The Ajo Mining District - Ajo, AZ
N 32° 22.335 W 112° 51.752
12S E 324775 N 3583223
This plaque, describing the Ajo Mining District, is attached to the base of the flag pole in front of the courthouse.
Waymark Code: WMZQVQ
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 12/24/2018
Views: 3
This plaque describes the American extraction of copper ore beginning in 1854, shortly after the area was purchased from Mexico. The first miners found tools left by the Spanish miners in the late 1700s. The native Americans had used the copper ore as a source of paint before the Spanish arrived.
The plaque reads,
"The Ajo Mining District
Americans first worked the copper deposits at Ajo in 1854, one year after the Gadsden purchase. These early American miners found abandoned workings and crude mining tools as mute evidence of earlier mining in the district.
During the next half century mining was confined to veins and other small bodies of high grade copper ore. Some ore was transported by mule train across the desert to Yuma for shipment to shelters in Swansea, Wales. Much of the mineralized ground in the district was staked for mining claims and several mining companies were formed.
An intensive diamond drilling campaign started in 1911 proved the existence of a large body of low grade copper ore and resulted in he construction of a leaching plant by the New Cornelia Copper company for treatment of the ore. The plant went into operation in May, 1917 and initiated large scale exploitation of the Ajo copper deposits."
The plaque is mounted on the base of the flag pole in front of the Ajo courthouse.
Marker Name: The Ajo Mining District
Type of history commemorated: Place
County: Pima
Name of any agency/ agencies setting marker: Pima County
Year placed: 1950
|
Visit Instructions:
To claim a log for this waymark, some proof of visit is required. This proof can be a simple gps photo, a photo with your mascot (a signature item that you use for photographs, similar to using a gps) or a answer to any question that the person who posted the waymark has asked. A gps photo will always be accepted as proof of visit regardless of any specific question a waymark may ask.
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|