| Basis for focus area |
Uranium was mined (Sherwood mine) from arkosic conglomerate (Sanpoil Volcanics) that formed in a northwest-trending channel developed on Cretaceous Quartz Monzonite (Becraft and Weis, 1963). The location of uranium occurrences (Sherwood mine and Big Smoke, Lowley, Northwest Uranium and other occurrences) were used to define the focus area. |
| Identified resources |
Indicated resources and historical production of uranium. |
| Production |
Sherwood mine (Peters lease) (1958-1983): 4 million lbs of U3O8 (Pool, 2017). |
| Status |
Past mining. |
| Estimated resources |
Reserve of 8 million tons (1977 estimate) left in place when activity at the Sherwood mine ended. |
| Geologic maps |
Becraft and Weis (1963, plate 1), scale 1:24,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Uranium is in arkosic sandstones at the base of the Eocene Challis Volcanic Group that rest on an eroded surface of the Cretaceous Idaho batholith. |
| Deposits |
Sherwood mine (MRDS dep_id: 10080428), Lightning No. 3, Shorty Pit, East Basin No.1 1, Uranus claims, Lucky Strike claims, Coal Creek No. 1, 4, 10, Little Joe, Deer Strike, Pine Hen, Big Hank, Mandate. |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS; International Atomic Energy Agency (2020b); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2006). |
| Geochemical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Geophysical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Unknown. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Unknown. |
| Authors |
Susan Hall. |
| New data needs |
Mapping, geochemistry, and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
Limited area accessible for development, updated large scale mapping and geochemistry. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
High-resolution, Rank 1 aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric surveys. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar complete. |
