STATE SCHOOL OF MINESMINERAL RESOURCES SURVEY
OF
NEW MEXICOFAYETTE A. JONES, DIRECTOR

BULLETIN 1

THE
M I N E RAL RESOURCESOF
N E W MEXICO
BY
FAYETTE A. JONES

1915
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICOALBRIGHT & ANDERSON, PRINTERS-BINDERS,ALBUQUERQUE

Published by Authority of the Board ofRegents of the New Mexico State
School of MinesL E T T E R OF TRANSMITTALTo His Excellency:
WILLIAM C. MCDONALD, Governor,
Santa Fe, New Mexico.

DEAR SIR:
On behalf of the Board of Regents of the New Mexico State Schoolof Mines, I have the honor in submitting to you and the people of theState Bulletin No. 1, of the Mineral Resources Survey, entitled "TheMineral Resources of New Mexico," which I trust may prove of somevalue to the public in acquiring a more extended knowledge of thevaried mineral resources of the commonwealth.
With greatest esteem, I beg to remain,
Yours very truly,

FAYETTE A. JONES,
President, State School of Mines.
Socorro, New Mexico, March 27, 1915.

INDEXPage
Preface ........................................................... ..................................................7
Historical ..........................................................................................................9
General Geology ................................................. . . . . . .................................14
Distribution of Minerals ..............................................................................19Gold .................................................................................................................19
Silver ...............................................................................................................23
Copper ............................................................................................................27
Lead ......................................... . . . ...... ............................................... …….33
Zinc .................................................................................................................35
Iron ..................................................................................................................36
Manganese ................................................................ .............................. 38
Molybdenum ..................................................................................................40
Fluorite or Fluor-Spar ...................................................................................41
Alum (Alunogen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Salt ..................................................................................................................44
Gypsum .................... .................................................. …………………...46
Sulphur ...........................................................................................................47
Mica ................................................................................................................48
Asbestos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................................50
Merrschaum ...................................................................................................51
Turquoise ............................ .......................................................................52
Graphite ......................................................... ................................ ...............54
Coal .................................................................................................................55
Petroleum and Natural 'Gas .........................................................................59
Guano ..............................................................................................................61
Building Stone .............................................................................. . ...... ....62
Marble ......................................................................................................... 64
Clay .................................................................................................................65
Cement . ................................... ................................................................67
Mineral Paint .......................................................... ......................................68
Gravels for Road Building ..........................................................................69
Miscellaneous and Rare Minerals ..............................................................69
Mineral Springs ............................................................................................70
Artesian Water ..............................................................................................71
Catalogue of Minerals…………………………………………………...73

PREFACE
The appearance of this Bulletin is the first of the kind dealing
with the mineral resources of New Mexico, published under the
direction and authority of the State School of Mines. It is theintention to issue a series of similar Bulletins coming through the
School of Mines Mineral Resources Survey. The demand for such
literature is very great and rapidly increasing from year to year. In
course of time these Bulletins will cover the field and laboratory
investigations in every portion of the State. Probable artesianbasins will also be examined and the feasibility of reclaiming thesame by irrigation reported upon. New Mexico affords an almost
unlimited field for reconnaissance and research work along thelines indicated.
It is just beginning to dawn upon the people that the mineral
wealth of New Mexico is the State's greatest asset. The mineralproduction during the present year, 1915, will approximate$20,000,000. Mining is thus seen to be, by far, the largest single
industry in the commonwealth. It rivals the combined industriesof cattle, sheep, agriculture and horticulture. The mines of New
Mexico employ more labor than that employed by any .othersingle industry, excepting farming.
The present Bulletin is virtually a reprint or rather a revised
edition of a former publication made in 1908, by the writer, under
the authority of the New Mexico Bureau of Immigration. So great
was the demand for the first booklet, the first two thousand copies
were exhaust-

8

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

ed in less than six weeks. A second two thousand copies wereordered printed by the Bureau of Immigration before the typeforms were thrown in, to meet the demand for literature about themineral resources of the State.
THE AUTHOR.
Socorro, New Mexico, March 23, 1915.

HISTORICAL
In presenting this epitome of the Mineral Resources of New
Mexico, it is to be hoped that what is herein offered may be
conducive to a more intelligent understanding and appreciation of
the dormant mineralogical resources of a commonwealth ofwhich, comparatively speaking, but little is known. The value ofthe metallic output of the State in 1914, as estimated by the U. S.
Geological Survey, was $12,070,000l; an increase over that of1913 of $376,000. The non-metallic products were valued at$7,000,000 during 1914. The entire mineral production for the year
1914 aggregated an excess of $19,000,000, making the mining
industry supreme in the State.
Historically, New Mexico is the oldest and most widely knownof any .section in the United States commercially; its importanceis yet but meagerly comprehended.
Although New Mexico is the cradle of the mining industry in
the Rocky Mountains and Pacific Slope regions, peculiar politicalconditions have materially retarded its development. The fact,
however, should not be overlooked that the initial impulse
received in the development of the Great West was due to thediscovery of gold in Santa Fe County at the base of the Ortiz
Mountains, in the year 1828. This discovery was made twenty
years before the great gold excitement at Coloma in California
and thirty years before the find on Cherry Creek in Colorado.
The discovery of placer gold in New Mexico marks the
beginning of modern American methods that have so10

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

effectually revolutionized every phase in the art of mining andin the science of metallurgy.
The evolution of the old wooden bowl, known as the"batea," used in these early diggings, is symbolized in themodern gold pan. Crude designs of the first "rockers" and sluiceboxes for washing the auriferous gravels in trans-Mississippi
fields, virtually had their inception in this primary gold camp, in
Santa .Fe County.
Among the first stamp mills constructed in the United States
may be mentioned the one at Dolores for milling the ores fromthe celebrated Ortiz mine in Santa Fe County; one at the gold
camp of Pinos Altos in Grant County; and one at the Aztec mineat the head of Ute Creek on Baldy Mountain, in Colfax County.
The first experiments in ore concentration in the west wereconducted by J. Amberg, a German metallurgist at Pinos Altos,
in the early sixties of the past century.
It should also be noted that the first gold lode or vein
discovered and worked west of the Mississippi was made in theyear 1833, on the famous Sierra del Oro, constituting what is
now known as the Ortiz mine.
In the Los Cerrillos district, a few miles west of the Ortiz
Mountains, exist what appear to be prehistoric workings on ametalliferous vein of lead and silver, known as Mina del Tierra.
This antique working is of unusual interest with incline andnearly vertical shafts connecting and totalling, perhaps, over two
hundred feet of work, including drifts and stopes. Since theseancient workings penetrate the water level and have been flooded
ever since the mine was originally abandoned, the full extent ofunderground development is not known. As late as the year 1870
the remnants of an old canoe were still in evidence in the mine.
This curious water

HISTORICAL

11

craft was doubtless used in transporting ore and waste to the footof the incline shaft, from whence these products were carried tothe surface on the backs of Indian slaves in rawhide buckets; it isthus seen that the canoe served the purpose of a wheelbarrow or
tram.
Not a great distance from the Mina del Tierra are the prehistoric
turquoise workings at Mount Chalchihuitl. The mining of
turquoise antedates all other kinds of mining in the Southwest.
Prehistoric workings are found in all localities of New Mexico
where turquoise is known to exist. The associated stone hammers,
coiled and finger nail pottery found in the old dumps andworking pits, fully corroborate the antiquity of turquoise mining
in New Mexico.
Turquoise was used by the aboriginal tribes, not only for
ornaments, but it afforded a medium of exchange; doubtless, thegem-stone was their money and basis of values.
In connection with what has already been said concerning
early mining and metallurgical operations in the West, thesepreliminary remarks would not be complete without somemention of the copper mines at Santa Rita in Grant County. Thesecelebrated copper mines were the first of their kind operated westof the Mississippi; they were opened in 1804. Lieutenant Pike in
1807, during his expedition to the Territory, in speaking of mining, says: "There are no mines known in the province, except one
of copper, situated in a mountain on the west side of the Rio delNorte, in latitude 34 degrees. It is worked .and produces 20,000
mule loads of copper annually. It contains gold, but not quite
sufficient to pay for its extraction." The latitude of 34 degrees is afraction greater than a degree too far north for the Santa

12

MINERAL RESOURCES OF .NEW MEXICO

Rita deposits, but the error is not a serious one, since Lieutenant
Pike must have estimated the latitude, as he never visited themines. This copper was at that time carried on the backs ofburros to the City of Mexico, a distance of 1,350 miles, and fromthere sent to Spain, where the major portion was coined at theRoyal Mint. The remains of some of the old smelters may yet beseen standing by the railroad track at Fierro, still in a fairly goodstate of preservation.
From the foregoing it is obvious that New Mexico is thevanguard in the exploitation of the mineral resources of theWest, as relating to manners and methods primarily practiced inboth mining and metallurgy.

GENERAL GEOLOGYPHYSIOGRAPHIO FEATURES
The whole of New Mexico may be regarded as a vast plateau
region, averaging 5,000 feet in elevation, and dissected bynumerous streams, forming narrow valleys and deep gorges.
Geologically, the streams are yet in their youth.
The southwest portion of the State is characterized bystretches of Quaternary plains, embracing the desert ranges ofmountains common to central Arizona and the Basin region of
Nevada and southern California. The great plains of central andeastern New Mexico are, also, Quaternary. Most of the mountain
ranges parallel each other in a north-south direction and theContinental Divide zig-zags across the western and southwesternpart of the State. The drainage is to the south and west.
ROCK FORMATIONSPractically the complete geological column is represented in
New Mexico, extending from the pre-Cambrian complex to themost recent sedimentary deposits. Varying types ofmetamorphic, sedimentary and igneous rocks, comprising thethree fundamental classifications, are abundantly represented.
METAMORPHIC OR PRE-CAMBRIAN ROCKS
The basal crystalline rocks found in all the principal mountain
ranges in the north-central part of the State are unquestionably
pre-Cambrian. Rocks of the pre-Cambrian complex constitutethe core of the various

14

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

ranges bordering on either side of the Rio Grande Albuquerque to
El Paso; such rocks also comprise the core of the Sierra Blanca,
Mogollon, Datil, Mimbres and Black Range. Passing to the desert
ranges pre-Cambrian rocks, in the Floridas, Tres Hermanas, Granite
Gap and Burro Mountains constitute the basal complex.
These types of rocks are readily recognizable and consist of grayand red gneisses, quartz-sericite-schists, pegmatite dikes, etc. The
gneisses represent sheared granites and the schists result fromextreme foliation of the gneisses and other rock aggregations.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Sedimentation, as implied here, is due to the cumulative processof deposition through the action of water.
The thick beds of sediment laid down on the pre-Cambrian sea
floor have been deposited by the slow cumulative process of
untold ages, and built up as it were the geological column of theterrene.
Until recently it was thought that the Ordovician, Silurian and
Devonian strata were lacking, but now these supposed gaps havebeen filled in by discoveries made in the central and southwesternpart of the State.
In the northern part of New Mexico, it is found that the
Carboniferous rocks rest unconformably on the pre-Cambriancomplex.
IGNEOUS ROCKS
Aside from the primodial granite, it is observed that postPaleozoic rocks of igneous character are abundant throughout themountainous regions. Post-Paleozoic igneous rocks may with
propriety be divided into two separate groups—intrusives andeffusives. The intrusives embrace the porphyries, which arereadily disting-GENERAL GEOLOGY

15

uished by their dark to light-gray and pinkish tint containing
white phenocrysts of feldspar. Porphyries have a wide range ofvariation and necessitate an extensive nomenclature to specify
them. They pass gradually from one to another, due to avariation in their composition, as from granite-porphyry throughsyenite-porphyry,quartz-monzonite-porphyry,
monzoniteporphyry, to diorite-porphyry.
Certain porphyritic intrusives or dikes have an intimate
relation with ore deposits; especially those of Tertiary age.
The effusive or flow-rocks are recognized by their extensive
surface distribution, covering the older rocks frequently to
profound depths. These flow-rocks found in various parts of
New Mexico comprise rhyolites, andesites, dacites and basalts.
The most recent of these lavas is basalt or what is locally termed
mal pais; it belongs to the Tertiary and in many instances appear
to have reached into the late Pleistocene. Many thousands ofsquare miles of the surface of New Mexico are covered with thiscomparatively recent lava, especially in the north central
portion.
ORE DEPOSITS
Concerning the mineral deposits of New Mexico andelsewhere, it is important to be able to recognize anddifferentiate the ore-bearing formations and rocks from thosedestitute of economic minerals.
The uneducated prospector has now begun to realize theimportant relation existing between certain kinds of minerals andtheir associated formations. Possessed of such knowledge, he isthus able to prosecute his work and apply his energy in fields
especially favorable to success.

