Geologic mapping and mineral resource evaluation of the quartzburg mining district, grant county, oregonproject period: 07 01 2024 - 06 30 2027 award purpose the dixie meadows and boulder bute 7.5…

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) awarded a $407,297 Cooperative Agreement under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) to the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. The project will perform 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping, collect new geochemical data, and produce modern radiometric ages for igneous suites and mineral deposits in the Dixie Meadows and southern Boulder Bute 7.5 quadrangles in northeast Oregon. The goal is to better understand the geologic associations and critical mineral potential of the historic Quartzburg mining district, which has occurrences of cobalt, zinc, nickel, antimony, arsenic, silver, manganese, and bismuth. The project will deliver a geologic map package, a peer-reviewed DOGAMI publication summarizing the scientific findings, and a GEMS Level 3 format geodatabase to benefit the USGS, DOGAMI, the geologic community, and the public.

Geologic mapping and mineral resource evaluation of the quartzburg mining district, grant county, oregonproject period: 07 01 2024 - 06 30 2027 award purpose the dixie meadows and boulder bute 7.5 quadrangles LIE within two overlapping earth MRI focus areas in the blue mountains of NE oregon. Geologic mapping and a statewide commodity and mineral inventory indicate occurrences of critical commodities, including multiple occurrences of cobalt, zinc, nickel, antimony, arsenic, silver, manganese, and bismuth. The project will perform 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping, collect new geochemical data, and produce modern radiometric ages for igneous suites and mineral deposits (where possible) to better understand the timing and geologic characteristics of the mineralization events. Such studies are crucial for any informed report oregon department of geology and mineral industries (dogami) about the critical mineral potential of the area. Dogami has local support within the project area and also support from grant county officials, to provide data related to critical mineral mining potential within the county. Activities to be performed dogami proposes to map the dixie meadows 7.5 quadrangle, and the southern half of the adjacent boulder bute 7.5 quadrangle (FIG. 3) to understand the geologic associations of mineral systems and deposits in the historic quartzburg district of NE oregon. Staff will drive accessible roads and conduct foot traverses to sample outcrops and map important geologic contacts. Dogami is liaising with local landowners to access private lands. Deliverables and expected outcomesgeologic map package for the dixie meadows and southern half of the boulder bute 7.5QUADRANGLES, including geopdf with geologic elements that are consistent with statemapdeliverables (cross-sections, correlation chart, unit descriptions) and an associated gems level 3 format geodatabase. Formal dogami publication (peer-reviewed and citable) that summarizes scientific results specific to the geologic associations of critical commodities, and potential, for the quartzburg district. The report will include:o detailed geologic maps of important critical commodity prospects, with location andinterpretation of any attendant geochemical or geochronological determinations.o interpretations of mineral chemistry, mineralogy and alteration mineralogy, and field-based geochemical and magnetics data.o incorporation of aeromagnetic and radiometric data acquired separately, for comparisonto new field-based datasets. Intended beneficiary(IES) the USGS, oregon department of geology and mineral industries, geologic community of oregon and the public. Subrecipient activities none