Report discussing investigations seeking uranium in deposits of black shale around the geographical areas of the Western States

From introduction: The primary object of this work was to aid prospectors and mining men in finding and exploiting new deposits of uranium-bearing ores in the Colorado Plateau region, particularly of those in the Shinarump and Moss Black members of the Chinle formation.

From introduction: The Bluff-Salt Wash contact was mapped on aerial photographs. Mines and prospects were also plotted on the photos. The mines and prospects were studied and a brief description of the mineralization and its occurrence was written. These field notes, which will be given to Hatfield and party, contain data on the presence of carbon and fossil logs, lithology of the gangue rock, sedimentary structures, etc. Regional structure and evidence for igneous activity were also noted.

Letter from Thos. L. James to D. W. Kempner discussing current events happening at Sugarland Industries while Kempner is in France.

Discussing a geological reconnaissance of the King Tut Mesa, East Carrizo District.

Abstract: Horse Mesa is in the Navajo Indian Reservation directly on the Arizona-New Mexico state line. Uranium-vanadium deposits in the Salt Wash sandstone which caps the Mesa are fairly widespread and small tonngges have been shipped from two mines. The deposits lie 60 to 75 feet above the base of the Salt Wash formation and possibly trend northwest parallel to ore trends on King Tutt Mesa, a mile northeast. Carnotite and vanoxite are the principal ore minerals. About 6,000 feet of wagon drilling is recommended to test two favorable areas. Continued exploration should be governed by results of this first stage drilling.

Structural map of the King Tutt Mesa, East Carrizo District, in New Mexico produced for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's mining operations. Scale 1:24,000

Abstract: The Diamond Head droup area is entirely igneous. Tight fractures in alaskite and granite, which have been altered by heiratite and kaolinization contain narrow seams and very locally,pods of sooty uraninite. A greater percentage of the structures in the area strike about east-west and dip steeply to the north, while the radioactive structures have similar strike, they dip steeply to both the north and the south. A drift has been driven on a mineralized structure far enough to ascertain that the general character of the mineralization is very narrow seams. Many such seams exists but are scattered throughout the area.

Abstract: In a study of the comparative importance of sedimentary and tectonic ore controls and in search of data bearing on the origin of the deposits, ten mines in the Lukachukai Mountains, Apache County, Arizona were examined in detail. All commercial deposits in the area are in the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation of Jurassic age. The ore bodies are elongate and horizontally lenticular in shape and consist of one or more ore pockets surrounded or separated by protore. The composite length of ore bodies consisting of two or more ore pockets separated by subore grade material ranges up to 1,100 feet; individual ore pockets range up to 350 feet in length. Elongation is usually at least three times the width and is parallel to paleostream depositional trends measured in and near the ore bodies. Claystone and/or siltstone units nearly always underlie and frequently overlie the host sandstone units. Ore occurs most frequently in trough-type, cross-stratified sandstone which fills scours and channels in the underlying claystone units. Lithofacies maps and mine mapping show that ore bodies are restricted to areas of rapid lateral color change which in general are also areas of rapid change in the ratio of …

Abstract: A study, consisting of field and laboratory work, was undertaken in an endeavor to establish possible structural mineralization controls associated with the copper-uranium occurrences in the Willaha area, Coconino County, Arizona. Uranium mineralization, apparent at present, is localized along small fissures and vugs and in certain beds and lenses of the middle member of the Kaibab formation(Permian). It is associated with copper and iron oxide staining. Though no definite ore controls were disclosed by this study, at least a limited program of shallow drilling is warranted on the property. This sub-surface exploration should determine possible extensions of known mineralized areas, explore surface radiometric anomalies, and provide data for the determination of possible guides to ore. Deeper exploration may encounter mineralization in other horizons of the Kaibab limestone.

Abstract: A low-level airborne radiometric survey of the younger pre-Cambrian Dripping Spring quartzite, undertaken in the mountainous region lying roughly 100 riles east of Phoenix, was completed June 3, 1955. Twenty-seven radioactive anomalies were located. To date seven of these have produced uranium ore, four more will probably become producers, and six others may possibly become producers. Flying was concentrated in the Dripping Spring quartzite, but reconnaissance flights were made over other formations. Private prospecting, both from the air and on the ground, increased considerably when the airborne project started. Eleven of the private discoveries have produced ore, and many others show considerable promise.

From purpose and scope: Diamond drill exploration of the Lukachukai district was undertaken to find minable bodies of uranium ore and to determine whether sufficient reserves were present to warrant construction of a local mill. A minimum of 30,000 feet and a maximum of 50,000 feet of drilling were assigned to block out ore in the discovery area, Mesa I (pl. 1.). It was anticipated that some of the footage might be used to test Mesa II should the area become accessible. With access to Mesas II and IV subsequently provided by roads constructed by F. A. Sitton, Inc., and access to Mesa III furnished by a road constructed by the Atomic Energy Commission, the area available for drilling was eventually increased by some three and a half times. With no increase in allotted footage, the hole density was correspondingly decreased,

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Heavy scrapers and carry-alls have been used for a long time to level land and move dirt but the CCC ranch near Higley, Ariz., used this type of equipment to fill trench silos last fall."

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, covering a news story about a group of international visitors stopping in Fort Worth as part of their tour of America and several other countries to look at their electric power industries.

A report regarding recommendations for an exploration program on the Mitchell Mesa Monument Valley Area, Arizona. Concerns work done on behalf of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission