Centurion Copper Mine

The Centurion Copper Mine is near Dragoon, Arizona and was also known as the El Captain, Lady Rose and Alaskite mine. 

Historically the site has been associated with the Cochise (Johnson) Mining District which is now part of the Coronado National Forest. The Centurion Copper Mine was closed prior to 1960. Past operations took place from 1908 to 1944. Production size when active was considered to be small. Mine operations consist of workings of unknown type extending 0.63 hectares (1.56 acres). There is one known shaft. Subsurface depth reaches a maximum of 213 meters (700 feet) and extends 762 meters (2,500 feet) in length. The ore mined is composed of malachite, chrysocolla and chalcocite with waste material consisting primarily of quartz, garnet and chalcedony. The ore body is described as tabular shaped and 3 meters (10 feet) thick. Associated rock in this area is monzonite from the Pliocene epoch 5.33 to 2.58 million years ago. The Mexican Highland of the Intermontane Plateaus characterize the geomorphology of the surrounding area.

Despite being published in rockhounding guides as being a place for public collection, this is private property. The mine shaft is 700 feet straight down and the shoulder of the mine shaft opening is not stable and neither is the protective fence. Please, do not trespass. There is plenty of places on state and federal land to rockhound!