16

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

In prospecting for gold one should seek a region with
abundance of porphyry and quartzy, iron-stained dikes; limestone
formations, as a rule, should be avoided. Fissure veins appear themost promising.
Copper ores in many instances are found along limestone andporphyry contacts, and disseminated as sulphides throughporphyritic masses of large extent. Certain strata of the JuraTriassic and Permo-Carboniferous rocks in New Mexico carry
impregnations of copper carbonate; on the whole thesesandstones and thin bedded limestones will not average over two
per cent copper. The "red beds" formation is also an importantgypsum, salt and possible oil horizon.
The principal iron deposits of New Mexico are all intimately
associated with monzonite-porphyry in juxtaposition with
Carboniferous limestone. The denuded monzonite rock, with few
exceptions, was primarily a laccolith.
Turquoise is found in localities similar to those in which ironabounds, with the additional presence of copper, but with orwithout the presence of limestone.
Certain strata of the Carboniferous rocks of the State are ore
carriers, principally of lead, silver and zinc, as at Magdalena andLake valley; such strata serve as important guide horizons to theintelligent prospector.
Silurian limestone at Chloride Flat, near Silver City, carries
silver and lead, as also does the Ordovician or Devonian
limestones at Granite Gap, Cooks Peak, Kingston and some othercamps.
The Upper Cretaceous rocks are the chief fuel horizons in theWest; the Laramie and Upper Montana coal measures are
extremely important.
With the exception of the syngenetic deposits of gold

GENERAL GEOLOGY

17

placers and the Triassic copper as alluded to above, the greater portionof the ore bodies belong to the epigenetic class; that is, the metals
were introduced subsequent to the formation of the encasing rocksystem.
AGE OF ORE DEPOSITS
It is observed by noted investigators that the greater portion, if notall, of the metalliferous deposits that are now being worked in New
Mexico, are comparatively young in age and may be placed as postCretaceous. To support this supposition it appears that most of these
deposits are closely allied and genetically related to igneous
phenomena of Tertiary, and even later, times. In fact, there are someinstances observed by the writer of southwestern ore deposits,
indicating that the agencies of mineral segregation and deposition are
operative at the present time.
Aside from the post-Cretaceous deposits there are others that would
be classed as pre-Cambrian these ores on the whole are rather pockety
and their average value quite low.

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALSGOLD
In this brief dissertation of the more important minerals of New
Mexico, it would seem proper to begin with gold, since it has everexcited the attention and cupidity of mankind from the dawn ofhistory to the present time.
The first discovery of gold west of the Mississippi River was
made in Santa Fe County at the base of the Ortiz Mountains, in theyear 1828. This discovery is known as the Old Placers; the New
Placers were made eleven years later, in 1839, a few miles to thesouth of the Old Placers, in the San Pedro (Tuerto) Mountains. The
first symptoms of "gold fever" in the Rocky Mountains and PacificSlope regions were diagnosed in this primitive New Mexican
camp.
The geographical distribution of gold seems to cover a wider
range than any of the commercially valuable metals; it occurs inrocks of all ages and kinds, and is present in minute quantities in
sea water and in the soil. Notwithstanding its universality, it isnever found in any very great masses or bulky accumulations.
The primary source of gold is from the Plutonic rocks,
segregating by dynamical, chemical and other complex agencies, inveins, dikes, and along zones of contact. Placers are secondary
deposits, derived from the primary segregations through the effects
of disintegration and erosion, re-deposited by the, sorting power ofwind and water in obedience to the law of gravitation.

20

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

It is practically proven in the research work of the U. S.
Geological Survey, and the truth further substantiated byindependent investigators, that the chief ore production of theCordilleran regions of the western Continent is almost wholly
post-Cretaceous in age. Whilst the pre-Cambrian rocks of New
Mexico carry mineral, the grade, as a rule, is quite low. The chiefminerals of these old metamorphic rocks are pyrite, chalcopyriteand sphalerite; also, gold and silver—averaging less than four
dollars per ton in these two latter metals. Many of the rare metals
are associated with these older rocks.
Mining in the pre-Cambrian rocks is carried on mainly in thecentral north-half of the State. The chief pre-Cambrian material
bearing types of rock are amphibolitic or chloritic schist and, also,
rock of a pegmatic and granitoid character.
The gold and copper prospects located in the great schist
formation on the south side of Tijeras Canyon in the Sandia
Mountains east of Albuquerque, are in pre-Cambrian rocks. The
Hamilton mine, on the Pecos in northwestern San Miguel County;
also, numerous prospects in the Santa .Fe Range; the Frazer
copper mine at Twining in Taos County; and mines in theBromide and Hopewell districts in Rio Arriba County, belong to
the pre-Cambrian rock-system. .
It is observed by those familiar with the ore production of New
Mexico, that the chief producing mines lie in the southwest andsouth-central parts of the State, with but few exceptions; and thatthe ores are genetically related to an entirely different and verymuch younger vein-system. The ores from this younger veinsystem are

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

21

post-Cretaceous or Tertiary in age, and perhaps extend into the late
Pleistocene.
GOLD LODE MINING DISTRICTS
The principal gold districts of New Mexico where gold lodemilling is or has been carried on, are given in the following, bycounties,
COUNTY.
DISTRICT.
Bernalillo

Coyote Canyon
Hell Canyon

ColfaxElizabethtown
Red RiverDoña Ana

Organ Mountains

Grant

CentralGold Hill
Lordsburg
Pinos Altos
Sylvanite

Lincoln

Vera Cruz
White Oaks
Nogal
Jicarilla

Otero

Jarilla Mountains

Rio Arriba

Hopewell

Sandoval

CochitiSanta Fe

New and Old Placers

SierraHillsboro

SocorroCat Mountain
Mogollon Mtns.
RosedaleTaos

Rio Hondo

22

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICOPLACER MINING DISTRICTS
The chief placer mining districts, by counties, are given in thefollowing
COUNTY.

DISTRICT.

ColfaxElizabethtown
Ute Creek
Willow Creek

Grant

Sylvanite
MalonePinos Altos

Lincoln

Jicarilla
Nogal
White Oaks

Otero

JarillaRio Arriba

HopewellRio ChamaSanta Fe

SierraTaos

Galisteo
Old Placers
New Placers
Hillsboro
Pittsburg
Red River
Rio Grande
Rio Hondo

The value of all the gold produced in the United States from theyear 1792 to January 1, 1915, according to estimates given by the
U. S. Geological Survey, is approximately $3,643,000,000. The
value of the world's output since the discovery of America toJanuary 1, 1915, in round numbers, is placed at $15,186,000,000.
The production of gold in New Mexico for the year 1914 isestimated by the Mint and U. S. Geological Survey at $1,172,000.
This is a gain in the gold production of the State over the preceding
year of $290,000. The entire production of gold in the State since
the modern discov-DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

23

ery in 1828 in southern Santa Fe County will approximate$33,500,000.
The most usual occurrence of lode gold in New Mexico is in
association with quartzy gangue material which frequently
carries various metallic oxides and sulphides; these latter
metallic compounds depend on the character and depth of thedeposit and the encasing country rock.
The gold placers have uniformly resulted from the erosive
effects of wind, weathering and water and the gold is found in
the late Tertiary, Quaternary and more recent gravel beds instreams and gulches below the source.
Until recent years New Mexico was essentially a placer
producing province; fully three-fourths of its entire production
was attributable to that source. This latter condition is now
reversed, due to the rapid growth in lode mining. During the past
few years increased activity in prospecting and metal mining
was noted in most every part of the State. The rich gold strike
made during the summer of 1914 at Pinos Altos, on the
Skillicorn lode, caused considerable excitement and gold mining
in that celebrated old camp is once more on the ascendency.
Some specimens of this late strike were recently placed on
exhibition at the San Diego Exposition in the New Mexico
building and are attracting considerable attention.
SILVER
The first authentic account of the modern discovery of silver
in New Mexico, was through Pete Kinsinger in 1863, when hefound rich silver float while a soldier under Gen. J. H. Carleton
stationed at. Pueblo Springs, near Magdalena in Socorro County.
No important

24

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

bodies of silver ore were ever uncovered at this point thediscoveries were all confined to small veins and seams. The old
Ace of Spades mine is where the discovery was made.
This early find of. the white metal had its influence, when three
years later but a few miles away, rich carbonate ores of lead andsilver were found in the Magdalena Mountains.
In 1867, a year after the discoveries at Magdalena, silver was
found in Socorro Mountain.
The phenomenally rich silver discoveries made at Chloride Flat
at Silver City, in 1871, followed by the great excitements at
Georgetown, Cooks Peak, Lake Valley, Kingston and points
further north in the Black Range, resulted in a tidal wave ofmining activity which swept the then southwest territories.
Since silver, to a great measure, is genetically related with theoccurrence of both gold and lead, much of that which has been
said about gold and its geological relations to certain rockformations applies to silver; as, also, what may, along this line, behereinafter said about lead. The silver ores seem to occupy anintermediate relationship to those of gold and lead.
Under the caption of gold it has been pointed out that the preCambrian rocks, as a rule, are impoverished in values of theprevious metals this phase of the subject will receive no further
attention.
The principal silver ores of New Mexico seem to be more
intimately associated with lead deposits than with those of gold.
Since most of the great lead deposits of the State are found to beclosely related to the phenomena of intrusive porphyry dikes into
limestone, we now

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

25

naturally look with favor on such conditions when prospecting
for silver and lead ores.
It is also true that some very rich silver ore has been taken from
more or less irregular types of fissure veins in the effusive
andesite lavas, as at the Last Chance mine at Pyramid Peak southof Lordsburg, the Beck and Volcano Mines northwest of Steins
Pass, Steeple Rock and elsewhere in Grant County; on the whole,
the production of silver from this class of mines, thoughconsiderable, is quite insignificant, when compared to the output
coming from deposits affiliated with intrusive porphyritic masses
injected while hot into thick beds of limestone.
The limestone formations in which valuable deposits of silverlead and lead-silver ores occur, seem to comprise theCarboniferous, Devonian, Silurian and Ordovician.
At Granite Gap, in southwestern Grant County, the lead-silverores are contained in cavities in the Ordovician (?) limestone.
This seems to be the case at Cooks Peak.
The silver-lead ores at Chloride Flat, Georgetown and Lone
Mountain, lie in Silurian limestone, immediately below Devonian
shale.
The silver deposits at Kingston and Hermosa likely occur in
Devonian limestone, though this is not quite certain.
At Lake Valley the ore bodies occupy a position at the base of
the Lower Carboniferous (Mississippian) limestone, immediately
above the Devonian series. The Magdalena lead-silver-zinc
deposits are, also, Carboniferous.

26

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICOThe above references are cited to some of the more importantsilver producers, showing the wide strati-graphical range of the ore
horizons in the limestone of the State.
The principal producing silver districts, by c® ties, of New
Mexico silver mines, are here given:
COUNTY.

DISTRICT.

Dona Ana

Hembrillo
Organ Mtns.

