SME Annual Meeting

Feb. 19 - 22, 2012, Seattle, WA

Preprint 12-024
BOLIVAR CU-ZN SKARN DEPOSIT, SW CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO
T. Robyn, Dia Bras Exploration, Inc., Toronto, Ontario
L. Meinert, Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC
M. Reynolds, Barrick Gold, Elko, NV

INTRODUCTION

REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The Bolivar Cu-Zn skarn deposit in the Piedras Verdes mining

district of Chihuahua is one of many base and precious metal deposits
in the north-northwest trending Sierra Madre Belt extending across the
states of Chihuahua, Durango and Sonora in northwestern Mexico.
The information presented here is drawn from two papers on the
1,4
plus new information. Historical mining and
Bolivar property
exploration for polymetallic Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag-Au deposits in the Sierra
Madre Belt dates to Spanish Colonial days. Access to the Bolivar
Property (Figure 1) is by paved road (approximately 305 km southwest
from Chihuahua) and approximately 80 km by all-season gravel roads
to the villages of Cieneguita (population ~1,000) and Piedras Verdes
(population ~500) adjacent to the property.

The Bolivar district is in the Guerrero Terrain which is related to

the Alisitos-Teololoan arc system caused by subduction of the Farallon
2
Plate during the Jurassic-Cretaceous . The host rocks for most ore
deposits consist of Lower Cretaceous sedimentary and volcanic rocks
of the Urique Group. These consist of up to 3 km of Upper Cretaceous
to Lower Tertiary predominantly andesitic volcanic rocks that are cut by
a series of stocks of intermediate composition and all are overlain by
younger continental rhyolitic and dacitic ignimbrites (up to 1.5 km thick)
and regionally extensive rhyolite flows that are interpreted to be Middle
Tertiary in age (Figure 2). In general, the rocks in the area trend
northwest and dip gently to the northeast, controlling topography and
river drainages.
DISTRICT GEOLOGY
The geologic setting for the Bolivar District is a volcanosedimentary assemblage of Cretaceous age that comprises flows and
tuffs of andesite and basalt intercalated with greywacke, limestone and
shale beds (Figure 3). Two distinct periods of volcanic activity have
been recognized.

Figure 1. Location of the Bolivar deposit.

The Bolivar property comprises an old Cu-Zn producer (the
Bolivar Mine), exploration concessions adjacent to the Bolivar Mine,
and a new camp at the mine that supports mining, exploration and
maintenance.
From 1980 to 2000, former operators extracted
approximately 300,000 tonnes of ore that was hand sorted to an
average grade of 5-6% Cu and 25-30% Zn. From 2005-2010, Dia Bras
produced from the mine just over 600,000 tonnes at an average grade
of 1.7% Cu and 8.6% Zn. Dia Bras transported mineralized rock 275
km by truck and rail to its Malpaso mill, located about 30 km west of
Cuauhtmoc in central Chihuahua, from 2005 until October 2011 when
the new Piedras Verde mill was commissioned only 5 km from the
mine. (Note: the Company cannot use the term ore because it has
never completed a feasibility study.)

Figure 2. Geology of the Bolivar district.

The first is referred to as the Lower Volcanic Series (LVS) and is
of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Tertiary age (80-90 to 40-50 Ma). It

Copyright 2012 by SME

SME Annual Meeting

Feb. 19 - 22, 2012, Seattle, WA
For details, maps, figures and cross-sections the reader is
4
referred to Reynolds original text . Only the two mineralized horizons,
the Upper and Lower Skarns, are described herein.

comprises a wide variety of intrusive and extrusive rocks, but is mainly

composed of andesitic agglomerates, flows and tuffs grading upward
into a felsic volcanic assemblage. The basal part of the series is
predominantly carbonate and lesser clastic units, which in turn can be
subdivided into a lower dolomitic unit with abundant clastic interbeds
and an upper calcareous unit with few clastic beds, but with local chert
and argillaceous laminations. The overall thickness of the LVS is at
least 750 m in the Bolivar area, but the contact between the preCretaceous "basement" and the LVS is not exposed.

Lower Skarn
The signature prograde alteration assemblage in this
predominantly dolomitic horizon is a skarn of fine- to medium-grained
pyroxene, olivine and garnet with abundant magnetite (typically 1020% but up to 50%) in olivine- and pyroxene-rich zones. Individual
olivine, pyroxene and garnet crystals are typically smaller than 1mm
but garnet crystals up to 1.5 and pyroxene crystals up to 3 cm were
observed. Pyroxene ranges in color from light to medium green.
Garnet exhibits a wider range of colors including red-brown, brown,
green, yellow-brown, and yellow-green.

