This CD-ROM publication provides a GIS analysis of a summary terrane map, mineral deposit maps, and metallogenic belt maps for the Russian Far East, Alaska, Canadian Cordillera and adjacent offshore areas. As part of the GIS analysis, the CD-ROM publication provides data bases containing summary characteristics of geology, mineral deposits, and metallogenic belts, and a detailed data base of the significant lode deposits and placer districts for the region that can be interactively analyzed, viewed, and printed. The CD-ROM publication also provides digital cartographic data for the maps in several formats. The original summary terrane map and metallogenic belt maps were published at a scale of 1:10,000,000 and the mineral deposit location maps at a scale of 1:5,000,000. The onshore part of the summary terrane map is utilized as a geologic base map for the mineral deposit and metallogenic belt maps.

This CD-ROM publication is one of a series of publications for a large collaborative project on the Major Mineral Deposits, Metallogenesis, and Tectonics of the Russian Far East, Alaska, and the Canadian Cordillera. This project is providing critical information for collaborators and customers on the major metalliferous mineral resources, metallogenic patterns, and crustal origin and evolution of mineralizing systems for the region. The major collaborating agencies for the project are the Russian Academy of Sciences, ROSKOMNEDRA, the Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, the Geological Survey of Canada, the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Alaska, Michigan State University, and Exxon Production Research. Other Western supporters of the project are Stanford University, the Northwest Mining Association, the Alaska Miners Association, and the Society of Economic Geologists. Customers include scientists and managers in major governmental agencies, universities, private environmental, resource, and information companies, news media, and professional organizations in North America, Eastern Asia, and the Russian Far East. and the international general public. A major international customer is the Commerce Working Group of the Gore-Chernomydrin Commission (GCC) chaired by Vice-President Gore (USA) and Premier Chernomydrin (Russia).

The major scientific goals and benefits of the project are to: (1) provide a comprehensive international data base on the mineral resources of the region that is the first, extensive knowledge available in English; (2) provide major new interpretations of the origin and crustal evolution of mineralizing systems and their host rocks, thereby enabling enhanced, broad-scale tectonic reconstructions and interpretations; and (3) promote trade and scientific and technical exchanges between North America and Eastern Asia. Data from the project are providing sound scientific data and interpretations for commercial firms, governmental agencies, universities, and individuals that are developing new ventures and studies in the project area, and for land-use planning studies that deal with both mineral potential issues. The Russian Far East, Alaska and the Canadian Cordillera, have vast potential for known and undiscovered mineral deposits. In addition, major belts of mineral deposits (metallogenic belts) and host geologic units can be traced around the Circum-North Pacific from the Russian Far East into Alaska and the Canadian Cordillera. However, little information existed in English in the West for the Russian part of the project about mineral deposits, metallogenic belts, and hosting geologic units until publication of products from this project. In addition, little information existed on the tracing or correlation of mineral deposit belts and hosting geologic units around the Circum-North Pacific until inception of this project.