HISTORIC REGION, NATIONAL RECOGNITION, ECONOMICS
La Plata Mountains
A Long and Continued History of Interest in Mineral Deposits in the La Plata Mountains
Boren Creek Miners Cabin, by William H. Jackson
1776
Silver discovered in La Plata’s by Spanish explorers
1870s – 1940s
Extensive silver and gold mining from 90+ sites; mines later shut down during WWII
1950s – 1970s
Copper exploration resurgence by major companies, leading to the discovery of a large-scale copper, silver, and gold porphyry system
2002
Freeport McMoran Inc. sells district claims to Montezuma Minerals
2019
Metallic Minerals acquires the mineral rights
2022
Metallic Minerals completes its first mineral resource estimate
Supply and Demand
Fewer major discoveries have limited new production coming online
Operating mines are depleting, and global grades are declining
Demand is rising from electrification, modernizing the grid, and global development
National Imperative
