New Mineral Deposit Models for Gold, Phosphate Rare Earth Elements, and Placer Rare Earth Element-Titanium Resources Completed
USGS Mineral Deposit Models are "an organized arrangement of information describing the essential characteristics or properties of a class of mineral deposits. Models themselves can be classified according to their essential attributes (for example: descriptive, grade-tonnage models, genetic, geoenvironmental, geophysical, probability of occurrence, and quantitative process models)." (Stoeser and Heran, 2000). They are a tool for assessing areas for undiscovered mineral deposits.
This project focused on updating mineral deposit models for future assessment work within the U.S. The updated models included six gold deposit types (epithermal, orogenic, Carlin-like, alkaline-related, iron oxide copper gold, and Precambrian paleoplacer), sedimentary phosphorus (± rare earth elements) deposits, and titanium-rare earth element placer deposits. These mineral deposit models are designed for assessment use and include components on geoenvironmental impacts, human health, and critical elements. Other activities included investigating modern techniques in the applications of geochemistry and geophysics for all gold models.
Reference: Stoeser, D.B., and W.D. Heran, 2000, USGS mineral deposit models: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 64, 1 disk, https://doi.org/10.3133/ds64.
Below are publications associated with this project and previous mineral deposit model publications.
Deposit model for volcanogenic uranium deposits
Ni-Co laterite deposits of the world — Database and grade and tonnage models
Stratiform chromite deposit model
Co-Cu-Au deposits in metasedimentary rocks-A preliminary report
Magmatic sulfide-rich nickel-copper deposits related to picrite and (or) tholeiitic basalt dike-sill complexes: A preliminary deposit model
An occurrence model for the national assessment of volcanogenic beryllium deposits
Porphyry copper deposit model: Chapter B in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
A deposit model for Mississippi Valley-Type lead-zinc ores
Sediment-hosted zinc-lead deposits of the world— Database and grade and tonnage models
A New Occurrence Model for National Assessment of Undiscovered Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits
Climax-Type Porphyry Molybdenum Deposits
Low-fluorine Stockwork Molybdenite Deposits
- Overview
USGS Mineral Deposit Models are "an organized arrangement of information describing the essential characteristics or properties of a class of mineral deposits. Models themselves can be classified according to their essential attributes (for example: descriptive, grade-tonnage models, genetic, geoenvironmental, geophysical, probability of occurrence, and quantitative process models)." (Stoeser and Heran, 2000). They are a tool for assessing areas for undiscovered mineral deposits.
This project focused on updating mineral deposit models for future assessment work within the U.S. The updated models included six gold deposit types (epithermal, orogenic, Carlin-like, alkaline-related, iron oxide copper gold, and Precambrian paleoplacer), sedimentary phosphorus (± rare earth elements) deposits, and titanium-rare earth element placer deposits. These mineral deposit models are designed for assessment use and include components on geoenvironmental impacts, human health, and critical elements. Other activities included investigating modern techniques in the applications of geochemistry and geophysics for all gold models.
Reference: Stoeser, D.B., and W.D. Heran, 2000, USGS mineral deposit models: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 64, 1 disk, https://doi.org/10.3133/ds64.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project and previous mineral deposit model publications.
