Mineral resource potential map of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness and contiguous roadless area, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 1523-B
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Abstract

The Chama River Canyon Wilderness and Roadless Area have a moderate to high potential for the presence of small deposits of copper with associated uranium and silver. These deposits, as yet undetected, would occur in the Permian Cutler Formation and in the lower part of the Triassic Chinle Formation, rock units that are, for the most part, present only in the subsurface. The presence of these deposits is inferred because such deposits occur in rocks of equivalent age in adjacent areas. Gypsum, of probable minable quality and quantity, occurs throughout the area. Oil and gas are possibly present in Pennsylvanian strata in the subsurface, although no drilling in the study area has tested this hypothesis. Other commodities, including noncopper-related uranium, kaolinite, chromium, vanadium, manganese, and bitumen, although present locally in anomalous concentrations, do not appear to constitute potential resources for these commodities.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Mineral resource potential map of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness and contiguous roadless area, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
Series title Miscellaneous Field Studies Map
Series number 1523
Chapter B
DOI 10.3133/mf1523B
Year Published 1983
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 8 p.; Plate: 37.57 x 43.89 inches
Country United States
State New Mexico
County Rio Arriba County
Other Geospatial Chama River Canyon Wilderness and Contiguous Roadless Area
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details