Browsing by Author "Heine, John J"

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An Addendum to: Geology and Sulfide Content of Archean Rocks Along Two Proposed Highway 169 Relocations to the North of Sixmile Lake, St. Louis County, Northeastern Minnesota and Geologic Investigations in the Armstrong Lake Area
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2012) Severson, Mark J; Heine, John J
This report summarizes the geochemical results pertaining to the sulfur contents of rock samples collected in the Sixmile Lake area, and thusly, serves as an addendum to a previous report by Severson and Heine (2010). Geologic mapping in the Sixmile Lake area was initiated at the request of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) and concentrated on areas where Highway 169 could potentially be re-routed. The second purpose of this addendum is to provide the appropriate GIS-related shape files that were omitted from the initial report by Severson and Heine (2010). These shape files have been finalized and are provided in this report. In addition, reconnaissance geologic mapping took place along other Highway 169 relocations in the Armstrong Lake/McComber Mine area. The results of that endeavor are provided in this report. The results of sulfur analyses for samples collected from the Sixmile Lake area show that most of the samples with ≥ 0.15% analyzed sulfur contents were correctly mapped as “anomalous sulfide zones” by Severson and Heine (2010). However, there were several instances where the visually-estimated pyrite contents did not compare well with the actual sulfur contents due to a “nugget effect” variation in the third dimension. This “nugget effect” variability is troublesome and suggests that some form of drilling should take place in the areas of future road cuts in order to obtain more representative S% values. Examination of rock exposures and recent drilling of the iron-formation in the vicinity of Shaft #2 in the McComber Mine area indicates that pyrite is present in much higher amounts when compared to Sixmile Lake. Thus, additional drilling will be needed in the McComber Mine/Shaft #2 subarea, and possibly in the Clear Lake subarea, in order to obtain a better understanding of the amount of pyrite present.
Base Metal Removal from Acid Mine Seepage (1994-03): Semi-Annual Progress Report
(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1994-03) McCarthy, Barbara J; Heine, John J
Objective: To determine flow characteristics through a constructed peat/wetland treatment system and the effectiveness of the constructed wetland in removing base metals from surface water.
Base Metal Removal from Acid Mine Seepage: Final Report
(University of Minnesota, Duluth, 1994-10) McCarthy, Barbara J; Heine, John J
Objective: The objectives of this study were to characterize water movement through wetland WlD and to determine the effectiveness of the wetland in removing base metals from surface water.
Characterization of the Kaolin Occurrences in Northern and Central Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1998) Heine, John J; Patelke, Richard L; Oreskovich, Julie A
Kaolin mining and exploration in Minnesota has been concentrated in the Minnesota River Valley, in the south-central part of the state. Potential exists for kaolins in northern and central Minnesota. Using the resources of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Drill Core Repository, over 1,250 drill logs were reviewed for references to kaolin bearing materials. This process resulted in 170 drill holes that contained references to kaolin bearing materials. Examination of these drill holes resulted in the selection of 60 drill holes containing kaolinitic materials for detailed logging. Detailed logging resulted in the collection of 287 samples from 40 drill holes. All samples were run for particle size analysis, and 27 selected samples were run for geochemistry. Many regions in the study area show potential for kaolin clay exploration. All areas sampled have favorable geochemistry and particle size analyses for current industrial clay uses, which include brick manufacturing, ceramics, and portland cement production. The areas with the greatest potential are Cass, Crow Wing, Stearns, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, and Pope Counties. Other possible uses for these clays include, refractory materials, fillers and pigments for industrial and agricultural applications, and coating and fillers for the paper industry. Exploration for kaolin deposits may be hindered by the lack of outcrop and thick overburden in some of these areas. The use of geophysical techniques, coupled with the examination of other drill holes and water well log data, may aid in the location of areas of further interest for exploration companies.
