WGS publishes diamond, gold reports

Publications describing potential targets for exploration in the Wyoming geological province and elsewhere in the U.S. are available from the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS).

The publications refer to areas prospective for diamonds, gold, nickel, copper and iron, among other targets.

Senior Economic Geologist W.D. Hausel says any company or prospector interested in searching a region that has been passed over by other exploration groups should contact the WSGS for information.

Within the past 10 years, the WSGS has identified targets for gold, nickel-copper-cobalt, diamonds, rubies and jade.

Although Wyoming is known for its giant coal, oil and gas, and uranium deposits, much of the state is underlain by an Archean craton and Proterozoic mobile belt, which continues north into Canada’s Hearne province. The terrain in Wyoming includes layered mafic complexes, Archean greenstone belts and Proterozoic island arcs. It has been modified by Tertiary calc-alkalic and alkalic igneous provinces.

Among the publications available are the following papers describing potential diamond targets in the U.S.

n WGS Mineral Report MR94-2: Diamonds, kimberlites, lamproites and related rocks in the U.S. — An overview of occurrences in the country, this report describes dozens of large diamonds found in unusual terranes, including the southern Appalachians, western Montana and northern California.

n WGS Mineral Report 94-8: Pacific Coast Diamonds — An Unconvention Source Terrane — This paper describes hundreds of diamonds found along the Pacific Coast, including some unusual mantle rocks that may represent possible sources.

n Open File Report 88-11: Stream sediment sample results in search of kimberlite in southeastern Wyoming — This publication identifies more than 300 stream-sediment sample anomalies containing kimberlitic indicator minerals. The report has been used successfully by companies and consultants in locating kimberlite.