Assessment of mineral resources in the Muggins Mountains Bureau of Land Management Wilderness Study Area (AZ-050-53A), Yuma County, Arizona
The Muggins Mountains are located within the Basin-and-Range Province of southwest Arizona, some 25 miles east-northeast of Yuma, Arizona. The Muggins Mountains Wilderness Study Area (WSA) encompasses some 25 square miles (16,000 acres) in the southwest part of the range. The oldest rocks in the WSA are marble, micaceous quartzite, and monzogranite which are all thought to be Precambrian in age. The Miocene Kinter Formation, composed of two members, unconformably overlies these rocks. The lower member of the Kinter Formation is made up of sandstone and siltstone interstratified with white tuff having a K-Ar age of 22.5 m.y. (early Miocene). This lower member is intruded by a rhyolite dome. Coarse fanglomerate and minor sandstone of the upper member of the Kinter Formation are interbedded with silicic volcanic flows, domes, and minor tuffs. Unconformably overlying these Miocene sedimentary and volcanic rocks and the Precambrian rocks are several units of late Tertiary and Quaternary deposits of gravel, sand, and silt. Exploration activity within the WSA has involved gold and uranium. Minor gold placers occur south of Klothos Temple and Muggins Peak. The Red Knob uranium prospect is located within the WSA near the eastern boundary, and other small uranium prospects are located just east of the WSA. Based on the geochemical survey, geologic mapping, and past exploration activity, three small areas in the east and southeast portions of the WSA are classified as having moderate potential (3-C classification) for uranium and thorium resources. The remainder of the WSA is classified as having low potential (2-C classification) for metallic minerals, uranium and thorium, nonmetallic minerals, and leasable resources. 29 refs., 6 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Geological Survey, Reston, VA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5516614
- Report Number(s):
- USGS-OFR-84-662; ON: TI85901778
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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