The first mention of Cananea in writing and maps appeared to be in the 1690's by Father Francisco Eusebio Kino. The Cananea of those times, perhaps, consisted of few scattered farms and ranches.

In the 1700´s, Cananea became part of the Sonora province.

Cananea and the Mines

The mines of Cananea have promoted the development of the region to a great level. Its mines were discovered in 1760 and 1762; however very few mining activity took place during the 1800´s. In 1860 Gen. Ignacio Pesqueira acquired several mining properties at “Vieja Cananea” (Old Cananea).

A man called William Cornell Greene, started the modern mining era in Cananea, leasing four mayor mines and creating the Cananea Copper Company in 1896 to operate those mines. In 1899, Greene organized the Cananea Consolidated Copper Company, S.A. which became known by the “4C” trademark, and the Greene Cananea Copper Company incorporated in 1906, in turn acquired majority control of Cananea Consolidated.
Cananea´s labor strike in June, 1906 was motivated by the bad work conditions in the underground mines. This historic event is for many the start of the Mexican revolution that took place in 1910.

In 1917 the Cananea Consolidated Copper Company was acquired by the Anaconda Mining Company, which introduced U.S. new geological and mapping techniques, and explored the region for additional mineral deposits.
In 1926, the now worldwide famous "La Colorada" ore deposit was discovered. The richness of this deposit allowed Anaconda to survive the economic world crisis of the 30´s.

In November 1971, The Anaconda Company sold its 51% controlling interest of “Compañía Minera de Cananea, S.A.” to the Mexican Government agencies.
As a result of Mexico’s economic crisis in 1980’s, the government operated company was declared bankrupt on August 20, 1989.

After approximately one year of operations by the bankruptcy court appointee, the company was acquired in 1990 by Grupo Industrial Minera México, S.A. de C.V. (today known as Nuevo Grupo Mexico) and Belgic Acec Union Miniere. The company’s name was changed to Mexicana de Cananea, S.A. de C.V.