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Arizona · Yavapai County

United Verde Mine

Multiple Sources Confirmed Copper Mixed Underground / Surface

Key facts

State
Arizona
County
Yavapai
Development status
Past Producer
Mine type
Mixed underground / surface
Primary commodity
Copper
Verification
Multiple Sources Confirmed

Mine Location

Approximate Area

Open in Mine Map

Documented underground workings

Mindat locality description

A former surface and underground Cu-Pb-Au-Ag-Zn mine located in the center sec. 22, T.16N., R.2E. (Clarkdale 7.5 minute topo map). Discovered 1875. Started about 1876. First produced 1883. Claims extend into the NW¼, the N½SW¼ and the W½W½NE¼ of sec. 2…

View full locality record on Mindat

Additional documented workings

  • Level — documented in 37 source records, noting 80 ft long, 160 ft, 14 ft.
    Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR — "United Verde Mine"
  • Raise — documented in 14 source records, noting 1000 ft level.
    Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR — "United Verde Mine"
  • Stope — documented in 10 source records.
    Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR — "United Verde Mine"
  • Incline — documented in 4 source records.
    Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR — "United Verde Mine"

Historical mapped workings

USGS historical topographic mapping. Features may no longer exist.

  • 5 shaft symbols
  • 2 adit symbols
View individual source records (67)

Every underlying record used to build the summary above, for research/verification use.

  • Incline
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ock. Green, The most Lnportant shaft or incline was full of water and could not be proper…
  • Incline
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: Verde .mine: horizontal cut-and-f'ill, incline cut-and fill; square-set and fill, shrinka…
  • Level · length 80
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: COMPANY. :N o. 1 ' I.li ni n~ Claims. 2 80 Level. 7, 160 'Leve1 . 300 Level. 400 Jj evel…
  • Level · length 300
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: n~ Claims. 2 80 Level. 7, 160 'Leve1 . 300 Level. 400 Jj evel . "" 4 5 e ? 8 9 , Descript…
  • Level · length 600
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ?~:10 _ 11 12 1:3 14'" ',' : noo Level. 600 Level. 700 Level. 800 Level. 900 Level. 1000…
  • Level · length 700
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: 12 1:3 14'" ',' : noo Level. 600 Level. 700 Level. 800 Level. 900 Level. 1000 Level. 1200…
  • Level · length 800
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ',' : noo Level. 600 Level. 700 Level. 800 Level. 900 Level. 1000 Level. 1200 Level. 1350…
  • Level · length 900
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: Level. 600 Level. 700 Level. 800 Level. 900 Level. 1000 Level. 1200 Level. 1350 Level •.…
  • Level · length 000
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: d workings. The Hopewell tunnel is at 1,000 level and it daylights a mile from the minera…
  • Level · length 500
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: hing operation at the portal of the old 500 level which has a f1pW of water. GW WR 11-20-…
  • Level · length 160
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ere mainly oxides, and 'those below the 160 level, sulphides which had been enriched by t…
  • Level · length 500
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: of in 1912, a new surface plant on the 500 level, the Hopewell tunnel transfer system on…
  • Level · length 500
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ~ld the surface operations from the ~OO 500 level I,. level. These facilities have been a…
  • Level · length 160
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: gan cutting across the slag dump on the 160 level, and an Osgood 120, , 4 cubic yard, rai…
  • Level · length 6
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: 5 cubic yard d.ump CCirs 50 foot or sla 6 level and pit opere.tiol"l..9. 16e level ar.d t…
  • Level · length 160
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: lly conteml)lated that mining below the 160 level would be done by b10ry hole methods, th…
  • Level · length 160
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: s decided to mine the orebody below the 160 level witl:~ small shovels working on benches…
  • Level · length 500
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: s made into the pit in 1934 frot:.1 ~he 500 level to facilitate removal of )Vaste balo'n…
  • Level · length 100
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: acilitate removal of )Vaste balo'n tr,e 100 level by means of dir~ct rail haulage. This a…
  • Level · length 00
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: in the pit had progressed to below the ,00 level, and were being conducted on a 24 hour,…
  • Level
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: an ~ ing 'dall, 050 feet a.bove the 5:·0 level on which :.ni nihg 01;erllti ,) ns were be…
  • Level
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: extend mining operations down to the 6,0 level, instead of t'--.e 500 level as previously…
  • Level · length 500
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: own to the 6,0 level, instead of t'--.e 500 level as previously contemplated. .. · ;..; V…
  • Level · length 650
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: es. Pi t mining was carried down to the 650 level or more than 1,100 feet belo~ tr~ highe…
  • Level
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ~~;~ '. Not all of the ore above the 0,)0 level· was ::ecovered by pit Iirl.ning, as the…
  • Level
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: tarted mining ore remaining above the 6,0 level and at the present time are .. ..&l .. d…
  • Level · length 000
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ugh aoae leleDiua does ahow up in the 3,000 level ll-U-l Hole. AlIO no particular correla…
  • Level · length 7
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: tn roo:: ct. • • ~I -~ United Yerde 7 Level ni ••a"" n-t 11 11ft1. ea_1 __ lII;.,h .fn nn…
  • Level · length 1
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: n.. Bull. 145, Oct. 1, 1938, pp. 43-44. 1 level the .ulphide mu• •p1.it inte • nwnber of…
  • Level · length 700
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ECIUEN S'\MPLES {flITTED VEI-IDE MINE - 700 LEVEL - Dlft.MOlm DRnL HOrES ----- Sample Fee…
  • Level · length 700
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: IX OJRE BITS FeR 31 SAUPLES FroM ElEVEN 700 LEVEL DRILL HOLES. FOR TEST NINETY OORE BITS…
  • Level · length 700
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: el~:llU1!1 esmpla. No assays available. 700 LEVEL D. D. ASSAY DATA - PAGE -& ',. ~ ,j . '…
  • Level
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: GE 3 ,~;,;~:': ~j~t,·. · " , . '.' '(,0 LEVEL 18 - 1 - 4 '.' (60° down) SpeeimenZJ -".et…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: rcle Mine, tor with it.. Mally 'ba£ta, raises, large stopes, and miles ot drifts and t\UU…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: n of old maps to avoid falling into old raises, drifts and open stope.. underg round cave…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: om the pit was dropped through transfer raises for disposal via the Hopewell tunnel syste…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: l as broken dropping through connecting raises for re moval on the 1000 foot level via t…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: e inability to properly locate transfer raises owing to the seve ri t.l of tele fire and…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: for transportation to variJus transfer raises as could be put tnrough,in and around thd o…
  • Raise
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: e lower level operati ons, ~ne transfer raises were availab~e ' ,at one ti:ne or another,…
  • Stope
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: commercial ore 111 uppe:- leval:!' and stopes. Drill from these spots , at several d.o1Ul…
  • Stope
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: with it.. Mally 'ba£ta, raises, large stopes, and miles ot drifts and t\UUl81s it was one…
  • Stope
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: alling into old raises, drifts and open stope.. underg round cave-ins resulting from the…
  • Stope
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: o supplying a small amount of waste for stope filling in the under6round mine which conti…
  • Stope
    Documented in Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR PDF (“United Verde Mine”). Evidence: PDF: ovid:ng desirable waste for underground stope £illing. It is fro=:1 this level, ·tlflich…
  • Incline
    United Verde Mine
  • Incline
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Raise
    United Verde Mine
  • Stope
    United Verde Mine
  • Stope
    United Verde Mine
  • Stope
    United Verde Mine
  • Stope
    United Verde Mine
  • Stope
    United Verde Mine
  • Level
    United Verde Mine
  • Level — 700
    United Verde Mine
  • Level — 700
    United Verde Mine
  • Level — 700
    United Verde Mine
  • Level — 1
    United Verde Mine
  • Level — 7
    United Verde Mine
  • Derived from MRDS oper_type (existing operation): Surface-Underground
  • MRDS oper_type documents existing underground operation (dev_stat=Past Producer): Surface-Underground · oper_type

