Geology and Ore Deposits of the Golden Era and Goldfinch Mines, Argenta Mining District, Montana.

This report includes the results of geological investigation of a small area in the northern part of the Argenta mining district. Approximately two square miles were mapped. The underground working of the three mines only were accessible: the Goldfinch. Golden Era, and Mayday mines.

Groundwater Under the Butte Hill - The East Camp Mining System and the Berkeley Pit

This lecture discusses monitoring activities of the Berkeley Pit for the past 31 years at the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology in Butte, Montana.

Geochemistry and Stable Isotopes of Surface Water and Groundwater in the Continental Pit in Butte, Montana, USA

The Continental porphyry Cu‐Mo mine, located 2 km east of the famous Berkeley Pit lake of Butte, Montana, contains two small lakes that vary in size depending on mining activity. In contrast to the acidic Berkeley Pit lake, the Continental Pit waters have near-neutral pH and relatively low metal concentrations. The main reason is geological: whereas the Berkeley Pit mined highly‐altered granite rich in pyrite with no neutralizing potential, the Continental Pit is mining weakly‐altered granite with lower pyrite concentrations and up to 1‐2% hydrothermal calcite. The purpose of this study was to gather and interpret information that bears on the chemistry of surface water and groundwater in the active Continental Pit. Pre‐existing chemistry data from sampling of the Continental Pit were compiled from the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology and Montana Department of Environmental Quality records. In addition, in March of 2013, new water samples were collected from the mine’s main dewatering well, the Sarsfield well, and a nearby acidic seep (Pavilion Seep) and analyzed for trace metals and several stable isotopes, including dD and d18O of water, d13C of dissolved inorganic carbon, and d34S of dissolved sulfate. In December 2013, several soil samples were collected from the shore of the frozen pit lake and surrounding area. The soil samples were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction to determine mineral content. Based on Visual Minteq modeling, water in the Continental Pit lake is near equilibrium with a number of carbonate, sulfate, and molybdate minerals, including calcite, dolomite, rhodochrosite (MnCO3), brochantite (CuSO4·3Cu(OH)2), malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2), hydrozincite (Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6), gypsum, and powellite (CaMoO4). The fact that these minerals are close to equilibrium suggests that they are present on the weathered mine walls and/or in the sediment of the surface water ponds. X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the pond “beach” sample failed to show any discrete metal‐bearing phases. One of the soil samples collected higher in the mine, near an area of active weathering of chalcocite‐rich ore, contained over 50% chalcanthite (CuSO4·5H2O). This water‐soluble copper salt is easily dissolved in water, and is probably a major source of copper to the pond and underlying groundwater system. However, concentrations of copper in the latter are probably controlled by other, less‐soluble minerals, such as brochantite or malachite. Although the acidity of the Pavilion Seep is high (~ 11 meq/L), the flow is much less than the Sarsfield Well at the current time. Thus, the pH, major and minor element chemistry in the Continental Pit lakes are buffered by calcite and other carbonate minerals. For the Continental Pit waters to become acidic, the influx of acidic seepage (e.g., Pavilion Seep) would need to increase substantially over its present volume.

Geology of the Tuxedo Mining District

The Tuxedo mining district lies fifteen miles west of Butte on the south east end of Deer Lodge valley. Prospecting and mining has been carried on in this district for about 20 years. As a result many pits have been dug, several adits have been driven, and two or three shallow shafts have been sunk.

Geology and Ore Deposits of the Salt Chuck-Rush and Brown Mine Area Prince of Wales Island, Alaska

The Salt Chuck, Rush and Brown, and adjacent mines and claims form an area of approximately 15 square miles near the head of Kasaan Bay about 10 miles northwest of the village of Kasaan on Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska. It is an area of moderate relief in which the hills rise from the water’s edge to heights of some 500 feet. Most of the area is covered with dense vegetation and muskeg.

A Geological Report on Several Localities in the Northwestern Tobacco Root Mountains

To better acquaint seniors in Geology and mining with actual field practice, the Montana School of Mines offer a course in Geologic Field Mapping, during the three weeks preceding the opening of the fall semester. The first two weeks are spent in actual field mapping of the geologic formations near Whitehall, Montana, while the third week is spent back on the campus compiling data and finishing maps started in the field.

Some Notes on the Composition of "Copper Pitch"

A supply of so-called "copper pitch" ore was received by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology in response to a request by them from a resident of Kalispell, who had previously sent a specimen to the Bureau for a mineralogical analysis. Since this material was little known and had apparently received but little study under a reflec­ting microscope, it was thought that such a study might throw some light on the mineralogical and chemical composition of the material.

The Amplifier - v. 4, no. 8

In this issue...Mines Hockey, Ed Simonich, Faculty Wives Club, convocation, Mineral Research Center, Drama Club, Memoir 36, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology

Materials-Handling Hazard Controls: Assessment of Haddon’s Injury Control Strategies

This investigation assessed the applicability of Dr. William Haddon’s strategies for controlling hazards involving materials-handling operations in industrial and mining workplaces. Published over 20 years ago, Haddon’s strategies purport to include all strategies for preventing and mitigating harm to people, property, and the environment. Students in an undergraduate class were assigned to find tactical examples of each of Haddon’s strategies applicable to material handling. Haddon’s tenth strategy involving medical care and rehabilitation was not included. Their classifications were analyzed to identify points of confusion as well as points of general agreement. Students found numerous tactics for strategies involving engineering and behavioral strategies. Fewer tactics were identified for strategies involving damage control through effective and timely response.

The Amplifier - v. 5, no. 9

In this issue...Engineering Days, Mine Rescue and First Aid, Chemistry Department, Mineral Club, Anderson-Carlisle Society, Honor Roll, Continental Oil Company, Intramural basketball

The Amplifier - v. 6, no. 9

In this issue...M Days, beard contest, Anderson - Carlisle Society, Honor Roll, South Africa, Magma, International Club, First Aid, Bob Hauck, Continental Oil Company, Montana Power

The Amplifier - v. 7, no. 8

in this issue...Sweetheart Swirl Dance, R J Trio, Air Force Base, Civil Rights, Bill Barry's Boxing Club, International Club, Donald E. Mahagin, Main Hall

Montana Talc; Problems in Physical Properties

General information on talc, including foreign and United States occurrences, origin, and uses is covered. Montana deposits are discussed in greater detail as to location, geology, mineralogy, and mining. Studies of talc by petrographic and x-ray methods and an experiment to determine the porosity are described and discussed.