USGS Home
Contact USGS
Search USGS

Project status is complete. Please check the CMERSC project list for currently active projects.

Metallogenic evolution of Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks in Idaho and Montana

Project Objectives

The objectives of this Project were twofold: to understand the processes of base and precious metal mineralization in the large Mesoproterozoic basins in the northern U.S. Cordillera, and to enhance the prediction of potential for undiscovered mineral deposits in this basin.

A major emphasis of this Project was to refine the known Mesoproterozoic geologic framework of the region, both in terms of stratigraphy and sedimentalogy as well as tectonics of basin development. The Mesoproterozoic deposits in this region host important syngenetic stratabound as well as younger epigenetic mineral deposits; the integration of stratigraphic, tectonic, magmatic, and geochronologic studies assist in the development of mineral deposit models that will further enhance our ability to predict potential for undiscovered deposits.

Key to the success of this Project and the accomplishment of the objectives was the synthesis of as much previously accumulated geologic knowledge as possible—stratigraphic, structural, tectonic, geochronologic—that has been obtained, in large part, by the Headwaters Project.

Relevance & Impact

Exploration for undiscovered mineral deposits in the Mesoproterozic rocks of the northwest U.S. has generally followed traditional programs that require extensive geochemical analysis of stream sediments. Little attention has been paid to prediction of the location of mineral deposits based on tectonic controls or deposit type. The Project's intent was to provide greater insight into tectonic controls of mineral deposition and to enhance knowledge of the mineral deposit models that pertain to metallogeny within the Mesoproterozic basins.

The multidisciplinary study of metallogeny in the northern Cordillera provided new interpretations of the crustal evolution that have direct applicability to new interpretations of mineral resource and environmental assessments in the region. Impacts included:

1. Precambrian basement map, tectonic analysis, and characterization of Paleoproterozoic mineral deposits;
2. palinspastic and tectonic reconstruction of Mesoproterozoic rift basins and characterization of related sediment-hosted deposit types;
3. characterization of timing of orogenesis, composition, and magnetic patterns of the crystalline basement terranes give data for recognition of related Laurentian basement fragments now amalgamated into crust of other continents aiding a global understanding of plate tectonics and paleoclimate (Rodinia reconstructions and Snowball Earth events);
4. tectonic map and analysis of Mesozoic arc-continent oblique collisional zones and translation structures and the characterizition of related mineral deposit types;
5. model for genesis of very different magmatic systems that resulted in different types of mineral deposits (Atlanta, Boulder, Challis systems) or near total lack of mineral deposits despite same compositions and sequences of magmatism (Bitterroot and Kaniksu batholiths);
6. integrated tectonic model of northern U.S. Cordillera; and
7. process-oriented crustal evolution and tectonic setting analyses of mineral deposits with emphasis on Butte, Coeur d'Alene, Montana-Idaho porphyry belt, and sediment-hosted deposits (Blackbird, Spar Lake, etc.) for future resource assessments.

Project Contact

J. Michael O'Neill
Phone:303-236-1288
Email: mnoneill@usgs.gov

Products

Presentations

• O’Neill, J.M., Lopez, D.A., and Ruppel, E.T., 2004, Newly recognized Chief Joseph metamorphic core complex and younger structures in the north-central Beaverhead Mountains, Idaho and Montana—Expanding the temporal limits of post-contractional extension in the northern Rocky Mountains: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 37, no. 6, p. 4. View O'Neill GSA abstract.
• Ruppel, E.T., and O’Neill, J.M., 2003, Early Tertiary detachment faulting in southwest Montana and east-central Idaho: Northwest Geology, v. 32, pp. 222–223.
• Slack, J.F., Aleinikoff, J.N., Belkin, H.E., and Ransom, P., 2004, Mesoproterozoic polycrase-titanite veins in the Sullivan Pb-Zn-Ag deposit, southeastern British Columbia— Mineral chemistry, SHRIMP geochronology, and metallogenic significance: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, no. 5, p. 445. View Slack GSA abstract.
• Slack, J.F., Aleinikoff, J.N., and Fanning, C.M., 2006, SHRIMP U-Pb geochronology of hydrothermal monazite in Co-Cu-Au ores of the Blackbird district, Idaho: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 38, no. 7, p. 372. View Slack GSA abstract.

