A geochemical survey using heavy mineral concentrates in the Mount Belknap caldera vicinity, Utah

Geochemical surveys of the rocks, heavy-mineral concentrates, and surface and spring waters in the vicinity of the Mount Belknap caldera, Tushar Mountains, west-central Utah, were conducted during the summers of 1978 and 1979. Anomalous concentrations of mostly lithophile elements, particularly niobium, beryllium, lead, yttrium, tin, zinc, manganese, and molybdenum in the magnetic and nonmagnetic fraction of heavy-mineral concentrates derived from stream sediment suggest that late stage, highly differentiated felsic rocks were involved in the eruptive history of the Mount Belknap caldera. Q-mode factor analysis was used to characterize the geochemical assemblages within the survey area, and the areal distribution of high-factor scores associated with mineralization indicates favorable target areas for future exploration. The results of these studies indicate that porphyry-type molybdenum and possible associated vein-type uranium mineralized deposits may exist in or near the Mount Belknap caldera.