Comparative Geology, Stratigraphy, and Lithogeochemistry of the Five Mile Lake, Quartz Hill, and Skeleton Lake VMS Occurrences, Western Vermilion District, NE Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2002-12) Hudak, George J; Heine, John J; Newkirk, Trent; Odette, Jason; Hauck, Steven A
Data Compilation of United States Steel Corporation (USSC) Exploration Records in Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2007) Severson, Mark J; Heine, John J
As a major landholder in Minnesota, United States Steel Corporation (USSC) conducted numerous exploration campaigns throughout the state. Until now, much of their explorationrelated information has been filed away in corporate files that were generally unavailable to the exploration community. With the recent sale of most of United States Steel’s mineral rights, this data is now the property of RGGS Land and Minerals, Ltd., L.P. The main objective of this proposal was to obtain permission from RGGS to acquire most of this exploration data, and then organize, compile, and summarize the data in a useable form that could then be transferred to, and open-filed, at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) office in Hibbing, MN. Over 3,450 items were obtained from the exploration files that include: detailed geologic maps, maps with contoured geophysical results, geophysical profiles, maps showing soil sampling results, drill hole profiles with assay results, geologic cross-sections, and field books. A more complete inventory of these items is included with this report. Most of the data pertaining to 15 airborne surveys, flown for USSC, was acquired as part of this project. An additional four airborne surveys, flown for Marathon Oil Corp. and Kerr McGee Corp., were also acquired. Drill core, along with descriptive lithologic logs, for 24 drill holes was transferred from US Steel’s Minntac facilities to the MDNR. All of these items have been carefully inventoried and were transferred to the MDNR during May and June of 2007. Overall, United States Steel spent a great deal of effort exploring in Minnesota for iron, base metals, and precious metal deposits in the: Mesabi Iron Range; Vermilion Greenstone Belt; Duluth “Gabbro” Complex; Deer Lake Intrusive Complex of Itasca County; Emily Iron District; and portions of the Animikie Basin and Fold-and-Thrust Belt. This report is a dialog that describes not only the materials that were acquired and transferred to the MDNR, but also discusses, to a limited degree, the reasoning behind USSC’s exploration efforts and their end results. The exploration efforts of Marathon Oil in southwestern Minnesota, for uranium, are also discussed. When perusing all of these data, one may ask, “How successful was USSC in their exploration efforts?” Using hindsight, the authors suggest that USSC was moderately successful. They did find several bodies of mineable manganiferous iron ore in the Emily District, and they did find a large resource of oxidized taconite in the western portion of the Mesabi Range. However, both of these discoveries were overshadowed by development of the taconite facilities of Minntac, and they were relegated as less important at the time and subsequently shelved. USSC also found a low grade Cu-Ni deposit in the Duluth Complex that they called the Dunka Road deposit. This deposit was also put on hold during a regional Copper Nickel Study in the 1970s and was also shelved. This deposit, now referred to a the NorthMet deposit, is currently being actively developed by PolyMet Mining Corp., and is now in the environmental review stage prior to seeking mine-related permits. USSC also found several potential Fe-Ti deposits in the Duluth Complex, some of which are currently being looked at again as viable resources. The only areas where USSC failed to turn up anything economically significant are the: Vermilion greenstone belt; Deer Lake Complex of Itasca County; central portion of the Animikie basin (Meadowlands area); Fold-and-Thrust Belt (Aitkin-Carlton County); and west central Minnesota (Morris and Melrose blocks). However, even in these areas, interesting anomalies were located and the mapping and drilling that ensued eventually led to a better geological understanding of these poorly-exposed areas.