Maps

• Lopez, D.A., O'Neill, M., and Ruppel, E.T., 2006, Preliminary geologic map of the Montana parts of the Goldstone Mountain and Goldstone Pass 7.5' quadrangle, southwestern Montana: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 536, 8 p., 1 sheet, 1:24,000.
• Lopez, D.A., O'Neill, M., and Ruppel, E.T., 2005, Preliminary geologic map of the Big Hole Pass-Lost Trail Pass area: Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology Open-File Report 522, 8 p., 1 sheet, 1:48,000.
• Sims, P.K., O’Neill, J.M., Bankey, V., and Anderson, E., 2004, Precambrian basement geologic map of Montana— An interpretation of aeromagnetic anomaly map: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Map 2829, scale 1:1,000,000.

Reports

• Bookstrom, A.A., Johnson, C.A., Landis, G.P., and Frost, T.P., 2007, Blackbird Fe-Cu-Co-Au-REE Deposits, in O'Neill, J.M., ed., Metallogeny of Mesoproterozoic Sedimentary Rocks in Idaho and Montana - Studies by the Mineral Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 2004-2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1280, pp. 11-20.
• O'Neill, J.M., editor, 2007, Metallogeny of Mesoproterozoic Sedimentary Rocks in Idaho and Montana - Studies by the Mineral Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 2004-2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1280, 28 p.
• O'Neill, J.M., 2005, Syntectonic Anaconda Conglomerate (new name) - A stratigraphic record of early Tertiary brittle-ductile extension and uplift in southwestern Montana, Chap. A, in O’Neill, J.M., and Tysdal, R.G., eds., Stratigraphic studies in southwestern Montana and adjacent Idaho—Lower Tertiary Anaconda Conglomerate and Mesoproterozoic Gunsight Formation: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1700–A, pp. 1-15.
• O'Neill, J.M., Lonn, J.D., Laeson, D.R., and Kunk, M.J., 2004, Early Tertiary Anaconda metamorphic core complex, southwestern Montana: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 4 (1), pp. 63-72.
• O'Neill, J.M., Ruppel, E.T., and Lopez, D.A., 2007, Great Divide megashear, Montana, Idaho, and Washington—An intraplate crustal-scale shear zone recurrently active since the Mesoproterozoic, in O'Neill, J.M., ed., Metallogeny of Mesoproterozoic Sedimentary Rocks in Idaho and Montana - Studies by the Mineral Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 2004-2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1280, pp. 3-10.
• O'Neill, J.M., and Tysdal, R.G., 2005, Stratigraphic studies in southwestern Montana and adjacent Idaho--lower Tertiary Anaconda Conglomerate and Mesoproterozoic Gunsight Formation: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1700, 39 p.
• Slack, J.F., 2007, Geochemical and mineralogical studies of sulfide and iron oxide deposits in the Idaho cobalt belt, in O'Neill, J.M., ed., Metallogeny of Mesoproterozoic Sedimentary Rocks in Idaho and Montana - Studies by the Mineral Resources Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 2004-2007: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1280, pp. 21-28.
• Slack, J.F., 2006, High REE and Y concentrations in Co-Cu-Au ores of the Blackbird district, Idaho: Economic Geology, v. 101, pp. 275–280.
• Tysdal, R.G., Lindsey, D.A., Lund, K.I., and Winkler, G.R., 2005, Alluvial facies, paleocurrents, and source of the Mesoproterozoic Gunsight Formation, east-central Idaho and southwestern Montana, Chap. B, in O’Neill, J.M., and Tysdal, R.G., eds., Stratigraphic studies in southwestern Montana and adjacent Idaho—Lower Tertiary Anaconda Conglomerate and Mesoproterozoic Gunsight Formation: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1700–B, pp. 21–39.