Verification

Multiple Sources Confirmed

Independent historical source evidence corroborates underground workings.

Why confirmed?

Confirmed by independent Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR historical documentation describing underground workings, in addition to USGS MRDS catalog eligibility. Not a member field verification.

Why it's listed

Source records document both underground and surface mining.

View sources & evidence

History & operations

Historical record

  • Development status: Past Producer

Operators / organizations

  • Big Hole Mining Co. · Historical operator · 1969
  • Phelps Dodge Corp · Source-reported owner · 1980

Commodities & minerals

Reported minerals

  • Allophane
  • Aluminous Coquimbite
  • Alunogen
  • Ankerite
  • Antlerite
  • Arsenolite
  • Arsenopyrite
  • Atacamite
View all 40 reported minerals
  • Allophane
  • Aluminous Coquimbite
  • Alunogen
  • Ankerite
  • Antlerite
  • Arsenolite
  • Arsenopyrite
  • Atacamite
  • Azurite
  • Bornite
  • Brochantite
  • Brunsvigite
  • Butlerite
  • Calcite
  • Chalcanthite
  • Chalcoalumite
  • Chalcocite
  • Chalcopyrite
  • Chamosite
  • Chlorite
  • Chlorite Group
  • Claudetite
  • Clinochlore
  • commodity:Copper
  • commodity:Gold
  • commodity:Lead
  • commodity:Silver
  • commodity:Zinc
  • Copiapite
  • Coquimbite
  • Covellite
  • Cuprite
  • Cuprocopiapite
  • Cyanotrichite
  • Delafossite
  • Diabantite
  • Digenite
  • Dolomite
  • Epidote
  • Galena

Photos

Jerome Arizona (Mining Town)
Jerome Arizona (Mining Town)

Wikimedia Commons

Access & recent conditions

Land
mixed ownership
Source
USGS MRDS structured record
Access information last checked
August 9, 2026

Community reports

Sources & evidence

USGS Mineral Resources Data System

Type: Historical mine record

Supports:

  • mine identity
  • development status
  • commodities
  • underground eligibility evidence

USGS Historical Topographic Mine Features

Type: Historical mapped physical features

Dataset: DOI 10.5066/P9TAALR6

Supports:

  • mapped shaft symbols (5)
  • mapped adit symbols (2)

Historical mapped features may no longer exist.

Dataset information

Arizona Geological Survey / ADMMR

Type: Historical mine documents

Record: 3 historical documents

Supports:

  • historical mine identity
  • historical mine documentation
  • documented workings
View 3 citations

Historical documentation does not imply current access or open workings.

AZGS Mining Info

Mindat

Type: Mineralogical locality database

Record: Mindat Locality: 3346

Supports:

  • locality identity
  • reported minerals (39)

A Mindat locality match does not by itself establish underground workings.

View on Mindat

USGS MRDS structured record

Type: Access / land-management source

Supports:

  • access / lawful visit information

Approved historical / mine photographs

Type: Image sources

Record: 1 approved photograph

Supports:

  • visual documentation

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