Unnamed Thorium Prospect

Site Name

Primary: Unnamed Thorium Prospect

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Commodity

Primary: Thorium
Tertiary: Copper
Tertiary: Lead
Tertiary: Zinc
Tertiary: REE

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Location

State: Colorado
County: Gunnison
District: White Earth (Powderhorn) District

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Land Status

Land ownership: Private
Note: the land ownership field only identifies whether the area the mine is in is generally on public lands like Forest Service or BLM land, or if it is in an area that is generally private property. It does not definitively identify property status, nor does it indicate claim status or whether an area is open to prospecting. Always respect private property.

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Holdings

Not available

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Workings

Not available

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Ownership

Not available

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Production

Not available

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Deposit

Record Type: Site
Operation Category: Occurrence
Deposit Type: Vein
Operation Type: Unknown
Discovery Method: Ore-Mineral In Place
Years of Production:
Organization:
Significant: N
Deposit Size: S

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Physiography

General Physiographic Area: Rocky Mountain System
Physiographic Province: Southern Rocky Mountains

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Mineral Deposit Model

Not available

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Orebody

Not available

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Structure

Type: R
Description: Gunnison Uplift, San Juan Volcanic Field

Type: L
Description: Iron Hill Alkalic Complex, Cimarron Fault, Powderhorn Stock

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Alterations

Not available

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Rocks

Name: Granite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Associated Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

Name: Granite
Role: Associated
Age Type: Host Rock
Age Young: Neoproterozoic

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Analytical Data

Not available

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Materials

Ore: Thorite
Gangue: Jasper
Gangue: Chalcopyrite
Gangue: Goethite
Gangue: Sphalerite
Gangue: Galena
Gangue: Rutile
Gangue: Fluorite
Gangue: Pyrite
Gangue: Barite
Gangue: Magnetite
Gangue: Hematite
Gangue: Specularite
Gangue: Quartz

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Comments

Comment (Commodity): BASE METALS AND RARE EARTHS LISTED ABOVE ARE GENERAL OCCURRENCES REPORTED FOR TH VEINS IN AREA; ALL MAY NOT NECESSARILY OCCUR AT THIS SITE.

Comment (Deposit): THORIUM VEINS IN THIS AREA ARE ONE OF FOUR ENVIRONMENTS OF TH OCCURRENCE KNOWN IN THE POWDERHORN-IRON HILL AREA AND ARE PROBABLY RELATED TO EMPLACEMENT OF LATE PRECAMBRIAN SYENITES NORTH AND WEST OF IRON HILL AND OF YOUNGER LATE PRECAMBRIAN OR CAMBRIAN CARBONATITES AT IRON HILL. PINK TO RED ORTHOCLASE IS COMMON AS LARGE LATHS OR AS CLUSTERS OF SUBHEDRAL TO ANHEDRAL GRAINS. ADJACENT TO MOST VEINS, WALL ROCKS ARE PARTLY REPLACED BY ORTHOCLASE (FENITELIKE REPLACEMENT). VERY FINE-GRAINED THORITE IS INTERGROWN WITH FE OXIDES. FOLIATION IN GRANITE NEAR PROSPECT TRENDS GENERALLY N 55 TO 60 E, 75 TO 85 NW. SMALL VEIN TRENDS ESSENTIALLY NORTH-SOUTH.

Comment (Workings): ONE SURFACE PROSPECT PIT

Comment (Geology): OTHER MINERALS LISTED ABOVE ARE GENERAL OCCURRENCES REPORTED FOR TH VEINS IN AREA; ALL MAY NOT NECESSARILY OCCUR AT THIS SITE.

