Mineral resource potential map of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Study Area, Huerfano and Las Animas counties, Colorado
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Abstract
A geologic and geochemical investigation and a survey of mines and prospects have been conducted to evaluate the mineral resource potential of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Study Area, Huerfano and Las Animas Counties, in south-central Colorado. The·study area is underlain by sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic to Tertiary age (Johnson, 1969). Stocks and dikes were emplaced between 20 and 25 m.y. ago (Smith, 1979) forming East and West Spanish Peaks and the White Peaks.
Most of the study area lacks significant geochemical anomalies and has a low mineral potential. Anomalous concentrations of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in the rocks and drainage basins in the vicinity of the old mines and prospects on West Spanish Peak indicate a moderate potential for small mineralized veins in this area. Ore-bearing veinlets have been worked in the past, primarily for silver and lead; however, the sparsity, small size, and low grade of the veins diminish their significance.
The depth of several thousand feet at which coal may underlie the surface rocks of the study area makes it a resource with little likelihood of development. The potential for oil and gas appears low because of the apparent lack of structural traps and the intense igneous activity in the area.
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Mineral resource potential map of the Spanish Peaks Wilderness Study Area, Huerfano and Las Animas counties, Colorado |
| Series title | Miscellaneous Field Studies Map |
| Series number | 1542 |
| Chapter | C |
| DOI | 10.3133/mf1542C |
| Year Published | 1983 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Description | Report: 5 p.; Plate: 35.17 x 22.37 inches |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| County | Huerfano County, Las Animas County |
| Other Geospatial | Spanish Peaks Wilderness Study Area |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |