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Carbonatites of the world, explored deposits of Nb and REE

Frequently anticipated questions:

• What does this data set describe?
  1. How might this data set be cited?
  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
• Who produced the data set?
  1. Who are the originators of the data set?
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
• Why was the data set created?
• How was the data set created?
  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
• How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?
  1. How well have the observations been checked?
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the data, including topology?
• How can someone get a copy of the data set?
  1. Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
  2. Who distributes the data?
  3. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
  4. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
  5. How can I download or order the data?
• Who wrote the metadata?

What does this data set describe?

1. How might this data set be cited?
   Berger, Vladimir I., Singer, Donald A., and Orris, Greta J., 2009, Carbonatites of the world, explored deposits of Nb and REE: Open-File Report 2009-1139, Geological Survey (U.S.), Menlo Park, California.

   Online Links:

   • https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20091139
   • https://mrdata.usgs.gov/carbonatite/

2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

   West_Bounding_Coordinate: -123.749167
   East_Bounding_Coordinate: 127.1625
   North_Bounding_Coordinate: 71.053611
   South_Bounding_Coordinate: -30.884167
   

3. What does it look like?

   https://mrdata.usgs.gov/carbonatite/carbonatite-global.png (PNG)

   Reduced-size image of the global distribution of deposits, (180 x 90 pixels)

4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

   Calendar_Date: 2011

   Currentness_Reference:

   revision date

5. What is the general form of this data set?

6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
   1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Point data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • Entity point (60)
   2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.0001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is World Geodetic System 1984.
      The ellipsoid used is WGS 84.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257.
      
7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

   main

   General descriptive information about the deposit (Source: this dataset)

   rec_id

   Record ID.

   A distinct numerical identifier for the database record without further scientific significance. Integer values. Int of width 3. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	60
   Resolution:	1

   country

   Country.

   Name of the country where the deposit occurs. Textual values of no more than 28 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 28 characters.

   cntrycd

   Country code.

   Coded abbreviation combining the country and state or province. Textual values of no more than 4 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   ANGL	Angola
   AUWA	Australia: Western Australia
   BRND	Burundi
   BRZL	Brazil
   CINA	China
   CNBC	Canada, British Columbia
   CNON	Canada, Ontario
   CNQU	Canada, Quebec
   DRCO	Democratic Republic of the Congo
   GABN	Gabon
   INDA	India
   KNYA	Kenya
   MLWI	Malawi
   MNGL	Mongolia
   MRTA	Mauritania
   NMBA	Namibia
   NRWY	Norway
   RUSA	Russia
   SAFR	South Africa
   TNZN	Tanzania
   TRKY	Turkey
   UGND	Uganda
   USAR	United States, Arkansas
   USCA	United States, California
   USCO	United States, Colorado
   USWY	United States, Wyoming
   ZMBA	Zambia

   stprov

   State or Province.

   State or province, if known, where the deposit occurs. Textual values of no more than 24 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 12 records have no value for stprov.

   depname

   Deposit name.

   The most recent deposit name. Textual values of no more than 16 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 16 characters.

   altname

   Other names.

   Alternative names that have been used for the deposit. Textual values of no more than 20 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 38 records have no value for altname.

   includes

   Includes.

   The names of deposits that have been combined with the primary deposit as a result of the two-kilometer minimum separation rule. Textual values of no more than 16 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 58 records have no value for includes.

   latitude

   Latitude.

   Geographic latitude in decimal degrees, datum WGS84. South is negative, north positive. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-30.8841666666667
   Maximum:	71.0536111111111

   latdeg

   Latitude (degrees).

   Degrees of latitude. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-30
   Maximum:	71
   Resolution:	1

   latmin

   Latitude (minutes).

   Minutes of latitude. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-59
   Maximum:	59
   Resolution:	1

   latsec

   Latitude (seconds).

   Seconds of latitude. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 1 records have no value for latsec.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-58
   Maximum:	58
   Resolution:	1

   longitude

   Longitude.

   Geographic longitude in decimal degrees, datum WGS84. West is negative, east positive. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-123.749166666667
   Maximum:	127.1625

   londeg

   Longitude (degrees).

   Degrees of lontitude. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-123
   Maximum:	127
   Resolution:	1

   lonmin

   Longitude (minutes).

