Multivariate statistical analysis to support the National Uranium Resource Evaluation and to evaluate strategic and other commercially important mineral resources

Abstract: Multivariate statistical analyses were carried out on Hydrogeochemical and Stream Sediment Reconnaissance data from the Craig quadrangle, Colorado, to support the National Uranium Resource Evaluation and to evaluate strategic or other important commercial mineral resources. A few areas for favorable uranium mineralization are suggested for parts of the Wyoming Basin, Park Range, and Gore Range. Six potential source rocks for uranium are postulated based on factor score mapping. Vanadium in stream sediments is suggested as a pathfinder for carnotite-type mineralization. A probable northwest trend of lead-zinc-copper mineralization associated with Tertiary intrusions is suggested. A few locations are mapped where copper is associated with cobalt. Concentrations of placer sands containing rare earth elements, probably of commercial value, are indicated for parts of the Sand Wash Basin.

From purpose and study: The Durango Quadrangle, southwest Colorado (Fig. 1), was evaluated to identify geologic units and to delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for uranium deposits. Geologic environments were evaluated to a depth of 1500 m based on recognition criteria (Mickle and Mathews, eds., 1978) prepared for the National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) program. A favorable environment, as defined for this program, is an environment that could contain at least 100 tons U308 in deposits with an average grade no less than 100 ppm U308 . Environments that did not meet the NURE criteria were categorized as unfavorable. Some of the subsurface and several areas of restricted access were categorized as unevaluated because insufficient data exist for proper evaluation.

Appendices containing data on uranium availability to accompany a report on U.S. uranium resources in the Durango Quandragle, Colorado.

From Introduction: "The Montana Quadrangle of the National Topographic Map Series (NTMS), scale 1:250,000, in west-central Colorado was evaluated for geologic environments favorable for uranium deposits."

Appendices containing data on uranium availability in the Montrose Quadrangle in addition to tabulated chemical analyses and petrographic reports to accompany a report on U.S. uranium resources in Colorado.

From Introduction: "The Rawlins Quadrangle (2º) is in south-central Wyoming and extreme northwest Colorado (Fig. 1). Evaluation of the quadrangle was conducted to identify and delineate areas that contain environments exhibiting characteristics common to known uranium-bearing environments."

Appendices containing data on uranium occurrences in the Rawlins Quadrangle in addition to emission spectroscopy results, electric and gamma-ray logs, lithologic logs and petrology reports to accompany a report on U.S. uranium resources in Wyoming and Colorado.

From Introduction: "The Trinidad Quadrangle, Colorado, was evaluated to identify geologic units and to delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits. All geologic environments were evaluated by means of surface investigations and subsurface data to a depth of 1500 m."

Appendix containing data on uranium resources in the Trinidad Quadrangle to accompany a report on U.S. uranium resources in Colorado.

From introduction: This study is part of the United States Department of Energy's National Uranium Resource Evaluation Program to understand the geologic setting, amount, and availability of uranium resources within the boundaries of the United States.