Copper Age Mine - Mohave County
Where: Located near Chloride Arizona off Country Highway 125.
Travel Conditions: Can be reached from a dirt road near Cloride, Arizona off County Highway 125.
Operation Dates: In the early 1900's.
Mining District: Wallapai Mining District
Description: The Copper Age Mine, at Chloride, which is owned by the Arizona Ore Reduction Co., is driving its tunnel towards a cross vein, and at a depth of 2800 feet from the portal has struck a flow of water that is said to indicate proximately to the vein. This company has carried on a large amount of development work, but has not obtained the results expected. The big mill was not a success from the standpoint of the projectors, but with a small amount of overhauling and installation of oil separation should be able to handle the ores of the company properties. The Copper Age was always considered one of the good propositions of Chloride, and we are of the opinion that development carried along the cross vein will surely bring results. The company should have sunk a shaft on the property, instead of driving a long tunnel at shallow depth. While some ore bodies were opened by this work there was not enough into view on which to operate the big mill for any length of time. The company should have taken over some of the nearby veins that has good showings and reinforced their holdings in this way. It is to be hoped that the company will make an important strike in the near future, as it has been in the hands of exceptionally good people. (The Mohave County Mine and Our Wealth newspaper Saturday February 28, 1920)
Martin Buys Mine-Mill Interest
George F. Goerner and Robert Mead Martin to Handle Property Now that George W. Peer has turned over his share in ownership.
Mill Machinery Being Installed
All Necessary equipment is expected to be on ground within two weeks - New working tunnel already in over 200 feet.
A mining deal involving a large sum of money and transferring the Copper Age interest of George W Peter to Robert Mead Martin was consummated in Los Angeles last week, giving the latter and George F. Goerner, the inventor of the ore reduction process that is being installed in the Copper Age mill, absolute control, and enabling them to proceed with mine development and production according to the plans they originally laid out.
The deal was brought up and closed in a spirit of harmony, Mr. Martin merely making Mr. Peer an attractive cash offer and the latter did not feel justified in refusing, especially in view of Mr. Martin's expressed wish that he be permitted to place himself in a position that would enable him to satisfy his ambition to make a productive producing mine according to his own mature plans.
Machinery Arriving
The machinery for the Copper Age mill, is arriving slowly, but most of it should be on the ground in 10 days or two weeks. Probably the last piece to arrive will be the Sturtevant rock crusher, which is manufactured in the East, and which may meet with the delay in route. The management expects to have the mill in operation about March 1st.
The new working tunnel has advanced 200 feet from the portal and must be driven 1500 feet further before it will be of much use. All the near machinery for mining purposes will be placed in position for use in connection with this tunnel, and already 150 hp Fairbanks Morse gas engine that is to drive the 740 ft.³ capacity compressor, drill sharpener, and pump that will be used in the water supply shaft, is in position. The pump just mentioned will be run by compressed air. All this machinery has been ordered and is in route.
The winze being sunk on the tunnel level is down 85 feet with good ore all the way. No lateral work will be attempted until it has reached the 100 foot level, which will place the level 270 feet below the surface and allow the opening up of stopes of amplitude.
It is declared on good authority that the price paid for the controlling interest of the Copper Age property was $100,000. -Chloride Herald.- (Saturday February 3, 1917)
What you will see today: I visited this location in early August of 2015. There are several foundations from the old mill, tailings from the mine, and the portal which is blocked off. The footings of the old mill are interesting to see and imagine what the facility looked like and how the operation worked. I was able to find a photo of the old mill provided here. Views of Chloride and across Golden Valley towards the Black Mountains where Oatman is located.
Comments: This location offers views of Chloride, Golden Valley, and the Black Mountains which is rich with history in the Oatman area. The footings for the old mill are interesting to walk around as there are several interesting concrete structures. There are several references to this mine in old newspapers from the area. There was a lot of high hopes for this mine as there is for all mines at the time but overcoming the obstacles and elusive search for riches.
Minerals Mined: Zinc, Lead, Copper, Gold
Acknowledgement: Newspapers,com