Comment (Location): DISTRICT LIES ON NORTH SIDE OF LAKE CITY CALDERA ALONG HENSON CREEK WEST OF LAKE CITY FROM ALPINE GULCH CONFLUENCE WEST TO HEADWATERS ON OURAY AND SAN JUAN COUNTY LINES. DISTRICT CONTIGUOUS WITH LAKE DISTRICT ON EAST, WITH PARK DISTRICT ON SOUTH, AND WITH UNCOMPAHGRE AND EUREKA DISTRICTS ON WEST. DISTRICT INCLUDES LOWER PORTIONS OF ALPINE GULCH, CRYSTAL CREEK, T GULCH, UTE CREEK, MODOC CREEK, NELLIE CREEK, OWL GULCH, POLE CREEK, BIG CASINO GULCH, EL PASO CREEK, COPPER GULCH, LEE SMELTER GULCH, BOULDER GULCH, SCHAFER GULCH AND HURRICANE BASIN, REDCLOUD GULCH, AND PALMETTO GULCH; MATTERHORN CREEK, YELLOWSTONE GULCH, AND MARY ALICE CREEK ALONG NORTH FORK HENSON CREEK. PROMINENT LANDMARKS INCLUDE TREASURE FALLS, CRYSTAL PEAK, UNCOMPAHGRE PEAK, MATTERHORN PEAK, WETTERHORN PEAK, BROKEN HILL, IRON BEDS, EMPIRE MOUNTAIN, SUNSHINE MOUNTAIN, SCHAFER BASIN, WOOD MOUNTAIN, GRAVEL MOUNTAIN, DOLLY VARDEN MOUNTAIN, SEIGAL MOUNTAIN, ENGINEER MOUNTAIN, AMERICAN FLATS. DISTRICT ACCESSIBLE VIA ROAD UP

Comment (Deposit): 1625A); (LONE TREE MILL SITE, MS 1625B); (LITTLE JOHN, MS 1626A); (LITTLE JOHN MILL SITE, MS 1626B); (POSTAL, MS 1627A); (POSTAL MILL SITE, MS 1627B); (ELLWOOD, MS 1628A); (ELLWOOD MILL SITE, MS 1628B); (SYCAMORE, MS 1629); (76, MS 1630); (ARGO, MS 1637); (REVENUE, MS 1638); (GREAT EASTERN, MS 1639); (TWIN SISTERS, MS 1669); (LITTLE CASINO, MS 1700); (CHECK REGISTER, MS 1726); (NEWPORT, MS 1759); (NEWBURGH, MS 1790); (SILVER QUEEN, MS 1791); (MONTEZUMA, MS 1792); (DE SOTO, MS 1793); (HAARLEM, MS 1794); (JULIA, MS 1795); (BALLARAT, MS 1796); (SONOMA, MS 1817); (MOUNTAIN KING NO. 1, MS 1829); (MOUNTAIN KING NO. 2, MS 1830); (FANNY, MS 1839); (DICK DAWSON, MS 1860); (CZAR, MS 2008); (LITTLE HATTIE, MS 2091); (FRANK SILANCE, MS 2107); (VERMONT, MS 2489A); (DELPHI MILL SITE, MS 2489B); (ALABAMA, MS 2490A); (ALHAMBRA MILL SITE, MS 2490B); (FAIRVIEW, MS 2550); (PEARL, MS 2550); (SCOTIA, MS 2500); (UTE MILL SITE, MS 2590); (MILFORD, MS 2595); (BIG BLUE, MS 2596); (JENNIE, MS 2673); (MOUNTAIN

