Morzhovoi Bay

The Morzhovoi Bay is a copper, gold, 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: Morzhovoi Bay

Commodity

Primary: Copper
Primary: Gold
Primary: Silver

Location

State: Alaska
District: Alaska Peninsula

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

Model Name: Epithermal vein, generic
Model Name: Porphyry Cu

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Christie (1974) reports minor epidote in southeast corner of occurrence, as well as chlorite, clay, and possibly sericite. This mineral assemblage suggests propylitic, argillic, and possibly sericitc alteration. Leaching is partial to locally complete in the anomaly.

Rocks

Name: Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
Role: Host
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Holocene

Name: Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
Role: Host
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Holocene

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Pyrite
Gangue: Tourmaline

Comments

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Christie, 1974

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = Brief reconnaissance geologic mapping and geochemical sampling reported by Christie (1974). Geochemical results showed copper typically less than 50 ppm and molybdenum less than 5 ppm, whereas silver ranged from 1.2 to 2.1 ppm and gold was as high as 0.03 ppm.

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = Christie (1974) briefly examined a weak color anomaly 1.5 by 3 mi (2.4 by 5 km) in size, trending roughly east-west (110x). He reports finding a variety of rock types, including diorite, feldspar porphyry(?), monzonite, epiclastic rocks, and volcanic flows. His geologic description is scant, but he suggested further work if geochemistry indicated copper mineralization. It didn't, but there still is an unevaluated central covered area, including part of a lake, that is at least 1.5 mi (4 km) square. Fracturing is reported to be strong only locally on the west end of the anomaly. MacKevett and Holloway (1977) reported an altered zone associated with a breccia zone containing tourmaline, developed in a young volcanic terrane.

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Copper porphyry, epithermal gold vein

Comment (Deposit): Model Number = 17, 25

Comment (Deposit): Other Comments = MacKevett and Holloway's (1977) report was based on an unreferenced industry source originally thought to be Christie (1974); however Christie (1974) does not mention breccia or tourmaline at this occurrence.

Comment (Exploration): Status = Inactive

Comment (Geology): Age = Miocene or younger

References

Reference (Deposit): MacKevett, E.M., Jr., and Holloway, C.D., 1977, Map showing metalliferous mineral deposits in the western part of southern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-169-F, 38 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:1,000,000.

Reference (Deposit): Christie, J.S., 1974, Aleut-Quintana-Duval 1974 joint venture, final report: Unpublished Quintana Minerals Corporation report, 24 p., 3 appendices, 2 maps. (Report held by the Aleut Corporation, Anchorage, Alaska.)

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