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Geology of the area adjacent to the Free Enterprise uranium-silver Mine, Boulder District, Jefferson County, Montana

Trace Elements Memorandum 140
Prepared in cooperation the the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/tem140

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Abstract

Uranium minerals.occur in pods associated with cryptocrystalline silica, silver minerals, and scattered sulfide mineral grains in a hydrothermal vein that cuts quartz monzonite and alaskite at the Free Enterprise mine, 2 miles west of Boulder, Mont. The Free Enterprise vein is one of many silicified reef-like structures in this area, most of which trend about N. 60° E. The cryptocrystalline silica zones of the area are lenticular and are bordered by an altered zone where quartz monzonite is the wall rock. No alteration was noticed where alaskite is adjacent to silica zones. No uranium minerals were observed at the surface, but radioactivity anomalies were noted at 57 outcrops. Underground mining has shown that leaching by downward percolating waters has removed most of the uranium from the near-surface part of the Free Enterprise vein and probably has enriched slightly, parts of the vein and the adjacent wall rock from the bottom of the leached zone to the ground-water level. It is possible that other veins that show low to moderate radioactivity at the surface may contain significant concentrations of uranium minerals at relatively shallow depth. The quartz monzonite appears to be a more favorable host rock for the cryptocrystalline silica and associated uranium minerals than the alaskite. The alaskite occurs as vertical_dikes plug-like masses, and as irregularly shaped, gently dipping masses that are believed to have been intruded into open fractures formed during the cooling of the quartz monzonite.

Suggested Citation

Roberts, W., Gude, A.J., 1952, Geology of the area adjacent to the Free Enterprise uranium-silver Mine, Boulder District, Jefferson County, Montana: U.S. Geological Survey Trace Elements Memorandum 140, Report: 25 p.; Plate: 30.94 inches x 31.33 inches, https://doi.org/10.3133/tem140.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geology of the area adjacent to the Free Enterprise uranium-silver Mine, Boulder District, Jefferson County, Montana
Series title Trace Elements Memorandum
Series number 140
DOI 10.3133/tem140
Year Published 1952
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description Report: 25 p.; Plate: 30.94 inches x 31.33 inches
Country United States
State Montana
County Jefferson County
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details