Strategic metals (tantalum, columbium, beryllium) in pegmatites of Copper Mountain, Fremont County, Wyoming. A preliminary report. Open file report, 1987-88

Technical Report · Fri Mar 31 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5528862

Chatman, M L

In 1987 and 1988, the Bureau of Mines evaluated pegmatites and granitic rocks on the south side of Copper Mountain, Fremont County, WY, primarily for the strategic metals tantalum, niobium, and beryllium. The U.S. relies on foreign imports for over 90% of the tantalum and niobium consumed annually, and has no major known tantalum deposit. Widely spaced reconnaissance sampling identified subeconomic tantalum resources in two pegmatites on Copper Mountain, amounting to 1.5 million short tons at grades of 0.02% to 0.03% Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} (tantalum pentoxide). Tantalum content is 0.8 million pounds of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}, or about 1/5 of the total tantalum resources delineated in the U.S. Tantalum recovery testing showed that 70% recovery is possible. Additionally, niobium and beryllium could be byproducts of tantalum mining. Tungsten, gold, silver, and copper, primarily in quartz veins, are not present in economic amounts. Sample assays suggest additional tantalum resources could be present in other pegmatites in the study area, but more sampling work is required to determine resources. Unsampled pegmatites on an adjacent 2 square miles of land should be examined. Discovery of more tantalum resources could help alleviate U.S. dependence on foreign imports.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Denver, CO (USA). Intermountain Field Operation Center
• OSTI ID: 5528862
• Report Number(s): PB-89-214217/XAB; BUMINES-OFR-15-89
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Color illustrations reproduced in black and white
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
BERYLLIUM
DOMESTIC SUPPLIES
MINERAL RESOURCES
PEGMATITES
NIOBIUM
REFRACTORY METALS
TANTALUM
WYOMING
MINING
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALLOYS
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
GRANITES
IGNEOUS ROCKS
METALS
NORTH AMERICA
PLUTONIC ROCKS
RESOURCES
ROCKS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
USA
290400* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources