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The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany geologic and mineral-resource maps of the Killik River 1°x3° quadrangle, northern Alaska

This report summarizes results of integrated geological, geochemical, and geophysical field and laboratory studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey in the Killik River 1°x3° quadrangle, Brooks Range, northern Alaska. These studies were designed to provide an assessment of the mineral resources of the quadrangle. The geological and geochemical data were the primary sources of information used to assess the mineral-resource potential of the quadrangle. The presence of permissive host rocks and favorable geochemical signatures in stream- and lake-sediment and (or) heavy-mineral-concentrate samples were used to infer the potential for undiscovered resources of minerals in deposits of different types. The Killik River quadrangle may contain undiscovered resources of preciousand base-metals (principally lead, silver, and zinc) in veins and breccias hosted by Devonian and Mississippian clastic sedimentary rocks or in stratiform massive sulfide deposits hosted primarily by Mississippian and Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks. Resources of barium, phosphate, and manganese may be present in Mississippian to Jurassic sedimentary rocks. Cretaceous fluvial sedimentary rocks in the northern part of the quadrangle are permissive hosts for uranium deposits, as well as for placer deposits of heavy minerals such as gold and chromite; however, geochemical data suggest that the potential for deposits of this type is low. Numerous coal beds are present in the Cretaceous rocks throughout the northern part of the quadrangle, but the limited thickness and lateral extent of most of the beds reduce their resource potential. Although the southern third of the quadrangle has no potential for petroleum resources, there is potential in the northern two-thirds.

Alaska↗

The Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Guide to information contained in folio of geologic and mineral resource maps of the Philip Smith Mountains quadrangle, Alaska

The geology and mineral resources of the Philip Smith Mountains quadrangle were virtually unexplored until the investigations for oil began in northern Alaska. Construction of the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System has now made the quadrangle accessible by road. In 1975 and 1976 a team of geologists, geochemists, and geophysicists investigated the quadrangle in order to assess its mineral resource potential. This report is a guide to the resulting folio of twelve maps that describe the geology, stream sediment geochemistry, aeromagnetic features, Landsat imagery, and mineral resources of the area. The bedrock geology and aeromagnetic surveys show that mineral deposits associated with intrusive rocks are probably absent. However, the geology and geochemical anomalies do indicate the possibility of vein and strata-bound deposits of copper, lead, and zinc in the Paleozoic shale and carbonate rocks in the southern part of the quadrangle and of stratabound deposits of zinc and copper in the Permian and Mesozoic shales along the mountain front. The northwestern part of the quadrangle has a low to moderate potential for oil or gas; Mississippian carbonate rocks are the most likely reservoir. The only minerals produced to date have been construction materials.

Alaska↗

The mineral economy of Brazil--Economia mineral do Brasil

This study depicts the Brazilian government structure, mineral legislation and investment policy, taxation, foreign investment policies, environmental laws and regulations, and conditions in which the mineral industry operates. The report underlines Brazil's large and diversified mineral endowment. A total of 37 mineral commodities, or groups of closely related commodities, is discussed. An overview of the geologic setting of the major mineral deposits is presented. This report is presented in English and Portuguese in pdf format.

Data Series↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Anchorage Quadrangle, Alaska

These summaries of references are designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Anchorage quadrangle, Alaska. All references to most reports of the Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before January 1, 1979, are summarized. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (0F77-169A), p. 8-10). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgment on my part that the claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposit that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references summarized in the first section.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Valdez Quadrangle, Alaska

These summaries of references are designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Valdez quadrangle, Alaska. All references to most reports of the Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before April 1, 1979, are summarized. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF 77-169A), p. 83). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgment on my part that the claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposit that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references summarized in the first section.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Bering Glacier, Icy Bay, Middleton Island, and Yakutat quadrangles, Alaska