   Minutes of longitude. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-56
   Maximum:	58
   Resolution:	1

   lonsec

   Longitude (seconds).

   Seconds of longitude. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 1 records have no value for lonsec.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	-59
   Maximum:	57
   Resolution:	1

   discdate

   Discovery date.

   Date the deposit was discovered. Textual values of no more than 11 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 27 records have no value for discdate.

   startdate

   Startup date.

   Date mining started. Textual values of no more than 18 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 38 records have no value for startdate.

   mintype

   Mineral type.

   Mineralogical subtype of the deposit, based on the dominant carbonate mineral composition and textural features. Textual values of no more than 41 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 1 records have no value for mintype.

   oreton

   Tonnage.

   Tonnage based on the total production, reserves, and resources at the lowest possible cutoff grade, in millions of metric tons. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 5 records have no value for oreton.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.03
   Maximum:	2898

   deptype

   Deposit subtype.

   Deposit type given in Cox and Singer (1986); all records have the value 10 for this field. Integer values. Int of width 2. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	10
   Maximum:	10
   Resolution:	1

   niobium

   Niobium grade.

   Niobium oxide grade in percent of oxide in the ore. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	2.86

   ree

   REE grade.

   Rare earth element oxide grade in percent of oxide in the ore. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	6.3

   p2o5

   P2O5 grade.

   Phosphorus grade as percent of oxide in the ore. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	25

   grade_src

   Grades.

   Reference sources used to determine grade values. Textual values of no more than 181 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 181 characters.

   depage

   Age of deposit.

   Quantitative age determinations for the deposit, indicating the method used and material dated, where available. Textual values of no more than 68 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 1 records have no value for depage.

   agemy

   Age (m.y.).

   Radiometric age reported in millions of years before the present based on measurements or midpoints of units from the geologic time scale. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	2047

   tectset

   Tectonic setting.

   Type of tectonic unit hosting the deposit. Textual values of no more than 196 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 196 characters.

   rocks

   Rocks in deposit.

   Rock types within the deposit and not reported on regional maps. Textual values of no more than 149 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 149 characters.

   rocksmap

   Rocks on map.

   Country rocks recorded both in the deposits and on a regional map, along with the geologic age of the rocks. Textual values of no more than 126 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 126 characters.

   ganguemin

   Gangue minerals.

   Gangue minerals present in the deposit. Textual values of no more than 279 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 279 characters.

   orebody_fm

   Orebody form.

   General form of the carbonatite intrusion or alkali-carbonatite intrusive complex. Textual values of no more than 140 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 140 characters.

   ore_a

   Orebody A-axis.

   Long axis of the two-dimensional projection of the ore body onto the surface, in km. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 14 records have no value for ore_a.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	18

   ore_area

   Orebody area.

   General size of the carbonatite intrusion or intrusive complex. Textual values of no more than 6 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 10 records have no value for ore_area.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.3
   Maximum:	1327

   ore_b

   Orebody B-axis.

   Short axis of the two-dimensional projection of the ore body onto the surface, in km. Textual values of no more than 5 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 14 records have no value for ore_b.

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0.3
   Maximum:	5.6

   alttype

   Alteration type.

   Type of alteration present. Textual values of no more than 59 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 5 records have no value for alttype.

   altwidth

   Alteration zone width.

   Width of the alteration zone, in km. Real numbers stored in double precision. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	0
   Maximum:	2.5

   dep5km

   Deposits within 5km.

   Types of other mineral deposits found within 5km, values from Cox and Singer (1986). Textual values of no more than 22 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 37 records have no value for dep5km.

   dep10km

   Deposits within 10km.

   Types of other mineral deposits found between 5km and 10km away, values from Cox and Singer (1986). Textual values of no more than 16 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 56 records have no value for dep10km.

   comments

   Comments.

   Additional descriptive comments about the deposit. Textual values of no more than 1024 characters. (Source: this dataset)

   Value	Definition
   (no value)	Information not available for this record. 7 records have no value for comments.

   minerals

   Mineralogy of the deposit as reported in scientific literature (Source: this dataset)

   rec_id

   Record ID.

   A distinct numerical identifier for the database record without further scientific significance. Integer values. Int of width 3. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	60
   Resolution:	1

   value

   Mineralogy.

