Unnamed (headwaters of Quartz Creek)

The Unnamed (headwaters of Quartz Creek) is a zinc, silver, and lead 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 (headwaters of Quartz Creek)

Commodity

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

Location

State: Alaska
District: Fairhaven

Land Status

Not available

Holdings

Not available

Workings

Not available

Ownership

Not available

Production

Not available

Deposit

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

Physiography

Not available

Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Tourmaline and sericite alteration along closely spaced fractures; quartz-carbonate replacement.

Rocks

Name: Quartz Monzonite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock Unit
Age Young: Late Cretaceous

Name: Quartz Monzonite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Late Cretaceous

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Arsenopyrite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Pyrite
Ore: Sphalerite
Gangue: Calcite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Tourmaline

Comments

Comment (Deposit): Other Comments = This site is one of numerous occurrences of argentiferous galena, sphalerite, pyrite and arsenopyrite in an 18-mile-long, 2- to 5-mile-wide zone of altered andesite surrounding the Quartz Creek quartz monzonite pluton. The altered zone trends N 15 W, across the drainage basins of Quartz Creek and the Kiwalik River, parallel to prominent lineaments in the area.

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = This occurrence is located adjacent to the mid-Cretaceous Quartz Creek pluton, a hook-shaped, quartz monzonite body. The pluton is surrounded by a N 15 W-trending alteration zone about 18 miles long and 2 to 5 miles wide. The alteration zone is in Jurassic-Cretaceous andesitic volcanic rocks, and is marked by carbonate-quartz replacement, and tourmaline. Fine-grained dikes of varying composition cut the andesites near the pluton. Dikes near the Quartz Creek pluton are locally mineralized. This occurrence consists of a galena-bearing calcite vein 18 inches thick in altered quartz monzonite. The altered quartz monzonite consists of quartz-carbonate-sericite rock containing disseminated pyrite, arsenopyrite, galena, sphalerite, and tourmaline. A composite grab sample contained 44 ppm Ag, 2.25% Pb, and 4.67% Zn (Miller and Elliott, 1969).

Comment (Geology): Age = Late Cretaceous.

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Sulfides in altered quartz monzonite.

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = The area has been mapped and examined by the U.S. Geological Survey and by various exploration companies.

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Miller and Elliott, 1969

References

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1976, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Candle, Holy Cross, Norton Bay, Nulato, and Unalakleet quadrangles, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 76-866, 102 p.

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1972, Metallic mineral resources map of the Candle Quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF-389, 1 sheet, scale 1:250,000.

Reference (Deposit): Cobb, E.H., 1973, Placer deposits of Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1374, 213 p.

Reference (Deposit): Miller, T.P., and Elliott, R.L., 1969, Metalliferous deposits near Granite Mountain, eastern Seward Peninsula, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 614, 19 p.

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