Use of NURE and other data sets to characterize mineralized environments in the Wallace and Choteau NTMS quadrangles, Montana and Idaho

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5566989

Madson, M E; Burger, J A

Reconnaissance-scale National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) data were used to recognize, characterize, and delineate mineralized environments in the Wallace and Choteau 1/sup 0/ x 2/sup 0/ quadrangles of Idaho and Montana. Data interpretation methods developed during the NURE program for the recognition of areas with potential for uranium deposits were used in this study to delineate localities representative of several different mineralized environments. The delineations were based on anomalous concentrations of elements in stream sediments and waters, and anomalous values of aerial radiometric potassium, equivalent uranium, equivalent thorium, and radioelement ratios. Aeromagnetic characteristics of the delineated localities were also derived from NURE data. Characteristics of NURE data were compared with known geology, structure, mineralization, and mining history of the project area. Recognition criteria were developed from NURE data for several mineralized environments in the project area. The most discrete criteria are for Coeur d'Alene-type deposits; less discrete criteria are also described for porphyry-type deposits, strata-bound deposits, and vein-type deposits related to intrusive and extrusive rocks. A total of 24 mineralized localities were delineated in this study. The localities were categorized as reference localities, representative of a particular mineralized environment; as marginal localities; or as follow-up localities, with NURE data characteristics that warrant further study. Three localities delineated in the study are follow-up localities and are considered by the authors to have potential for new or additional mineral resources. The Vermillion Peak-Moose Peak and Echo Mountain localities may host uranium-bearing, base- or precious-metal vein-type deposits. The Trout Creek locality has potential for additional gold-bearing placer deposits.

• Research Organization: Bendix Field Engineering Corp., Grand Junction, CO (USA). Grand Junction Operations
• DOE Contract Number: AC13-76GJ01664
• OSTI ID: 5566989
• Report Number(s): GJBX-20(83); ON: DE84000953
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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FEDERAL REGION VIII
FEDERAL REGION X
GEOCHEMICAL SURVEYS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
IDAHO
MINERAL RESOURCES
MONTANA
NORTH AMERICA
RADIOMETRIC SURVEYS
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
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USA