Mineral resource assessment of undiscovered mineral deposits for selected mineral deposit types in the Kaibab National Forest, Arizona

Abstract

The Kaibab National Forest (KNF), located on the Colorado Plateau, is an area largely devoid of base-and precious-metal mineral deposits. Previous assessment of the Grand Canyon region for uranium deposits suggests that the KNF is in an area with undiscovered uranium resources comparable to the San Juan Basin, historically the most productive uranium area in the United States. Quantitative probabilistic mineral resource assessment in the KNF is only possible for uranium due to the absence of appropriate models or to the poorquality of models for other mineral deposit types (e.g., strata-bound copper, manganese deposit types, replacement iron, bedded gypsum, limestone, flagstone, ashlar, basalt, cinder, scoria, and pumice). Industrial minerals, and flagstone production in particular, have been produced in the KNF for about 100 years. Industrial minerals are the likely focus of future production.

Preliminary mineral resource assessment of selected industrial and collector minerals of the Prescott National Forest, Arizona

“…This assessment is primarily a compilation of previously reported information about recognized industrial minerals found in the PNF. Most of the industrial minerals noted here are also described in assessments of the Coconino National Forest and Kaibab National Forest (Bliss, 1993(Bliss, , 1997.…”

“…A new geologic map for the PNF is in preparation by other USGS geologists but is not available at this time. Simplified geologic maps as in Bliss (1993) were not done for this report following the recommendations of Liz Matthews (Forest Service, Flagstaff, verbal commun., 1997) who indicated that existing geologic maps would be used. However, a location map ( fig.…”

“…Readers who use the information herein need access to geologic maps (most sources of which are listed above.) Assessments were completed in two adjacent national forests the NF (Bliss, 1993) and the Coconino NF (Bliss, 1997). Both address industrial minerals.…”

“…Therefore, some industrial minerals are not considered here in detail. For identification of pertinent geology and discussion about stone used in flagging, minor ashlar2, or dimension stone, see Bliss (1993, p. 19-28). 2Ashlar are rectangular or square stone blocks usually smooth on two parallel sides commonly used for Flagstone production from the Coconino Sandstone is an important industry in the PNF and the Kaibab NF to the north (Bliss, 1993). One correction is needed to the previous assessment of flagging.…”

Mineral resource assessment of undiscovered solution-collapse breccia pipe uranium deposits in the Coconino National Forest, Arizona

“…The same strategy used here has been previously used by Finch and others (1990) to give the the uranium endowment for the Grand Canyon, Williams, Flagstaff, Marble Canyon, and Holbrook 1° x 2° quadrangles. The Kaibab National Forest was also assessed the same way (Bliss and Pierson, 1993). The following types of areas may be classified in the CNF; the codes, with the exception of NP and V, are the same as in Finch and others (1990 Areas covered with basalt include B and C (designated as B(b) and C(b)).…”