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The Leyden uranium prospect, Jefferson County, Colorado

Trace Elements Memorandum 132
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/tem132

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Abstract

The Leyden uranium prospect is in sec. 28, T, 2 S., R. 70 W, Jefferson County, Cplo, Examination of the property was made in February 1950. Uranium was first reported in this locality in 1875 by Captain E. L. Berthoud, who noted uranium minerals associated with the main coal bed. The Old Leyden coal mine workings have long been abandoned and caved, but specimens of the uranium-bearing rock can be seen on the old dump 700 feet to the south. The mineralized coal bed is 10 to 12 feet thick and occurs near the base of the Laramie formation of Upper Cretaceous age. Uranium minerals are present in the form of yellow incrustations and inclusions in fractured and partly silicified coal. Petrographic studies indicate that the silica and uranium minerals were deposited after deposition and carbonization of the coal. Secondary uranium minerals also were found by C. R. Butler along the outcrop of the sandstones in the Laramie formation. No uranium minerals were found in place by the writer, but four samples from the dump contained 0.001, 0,005, 0.17 and 0.69 percent uranium.

Suggested Citation

Gott, G.B., 1950, The Leyden uranium prospect, Jefferson County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Memorandum 132, Report: 8 p.; Plate: 24.73 inches x 19.26 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/tem132.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title The Leyden uranium prospect, Jefferson County, Colorado
Series title Trace Elements Memorandum
Series number 132
DOI 10.3133/tem132
Year Published 1950
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 8 p.; Plate: 24.73 inches x 19.26 inches
Country United States
State Colorado
County Jefferson County
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details