USGS earth MRI proposal sheep creek mineral hill project project period 12 30 2022 through 12 29 2025 award purpose the proposed project builds on recent idaho geological survey (IGS geologic…

The Idaho Geological Survey will receive $390,000 through a Cooperative Agreement award from the United States Geological Survey under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative program to conduct new geologic mapping and geochemical sampling in Idaho. Specifically, the Survey will produce new 1:24,000 scale geologic maps of the Ulysses and Shoup quadrangles, as well as detailed maps and geochemical data from at least eight rare earth element prospects in the Sheep Creek-Mineral Hill mineral belt. The Survey will also collect rock and stream sediment samples for geochronology, geochemistry, and identification of undiscovered deposits. Upon completion, the Survey will deliver digital geologic map data, geochemical results, and a summary report in cooperation with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology to develop an integrated geologic and mineralization model for the belt. The award period is from December 30, 2022 through December 29, 2025.

USGS earth MRI proposal sheep creek mineral hill project project period 12 30 2022 through 12 29 2025 award purpose the proposed project builds on recent idaho geological survey (IGS geologic mapping for statemap in two quadrangles to the east (henderson ridge and ulysses mountain). The idaho geological survey proposes to conduct additional new geologic mapping in two quadrangles within the belt at a scale of 1 24,000 (ulysses and shoup figure 1).also intends to conduct detailed geologic mapping and geochemical sampling on at least eight of the rare earth element (REE) prospects in the idaho portion of the mineral belt. To augment the geologic mapping work, propose to collect rock samples for geochronology and geochemical characterization along with stream sediment samples that might identify previously unknown deposits. Activities to be performed field work will be conducted by four experienced geologists, one new hire, and one student field assistant. Total travel days are 146. For the bulk of the project mappers will camp within the map area to reduce travel costs and travel time. The mapping strategy will be to map in the fall of 2022 and in the summer and fall of 2023. The early part of the summer of 2024 will be used for field checking before final completion of both quadrangles by the end of the award. Deliverables and expected outcomes new mapping at 1 24,000 scale 2 quadrangles, ulysses and shoup, provided in gems level threeformat and with a final PDF map.detailed geologic maps of at least 8 prospects in the sheep creek mineral hill mineral belt alongwith geochemical sample locations.geochemical results from whole rock and stream sediment samples in the sheep creek mineral hillmineral belt, delivered in spreadsheet form.summary report, produced in cooperation with the montana bureau mines and geology (assumingthey obtain funding) that presents an integrated geologic and mineralization model for the sheepcreek mineral hill mineral belt.