12

PREVIOUS EXPLORATORY CHURN DRILLING

Various companies and individuals have explored parts of the project
area intermittently since 1919. In 1919-20 American Zinc, Lead & Smelting
Co. drilled 17 holes aggregating 5,705 feet of bore on the Winchester prop-
erty in sec. 4, T. 25 N., R. 33 W. In 1924 A. N. Winchester drilled six
holes aggregating approximately 2,430 feet of bore on the property. In 1937
and 1942 St. Louis Smelting & Refining Co. drilled an additional nine holes
aggregating 3,191 feet (14). Figure 6 shows the locations of the holes.
Table 1 of the Appendix summarizes pertinent data on the holes, many of which
penetrated zinc ores.

In 1926, Grasselli Chemical Co. drilled 31 holes aggregating 5,179 feet
of bore on the Snow Property (Ruark) in sec. 10, T. 25 N., R. 33 W. Minable
thicknesses of zinc-lead sulfide ore were penetrated in eight of the holes.
Figure 7 shows the locations of the holes. Table 2 of the Appendix summarizes
pertinent data on these holes.

Available data on other recorded exploratory churn drilling in the proj-
ect area during the period 1919-42, covering approximately 17,470 feet of
bore in 59 holes, are summarized in table 3 of the Appendix.

In 1945-46 the Bureau of Mines drilled 17 holes aggregating 6,353 feet
of bore on the Winchester property (14) to delineate more fully a zinc de-
posit indicated by previous private drilling. Twelve of these holes pene-
trated zinc ore. Table 4 of the Appendix gives pertinent data abstracted
from the logs of these holes.

BUREAU OF MINES EXPLORATION RESEARCH

The Racine-Spurgeon area was selected as a suitable site for explora-
tion research because it appeared to be representative of the southeastern
part of the Tri-State district. Geologic structure and stratigraphic condi-
tions were considered to favor zinc-ore deposition, and much of the area had
not been explored. Considerable information on ore occurrences and related
geologic features was available from records of exploratory drilling. This
information facilitated correlation of geophysical data with geologic data
disclosed by drilling.

The various methods of exploration that have been used during the past
100 years in the search for zinc and lead ores in the Tri-State district have
been studied. These procedures, which ranged from "hunch" drilling to some
of the latest geophysical methods, have had varying degrees of success.

Many of the ore finds in the district are credited to accidental dis-
covery in the course of drilling water wells. Some early prospectors became
quite proficient in inferring the subsurface structure from the limited
topographic features. Direct observation and correlation are precluded by
the thick mantle of alluvium and residuum.


= = =
8 RESISTIVITY
3 g UY 8
ES § Fd g
g 25,800
Rose
¢ >
300 ee)
_——
200
WoRIZGNTAL scare WW “FEET
R-66 R-64 = ° 300 600
euev. vee nts Rss 9-40
Hey es ne
sou, cum
3 aoc vers
Ye | [ souroer
#lle g
° o
Z| zy
3 e
Fi 2
3
3
&|
5 °
eev
sey 2
1000 FEET £
3
- =
¢
4 »
ai H l 2
U LEGENO
Sede U
ves a 2c
hee
eae a 2INe
00 — one FERN
eet
RESISTIVITY PROFILES a
g
F500
z _
DEPTH PENETRATION
2

400 —
oo DEPTH PENETRATION

200 —

FIGURE 20. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-66—R-48,
Scheid-Winchester Tracts.

33


3 3 3 8) resistivity
3 8 g| 8} “Contours
a g 8 g|
(Sa cd
fh R62 hee2\\p-68 21,800N
§ } J |
: §
100
gy :
3° 5}
|

HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET

6 300 00
Ley. - --
has
SOIL, CLAY, BOULDERS p RESIOUUM
7 sme
3
8
“ne
§
ey®
ELEV. sul,
fas.
z
1o00_ FEET =
2
g
a
3
— z
?
i LEGEND
2 Leap a zinc
—? TRaces
LEAD @ ZINC
‘SHINES
LEAO 8 zinc
ORE
800 —
z
3
8
8
2 soo — 8
é RESISTIVITY PROFILE gS
° oe
400 — 00" DEPTH PENETRATION
2
200 —

FIGURE 17. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-62—R-66,
Watson-Scheid Tracts.



38

RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS

R23 Ree, at
Secor 2s

HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET

R-26
R-19 R22
ecev. 157 R23 158 155 ° 300 800
Fe 2
RESIOUUM SOIL, CLAY, BOULDERS
8
2
PS 2
ens
Z| LEGEND
o Sy? LEA 8 ZINC TRACES
evev. 8 5
tas alle LEAD 8 ZING SHINES
1000 FEET 3l|. Leao 8 zinc one
il
z eile
<
g .
8 _
a
2 2
8
| i200
l
A
| 1000
RESISTIVITY PROFILE
= = 800
reaw cen [ u .
rege soe : (oo! DEPTH PENETRATION
« ~ 600
z iy
= -
2 8
8
3 = 400

METER - OHMS

FIGURE 25.

- Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-19-R-26,

Winchester Tract.



R33 Ww

\

9]
ie | | 2
9
L 8 gs iS
* &o he
j} tt
3,400N|

] RUARK-4
perosir |)
lag0on| 128008 ni es
Hs
Loe 6 © No V Haw,

24,2006
24,8008
25,4006
26,000€
26,600€

23,600 | ———-}
CA
—>
> +4
%

20,6006
21,2006
22,4008
23,0008

Le)
BS
D

@ BUREAU OF MINES CHURN s\ dg hs
omit woLe 12,200n za0ons| 88 Sail DF
g HOLE PREVIOUSLY CHURN (UPR
DRILLED <4" 1* 44,
00. SO-RESISTIVITY CONTOURS Wsl 4 °
INTERVAL: 100 METER-OHMS 11,600N uje3on{ \ S|
meri
—— Resistivity TRAVERSE LINE NMS ee
9 25
a N
11,000N 2S
ScALe im reer ra
pee ee R-A0A
° 400 @00-—«1200-«=« 600-2000 1/8, é
Me ha
alg
10,490n ©
10,4008 TH
E 9
g
§
9,920N °

9,800N t t
Sec. 9 (Sec lo &

gage 8 —s 8
sa7sn S888 s oN | \ F 9,350N

9.2008 ps [| a-75.

8,600N

8,000N

7,400N

LET)

FIGURE 5. - Southwestern Part of Racine-Spurgeon Area.



TABLE 1. - Pertinent data abstracted and interpreted from logs of holes churn-drilled

by various private interests on Winchester property,
N1/2 sec. 4, T. 25.N., R. 33 W. (Con.)

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation | drilled| Base of | Top of | Top of |_ Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole*| North | East (£.a.s.) | (feet) residuum] M bed N_bed From- To- Zinc Lead
1L 18,555 | 23,790 1,156 350 25 80 200 275 325 "Trace" "Trace"
12 18,580 | 23,740 1,156 350 27 75 200 270 280 77 0.04
300 309 2.61 +02
309 330 1.22 -
330 339 255 -
13 18,740 | 23,795 1,153 361 30 90 188? 302 334 1.06 -
14 18,805 | 24,330 1,140 340 2 ? ? 273 277 "Trace" -
15 18,625 | 23,715 1,156 350 25 85 205 270 278 2.03 -
300 303 +57 -
303 312 2.17 -
312 321 +78 -
321 333 2.06 -
333 342 1.11 -
16 18,575 | 23,625 1,157 350 27 85 205? 270 300 2.16 -
315 334 1.48 -
17 18,765 | 23,865 1,151 350 24 85 195? 300 321 2.52 -
321 324 +23 -
18 18,880 | 23,995 1,151 340 Log not available 300 325 2.34 -
325 340 -70 -
19 18,690 | 23,725 1,154 330 do. 280 300 1.68 -
20 18,635 | 23,560 1,156 do. 310 330 +59 -
21 18,665 | 23,585 1,157 do.
22 18,600 | 22,910 1,156 do.
23 17,495 | 23,810 1,160 do.
WC~1 | 18,665 | 23,790 1,154 360 26 85 205 265 280 3.58 0.03
280 302 +91 +02
302 335 2.74 +04
335 340 1.05 -02
WC-2 | 18,790 | 23,885 1,151 340 24 2 205 305 310 -60 -
310 320 2.03 -
320 325 +52 -

8Y


46

a

Nn

10.

ll.

12.

13.

14,

15.

16.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. Mineral Resources of the United States. Annual
Reports, 1885-1923.

WINSLOW, ARTHUR. Lead and Zinc Deposits. Missouri Geol. Survey, vol. 7,
sec. II, 1894, pp. 543-639.

BUCKLEY, E. R., AND BUEHLER, H. A. Geology of the Granby Area, Mo.
Missouri Bureau of Geol. and Mines, vol. 4, 2d ser., 1905, pp. 29-51.

SMITH, W. S. T., AND SIEBENTHAL, C. E. Atlas of the United States,
Joplin District, Folio 148, Missouri-Kansas. Geol. Survey, 1907.

. SIEBENTHAL, C. E. Mineral Resources of Northeastern Oklahoma. Geol.

Survey Bull. 340, 1908, pp. 197-198.

. Origin of Zinc and Lead Deposits of the Joplin Region (Missouri-
Kansas-Oklahoma). Geol. Survey Bull. 606, 1915, 283 pp.

BUREAU OF MINES. Mineral Resources of the United States, 1924-31.
Minerals Yearbooks, 1932-51.

. MISSOURI BUREAU OF GEOLOGY AND MINES, IN COOPERATION WITH THE TRI-STATE

ORE PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION. The Magnetic Survey Map of the Tri-State.
1931.

FOWLER, GEORGE M., AND LYDEN, J. P. The Ore Deposits of the Tri-State
District. Trans. AIME, vol. 102, 1932.

FOWLER, GEORGE M. Structural Control of Ore Deposits in the Tri-State
Zinc and Lead District. Eng. Min. Jour., vol. 139, No. 9, September
1938, pp. 46-51.

