| Basis for focus area |
New Mexico Mines Database Mines and Districts with Alunite Occurrences. |
| Identified resources |
Unknown. |
| Production |
Unknown. |
| Status |
None. |
| Estimated resources |
Unknown. |
| Geologic maps |
Darton (1916), scale 1:83,000; Kuellmer (1956), scale 1:126,720. |
| Geophysical data |
Inadequate aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Favorable rocks and structures |
Acid-sulfate alteration, original host rhyolite, could have structural control. |
| Deposits |
Rattlesnake Canyon (MRDS dep_id: 10062629). |
| Evidence from mineral occurrences |
MRDS. |
| Geochemical evidence |
Hydrothermal altered lithic tuff is more kaolinitized than alunitized. The kaolin mineral is dickite; a small amount of jarosite accompanies alunite (Hall, 1978). |
| Geophysical evidence |
Unknown. |
| Evidence from other sources |
Hall (1978) did not consider this a promising commercial prospect. |
| Comments |
These acid sulfate altered areas have been known because of their implications in porphyry Cu exploration. However, they are best modeled as paleo-geothermal systems (hot springs). Anomalous Au, Ga, and other elements are found in these areas. Detailed alteration mapping coupled with mineralogy and geochemistry are critical in understanding these systems and determine if they are potential resource for alunite (Al), Au, Ga, Ge, and other critical elements. |
| Cover thickness and description |
Exposed at the surface. |
| Authors |
Virginia T. McLemore. |
| New data needs |
Detailed alteration mapping, chemistry, mineralogy. |
| Geologic mapping and modeling needs |
Alteration mapping. |
| Geophysical survey and modeling needs |
High resolution, Rank 1 aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric coverage. |
| Digital elevation data needs |
Lidar complete. |
