Huaron Group.(mining district in Peru)

Publication: The Mineralogical Record

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COPYRIGHT 1997 The Mineralogical, Inc.

THE HUARON MINES

Cerro de Pasco Province Pasco Development

LOCATION

Huaron lies 40 km south-southwest of Cerro de Pasco, on the road from Canta, near Huayllay. The district is about 14-15 km due west of the northwest shore of Lake Junin, and lies next to Lake Huaron. The mines are located on the east flank of the Western Cordillera of the Andes, at elevations ranging from 4,300 to 4,800 meters: the district is small, measuring about 3 km by 4 km [ILLUSTRATION FOR FIGURE 81 OMITTED].

HISTORY

Pasco Department was originally part of Junin Department; they were divided after 1919 into the current configuration. Initially the Huaron area was known as the Huancavelica District of Junin Department (Miller and Singewald, 1919). This led to confusion as to precise mineral locations. The mine was referred to as the San Jose mine in the 1920's, and is now considered to be in the San Jose de Huayllay district. The Compagnie des Mines de Huaron has been active at Huaron since 1912, and in continuous production since 1914. Ownership of the mines was partially sold off in 1987 to several other companies. Peak output was reached in the 1970's, but fell off in the 1980's as ore grades declined and costs increased. The low price of silver hurt the company also, as it has so many Peruvian mining companies. In 1991 the Compania Minera Huaron S.A., as the company is titled, filed for temporary closure and reduction of personnel. As of April 1991, ore production was 40% of normal (Cavanagh, 1993?). Production today is predominantly lead and zinc (approximately 96%), with lesser copper and minor silver.

GEOLOGY

The Cretaceous Machay Group limestones and Tertiary Pocobamba (Casapalca Red Beds) continental sedimentary rocks are the dominant sedimentary rocks in the area. The Huaron anticline is the dominant structural feature of the area. The Machay Group limestones and Pocobamba sedimentary rocks are strongly folded, and are intruded by quartz monzonites and quartz monzonite dikes, with accompanying...

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