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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.

Filter Total Items: 2592

In vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids In vitro studies evaluating leaching of mercury from mine waste calcine using simulated human body fluids

In vitro bioaccessibility (IVBA) studies were carried out on samples of mercury (Hg) mine-waste calcine (roasted Hg ore) by leaching with simulated human body fluids. The objective was to estimate potential human exposure to Hg due to inhalation of airborne calcine particulates and hand-to-mouth ingestion of Hg-bearing calcines. Mine waste calcines collected from Hg mines at Almadén...
Authors
John E. Gray, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Suzette A. Morman, Pablo L. Higueras, James G. Crock, Heather A. Lowers, Mark L. Witten

Geometry and kinematics of the eastern Lake Mead fault system in the Virgin Mountains, Nevada and Arizona Geometry and kinematics of the eastern Lake Mead fault system in the Virgin Mountains, Nevada and Arizona

The Lake Mead fault system is a northeast-striking, 130-km-long zone of left-slip in the southeast Great Basin, active from before 16 Ma to Quaternary time. The northeast end of the Lake Mead fault system in the Virgin Mountains of southeast Nevada and northwest Arizona forms a partitioned strain field comprising kinematically linked northeast-striking left-lateral faults, north-striking...
Authors
Sue Beard, David J. Campagna, R. Ernest Anderson

Kinetics of selenium release in mine waste from the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale, Phosphoria Formation, Wooley Valley, Idaho, USA Kinetics of selenium release in mine waste from the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale, Phosphoria Formation, Wooley Valley, Idaho, USA

Phosphorite from the Meade Peak Phosphatic Shale member of the Permian Phosphoria Formation has been mined in southeastern Idaho since 1906. Dumps of waste rock from mining operations contain high concentrations of Se which readily leach into nearby streams and wetlands. While the most common mineralogical residence of Se in the phosphatic shale is elemental Se, Se(0), Se is also an...
Authors
Lisa L. Stillings, Michael C. Amacher

Estimating natural background groundwater chemistry, Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico Estimating natural background groundwater chemistry, Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico

This 2 1/2 day field trip will present an overview of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) project whose objective was to estimate pre-mining groundwater chemistry at the Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico. Because of intense debate among stakeholders regarding pre-mining groundwater chemistry standards, the New Mexico Environment Department and Chevron Mining Inc. (formerly Molycorp) agreed...
Authors
Phillip L. Verplanck, D. Kirk Nordstrom, Geoffrey S. Plumlee, Bruce M. Walker

Mineral resource of the Month: Clay Mineral resource of the Month: Clay

Clays were one of the first mineral commodities used by people. Clay pottery has been found in archeological sites that are 12,000 years old, and clay figurines have been found in sites that are even older.
Authors
Robert L. Virta

Algal blooms and "Marine snow": Mechanisms that enhance preservation of organic carbon in ancient fine-grained sediments Algal blooms and "Marine snow": Mechanisms that enhance preservation of organic carbon in ancient fine-grained sediments

Combined petrographic and geochemical methods are used to investigate the microfabrics present in thin sections prepared from representative organic carbon-rich mudstones collected from three successions (the Kimmeridge Clay Formation, the Jet Rock Member of the Whitby Mudstone Formation, and the pebble shale and Hue Shale). This study was initiated to determine how organic carbon-rich...
Authors
Joe H.S. Macquaker, Margaret A. Keller, Sarah J. Davies

Common clay and shale: a look at 2009 activity Common clay and shale: a look at 2009 activity

An overview of clay and shale production, consumption, and prices in 2009 is presented. The industry has seen 15 to 20 percent declines during the past two years, yet producers still expect sales to decline in 2010.
Authors
R.L. Virta

Global mineral resource assessment Global mineral resource assessment

Introduction In response to the growing demand for information on the global mineral-resource base, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting the Quantitative Global Mineral Resource Assessment Project (GMRAP), a cooperative international project, begun in 2002, to assess the world's undiscovered nonfuel mineral resources. Primary Objectives The USGS conducts national and global...

Sediment-hosted zinc-lead deposits of the world— Database and grade and tonnage models Sediment-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...
Authors
Donald A. Singer, Vladimir I. Berger, Barry C. Moring

Mineral-resource assessment of northern Nye County, Nevada— A progress report Mineral-resource assessment of northern Nye County, Nevada— A progress report

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG), which is a part of the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), have completed the first year of data collection and analysis in preparation for a new mineral- and energy-resource assessment of northern Nye County, Nevada. This report provides information about work...
Authors
Steve Ludington, David A. John, John L. Muntean, Andrew D. Hanson, Stephen B. Castor, Christopher D. Henry, Niki Wintzer, Jean S. Cline, Adam C. Simon
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