Electron Microprobe Analysis of Alteration Mineralogy at the Archean Five Mile Lake Volcanic Associated Massive Sulfide Mineral Prospect in the Vermilion District of Northeastern Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2003-05) Hocker, Stephanie M; Hudak, George J; Heine, John J
Alteration mineral assemblage mapping at the Five Mile Lake Prospect in the Vermilion District of northeastern Minnesota has identified two distinct types of alteration zones within 2.7 billion year-old volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks associated with volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) mineralization (Hudak et al., in press; Odette et al., 2001a, 2001b; Peterson, 2001). Regional semi-conformable alteration zones are composed of various proportions of quartz + epidote ± amphibole ± chlorite ± plagioclase feldspar. These regional, semiconformable alteration zones are locally crosscut by several relatively narrow, northeasttrending disconformable alteration zones composed of fine-grained chlorite and/or sericite that are closely associated with synvolcanic fault zones. Electron microprobe analyses of the various alteration mineral phases (epidote group minerals, chlorite, amphibole, white mica, and feldspar) have been conducted in an effort to better understand the hydrothermal processes associated with the development of the semiconformable and disconformable alteration zones at the Five Mile Lake Prospect. These analyses indicate that: a) epidote group minerals range in composition from zoisite/clinozoisite to pistacite; b) chlorite is dominantly ripidolite; c) amphibole is primarily actinolite and ferroactinolite, with magnesio-hornblende and ferro-hornblende also present; d) sericite is finegrained muscovite; and e) feldspar is albite. This mineral chemistry suggests the presence of a complex, long-lived hydrothermal system that evolved from seafloor-proximal (hundreds of meters) to deeper subseafloor environments (~1-3 km) as the volcanic rocks were buried by rapid, dominantly effusive mafic to intermediate volcanism and associated sedimentation. Alteration mineral chemistry at the Five Mile Lake Prospect is remarkably similar to that from the Noranda VHMS mining camp of Canada as well as other VHMS orebodies. This mineral chemistry, combined with favorable volcanology and numerous untested geophysical targets, suggest that the Five Mile Lake Prospect, as well as the uppermost several hundred meters of the Lower Member of the Ely Greenstone, have excellent exploration potential for VHMS mineral deposits.
Electron Microprobe Analysis of Alteration Mineralogy at the Archean Five Mile Lake Volcanic Associated Massive Sulfide Mineral Prospect in the Vermilion District of Northeastern Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2003-05) Hocker, Stephanie M; Hudak, George J; Heine, John J
Alteration mineral assemblage mapping at the Five Mile Lake Prospect in the Vermilion District of northeastern Minnesota has identified two distinct types of alteration zones within 2.7 billion year-old volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks associated with volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) mineralization (Hudak et al., in press; Odette et al., 2001a, 2001b; Peterson, 2001). Regional semi-conformable alteration zones are composed of various proportions of quartz + epidote ± amphibole ± chlorite ± plagioclase feldspar. These regional, semiconformable alteration zones are locally crosscut by several relatively narrow, northeast trending disconformable alteration zones composed of fine-grained chlorite and/or sericite that are closely associated with synvolcanic fault zones. Electron microprobe analyses of the various alteration mineral phases (epidote group minerals, chlorite, amphibole, white mica, and feldspar) have been conducted in an effort to better understand the hydrothermal processes associated with the development of the semiconformable and disconformable alteration zones at the Five Mile Lake Prospect. These analyses indicate that: a) epidote group minerals range in composition from oisite/clinozoisite to pistacite; b) chlorite is dominantly ripidolite; c) amphibole is primarily actinolite and ferroactinolite, with magnesio-hornblende and ferro-hornblende also present; d) sericite is finegrained muscovite; and e) feldspar is albite. This mineral chemistry suggests the presence of a complex, long-lived hydrothermal system that evolved from seafloor-proximal (hundreds of meters) to deeper subseafloor environments (~1-3 km) as the volcanic rocks were buried by rapid, dominantly effusive mafic to intermediate volcanism and associated sedimentation. Alteration mineral chemistry at the Five Mile Lake Prospect is remarkably similar to that from the Noranda VHMS mining camp of Canada as well as other VHMS orebodies. This mineral chemistry, combined with favorable volcanology and numerous untested geophysical targets, suggest that the Five Mile Lake Prospect, as well as the uppermost several hundred meters of the Lower Member of the Ely Greenstone, have excellent exploration potential for VHMS mineral deposits.
