

Status
Past Producer
Production size
Small

Records and references

Cited references

RUIZ, F., CARLOS, 1965, GEOLOGICA Y YACIMIENTOS METALIFEROS DE CHILE: INST. INV. GEOL. CHILE, P. 198 (SPANISH)CARTER, W. D., 1961, YACIMIENTOS DE COBRE TIPO MANTO: CHILE INST. INV. GEOL. BOL. NO. 10, 30 P. (SPANISH)CARTER, W. D., 1960, ORIGEN OF MANTO-TYPE COPPER DEPOSITS OF THE CABILDO MINING DISTRICT CENTRAL CHILE: INT. GEOL. CONG., 21ST, NORDEN, PT. 16, P. 17-28RUIZ, C. AND PEEBLES, F., 1988, YACIMIENTOS METALIFEROS DE CHILE: SANTIAGO, 334 P. SERPLAC, 1981, ESTUDIO DEL SECTOR MINERO DE LA V REGION: SANTIAGO (6 VOL.)CARTER, WILLIAM, AND ALISTE, NELSON, 1962, QUADRANGULO NIHUE, PROV. ACONCAGUA: CHILE INST. INV. GEOL. IN PRESS (SPANISH).1965 GEOLMAP WILLIAM D. CARTECIMRIRUIZ, 1965, REF.

Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, record 10068732view the source record

Difficulty

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Location on Map

Coordinates: -32.57247, -70.85619

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National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals

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