New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

In response to the World War II strategic metals effort, the Kearney mine shaft was sunk 650 ft in 1942 to access zinc deposits north of the historic Chino copper mine, at Santa Rita, New Mexico. The underground mine was operated by the Peru Mining Company throughout the war and periodically until 1967, when reserves were exhausted.

The mine was one of a small number of prominent zinc producers in the Central mining district of Grant County, New Mexico. With head grades of 6-15% zinc, mineralization occurred as limestone replacement pods in the Hanover Limestone of Mississippian age. It is classified as a skarn deposit associated with the Santa Rita Quartz Monzonite porphyry stock. Minor lead and silver were also recovered.

Mined high-grade ore was shipped by rail to the Peru Mill at Deming, New Mexico, and the produced concentrate was sent to the American Zinc Smelter at Dumas, Texas.

The author worked at the Kearney mine as a geologist, engineer, shift boss, mine foreman, and mine superintendent from 1960 to 1966. Several photos of mineral specimens, crystals, and maps will be included in the presentation.