Central Mineral Resources Team
The objectives of this Project are twofold: To understand the processes of base and precious metal mineralization in the large Mesoproterozoic basins in the northern U.S. Cordillera and to enhance the prediction of potential for undiscovered mineral deposits in this basin.
A major emphasis of this Project will be to refine the known Mesoproterozoic geologic framework of the region, both in terms of stratigraphy and sedimentalogy as well as tectonics of basin development. The Mesoproterozoic deposits in this region host important syngenetic stratabound as well as younger epigenetic mineral deposits; the integration of stratigraphic, tectonic, magmatic, and geochronologic studies will assist in the development of mineral deposit models that will further enhance our ability to predict potential for undiscovered deposits.
Key to the success of this Project and the accomplishment of the proposed objectives is the synthesis of as much previously accumulated geologic knowledge as possible—stratigraphic, structural, tectonic, geochronologic—that has been obtained, in large part, by the Headwaters Project.
Exploration for undiscovered mineral deposits in the Mesoproterozic rocks of the northwest U.S. has generally followed traditional programs that require extensive geochemical analysis of stream sediments. Little attention has been paid to prediction of the location of mineral deposits based on tectonic controls or deposit type. It is the intention of the Project to provide greater insight into tectonic controls of mineral deposition and to enhance our knowledge of the mineral deposit models that pertain to metallogeny within the Mesoproterozic basins.
The proposed multidisciplinary study of metallogeny in the northern Cordillera will result in new interpretations of the crustal evolution that have direct applicability to new interpretations of mineral resource and environmental assessments in the region. Impacts include:
J. Michael O'Neill |
Box 25046 MS 973 Denver, CO 80225-0046 |
(303) 236-1288 Email Michael O'Neill |
Mineral Resources | Eastern / Central / Western / Alaska / Minerals Information |
Crustal Imaging & Characterization / Spatial Data |