Basement and LVS rocks are intruded by plutonic bodies of

intermediate to felsic composition of Upper Cretaceous to Lower
Tertiary age. Granodiorite bodies are of two epochs, one at 85.0 Ma
and a second at 45.3 Ma. Quartz diorites have ages ranging between
3
47.9 and 28.3 Ma . A 40-km-wide linear belt of these intrusive bodies is
exposed in windows throughout the State of Chihuahua. The rocks are
relatively fresh but zones of alteration, hornfels, marble and skarn are
developed adjacent to some intrusions.

Relative to the upper skarn, garnet is much less abundant in the

lower skarn and less likely to be birefringent in thin-section. The lower
skarn is relatively sulfide-poor and magnetite-rich. Typical sulfide
concentrations are 3-5% with chalcopyrite being the most abundant
followed by pyrite, bornite, chalcocite and sphalerite. Magnetite occurs
both in skarn without significant sulfides and in veins and patches
temporally and spatially associated with sulfides. Almost no sphalerite
is observed at Bolivar Sur (El Gallo area). It is more abundant to the
south and north but never exceeds concentrations of copper sulfide in
the lower skarn unit.

The LVS is overlain by a widespread capping of continental

rhyolitic and dacitic ignimbrites and tuffs named the Upper Volcanic
Series (UVS). The UVS was deposited between 30 and 26 Ma, and no
mineralization is known in the UVS in this region. All known
mineralization in this region occurred during the time interval between
the LVS and UVS.

Retrograde alteration of the lower skarn is characterized by

alteration of pyroxene, olivine, and garnet to lower temperature
mixtures of vesuvianite, epidote, chlorite, calcite, serpentine,
phlogopite, talc and tremolite. In particular, pyroxene alters to talc,
tremolite, chlorite and amphibole; olivine alters to serpentine,
phlogopite, and talc; and garnet alters to chlorite, vesuvianite, and
epidote. All assemblages are accompanied by calcite and lesser
quartz. With continued alteration, phlogopite is replaced by chlorite and
serpentine and amphibole by chlorite such that the most intensely
altered rocks are masses of chlorite and/or serpentine. Very coarse
grained phlogopite also occurs with the olivine and pyroxene as a
primary mineral.
Upper Skarn
The uppermost limestone member of the sedimentary package at
Bolivar has been altered to a skarn characterized by prograde
pyroxene and garnet but lacking the olivine observed in the lower
skarn. Early crystals are typically fine grained but later crystals are
larger. Pyroxene ranges in color from light green in proximal zones to
dark green-brown in distal zones. Garnet primarily occurs in a range of
yellow, brown, and green colors but also in varieties of reds and even
black. Early garnet is isotropic whereas later garnet is zoned on the
scale of individual crystals with bands of both birefringent and isotropic
garnet in thin section which indicate rapid growth under highly variable
conditions.
Progressively more marble and less skarn are observed in the
northeastern part of the cross-section. However, the presence of
hydrothermal fluids is still evident in fluid escape structures that are
oriented roughly parallel to bedding. The exception to this trend is the
brecciated skarn observed in drill hole 182. This is associated with a
localized higher temperature event that formed the La Increble breccia
pipe.

Figure 3. Geology of the Bolivar deposit.

The rocks of the UVS tilt to the east but the area is relatively
unfolded, and deformation in the Bolivar district is controlled by shear
faults, listric faults, and tensional fractures. All units are block-listricfaulted but displacements generally do not exceed 200 meters.

The abundance of skarn and marble is interpreted as zonation of

alteration intensity rather than a facies or change in rock type caused
by a fault, both because the change takes place over a very short
distance and because the underlying layers are continuous with no
evidence for displacement due to faults. The upper skarn is sulfiderich: concentrations average around 15% but exposures in the mine
are as high as 80%.

ALTERATION AT THE BOLIVAR DEPOSIT

The sedimentary rocks at Bolivar include five main rock types.
There are two relatively pure carbonate layers which form the lower
and upper skarns and host most mineralization. Between the
carbonate layers are siltstone, argillaceous dolostone, and argillaceous
limestone that have altered to biotite hornfels, blue-green pyroxene-red
brown garnet hornfels, and brown garnet-wollastonite skarnoid,
respectively.

Sphalerite is the most abundant sulfide and is associated with

later prograde minerals. Chalcopyrite tends to occur with early
prograde minerals and overall is less abundant. The ratio of copper to
zinc is 1:1 at La Increble and ranges from 1:2 to 1:7 in other places.
The abundance of zinc is relatively low at Bolivar Sur and higher to the
south and north.

