DNR Reports 295: Reconnaissance Mineral Potential Evaluation, Central Minnesota

DNR Report 295 Volumes 1 & 2: Reconnaissance Mineral Potential Evaluation, Central Minnesota, Open File Report, 1993. 
DNR Report 295-2: Central Minnesota: Compilation of Metallic Mineral Potential Databases for Analysis Using Geographic Information Systems

Project Funded in Part by the Minerals Coordinating Committee Through the Mineral Diversification Program

Introduction extracted from page 1 of the report:

Introduction Drilling has traditionally been a cost effective means of evaluating sand and gravel deposits. It is used to collect samples that are representative of the deposit. These samples are typically sent to a material lab for sieve analysis to determine the particle size distributions. The particle size distributions of the samples help determine the overall texture of the deposit, which is a key factor in determining the value of the deposit. However, different drilling equipment specifications, sample collection techniques, and reduction techniques all affect the final results of the sieve analysis, which in turn can dramatically affect the final evaluation of the deposit. 

 

 

Abstract extracted from Report 295, Volume 1:

REPORT 295 VOLUME 1 ABSTRACT (First three paragraphs only)  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minerals Division, has completed a program using contemporary methods to begin to evaluate the mineral potential of a large part of Central Minnesota, (see index map in pocket). This project is oriented toward identifying nonferrous metallic mineralization, associated alteration or lithologic units and structures permissive of such mineralization. The purposes are: 1. To serve land use planning within the DNR; 2. To encourage private exploration through better data access, and; 3. To serve government agency planning of future programs. 

The goal of creating an improved regional mineral potential evaluation was approached by seeking: 1. Mineral occurrences, or lithologic units and structures permissive of mineral deposits. 2. Defining basic bedrock lithologic locations from existing drill core. 3. Creating 1:62,500 scale inferred geologic maps, which display interpreted mineral potential, using available geophysical and geologic data supplemented by some field work. 3. Re-evaluating existing geochemical surveys using contemporaneous statistical analytical methods. Both the inferred geologic mapping and re-evaluation of geochemical data required assemblage of available data in digital formats, which enhanced the geologic database in this region of few outcrops. This improved the availability of data for use by all our clients in the public and private sectors. The process of converting the geological data for this area into a digital format is continuing (see Index to Minerals Resource Information in Central Minnesota, in progress). 

Data used in this project are from several sources which are divided into two groups: The major part of the data base which existed prior to this project, and; new data acquired as a part of this project. Existing data sources were: 1. Exploration data and drilling done by private industry or government agencies which is available to the public at the DNR Minerals Library in Hibbing; 2. Geologic maps, airborne magnetic surveys, and gravity surveys, funded by the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, and done by the Minnesota Geological Survey; 3. Geochemical surveys done by the United States Department of Energy and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; 4. Data from Mineral Division files. 

 

View or download reports

Report 295, Volume 1: Reconnaissance Mineral Potential Evaluation, Central Minnesota, Open File Report. 
(384 pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, Large File Size - 13.90 MB) 
Authors: B.F. Frey and T.L. Lawler 

Report 295, Volume 2: Reconnaissance Mineral Potential Evaluation, Central Minnesota, Open File Report. 
(265 pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, Large File Size - 9.56 MB) 
Authors: B.F. Frey and T.L. Lawler 

Report 295-2: Central Minnesota: Compilation of Metallic Mineral Potential Databases for Analysis Using Geographic Information Systems. 
(73 pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, 2.61 MB) 
Authors: B.F. Frey and T.L. Lawler

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View or download plates

Plate 1 for 295-2: Inferred Bedrock Geologic - Mineral Potential Maps: Modified from Spector (1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995) 
(11 x 17 inches, full size, 977 kb) 
Author: MN DNR, Lands and Minerals Division

 

Digital data available

Raw digital data of report 295 is available by request.

 

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