New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (CDRI), near Fort Davis, Texas, has a 30-yr history of promoting the Chihuahuan Desert region through research and education. One of the more important historical relationships with the desert has been the pursuit of its mineral wealth. Many historic mines and districts are within a radius of less than 100 mi from the CDRI complex.

The Chihuahuan Desert Mining Heritage Exhibit has been constructed on site to replicate a vibrant and dynamic time in the history of the Southwest. The exhibit includes an 18-ft-high timber head frame and Davis Horse Whim hoisting system; a tramming layout with ore chute, track, battery locomotive, and ore cars; and many smaller relics such as drills, hard hats, carbide lamps, old maps, and vintage photos. Rounding out the exhibit is a variety of rocks containing ores from some of the copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold, manganese, and other mines in the region including Morenci, Santa Rita, Lake Valley, and Shafter.

Today's slide presentation will illustrate this unique exhibit and many of its historical displays.