Unnamed (in headwaters of Niukluk River)

The Unnamed (in headwaters of Niukluk River) is a zinc, lead, copper, and silver mine located in Alaska.

About the MRDS Data:

All mine locations were obtained from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. The locations and other information in this database have not been verified for accuracy. It should be assumed that all mines are on private property.

Mine Info

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Site Name

Primary: Unnamed (in headwaters of Niukluk River)

Commodity

Primary: Zinc
Primary: Lead
Primary: Copper
Primary: Silver

Location

State: Alaska
District: Council

Land Status

Not available

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Not available

Ownership

Not available

Production

Not available

Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Prospect
Operation Type: Unknown
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant:

Physiography

Not available

Mineral Deposit Model

Model Name: Skarn Zn-Pb

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: The epidote-garnet skarn appears to have an overprinting hydrous alteration of mica, actinolite, and chlorite. Limonitic staining is present.

Rocks

Not available

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Sphalerite
Gangue: Mica
Gangue: Garnet
Gangue: Epidote
Gangue: Chlorite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Biotite
Gangue: Actinolite
Gangue: Quartz

Comments

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Hudson and Wyman, 1983

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = Mining claims have existed on this propect (Hudson and others, 1977). Work has consisted of surface observations and shallow, hand-dug prospecting pits.

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Zn-Pb skarn (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 18c)

Comment (Geology): Age = Cretaceous; this occurrence is probably related to emplacement of the Pargon pluton which is assumed to be Cretaceous in age.

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = This prospect is a sulfide-bearing skarn prospect (Hudson and Wyman, 1983). It is developed in impure carbonate layers in high grade metasedimentary rocks that are variably replaced by epidote and garnet. Alteration of the skarn includes development of mica, actinolite, and chlorite. Lenses and pods of galena and sphalerite also replace metacarbonate layers, but chalcopyrite seems to favor replacement of metaclastic, metavolcanic (?), or amphibolite layers. Grab samples of skarn contained from up to 1.4 % Cu, 13.5 % Pb, 9.5 % Zn, and 5.1 ounces/ton Ag. Gold was below the detection level (5 ppb) in these samples (Hudson and Wyman, 1983). A sample from a sulfide-bearing limonitic quartz vein from the top of the ridge east of elevation 2,995 feet contained 6.22 % Cu, 7.75 % Pb, 2.38 % Zn, 4.98 ounces/ton Ag, and only 10 ppb Au. In general, skarn mineralization appears to carry more lead, zinc and silver values than copper. This base metal prospect, and several other occurrences in this part of the Bendeleben A-4 quadrangle, are in high grade metasedimentary rocks that are structurally above or peripheral to the crosscutting Pargon pluton. The Pargon pluton is mostly granodiorite and assumed to be Cretaceous in age (Till and others, 1986). It was emplaced at shallower depths than the more deep-seated Bendeleben pluton to the east. The metamorphic rocks peripheral to the Pargon pluton are also intruded by small, felsic dikes and plugs including quartz porphyry and muscovite granite. A sample of altered quartz porphyry contained 475 ppm Cu and 520 ppm Pb (Hudson and Wyman, 1983).

References

Reference (Deposit): Hudson, T.L., Miller, M. L., and Pickthorn, W. J., 1977, Map showing metalliferous and selected nonmetalliferous mineral deposits, Seward Peninsula, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-796-B, 46 p., one sheet, scale 1:1,000,000.

Reference (Deposit): Hudson, T.L., and Wyman, W. F., 1983, Interim report on areas of Seward Peninsula warranting further prospecting and evaluation: Anchorage, Anaconda Minerals Company internal report, 84 p., 7 plates. (Report held by Cook Inlet Region Inc., Anchorage, Alaska.)

Reference (Deposit): Till, A.B., Dumoulin, J.A., Gamble, B. ., Kaufman, D.S., and Carroll, P.I., 1986, Preliminary geologic map and fossil data, Soloman, Bendeleben, and southern Kotzebue quadrangles, Seward Peninsula, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 86-276, 10 p., 3 plates, scale 1:250,000.

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