The largest producer of copper in the United States, Phelps Dodge, reports it is exploring a potentially significant copper deposit near Brisbee, Ariz.
The copper mineralization lies north of the abandoned Lavender open pit mine on properties owned or recently leased by Phelps Dodge. The company has an option to purchase the 174 acres that are leased.
Nine holes have been drilled on the property this year. Seven of the widely spaced holes intercepted copper mineralization that the company says may be continuous over most of the project area.
Average thickness of copper mineralization in those seven holes plus other holes previously drilled on the leased property is 250 ft with a maximum thickness in one drill hole of 650 ft. Average grades of individual holes in the mineralized zone range from 0.3% to 0.65% copper.
Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates the deposit is amenable to dump leaching and recovery of the copper by means of solvent extraction/electrowinning, the company says.
Exploration of the property is at an early stage. A second phase of drilling has begun in which five holes are planned to verify continuity of the mineralized zone.
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