The active, 2 km in diameter Colorada Pit (image top right) is recognizable in this astronaut photograph by the concentric steps or benches cut around its perimeter (see larger image). These benches allow for access into the pit for extraction of ore and waste materials. Water (black) is visible filling the bottom of the pit, and several other basins in the surrounding area. The city of Cananea – marked by its street grid - is located to the northeast of the mine workings. A leachate reservoir is located to the east of the mine (image lower left) for removal and evaporation of water pumped from the mine workings – the bluish-white coloration of deposits near the reservoir suggests the high mineral content of the leachate.

The mine workings at Cananea are significant in the recent history of Mexico, as poor working conditions there in 1906 led to a miner’s strike that resulted in 19 deaths. This event is generally considered to a major catalyst of the Mexican Revolution of 1910, as well as the beginning of Mexico’s labor movement. Current environmental and economic conditions at the mine led to a worker strike that halted mine operations in 2007.