Gafvert Lake Reconnaissance Mapping Project
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2005) Heine, John J
Generalized Mineral Potential of the Mesabi Purchase Area, Northern Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2012-10) Severson, Mark J; Hauck, Steven A; Heine, John J; Fosnacht, Donald R
Most of the Mesabi Purchase is underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith that exhibit an extremely low mineral potential to host a metallic deposit. This low potential is demonstrated by the lack of mineral exploration and other core holes drilled in the area by mineral exploration companies. In fact, the vast majority of drill holes shown in the area are associated with scientific holes drilled by the Minnesota Geological Survey for mapping purposes as a follow-up of regional geophysical interpretations. The copper-nickel-PGE mineralization located to the east in the Duluth Complex does not occur in the Mesabi Purchase area. The various types of geologic terrains, and their mineral potential, albeit low in almost all cases, are listed below: • Giants Range Batholith granitic rocks (pink, purple, and orange units on map): 1. Rare Earth Elements (REEs - unknown, but most likely low to moderate potential in spatially-limited deposits; currently being investigated by NRRI throughout Minnesota); 2. Gold along fault zones or contact zones with Greenstone Belt (unknown potential, but unlikely in spatially-limited deposits); 3. Road Aggregate (crushed rock); and 4. Dimension Stone • Greenstone Belt (North Half of Block – green, pale green, and yellow units on map): 1. Copper-Zinc associated with Volcanic Hosted Massive Sulfide deposits (very low potential overall, with moderate potential in T.61N., R.17W.); 2. Gold associated with shear zones and faulted rock (very low potential overall, with weak potential in T.61N., R.17W.); • Small granitic to syenitic plutons associated with a Greenstone terrain (circular pink units on map) with a low to moderate potential of hosting Rare Earth Elements; 2 • Virginia Horn Greenstone Belt (extreme southeastern corner): 1. Gold associated with a syn-volcanic Quartz Feldspar Porphyry (very low potential that has been tested by three drill holes); and • Mesabi Iron Range (red unit on extreme southern fringe of block): 1. Magnetic Taconite ores (the potential of these ores are negligible as most of the rock has already been mined out at the Minntac West Pit, Minntac East Pit, and Minorca Pit); and 2. Road Aggregate (crushed rock – also negligible as in the above category). 3. Mine tailings for various aggregates, bridge deck surfaces, etc. Detailed Township and Range Descriptions T.61N., R.21W. Metasedimentary rocks of a Greenstone terrain are dominant and exhibit no known, or expected, mineral potential. Small syenitic plutons are present and may have a REE potential, but these are largely unexposed and mostly known from limited outcrops and a single drill hole (scientific/mapping drill hole). No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.61N., R.20W. Metasedimentary rocks of a Greenstone terrain with no known, or expected, mineral potential. Small syenitic plutons are present and may have a REE potential, but these are largely unexposed. No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.61N., R.19W. Mostly metasedimentary rocks of a Greenstone terrain (no known potential) with a small amount of mafic volcanic rocks that may have a weak potential of hosting a Cu-Zn or gold deposit. Small syenitic plutons are present and may have a REE potential, but these are largely unexposed. No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T61N., R.18W. Both metasedimentary and mafic volcanic rocks of a Greenstone terrain are the dominant rock types. No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has taken place in either of these rock types, and the expected mineral potential is extremely low. Granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith are present and exhibit a very low potential of hosting a REE deposit. Also present in the western half of the township is the Lost Lake Pluton that has been unsuccessfully explored for gold in the adjacent eastern township. The REE potential of the Lost Lake Pluton is unknown, and this pluton has been recently sampled by the NRRI. T.61N., R.17W. Both metasedimentary and mafic volcanic rocks of a Greenstone terrain are the dominant rock type. Limited exploration for gold deposits has taken place with unsuccessful results (two exploration drill holes with no follow-up). Granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith are present and exhibit a very low potential of hosting a REE deposit. Also present in the township is the eastern half of the Lost Lake Pluton that has been unsuccessfully explored for gold (two drill holes), but may exhibit REE potential. 