Grant

ApacheCamp Fleming
CentralChloride Flat Eureka
Georgetown
Kimball
Lone Mountain
Pinos Altos Pyramid
San Simon Steeple
Rock Telegraph

Luna

Cooks PeakFloridaVictorio
Tres Hermanas

Rio Arriba

BromideSandoval

CochitiSanta Fe

Cerrillos

SierraBromideHermosa
Kingston
Lake Valley

SocorroMagdalena.
Mogollon
Socorro Mtn. (Encarnacion )DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

27

Aside from the principal silver camps as just enumerated, there
are many other localities that may in time become important.
New Mexico has produced in silver values, as near as can be
determined, $32,700,000 up to the present time. The silver
production for 1914, amounts to 1,720,000 fine ounces, asestimated by the U. S. Geological Survey.
From general mining appearances the present output of silver
will likely be gradually increased for a number of years to come.
COPPER
The geographical distribution of copper compounds in New
Mexico covers a wider range of territory, excepting that of gold,
than any one of the other commercially valuable base ores.
Copper not only occurs in the pre-Cambrian schists and later
Tertiary rocks, but it is found in the intermediate series, which
comprise the Permo-Carboniferous and Jura-Trias formations.
As previously noted under the caption of Gold, the preCambrian deposits do not appear so important from a commercial
point of view as those formed at a subsequent period. It should not
be construed that none of the pre-Cambrian copper deposits aredevoid of merit; such, however, is not the case. The writer isacquainted with several cupriferous deposits in pre-Cambrianschists that have much in their favor, and will doubtless be
profitably worked in the near future.
Besides the post-Cretaceous or later copper deposits, there is aclass of bedded deposits occurring in the "red beds" formation
which deserve mention, on account of their wide geographicaldistribution. These sedimentary cupriferous beds have beenprospected in various local-

28

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

ities where they exist, and many attempts at mining and milling theores have been made meeting with doubtful success.
The most important of these deposits lie in the Nacimiento
district, Sandoval County; near Abiquiu, Rio Arriba County; in theBlack Mesa district, Union County; at Tecolote, near Las Vegas;
and along the base of the San Andreas, Sierra Oscura, Manzano,and Sandia Ranges. Points where exploitation of these cupriferous
beds have been carried on greater than elsewhere, are at Estey andHansonburg in the Sierra Oscura; northeast of the Sandias, between
the northern end of that range and South Mountain; at Tecolote,near Las Vegas; and at Señorita in Sandoval County. Reduction
works were formerly erected at Señorita, at Tecolote and at Estey,
but were not a. commercial success.
It is the opinion of the writer, that it is only a question of time,
coupled by metallurgical skill, until these deposits will be worked
at a profit; their importance cannot be overlooked orunderestimated in this day of rapid development.
The bulk of the ore in these interesting bedded deposits exists as
a carbonate; although, some very high grade glance and other formsof copper ores are quite common. The copper has in many instances
replaced organic substances, preserving in the minutest detail the
texture of the plant. These freaks in metasomatism, most usually,
have produced very high grade chalcocite. Opinion seems much
divided as to the genesis of the deposits.
The post-Cretaceous ores of copper are those that contribute thegreater portion of the output of the State.
'These deposits occur in veins and contact fissures in limestone
cavities that have become filled with mineral

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

29

matter due to the influence of igneous dikes; and in porphyritic
masses where the metallic compound is disseminated through therock constituent, principally as a sulphide.
In the smaller veins and fissures of copper ores, there are usually
other kinds of mineral aggregations associated with the deposit;
such as minerals of lead, silver, zinc, manganese and iron, withvarying quantities of gold.
In the larger porphyritic deposits as at Santa Rita and Burro
Mountains, the ores carry practically no values, other than copper.
These latter ores, especially those of the Burro Mountains, are on
the whole quite low grade not exceeding three per cent copper. At
Santa Rita the grade of ore is somewhat better than that of the
Burro Mountains. Much native copper is mined at Santa Rita.
The Lordsburg copper ores carry silver at the south end of the
district; nearer town, values in both gold and silver are present.
Some exceedingly high grade chalcopyrite, bornite andchalcocite ores are encountered in the Cooney mine in the
Mogollons; this character of ore carries good values in both goldand silver.
The region between Steins and Granite Gap in southwestern
Grant County is extremely favorable for large copper deposits; it ispractically undeveloped.
At Pinos Altos much of the copper ores contain both zinc andlead. There are valuable contact deposits of copper at the Organ
camp, northeast of Las Cruces; these particular properties havebeen lying idle the greater part of the time for a number of years,
caused by litigation and lack of capital.

30

M IN ER A L RE SO URC E S OF NE W M E XI CO

In southern Santa Fe County at San Pedro, large quantities oflow grade garnetiferous copper ores exist in the limestone.
Operations at the smelter and mines have been intermittently
conducted for the past fifteen years, due to the fluctuating price ofcopper. This smelting plant has been closed down for the past two
years, but will resume again very shortly. The price of copper isbeginning to advance quite rapidly through the demand made by
the war in Europe.
In the Caballo Mountains, the Black Range, Red River, Baldy
Mountain, in the Jarillas and in the Organ Mountains muchprospecting and work have been done of late, having an especial
bearing on the development of copper mining in the state.
At present most of the copper from New Mexico is mined in
Grant County. The operations of the Chino Copper Company at
Santa Rita are conducted on a stupendous scale and the productionof copper in the State has materially increased since that company
took over the mines of the Santa Rita del Cobre grant. The Chino
Company mills nearly 6,000 tons of ore a day and the estimatedproduction of copper for this one mine during. 1914 being
54,822,000 pounds.
The history of copper mining in New Mexico is always
extremely interesting, since the mines at Santa Rita are the oldest
west of the Mississippi. These famous mines were discovered by
an Apache Indian about the year 1798, and were first opened in
1804, and have been producing almost continuously to the present
time. A brief sketch of the early history of the Santa Rita
mines by the writer may be had in "New Mexico Mines andMinerals," 1904, Chapter VI.
The mines of the Burro Mountain Copper Company

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

31

will be a close second to the operations of the Chino just assoon as the new ore treating plant, now in course of erection, iscompleted. Like the Santa Rita mines, the Burro Mountains' ore
is a low grade porphyry copper proposition. Grant County is
now producing most of the copper mined in. the State.
At the present writing the demand for copper is in-creasing
at a very rapid rate, due to the effect of the war in Europe. The
price is now quoted for electrolytic at from 15 cents to 15.25
cents a pound. The extraordinary conditions now confronting
the European nations is certain to create an unprecedented
demand for most all metals. The United States will be expected
to supply the deficiency.
The principal districts of copper, by counties, are given in
the following :COUNTY.

DISTRICT.

Bernalillo

Hell Canyon
Placitas
SandiaColfaxBaldy Mtn.
Cimarroncito
Hembrillo
Organ

Dona Ana
Grant

Anderson
ApacheBurro Mts.
Central
Eureka (Hachita)
Pinos Altos
pyramid San
Simon Steeple
Rock
Santa Rita
Virginia
White Signal

32

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICOCOUNTY.

DISTRICT.

Lincoln

Estey
Sierra Blanca

Luna

FloridaTres Hermanas

Otero

Bent
Jarilla Mts.

Rio Arriba

BromideHeadstone

Sandoval

Nacimiento

San MiguelHamilton
RociadaTecolote

Santa Fe

Cerrillos
San Pedro

SierraBlack Range
Caballo Mts.
Hillsboro

SocorroHansonburg
Magdalena
Mogollon Mts.
OscuraSan Andreas
San Lorenzo
Water Canyon

Valencia

ManzanoZuni Mountains

Taos

Copper Hill
Red RiverTwining

Union

Black Mesa

Besides the above copper districts, the Guadalupe Mountains insoutheastern New Mexico have a number of good copper showings.

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

33

LEAD
Briefly, what has been said concerning the genetical occurrenceof the silver deposits of New Mexico and their relation to thesurrounding rocks, will apply in a general sense to the lead and zincores of the State.
Aside from the mineralization found in the older metamorphic
rocks, it is only the later Tertiary deposits of lead that' seem tocommand much importance. It should be understood, however, thatin some instances paying lead mines may eventually be developedin the pre-Cambrian rocks of the State.
New Mexico produced 1,340,000 pounds of lead in 1914, against
3,940,000 pounds the year previous, according to statistics gatheredby the U. S. Geological Survey. The large decrease in the 1914
production was mainly due to the extremely low price of the metal.
Most of the limestone lead deposits carry values in silver, with but
little or no gold. Veins of lead in the porphyry rocks most always
carry both gold and silver values. In deposits of this character, as at
Pinos Altos, Lordsburg, Central and Cerrillos, the lead ores
oftentimes carry appreciable quantities of copper and zinc sulphide.
A classification of the lead producing counties and principal
districts of lead ores are given in the following:

34

MINERAL RESOURCES

COUNTY.

NEW MEXICO

DISTRICT.

Bernalillo

CoyoteSandiaDoña Ana

Hembrillo
Organ Mts.

Grant

Carpenter
CentralChloride Flat
Eureka Pinos
Altos
Pyramid
San Simon

Lincoln

Sierra Blanca

Luna

Cooks PeakFloridaVictorio
Tres Hermanas

San MiguelHamilton

Santa Fe

Cerrillos
New Placers

SierraBromideCaballo (Pittsburg)
Hermosa
Kingston
Lake Valley
Macho

SocorroCanyoncito
Magdalena
Mogollon Mts.
OscuraSan Andreas

Within the last few years considerable prospecting has been
conducted in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque and anumber of rather promising lead prospects, carrying some copperand silver values, have been located. The ore horizon is in theUpper Carboniferous limestone, which rests unconformably on the
pre-Cambrian complex.

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

35

ZINC
The zinc ores of the State seem wholly confined to the leaddeposits. It is safe to say, that wherever zinc is found in New
Mexico, lead is also present. One marked difference, however, isnoted in extent of their geographical distribution—the lead being far
more prevalent and not always accompanied by zinc.
In New Mexico, the geology of the zinc and lead deposits ispractically identical; therefore, the remarks concerning lead ores
may be considered applicable to zinc, without committing serious
error.
The county and contained zinc producing districts in New
Mexico may be cited in the following :COUNTY.

DISTRICT.

Grant

Carpenter
Central (Hanover)EurekaPinos Altos

Luna

Cooks PeakFloridaTres Hermanas

Santa Fe

Cerrillos
New Placers

SierraHermosa
Kingston

SocorroMagdalena
OscuraSan Andreas

The zinc deposits of New Mexico did not receive any attention
until 1902; the zinc ores of the Magdalena district were the first to
be recognized as being commercially valuable. Two years later new
deposits were found in the Tres Hermanas Mountains, and still laterin the Floridas and Black Range.

36

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

The deposits at Magdalena, Hanover and Pinos Altos are themost important in New Mexico at the present writing.
The "mundic" or mixed sulphides of zinc, iron and lead at
Cooks Peak, Pinos Altos, Hanover and Magdalena are receiving
close attention commercially. Also, the sulphide ores at Central andthe comparatively new district of Carpenter, are being closely
investigated relative to their zinc contents.
The mining of zinc now overshadows that of lead and is fast
becoming an important feature in the mineral output of the State. It
is noted that the New Jersey Zinc Company and its subsidiaries
have been acquiring many holdings of late in zinc properties ofconsiderable magnitude in various parts of New Mexico. The
recent rapid rise in the price of spelter, now quoted at 10.50 cents apound in New York is reflected by the great shortage in Europe,and the price of the metal will likely reach a still higher level in thenear future, unless there be a sudden cessation in hostilities. The
outlook for the zinc industry is the best in years and the presenthigh quotation is the greatest on record.
New Mexico produced 18,300,000 pounds. of zinc (in terms ofspelter and zinc oxide) during 1914. This is an increase over thepreceding year of about 1,800,000 pounds. Every indication points
to a still greater out-put during 1915.
IRON
Iron is the most useful of the metals. It is seldom found in thenative state, excepting in meteorites; it enters into the compositionof various types of minerals and mineral compounds.

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

37

The more important ores of iron are its oxides, carbonates andsulphides; the oxides are the chief ores of commerce.
The ores of iron are generally classified with respect to their
metallic content as determined by chemical analysis.
The principal iron ores of New Mexico are classed as follows:
Name.
Magnetite
Hematite
Limonite
Siderite
PyriteComposition.
Protosesquioxide of Iron
Sesquioxide of Iron
Hydrated Sesquioxide of Iron
Carbonate of Iron
Sulphide of Iron

Formula.

