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May 2014 - National Geochemical Database Applicability for Prospecting

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Mike Bingle-Davis
Mike Bingle-Davis

There are numerous databases that were put together in attempt to quantify the mineral and elemental deposits of the United States. These include NURE, HSSR, RASS, NGS, MRDS, and more. This presentation describes what each of these programs are, what they produced, and hoe they are applied to mapping. Lastly, how these databases can be utilized to map potential exploration locations.

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National Geochemical Database Applicability for Prospecting Mike A. Bingle-Davis
Introduction • 1973 – 1984: NURE • 1975 – 1984: HSSR • MIXED DATES: RASS • 2004 – Current: NGS • Compilation: MRDS • Other sources for Zinc, Phosphates, Copper, etc.
Brief History of NURE/HSSR (1973-1984) • NURE: National Uranium Resource Evaluation (1973) • HSSR: Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance program (1975) • HSSR one of nine components of NURE
Brief History of NURE/HSSR (1973-1984) • 1977 NURE program switched to quadrangle basis • Authorized to search for elements other than Uranium • NURE program funding ended ~1983-1984 • 307 of 625 quadrangles sampled • 86 quadrangles partially sampled
NURE / HSSR Data Files • Unedited download 10.5 MB • 158 headings • 19,635 records • Includes water and sediment data • Needs parsing
Parsing the Data (HSSR / NURE) • Six sources for the samples – Spring, stream, well, artificial pond, natural pond, marsh • Removed well samples – 12,338 samples remain
Brief History of the Rest • Collection of many datasets • Including: – RASS – State Geological Surveys – PLUTO – SWAK – Cannon, King, Folger
National Geochemical Database (2004 – Current) • Phase one complete – Combine RASS, NURE, PLUTO, and all available datasets • Phase two initiated • Goal 1: Ensure availability of up-to-date quantitative assessments of potential for undiscovered mineral deposits • Goal 2: Ensure availability of up-to-date geoenvironmental assessments of priority Federal lands • Goal 3: Ensure availability of reliable geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral locality data for the United States • Continuing Goal: Ensure availability of scientific facilities and services required to achieve MRP goals • Goal 4: Ensure availability of long-term data sets describing mineral production and consumption for national security needs
Active Mines
MRDS Sample Sites (4,890)
Carbonatite (1)
Copper Porphyries (4)
Gold, Silver, Corundum/Ruby, Gemstones Gold Silver Rubies Gemstones Diamonds
Sediment Sample Coverage (18,532)
Sediment Analysis: Gold Blue: 0.01-1 ppm Green: 1-2 ppm Orange: 2-2.74 ppm Yellow: 2.74-3 ppm
Sediment Analysis: Gold • Ore grades as low as 0.5 mg./kg. or 0.5 PPM can be economical • Open pit mines have grades 1-5 PPM • Underground mines are minimum 3 PPM • 30 PPM is needed to be visible with the naked eye, most gold mined is invisible • Using GIS to take a closer look
Wyoming Streams
Current Claims / HSSR Sites
Big Nose Kate / Yela Fever
Carol Placer / MUPU
Unknown 1
Unknown 2
Casper / Natrona County Area
Casper / Natrona with Geology 1 2 3 4
Area 1
Area 4
References • http://minerals.usgs.gov/ : location of National Geochemical Database • Background Image: Panning for gold, 1940. Photo by Lee Russell courtesy Library of Congress

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May 2014 - National Geochemical Database Applicability for Prospecting

  • 1. National Geochemical Database Applicability for Prospecting Mike A. Bingle-Davis
  • 2. Introduction • 1973 – 1984: NURE • 1975 – 1984: HSSR • MIXED DATES: RASS • 2004 – Current: NGS • Compilation: MRDS • Other sources for Zinc, Phosphates, Copper, etc.
  • 3. Brief History of NURE/HSSR (1973-1984) • NURE: National Uranium Resource Evaluation (1973) • HSSR: Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance program (1975) • HSSR one of nine components of NURE
  • 4. Brief History of NURE/HSSR (1973-1984) • 1977 NURE program switched to quadrangle basis • Authorized to search for elements other than Uranium • NURE program funding ended ~1983-1984 • 307 of 625 quadrangles sampled • 86 quadrangles partially sampled
  • 5. NURE / HSSR Data Files • Unedited download 10.5 MB • 158 headings • 19,635 records • Includes water and sediment data • Needs parsing
  • 6. Parsing the Data (HSSR / NURE) • Six sources for the samples – Spring, stream, well, artificial pond, natural pond, marsh • Removed well samples – 12,338 samples remain
  • 7. Brief History of the Rest • Collection of many datasets • Including: – RASS – State Geological Surveys – PLUTO – SWAK – Cannon, King, Folger
  • 8. National Geochemical Database (2004 – Current) • Phase one complete – Combine RASS, NURE, PLUTO, and all available datasets • Phase two initiated • Goal 1: Ensure availability of up-to-date quantitative assessments of potential for undiscovered mineral deposits • Goal 2: Ensure availability of up-to-date geoenvironmental assessments of priority Federal lands • Goal 3: Ensure availability of reliable geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and mineral locality data for the United States • Continuing Goal: Ensure availability of scientific facilities and services required to achieve MRP goals • Goal 4: Ensure availability of long-term data sets describing mineral production and consumption for national security needs
  • 10. MRDS Sample Sites (4,890)
  • 13. Gold, Silver, Corundum/Ruby, Gemstones Gold Silver Rubies Gemstones Diamonds
  • 15. Sediment Analysis: Gold Blue: 0.01-1 ppm Green: 1-2 ppm Orange: 2-2.74 ppm Yellow: 2.74-3 ppm
  • 16. Sediment Analysis: Gold • Ore grades as low as 0.5 mg./kg. or 0.5 PPM can be economical • Open pit mines have grades 1-5 PPM • Underground mines are minimum 3 PPM • 30 PPM is needed to be visible with the naked eye, most gold mined is invisible • Using GIS to take a closer look
  • 18. Current Claims / HSSR Sites
  • 19. Big Nose Kate / Yela Fever
  • 23. Casper / Natrona County Area
  • 24. Casper / Natrona with Geology 1 2 3 4
  • 27. References • http://minerals.usgs.gov/ : location of National Geochemical Database • Background Image: Panning for gold, 1940. Photo by Lee Russell courtesy Library of Congress