Geologic mapping of the cornucopia and deadman point 7.5 quadrangle, cornucopia mining district, NE oregon.project period: july 1ST, 2026, to june 30TH, 2029PURPOSE: to collaborate with federal…

The U.S. Geological Survey Office of Acquisitions and Grants awarded the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) a Cooperative Agreement of $330,000 on July 1, 2026, under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (CFDA 15.073) to conduct geologic mapping and critical mineral assessment in Oregon's Cornucopia Mining District.

DOGAMI will deliver 1:24,000-scale geologic mapping for the Cornucopia and Deadman Point 7.5 quadrangles, including a GeoPDF with cross-sections, correlation charts, and unit descriptions consistent with STATEMAP deliverables, along with an associated GEMS Level 3 format geodatabase. The recipient will produce a formal, peer-reviewed DOGAMI publication summarizing the geologic associations and critical commodity potential for the Cornucopia District, incorporating detailed geologic maps of critical mineral prospects with geochemical and geochronological determinations, interpretations of mineral chemistry and alteration mineralogy, and digitized subsurface mine-workings data for comparison to new field datasets.

Work includes field-based geologic mapping and sample collection for thin-sections, geochemistry, and radiometric age analyses. DOGAMI will employ handheld laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) devices for rapid in-situ geochemical data collection and will integrate high-resolution aeromagnetic and aeroradiometric data with digitized historic underground mine records to characterize mineralization timing and critical mineral potential across Oregon's largest historic gold mining district.

Performance occurs in Oregon from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029.

Activities

Field work to conduct geologic mapping and collect samples forthin-sections, geochemistry, and radiometric age analyses. Rapid field data collection usinghandheld sciaps Z903 geochem pro laser induced breakdown spectroscopy device (libs),and bruker tracer 5 pxrf. Integration of subsurface data including digitization of historicunderground mine records, and interrogation of newly acquired high-resolution aeromagneticand aeroradiometric data.deliverables: geologic map package for the cornucopia and deadman point 7.5 quadrangles, including geopdf with geologic elements that are consistent with statemap deliverables(cross-sections, correlation chart, unit descriptions) and an associated gems level 3 formatgeodatabase. Formal dogami publication (peer-reviewed and citable) that summarizesscientific results specific to the geologic associations of critical commodities, and potential, forthe cornucopia district. The report will include: (a) detailed geologic maps of important criticalmineral prospects, with location and interpretation of any attendant geochemical orgeochronological determinations (b) interpretations of mineral chemistry (XRF), mineralogyand alteration mineralogy (tima), and field-based geochemical data (libs, pxrf) (c)incorporation of subsurface mine workings data, for comparison to new field-based datasets.beneficiaries: the people of oregon, the public at-large, and local, state and federal decisionmakers.academic and industry partners with ongoing interest in critical commodities andmetallic and non-metallic minerals. Academic and other geoscience professionals that areinterested in understanding the geologic and associated mineralization history in oregon.