Iron %

Fe3O4
72.4
Fe2O3
70.0
2Fe2O·3H2O 59.8
Fe CO3 48.2
Fe S2 46.4

All of the ores given in the table are useful in the manufacture ofiron, excepting the last one, which is used in the manufacture ofsulphur and sulphuric acid.
Phosphorus and sulphur are the two principal impurities found iniron ores which influence their value. Phosphorous renders iron"cold short," while sulphur makes it brittle at read heat or "hotshort," and destroys its welding power.
It is observed that the principal economic iron ores of New
Mexico are genetically related to monzonite porphyry in contact
with limestone. The deposits lie along the plane of contact, and insome instances in the limestone itself, indicating metasomatic
action.
The principal deposits of iron are in the Jones district at the northend of the Sierra Oscura; in the Jarilla Mountains; near San Pedro;
about white Oaks; in the Capitan and Jicarilla Mountains; atTecolote and in the Gallinas Mountains; the Blackington deposits
west of the Gran Quivira; in the Cuchillo range; near Glorieta; at

38

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

Silver City; and at Fierro, Grant County. This latter deposit has
been worked for more than a decade by the Colorado Fuel and Iron
Company. The same company operates iron mines at Brice in the
Jarilla Mountains and the Yellowjacket mine near White Oaks.
The following analyses of average samples of some of the New
Mexico iron ores are here given:
Constituent.

Jones iron.

Silica ..............................
Iron .................................
Lime ...............................
Magnesia ........................
Sulphur ...........................
Manganese .....................
Alumina .........................
Phosphorus .....................
Titanium ........................
Water .............................
Ignition (gain) ................

2.00%
66.40
.30
1.25
.07
trace
.50
.09
.....
.20
.77

Blackington
7.9 %
64.1
1.2
trace
trace
trace

Cuchillo.
8.74%
62.48

….
….
none

….

trace

….

….
.023
.080

.....
.....

….
….

The above analysis of the Jones iron was made by the Seamon
Assay Company of El Paso; that of the Blackington iron by Elston
E. Jones, a student of the University of New Mexico; and theCuchillo iron was taken from a mining report on the property madeby Martin Fishback.
MANGANESE
Little attention has, until recently, been manifested in theprospecting and development of manganese in New Mexico, butfrom a cursory .view of the manganiferous localities it is thoughtthat this mineral product may prove rather important.
It is seen from the Mineral Resources of the U. S. Geological
Survey for 1913, that the manganese production for that year inthis country was only 4,078 long tons,

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

39

valued at $40,480. During the same year the imports of manganeseores were 345,090 long tons, valued at $2,029,680. Imports having
been practically cut off covering the latter four months of 1914,
there has been and now is quite a strong demand for manganesesince that time. This demand has greatly stimulated the manganeseindustry in this country and the outlook for 1915 is exceedingly
promising for a greatly increased production over that of recent
years, provided the war in Europe be materially prolonged.
From the foregoing, it would be well for the prospector to pay
some attention to manganese ores during the time of his search forthe more alluring metals.
The three principal ores of manganese having commercial
importance are Psilomelane, Pyrolusite and Manganite; these ores
are more or less associated, including other types of manganiferous
ores, in most all manganese deposits.
The uses of manganese may be divided into two distinct
industrial branches - metallurgical and chemical. The former use ischiefly confined to the manufacture of iron and steel products and in
the reduction of copper and silver ores; while in the latter instance it
is made use of in the manufacture of potassium permanganate,chlorine, oxygen and as a coloring material.
The most important deposits of manganese, so far as now known,in the State, lie in the Florida Mountains, on the side opposite thetown of Deming. These deposits from the meager development
done, appear to be of considerable importance. The ore occurs incavities in lime-*stone, having replaced the same throughmetasomatic action.
In the San Lorenzo mining district, about twenty-five

40

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

miles northwest of the town of Socorro, are several outcroppingsof high grade pyrolusite, occurring in porphyritic rocks; there has
never been as much as a ten-foot hole sunk on these croppings.
In the Macho district near Lake Valley are numerous
manganese indications. At Rincon some very high grade ore has
been taken out and piled on the dumps. In various localities, as at
Lake Valley, Kingston, near Georgetown and Silver City are
manganiferous ores of silver and iron, that frequently containlarge quantities of manganese, that should be commerciallyvaluable as ores of this metal.
MOLYBDENUM
Minerals of molybdenum compounds exist in several parts of
the State.
About eighteen miles northwest of Las Vegas in the El
Porvenir mining district, at the Romero mine, is an occurrence ofmolybdenite which seems of considerable importance. The mine
is fairly well developed and has a small reduction andconcentrating plant for saving the ore values. The occurrence isin the pre-Cambrian rock-system of the Las Vegas range.
A similar occurrence exists in the older metamorphic rocks of
the Santa. Fe range, a few miles east of the city of Santa Fe. In
this latter instance the mineral is disseminated through theassociated rock. The property is undeveloped, though extremely
promising.
Other occurrences in different parts of the State are known toexist, but have never been thoroughly examined.
In the Stephenson-Bennet lead mines in the Organ Mountains
there are found many beautiful crystals of

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

41

the mineral wulfenite—a lead-molybdenum compound.
Wulfenite is quite frequently encountered at Lake Valley, in theBlack range, at the Lucky Bill mine not far from Silver City, in
the Caballos, Magdalena and some other localities. In fact, it
occurs sparingly in most all the lead districts throughout thesouthwest.
Molybdenum, in the form of ammonium molybdate, is usedchemically to determine phosphorus in iron. It is also used in
fire-proofing, and as a germicide in disinfecting cloth in railway
passenger coaches.
FLUORITE OR FLUOR-SPAR
Of late years some very fine deposits of fluor-spar have been
uncovered in New Mexico.
The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company has been the chiefpurchaser. This same company exhausted a large deposit of very
pure fluorite on the southwest side of Cooks Peak. Other large
deposits are known to abound in the region between Cooks Peakand Deming which have also been extensively mined andshipped to the steel plant at Pueblo.
One of the best and largest deposits of this fluxing mineral ofwhich the writer is acquainted, lies on the east side of the Gila
River to the west of the Burro Mountains in Grant County. Lackof transportation prevents the marketing of the product at a
profit for the present. The southwest part of the State possesses anumber of other valuable deposits that will in time be exploited.
Deposits of fluor-spar exist in the north end of the Sierra
Oscura. Some outcrops occur further to the south in the San
Andreas range. In the Sandia Mountains this mineral is quite
plentiful. In the Taos Range in northern New Mexico fluor-spar
has been reported.

42

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

Most all of the fluorite deposits in New Mexico are
exceptionally pure.
Hydrofluoric acid is .manufactured from the purest 'ores offluorite. Metallurgically, fluorite is used in the basic open-hearth
process in the manufacture of steel; phosphorus and sulphur
being removed by its introduction into the charge.
The following analysis made by the Seamon Assay Companyof El Paso of a sample of fluorite from the deposit between
Deming and Cooks Peak, in Luna County, is here given:
Silica ……………………………………….. 0.4%
Calcium .........................................................50.7
Fluorine .........................................................48.0
Total ..........................................................99.1%
This sample was of the greenish-blue variety.

ALUM (ALUNOGEN)
There are four localities in New Mexico where alum has beenreported: one of these is in the Sangre de Christo Mountains westof Red River postoffice, in Taos County; one in the northwest
part of Sandoval County; one on the ranch of H. C. Abbott
easterly from wagon Mound in Mora County.; and a fourth
deposit on the upper Gila River in Grant County.
Concerning the two first deposits reports have not beenverified; the two last deposits are existing facts.
The alum in the latter deposit seems to incrust an alum rock;the rock itself carrying Alumina.
The writer, in May, 1902, made the following analysis of asample of the alum of the Mora County deposit:

DISTRIBUTIONMINERALS

43

Silica .............................................................21.04%
Alumina .........................................................7.23
Calcium oxide ................................................0.36
Magnesium oxide ...........................................0.18
Sulphur ..........................................................11.92
Water and volatile matter ............................. 59.27-----------Total .................................................... 100.00%

The following analyses were made by John Enequist of New
York City, on the Gila River alum rock, in August, 1907:
Water ........................................
Alumina ....................................
Ferrous oxide ............................
Ferric oxide ..............................
Lime .........................................
Magnesia ..................................
Silicic acid ................................
Sulphuric acid (anhydrous) .

Incrustation.
Inside Rock.
20.93% (plus organic)
6.26%
16.75
16.87
1.70
1.50
2.88
4.25
0.15
0.33
0.23
0.16
31.31
56.11
26.36
14.08

Total……………100.31%

99.56%The Gila River alum rock is quite a peculiar mineralaggregation; the original rock has been greatly altered, resulting
in the present form. The rock is not nor never was a true bauxite.
Owing to the vast quantity of this alum product it doubtlesspossesses much commercial value; its utilization is strictly aproblem for the chemical engineer to solve. The chief value ofthe deposits seem to lie in the contained soluble sulphates; thesesurface incrustations of the soluble sulphates, constitute themineral known alunogen.
It is thought that the alum deposits of New Mexico are quite
suitable for the manufacture of a crude Sulphate of Alumina,
which is used in vast quantities in sanitation of cities for the
precipitation of sewage, in the sanitation

44

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

of domestic water, and in the manufacture of "fuming". Sulphuric
acid, the so-called Nordhausen oil of vitriol. That these deposits
possess great commercial value there can be but little doubt.
SALT
New Mexico is quite well supplied with this indispensable
product.
The saliferous horizon of the State is the same as that ofgypsum and is confined to the "red beds." The association of saltwith gypsum deposits is well known and this intimate relation is
strikingly illustrated in the salt lagoons in Otero, Torrance andEddy Counties. Such saline and alkali solutions collecting inimpervious basins, after extreme desiccation is reached, willdeposit their contained solid matter proportionate to solubility,
when the point of saturation is reached. Since salt is more soluble
than calcium sulphate, the gypsum is precipitated first later on thecontained chloride of sodium is deposited. The saline lakes in
New Mexico, occupying the central area of gypsiferous deposits,
vividly portray the extreme point of desiccation now reached bythese dying lagoons.
The saline lagoons and marshes in Otero, Eddy, Torrance andwestern Socorro Counties are susceptible of quite a production in
salt; they having supplied this necessary article for ranchers andtheir herds, without any visible decrease in quantity, since thedays of the Conquistadores, A. D. 1540.
Perhaps the most interesting and remarkable saline lake in theworld is that of Crater Lake in western Socorro County. A careful
study of this wonderful lake basin proves it to be nothing morethan a sunken grave that

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

45

marks the spot of a once active and magnificent volcano. In allprobability this volcano originally towered at least 3,000 feetabove the level of the plain. The past geological history of thislake basin is identically the same as that of Crater Lake, Oregon.
This remarkable basin may be described as a circular depression,
saucer-shaped, 200 feet deep, and at the center of the depression
two black cinder volcanic cones, rising from the basin to a heightof 150 feet. One of these cones is a solid, but the conduit of theother remains open to a depth of about eighteen feet below thelevel of the floor of the main basin. In the center of this hollow
cone is a circular pool of brine almost to the point of complete
saturation. The brine in the conduit rises and percolates throughone side of the cone and spreads out in the large saucer-like basin.
Owing to the desiccated condition of the atmosphere in thisregion of the United States, the excess of water is rapidly taken
up by evaporation and salt is deposited over the lake floor. It isthus seen that the process of salt-making at Crater Lake is
continuous and only during the wet season of the year when thewater becomes somewhat freshened does a cessation in saltmaking occur.
The cause of salinity of the water in the conduit cone may besatisfactorily explained on the supposition that the conduit of thecrater extends downward into the underlying saliferous formationof the "red beds." It should be noted that the surface rocks about
Crater Lake are Cretaceous, and it is thought that the depth of theunderlying red series of rocks will not exceed one or two
thousand feet. Waters circulating through the underlying
saliferous horizon become highly saturated with salt, rise in thevent, as a spring, and finally flow

46

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

through into the main outside basin where evaporation completes
the salt-making process.
Besides the several layers of salt at the bottom of the lake, it isestimated that 500,000 tons of salt are contained in the brine.
The United States consumed, in round numbers, during the year
1913, thirty-four and one-half million barrels of salt, or over six
hundred thousand barrels more than the home production.
GYPSUM
The principal gypsiferous horizon in the west appears to be
chiefly confined or limited. to the "red beds;" this is especially true
in New Mexico. Since the "red beds" formation is so widelydistributed over the State, superficially comprising about one-fifthof the surface, the deposits of gypsum are correspondingly great.
Here, every variety and form of gypsum may be found and the
supply, for all practicable purposes, may be consideredinexhaustible. The "plains of the white sands" in Otero County aresaid to compose the largest single deposit of almost pure gypsum
in the world.
No attempt was made to utilize the gypsum of New Mexico
until 1902, when the Rock Island Cement and Plaster Company
built a 50-ton plant at Ancho in Lincoln County, for manufacturing
cement plaster, plaster of paris, stucco, dental plaster, etc.; thecapacity of the plant was shortly afterward doubled. Three otherplants have since been erected: one at Acme in Chaves County ;one at Elida in Roosevelt County ; and one about six miles south of
Lakewood at Oriental in Eddy County.
Two analyses of New Mexico gypsum, one from Ancho and theother from the "plains of the white sands," are here given:

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS.

