Information Circular 30. Workshop on the Applicability of Gold and Platinum-Group-Element Models in Minnesota

Abstract

The geology of Minnesota is highly varied and contains combinations of lithologic and structural factors that are known to be associated with important deposits of metallic minerals elsewhere in the world. Despite this broadly favorable potential for a diverse array of deposit types, however, only the world-class deposits of iron ore have yet been discovered. This suggests that we know too little about the geology, too little about the criteria for recognizing nonferrous mineral deposits, or, as is probably the case, too little about both. As a step toward remedying these deficiencies, a mineral deposit workshop was convened in April 1989 with support from the Minnesota Legislature through the Mineral Diversification Program, as administered by the Minnesota Minerals Coordinating Committee (W.C. Brice, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Minerals; P.C. Grew, Minnesota Geological Survey; K.J. Reid, Mineral Resources Research Center; T.B. Johnson, Natural Resources Research Institute). The topic of the workshop was a discussion of mineral deposit models applicable to gold and the platinum group of elements (PGE) in Minnesota. Co-convenors of the workshop were Priscilla C. Grew (Minnesota Geological Survey), Michael P. Foose (U.S. Geological Survey), and Steven A. Hauck (Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota, Duluth). Professor Samuel S. Adams (Colorado School of Mines) provided special assistance in planning the workshop program. Industry participation was coordinated by Keith Laskowski (Newmont Exploration, Ltd.) and William C. Ulland (American Shield), both of the Minnesota Exploration Association. The body of this report consists of two parts-an overview of Minnesota's geologic framework, by D.L. Southwick, and a summary of the workshop discussions.