The Helvetia Mining District in the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson used to be generally accessible to all who desired to explore the many sites of historical or geological interest, or make the climb to the notch at Gunsight Pass. Not any more.
Now the formerly public roads east and north through the area all bear the stamp of private property concerns, put in place by Hudbay Minerals, a Canadian company who is now the principle developer behind the proposed open-pit Rosemont mining operation.
You can read more about the mining operation from two different points of view:
The former site of the Helvetia smelter is still accessible at least:
Concrete, adobe, and timber foundations set into the canyon wall.
The slag pile forms an unnatural cliff (and sometimes waterfall) in the canyon.
Despite the new restrictions, I still managed to collect some great specimens:
Botryoidal mat of chrysocolla. FOV = ~2.5"
Gemmy chrysocolla (glossy royal blue) with another mineral, possibly rosasite. 2.75"x2.5"
Close-up of the above specimen.
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