Sierra Madre Occidental province

Tags: andesite dacite eocene lava miocene oligocene rhyolite

Description:

The Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) province, a regionally extensive Eocene to Miocene volcanic field, which extends southeast from the United States – Mexico border to central Mexico. The total thickness of the volcanic sequence is approximately 2 km, and it rests upon Mesozoic clastic and calcareous sedimentary rock. The volcanic field is comprised of two distinct volcanic sequences, an older andesitic and dacitic series, and a younger pyroclastic-dominated rhyolitic series. The traditional nomenclature refers to these as the Serie Volcanica Inferior (Lower Series) and Serie Volcanica Superior (Upper Series). The Lower Series is approximately 1 km thick and is dominated by Paleocene and Eocene andesitic lavas and pyroclastic deposits, with interbedded volcaniclastic strata. Silicic volcanic units are present but are a minor component. The volcanic strata of the Lower Series are cut by calc-alkaline intrusives. The Upper Series unconformably overlies the Lower Series with erosional disconformity, and comprises a 1-km-thick sequence dominated by Oligocene and early Miocene dacitic and rhyolitic pyroclastic strata and volcaniclastic strata. Most significant metal occurrences in the SMO are hosted by rocks of the Lower Series or the underlying Mesozoic strata.

Deposits

• Name: La India

  Phase: Operations

  Mine Type: Pit

  Intro:

  The La India property in the municipality of Sahuaripa, Sonora State, Mexico, comprises 57,614 hectares. The property is in the Sierra Madre Mountains of northern Mexico, between the towns of Tarachi and Matarachi, and approximately 210 km east-southeast of the city of Hermosillo. Most basic services are available in Sahuaripa, 15 km to the north. Agnico-Eagle’s Pinos Altos and Creston Mascota mines are 70 km to the southeast.

  The topography consists of long ridges separated by steep V-shaped valleys ranging in elevation from 1,200 m to more than 2,000 m above sea level, with areas of low relief suitable for building mine-related infrastructure. The climate is semi-arid, with seasonal temperatures ranging from 35°C to -2°C. The area experiences torrential rainfall from July to September; the driest months are March to May.

   

  detailed

Mineralizations

No mineralizations available.

Placers

No placers available.