Rowley Mine
Theba, Painted Rock Mining District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Rowley Mine is in the Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, about 27 miles from Gila Bend.
It is famous for wulfenite and other minerals like mimetite and rowleyite, attracting crystal enthusiasts.
The mine formed in Pliocene volcanic rocks, with minerals in quartz and barite veins.
Mining started around 1909, lasted until at least 1933, and now it’s a collector site.
The area has Native American petroglyphs, adding cultural richness.
The Sonoran Desert climate supports diverse flora and fauna, enhancing the region’s appeal.
Location and Minerals
The Rowley Mine is nestled in the Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, roughly 27 miles west and north of Gila Bend and 19 kilometers from Theba. This location, part of the Sonoran Desert, is known for its scenic beauty and is a hotspot for mineral enthusiasts due to its exceptional wulfenite crystals, which are bright orange to yellow and can reach 2 cm on edge. Other notable minerals include mimetite, atacamite, chrysocolla, and the rare rowleyite, making it a treasure trove for collectors.
Geological and Historical Context
Research suggests the mine formed in Pliocene volcanic rocks, specifically andesite and rhyolite, with minerals deposited in quartz and barite veins along a fault zone, indicating a hydrothermal origin. Mining began around 1909 with the Rowley Copper Mines Co. and was active until at least 1933, producing copper, lead, gold, silver, molybdenum, vanadium, barite, and fluorspar. Today, it’s a popular site for mineral collecting, with historical workings including shafts and drifts.
Cultural and Environmental Notes
The area is rich in Native American history, with the nearby Painted Rock Petroglyph Site (Mindat.org) featuring hundreds of ancient petroglyphs, considered sacred by many tribes. The Sonoran Desert climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters, supports diverse flora like saguaro cacti and fauna like desert mule deer, adding to the region’s natural allure.