Reconnaissance for radioactive deposits in the Hyder district, southeastern Alaska, 1949

Abstract

Radioactivity reconnaissance during 1949 in the Hyder district, southeastern Alaska, revealed that radioactive material is widely distributed on the Mountain View property. However, no uranium deposits of commercial value were found in the restricted parts of the district covered by this investigation. Anomalous radioactivity was detected at a number of localities on the Mountain View property, but the source could not be determined at all sites. The most highly radioactive unconcentrated vein sample collected Sn 1949 contained 0.049 percent equivalent uranium, and the most Intensely radioactive vein-material concentrate (specific gravity greater than 2.89) contained 0.398 percent equivalent uranium. Both samples are from the Skookum tunnel on the Mountain View property. The radioactive material on the properties Investigated in the Hyder district appears to be chiefly uranium which occurs In an unidentified, highly radioactive, opaque mineral and, also, in trace amounts in the sulfides of the vein deposits. Some of the radioactive material, however, occurs as disseminated deposits In the Igneous rocks of the district and, also, to a minor extent as thin secondary coatings on fracture surfaces in veins and rocks.