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.
A preliminary deposit model for lithium brines
A preliminary deposit model for lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites
A deposit model for magmatic iron-titanium-oxide deposits related to Proterozoic massif anorthosite plutonic suite
Stratiform chromite deposit model: Chapter E in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
Podiform chromite deposits--database and grade and tonnage models
Arc-related porphyry molybdenum deposit model: Chapter D in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
Volcanogenic massive sulfide occurrence model: Chapter C in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
Magmatic ore deposits in layered intrusions - Descriptive model for reef-type PGE and contact-type Cu-Ni-PGE deposits
Occurrence model for volcanogenic beryllium deposits
Deposit model for closed-basin potash-bearing brines
Ni-Co laterite deposits
Carbonatite and alkaline intrusion-related rare earth element deposits–A deposit model
- 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: 91A preliminary deposit model for lithium brines
This report is part of an effort by the U.S. Geological Survey to update existing mineral deposit models and to develop new ones. The global transition away from hydrocarbons toward energy alternatives increases demand for many scarce metals. Among these is lithium, a key component of lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. Lithium brine deposits account for about three-fourths ofAuthorsDwight Bradley, LeeAnn Munk, Hillary Jochens, Scott Hynek, Keith A. LabayA preliminary deposit model for lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites
This report is part of an effort by the U.S. Geological Survey to update existing mineral deposit models and to develop new ones. We emphasize practical aspects of pegmatite geology that might directly or indirectly help in exploration for lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, or for assessing regions for pegmatite-related mineral resource potential. These deposits are an important link in theAuthorsDwight Bradley, Andrew McCauleyA deposit model for magmatic iron-titanium-oxide deposits related to Proterozoic massif anorthosite plutonic suite
This descriptive model for magmatic iron-titanium-oxide (Fe-Ti-oxide) deposits hosted by Proterozoic age massif-type anorthosite and related rock types presents their geological, mineralogical, geochemical, and geoenvironmental attributes. Although these Proterozoic rocks are found worldwide, the majority of known deposits are found within exposed rocks of the Grenville Province, stretching from sAuthorsLaurel G. Woodruff, Suzanne W. Nicholson, David L. FeyStratiform chromite deposit model: Chapter E in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
A new descriptive stratiform chromite deposit model was prepared which will provide a framework for understanding the characteristics of stratiform chromite deposits worldwide. Previous stratiform chromite deposit models developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have been referred to as Bushveld chromium, because the Bushveld Complex in South Africa is the only stratified, mafic-ultramafic inAuthorsRuth F. Schulte, Ryan D. Taylor, Nadine M. Piatak, Robert R. SealPodiform chromite deposits--database and grade and tonnage models
Chromite ((Mg, Fe++)(Cr, Al, Fe+++)2O4) is the only source for the metallic element chromium, which is used in the metallurgical, chemical, and refractory industries. Podiform chromite deposits are small magmatic chromite bodies formed in the ultramafic section of an ophiolite complex in the oceanic crust. These deposits have been found in midoceanic ridge, off-ridge, and suprasubduction tectonicAuthorsDan L. Mosier, Donald A. Singer, Barry C. Moring, John P. GallowayArc-related porphyry molybdenum deposit model: Chapter D in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
This report provides a descriptive model for arc-related porphyry molybdenum deposits. Presented within are geological, geochemical, and mineralogical characteristics that differentiate this deposit type from porphyry copper and alkali-feldspar rhyolite-granite porphyry molybdenum deposits. The U.S. Geological Survey's effort to update existing mineral deposit models spurred this research, which iAuthorsRyan D. Taylor, Jane M. Hammarstrom, Nadine M. Piatak, Robert R. SealVolcanogenic massive sulfide occurrence model: Chapter C in Mineral deposit models for resource assessment
Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, also known as volcanic-hosted massive sulfide, volcanic-associated massive sulfide, or seafloor massive sulfide deposits, are important sources of copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver (Cu, Zn, Pb, Au, and Ag). These deposits form at or near the seafloor where circulating hydrothermal fluids driven by magmatic heat are quenched through mixing with bottom waterAuthorsW.C. Pat Shanks, Randolph A. Koski, Dan L. Mosier, Klaus J. Schulz, Lisa A. Morgan, John F. Slack, W. Ian Ridley, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, Robert R. Seal, Nadine M. PiatakMagmatic ore deposits in layered intrusions - Descriptive model for reef-type PGE and contact-type Cu-Ni-PGE deposits
Layered, ultramafic to mafic intrusions are uncommon in the geologic record, but host magmatic ore deposits containing most of the world's economic concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGE) (figs. 1 and 2). These deposits are mined primarily for their platinum, palladium, and rhodium contents (table 1). Magmatic ore deposits are derived from accumulations of crystals of metallic oxides, or iAuthorsMichael L. ZientekOccurrence model for volcanogenic beryllium deposits
Current global and domestic mineral resources of beryllium (Be) for industrial uses are dominated by ores produced from deposits of the volcanogenic Be type. Beryllium deposits of this type can form where hydrothermal fluids interact with fluorine and lithophile-element (uranium, thorium, rubidium, lithium, beryllium, cesium, tantalum, rare earth elements, and tin) enriched volcanic rocks that conAuthorsNora K. Foley, Albert H. Hofstra, David A. Lindsey, Robert R. Seal, Brian W. Jaskula, Nadine M. PiatakDeposit model for closed-basin potash-bearing brines
Closed-basin potash-bearing brines are one of the types of potash deposits that are a source of potash production within the United States, as well as other countries. Though these deposits are of highly variable size, they are important sources of potash on a regional basis. In addition, these deposits have a high potential of co- and by-product production of one or more commodities such as lithiAuthorsGreta J. OrrisNi-Co laterite deposits
Nickel-cobalt (Ni-Co) laterite deposits are an important source of nickel (Ni). Currently, there is a decline in magmatic Ni-bearing sulfide lode deposit resources. New efforts to develop an alternative source of Ni, particularly with improved metallurgy processes, make the Ni-Co laterites an important exploration target in anticipation of the future demand for Ni. This deposit model provides a geAuthorsErin E. Marsh, Eric D. AndersonCarbonatite and alkaline intrusion-related rare earth element deposits–A deposit model
The rare earth elements are not as rare in nature as their name implies, but economic deposits with these elements are not common and few deposits have been large producers. In the past 25 years, demand for rare earth elements has increased dramatically because of their wide and diverse use in high-technology applications. Yet, presently the global production and supply of rare earth elements comeAuthorsPhilip L. Verplanck, Bradley S. Van Gosen