Ford Mine
Tucson Wash, Mammoth, Mammoth Mining District, Pinal County, Arizona, USA
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Ford Mine, located near Mammoth, Arizona, is a significant site for mineral enthusiasts, known for wulfenite and vanadinite.
It lies in the Sonoran Desert, with a hot, dry climate likely aiding mineral formation through oxidation.
Mining started in the 1880s, was active until the 1950s, and is now closed, with a rich history tied to local culture.
The area features desert ecology and historical mammoth remains, adding unexpected paleontological interest.
Location and Geography
The Ford Mine is situated in the Tucson Wash, about 2 miles west-southwest of Mammoth, in Pinal County, Arizona, USA, within the Mammoth Mining District. This region is part of the Sonoran Desert, known for its arid landscape and unique biodiversity. Nearby, the Mammoth-St. Anthony Mine and the San Pedro River, a National Conservation Area, offer additional attractions for visitors.
Minerals and Geology
The mine is famous for producing wulfenite and vanadinite, prized for their colorful crystals, alongside other minerals like cerussite and mimetite. These are secondary minerals formed from the oxidation of primary sulphide ores, facilitated by the area's hot, dry climate. Geologically, it features a fault-controlled vein in granitic and volcanic rocks, oxidized to a depth of about 900 feet.
History and Culture
Mining began in 1881, with the Ford Mine active until the 1950s under the Mammoth-Tiger Extension Mining Corp. from 1942. Now closed, it reflects Mammoth's mining heritage. The town, founded as a mining camp, connects to paleontological discoveries of mammoth remains, adding an unexpected layer of interest beyond minerals.
Climate and Ecology
Mammoth's climate features hot, dry summers and cold winters, typical of the Sonoran Desert. The ecology includes desert plants and animals, with riparian zones along washes. The arid conditions likely influenced mineral formation through oxidation, linking climate to the mine's geological processes.