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Publications

Results from our Program’s research and minerals information activities are published in USGS publications series as well as in outside journals.  To follow Minerals Information Periodicals, subscribe to the Mineral Periodicals RSS feed.

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Ages and sources of components of Zn-Pb, Cu, precious metal, and platinum group element deposits in the goodsprings district, Clark County, Nevada Ages and sources of components of Zn-Pb, Cu, precious metal, and platinum group element deposits in the goodsprings district, Clark County, Nevada

The Goodsprings district, Clark County, Nevada, includes zinc-dominant carbonate replacement deposits of probable late Paleozoic age, and lead-dominant carbonate replacement deposits, copper ± precious metal-platinum group element (PGE) deposits, and gold ± silver deposits that are spatially associated with Late Triassic porphyritic intrusions. The district encompasses ~500 km2 although...
Authors
Peter G. Vikre, Quentin J. Browne, Robert J. Fleck, Albert H. Hofstra, Joseph L. Wooden

Oil and gas resource potential north of the Arctic Circle Oil and gas resource potential north of the Arctic Circle

The US Geological Survey recently assessed the potential for undiscovered conventional petroleum in the Arctic. Using a new map compilation of sedimentary elements, the area north of the Arctic Circle was subdivided into 70 assessment units, 48 of which were quantitatively assessed. The Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal (CARA) was a geologically based, probabilistic study that relied...
Authors
Donald L. Gautier, Kenneth J. Bird, Ronald Charpentier, Arthur Grantz, David W. Houseknecht, Timothy R. Klett, Thomas E. Moore, Janet K. Pitman, Christopher J. Schenk, J.H. Schuenemeyer, K. Sorensen, Marilyn E. Tennyson, Zenon C. Valin, Craig J. Wandrey

The influence of stream channels on distributions of Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa in the Mojave Desert, CA, USA: Patterns, mechanisms and effects of stream redistribution The influence of stream channels on distributions of Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa in the Mojave Desert, CA, USA: Patterns, mechanisms and effects of stream redistribution

Drainage channels are among the most conspicuous surficial features of deserts, but little quantitative analysis of their influence on plant distributions is available. We analysed the effects of desert stream channels (‘washes’) on Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa density and cover on an alluvial piedmont in the Mojave Desert, based on a spatial analysis of transect data...
Authors
S. Schwinning, D.R. Sandquist, D. M. Miller, D. R. Bedford, S. L. Phillips, J. Belnap

Porphyry Cu indicator minerals in till as an exploration tool: Example from the giant Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit, Alaska, USA Porphyry Cu indicator minerals in till as an exploration tool: Example from the giant Pebble porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit, Alaska, USA

Porphyry Cu indicator minerals are mineral species in clastic sediments that indicate the presence of mineralization and hydrothermal alteration associated with porphyry Cu and associated skarn deposits. Porphyry Cu indicator minerals recovered from shallow till samples near the giant Pebble Cu-Au-Mo porphyry deposit in SW Alaska, USA, include apatite, andradite garnet, Mn-epidote...
Authors
Karen D. Kelley, Robert G. Eppinger, J. Lang, Steven M. Smith, David L. Fey

Mineral resource of the month: feldspar Mineral resource of the month: feldspar

The article focuses on feldspar, a mineral that composes of potassium, sodium, or a fusion of the two, and its various applications. According to estimates by scientists, the mineral is present at 60 percent of the crust of Earth, wherein it is commonly used for making glass and ceramics. Global mining of feldspar was about 20 million metric tons in 2010, wherein Italy, Turkey, and China...
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey

Bauxite and alumina Bauxite and alumina

The article discusses the latest developments in the bauxite and alumina industry, particularly in the U.S., as of June 2011. It claims that the U.S. mainly relies on imports for its bauxite consumption. Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, however, produce small amounts of bauxite and bauxitic clays for nonmetallurgical purposes. The major exporters of alumina to the...
Authors
E.L. Bray

Diatomite Diatomite

The United States continues to be the world's leading producer and consumer of diatomite. Production of diatomite in the United States during 2010 was estimated to be 550 kt (606,000 st), a 4-percent decrease compared with 2009 production.
Authors
R.D. Crangle

Bromine Bromine

All U.S. production of bromine in 2010 came from underground brines in Arkansas. It was the leading mineral commodity produced in the state in terms of value. Albemarle Corp. and Chemtura Corp. recovered bromine.
Authors
Joyce A. Ober

Mineral resource of the month: indium Mineral resource of the month: indium

Geologically, the occurrence of indium minerals is rare. The element most often occurs as a sulfide inclusion or substitutes in other base-metal minerals, including cassiterite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and stannite. Indium’s abundance in the crust is estimated to be 0.05 parts per million, which makes it more abundant than silver, but it is so widely disseminated that it does not occur...
Authors
Amy C. Tolcin

And last comes XYZ And last comes XYZ

Catesian Coordinates can be used to specify the position of any point in three-dimensional space by measuring its distances from three mutually perpendicular planes.
Authors
Bill Langer

P is for pit P is for pit

A gravel pit that was a source of happy childhood memories showcases the evolution of mining technology.
Authors
W. H. Langer
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