Copyright 2012 by SME

SME Annual Meeting

Feb. 19 - 22, 2012, Seattle, WA
cfc; 5 secondary cleaner cells totaling 500 cfc. The zinc circuit
includes: 3 rougher cells totaling 900 cfc; 5 scavenger cells totaling
1500 cfc; 2 primary cleaner cells totaling 900 cfc; and 6 secondary
cleaner cells totaling 600 cfc.

Mineralization occurs in manto- and chimney-type deposits that

are associated with fault trends and brecciated zones, and are
especially abundant at the transition between skarn and marble.
Bornite is only locally abundant, usually near the skarn-marble front in
the northern Bolivar Alta Ley area. Pyrite is associated with retrograde
alteration and although widespread is of low abundance.
The retrograde mineral assemblage of the upper skarn is
characterized by alteration of garnet and pyroxene to mixtures of
epidote, hematite, chlorite, amphibole, calcite, and quartz. In particular,
garnet alters to epidote, hematite, and chlorite and pyroxene alters to
hematite, chlorite, and amphibole. Calcite and quartz accompany all
assemblages and are especially abundant in brecciated zones, filling in
space among fragments. Euhedral quartz crystals growing in vugs are
commonplace.

CRUSHING AREA

Rock Hopper
w/ grizzly 14 x 18

Screen 5 x 16
Terex double deck

Crusher 25 X 40
Cedar Rapid

With continued alteration, amphibole is replaced by chlorite such

that the most intensely altered rocks are masses of chlorite. Overall,
the skarn is relatively fresh but retrograde alteration is locally intense,
especially in association with hydrothermal brecciation. A second,
relatively minor layer of calcic skarn overlays the lower skarn.
Alteration is similar to the upper skarn garnet>pyroxene skarn and
marble but no significant mineralization is observed. This horizon is
not generally distinguished from the lower skarn even though it is
compositionally different.

Secondary Crusher Sandvick 6800

+ crushed ore
- crushed ore

2 Ore bins
Capacity. 1000 tonnes ea.

PIEDRAS VERDE MILL

Figure 4. Crushing circuit of Piedras Verde mill.

After six years of shipping rock from the Bolivar Mine to its
Malpaso mill, Dia Bras in October 2011 commissioned its newlyconstructed Piedras Verde (PV) mill, which is located only 5 km from
the Bolivar mine. The Malpaso mill operated at an average of 360 tpd
while the Piedras Verde mill has a design capacity of 1,000 tpd. The
construction of the 1,000 tpd mill plus a camp for employees, extension
of a regional power line, and construction of a water reservoir with a
capacity of 1.5 million cubic meters of water cost the Company a total
of US$12.5 million.

Mil l cir cuit

Cyclone sands to flotation

Cyclone sands D- 15
Circulating load

Crushed ore
Belt conveyor

Operation of the new mill reduced Dia Bras direct operating costs
by 45%, mainly due to the reduction in transportation costs.

Cyclone sands D-20

(2)
Cycling load

domini on 95 X 14 ba l l mil l
19 r pm & 600 HP

cc

During 2012, the commissioning of a second ball mill and

additional flotation cells to the PV mill will increase its capacity to 2,000
tpd. The cost of the 1,000 tpd increase in capacity is expected to be
US $8.2 million, of which US $3.7 million will be for a new power line of
11 kilometers from Tubares to the mill to guarantee a constant and
consistent power supply for the increased mill capacity. The remaining
US $4.5 million is budgeted for additional floatation cells, installation of
the second ball mill, various equipment and labor costs.

Mill pump
(2)8x6

Mill pump
Sands cyclone D20
(2)6X4

Mining is done by sublevel stoping method.

Figure 5. Ball mill circuit of the Piedras Verde mill

The Piedras Verde Mill Circuit

Crushing and Screening Circuits (Figure 4): Rock is fed
to the mill through a coarse-screen grizzly with spacing of 14x18, with
the undersize reporting to a primary Cedar Rapids 25x40 jaw crusher
with a capacity of 120 tonnes per hour (tph). The crusher output is
sent to a Terex 5x16 double-deck screen with a 200 tph capacity, with
upper 2 and lower screens. The rock is sent to two fine ore
bins, each with a capacity of 1,000 tonnes. The oversize reports by
closed circuit to a secondary Sandvik model 6800 cone crusher with a
capacity of 160 tph, and its output reports back to the Terex screen.