3 T.60N., R.21W. Granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith are the most prevalent and may show a very low potential of hosting a REE deposit. A glacial drift covered Greenstone Belt is present along the western edge of the township – it exhibits a low mineral potential as this belt has never been explored by minerals companies (except further to the west). T.60N., R.20W. Granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith are the most prevalent. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit (geochemistry results are pending in samples collected from three scientific/mapping drill holes). No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.60N., R.19W. This township is entirely underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit (geochemistry results are pending in samples collected from two scientific/mapping drill holes). No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.60N., R.18W. Granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith are the most prevalent. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit (geochemistry results are pending in samples collected from two scientific/mapping drill holes). No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.60N., R.17W. About 70% of this township is underlain by granitic and schistose rocks of the Giants Range Batholith with a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit (one scientific/mapping drill hole is present). The remaining 30% of the township is underlain by metasedimentary rocks of a Greenstone terrain with a no known, or expected, mineral potential. No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.59N., R21W. Granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith are the most prevalent, but have shown a low potential of hosting a REE deposit to date. A glacial drift covered Greenstone Belt is present in the extreme southern portion of the township – it exhibits a low mineral potential as this belt has never been explored by minerals companies (except further to the west). T.59N., R.20W. This township is entirely underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit (outcrop samples have been collected from some exposures to help ascertain this assessment). No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. 4 T.59N., R.19W. This township is entirely underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit (outcrop samples have been collected from some exposures to help ascertain this assessment). No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. T.59N., R.18W. This township is largely underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit. A wedge of highly metamorphosed Greenstone is present to the north of the Mesabi Range (on USS owned lands) and may exhibit an extremely low potential of hosting a gold deposit. No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. Mined out taconite (USS Minntac Mine) is present along the southern fringe of this township. T.59N., R.17W. This township is largely underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith. These rocks may exhibit a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit. A wedge of highly metamorphosed Greenstone is present to the immediate north of the Mesabi Range and may exhibit an extremely low potential of hosting a gold deposit. No known exploration for any type of mineral deposit has occurred in this township. Mined out taconite is present along the southernmost fringe of this township (Minntac West Pit, Minntac East Pit, and Minorca Mine). T.59N., R.16W. About 85% of this township is underlain by granitic rocks of the Giants Range Batholith with a moderate potential of hosting a REE deposit. The remaining 15% of the township is underlain by mixed metasedimentary and volcanic rocks of a Greenstone terrain referred to as the “Virginia Horn.” Gold mineralization has been documented in the Virginia Horn in the township to the immediate southwest (T.58N., R.17W.). There has been limited exploration for gold in T.59N., R.16W with unsuccessful results (three drill holes). T.58N, R.19W. About 90% of the township is underlain by the Mesabi Iron Formation and the overlying Virginia Formation. The remaining 10% is underlain by igneous rocks of the Giants Range Batholith with low mineral potential.