Comment (Deposit): VIEW, MS 4922); (JUNCTION, MS 4922); (EXCELSIOR, MS 5184); (YELLOW MEDICINE, MS 5187); (MOUNTAIN BELL, MS 5187); (PRIDE OF AMERICA, MS 5306); (OPHIR, MS 5959A); (OPHIR MILL SITE, MS 5959B); (MOBILE, MS 6634); (FOREST, MS 6634); (VICKSBURG, MS 6634); (KEYSTONE STATE, MS 6644); (JESSUP, MS 7060); (AMERICAN QUEEN, MS 7847); (BLACK DIAMOND, MS 7847); (BLACK DIAMOND NO. 2, MS 7847); (BROKER, MS 11149); (FOUR ACES, MS 12130); (OTTUMWA, MS 12130); (YORKTOWN, MS 12196); (JAMESTOWN, MS 12196); (GUYANDOTTE, MS 12196); (ROANOKE, MS 12196); (NORFOLK, MS 12196); (PORTSMOUTH, MS 12196); (RICHMOND, MS 12196); (PETERSBURG, MS 12196); (NEWPORT NEWS, MS 12196); (VULCAN, MS 12227); (GALLIC, MS 12227); (SAXON, MS 12231); (CUTTER, MS 12265); (FREE LANCE, MS 12265); (REGULATOR, MS 12265); (YANKEE DOODLE, MS 12265); (LEADVILLE, MS 12265); (MAYOR OF LEADVILLE, MS 12265); (MAB, MS 12265); (AURIC, MS 12265); (MAID OF HENSON, MS 12265); (DON QUIXOTE, MS 12572); (BALTIMORE, MS 12676); (LELLIE, MS 12677); (PEARL,

Comment (Deposit): 18939A); (MINERAL FARM MILL SITE, MS 18939B); (EMPIRE, MS 19246); (BLACK PRINCE, MS 19246); (SWEET MARIW, MS 19597); (DORCHESTGER, MS 20145); (VENTURE, MS 20145); (STARLING, MS 20145); (CHICAGO NO. 2, MS 20145); (CHICAGO NO. 5, MS 20145); (CHICAGO NO. 6, MS 20145); (CHICAGO NO. 7, MS 20145); (CALCITE, MS 20166); (RUNNING, MS 20240A); (RUNNING MILL SITE, MS 20240B); (VIRGINIA, MS 20439)

Comment (Deposit): 16172); (ANCHOR, MS 16201); (DEWEY NO. 2, MS 16374); (BRICK POMEROY, MS 16478A); (WALL STREET, MS 16478A); (AMAZON, MS 16478A); (BRICK POMEROY MILL SITE, MS 16478B); (BONANZA, MS 16479A); (MAGNOLIA, MS 16479A); (HONDEE, MS 16479A); (MATHISON, MS 16479A); (BONANZA MILL SITE, MS 16479B); (PORTLAND, MS 16573); (PRINTER BOY, MS 16573); (NORTH SIDE, MS 16573); (METEOR, MS 16573); (EL SUD, MS 16721); (EL NORTE, MS 16721); (GOODWIN, MS 16754); (GOLD MINE, MS 16817); (WHITNEY MILL SITE, MS 16992); (MIDNIGHT BELL, MS 17205); (SUNSHINE NO. 1, MS 17467); (SUNSHINE NO. 2, MS 17467); (MARY JANE, MS 17467); (WILLIAM T., MS 17467); (SNOW SLIDE, MS 17467); (SILVER LEDGE, MS 17483); (COLORADO CENTRAL, MS 17711); (CERES, MS 18010); (SATURN, MS 18011); (FINIS, MS 18011); (VENUS, MS 18011); (NEPTUNE, MS 18011); (MARS, MS 18011); (SYBDICATE, MS 18011); (JUPITER, MS 18011); (LOUISE, MS 18011); (SANTA RITA, MS 18939A); (MINERAL FARM, MS 18939A); COLUMBIA, MS 18939A); (SAN JUAN, MS 18939A)^; (ROYAL, MS

