3
these elements, As, Bi, and Sb are all significantly enriched
in stream sediments compared to average UCC both on
a mean (5 to 50 times) and maximum (up to 1000 times
for Sb) basis. Cu is significantly enriched in stream sedi-
ments compared to average UCC based on the maximum
value (over 20 times), though the average Cu concentration
resembles that of the UCC.
Some elements are shown to correlate positively with
one another and may reflect the deposit style these elements
are found in. For example, As, Bi, Cu, and Sb all correlate
positively with one another (Figure 2) and may indicate
that these elements are found together within copper-
containing veins. Similarly, Co, Cr, MgO, Ni, and V all
correlate positively with one another (Figure 3) and may
indicate a relationship with the mafic and ultramafic rocks
found in the district. As these rocks may host PGE, samples
elevated in these elements will be analyzed for PGE as this
analysis was not included with the standard trace element
analytical package. Some of the stream sediment samples
highest in MgO are shown to have been downstream from
areas with previously mapped exposure of ultramafic rocks
(Figure 4). Elevated barium (up to 2122 ppm) in stream
sediment samples is likely related to barite found in fluorite
veins in the district. McLemore (2013) notes that barite
is usually found in trace amounts associated with fluorite
veins, but that a barite vein 30 cm wide and several hun-
dred meters long was found at the Mirabal mine, a former
fluorite mine. Barite may be more abundant than previ-
ously noted, and its presence in stream sediments may serve
as a vector to identify previously unmapped fluorite veins.
Preliminary Conclusions
The Zuni Mountains have been historically mined for min-
eral commodities that we now consider to be critical min-
erals, including fluorspar and copper. Initial geochemical
data analysis of the stream sediment samples collected in
the Zuni Mountains shows a wide range of concentrations
for various critical minerals. In particular, As, Bi, and Sb
are, on average, enriched significantly above average upper
continental crustal values. Several elements correlate posi-
tively with one another and may indicate a common host
deposit style, such as copper-containing veins for As, Bi,
Cu, and Sb, or mafic and ultramafic rocks for Co, Cr, Ni,
and V. Samples elevated in MgO and Ni will be reanalyzed
for PGE, which have the potential to be hosted by ultra-
mafic rocks in the district. While the tonnage of mineral
deposits in the district may be too small to be of current
economic interest, the possibility of co-producing critical
minerals associated with these deposits (e.g., barite found
with fluorite veins) may affect the economic viability
Figure 2. Plots of MgO vs Co (A), Cr (B), and V (C) showing
positive correlations between these elements. Mafic and
ultramafic rocks may be enriched in these elements within
the Zuni Mountains
these elements, As, Bi, and Sb are all significantly enriched
in stream sediments compared to average UCC both on
a mean (5 to 50 times) and maximum (up to 1000 times
for Sb) basis. Cu is significantly enriched in stream sedi-
ments compared to average UCC based on the maximum
value (over 20 times), though the average Cu concentration
resembles that of the UCC.
Some elements are shown to correlate positively with
one another and may reflect the deposit style these elements
are found in. For example, As, Bi, Cu, and Sb all correlate
positively with one another (Figure 2) and may indicate
that these elements are found together within copper-
containing veins. Similarly, Co, Cr, MgO, Ni, and V all
correlate positively with one another (Figure 3) and may
indicate a relationship with the mafic and ultramafic rocks
found in the district. As these rocks may host PGE, samples
elevated in these elements will be analyzed for PGE as this
analysis was not included with the standard trace element
analytical package. Some of the stream sediment samples
highest in MgO are shown to have been downstream from
areas with previously mapped exposure of ultramafic rocks
(Figure 4). Elevated barium (up to 2122 ppm) in stream
sediment samples is likely related to barite found in fluorite
veins in the district. McLemore (2013) notes that barite
is usually found in trace amounts associated with fluorite
veins, but that a barite vein 30 cm wide and several hun-
dred meters long was found at the Mirabal mine, a former
fluorite mine. Barite may be more abundant than previ-
ously noted, and its presence in stream sediments may serve
as a vector to identify previously unmapped fluorite veins.
Preliminary Conclusions
The Zuni Mountains have been historically mined for min-
eral commodities that we now consider to be critical min-
erals, including fluorspar and copper. Initial geochemical
data analysis of the stream sediment samples collected in
the Zuni Mountains shows a wide range of concentrations
for various critical minerals. In particular, As, Bi, and Sb
are, on average, enriched significantly above average upper
continental crustal values. Several elements correlate posi-
tively with one another and may indicate a common host
deposit style, such as copper-containing veins for As, Bi,
Cu, and Sb, or mafic and ultramafic rocks for Co, Cr, Ni,
and V. Samples elevated in MgO and Ni will be reanalyzed
for PGE, which have the potential to be hosted by ultra-
mafic rocks in the district. While the tonnage of mineral
deposits in the district may be too small to be of current
economic interest, the possibility of co-producing critical
minerals associated with these deposits (e.g., barite found
with fluorite veins) may affect the economic viability
Figure 2. Plots of MgO vs Co (A), Cr (B), and V (C) showing
positive correlations between these elements. Mafic and
ultramafic rocks may be enriched in these elements within
the Zuni Mountains