This summary of references is designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Bering Glacier, Icy Bay, Middleton Island, and Yakutat quadrangles, Alaska. References to most reports of the Geological Survey, U.S. Bureau of Mines, and State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys released before June 1, 1979, are included. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor agencies are not included. Also not included are data on geochemical anomalies and on many prospects and claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, some of those in MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF 77-169A)). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgment on my part that the prospects and claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposits that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references in the first section and in these introductory paragraphs.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Gulkana Quadrangle, Alaska

These summaries of references are designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Gulkana quadrangle, Alaska. All references to most reports of the Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before June 1, 1979, are summarized. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the Annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, some of those in MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF 77-169A), p. 20). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgement on my part that the claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposit that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects, and claim names; and a section that lists, by author, all references summarized in the first section or mentioned in intruductory remarks.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Afognak, Karluk, Kodiak, and Trinity Islands quadrangles, Alaska

These summaries of references are designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Afognak, Karluk, Kodiak, and Trinity Islands quadrangle, Alaska. References to most reports of the Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before January 1, 1979, are summarized. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and biennial and annual reports of the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, MacKevett and Holloway, 1977, p. 18). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgement on my part that the claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposit that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically first by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references in the first section and in these introductory paragraphs.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Cordova Quadrangle, Alaska

This summary of references is designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Cordova quadrangle, Alaska. References to most reports of the Geological Survey, U. S. Bureau of Mines, and State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor agencies released before January 1, 1979, are included. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many prospects and claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, many of those in Condon, 1965 (1-453) and some in MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF-77-169A), p. 15). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgement on my part that the prospects and claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposits that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references in the first section and in these introductory paragraphs.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Mount McKinley Quadrangle, Alaska

These summaries of references are designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Mount McKinley quadrangle, Alaska. All references to most reports of the Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before November 1, 1979, are summarized. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Mineral Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF 77-169A), p. 48). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgment on my part that the claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposit that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references summarized in the first section and in these introductory paragraphs.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Kenai and Tyonek quadrangles, Alaska

This summary of references is designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral deposits in the Kenai and Tyonek quadrangles, Alaska. References to most reports of the Geological Survey, U.S. Bureau of Mines, and State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before September 1, 1979, are included. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Minerals Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor agencies are not included. Also not included are data on geochemical anomalies and on many prospects and claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, some of those in MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF 77169A)). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgement on my part that the prospects and claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposits that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references in the first section and in these introductory paragraphs.

Alaska↗

Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Seldovia Quadrangle, Alaska

These summaries of references are designed to aid in library research on metallic and nonmetallic (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) mineral occurrences in the Seldovia quadrangle, Alaska. All references to most reports of the Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies released before September 1, 1979, are summarized. Certain, mainly statistical, reports such as the annual Mineral Yearbook of the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the biennial and annual reports of the State of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys and its predecessor State and Territorial agencies are not included. Also not included are data on many claims about which little more than their locations is known (for example, MacKevett and Holloway, 1977 (OF 77-169A), p. 55). These omissions should not be interpreted as a judgment on my part that the claims are not valid mineral occurrences, but only that there are insufficient data to describe any mineral deposit that might be present. This report is divided into three parts: a section made up of summaries of references arranged alphabetically by occurrence name; a section that lists synonyms for names in the first section, claim names, and the names of operators and owners of mines and prospects; and a section that lists, by author, all references summarized in the first section and in these introductory paragraphs.

Alaska↗

Integrated mineral-resource and mineral-environmental assessments of public lands: Applications for land management and resource planning

Mineral-deposit geology is an important control on natural contamination from unmined mineral deposits, and on the environmental effects of mining and mineral processing. The U. S. Geological Survey, Office of Mineral Resources (USGS/OMR) is now integrating geology-based environmental assessments into its mineral resource assessments of public and other lands. This report presents prototype mineralenvironmental assessments of the State of Colorado and the San Juan National Forest. The following pages will show examples of how geologic information can be used to help predict and prevent adverse environmental effects of mineralresource development.

