| Basis for focus area |
The Meeker focus area includes identified U and V occurrences in the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation, including the Meeker U district (Chenoweth, 1980; Nelson-Moore and others, 1978). |
| Identified resources |
Historical production of uranium and vanadium. |
| Production |
Twenty eight mines produced ~ 3,500 lbs U3O8 and 45 tV between 1948 and 1968 (Pool, 2017). As of 1971, about 18 mines produced 423 tons of V2O5 and 112 tons U3O8 (Nelson-Moore and others, 1978). As of 1971 over 12,000 tons of ore were mined and shipped from the Midnight Group; Coal Creek (Burell 1,2,3) produced most of the V and U in this area (Nelson-Moore and others, 1978). |
| Status |
Past mining. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
Horton and others (2017), scale 1:500,000; Madole (1989), scale 1:100,000; Reheis (1984), scale 1:24,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Jurassic Morrison Formation: Salt Wash Member. Other occurrences are nearby in the Triassic Chinle Formation. Nelson-Moore and others (1978, page 377) indicate that, "Any study of potential within the county should include those rocks of the hogback, with emphasis on the Triassic Chinle Formation and the undivided Pennsylvanian-Permian section. They all host U deposits either in this county or in nearby counties. Of the younger rocks to the east, the Lower Cretaceous Dakota Sandstone, the Upper Cretaceous Iles Formation, and the Tertiary Wasatch Formation may be potential hosts as these, too, are known to contain uranium deposits in this or neighboring counties. |
| Deposits |
The Shylo Group (MRDS dep_id: 10013417; largest of 28 mines in the area), Midnight Group, Butterfly Group (MRDS dep_id: 10013399), Last Day. |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS; International Atomic Energy Agency (2020b); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2006); Nelson-Moore and others (1978). |
| Geochemical evidence |
No data. |
| Geophysical evidence |
No data. |
| Evidence from other sources |
No data. |
| Comments |
Nelson-Moore and others (1978, page 377) indicate that, "At the north end of the Grand Hogback, about 15 miles northeast of Meeker, lies the Coal Creek Anticline, a small uranium district. Uranium mineralization is found where the Morrison Formation is exposed around the nose of the anticline. The ore is of the carnotite-type and concentrated in the Salt Wash Member of the Morrison Formation. This belt of mineralization is less than a mile wide and six miles long." Also, Isachsen (1955, page 125) reports, "Known mineralization is most intense near the crest of the anticline and decreases down the flanks; furthermore, no uranium deposits have been found off the anticline, despite persistence of Salt Wash sandstones (Boyer, in preparation). No definite ore trends are known in the area, but the localization of ore near the anticlinal crest coupled with a probable initial fracture control, makes the Uranium Peak District an important example of structural control of uranium localization. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Exposed in places, overlying units include the Frontier Sandstone and Mowry Shale members of the Mancos Shale and Dakota Sandstone. |
| Authors |
Susan Hall, Michael K. O'Keeffe. |
| New data needs |
Detailed 1:24,000 scale geologic mapping. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
The following quadrangles need to be mapped at 1:24,000 scale: Fawn Creek, Lost Park, and potentially Sleepy Cat Peak. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
Rank 1 aeromagnetic/aeroradiometric data is needed. EM data would also be very helpful. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar in progress with small areas complete. |
