8
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the criti-
cal minerals in mine wastes of three districts. The presence
of these critical minerals in the waste material could be
of economic interest. The recognition of critical minerals
could be important for enhancing the overall economic
well-being of the United States. Copper Flat mines tail-
ings (Hillsboro district) are elevated in Bi, Co, Cu, Ga, Te,
Zn, and Zr. Black Hawk district mine waste samples are
elevated in Ag, Co, Ba, Cu, Ni, Zn, and TREE, and Kelly
mine, Magdalena district mine waste samples are elevated
in Cu, Zn, and Pb. Mining companies need to determine
if these concentrations could be economic. Determination
of acid generating potential in the area suggests that Black
Hawk mine wastes are non-acid forming. Determination
of acid-generating potential in the area suggests that Black
Hawk District mine wastes are classified as non-acid-form-
ing. High S in some samples from Hillsboro and Magdalena
districts results in a classification of acid forming and can
potentially cause acid mine drainage.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work is part of ongoing research of the economic geol-
ogy of mineral resources in New Mexico at NMBGMR,
Mike Timmons, Director, and State Geologist. This study
was partially funded by the USGS Earth MRI Cooperative
Agreements No. G23AC00373 (mapping of Black Hawk
area) and G22AC00510 (critical minerals in mine wastes).
Thanks to Jacob Newcomer for his contribution to con-
ducting the XRD analysis, and to Sara Moses and Abena
Acheampong-Mensah for their assistance in performing the
paste pH. Thanks to Dr. McLemore’s Economy Geology
group that contributed in collecting samples. Sample col-
lecting by the Magdalena High School science class is
appreciated.
REFERENCES
[1] Amato, J. M., Mack G. H., Jonell, T.N., Seager,
W. R., and Upchurch, G. R. (2017), “Onset of the
Laramide orogeny and associated magmatism in
southern New Mexico based on U-Pb geochronol-
ogy,” GSA Bulletin September/October 2017 v. 129
no. 9/10 p. 1209–1226 doi: 10.1130/B31629.1.
[2] Borden, R. (2001), “Geochemical evolution of
sulphide-bearing waste rock soils at the Bingham
Canyon mine, Utah,” Geochem Explor Environ Anal,
1, 15–22.
[3] Dale, V. B., and McKinney W. A. (1959), “Tungsten
deposits of New Mexico, U. S. Bureau of Mines,”
Report of Investigation 5517.
[4] European Commission, (2009), “Reference
Document on Best Available Techniques for
Management of Tailings and Waste-Rock in Mining
Activities.” January.
[5] EPA. (1993), “Acid generation prediction,” Mining
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid
Waste Special Waste Branch 2800 Crystal Drive Crystal
City, VA 20202.
[6] Gillerman, E., and Whitebread D. H. (1953),
“The Uranium-Bearing Nickel-cobalt-Native Silver
Deposits in the Black Hawk District, Grant County,
New Mexico, 1009-K. US Geological Survey, Bulletin,
313.
[7] Hedlund, D.C. (1980), “Geologic Map of the
Redrock NE Quadrangle, Grant County, New
Mexico»: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field
Studies Map MF1264, scale 1:24,000.
[8] Lapakko, K., (1990), “Regulatory Mine Waste
Characterization: A Parallel to Economic Resource
Evaluation,” Mining and Mineral Processing Wastes.
Proceedings of the Western Regional Symposium on
Mining and Mineral Processing Wastes, 31–39.
[9] Loughlin, G. F. and Koschmann, A. H. (1942),
“Geology and ore deposits of the Magdalena min-
ing district, New Mexico» U.S. Geological Survey
Professional Paper 200, 168 p.
[10] McAnulty, W.N. (1978), “Fluorspar in New
Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral
Resources,” Memoir 34, 64 p.
[11] McLemore, V.T., 2024, Mining history in the Black
Hawk district, Burro Mountains, southwestern Ne
Mexico: Society Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration,
Inc., preprint (in press).
[12] McLemore, V.T. and Owen, E.J., 2024, Geochemistry
of critical minerals in mine wastes in New Mexico:
Mining Engineering, November, p. 23–30.
[13] McLemore, V.T., Sutphin D.M., Hack D.R., and
Pease T.C., (1996), “Mining history and mineral
resources of the Mimbres Resource area, Dona Ana,
Luna, Hidalgo, and Grant Counties, New Mexico,”
New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources
Open File Report OF-424, p. 251.
[14] McLemore, V.T., Munroe, E.A., Heizler, M.T.,
McKee, C. (2000), “Geology and evolution of the
mineral deposits in the Hillsboro District, Sierra
County, New Mexico in Geology and Ore Deposits,”
The Great Basin and Beyond: Geological Society of
Nevada, Program with abstracts, p. 63.
PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the criti-
cal minerals in mine wastes of three districts. The presence
of these critical minerals in the waste material could be
of economic interest. The recognition of critical minerals
could be important for enhancing the overall economic
well-being of the United States. Copper Flat mines tail-
ings (Hillsboro district) are elevated in Bi, Co, Cu, Ga, Te,
Zn, and Zr. Black Hawk district mine waste samples are
elevated in Ag, Co, Ba, Cu, Ni, Zn, and TREE, and Kelly
mine, Magdalena district mine waste samples are elevated
in Cu, Zn, and Pb. Mining companies need to determine
if these concentrations could be economic. Determination
of acid generating potential in the area suggests that Black
Hawk mine wastes are non-acid forming. Determination
of acid-generating potential in the area suggests that Black
Hawk District mine wastes are classified as non-acid-form-
ing. High S in some samples from Hillsboro and Magdalena
districts results in a classification of acid forming and can
potentially cause acid mine drainage.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work is part of ongoing research of the economic geol-
ogy of mineral resources in New Mexico at NMBGMR,
Mike Timmons, Director, and State Geologist. This study
was partially funded by the USGS Earth MRI Cooperative
Agreements No. G23AC00373 (mapping of Black Hawk
area) and G22AC00510 (critical minerals in mine wastes).
Thanks to Jacob Newcomer for his contribution to con-
ducting the XRD analysis, and to Sara Moses and Abena
Acheampong-Mensah for their assistance in performing the
paste pH. Thanks to Dr. McLemore’s Economy Geology
group that contributed in collecting samples. Sample col-
lecting by the Magdalena High School science class is
appreciated.
REFERENCES
[1] Amato, J. M., Mack G. H., Jonell, T.N., Seager,
W. R., and Upchurch, G. R. (2017), “Onset of the
Laramide orogeny and associated magmatism in
southern New Mexico based on U-Pb geochronol-
ogy,” GSA Bulletin September/October 2017 v. 129
no. 9/10 p. 1209–1226 doi: 10.1130/B31629.1.
[2] Borden, R. (2001), “Geochemical evolution of
sulphide-bearing waste rock soils at the Bingham
Canyon mine, Utah,” Geochem Explor Environ Anal,
1, 15–22.
[3] Dale, V. B., and McKinney W. A. (1959), “Tungsten
deposits of New Mexico, U. S. Bureau of Mines,”
Report of Investigation 5517.
[4] European Commission, (2009), “Reference
Document on Best Available Techniques for
Management of Tailings and Waste-Rock in Mining
Activities.” January.
[5] EPA. (1993), “Acid generation prediction,” Mining
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid
Waste Special Waste Branch 2800 Crystal Drive Crystal
City, VA 20202.
[6] Gillerman, E., and Whitebread D. H. (1953),
“The Uranium-Bearing Nickel-cobalt-Native Silver
Deposits in the Black Hawk District, Grant County,
New Mexico, 1009-K. US Geological Survey, Bulletin,
313.
[7] Hedlund, D.C. (1980), “Geologic Map of the
Redrock NE Quadrangle, Grant County, New
Mexico»: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field
Studies Map MF1264, scale 1:24,000.
[8] Lapakko, K., (1990), “Regulatory Mine Waste
Characterization: A Parallel to Economic Resource
Evaluation,” Mining and Mineral Processing Wastes.
Proceedings of the Western Regional Symposium on
Mining and Mineral Processing Wastes, 31–39.
[9] Loughlin, G. F. and Koschmann, A. H. (1942),
“Geology and ore deposits of the Magdalena min-
ing district, New Mexico» U.S. Geological Survey
Professional Paper 200, 168 p.
[10] McAnulty, W.N. (1978), “Fluorspar in New
Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral
Resources,” Memoir 34, 64 p.
[11] McLemore, V.T., 2024, Mining history in the Black
Hawk district, Burro Mountains, southwestern Ne
Mexico: Society Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration,
Inc., preprint (in press).
[12] McLemore, V.T. and Owen, E.J., 2024, Geochemistry
of critical minerals in mine wastes in New Mexico:
Mining Engineering, November, p. 23–30.
[13] McLemore, V.T., Sutphin D.M., Hack D.R., and
Pease T.C., (1996), “Mining history and mineral
resources of the Mimbres Resource area, Dona Ana,
Luna, Hidalgo, and Grant Counties, New Mexico,”
New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources
Open File Report OF-424, p. 251.
[14] McLemore, V.T., Munroe, E.A., Heizler, M.T.,
McKee, C. (2000), “Geology and evolution of the
mineral deposits in the Hillsboro District, Sierra
County, New Mexico in Geology and Ore Deposits,”
The Great Basin and Beyond: Geological Society of
Nevada, Program with abstracts, p. 63.