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Uranium-bearing copper deposits in the Coyote district, Mora County, New Mexico

Circular 334
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/cir334

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Abstract

Uranium-bearing copper deposits occur in steeply dipping beds of the Sangre de Cristo formation of Pennsylvanian and Permian(?) age south of Coyote, Mora County, N. Mex. Mapping and sampling of these deposits indicate that they are found in lenticular carbonaceous zones in shales and arkosic sandstones. Samples from these zones contain as much as 0.067 percent uranium and average 3 percent copper. Metatyuyamunite is dissemihatedin some of the arkosic sandstone beds, and uraninite is present in some of the copper sulfide nodules occurring in the shale. These sulfide nodules are composed principally of chalcocite but include some bornite, covellite, pyrite, and malachite. Most of the samples were collected near the surface from the weathered zone. The copper and uranium were probably deposited with the sediments and concentrated into zones during compaction and lithification. Carbonaceous material in the Sangre de Cristo formation provided the environment that precipitated uranium and copper from mineral-charged connate waters forced from the clayey sediments.

Suggested Citation

Zeller, H.D., Baltz, E.H., 1954, Uranium-bearing copper deposits in the Coyote district, Mora County, New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 334, ii, 11 p. :illus., maps (1 fold.) tables. ;27 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/cir334.

ISSN: 2330-5703 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Uranium-bearing copper deposits in the Coyote district, Mora County, New Mexico
Series title Circular
Series number 334
DOI 10.3133/cir334
Year Published 1954
Language ENGLISH
Publisher [U.S. Geological Survey],
Description ii, 11 p. :illus., maps (1 fold.) tables. ;27 cm.
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