Mining News: News Nuggets: DGGS maps metals-rich Talkeetna Mountains

The Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys July 16 published preliminary results of geologic mapping conducted in the Talkeetna Mountains during 2014. The resultant map presents new, detailed information about bedrock geology, surficial deposits, and faults for a 450-square-mile area about 50 miles east of the town of Talkeetna. DGGS says the results have implications for platinum, gold, and copper exploration in the region, and for the proposed Susitna–Watana hydropower project, which lies immediately north of the map area. The mapping in the Talkeetna Mountains is a part of a multi-year DGGS assessment of the strategic and critical minerals of the western Wrangellia geologic province, an approximately 4,000-square-mile area stretching from Talkeetna to Paxson. This work is part of DGGS’ long-term effort to develop an accurate understanding of the geology of Alaska to facilitate economic development and provide information for the management of the state’s natural resources. While detailed geologic maps are available for most of the Lower 48, many areas of Alaska, including the Talkeetna Mountains, have only reconnaissance-scale geologic mapping. The geologic mapping was funded by the Alaska Legislature through the Alaska Airborne Geophysical/Geological Mineral Inventory Program and the Alaska Strategic and Critical Minerals Assessment Capital Improvement Project. Additional funding was received through the STATEMAP component of the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. The map and a preliminary interpretive report may be downloaded from http://www.dggs.alaska.gov/pubs/id/29470.

- Shane Lasley

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