Mining Intelligence and News
United States

Carlota Mine

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Categories

Summary

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Copper
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Production Start2008
Mine Life2028
SnapshotCopper ore extraction by the Carlota mine is by conventional methods typical for open-pit metals mines, i.e. the ore is mined by blasting and then is transported by haulage trucks.

In 2023, access work was commenced while in the fourth quarter of 2024, ore was mined from the Cactus open pit - Phase III, allowing the mine life to be extended to 2028.

Lower production by the Carlota mine in 2024 is due to the stripping carried out in the Cactus pit according to the adopted plan, to gain access to the new ore zone.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
KGHM Polska Miedz S.A. 100 % Indirect
Carlota Copper Company (operator) 100 % Direct

Contractors

ContractorContractDescriptionRef. DateSource
Empire Southwest Equipment procurement or fabrication Carlota has developed a strong relationship with the dealer, Empire Cat, who supplied the Cat 6015B. Sep 30, 2023

Deposit type

  • Porphyry

Summary:

The Miami-Globe mining district in eastern Arizona is known for economically large-scale porphyry Cu, Au, and Mo deposits, such as the Miami-Inspiration and the Cu Resolution.

The area is built of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks of various ages from the early Proterozoic to the Tertiary.

The Carlota deposit is formed by the surface mineralization of copper oxides in the proterozoic Pinal Schist. Chrysocolla is a dominant ore mineral and usually occurs as coatings, crusts and filling in fractures and heavily desintegrated rock masses.

Reserves at December 31, 2014

CategoryTonnage CommodityGradeContained Metal
Measured 1,230 kt Copper 0.53 % 6,521 t
Indicated 3,657 kt Copper 0.42 % 15,358 t
Measured & Indicated 4,887 kt Copper 0.45 % 21,879 t
Inferred 159 kt Copper 0.47 % 751 t

Mining Methods

  • Truck & Shovel / Loader

Summary:

Copper ore extraction by the Carlota mine is by conventional methods typical for open-pit metals mines, i.e. the ore is mined by blasting and then is transported by haulage trucks.

In 2023, access work was commenced while in the Q4 2024, ore was mined from the Cactus open pit - Phase III, allowing the mine life to be extended to 2028.

Lower production by the Carlota mine in 2024 is due to the stripping carried out in the Cactus pit according to the adopted plan, to gain access to the new ore zone.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Ref. Date: September 20, 2023

SourceSource
HME TypeModel
Excavator Caterpillar 6015B
Loader Caterpillar 993K
Truck (haul) Caterpillar 785

Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

  • Sulfuric acid (reagent)
  • Heap leach
  • Solvent Extraction & Electrowinning

Summary:

Due to the nature of the oxide ore, it is processed using the heap leach, solvent-extraction and electrowinning method.

The excavated material is subjected to a heap leaching process using a sulphuric acid solution. The copper-enriched solution obtained after leaching is directed to the extraction (SX) and electrowinning (EW) nodes.

The end product is electrolytic copper in the form of cathodes.

Water Supply

Summary:

Carlota mine do not release water to the environment at all.

Engineering solutions ensure separation of contaminated water from clean water. Rainwater that has been in contact with the mine is captured and then used in technological processes.

Commodity Production

As of 2024, lower production by the Carlota mine according to the adopted plan.
CommodityUnits2024202320222021202020192018
Copper kt 2.63.94.15.454.43.2
All production numbers are expressed as cathode.

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Mine Financials

Units2021
Revenue M PLN 209  
Pre-tax Income M PLN 93  
After-tax Income M PLN 93  
Operating Cash Flow M PLN 11  

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
Environmental Manager Mauricio Acevedo Vidal LinkedIn May 21, 2025
General Manager Brock Johnston LinkedIn May 21, 2025
Sr. General Manger / Head of Operations John Haynes LinkedIn May 21, 2025
Sr. Mine Engineer Patricia Ann R. LinkedIn May 26, 2025

Workforce

EmployeesYear
66 2024
62 2023
65 2022
66 2021
69 2020
64 2019
56 2018

Aerial view: