Mineral resources of the Inyo Mountains Wilderness Study Area, Inyo County, California

Abstract

At request of Bureau of Land Management, 13,709 acres of Funeral Mountains Wilderness Study Area (CDCA-143) were studied by U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Bureau of Mines. The study area is located in southeastern part of Funeral Mountains in Death Valley region of eastern California. Geologic, geophysical, and geochemical studies were conducted in study area during 1983-1984. Four lapsed mining claims are present within study There are no active mines in study and there is no evidence of past production from any claim. The study area contains no identified mineral resources. Three drainage basins in central, eastern, and western parts of study area contain anomalous concentrations of lead and zinc, and have a low potential for lead and zinc resources. Borate deposits may be present in subsurface of southwestern part of study area; potential for borate resources is low. Parts of study area were determined to have low potential for resources of bentonite, zeolite minerals, and strontianite (a strontium mineral). Concentrations of these commodities are such that any production from them is likely to be small. Limestone, quartzite, and sand and gravel are found within study area and have a low economic potential due to distance from current markets. Oil, gas, and geothermal resources were not found in study area and so potential is considered low. There is no potential for uranium or thorium resources. Character and Setting The Funeral Mountains Wilderness Study Area is located in southeastern Inyo County, California between eastern boundary of Death Valley National Monument and California-Nevada border (fig. 1). Death Valley Junction, nearest community to study is located 7 mi to southeast. The Funeral Mountains are a repetitious series of fault blocks underlain predominantly by carbonate rock of Cambrian through Mississippian age (570-330 million years before present (Ma); see Geologic time chart, last page of report). The northeast-trending range of fault-controlled mountains encloses small, narrow interior valleys and is bounded by broad, coalescing alluvial fans. The study area is characterized by rugged peaks, steep, sloping ridges, and narrow drainages. Relief within study area is over 4,300 ft. Pyramid Peak, a dominant feature near center of study is highest point at 6,703 ft. The surface elevation drops sharply to 2,400 ft at southwest corner of study In this report, area studied is referred to as the wilderness study area, or simply the study area. Identified Resources None of prospects within study area have identified resources of industrial commodities. However, American Borate Company operates Billie mine 4 mi southwest of study area (fig. 2). Small-scale mining at Sidehill mine, 2 mi east of eastern boundary of study produces clay for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The I.M. Vanderbilt mine (fig. 2, No. 14), operated by Industroa; Mineral Ventures, produces hectorite and sepiolite 3.5 mi northeast of study area near Franklin Wells.