San Manuel Copper Mine

Frank Schultz was the original discoverer, in 1879, but the main body of the deposits were discovered by Henry W. Nichols in 1942.

Faulting of the original ore body created two main segments, separated by an area of minor sulfides.

The mineralization is a porphyry copper deposit, with the ore body being tabular and 300 metres (980 ft) thick.

[1][2] Geologist J. D. Lowell who directed the program for Quintana Minerals Corporation and John M. Guilbert went on to develop this work into a general pattern for porphyry copper deposit exploration.

[3] The mine was operated by the Magma Copper Company before being bought out by BHP, which ultimately closed it.

San Manuel copper mine site in 2009, after reclamation. The mine closed in 2003. The dry San Pedro River and part of the town are visible at top right.