Comment (Deposit): (MARY LIME, MS 1086A); (MARY LIME MILL SITE, MS 1086B); (GEORGE M. TIBBETS, MS 1087); (ROSE LIME, MS 1094A); (ROSE LIME MILL SITE, MS 1094B); FRANK ADAMS, MS 1116); (SHILOE, MS 1117); (GLADIATOR, MS 1118); (CORINTH, MS 1119); (EMPRESS, MS 1123); (ALPHA, MS 1138); (OMEGA, MS 1139); (CAPITOL CITY, MS 1148); (CAPITOL CITY NO. 2, MS 1149); (OTTOWA, MS 1206); (U.S., MS 1207); (EMPIRE, MS 1208); (HIGHLAND CHIEF, MS 1209A); (HIGHLAND CHIEF MILL SITE, MS 1209B); (HIGH MUCK A MUCK, MS 1210); (BUSHNELL, MS 1212A); (BUSHNELL MILL SITE, MS 1212B); (ULE EXTENSION, MS 1220); (FORT DONALSON, MS 1230); (MOOSE, MS 1250); (SILVER CHORD, MS 1251); (NORTH FORK PLACER, MS 1252); (WATSON, MS 1253); (LITTLE HELEN, MS 1254); (CZARINA, MS 1270); (JOHN J. CROOKE PLACER, MS 1280); (SILVER PLUME, MS 1294); (O'CONNER, MS 1295); (EMPEROR WILHELM, MS 1309); (EQUATOR, MS 1366A); (EQUATOR MILL SITE, MS 1366B); (COMPROMISE, MS 1514A); (COMPROMISE MILL SITE, MS 1514B); (INCAS, MS 1529); (LILLY, MS 1559); (LONE TREE, MS

Comment (Development): PRECIOUS METALS PROBABLY WERE FIRST DISCOVERED IN LAKE CITY AREA THROUGH PANNING ABOUT 1842 BY MEMBER OF JOHN C. FREMONT EXOEDITION. HISTORY OF GALENA DISTRICT BEGAN WITH DISCOVERY OF UTE AND ULAY VEINS ON AUGUST 27, 1871, BY HARRY HENSON, JORL K. MULLIN, ALBERT MEAD, AND CHARLES GODWIN. DISCOVERY LED TO FIRST BOOM PERIOD IN LAKE CITY AREA. MINING DIS NIT BEGIN ON THESE VEINS UNTIL AFTER TREATY WAS SIGNED WITH UTE INDIANS IN 1874. REAL RUSH DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL UTE-ULAY MINE WAS SOLD FOR $135,00 TO CROOKE BROTHERS IN 1876. CROOKE SMELTER WAS COMPLETED AT LAKE CITY IN 1878, AND PRODUCTION FROM UTE-ILAY AND POLAR STAR MINE (UNCOMPAHGRE DISTRICT, SAN JUAN CO.) SUPPLIED SMELTER TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. EXCELSIOR MINE ALSO LOCATED IN APRIL, 1878, ALONG WITH COMPLETION OF OCEAN WAVE SMELTER. IN 1880, CONSIDERABLE WORK DONE AT PALMETTO, CAPITOL CITY, CZAR, SILVER CHORD, YELLOW MEDICINE, PRIDE OF AMERICA, VERMONT, AND OTHER PROPERTIES. BOOM REACHED CLIMAX NEAR END OF 1881, WHEN CONCENTRATING

Comment (Deposit): PATENTED CLAIMS: (BIG CASINO NO. 2, MS 69A); BIG CASINO MILL SITE, MS 69B); (OCEAN WAVE, MS 92); (WAVE OF THE OCEAN, MS 93); (ULE, MS 147A); (ULE MILL SITE, MS 147B); (UTE, MS 148); (DOLLY VARDEN, MS 172); (PALMETTO, MS 233); (AJAX, MS 237A); (AJAX MILL SITE, MS 237B); (SCHAFER PLACER, MS 266); (MILL SITE, MS 269); (COLORADO, MS 276); (SILVER CHORD, MS 281); (EXTENSION, MS 281); (JOAQUIN, MS 296); (RUSSELLA, MS 308); NMINER'S BANK, MS 309); (BIG HORN, MS 313); (PRINTER BOY, MS 314); (ACCIDENTAL NO. 2, MS 315); (MOUNTAIN GIANT, MS 316);(AMERICAN EAGLE, MS 317); (IRON MASK, MS 318A); (IRON MASK MILL SITE, MS 318B); (DURAL, MS 335); (LITTLE BAREFOOT, MS 338); (HIDDEN TEASURE, MS 342); (CALIFORNIA, MS 376A); (CALIFORNIA MILL SITE, MS 376B); (ST. LOUIS, MS 401); (RUBY QUEEN, MS 407A); (RUBY QUEEN MILL SITE, MS 407B); (FIRST NATIONAL BANK, MS 408A); (FIRST NATIONAL BANK MILL SITE, MS 408B); (H. M. WOODS, MS 426); (LIGHTNING STRIKER, MS 452); (CHIMNEY CORNER, MS 496); (PAYMASTER, MS 514);