47

Ancho gypsite

White sands
product

Calcium sulphate (gypsum) .......................
Calcium carbonate .......................................
Magnesium sulphate ....................................
Magnesiu m carbonate ..........................
Magnesiu m oxide ..................................
Potassium sulphate ...............................
Sodium carbonate ..................................
Sodium chloride ..........................................
Silica ............................................................
Oxides, iron and alu minum ................
Moisture ...................................................

63.95%
20.04
.....
.....
0.89
.....
.....
0.09
3.57
2.01
9.45

97.00%
2.06
0.12
0.06
….
0.07
trace
trace
.....
.....
.....

Total ....................................................

100.00%99.31%

Mineral constituents

The analysis of the Ancho gypsite from which cement plaster ismanufactured was made by M. Carleton Ellis of Boston, and theanalysis of the "white sands" was furnished by the New Mexico
College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
The uses of gypsum are many and quite varied in character: suchas cement plaster, filler in paper, stucco, dental plaster, cement paint,
plaster of Paris, building blocks, scagiola inside finish, an imitationof onyx and marble, imitation meerschaum and ivory, etc. The low
grade unburned material is used as a land plaster or fertilizer. The
finer grades of alabaster are sought by sculptors for interior
ornamentation.
SULPHUR
There are some deposits of sulphur in New Mexico that will intime prove of considerable commercial importance, whentransportation facilities become so improved as to justify placing the
product on the market.
Coronado as early as 1541, and other Spanish explorers first usedsulphur in this State from the Jemez

48

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

Sulphur Springs and from the old Guadalupe sulphur mines, inthe manufacture of gun powder. But little has ever been done
toward utilizing the New Mexican product, for lack oftransportation, as above noted, since the days of theConquistadores.
Mariano S. Otero in 1901, erected a small plant of five tons
capacity at the Jemez Sulphur deposits, but it was operated only ashort time up to his death, which occurred less than three years
later; the plant now lies idle. This is the only modern attempt
ever inaugurated to work the New Mexican deposits.
Beside the two sulphur deposits just mentioned, there arenorthwest of White Oaks and also in the southeastern part of theState, near the Texas border, occurrences of native sulphur in
gypsum. It is problematical whether deposits of this character
will become important. The occurrences in the gypsiferous bedsof southeastern New Mexico, are similar in every respect to thosein western Texas and have doubtless been formed under the same
conditions. Sulphur has also been reported in one of the extinct
volcanic cones north of Tres Piedras.
MICA
The occurrence of Mica in New Mexico has been observed indifferent localities, and is found associated with pegmatite dikes.
These pegmatic dikes are closely allied to granite in theircomposition, being chiefly composed of quartz and feldspar withother, less prominent, constituent minerals, not including mica.
There are a number of minerals belonging to the mica group,
practically only two of which are commercially valuable, due totheir physical properties these are des-

DISTRIBUTION OP MINERALS

49

ignated as muscovite or potash mica, and phlogopite ormagnesium mica.
The value of muscovite or white mica depends on its
transparency and size of the sheets. The colors of phlogopite
vary from brown to reddish brown and oftentimes possess acopper-like reflection. The chief value of phlogopite lies in its
property of non-conductivity of electricity.
Biotite is another common type of mica though dark in color
due to the presence of iron and other impurities; it is .of themagnesium variety and closely allied to phlogopite.
All three of these micas vary largely in color, but only thetwo first are considered commercially valuable to any great
extent.
The micas of New Mexico have been but little exploited, but
those best known and developed are the deposits at Petaca in
Rio Arriba County. Other deposits of mica occur in TaosCounty, not far north of Ojo Caliente. The product at this point
would doubtless be classed as biotite and is perhaps inferior tothat at Petaca. The Petaca mica is fairly transparent and would
likely be classed as muscovite. No analyses of these micas haveever been made.
Mica is also found at Mocking-bird Springs in the north endof the San Andreas Mountains, Socorro County; the extent andvalue of the occurrence is unknown.
There are said to be deposits of mica at Nambé in Santa Fe
County that are quite important; the writer has never visited thissection. Mica is also reported to exist fit the little village of
Talco, in Mora County.
Mica is used extensively in the arts and in electricalinsulation; the latter use is of greater importance than

50

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

in the former instance. The bespangled effect on wall paper is due
to small particles of mica. The uses of sheet mica for stove
windows, for incandescent gas lamps, miners' lamps, etc., are wellknown to all. Ground mica forms an ingredient in heavy lubricants
and is used as an absorbent for explosives, and is a component inmica paints and bronzes; in fact the uses of mica increase eachsucceeding year.
The prices of scrap mica vary in price from $10 to $30 per
ton, depending on quality and locality where needed; large
sheets of clear mica command quite a price.
Most of the economic deposits of mica are common to the older
series of metamorphic rocks, usually regarded pre-Cambrian in age.
Such rocks are composed of coarse grained micaceous granites,
gneisses, and schists. The mica deposits occur in what are termed
pegmatite dikes, composed chiefly of white "bull” quartz andvarieties of feldspar. The most common of these feldspars are thoseof orthoclase and microcline. The feldspathic component is very
often made up of a variety of plagioclase, either that of albite oroligoclase. In the Petaca district, in Rio Arriba County, someextremely large crystals of feldspar were observed, attaining fromthree to five feet in length. The feldspar in the pegmatite at the Ojo
Caliente deposits to the south of Petaca is of a beautiful flesh colorand is more h the Petaca and Las Tablas feldspar.
ASBESTOS
Nearly the whole of the domestic asbestos comes from what is
known as the Sall Mountain and Hollywood mines in Georgia;
production in the other states is quite small. The entire output of theUnited States, according

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

51

to the U. S. Geological Survey for 1913, was only 1,100 shorttons. The greatest production was in 1911, when it reached 7,604
tons.
There are two varieties—the slip fiber or amphibole asbestos,and the cross fiber or serpentine (chrysotile); the latter is by far
the more valuable.
Specimens of slip-fiber were observed south of Steins Pass andin Rio Arriba County. On the Gila River above Red Rockasbestos of the chrysotile variety is reported to exist, not far fromthe ricolite deposits.
New Mexico has never produced asbestos in commercial
quantity.
MEERSCHAUM
During the year 1906, meerschaum in New Mexico was firstbrought to the attention of the public. The original find was madein Grant County, north of Silver City on the Sapello, a tributaryof the Gila River. Meerschaum was also found about a year lateron Bear Creek; this second discovery lies northwesterly from Silver City about twelve miles.
Since pure meerschaum is essentially a magnesium silicate
containing water, the value of the New Mexico product will thus
depend on how near it approaches the theoretical composition
and the extent of the deposits.
For comparison with the theoretical composition ofmeerschaum, two analyses of the Grant County product are given
below. No. 1 is from the Bear Mountain district and No. 3 is fromthe Sapello deposits; No. 2 is the theoretical mineral, given forcomparison:

52

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO
Constituents.

1.

2.

3.

Fe 2 O 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MgO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

57.10%
0.58
trace
27.16

60.8%
……..
......
27.1

60.97%
9.71
9.71
10.00

CaO

......... . .......

0.17......

0.22

CO2 .......................................
H2O .......................................

0.32......

......

14.78

12.1

19.14

Total ..................................

100.11%100.0%

100.04%

SiO2 ........

Al2O3

It will be noted that the Bear Mountain product compares very closelywith the theoretical mineral.
The above analyses were taken from Bulletin 340, Part I, page 470, U.
S. Geological Survey, 1907.
The deposits on the Sapello have been developed to a considerable
extent by the Meerschaum Company of America.
Doubtless other deposits of meerschaum exist in the State, and it is
not improbable that the mining of this rare mineral product may becomea unique feature in New Mexican mining.
At the present time about the only country in the world that produces
meerschaum is Asia Minor.
TURQUOISE
Turquoise mining in New Mexico antedates all other kinds of mining
in the Southwest. There is not the slightest doubt that turquoise wasactually mined by Aztec and Pueblo Indians, in their crude way, long
before the discovery of the Western Continent by Columbus.
It is now conceded by all historians that Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca
with his companions were the first Europeans to set foot on New
Mexican soil; this was in the year A. D. 1534. At this early date Cabezade VacaDISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

53

speaks of turquoise that he saw at his farthest point north in the
Rio Grande valley, presumably near the present site ofBernalillo. In all probability this turquoise came from Mount.
Chalchihuitl, in Santa Fe County, about forty miles to thenortheast of, Bernalillo.
Extreme cruelty of the Spaniards inflicted on the Indianminers and the caving of the profound turquoise working at
Mount Chalchihuitl, that killed a large number of slaves, caused
a general uprising of the Pueblo Indians in 1680, which drove the
Spaniards out of the country. The great antiquity of the oldworkings in a number of places around and near Mount
Chalchihuitl, is proven by fragments of the most ancient make ofpottery and the crude stone implements found in the old dumps
and excavations.
In the Burro Mountains, Jarilla Mountains and at Hachita,
prehistoric turquoise workings were observed by American
trappers and prospectors when they first drifted into New
Mexico. These old workings at that time were hoary with age
and have changed but little, where they have not been disturbed,
up to the present time.
New Mexican turquoise equals in beauty and quality thecelebrated Oriental gemstone of Persia. For comparison of thetwo products analyses are here given:
New Mexico Turquoise
Aluminum and ferric oxides ...................................39.53%
Phosphorus pentoxide .............................................31.96
Copper monoxide ......................................................6.30
Lime ...........................................................................0.13
Silica ..........................................................................1.15
Water .......................................................................19.80
Total .......................................: ..................... 98.87%

54

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO
Persian Turquoise
Alumina ..................................................................... 40.19%
Phosphorus pentoxide .................................................... 32.86
Copper monoxide ...........................................................5.27
Ferric and ferrous oxides ........................................2.21
Manganous oxide .................................................. 36
Water ..................................................................... 19.34
Total ................................................................. 100 .23%

Doctor F. W. Clarke of the U. S. Geological Survey made theanalysis of the New Mexican turquoise, and the analysis of the
Persian product was taken from Dana's Mineralogy.
Chemically, it is seen that turquoise is a hydrous phosphate ofaluminum colored by a copper compound. It is essentially asurface deposit, occurring in an oxidized zone.
Perhaps the most important turquoise mines in New Mexico
exist in the Burro Mountains. It is claimed that the excavation on
the Azure Turquoise Company's property there is the largest in
the world, made in the mining of turquoise.
New Mexico stands prominent in being classed among theWorld's chief producers of turquoise.
GRAPHITE
Graphite is found in association with the old metamorphic
types of rocks. There are two varieties of graphite—thecrystalline and amorphous; the latter variety is by far the moreabundant. The crystalline variety is more valuable commercially.
There are three known localities in New Mexico and possibly
others, where deposits of graphite exist. These deposits are all
bedded and will doubtless be found of considerable commercial
value when more fully exploited.

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS55

One of these deposits is in the mountains near Raton, Colfax
County; the second lies east of Albuquerque in the Sandia
Mountains adjacent to Tijeras Canyon; and the third is in the Taos
Range east of Taos.
Since the greater portion of graphite used in the United States isimported from the .Island of Ceylon, necessarily this mineralpossesses considerable industrial importance. Graphite prospects
should not be too hastily condemned and passed over by theprospector as worthless, but should be carefully examined andsamples selected and analyzed; more especially, if the deposit isclose to transportation.
The deposit at Raton evidently was at one time a coal bed, but
has been metamorphosed into graphite through the influence of
igneous dikes.
The purpose for which graphite finds its greatest use is in the
manufacture of crucibles, muffles, brazing boxes, stirrers, carbon
sticks for arc lights and other equipment designed for hightemperatures. It is used in the manufacture of lead pencils, andpure flake graphite is especially valuable as a lubricant.
COAL
First and most important of any one natural legacy to which theState of New Mexico points with the greatest assurance and pride,
is in its vast coal deposits. The exact areas of all the fields havenot, as yet, been fully defined and mapped but these areas havebeen expanded within the last few years and may eventually
approximate 25,000 superficial square miles. There are yet otherconsiderable areas of coal that will doubtless be discovered when acareful geological survey is made of the State.