Geologic and Stratigraphic Controls of the Biwabik Iron Formation and the Aggregate Potential of the Mesabi Iron Range, Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2009) Severson, Mark J; Heine, John J; Patelke, Marsha Meinders
The taconite mines on the Mesabi Iron Range of northeastern Minnesota generate millions of tons of mined waste rock annually that could potentially be used as aggregate material in road building projects. Paramount to defining potential aggregate horizons within the mined ironformation is an understanding of the stratigraphy as it relates to mined ore units and waste units at each of the respective taconite mines. However, each mine uses a different submember terminology to designate the various ore and waste horizons. The major emphasis of this investigation was to produce a stratigraphic “Rosetta Stone” of the Biwabik Iron Formation that ties the stratigraphy and differing submember terminology of one mine to all of the other mines on the Mesabi Iron Range. Toward that end, the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) looked at core from over 380 drill holes, and some mine exposures, in the central and western Mesabi Iron Range (Biwabik to Coleraine, MN area) to develop a stratigraphic system that links all of the mined ore and waste submembers. The methodology used in this investigation was to log multitudinous deep drill holes from a single mine, hang all of the drill holes on a common datum (bottom of the Lower Slaty member), and then correlate all of the submembers, as used by that particular mine, making note of bedding features and other unique features that define a particular submember. This same system of “logging, hanging, and correlating” was done at each of the taconite mines (seven different mines/areas along the Mesabi Iron Range) to better understand each mine’s submember terminology. The hung stratigraphic-sections from each mine were then used to collectively make generalized stratigraphic columns for each of the mines. These stratigraphic columns were then added to the “Rosetta Stone” (Plate II of this report) that is used to illustrate how the submembers at one mine correlate with similar submembers at all of the other mines. In the end, this investigation identified 25 major “Rosetta” units that define the stratigraphy of the Biwabik Iron Formation that can be used to link together all of the differing submember nomenclatures from the various taconite mines. This division of the iron-formation into 25 major units, based primarily on their overall bedding characteristics, is applicable to only the central and western Mesabi Iron Range and does not include the more highly metamorphosed iron-formation of the eastern Mesabi Iron Range, e.g., to the east of Aurora, MN.
Geological and Geochemical Reconnaissance for Rare Earth Element Mineralization in Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2014) Hauck, Steven A; Heine, John J; Severson, Mark J; Post, Sara P; Chlebecek, Sara; Monson Geerts, Stephen D; Oreskovich, Julie A; Gordee, Sarah M
Geological Mapping of the Needleboy Lake – Six Mile Lake Area, Northeastern Minnesota: a Summary of Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Potential
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2002-09) Hudak, George J; Heine, John J; Hocker, Stephanie M; Hauck, Steven A
The Needleboy Lake and Six Mile Lake areas has focused on evaluating the stratigraphic succession, hydrothermal alteration, and synvolcanic and post-volcanic structures in an effort to better understand the VHMS potential in this region of the Lower Ely Greenstone. Field mapping in the Needleboy Lake area (performed during August, 2001) investigated all outcrops within a 100 to 200 meter perimeter of the Lake. A north-south section was also completed from the north-central shoreline of Five Mile Lake to the western shoreline of Needleboy Lake. Field mapping in the vicinity of Six Mile Lake (performed August-September, 2002) included three detailed north-south traverses (Fig. 4). Traverse 1 extended from the northwestern shoreline of Needleboy Lake to the western shoreline of Six Mile Lake. Traverse 2 extended from the northeastern shoreline of Needleboy Lake to approximately 200 meters north of Six Mile Lake. Traverse 3 extended from the southeastern part of Needleboy Lake to approximately 500 meters northeast of Six Mile Lake. In addition, all outcrops occurring along roads in the study area were investigated.
Geology and Sulfide Content of Archean Rocks Along Two Proposed Highway 169 Relocations to the North Of Sixmile Lake, St. Louis County, Northeastern Minnesota
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2010) Severson, Mark J; Heine, John J
Investigation of Kaolin in Eastern Redwood County, Minnesota, Using Gravity, Magnetic, and Electrical Resistivity Methods
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1990-10) Chandler, Val W; Hauck, Steven A; Severson, M; Heine, John J; Reichhoff, J; Schaap, Bryan D
The utility of gravity, magnetic and electrical resistivity methods for kaolin exploration was evaluated on a test-drilled 300-meter by 600-meter prospect in the Minnesota River Valley in eastern Redwood County, Minnesota. Seven Wenner soundings and three resistivity profiles were taken over the prospect, and interpretations were constrained by direct determinations at nearby bedrock exposures and by drill hole (regolith) data. High-precision gravity data also appear to reflect thickness variations in the low-density kaolin. The magnetometer is not sensitive to the kaolin itself, but it may be useful in detecting rocks in the protolith that yield chlorite-rich, weathered clays, such as diabase dikes.