   Name of minerals reported as present in the deposit, without regard for their abundance. Most rock-forming minerals, such as feldspar, calcite, and quartz, are not included. Some variants of rock forming minerals that may be related to mineralization or alteration, such as Ag calcite, are included. Textual values of no more than 32 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 32 characters. For some minerals, the name is followed in parentheses by the element symbol of the rare earth element contained within it.

   ref

   Scientific literature consulted by the authors to characterize the deposit (Source: this dataset)

   rec_id

   Record ID.

   A distinct numerical identifier for the database record without further scientific significance. Integer values. Int of width 3. (Source: this dataset)

   Range of values
   Minimum:	1
   Maximum:	60
   Resolution:	1

   value

   Reference.

   Papers and web sites that were used to describe the deposit. In a few cases unpublished sources were used. Textual values of no more than 400 characters. (Source: this dataset) Textual values of no more than 400 characters.

Who produced the data set?

1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
   • Berger, Vladimir I.
   • Singer, Donald A.
   • Orris, Greta J.
2. Who also contributed to the data set?
3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
   Dan L Mosier

   U.S. Geological Survey

   345 Middlefield Road Mail Stop 901

   Menlo Park, CA
   

   USA

   650-329-5050 (voice)

   mosier@usgs.gov

Why was the data set created?

Assist in the creation of descriptive and grade-tonnage models for mineral deposits to support a new national mineral resource assessment. The models used for such an assessment must be based on information that is available for undiscovered deposits, including lithology, age, structural features, and geophysical and geochemical anomalies that are visible on regional geologic maps rather than the detailed studies commonly carried out on deposits that are well known.

How was the data set created?

1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

   Date: 07-Dec-2011 (process 1 of 1)

   Modified oreton field for record 34 (Ruri, Kenya) to 0.375 Mt in consultation with database author.

3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

1. How well have the observations been checked?
   
2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
   
3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
   
4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
   This report is based on published tonnage and grade data on 58 Nb- and rare-earth-element (REE)-bearing carbonatite deposits that are mostly well explored and are partially mined or contain resources of these elements. The deposits represent only a part of the known 527 carbonatites around the world, but they are characterized by reliable quantitative data on ore tonnages and grades of niobium and REE.
5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
   An important consideration at the data-gathering stage is the question of what the sampling unit should be. Grade and tonnage data are available to varying degrees for districts, deposits, and mines. For the deposits in this model, the following rule was used to determine which ore bodies were combined. All mineralized rock or altered rock within two (2) kilometers was combined into one deposit. Some examples illustrate the effects of the application of this rule: (1) Salitre I and II deposits in Brazil and (2) Upper Fir and Fir in Canada. Carbonatite deposits are remote from one another

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints: none

1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
   
   Peter N Schweitzer

   USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center

   Geologist

   12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

   Reston, VA
   

   USA

   703-648-6533 (voice)

   703-648-6252 (FAX)

   pschweitzer@usgs.gov
2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?
3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

   This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

4. How can I download or order the data?
   • Availability in digital form:

     Data format:	Deposit locations with geologic and economic characteristics in format Shapefile (version 1.0) Size: 0.04
     Network links:	https://mrdata.usgs.gov/carbonatite/carbonatite.zip

     Data format:	Deposit locations with geologic and economic characteristics in format CSV (version 1.0)
     Network links:	https://mrdata.usgs.gov/carbonatite/carbonatite-csv.zip

     Data format:	Deposit locations with geological and economic characteristics in format WMS (version 1.3.0)
     Network links:	https://mrdata.usgs.gov/services/carbonatite?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS&version=1.3.0

     Data format:	Deposit locations with geological and economic characteristics in format WFS (version 1.0.0)
     Network links:	https://mrdata.usgs.gov/wfs/carbonatite?request=GetCapabilities&service=WFS&version=1.0.0

   • Cost to order the data: none

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:

Last modified: 21-Jan-2021

Metadata author:

Peter N Schweitzer

USGS Geology, Energy, and Minerals Science Center

Geologist

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA

USA

703-648-6533 (voice)

703-648-6252 (FAX)

pschweitzer@usgs.gov

Metadata standard:

Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)