56

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

Geologically, the chief coal bearing horizons belong to the upper
Cretaceous rock system; there are three of these in number. Thereis, however, near the base of the Lower Cretaceous, in the Dakota
sandstones, a lesser important coal horizon than any one of the three
just mentioned. And far below the Dakota\ sandstones, in the redseries of rocks or Permo-Carboniferous, is still another coalhorizon. But little is known of this latter horizon and the only placethat the writer has any definite knowledge of its coal bearing
qualities is at Estey City, where a drill hole was put down for waterand about two feet of an apparently good quality of coal was said tohave been passed through at about 600 feet in depth.
The coals of the Dakota sandstones are bituminous in character,usually dirty, and are mined only in a limited way for use in the
Government Indian School, at a point on the San Juan River a few
miles below Ship Rock.
Good bituminous coal exists at White Oaks, Carthage, Abbey,
Cerrillos, Raton, Van Houten, Dawson and some other localities.
The greater portion of the New Mexico coals are sub-bituminous or
non-coking in character. The later coals, especially .of Laramie age,are all sub-bituminous. The Laramie coal beds attain a greater
thickness than those of any of the other formations. One of thesegreat coal veins in the Rio La Plata section of San Juan County,
known as the Carbonero bed, reaches a maximum thickness of overthirty-six feet, the greater portion of which is solid coal.
The coal mining industry of Colfax County is important,inasmuch as that county continues to lead in the coal and coke
output. The beds in this county range in thickness from three toeight feet, and the quality of

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

57

coal is generally first class. The Colfax County coal field stands
second in area to that of the great Gallup-Durango basin.
The Gallup coal fields in McKinley County stand second to thefields in the northern part of the State in point of production.
The most southern coal field lies in Sierra County westerly
from Engle and very near the great Elephant Butte Dam project,
now under construction by the U. S. Reclamation Service for
impounding the waters of the Rio Grande. The next mostsoutherly fields are those of Carthage, Capitan, White Oaks andWillow Springs, southeast of Carrizozo. These fields are rather
circumscribed, yet they are important owing to their nearness to
the City of El Paso, Mexico and the southwest mining centers.
The coals of these southern-most areas are generally of
excellent quality and coke fairly well.
No anthracite is found in New Mexico, excepting at the coalmines at Madrid, near Cerrillos. The geology of this occurrenceis extremely interesting, since the order of nature in this field
seems to be reversed. Here the anthracite lies above thebituminous beds. This peculiar occurrence is due to the influencethat igneous sills and surface lavas have exerted on the topmost
coal bed, converting it into anthracite, while the heat wasinsufficient to metamorphose the veins of coal at greater depths,
to any appreciable degree.
This anthracite area is rather circumscribed and the greater
portion of the bed is thought by many to be nearing exhaustion.
Analyses show about 89% fixed carbon for this coal.

58

M IN ER A L RE SO URC E S OF NE W M E XI CO

The following proximate analyses of New Mexican coals fromwidely separated points are here given for comparison:

The output of the coal mines in New Mexico during 1914 was
the greatest in the history of the State. According to the report of
the State Coal Mine Inspector for the fiscal year ending October
31, 1914, New Mexico produced 3,826,885 tons of coal, valued
at $5,588,352. The production of coke during the same year
amounted to 405,128 tons, valued at the ovens at $1,341,732.
The value of the coal and coke combined was $6,930,084. No
coke is produced, at present, outside of Colfax County.
Concerning the coal output in the western States, New
Mexico was the only state that showed an increased production
over the previous year. This was, perhaps, to a certain extent,
due to the State not having had any labor troubles at any time inits history.
The U. S. Geological Survey has estimated that the. great
Gallup-Durango basin contains approximately 80,000,000,000
tons of coal. The northern end of this

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

59

field lies in Colorado and the tonnage belonging to New Mexicoof this particular basin ought not, conservatively speaking, fall
below 65,000,000,000 tons.
Taking into consideration the great fields of Colfax County
and the smaller ones scattered over the other coal sections of theState, a conservative estimate would place the total tonnage of
New Mexico coals at not less than 100,000,000,000 tons!
For a more complete description of the coal fields of New
Mexico, reference should be made to Contributions to Economic
Geology, 1906, Part II, U. S. Geological Survey.
The value of the vast tonnage of New Mexican coal does not lie
wholly in its quantity or quality, but in a very great measure to theposition of vantage it occupies with reference to the great smelting
centers of the Southwest and Republic of Mexico. Moreover, it
being the closest coal of any importance to the Pacific Ocean at
the extreme southwest seaport of the United States, it is not
improbable that one of the chief markets will eventually be insupplying all ocean-going vessels with fuel through the harbor at
San Diego, since the Panama Canal is now completed.
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GASPetroleum and natural gas are so intimately related, it would
be difficult to discuss one without the other. These products
belong to the group of compounds, classed as hydrocarbons.
Commencing with natural gas, the hydrocarbon series passes
gradually by loss of volatile matter and oxidation from one
compound to another, through naptha, petroleum, mineral tar andfinally to asphaltum.

60

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

By the processes of distillation and refining numerous products
in medicine and the arts are manufactured.
From our present knowledge of New Mexico, there appears to
be at least three geological horizons favorable for the existence ofoil; one of these is in the upper Marine Cretaceous shales; one in
the Lower Cretaceous; and one far below the two geologicalhorizons just mentioned, in the Triassic or Upper Permian (redbeds) formation.
Indications favorable to the existence of petroleum andilluminating gas extend over vast areas at widely separated
points; such indications are evidenced in many places by
seepages of both oil and gas. On the strength of this evidence, it ispredicted with confidence, that producing wells of both theseproducts will be brought in just as soon as conditions will
warrant taking up their intelligent exploitation.
The Pecos Valley region in Eddy and Chaves Counties is afield of great promise in the development of both oil and gas incommercial quantities. It is the opinion of the writer, based on
geological evidence, that one of the principal gas and oil bearingzones of the Pecos Valley region starts in the vicinity of Artesia
and passes in a slightly curved line through Dayton, running alittle to the west of Lakewood, thence southeasterly, crossing thePecos through to Avalon and thence further south-easterly toward
Alkali Flat and Salt Lake. Another similar zone heads in about
Stillwells Ranch and Dexter passing southeasterly throughHagerman toward the Mescalero Ridge. The existence of certain
minor folds in the strata between Dayton and Lake Arthur is also
regarded as favorable for oil and gas.
The Brown oil well and the Belt gas and oil well

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

61

both near Dayton indicate that the Pecos Va l l e y may some day
become an important petroleum field. The first named well has acapacity of thirty to forty barrels. The second well has a muchlesser production in petroleum, but is a strong gasser. These wells
are about 1,000 feet deep.
The oil-bearing sands of the Pecos region indicate that they
belong to the "red beds" or Permo-Carboniferous - the lowest oil
horizon in New Mexico.
At Farmington a joint stock company was formed about two
years ago and a test well was sunk in the south edge of the village toa depth of 2,730 feet when the drill became stuck in a tenacious
shale. The writer is in possession of a copy of the log of this holeand it is extremely interesting; however, it is not necessary for a
detailed description in this booklet. Suffice it to say that two veinsof coal, four gas zones, and one zone of maltha were passed.
through.
Near Gallup, Wingate, Antonio Sedillo land grant, various partsof the Navajo Reservation, western Socorro and Valencia Counties,
Hagan coal field, the Plains of tornado del Muerto, parts of
Guadalupe and Colfax Counties and a number of other localities
seem to favor the probable existence of petroleum. It will take time
to fully exploit these probable oil fields, and it is not unlikely thatsome of them, at least, will be productive. At Seven Lakes in
McKinley County a well was sunk in 1910 to a depth of about 400
feet which pumped, it, is claimed, a few gallons of oil every twentyfour hours.
GUANO
There have been found in the State deposits of guano .(batexcrement), the product being commercially valua-

62

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

ble as a fertilizer, due to the contained soluble phosphates andammonium.
Such deposits naturally belong to an arid climate; the desiccatedatmospheric conditions act as a preservative on the more soluble
matter, upon which the value of the product depends. The deposits in
New Mexico are confined to dry caves and the protection ofoverhanging and shelving rocks.
Three guano deposits have been worked and the material of each
was shipped to California, where it was used for fertilizing purposes;
the product was reported to have been exceedingly rich in soluble
phosphates. One of these deposits was in an old volcanic crater
northeast of Engle on the plains of the Jornado del Muerto; one in the
Guadalupe Mountains; and the other was in a cave in the Tres
Hermanas Mountains. Doubtless other deposits will be discovered in
the course of time.
BUILDING STONE
From a cursory knowledge of suitable stones for building
purposes, it appears that New Mexico is generously endowed withsuch material. ,The building stone of the State may, with propriety, be classified
as follows:
IGNEOUSGranite
Trachyte
BasaltMETAMORPHICGneiss
Serpentine
Quartzite

SEDIMENTARYSandstone
Limestone
Dolomite

The reason that but few quarries have yet been opened, is owing
to the comparative newness of the American immigration. Most of
the older towns and settlements, built by the natives are made fromadobe dirt; this material until quite recently was almost wholly
used in the building of houses. At the present time only the sand-DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

63

stones, limestones and basalts have been used to any extent in building.
The Sandia Mountains furnish a superior quality of limestone used
extensively in. the City of Albuquerque for building purposes. Also,
what seems to be an arkose sandstone, perhaps pre-Cambrian in age, islargely used for base rocks, door and window sills, etc., in many of thecity's buildings. This latter stone is of a creamy-white color and ispractically unaffected by frosts and general weathering.
At White Oaks and Gallup some very durable light gray and reddish
sandstones of Cretaceous age are used in the more prominent structures.
The original main structure of the Capitol Building at Santa Fe isconstructed from a beautiful cream colored Cretaceous sandstone, thatwas quarried from the top of a high hill at Lamy.
Beautiful sandstones of varying colors are used at Raton and also
other types of building stones.
In the vicinity of Roswell good qualities of both sandstone andlimestone can be had, and are much used in the Pecos Valley
metropolis.
Las Vegas has, perhaps, the prettiest colored sandstone that is used
for building purposes, to be found in the State. It is a red to brownish
chocolate color and the Normal University is built of this stone. The
paving stones at Las Vegas are also quite an asset to that town for acheap, durable sidewalk; these are of a chocolate color, also.
At Silver City there are used quite extensively the dark curly marbles
and limestones found in that vicinity; these stones are rather indurated,and very durable.
The main building of the School of Mines at Socorro

