Where to Find Copper in Nevada

Native copper and copper-rich ores show up across central and eastern Nevada, mostly as secondary mineralization in old porphyry and skarn systems. Ely in White Pine County (the Robinson district) is the largest historical copper camp, and its dumps carry chrysocolla, malachite, and small native copper sheets. The Yerington district in Lyon County produces native copper in basalt amygdules and skarn-hosted copper carbonates near the Anaconda pit. Smaller showings at Battle Mountain and Tuscarora add malachite-stained quartz and minor cuprite. The Goodsprings district near the Arizona-Nevada line yields wulfenite and vanadinite alongside oxidized copper minerals. The most productive ground is in Robinson district, Ely (White Pine County), Yerington (Lyon County), Goodsprings (Clark County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like copper is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Nevada, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.

Robinson district, Ely (White Pine County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Yerington (Lyon County), Goodsprings (Clark County).