The area now called the Cobre Continental Mine is reported to have produced commercial amounts of copper since 1858, with as much as one million pounds of copper ore produced between 1858 and 1861.  In addition to copper, iron ore has been mined at the site.

As part of the Cobre Mine reclamation, approximately 83 historic shafts have closed and approximately 150 acres of the Hanover Empire Zinc Mining Area have been reclaimed through 2009. The Cobre Mine is currently inactive and has an approved standby schedule but work is in progress to allow resumption of some mining activity at Cobre.