| Basis for focus area |
Focus area outlines a belt of Neoproterozoic granitic rocks. |
| Identified resources |
None. |
| Production |
None. |
| Status |
Unknown. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
Prouty (1923), scale 1:63,360; Osborne and others (1989), scale 1:250,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric data: Rank 3-5 aeromagnetic and Rank 5 aeroradiometric surveys. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Lithology, in situ regolith thickness, highly evolved granitic system, anorogenic and highly fractionated igneous-type granites, tin, fluorine; igneous-related kaolin deposits. |
| Deposits |
None. |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
Potential from mineral system/deposit type. |
| Geochemical evidence |
High proportion of chemically extractable REE (absorbed REE and soluble REE minerals). Tetrad behavior in granite and/or regolith. |
| Geophysical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Igneous rocks, climate history, in situ regolith development. |
| Comments |
Studies demonstrate significant potential in the southeastern United States for regolith-hosted clay deposits of a type containing light-middle REE and Y, and an as-yet-unknown potential for high-value heavy REE deposits of the type mined in South China. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Variable, soils, partially weathered igneous rock. |
| Authors |
Nora K. Foley, Robert A. Ayuso, Bernard E. Hubbard. |
| New data needs |
Geologic mapping, and geochemical analyses. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
1:24,000 scale geologic mapping to determine the extent and distribution of granite-derived regolith and prospective source plutons and geochemical analyses to assess the resource quality/grade. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
High resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric coverage, and electromagnetic data (EM) resistivity. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar complete. |