64

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

is constructed of a gray trachyte, which makes an attractive andsubstantial building stone. This stone is one of the igneous flowsof the Socorro Mountain volcano.
The granites, as yet, have received but little or no attention in
their exploitation.
The northwest part of the State affords large areas of beautiful
sandstones, varying in colors from a light gray, cream, lightbrown, reddish to chocolate. It is thought that many of thesestones will be highly prized for building purposes after they
become known and once opened to transportation.
In addition to what has been said on this subject, it might beremarked that in most every section of New Mexico to which
the writer's knowledge extends, there appears to be anabundance of valuable building stones ready for use when thetimes demand it. The modern and almost universal use of
cement, however, has had a blighting effect in the demand forbuilding stone in the last decade.
MARBLEIn a general sense, marble may be defined as any limestonethat will receive a polish and be suitable for ornamental
purposes, regardless of whether its structure is granular,
crystalline or compact. Lithologically defined, marble is ametamorphosed limestone.
Beds of crystalline limestones occur in quite a number of themountain ranges of New Mexico, and are classed as marbles.
Most of these marbles are rather coarse-grained, sometimes
fossiliferous, ranging from light to bluish gray to a slightly
brownish or pinkish color and all quite pretty.
Only within the last few years have the marbles ofthe State received attention; the industry is yet in the earliest stageof infancy.
At Las Vegas and Alamogordo marble quarries have been
opened and the product from these two places seems to commanda growing market. The stones run from light gray to delicate
pinkish and brownish tints, and into darker shades.
A rather dark bluish variety of marble at White Oaks,
susceptible of a high polish, is found in the adjacent mountains;the deposit lies dormant.
West of Las Cruces is a mottled marble of apparently goodquality; the crystallization is both fine and coarse grained.
A coarse grained gray marble exists in the Tres Hermanas
Mountains in Luna County, at the zinc mines and at the great bat
cave, on the north and east sides of the range, respectively.
In the El Capitan Mountains in Lincoln County in the
Manzanos in Valencia County; and in the Sandias east ofAlbuquerque are found attractive and durable types o f l i g h t t o
d a r k g r a y marbles. Many beautiful monuments are being cut
from the stone quarries of the Albuquerque Marble and Granite
Works' property in the southwest section of the Sandia range ofmountains.
CLAY
Very little is known about the clays of New Mexico; since but
few analyses have been made, our knowledge of the extent andcharacter of the beds is only fragmentary. Nevertheless, thatvaluable deposits of clay exist in various parts of the, State there isbut little doubt.
Clay may be defined as a silicate of alumina and usual-66

M IN ER A L RE SO URC E S OF NE W M E XI CO

ly contains water in appreciable quantity. Its origin is due to thedecomposition of feldspathic rocks from which the oxides of soda
and potash have been removed by circulating waters. Kaolinite is
the purest type of clay from which the finest grade of chinaware
is manufactured; it is composed of only three compounds—silica,
alumina and water. The more common forms of clay contain in
addition to these three compounds, small quantities of various
other substances, which sometimes exert a marked effect on thequality of the product.
Clays occur in most all the rock formations from the Lower
Carboniferous to the latest alluvial deposits, but only the purer
types possess especial commercial value.
The clay-bearing formations of New Mexico may be placed
under four general groups, viz:
1. Carboniferous clays.
2. Jura-Trias and Cretaceous clays.
3. Tertiary clays.
4. Loess and Alluvial deposits.
Most of the river valley bricks and adobe mud belong to thefourth classification.
The best building brick and refractory products come from the
Tertiary and Cretaceous marls and clays. The Cretaceous coalbearing formations are especially rich in refractory clays. Some
varieties of the Carboniferous shales are adapted to brick-making.
An apparently good brick of a beautiful cream color was a few
years placed on the market, manufactured from the Middle
Cretaceous shales on the Tonque, lying just north of the Tejon
land grant in southeastern Sandoval County. Lack of adequatetransportation resulted in the final closing of the plant.
Brick are made at most all the towns and villages inDISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

67

the State and vary considerably in their physical character
pertaining to tensile and crushing strength and also in their power
to resist the disintegrating effects of meterological agencies. From
tests made in the physical laboratory at the College of Agricultureand Mechanic Arts at Las Cruces, N. M., it was demonstrated thatthe river valley bricks are softer and their adhesive qualities lessthan brick made from clays of a different source. Las Vegas
makes one of the best grades of building brick in the State.
A splendid vitrified brick is turned out by convict labor at theState Penitentiary at Santa Fe. The clay comes from a deposit at
the base of the Santa Fe range, near the City of Santa Fe. This
brick is used in a number of the more important towns for
sidewalk paving.
The industries of clay products in New Mexico have only fairly
begun.
CEMENT
Analysis has disclosed the fact that some splendid grades of a
bluish and also cream-white limestone exist in the mountains lying
immediately northwest of White Oaks which are peculiarly
adapted as an ingredient necessary in the manufacture of cement.
Overlying the White Oaks coal beds is a massive shale of suchcomposition, that when combined with a proportionate part of thislimestone a very high grade Portland cement can be made. Testsof these materials have been made by Mr. Wm. M. Strong, aformer .practical chemist of White Oaks, with highly satisfactory
results.
Most of the principal mountain ranges of the State doubtlesscarry similar materials suitable for the manufacture of good gradesof hydraulic cement.

68

M IN ER A L RE SO URC E S OF NE W M E XI CO

The writer has observed extensive beds of Tertiary marls in a
number of places and it is quite probable that some of these
deposits could be used to advantage in making cement.
No hydraulic cement plants have yet been constructed in New
Mexico. The nearest plant of this character is at El Paso, whereapparently similar material is used to that so abundantly
distributed throughout the commonwealth.
Owing to the abundance of raw material from which cement ismade, coupled with the durability and cheapness of the finishedproduct, the growth of the cement industry has been somethingphenomenal.
Cement blocks are now largely used in Albuquerque in various
kinds of structures, and their use has become general throughout
New Mexico.
The Hondo Stone Manufacturing Company of Roswell did
pioneer work in the introduction of this modern building material
throughout the Pecos Valley.
MINERAL PAINT
Deposits of ocher exist in the Sandia Mountains immediately
east of Albuquerque, in the Caballo Mountains and in the vicinityof San Pedro in Santa Fe County. It is thought that these two latterbeds are of considerable commercial importance when fully
exploited.
Other deposits, perhaps, abound in the State, but no prospecting
has ever been done along this line. The two occurrences alreadynoted have never been looked into only in a very meager way theextent of the deposits is therefore unknown.
It is not improbable that some of the vermilion strata

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

69

common to the "red beds" might be utilized for mineral paint.
GRAVELS FOR ROAD BUILDING
New Mexico is endowed with practically inexhaustible
quantities of stream gravels particularly adapted for road building
and ballast. These gravels are elipsoidal in shape and arecomposed of quartz, trap and other highly siliceous stones. Their
resistance to wear is highly satisfactory.
The time has now arrived when the Commonwealth mustsecure proper legislation and inaugurate concerted action
between the various counties for the improvement of the public
highways. The intelligence of a people is measured by theirstandard of roads.
MISCELLANEOUS MINERALS
There are several other mineral products beside those
discussed, some of which are now of commercial value andothers will become so in course of time.
Good molding sand is had at Albuquerque which is used at theFoundry in that city.
Lithographic stone has been reported from several localities
and some samples have been submitted to the writer which seemto be of good quality.
On the west side of the Gila River above Red Rock post-office
is a large deposit of ricolite; this is a beautiful streaked stone andis valuable for ornamental purposes.
Other mineral species such as onyx, agate, ores of vanadium,
uranium, tungsten, gems, etc., are found in various parts of theState. A. deposit of a beautiful variety of lime spar, generally
called onyx, has recently been located at Columbus, in Luna
County.

70

M IN ER A L R E SO UR C E S OF N E W M EX IC ORadioactive minerals have been observed at Petaca in Rio Arriba
County, where samarskite was recently discovered and in some uranium
occurrences in the northeast side of the Limitar Mountains at the Jerome
copper mine.
The newly discovered tungsten deposits at Copper Hill in Taos County
appear to be rather important at this writing. Tungsten also occurs at
White Oaks and in the Victorio Mountains, Luna County.
By referring to the Catalogue of New Mexican Minerals embodied in thisbulletin, a complete list of all the known minerals found in the State up to
the present time can be reviewed.
MINERAL SPRINGSNew Mexico is possessed of numerous mineral springs in various
localities. Many of these springs may with propriety be classed as
volcanic, since the temperatures range from 60 degrees to nearly 200
degrees Fah. These thermal springs are usually found in the mountainous
regions where intense past volcanic action is in evidence and are, perhaps,
the lingering effect of dynamical forces.
The waters of a number of these springs have long been noted for theirefficacy in curing certain diseases and are patronized by large numbers ofhealth-seekers annually. Many wonderful cures are reported, by those
who seek their health giving power. The curative property of many ofthese springs has been thought due to emanations from radioactive
substances contained in the earth through which the waters course. The
school of Mines has already begun a series of investigations of themineral springs of the State and will publish a bulletin

DISTRIBUTION OF MINERALS

71

on the results which is expected to be of great interest to thehealth seeker.
There are springs, the waters of which are especially adapted
for the complete cure of acute and chronic rheumatism; springs
for stomach and liver troubles springs for syphlitic and blood
diseases; springs with lithia waters for stone in bladder andsimilar calcareous affections. In short, there are few ailments thatare not either benefited or wholly cured, by proper bathing anduse of the waters suited to the character of the disease.
At several of the prominent springs, bottling works have been
established and the waters can be had for home use in the more
important towns of the southwest.
A rather full discussion, with analyses, of the mineral waters of
the State can be had by referring to the chapter on Mineral
Waters, in the writer's volume, of "New Mexico Mines andMinerals," published in 1904.
ARTESIAN WATER
Of late years prospecting for Artesian water in New Mexico
has been vigorously prosecuted, with quite satisfactory results.
The Pecos valley is developed more fully along this line thanany other section in the State. The wells in this great Artesian belt
are not excessive in depth, have strong flows and the water isfairly good, generally speaking, and adapted for boilers, domestic
uses and irrigation.
What appears to be another Artesian belt of some promise issouthwest of Suanee Station on the line of the A. T. & S. F.
Railroad. The first well in this section was brought in early in theyear 1908. The water horizon appears to be in the sands andconglom-

72

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

erates lying at the base of the Dakota sandstones the water
though, is said to be excessively saline. This belt extends
westerly about 100 miles to Gallup, where an Artesian flow is
had for supplying that town with water, as well as a small flow at
Chaves Station.
There are a few other flowing wells in various parts of theState, but none of these areas have been developed as in the caseof the Pecos Valley.
The writer knows of several virgin localities where Artesian
water seems probable, judging from the geology of the region,
but space in this bulletin precludes giving detailed descriptions.
Knowing the nature of the source of Artesian water, as a wordof caution, it would be well for all users to conserve the supply
with scrupulous care, in order to prolong the flow through thegreatest period of time. Water is quite similar to all other mineralsubstances and the quantity may become depleted or evenexhausted just the same as working out a vein of ore.
Observations made by the U. S. Geological Survey call attention
to the fact that the elevation of the average water table of theUnited States is being lowered about three feet each decade.

CATALOGUE OF NEW MEXICOMINERALS
Actinolite ........................................................................Jones iron mines, Sierra Oscura
Agate ............................................................................Russels Canyon on Rio Tularosa
Alabandite ................................................................................ San Pedro copper mines
Alabaster ………………………………………………….…… ...…. Jones mining district
Albite ……………………………………………..…………….Copper Hill, Taos County
Almandite ……………………………………………………….. San Pedro copper mines
Allophane ……………………………………………….......................... Fierro and Hanover
Alounogen …………………………………..……………….… Upper Gila and elsewhere
Amethyst …………………………………………….... Black Range, Great Republic mine
Andesine ……………………………………………........................ In various igneous rocks
Andradite …………………………………………………. Organ and Cieneguilla districts
Anglesite ……………………………………………......................... Victorio mining district
Anhydrite …………………………………………………. Metamorphosed by lava flows
Ankerite …………………………………………………......................... Lake Valley mines
Anorthite ……………………………………....………………... Various mountain ranges
Anthracite …………………………………………….. Madrid Mines, Cerrillos district
Anthraconite …………………………………....….......................... Tejon and Quelites grants
Apatite, ……………………………………………….... Lake Valley and Hillsboro regions
Aragonite ...........................................................Kingston camp and Graphic mine
Argentite ............................................................................ Virginia mining district
Arsenopyrite .................................................................Ortiz and Virginia districts
Asbestos ……………………………………………......................... Mimbres mining district
Asphaltum ........................................................................Perea grant, Guadalupe county
Aurichalcite ……………………………………...…………….. Magdalena mining district
Automolite ………………………………………………………….... Santa Fe mountains
Azurite ..................................................................................... Santa Rita copper mines
Barite ........................................................................................Mimbres mining district
Baryto-calcite ……………………………………………………...…. Sierra Oscura
Baryto-celestite …………………………………………………………..… Sierra Oscura
Beryl .............................................................................................Santa Fe gravel beds
Biotite ……………………………………...…………….. Ojo Caliente, Rio Arriba county
Bismuthinite .......................................................... San Andreas range, Florida mountains
Bismuthite ………………………………………………………….… San Andreas range
Bloedite ......................................................................................... Estancia salt lake
Bornite ………………………………………..………… Blank range and Cooney districts
Bournonite.................................................................... Los Cerrillos and Central districts
Brochantite …………………………………..........................…. Torpedo mine, Organ district
Bromyrite ……………………………………………..... Bromide (Tierra Blanca) district
Brookite ………………………………………………….. Copper mountain district

