Unnamed (on Kankone Peak) (ARDF #MM038) Cu

Unnamed (on Kankone Peak)

Occurrence, Inactive

Commodities and mineralogy

Main commodities	Cu
Other commodities	Ag
Ore minerals	azurite; chalcopyrite; galena; malachite; pyrite; sphalerite

Geographic location

Quadrangle map, 1:250,000-scale	MM
Quadrangle map, 1:63,360-scale	C-2
Latitude	63.6246
Longitude	-150.6056
Nearby scientific data	Find additional scientific data near this location
Location and accuracy	This occurrence is at an elevation of about 4450 feet about 1000 feet northwest of the top of Kankone Peak. It is about at the center of the S1/2 SW1/4 section 11, T. 15. S., R. 16 W., Fairbanks Meridian. The location is accurate within 300 feet. The occurrence corresponds to number 61 of Bundtzen, Smith, and Tosdal (1976), 23 of MacKevett and Holloway (1977), 291 of Hawley and Associates (1978), and 68 of Bundtzen (1981), and is referred to in Cobb (1980 [OFR80-363]). It is at the same location as occurrence 99 of Thornsberry, McKee, and Salisbury (1984, fig. K-8), but their description of the geology does not agree with that of Bundtzen, Smith, and Tosdal, and of Hawley and Associates.

Geologic setting

Geologic description Stratabound, disseminated and semimassive sulfides occur in layers of greenstone schist of the upper Precambrian Birch Creek Schist. The greenstone schist strikes NE and dips moderately to the SE, off the Kantishna antiform (MM091) (Bundtzen, Smith, and Tosdal, 1976; Bundtzen, 1981; Thornsberry, McKee, and Salisbury, 1984, fig. K-2). The sulfide-bearing zone is parallel to the schistosity of the host greenstone, and is 4 to 6 feet thick. It contains pyrite, chalcopyrite, azurite, and malachite. Samples assayed up to 1.02 percent copper and 1.19 ounces of silver per ton (Hawley and Associates, 1978, fig. and table 4.1-A(1)). The stratabound zone is cut by fracture-controlled, sulfide-bearing veinlets. A sample of these veinlets assayed 0.91 ounce of silver per ton, and 6000 to 6900 ppm each of lead and zinc, suggesting that the veinlets contain galena and sphalerite (Bundtzen, 1981).
Geologic map unit	(-150.607887428219, 63.6241027911346)
Mineral deposit model	Stratabound mineral deposit in greenschist. Polymetallic veins (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 22c).
Mineral deposit model number	22c
Age of mineralization	Possibly late Precambrian, the protolith age of the Birch Creek Schist. The deposit could be younger, but is pre-metamorphic. The stratabound deposit is cut by sulfide veinlets assumed to be Eocene (see record MM091).
Alteration of deposit	Oxidation of copper minerals.

Production and reserves

Workings or exploration	The occurrence was discovered in the mid-1970s (Bundtzen, Smith, and Tosdal, 1976). There are no workings.
Indication of production	None
Additional comments The occurrence is in Denali National Park and Preserve.

References

MRDS Number	A011292
References Bundtzen, T.K., 1981, Geology and mineral deposits of the Kantishna Hills, Mt. McKinley quadrangle, Alaska: M. S. Thesis, University of Alaska, College, Alaska, 238 p. Bundtzen, T.K., Smith, T.E., and Tosdal, R.M., 1976, Progress report--Geology and mineral deposits of the Kantishna Hills: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Open-File Report AOF-98, 80 p., 2 sheets, scale 1:63,360. Cobb, E.H., 1980, Summary of references to mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) in the Mount McKinley quadrangle, Alaska: U. S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 80-363, 150 p. Cox, D.P., and Singer, D.A., eds., 1986, Mineral deposit models: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1693, 379 p. Hawley, C. C. and Associates, Inc, 1978, Mineral appraisal of lands adjacent to Mt. McKinley National Park, Alaska: U. S. Bureau of Mines Open-File Report 24-78, 275 p. (paged by sections). MacKevett, E.M., Jr., and Holloway, C.D., 1977, Map showing metalliferous and selected non-metalliferous mineral deposits in the eastern part of southern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-169-A, 99 p., 1 sheet, scale 1:1,000,000. Thornsberry, V. V., McKee, C. J., and Salisbury, W. G., eds, 1984, 1983 Mineral Resource Studies: Kantishna Hills and Dunkle Mine Areas, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska: U. S. Bureau of Mines Open-File Report 129-84. 3 Volumes: v. 1, Text; v. 2, Appendices; v. 3, Maps. Prepared by Salisbury & Dietz, Inc., Spokane, WA.
Reporters	C.C. Hawley
Last report date	5/5/2001