LCMR clay project: NRRI summary report
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1990-10) Hauck, Steven A; Heine, John J; Zanko, Lawrence M; Power, B; Monson Geerts, Stephen D; Oreskovich, Julie A; Reichhoff, J
Minnesota has a variety of clays and shales that have potential as industrial clays. These clays are: 1) Precambrian clays; 2) Paleozoic shales; 3) pre-Late Cretaceous primary (residual) and secondary kaolins; 4) Late Cretaceous ball clays and marine shales; 5) Pleistocene glacial clays; and 6) Recent clays. Minnesota clays are currently used for brick and as a portland cement additive. Other potential uses include filler and coating grade kaolins, ceramic tile, refractory products, lightweight aggregate, sanitaryware, and livestock feed filler. Precambrian clays occur in the 1 .1 Ga Keweenawan interflow sediments of the North Shore Volcanic Group, the Middle Proterozoic Thomson Formation and in the Paint Rock member of the Biwabik Iron-Formation on the Mesabi Iron Range, all in northeastern Minnesota. The Paint Rock clays have potential as red coloring additives and glazes. Paleozoic shales in southeastern Minnesota are primarily kaolinitic and illitic shales that are interbedded with limestones. The Ordovician Decorah and Glenwood Formations are marine shales that, in the past, have been used to make bricks, tile, and lightweight aggregate. The thickness of these shales ranges from 10-90 feet. The Decorah Shale has the lowest firing temperature with the best shrinkage and absorption characteristics of all the Minnesota clays. The pre-Late Cretaceous primary and secondary kaolins are found in the western and central portions of Minnesota; the best exposures are located along the Minnesota River Valley from Mankato to the Redwood Falls area and in the St. Cloud area. The primary or residual kaolinitic clays are the result of intense weathering of Precambrian granites and gneisses prior to the Late Cretaceous. Subsequent reworking of these residual clays led to the development of a paleosol and the formation of pisolitic kaolinite clays. Physical and chemical weathering of the saprolitic kaolinite-rich rocks produced fluvial/lacustrine (secondary) kaolinitic shales and sandstones. Recent exploration activity is concentrated in the Minnesota River Valley where the primary kaolin thickness ranges from 0 to 200 + feet, and the thickness of the secondary kaolins ranges from 0-45 + feet (Setterholm, et al, 1989). Similar kaolinitic clays occur in other areas of Minnesota, e.g., St. Cloud and Bowlus areas. However, less information is available on their thickness, quality, and areal distribution due to varying thicknesses of glacial overburden. Cement grade kaolin is extracted from two mines in the residual clays in the Minnesota River Valley, and a third mine there yields secondary kaolinite-rich clays that are mixed with Late Cretaceous shales to produce brick. During the Late Cretaceous, Minnesota was flooded by the transgressing Western Interior Sea, which deposited both non-marine and marine sediments. These sediments are characterized by gray and black shales, siltstones, sandstones, and lignitic material. Significant occurrences of Late Cretaceous sediments are found throughout the western part of the state, with the best exposures located in Brown County, the Minnesota River Valley, and the St. Cloud area. In Brown County, the maximum thickness of the Late Cretaceous sediments is > 100 feet. These sediments thicken to the west and can be covered by significant thicknesses ( > 300 ft.) of glacial overburden in many areas. Current brick production comes from the Late Cretaceous shales in Brown County. In the past, the Red Wing pottery in Red Wing, Minnesota, used Cretaceous and some Ordovician sediments to produce pottery, stoneware, and sewer pipe. Glacial clays occur in glacial lake, till, loess, and outwash deposits, and these clay deposits range in thickness from 5 to 100 + feet. Much of the early brick and tile production (late 1800s and early 1900s) in Minnesota was from glacial clays. The last brickyards to produce from glacial lake clays, e.g., Wrenshall in northeastern Minnesota and Fertile in west-central Minnesota, closed