Stanley Butte

Stanley Mining District, Santa Teresa Mountains, Aravaipa Mining District, Graham County, Arizona, USA

Key Information

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Stanley Butte is in Graham County, Arizona, near the Santa Theresa Mountains, with coordinates at 33° 0' 58'' North, 110° 21' 54'' West.
It is known for minerals like andradite, baryte, and quartz, with andradite being particularly notable.
The geological structure involves metamorphosed limestone near a granitic intrusive, formed by contact metamorphism.
Mining history includes the Princess Pat mine, active until 1918, with no current active mines in the area.
The local culture is influenced by the San Carlos Apache Tribe, with Bylas as the nearest town.
The climate is desert-like, with hot summers and mild winters, and cooler at higher elevations like Mount Graham.

Geographic Location

Stanley Butte is located in Graham County, Arizona, USA, within the Santa Theresa Mountains, part of the Aravaipa and Stanley mining districts. It sits at coordinates 33° 0' 58'' North, 110° 21' 54'' West, and is an impressive outlier connected to the Turnbull Mountains. Nearby towns include Bylas, Peridot, Fort Thomas, San Carlos, and Winkelman, with distances ranging from 26.3 km to 38.0 km.

Minerals Produced

The area around Stanley Butte is rich in minerals, including andradite (a type of garnet), baryte, quartz, fluorite, and hedenbergite. Andradite is particularly abundant, often found with diopside and quartz at nearby Quartzite Mountain, making it a hotspot for mineral enthusiasts seeking unique specimens.

Geological Structure

The geological setting features a zone of metamorphosed Paleozoic limestone near a granitic intrusive of Laramide age. This contact metamorphism has facilitated the formation of minerals like andradite garnet, creating a fascinating environment for geological study and mineral collection.

Mining History

Mining in the region began in the late 19th century, with the Princess Pat mine being a significant producer of lead, copper, and zinc from the early 1900s until 1918. The mine had extensive underground workings and was known for minerals like sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, calcite, and quartz. Currently, there are no active mines, with most claims closed, reflecting a historical rather than contemporary mining presence.

Local Culture and Characteristics

The local culture is deeply tied to the San Carlos Apache Tribe, with Bylas, the nearest settlement, located within their reservation. This area is known for Apache traditions, including crafts and dances, offering a rich cultural experience for visitors. While specific festivals in Bylas are not widely documented, the tribe likely hosts cultural events that reflect their heritage.

Climate and Ecology

Graham County has a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters, typical of Arizona's lower elevations. Higher elevations, such as Mount Graham at 10,720 feet, experience cooler temperatures. The ecology varies from desert flora and fauna to pine forests at higher altitudes, but the climate does not directly influence the mineral formation, which is driven by geological processes.