Filter Total Items: 91Deposit model for volcanogenic uranium deposits
Volcanism is a major contributor to the formation of important uranium deposits both close to centers of eruption and more distal as a result of deposition of ash with leachable uranium. Hydrothermal fluids that are driven by magmatic heat proximal to some volcanic centers directly form some deposits. These fluids leach uranium from U-bearing silicic volcanic rocks and concentrate it at sites of dAuthorsGeorge N. Breit, Susan M. HallNi-Co laterite deposits of the world — Database and grade and tonnage models
No abstract available.AuthorsVladimir I. Berger, Donald A. Singer, James D. Bliss, Barry C. MoringStratiform chromite deposit model
Stratiform chromite deposits are of great economic importance, yet their origin and evolution remain highly debated. Layered igneous intrusions such as the Bushveld, Great Dyke, Kemi, and Stillwater Complexes, provide opportunities for studying magmatic differentiation processes and assimilation within the crust, as well as related ore-deposit formation. Chromite-rich seams within layered intrusioAuthorsRuth F. Schulte, Ryan D. Taylor, Nadine M. Piatak, Robert R. SealCo-Cu-Au deposits in metasedimentary rocks-A preliminary report
A compilation of data on global Co-Cu-Au deposits in metasedimentary rocks refines previous descriptive models for their occurrence and provides important information for mineral resource assessments and exploration programs. This compilation forms the basis for a new classification of such deposits, which is speculative at this early stage of research. As defined herein, the Co-Cu-Au deposits conAuthorsJ. F. Slack, J. D. Causey, R. G. Eppinger, J. E. Gray, C.A. Johnson, K.I. Lund, K. J. SchulzMagmatic sulfide-rich nickel-copper deposits related to picrite and (or) tholeiitic basalt dike-sill complexes: A preliminary deposit model
Magmatic sulfide deposits containing nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), with or without (±) platinum-group elements (PGEs), account for approximately 60 percent of the world’s Ni production and are active exploration targets in the United States and elsewhere. On the basis of their principal metal production, magmatic sulfide deposits in mafic rocks can be divided into two major types: those that are suAuthorsKlaus J. Schulz, Val W. Chandler, Suzanne W. Nicholson, Nadine M. Piatak, Robert R. Seal, Laurel G. Woodruff, Michael L. ZientekAn occurrence model for the national assessment of volcanogenic beryllium deposits
The general occurrence model summarized here is intended to provide a descriptive basis for the identification and assessment of undiscovered beryllium deposits of a type and style similar to those found at Spor Mountain, Juab County, Utah. The assessment model is restricted in its application in order to provide a coherent basis for assessing the probability of the occurrence of similar economicAuthorsNora K. Foley, Robert R. Seal, Nadine M. Piatak, Brianna HetlandPorphyry copper deposit model: Chapter B in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
This report contains a revised descriptive model of porphyry copper deposits (PCDs), the world's largest source (about 60 percent) and resource (about 65 percent) of copper and a major source of molybdenum, gold and silver. Despite relatively low grades (average 0.44 percent copper in 2008), PCDs have significant economic and societal impacts due to their large size (commonly hundreds of millionsAuthorsRobert A. Ayuso, Mark D. Barton, Richard J. Blakely, Robert J. Bodnar, John H. Dilles, Floyd Gray, Fred T. Graybeal, John L. Mars, Darcy McPhee, Robert R. Seal, Ryan D. Taylor, Peter G. VikreA deposit model for Mississippi Valley-Type lead-zinc ores
This report is a descriptive model of Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) lead-zinc deposits that presents their geological, mineralogical and geochemical attributes and is part of an effort by the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Resources Program to update existing models and develop new models that will be used for an upcoming national mineral resource assessment. This deposit modeling effort by the USAuthorsDavid L. Leach, Ryan D. Taylor, David L. Fey, Sharon F. Diehl, Richard W. SaltusSediment-hosted zinc-lead deposits of the world— Database and grade and tonnage models
This report provides information on sediment-hosted zinc-lead mineral deposits based on the geologic settings that are observed on regional geologic maps. The foundation of mineral-deposit models is information about known deposits. The purpose of this publication is to make this kind of information available in digital form for sediment-hosted zinc-lead deposits. Mineral-deposit models are imAuthorsDonald A. Singer, Vladimir I. Berger, Barry C. MoringA New Occurrence Model for National Assessment of Undiscovered Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits
Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are very significant current and historical resources of Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag, are active exploration targets in several areas of the United States and potentially have significant environmental effects. This new USGS VMS deposit model provides a comprehensive review of deposit occurrence and ore genesis, and fully integrates recent advances in the understandiAuthorsW.C. Pat Shanks, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, Randolph Koski, Lisa A. Morgan, Dan Mosier, Nadine M. Piatak, Ian Ridley, Robert R. Seal, Klaus J. Schulz, John F. Slack, Roland ThurstonClimax-Type Porphyry Molybdenum Deposits
Climax-type porphyry molybdenum deposits, as defined here, are extremely rare; thirteen deposits are known, all in western North America and ranging in age from Late Cretaceous to mainly Tertiary. They are consistently found in a postsubduction, extensional tectonic setting and are invariably associated with A-type granites that formed after peak activity of a magmatic cycle. The deposits consistAuthorsSteve Ludington, Geoffrey S. PlumleeLow-fluorine Stockwork Molybdenite Deposits
Low-fluorine stockwork molybdenite deposits are closely related to porphyry copper deposits, being similar in their tectonic setting (continental volcanic arc) and the petrology (calc-alkaline) of associated igneous rock types. They are mainly restricted to the Cordillera of western Canada and the northwest United States, and their distribution elsewhere in the world may be limited. The deposits cAuthorsSteve Ludington, Jane Hammarstrom, Nadine M. Piatak