Nataga Skyline

The Nataga Skyline is a zinc, molybdenum, 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: Nataga Skyline

Commodity

Primary: Zinc
Primary: Molybdenum
Primary: Copper
Primary: Silver

Location

State: Alaska
District: Juneau (Skagway subdistrict)

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 Cu
Model Name: Skarn Zn-Pb

Orebody

Not available

Structure

Not available

Alterations

Alteration Type: L
Alteration Text: Skarn.

Rocks

Not available

Analytical Data

Not available

Materials

Ore: Magnetite
Ore: Chalcopyrite
Ore: Ferrimolybdite
Ore: Galena
Ore: Molybdenite
Ore: Pyrite
Ore: Pyrrhotite
Ore: Scheelite
Ore: Sphalerite
Ore: Arsenopyrite
Gangue: Quartz
Gangue: Garnet
Gangue: Diopside
Gangue: Actinolite
Gangue: Epidote

Comments

Comment (Geology): Geologic Description = Still and others (1991) report that a 40-foot adit and several prospect pits at this site that were driven on sphalerite-rich skarn were probably developed before World War II. An open cut was dug into highly weathered gossan which contains abundant arsenopyrite. The following description is summarized from Still and others (1991) who attribute the information to a personal communication from A. H. Clough (1989). The mineralization is in a skarn zone of unknown thickness that is at least 300 feet wide and 2,500 feet long. The skarn zone includes gray marble, biotite schist, and garnet-epidote-diopside-actinolite-quartz skarn. Ore minerals include magnetite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and scheelite. Granitic rocks of variable composition and texture occur outside of the skarn zone; fine- to medium-grained diorite was the most common. Porphyritic latite dikes and very fine-grained siliceous alaskite were also noted. Southwest of the skarn zone, granular iron-stained granite contained sparse fine-grained molybdenite and ferrimolybdite. The mineralization is scattered throughout the skarn zone; sphalerite is the most common ore mineral. Magnetite and/or pyrrhotite were present in all of the skarn. The actual margins of the skarn zone were not observed. Still and others (1991) cite the following sample results. A sample of skarn with visible chalcopyrite and galena from a 40-foot adit at the site contained 511 ppm copper and 1,883 ppm zinc. A sample of the gossan with arsenopyrite from the open cut contained 15.7 ppm silver, 4,206 ppm copper, and 17,982 ppm zinc. The age of the skarn alteration and mineralization is not well established and published detailed geologic mapping is lacking in the vicinity of this prospect. However, Cretaceous to Tertiary intrusive rocks mapped to the east by Gilbert and others (1990) suggest a similar age for this mineralization.

Comment (Deposit): Model Name = Polymetallic skarn (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 18b or 18c).

Comment (Workings): Workings / Exploration = A 40-foot adit, several prospect pits, and an open cut were developed, probably before World War II (Still and others, 1991).

Comment (Reference): Primary Reference = Still and others, 1991

Comment (Geology): Age = Probably Cretaceous or Tertiary based on the ages of intrusive rocks mapped to the east by Gilbert and others (1990).

Comment (Exploration): Status = Probably inactive

References

Reference (Deposit): Gilbert, W.G., Clough, A.H., Burns, L.E., Kline, J.T., Redman, E.C., and Fogels, E.J., 1990, Reconnaissance geology and geochemistry of the northeast Skagway quadrangle, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigations 90-5, 2 sheets, scale 1:125,000.

Reference (Deposit): Still, J.C., Hoekzema, R.B., Bundtzen, T.K., Gilbert, W.G., Wier, K.R., Burns, L.E., and Fechner, S.A., 1991, Economic geology of Haines-Klukwan-Porcupine area, southeastern Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Report of Investigations 91-4, 156 p., 5 sheets, scale 1:63,360.

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