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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Mineral resources of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Study Area, Montrose and Delta Counties, Colorado

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OSTI ID:5583989

The Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Study Area is in southwestern Colorado, about 6 mi northeast of Montrose. The southeast boundary of this study area adjoins the Black Canyon of the Gunnison national Monument. The gorge is characterized by flaring canyon walls of Mesozoic sedimentary rocks at the top, surmounting an inner gorge cut through a variety of Proterozoic, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Inferred subeconomic resources of gypsum in the Wanakah Formation and of coal in the Dakota Sandstone occur in this study area. This entire study area has a low mineral and energy resource potential for undiscovered base metals (copper, lead, and zinc), precious metals (gold and silver) uranium, and geothermal sources. Outside of the inferred subeconomic resources of gypsum in the Wanakah and of coal in the Dakota, the potential for undiscovered resources of these commodities is low. There is no potential for undiscovered resources of oil and gas.

OSTI ID:
5583989
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English