Colorado↗

Mineralogy, mineral chemistry, and paragenesis of gold, silver, and base-metal ores of the North Amethyst vein system, San Juan Mountains, Mineral County, Colorado

Gold-rich adularia-sericite-type mineralization occurs near the southern margin of the San Luis caldera, at the intersection of the Equity fault and the northern extension of the Amethyst fault system. Mineralized rock is confined primarily to steeply dipping structures in silicified rhyolite and dacite. Intense sericitic alteration occurs at higher levels in the vein system, and wall rock adjacent to some veins is bleached. The ores are multiply brecciated, and vein filling locally shows sedimentary textures. Textural, mineralogical, and chemical criteria indicate that there are at least two partially coextensive associations of mineral assemblages separated by periods of brecciation and sedimentation. An older gold-bearing association consists of two fine-grained ore stages, both of which contain electrum, uytenbogaardtite, tetrahedrite, silver sulfosalts, silver sulfides and base-metal sulfides, and a manganese-rich stage containing the assemblages (1) manganese silicate + manganese carbonate minerals + quartz and (2) magnetite + hematite + pyrite + quartz. A younger crosscutting association contains calcite, adularia, fluorite, and quartz, plus the assemblages (1) coarse-grained basemetal sulfides and (2) hematite + chlorite + quartz. Quartz, manganese-rich calcite, and trace pyrite line late-stage vugs. Mineralogic, lead-isotopic, and fluid-inclusion characteristics of the younger association are similar to those of ores of the southern and central parts of the Creede mining district. In contrast, the gold and manganese-silicate assemblages of the older association are rare to absent in the southern and central parts of the district. The local and early occurrence of the manganese and gold assemblages may indicate that they formed in a small hydrothermal cell that predated the extensive hydrothermal system from which ores of the central and southern parts of the Creede district are proposed to have been deposited (Bethke, 1988). If similar early-stage cells were present in the southern and central parts of the district, they may have been replaced or overprinted by later assemblages, and they may remain to be discovered. In the latter case, mineral assemblages that formed at early stages in the paragenesis hold the most promise for gold exploration.

Colorado↗

Book review: Economic geology: Principles and practice: Metals, minerals, coal and hydrocarbons—Introduction to formation and sustainable exploitation of mineral deposits

This volume, available in both hardcover and paperback, is an English translation of the fifth edition of the German language text Mineralische und Energie-Rohstoffe. The book provides an extensive overview of natural resources and societal issues associated with extracting raw materials. The comprehensive list of raw materials discussed includes metals, industrial minerals, coal, and hydrocarbons. The book is divided into four parts: (1) “Metalliferous ore deposits,” (2) “Nonmetallic minerals and rocks,” (3) “Practice of economic geology,” and (4) “Fossil energy raw materials—coal, oil, and gas.” These sections are bound by a brief introduction and an extensive list of up-to-date references as well as an index. Each chapter begins with a concise synopsis and concludes with a summary that contains useful suggestions for additional reading. All figures are grayscale images and line drawings; however, several have been grouped together and reproduced as color plates. Also included is a companion website ( www.wiley.com/go/pohl/geology ) that contains additional resources, such as digital copies of figures, tables, and an expanded index, all available for download in easy-to-use formats. Economic Geology: Principles and Practice: Metals, Minerals, Coal and Hydrocarbons—Introduction to Formation and Sustainable Exploitation of Mineral Deposits. Walter l. Pohl. 2011. Wiley-Blackwell. Pp. 663. ISBN 978-1-4443-3663-4 (paperback).

Economic Geology↗

The Conterminous United States Mineral Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral resource maps of the Ajo and Lukeville 1° by 2° quadrangles, Arizona

Encompassing about 21,000 km 2 in southwestern Arizona, the Ajo and Lukeville 1° by 2° quadrangles have been the subject of mineral resource investigations utilizing field and laboratory studies in the disciplines of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and Landsat imagery. The results of these studies are published as a folio of maps, figures, and tables, with accompanying discussions. Past mineral production has been limited to copper from the Ajo Mining District. In addition to copper, the quadrangles contain potentially significant resources of gold and silver; a few other commodities, including molybdenum and evaporites, may also exist in the area as appreciable resources. This circular provides background information on the mineral deposits and on the investigations and integrates the information presented in the folio. The bibliography cites references to the geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and mineral deposits of the two quadrangles.

