| Basis for focus area |
Mining district outlines from McLemore (2017). |
| Identified resources |
Historical production of copper, gold, iron, silver, and tungsten. |
| Production |
Iron deposits were extensively mined about 1913–1929. Estimated district production from 1879 until 1966: 16,500 oz Au, 50,000 oz Ag, 5.7 million lbs Cu, 158,000 lbs Pb and 259,000 long tons Fe. Past W production, but amount unknown. |
| Status |
Past mining; exploration, permits in process. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (2003), scale 1:500,000. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Eocene alkaline intrusions and skarns in limestones. |
| Deposits |
Cinco de Mayo mine (MRDS dep_id: 10014011), Iron Duke, Iron King (NMOt0026, NMOt0038, NMOt0039), Iron Queen (NMOt0041), Iron Mask, Laura (NMOt0040, NMOt0042), Cinnamon Bear (NMOt0071), B.O.W. |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS; New Mexico Mines Database (McLemore and others, 2005). |
| Geochemical evidence |
Geochemical analyses indicate moderate to high values of Au Ag, Mo, W, Te and other metals are present (New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources and others, 1998). |
| Geophysical evidence |
Aeromagnetic and gravity data needed. |
| Evidence from other sources |
No data. |
| Comments |
Bismuth, Sc, Mn, and PGE listed as potential critical commodities, but their enrichments have been inferred from the mineral system/deposit type table (Hofstra and Kreiner, 2020). |
| Cover thickness and description |
Unknown. |
| Authors |
Virginia T. McLemore, Joshua M. Rosera. |
| New data needs |
Alteration mapping, detailed mapping of the plutons and dikes in terms of lithology, geochemistry and mineralogy of the veins and skarns. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
Additional detailed mapping is needed. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
High resolution aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric survey. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar in progress. |
