West Jerome, Arizona
Overview
The West Jerome Property is considered by Copper One management to represent a highly-potential massive sulfide target in the western Jerome Mining District, Arizona. The property consists of approximately five square kilometres of claims on the west side of Freeport McMoran (previously Phelps Dodge) patented lands.
The United Verde and United Verde Extension Mines, proximal to the West Jerome property, have produced over 98% of the past production from the famous Jerome mining district. Phelps Dodge production records from 1889-1974 for the United Verde Mine show production of 32.99 million tons grading 4.36% copper, 1.53 oz/ton silver, and 0.042 oz/ton gold. The United Verde Extension Mine began production in 1938 and produced a total of 3.9 million tons grading 10.23% copper, 1.71 oz/ton silver, and 0.039 oz/ton gold. As such, the combined deposits at Jerome rank as a giant, world-class massive sulfide deposit.
The West Jerome prospect offers an opportunity to explore for similar, very large massive sulfide deposits with high grades of copper and zinc. The West Jerome prospect has favourable features similar to the nearby United Verde Mine including the favorable mineralized horizon and drilling that suggests massive sulfide feeder pipe alteration similar to the proximal feeder pipe alteration at United Verde Mine. As many important VMS deposits occur in clusters, the proximity of West Jerome to the other important deposits in the Jerome district, along with the positive geological criteria mentioned above, place West Jerome as a highly-prospective exploration target.