Here are some of the best active gem and mineral mines in Arizona:
- Four Peaks Mining Company (Amethyst)
- Arizona Amethyst Mine (Amethyst)
- Arizona Onyx Quarries (Onyx)
- Colbaugh Processing (Turquoise)
What is the main mining in Arizona?
In 2007 Arizona was the leading copper-producing state in the US, producing 750 thousand metric tons of copper, valued at $5.54 billion. Arizona’s copper production was 60% of the total for the United States. Copper mining also produces gold and silver as byproducts.
| Copper mining in Arizona | |
|---|---|
| Employees | 10,300 |
| Year | 2007 |
What rocks are worth money in Arizona?
Arizona Gems. The best known gems found in Arizona are turquoise, garnet, peridot, chrysocolla, azyr-malachite, malachite, agate, chalcedony, amethystine quartz, diamond (meteoric) dioptose and topaz.
What precious metals are found in Arizona?
Gold, silver, lead, zinc and other minerals are also major players in the state’s mining industry.
What gems can be mined in Arizona?
Arizona is world-famous for its turquoise, peridot, and petrified wood. The state is also famous for copper, and a variety of copper minerals are mined as gemstones. These include azurite, chrysocolla, and malachite. Other Arizona gem materials include agate, amethyst, garnet, jade, jasper, obsidian, onyx, and opal.
Can you live on a mining claim in Arizona?
A miner has the right only to the minerals; he may not live on the land without permission. If a cabin is located on a new claim, it belongs to the BLM and may not be used by the miner. A mining claim may also be staked on certain Forest Service (USFS) land, with much of the same requirements.
What are the top 3 things mined in Arizona?
Arizona leads in copper production and is a major producer of crude perlite, molybdenum, silver, & zeolites. It also produces bentonite, cement, common clay, construction & industrial sand & gravel, crushed & dimension stone, gypsum, lime, and salt.
Can diamonds be found in Arizona?
Diamond: The only diamonds found in Arizona are meteoric, and occur in meteoric iron found at Canyon Diablo, near Coon mountain, in the northern part of the state. The crystals are very small, and have no commercial value.
Are there rubies in Arizona?
Arizona Ruby
These garnets have been given the nickname “Arizona Rubies” because of their deeply saturated color. Even the small size of these gems doesn’t take away the gorgeous hue.
Where can I hunt for gems in Arizona?
Below you’ll find some of the best places in Arizona to find the gems, stones, rocks, and minerals you are looking for:
- Burro Creek BLM Land in Wickenburg, Arizona.
- Santa Cruz County outside of Nogales, Arizona.
- Arizona Amethyst Mines in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
- Petrified Forest National Park in Northeast Arizona.
Where is the most gold found in Arizona?
Much of the active placer gold mining in Arizona is around the town of Wickenburg. Areas of high gold potential are located north of Wickenburg in Yavapai county, and south-southwest in Maricopa county.
What is the most abundant mineral in Arizona?
Copper is Arizona’s most abundant mineral, and the state leads the nation in copper production. It also covers the roof of the state Capitol in Phoenix-an amount equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies.
Can you find opal in Arizona?
Opal. The Mule Mountains that are located in Cochise County of Arizona are home to the Opal Hill Mine close to the region of Palo Verde. Although the site is famous for its agate, opals have also been discovered here but amount of the stone is not recorded. Opals have been found at the Burro Creek in Wickenburg.
Can you dig for crystals in Arizona?
One of the most popular crystal collecting sites in Arizona is at Crystal Hill, just southeast of Quartzsite. Due to its close proximity to Quartzsite and relatively easy access this area gets a lot of visitors. There is still good quartz here through because it takes work to find it.
Where can I dig for opal in Arizona?
- Jay R claim, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA.
- State Route 75 opal locality, Duncan, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
- State Route 75 opal locality, Duncan, Greenlee County, Arizona, USA.
- Opal-AN, etc. Cochise Mining District, Little Dragoon Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona, USA.
Where are emeralds found in Arizona?
Emerald Cave is a natural phenomenon that occurs on the Colorado River border between Nevada and Arizona, on the Arizona side. The Emerald Cave sits on the mouth of the Emerald Cove on the Black Canyon portion of the winding 12-mile stretch.
How much does a mining claim cost in Arizona?
The initial claim fees for locating a federal mining claim are about $10 at the County Recorder’s offices and $212 total filing and first year maintenance fees paid to the Bureau of Land Management.
When you buy a gold claim Do you own the land?
When you own a mining claim, you have purchased the exclusive rights to mine the minerals on that land, but you are not purchasing real estate. The land itself is not yours.
How much does a BLM mining claim cost?
PER CLAIM FEE
$165 for lode claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites. For placer claims, $165 for each 20 acres or portion thereof.
How do I get a mining claim in Arizona?
In addition to filing with the BLM, file an Affidavit of Assessment Work (Proof of Labor form) or Notice of Intent to Hold with the county recorder’s office. The location of this office will always be in the county seat of the county in which your claims are situated.
How long does a mining claim last in Arizona?
90 days
Each state has its own requirement for when a location notice must be filed and recorded. The maximum period is 90 days from the staking of a claim or site on the ground.