in the 1950s and 1960s. There has also been some clay production from recent (Holocene) fluvial and lake clays that have thicknesses of 2-10 + feet. Both recent and glacial clays are composed of glacial rock flour with minor quantities of clay minerals. Carbonates can be a significant component of many of these clays. Glacial lake clays in northwestern Minnesota (Glacial Lake Agassiz - Brenna and Sherack Formations) begin to bloat at 1830 ° F due to the presence of dolomite and smectite clays. These clays are a potential lightweight aggregate resource. Geochemistry, clay mineralogy, particle size, cation exchange capacity (CEC), raw and fired color, and firing characteristics are useful in distinguishing different potential industrial uses for Minnesota clays. These physical and chemical characteristics help to distinguish potentially useful clays from those with less desirable characteristics, e.g., high quartz or silica content, high shrinkage or absorption upon firing, undesirable fired color, too coarse-grained, CEC of < 5 milliequivalents, etc. Certain clays, e.g., the bloating Decorah and Brenna Formation clays, and the high alumina, refractory, pisolitic clays of the Minnesota River Valley, have physical and chemical characteristics that indicate further exploration and product research are necessary to fully evaluate the potential of these clays.
Mapping Industrial Clay Potential in the Minnesota River Valley
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 1998-12) Zanko, Lawrence M; Oreskovich, Julie A; Heine, John J; Grant, James A; Hauck, Steven A; Setterholm, Dale R
MnDOT Highway 169 2015 Drilling Project
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2017-06) Heine, John J; Patelke, Marsha Meinders; Buschette, Michael; Leu, Adam; Maly, Craig C; Gordee, Sarah M; Chlebecek, Sara; Lee, Aubrey; Post, Sara P
The Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) Economic Geology Group was contracted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) [Project Number 0005269] to provide onsite drilling supervision, core logging and sampling, and geochemical studies related to proposed construction along Highway 169 east of Soudan, Minnesota. The goal of this project was to provide MnDOT the data required to produce a mitigation plan for the Highway 169 Eagles Nest project. MnDOT, working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Golder Associates, was responsible for developing the guidelines for this work with the help of the Highway 169 Technical Working Group (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Department of Health, US Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, and NRRI). Golder Associates (Seattle, WA office) was responsible for developing the mitigation plan for bedrock roadcuts along the reroute. This work was a continuation of the studies by Severson and Heine (2010, 2012) and Heine (2015) which examined the bedrock outcrops along three proposed Highway 169 reroutes and alternatives. Severson and Heine (2012) concluded that drilling would be needed in the potential bedrock roadcuts along the reroute corridor to fully characterize the geology as required in the mitigation plan.
Needleboy Lake – Six Mile Lake Geological Mapping Progress Report: June 2003
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2003-08) Hudak, George J; Heine, John J; Hocker, Stephanie M; Hauck, Steven A
Detailed mapping and hydrothermal alteration studies have identified several areas in the Archean Vermilion District of NE Minnesota that have excellent potential to host volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits. Over the past three summers, the detailed volcanology, hydrothermal alteration, and VHMS mineral potential have been investigated in the Five Mile Lake, Quartz Hill, Eagles Nest, Skeleton Lake, Needleboy Lake, and Six Mile Lake areas.
New Heat Flow Map of Minnesota Corrected for the Effects of Climate Change and an Assessment of Enhanced Geothermal System Resources
(University of Minnesota Duluth, 2012) Klenner, Robert; Gosnold, William; Heine, John J; Severson, Mark J; Hauck, Steven A; Hudak, George J; Fosnacht, Donald R

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