74

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

Bucklandite................................................................................San Pedro copper mines
Calamine ………………………………..... Thunderbolt mine and Magdalena Mts.
Calaverite …………………………..….................... LaBelle and Red River districts
Calcio-celestite ...........................................................................................Sierra Oscura
Calcite .......................................................................................Kelly and Graphic mines
Caliche ........................................................................Common to New Mexican plains
Carnelian ......................................................................... Found in various gravel beds
Carnotite ....................................................................... Peralta canyon, Cochiti district
Catlinite …………………………………………....…… Sangre de Cristo range (?)
Cassiterite …………………………………………………...…………. Las Tablas
Celestite ............................................................ ....Sierra Oscura and San Andreas Mts.
Cerargyrite ……………………….......................... Lake Valley and Kingston mines
Cerium ………………............................... Las Tablas and gravels of Rio Chama (?)
Cerussite ………………………….................... Cooks Peak and Magdalena districts
Cervantite …………………………………………… Central district, Grant county
Chalcedony .........................................................Widely distributed over New Mexico
Chalcocite .........................................................................Santa Rita and Cooney mines
Chalcophanite ................................................................ Graphic mine Magdalena Mts.
Chalcopyrite ………………………..………...……… Cooney mine and elsewhere
Chalcotrichite ………………………………………….................... Santa Rita mine
Chert ……………………………………………………... Common in gravel beds
Chlorite .............................................................................In decomposed igneous rocks
Chrysocolla .......................................................................Torpedo mine, Organ district
Chrysolite (Olivine) ................................................................... Zuni Indian reservation
Coal ........................................................................... Occurs in Cretaceous rock system
Copper ………………………………………………...………… Santa Rita mines
Corundum (Sapphire) ............................................................Found in Santa Fe gravels
Covellite …………………………………………………………. Jarilla mountains
Cuprite ………………………………………………………….... Santa Rita mines
Cyanite ....................................................................Bromide district, Rio Arriba county
Cymatolite ………………………..……………… Ojo Caliente, Rio Arriba county
Descloizite ……………………………………………………………. Lake Valley
Diamond …………...…………………………………. Said to have been found (?)
Dioptase …………………………………………………………. Jarilla mountains
Dolomite ................................................................................. Various mountain ranges
Domeykite ……......……………………………… Pinos Altos and Central districts
Embolite ……………………………………………...……….... Lake Valley mine
Emerald (Beryl) .................................. ...........................................Santa Fe gravel beds
Emeraudine ………………………………………………….….. Jarilla mountains
Enargite ………………………………………….. Pinos Altos and Central districts
Endlichite ……………………………………….……... Lake Valley and Hillsboro
Epidote ……………………………………….................... San Pedro copper mines
Epsomite ………………………………………….…….................... Estancia lakes
Erubescite ........................................................................... Black Range, Cooney mine
Euclase ………………………………………………………... Reported found (?)
Fiorite ……………………………………………………... Occurs in volcanic tufa
Flint ............................................................... .......................................Various localities
Fluorite ..............................................................................Gila River and Sierra OscuraFranklinite.....................................................................................Central mining district

CATALOGUE OF MINERALS

75

Gahnite.......................................................................................... Cerillos mining district
Galenite ..................................................................Cooks Peak and Magdalena districts
Glauberite …………………………………………………………… Estancia lakes
Gold ........................................................................Elizabethtown and Hillsboro placers
Goslarite ......................................................................... Graphic mine, Magdalena Mts.
Graphite .......................................................................... In Raton and Sandia mountains
Grossularite ..................................................................San Pedro and .Organ mountains
Guano ........................................................................................ Extinct crater, near Engle
Gypsum......................................................................Ancho and plains of "white sands"
Halite ...................................................................................Estancia and crater salt lakes
Halotrichite ............................................................................... Gila River alum deposits
Hausmanite ……………………………………...……. San Lorenzo mining district
Hematite .........................................................................Jones iron mines and elsewhere
Herrerite ..............................................................................Kelly mine, Magdalena Mts.
Hubnerite ……..…………………………………………… Victorio mining district
Hyalite …………………………………………….…... Central and Cochiti districts
Hydro-zincite ………………………………..…….……. Magdalena mining district
Ilmenite ………………………………………………………... Fierro and Hanover
Ilvaite................................................................................................... Fierro and HanoverIdocrase ....................................................................................San Pedro and Organ Mts.
lodyrite .............................................................................................................Lake Valley
Iridium …………………………………………………………………… Hillsboro
Jadeite .................................................................................................. Jicarilla mountains
Jasper ………………………………………………………….. Canyoncito district
Jet …..………………………………………………………. Vicinity of Santa Rosa
Kaolinite .............................................................................................. Socorro mountains
Keyserite ...........................................................................................Ladrones mountains
Labradorite ............................................................................Various mountain localities
Lead ………………………………………………………………………..… Lead
Lepidolite .........................................................Copper Hill, Cieneguilla mining district
Lerchenite …………………………………………………..... Tres Hermanas Mts.
Lieverite ……………………………………………....……...... Hanover and Fierro
Lignite ……………………………………………………...... Gallup and elsewhere
Limonite ……………………………………………………….….… Many districts
Magnetite ……………………………………………………………………. Fierro
Malachite .................................................................................Santa Rita and Las Vegas
Manganite …………………………………………………................... Lake Valley
Manganosite ………………………………………….. San Lorenzo mining district
Marble ......................................................................... Near Alamogordo and elsewhere
Marcasite ……………………………………………………... Manzano mountains
Marionite ……………………………………………………………. Graphic mine
Massicot ……………………………………………………………… Chloride flat
Melaconite ............................................................................ Black range and Santa Rita
Melanotekite .................................................................... Hillsboro, Las Animas district
Miargyrite ………………………………………….... Kingston and Palomas camps
Mica ……………………………………………………………. Petaca and Nambé
Microcline …..…………………………………………… Various mountain ranges
Millardite ………………………………………………...……… Lake Valley mine
Mimetite ………………………………………………………… Socorro Mountain

76

MINERAL RESOURCES OF NEW MEXICO

Minium ...................................................................... Hachita (Eureka mining district)
Mirabilite ..................................................................................................Estancia lakes
Molybdenite ......................................................................................San Miguel county
Monazite ……………………………………………….. In Chama river sands (?)
Monheimite ..................................................................Graphic mine, Magdalena Mts.
Moonstone ...................................................................................San Mateo mountains
Muscovite ……………………………………………... Petaca, Nambé and Talco
Nickel ............................................................................................. Upper Pecos region
Novaculite .........................................................................Sangre de Cristo mountains
Obsidian .......................................................................................... Santa Fe mountains
Ocher ......................................................................... Sandia mountains and San Pedro
Octahedrite .................................................................................Central mining district
Odontolite .................................................................................. Nacimiento mountains
Oligoclase .............................................................................Various mountain regions
Olivine .............................................................................................. Common in basalts
Opal ……………………………………………….… Cochiti and Central districts
Orthoclase .............................................................................Various mountain regions
Pectolite ………………………………………………………. Cieneguilla district
Peridot (Peridotite) ……………………………………….. Zuni Indian reservation
Petalite ..............................................................Cieneguilla, Copper Mountain district
Petroleum .....................................................................Seven Lakes and Pecos Valley
Petzite ....................................................................Lookout mine and La Belle district
Phlogopite ………………………………………………………………… Nambé
Pistacite ……………………………………………………………...… Red River
Platinum .............................................................. Tampa mine, Bromide No. 2 district
Plattnerite ...................................................................Cooks Peak and Central districts
Plumbojarosite …………………………………………...………….. Cooks Peak
Polybasite ……………………………………………… Telegraph mining district
Proustite ……………………………………...…….. Kingston and Bullard’s PeakPrzibramite ………………………………………...…… Carpenter mining district
Psilomelane …………………………………….. Near Rincon, Caballo mountains
Pumice …………………………………………… Near Grants P. O. and Socorro
Pyrargyrite ………………………………………….. Bullard’s Peak and Kingston
Pyrite ……………………………………………….......... Various mining districts
Pyrolusite ……………………………………………. San Lorenzo mining district
Pyromorphite ……………………………………………………… Macho district
Pyrostilpite …………………………………………. Kingston and Bullard’s Peak
Pyrrhotite …………………………………………………….. Fierro and Hanover
Quartz ……………………………………………...…………… In various mines
Radium …………………………………………… Limitar mountains and Petaca
Rhodocrosite ……………………………………...……. Graphic and Kelly mines
Rhodonite ………………………………………...…. San Lorenzo mining district
Ricolite …………………………………………..….… Gila river, near Red RockRuby ……………………………………….………… Reported found at Zuni (?)
Rutile …………………………………….…………….…………. Central district
Samarskite …………………………………………….. Las Tablas, Petaca district
Satin spar ................................................................. East of Strawberry Peak, Socorro
Scheelite ………………………………………………..... Victorio mining district
Selenite ……………………………………... Pittsburg district, Caballo mountains

CATALOGUE OF MINERALS

77

Siderite....................................................................................................Granite Gap mine
Silver ........................................................................................................ Silver Bell mine
Smithsonite.............................................................................. Magdalena mining district
Specularite …………………………………........................In many contact deposits
Sphalerite ........................................................................ Cerillos and Carpenter districts
Spodume ..............................................................................................Cieneguilla district
Staurolite ………………………………………. Cieneguilla and Copper mountains
Steatite …………………………………………………………... Various localities
Stephanite ...................................................................Bromide mine, Rio Arriba county
Sternbergerite …………………………………………....…. Cooney mining district
Stibnite ........................................................................................ Cerrillos mining district
Stilbite............................................................................. Baldy mountain, Colfax county
Sulphur …………………………………………. Sulphur springs, Jemez mountains
Sylvanite .............................................. ................................................... Trujillo Creek, Sierra county
Talc ....................................................................................................Numerous localities
Tantalite ..................................................................................Mountains near Las Vegas
Tennantite ..................................................................... Pinos Altos and Central districts
Tenorite.................................................................................................... Santa Rita mines
Tetradymite ……………………………………….......................... Sylvanite district
Tetrahedrite ....................................................................Pines Altos and Central districts
Thorium .............................................................................................................Las Tablas
Titanite............................................................................................Central mining district
Torbernite ...................................................................Jerome mine, San Lorenzo district
Tourmaline ....................................................................................Bromide district No. 2
Travertine ..................................................................... Salt Lake crater, Socorro county
Tremolite ……………………………………………….... Various mountain ranges
Tripolite ..................................................... Reported near San Antonio and Socorro (?)
Troostite ……………………………………………..…. Magdalena mining district
Tufa …………………………………………………………….. In eruptive regions
Turquoise ............................................................ Cerrillos and Burro Mountain districts
Uranophane .......................................................... Jerome copper mine, Socorro county
Vanadinite ……………………………………………….. Georgetown and Cerillos
Vesuvianite ……………………………………………...…. San Pedro copper mine
Wad ………………………………………………………… Central mining district
Wheelerite …………………………………………… In Gallup-Durango coal beds
Willemite …………………………………………..… Merritt mine, Socorro county
Witherite …………………………………………... Sierra Oscura and San Andreas
Wolframite ......................................................Copper Hill and Victorio mining district
Wollastonite .................................................................San Pedro and Organ mountains
Wulfenite ……………………………………………..…. Stephenson-Bennett mine
Xanthoconite ……………………………………………… Cerrillos mining district
Yttrium ……………………………………………... Las Tablas, Rio Arriba county
Zaratite ……………………………………………………...….. San Miguel county
Zoisite ……………………………………………. San Pedro and Organ mountains
Zincite ………………………………………………………. Magdalena mountains
Zinco-calcite ............................................................. Kelly mine, Magdalena mountains
Zinkosite ...............................................................Graphic mine, Magdalena mountains
Zirconite (Zircon) ………………………………………………… Jarilla mountains