Gold and silver have been the most significant metals produced in Costa Rica. Production has been primarily from vein-stockwork deposits hosted by tertiary volcanics and sediments related to a still active
magmatic-arc-subduction zone setting.
Minor placer gold continues to be produced from the Osa Peninsula from the weathering of accreted cretaceous terrain comprised of oceanic basalts, ultramafics and pelitic sediments.
Historic gold production has not been well documented but likely totals 3 million oz., commencing with significant mining development in the late 1800s in several districts, known collectively as the Central Gold Belt. Since the early 1970s several small scale underground mines and two open pit heap leach mines have been brought into production. Currently only one underground mine is in production, the Tres Hermanos mine operated by Ariel Resources (VSE).
Several other gold deposits are being explored, including the Bellavista held by Minera Rayrock (TSE) and the Rio Chiquita deposit held under option by Newmont Gold (NYSE). Several other North American companies have exploration programs in Costa Rica, namely Phelps Dodge (NYSE), Battle Mountain Gold (NYSE) and Minnova (TSE).
The geology of Costa Rica is permissive for intrusive related porphyry copper deposits and associated gold-copper deposits as well as high level epigenetic precious metal deposits. Some minor production of lead and zinc has been achieved from deeper parts of zoned epithermal-masothermal mineralized systems and there are several very small cyprus-style copper sulphide deposits and manganese deposits of economic grade bauxite have been delineated but not yet developed.
From papers prepared by Minera Rayrock Inc.
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