Arizona↗

The Alaskan Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and mineral resource maps of the Talkeetna quadrangle, Alaska

The Talkeetna 1° by 3° quadrangle, which consists of about 17,155 km 2 in south-central Alaska, was investigated by integrated field and laboratory studies in the disciplines of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and Landsat data interpretation for the purpose of assessing its mineral resource potential. Past mineral production has been limited to gold from the Yentna district, but the quadrangle contains potentially significant resources of tin and silver and possibly a few other commodities including chromite and copper. The results of the mineral resource assessment are given in a folio of maps which are accompanied by descriptive texts, diagrams, tables, and pertinent references. This Circular provides background information on these investigations and integrates the component maps. A bibliography cites both specific and general references to the geology and mineral deposits of the quadrangle.

Alaska↗

The Alaskan Mineral Resource Assessment Program: Background information to accompany folio of geologic and mineral resource maps of the Big Delta quadrangle, Alaska

The geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and Landsat imagery of the Big Delta quadrangle, 16,335 km 2 in the Yukon-Tanana Upland of east-central Alaska, were investigated, and maps and reports were prepared by an interdisciplinary research team for the purpose of assessing the mineral potential. The quadrangle is dominantly a complex terrane of greenschist- to amphibolitefacies metamorphic rocks that have been intruded by Mesozoic and Tertiary dioritic to granitic rocks and are overlain by Tertiary sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Serpentinized peridotite and associated greenstone, graywacke, and chert crop out in some places. The quadrangle is bisected by the northeastward-trending Shaw Creek fault, which, on the basis of aeromagnetic interpretation and geologic data, is postulated to have left-lateral offset of as much as 48 km. On the northwest side of the Shaw Creek fault, metamorphic rock units have a northwesterly regional trend, and the oldest rocks could be Precambrian in age. Gneiss and schist in the southwestern part of the quadrangle are derived from both igneous and sedimentary protoliths, some of which may be as old as Precambrian. Other rock units, which include calcareous schist and thin-layered marble, black quartzite, semischist, and cataclastic rocks, are considered to be of probable Paleozoic age, although no fossils have yet been found in these rocks. Radiolarians and conodonts in chert associated with greenstone and ultramafic rocks indicate that the chert is of Permian age. Potassium-argon ages on igneous rocks of the Big Delta quadrangle fall into two groups: those with biotite, muscovite, hornblende, and sanidine ages between 50 to 69 m.y.; and those with biotite, hornblende, and sanidine ages between 88 to 105 m.y. The younger of these two groups appears to indicate the time of a plutonic event marked by intrusion of mostly small, isolated plutons, including hypabyssal stocks, and the eruption of silicic volcanic rocks. Most of the plutons are quartz monzonite to granite. The older group of ages (88 to 105 m.y.) on igneous rocks includes ages on the largest plutons of the Yukono-Tanana Upland. The rocks range from diorite to quartz monzonite in composition. The potassium-argon ages on the metamorphic rocks of the Big Delta quadrangle, like those obtained elsewhere in the Yukon-Tanana Upland, appear to have been partly or completely reset by subsequent thermal events. Vein and placer gold deposits have been mined in the Big Delta quadrangle, and although indications of mineralization are widespread, no other mineral deposits have yet been identified. The geologic, geochemical, and geophysical data are compatible with several types of deposits, including porphyry copper, massive sulfide, and skarn deposits. In certain aspects, the geology of the quadrangle is similar to areas in the eastern part of the Yukon-Tanana Upland and Canada where mineral deposits are known.

Alaska↗