Thickeners (Figure 7): The Piedras Verdes Mill has separate

copper and zinc thickeners. The copper thickener is 40 feet in diameter
and has capacity to process 150 tpd of copper concentrates. The zinc
thickener is 50 feet in diameter and has capacity to process 200 tpd of
zinc concentrates. Concentrates from both thickeners report to
separate JWI model 800-G32 filters, each with frames 800x800 mm
3
(31.5x31.5) and capacity of 22 ft .
DIA BRAS EXPLORATION
Dia Bras Exploration Inc. is a Canadian listed mining company
focused on precious and base metals in Peru and Mexico. The
Company owns and operates the Yauricocha Mine (Ag-Cu-Zn-Pb) in
Central Peru and the Bolivar Mine (Cu-Zn-Ag) in Chihuahua State,
Mexico. Dia Bras is also pursuing the development and exploration of
the Cusi Property (Ag) in central Chihuahua and exploring several
base and precious metals targets in Peru and Mexico.

Ball Mills (Figure 5): Rock from the fine ore bins reports to a
Dominion 9.5x14 ball mill with a capacity of 1,000 tpd. It runs at 19
rpm and is powered by a 600 horsepower motor. A second Dominion
9.5x14 ball mill was installed during November 2011. This second ball
mill will be operational in the third quarter of 2012 when the Piedras
Verdes mill has been completely upgraded to 2,000 tpd capacity.
Flotation Circuits (Figure 6): The Piedras Verdes mill has two
flotation circuits for copper and zinc concentrates. The copper circuit
includes: 3 rougher cells with a total of 900 cubic feet capacity (cfc); 4
scavenger cells totaling 1200 cfc; 2 primary cleaner cells totaling 600

The Companys shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange

under the symbol DIB.

Copyright 2012 by SME

SME Annual Meeting

Feb. 19 - 22, 2012, Seattle, WA

DIABRAS MEXICANA, S.A. DE C.V.

BOLIVARPROJECT1000TPD
ROUGHER

12

1stSCAVENGER

2ndSCAVENGER
Orepumps
(2)8x6

X
300 cu ft FLOTATION CELLS

12

300 cu ft FLOTATION
CELLS

Conc.Primario

Primary OrePump
(2)5x4

1stCleaning

COPPER FLOTA TION

CIRCUIT

Mediumpumps
(2)5x4

Conc.1stScavenger

300 cu ft
FLOTATION
CELL

Tailfirst
cleaning

100 cu f t FLOTATION CELLS

FinalCuconcentrate orepumps
(2)4x3

1stcleaning ore

Zinc f l ot a t i on ci r cuit

ROUGHER

1stSCAVENGER

12
12

Conc.2ndScavenger

2ndCleaning

2ndcleaning ore

300 cu ft FLOTATION CELLS

2ndSCAVENGER

300 cu ft FLOTATION CELLS

300 cu ft FLOTATION CELLS

Primary orepump
(2)5x4

300 cu ft FLOTATION CELLS

To tailings pond

1Scavenger ore
Mid Znpump
(2)5x4

1stCLEANING

2ndScavenger ore
2ndCLEANING

300 cu ft FLOTATION CELLS

100 cu f t FLOTATION CELLS

FinalZnconcentrate orepumps
(2)4x3
1stCleaning ore

2ndcleaning ore

Figure 6. Flotation circuits of the Piedras Verde mill.

THICKERING AND FILTERING
CuFilter press

copper

Copper Thickener

40

Copper
Concentrate

Concentrate pump
(2)5x4

Znfilter press

z inc

ZincThickener

ZincConcentrate

50

Concentrate pump
(2)5x4

Figure 7. Thickener circuit of the Piedras Verde mill.

REFERENCES

1.

Meinert, L., Banda M., R., Gonzales R., H., and Marchand, J.,
2008, El deposito de Skarn Cu-Zn, Bolivar, Chihuahua, Mexico,
Geologa Econmica de Mxico II Edicin, Eds. Clark, K, et al., 8
p.

2.

Campa, M.F., and Coney, P.J., 1983, Tectono-stratigraphic

terranes and mineral resource distributions in Mexico: Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 20, p. 1040-1051.

3.

Valencia-Moreno, M., Ochoa-Landin, L., Noguez-Alcntara, B.,

Ruiz, J., and Prez-Segura, E., 2006, Caractersticas
metalogenticas de los depsitos de tipo prfido cuprfero en
Mxico y su situacin en el contexto mendial: Boletn de la
Sociedad Geolgica Mexicana, Volumen conmemorativo del
Centenario Revisin de Algunas Tipologas de Depositos
Minerales en Mxico, Tomo LVIII, Nm. 1, p. 1-26.

4.

Reynolds, M., 2008, Stratigraphy, mineralogy, and geochemistry

of the Bolivar Cu-Zn skarn deposit, Chihuahua, Mexico:
unpublished report submitted to the Department of Geology of
Smith College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors, 107 p.

Copyright 2012 by SME