Comment (Development): WORKS WERE BUILT AT UTE-ULAY AND HIDDEN TREASURE MINES AT HENSON. CONSTRUCTION OF D&RGW RAIL LINE TO LAKE CITY CEASED. UTE-ULAY MINE SHUT DOWN IN 1883, AND CROOKE SMELTER CLOSED BY EARLY 1884. LATE IN 1880S, SHIPMENTS WERE MADE FROM REOPENED UTE-ULAY, VERMONT, YELLOW MEDICINE, AND NEWLY DISCOVERED GALLIC-VULCAN MINES. MINES PRODUCED UNTIL ABOUT 1900. DISTRICT REPORTED CONTINUOUS PRODUCTION FROM 1905 TO EARLY 1920S, AND FROM 1930S THROUGH MID 1950S. LAST PERIODS OF ACTIVITY WERE MID TO LATE 1960S AT UTE-ULAY, PRIDE OF AMERICA, AND BIG CASINO MINES, AND IN 1976-1977 AT PRIDE OF AMERICA MINE. MOST RECENT ACTIVITY WAS SOME CLEAN-UP AT UTE-ULAY MINE IN 1980.

Comment (Workings): LAGER MINES DEVELOPED BY CROSSCUT TUNNELS, VERTICAL AND INCLINED SHAFTS, WITH UP TO NINE LEVELS. SURFACE PROSPECT PITS AND TRENCHES. SEVERAL MILLS AND CONCENTRATING PLANTS, SOME ONCE CONNECTED TO MINES VIA WIRE-ROPE AERIAL TRAMWAYS.

Comment (Deposit): THIS RECORD IS CONTINUED ON D011796 ; INFO.SRC : 1 PUB LIT; 2 UNPUB REPT

Comment (Deposit): MS 12860); (RUBY, MS 12860); (CASTLE, MS 13103A); (BURRO CABIN, MS 13103A); (BURRO CABIN MILL SITE, MS 13103B); (CRYSTAL, MS 13193); (INVINCIBLE, MS 13478); (PROTECTOR, MS 13478); (MCCOMBE, MS 13781); (MCCARTHY, MS 13781); (AJAX LIMITED, MS 13811); (MORO LIMITED, MS 13811); (MEAT AUGER, MS 13872); (GIMLET, MS 13872); (MCCARTHY NO. 3, MS 13975); (U. P., MS 14236); (WINNER, MS 14988); (HARD TACK, MS 14988); (HARD-TO-BEAT, MS 14988); (PORCUPINE, MS 15012); (STEELE, MS 15157); (OTIS, MS 15157); (ALBANY, MS 15157); (WINDSOR, MS 15157); (METROPOLE, MS 15157); (MCCOMBE NO. 2, MS 15157); (CROWN POINT, MS 15223); (BLUE BELL, MS 15489); (MONTREAL, MS 15494); (KLONDYKE, MS 15872); (SILVER MEDAL, MS 16034); (SILVER MEDAL NO. 2, MS 16034); (PETAPAH, MS 16034); (MYDEALY, MS 16034); (RED HORSE, MS 16072); (BOB INGERSOLL, MS 16129); (SLIDE ROCK, MS 16130); (CLARENCE W., MS 16134); (BAKER, MS 16172); (NUCINGEN, MS 16172); (F. B. H., MS 16172); (G. D. B., MS 16172); (C. F. M., MS 16172); (PUZZLE, MS

