1998 Assessment of Undiscovered Deposits of Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in the United States
Circular
1178
By: The U.S. Geological Survey National Mineral Resource Assessment Team
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Abstract
This report summarizes the results of the 1998 National Mineral Resource Assessment that estimated the gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in undiscovered deposits in the United States. This project also estimated the identified resources and past production of these five metals. Assessment results include the following: (1) It is estimated that 18,000 metric tons (t) of gold, 460,000 t of silver, 290,000 kilotons (kt) of copper, 85,000 kt of lead, and 210,000 kt of zinc are in undiscovered deposits minable with existing technology. (2) In addition, it is estimated that 15,000 t of gold, 160,000 t of silver, 260,000 kt of copper, 51,000 kt of lead, and 55,000 kt of zinc remain in identified resources. (3) Past production from the largest identified resources of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc is estimated to be 12,000 t of gold, 170,000 t of silver, 91,000 kt of copper, 41,000 kt of lead, and 44,000 kt of zinc. These deposits account for about 99 percent of cumulative domestic production in the United States.
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | 1998 Assessment of Undiscovered Deposits of Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in the United States |
| Series title | Circular |
| Series number | 1178 |
| DOI | 10.3133/cir1178 |
| Edition | Superseded by OFR 2002-198 |
| Year Published | 2000 |
| Language | ENGLISH |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Contributing office(s) | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | Report: 21 p.; One CD-ROM in pocket; Also available online |
| Time Range Start | 1998-01-01 |
| Time Range End | 1998-12-31 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |