Geology and mineral evaluation of the Wadi Bidah district, southern Hijaz quadrangle, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Open-File Report 70-116
By:  and 

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Abstract

The Wadi Bidah district in southwest Saudi Arabia contains several ancient mines and mineral-prospects. The Precambian rocks of the district are steeply dipping and highly folded and faulted. They are divided into three major units: (1) older metavolcanic rocks, (2) metasedimentary rocks, and (3) younger metavolcanic rocks. Massive sulfide-type deposits show stratigraphic control and are found in metasedimentary rocks and in the younger metavolcanic rocks. There appears to be a close genetic relationship between the sulfide deposits and volcanism. Deposits containing copper, zinc, gold, and silver are indicated by geologic mapping and by shallow diamond drill holes in two of the ancient mine localities. The ore estimate for the district is 2.55 million short tons computed to depths that range from 79 to 150 meters. It seems probable that deeper drilling of the indicated deposits and drilling of other outlined target areas would add substantially to the ore reserves.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geology and mineral evaluation of the Wadi Bidah district, southern Hijaz quadrangle, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 70-116
DOI 10.3133/ofr70116
Year Published 1970
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description Report: v, 100 p.; Maps: 28 cm.
Country Saudi Arabia
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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