Comment (Location): HENSON CREEK WEST FROM LAKE CITY AND NE FROM SILVERTON UP ANIMAS RIVER AND OVER ENGINEER PASS; VIA TRAILS UP CIMARRON RIVER SOUTH FROM U.S. RTE 50. CLAIMS AND MINERALIZATION EXTEND EAST ONTO LAKE CITY (1963) QUAD, SOUTH ONTO REDCLOUD PEAK (1964) QUAD, SW ONTO HANDIES PEAK (1955) QUAD, AND WEST ONTO WETTERHORN PEAK (1963) QUAD. REDCLOUD PEAK AND HANDIES PEAK QUAD LIE ON DURANGO (1945) 1:250000 SHEET. SECTIONS LISTED INCLUDE ONLY THOSE COVERED BY PATENTED CLAIMS AND BY MARY ALICE UNPATENTED (URANIUM) CLAIMS; ADDITIONAL SECTIONS AND TOWNSHIPS INCLUDE SEC. 30 AND 31, T44N, R4W, AND SECS. 13 ND 24, T43N, R7W. ELEV AND LAT-LONG GIVEN ARE FOR APPROX CENTER OF DISTRICT AT CAPITOL CITY SITE NEAR CONFLUENCE OF HENSON CREEK ND NORTH FORK HENSON CREEK, IN SW SW SWC. O6, T43W, R5W (FORE-SHORTENED, UNSURVEYED SECTION). ; INFO FROM LAND.ST : 1977

Comment (Location): ALONG UNNAMED TRIBUTARY EAST OF CEBOLLA CREEK 5.05 MILES SE OF POWDERHORN AND 3.15 MILES SSW OF IRON HILL. ; INFO FROM LAND.ST :1976

Comment (Deposit): (PHILADELPHIA, MS 527A); (PHILADELPHIA MILL SITE, MS 527B); (BOURBON COUNTY, MS 537); (HOFFMAN, MS 538); (FRANK HOUGH, MS 549); (CHIPMUNK, MS 637); (BLOOMINGTON, MS 660); (LAKE CITY, MS 672A); LAKE CITY MILL SITE, MS 672B); (NEW BRIGHTON, MS 673A); (NEW BRIGHTON MILL SITE, MS 673B); (EQUATOR, MS 674A); (EQUATOR MILL SITE, MS 674B); (THUNDERBOLT, MS 685A); (THUNDERBOLT, MS 685B); (ADELIA, MS 700); (MAPLE GROVE, MS 718A); (MAPLE GROVE MILL SITE, MS 718B); (MICHIGAN, MS 755); (ALPS, MS 784); (SWEET HOME, MS 785); (SILVER CROWN, MS 786); (INDEPENDENCE, MS 795); (BIG CASINO NO. 2, MS 836); (CARBONATE QUEEN, MS 851); (F. X. AUBREY, MS 852); (FLOWER OF SAN JUAN, MS 855); (ENGINEER, MS 860); (ENGINEER MOUNTAIN PLACER, MS 983A); (CARBONATE PLACER, MS 988); (DICTATOR, MS 1012); (LILLY, MS 1023); (YELLOW JACKET, MS 1031); (SARAH WOOD, MS 1036); (MONITOR, MS 1037); (POLAR QUEEN, MS 1045); (GOOD HOPE, MS 1047); (SUPERIOR, MS 1053); (CAPITOL IRON PLACER, MS 1084); (TREASURE HILL SPAR, MS 1085);

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References

Reference (Deposit): OLSON, J.C., 1974, GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE RUDOLPH HILL QUADRANGLE, GUNNISON, HINSDALE, AND SAGUACHE COUNTIES, COLORADO: USGS MAP GQ-1177.

Reference (Deposit): HEDLUND, D.C., AND OLSON, J.C., 1961, FOUR ENVIRONMENTS OF THORIUM-, NIOBIUM-, AND RARE-EARTH-BEARING MINERALS IN THE POWDERHORN DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN COLORADO: USGS PROF. PAPER 424-B, P. B283-B286.

Reference (Deposit): OLSON, J.C., AND HEDLUND, D.C., 1981, ALKALIC ROCKS AND RESOURCES OF THORIUM AND ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS IN THE POWDERHORN DISTRICT, GUNNISON COUNTY, COLORADO: USGS PROF. PAPER 1049-C.

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