Carbonatites of the world, explored deposits of Nb and REE

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What does this data set describe?

Title: Carbonatites of the world, explored deposits of Nb and REE
Abstract:
Data on 60 of the 527 known carbonatites in the world, providing reliable quantitative data on ore tonnages and grades of niobium and REE.
  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:

  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)
    ValueDefinition
    ANGLAngola
    AUWAAustralia: Western Australia
    BRNDBurundi
    BRZLBrazil
    CINAChina
    CNBCCanada, British Columbia
    CNONCanada, Ontario
    CNQUCanada, Quebec
    DRCODemocratic Republic of the Congo
    GABNGabon
    INDAIndia
    KNYAKenya
    MLWIMalawi
    MNGLMongolia
    MRTAMauritania
    NMBANamibia
    NRWYNorway
    RUSARussia
    SAFRSouth Africa
    TNZNTanzania
    TRKYTurkey
    UGNDUganda
    USARUnited States, Arkansas
    USCAUnited States, California
    USCOUnited States, Colorado
    USWYUnited States, Wyoming
    ZMBAZambia
    stprov
    State or Province.

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

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)

This page is <https://mrdata.usgs.gov/metadata/ofr-2009-1139.faq.html>
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