Unnamed Prospect (ARDF - BN110; in headwaters of Niukluk River), Council Mining District, Nome Census Area, Alaska, USAi

Regional Level Types
Unnamed Prospect (ARDF - BN110; in headwaters of Niukluk River)	- not defined -
Council Mining District	Mining District
Nome Census Area	Census Area
Alaska	State
USA	Country

Location: This prospect is on the ridge between two unnamed northeast headwater tributaries of Niukluk River. It is on the east-souteast slopes at an elevation of 2,995 feet. It is approximately location 82 of Gamble (1988).
Geology: This prospect is a sulfide-bearing skarn prospect (Hudson and Wyman, 1983). It is developed in impure carbonate layers in high grade metasedimentary rocks that are variably replaced by epidote and garnet. Alteration of the skarn includes development of mica, actinolite, and chlorite. Lenses and pods of galena and sphalerite also replace metacarbonate layers, but chalcopyrite seems to favor replacement of metaclastic, metavolcanic (?), or amphibolite layers. Grab samples of skarn contained from up to 1.4 % Cu, 13.5 % Pb, 9.5 % Zn, and 5.1 ounces/ton Ag. Gold was below the detection level (5 ppb) in these samples (Hudson and Wyman, 1983). A sample from a sulfide-bearing limonitic quartz vein from the top of the ridge east of elevation 2,995 feet contained 6.22 % Cu, 7.75 % Pb, 2.38 % Zn, 4.98 ounces/ton Ag, and only 10 ppb Au. In general, skarn mineralization appears to carry more lead, zinc and silver values than copper. This base metal prospect, and several other occurrences in this part of the Bendeleben A-4 quadrangle, are in high grade metasedimentary rocks that are structurally above or peripheral to the crosscutting Pargon pluton. The Pargon pluton is mostly granodiorite and assumed to be Cretaceous in age (Till and others, 1986). It was emplaced at shallower depths than the more deep-seated Bendeleben pluton to the east. The metamorphic rocks peripheral to the Pargon pluton are also intruded by small, felsic dikes and plugs including quartz porphyry and muscovite granite. A sample of altered quartz porphyry contained 475 ppm Cu and 520 ppm Pb (Hudson and Wyman, 1983).
Workings: Mining claims have existed on this propect (Hudson and others, 1977). Work has consisted of surface observations and shallow, hand-dug prospecting pits.
Age: Cretaceous; this occurrence is probably related to emplacement of the Pargon pluton which is assumed to be Cretaceous in age.
Alteration: The epidote-garnet skarn appears to have an overprinting hydrous alteration of mica, actinolite, and chlorite. Limonitic staining is present.

Commodities (Major) - Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn
Development Status: None
Deposit Model: Zn-Pb skarn (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 18c)

Other Databases

Link to USGS - Alaska:	BN110

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References