| Basis for focus area |
The Cameron focus area encompasses identified mines and occurrences within the Triassic Chinle Formation. The largest single ore body, Jack Daniels, contained about 178,000 lbs of U3O8. Mineralization is most commonly associated with organic matter in the Petrified Forest Member of the Chinle Formation, and is associated with bleaching of sandstone and mudstone (Chenoweth and Malan, 1973; Keith, Gest, DeWitt and others, 1983; Spencer and others, 1993). |
| Identified resources |
Historical production of uranium. |
| Production |
About 98 mines in the Cameron AEC ore reserve area produced about 1.2 million lbs of U3O8 between 1950 and 1963. This includes minor production (about 4,000 lbs of U3O8) from blocks of Chinle Formation within one breccia pipe (Riverview) (Pool, 2017). |
| Status |
Past mining. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
Horton and others (2017), scale 1:500,000; Billingsley and others (2007), scale 1:100,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Triassic Chinle Formation; the Petrified Forest Member is the most favorable host unit. |
| Deposits |
Jack Daniels No. 1 (MRDS dep_id: 10027647), Charles Huskon No. 4 (MRDS dep_id: 10027587), plus 96 others. |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS; International Atomic Energy Agency (2020b); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2006). |
| Geochemical evidence |
All ore bodies in the area are surrounded by light brown to yellowish brown alteration halos which cut across the normal purple and gray beds of host rocks. These halos are characterized by high concentrations of jarosite and hydrous iron oxides, sericitization of feldspar, and an increase in trace amounts of Mo near the ore. |
| Geophysical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Unknown. |
| Comments |
The Cameron area is part of the USEPA's Western Abandoned Uranium Mine Region: https://www.epa.gov/navajo-nation-uranium-cleanup/western-abandoned-uranium-mine-region. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Exposed near the surface. |
| Authors |
Susan Hall. |
| New data needs |
None requested at this time. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
None requested at this time. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
None requested at this time. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar incomplete. |
