5
the hornblende can be interpreted as the intrusion age of
the dike, and the age of the K-spar can be interpreted as an
alteration episode.
The age spectrum for Hill 2000 is highly discordant,
with the best estimate using an inverse isochron at ~83 Ma,
8 million years older than the previous estimates of the
intrusion at around ~75 Ma [8]. The high apparent age
for steps F and G suggests excess argon (Figure 7), possibly
from fluid inclusions or xenocrystic material. It is possible
that the material dated may be from nearby Proterozoic
material.
This new geochronological work for the Camel
Mountain – Eagle’s Nest district shows that the intrusions
of the area are more likely mid-Tertiary and extensional
related rather than Laramide arc-subduction related.
FUTURE WORK
Further geochronology of more mining districts in New
Mexico is currently underway to improve the geological
understanding of these mineral deposits, as well as addi-
tional characterization with whole rock and trace element
geochemistry, petrography, and electron microprobe analy-
sis (EMPA). It is expected that in addition to differences
in age, mid-Tertiary systems could also have different geo-
chemical characteristics, and the potential critical mineral
byproducts from production could be different.
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
New geochronology for the Camel Mountain – Eagle’s
Nest district shows that intrusions and mineralization in
the district is mid-Tertiary in age, not Laramide. More geo-
chronology work in other systems will enhance our geo-
logical understanding of these systems, along with further
characterization with geochemistry, petrography, and elec-
tron microprobe analysis.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work is part of ongoing research of the economic geol-
ogy of mineral resources in New Mexico at the New Mexico
Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR),
Dr. Nelia Dunbar, Director and State Geologist. This study
Figure 5. Age spectrum for PROS 100
Figure 6. Age spectrum for PROS 100-1 (hornblende, black)
and PROS 1004 (K-spar, green)
Figure 7. Age spectrum for Hill 2000
the hornblende can be interpreted as the intrusion age of
the dike, and the age of the K-spar can be interpreted as an
alteration episode.
The age spectrum for Hill 2000 is highly discordant,
with the best estimate using an inverse isochron at ~83 Ma,
8 million years older than the previous estimates of the
intrusion at around ~75 Ma [8]. The high apparent age
for steps F and G suggests excess argon (Figure 7), possibly
from fluid inclusions or xenocrystic material. It is possible
that the material dated may be from nearby Proterozoic
material.
This new geochronological work for the Camel
Mountain – Eagle’s Nest district shows that the intrusions
of the area are more likely mid-Tertiary and extensional
related rather than Laramide arc-subduction related.
FUTURE WORK
Further geochronology of more mining districts in New
Mexico is currently underway to improve the geological
understanding of these mineral deposits, as well as addi-
tional characterization with whole rock and trace element
geochemistry, petrography, and electron microprobe analy-
sis (EMPA). It is expected that in addition to differences
in age, mid-Tertiary systems could also have different geo-
chemical characteristics, and the potential critical mineral
byproducts from production could be different.
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
New geochronology for the Camel Mountain – Eagle’s
Nest district shows that intrusions and mineralization in
the district is mid-Tertiary in age, not Laramide. More geo-
chronology work in other systems will enhance our geo-
logical understanding of these systems, along with further
characterization with geochemistry, petrography, and elec-
tron microprobe analysis.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work is part of ongoing research of the economic geol-
ogy of mineral resources in New Mexico at the New Mexico
Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR),
Dr. Nelia Dunbar, Director and State Geologist. This study
Figure 5. Age spectrum for PROS 100
Figure 6. Age spectrum for PROS 100-1 (hornblende, black)
and PROS 1004 (K-spar, green)
Figure 7. Age spectrum for Hill 2000