BOLIVAR
[History]
Mining, prospecting and exploration for polymetallic copper-zinc-lead-silver-gold deposits in the Sierra Madre Precious Metal Belt of North Western Mexico have been carried out since Spanish Colonial days. In the area of the Bolivar mine, there are three mineral districts. These are the Batopilas, Piedras Verdes and the Urique districts.
Past mining activities on the Bolivar property have centered on the high-grade Bolivar mine and La Increíble mine.
Although previous production figures are not available, previous operators (under control of the Bencomo Family) are believed to have extracted some 300,000 tonnes of ore. The deposit was mined from 1980 through to 2000 at an estimated 50 tonnes per day.
Production over the last 8-year period was 90,000 tonnes. Detailed production records for this period are not available, but are reported to be in the order of 50 tons per day at grades ranging from 5% to 6% copper and 25% to 30% zinc, with gold and silver credits.