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U.S. Department of Energy
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National Uranium Resource Evaluation: McDermitt quadrangle, Nevada

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5368684

The uranium resources of the McDermitt Quadrangle, Nevada, were evaluated using available surface and subsurface geologic information. Uranium occurrences reported in the literature, in mining claim records, and in reports of the US Atomic Energy Commission were located, sampled, and described in detail. Some occurrences could not be found during this study. Three areas of uranium favorability were outlined within the quadrangle; their delineation was based on geochemical sampling, anomalous aerial radioactivity, and favorable geologic criteria. The delineation was mainly based on surface information, as subsurface data in the quadrangle are limited. Data from the Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance sampling program were not received in time to be considered, and the Airborne Gamma-ray and Magnetometer Survey was received too late in the field-investigation phase for individual anomalies to be ground checked. The areas favorable for uranium deposits are predominantly in upper Miocene silicic to intermediate volcanic rocks and nearby volcaniclastic sedimentary units of equivalent age. These rocks are believed to be favorable mainly for volcanogenic uranium deposits, and volcanogenic deposits are present in a part of the McDermitt caldera complex, just outside the quadrangle. A large variety of upper Precambrian to Tertiary rock units present in the quadrangle are considered unfavorable for uranium deposits. Because of limited subsurface data, the upper Tertiary and Quaternary valley-fill deposits and rocks at depth below basalts of the Owyhee Upland could not be evaluated for their favorability for uranium deposits.

Research Organization:
Bendix Field Engineering Corp., Grand Junction, CO (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC13-76GJ01664
OSTI ID:
5368684
Report Number(s):
PGJ/F-045(82); ON: DE82016303
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English