JAKOSKY, J. J., DREYER, R. M., AND WILSON, C. H. Geophysical Investiga-
tions in the Tri-State Zinc and Lead Mining District. State Geol.
Survey of Kansas, Bull. 44, 1942.

FOWLER, GEORGE M. Tri-State Geology. Eng. Min. Jour., vol. 144, No. 11,
November 1943, pp. 73-79.

MISSOURI BUREAU OF GEOLOGY AND MINES. A Magnetic and a Gravimetric
Survey Map of Missouri. 1943.

BALLINGER, H. J. Winchester Zinc Deposit, Newton County, Mo. Bureau
of Mines Rept. of Investigations 4085, 1947, 82 pp.

KNOX, C. C. Investigation of the Melrose Zinc-Lead District, Ottawa
County, Okla., and Cherokee County, Kans. Bureau of Mines Rept. of
Investigations 4337, 1948, 92 pp.

BRICHTA, L. C., AND RYAN, J. P. Practical Evaluation of Electrical-
Resistivity Surveys as a Guide to Zinc-Lead Exploratory Drilling,
Badger-Peacock Camp and Vicinity, Cherokee County, Kans. Bureau of
Mines Rept. of Investigations 5426, 1958, 91 pp.


TABLE 3. - Pertinent data abstracted and interpreted from logs of holes churn-drilled
by private interests on various properties (Con.

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation | drilled| Base of | Top of | Top of Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole North] East (f£.a.s.) | (feet) | residuum| M bed N bed From- To- Zinc Lead
1} 20,340 | 22,300 1,156 292 28 95? 195? 240 292 "Shines"
2| 20,650 | 22,270 1,144 360 30 70 195 * do.
3 | 20,820} 21,420 1,126 339 20 40 185 *
4| 20,550] 20,790 1,130 Log not available.
5| 20,410} 20,700 1,132 350 35 70 185 *
6 | 20,340} 20,820 1,134 325 65 83 170 *
105H1 | 21,170} 19,460 1,115 367 35 65 150? 135 150 7.02 -
105H2 | 20,960 | 19,560 1,125 319 27 70 190? *
105H3 | 20,840 | 19,550 1,136 316 28 70 165? *
105H4 | 21,110} 18,540 1,117 275 17 2 165? *
105C1 | 22,830} 17,580 1,128 277 30 2 145? *
105G1 | 20,440 | 17,890 1,134 301 35 65 140? *
105F1 | 21,850 | 17,960 1,104 297 30 60? 130? *
112Al | 19,810} 17,270 1,149 345 35 75 220? *
112A2 | 19,510 | 17,310 1,153 355 35 75 ? *
11243 | 18,910 | 17,310 1,156 367 40 75 180? *
11201 | 18,520} 17,310 1,154 366 30 80 180 *
AZ-1 | 12,600 | 19,180 1,115? 256 20 120 2107 *
AZ-2 | 12,600 | 19,530 1,110? 216 20 140 _ *
(Cherokee shale and sandstone, 20 to 45 feet)
AZ-3 | 12,750 | 19,875 1,110? 237 | 15 | 122 | 2052 *
(Cherokee shale and sandstone, 15 to 40 feet)
(Chester limestone and shale, 40 to 80 feet)
1 | 13,040 | 25,070 1,075? 151 28 28%* 55? 140 143 "Shines"
2] 12,980} 25,180 1,070? 143 28 28%** 55? 115 135 do.
3 | 12,340 | 25,060 1,052 132 30 30** 50? 115 120 "Trace"
4 | 13,280} 25,170 1,090? 170 25 25%* 75? 155 165 do.
5 | 13,600 | 25,630 1,104? 169 30 30% 80? *
6 | 13,570 | 25,820 1,104? 143 60 60** 102? *

* No zinc or lead mineralization in log.
**k Upper part of M bed removed by erosion.

tA


TABLE 5. - Pertinent data abstracted from logs of holes

churn-drilled by Bureau of Mines 1954-57 (Con.)

Location Collar Depth Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation | drilled| Base of | Top of] Top of| Top of | Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole North | East (£.a.s.) (feet) | residuum] M bed | N bed | R bed | From- To- Zinc Lead
R-45 | 19,100 [24,690 | 1,149 365 25 68 203 300 305 315 0.43 =
315 325 1.65 -
325 357% +38 -
R-46 | 19,184 | 24,507] 1,149 380 23 75 200 297% | 220 227% - 0.21
275 290 AL -
290 300 1.55 -
300 310 77 -
310 327% 1.71 -
327% | 347% 38 -
R-47 | 19,615 | 25,276 | 1,157 350 24 79 203 295 - - - -
R-48 | 19,840 | 25,173] 1,157 385 28 89 220 313 325 335 +05 -
335 352% 41 -
352% 385 "Specks" -
R-49 | 19,746 | 25,205] 1,157 375 28 89 203 297 325 370 4h -
R-50 | 19,673 | 25,210 | 1,157 380 27 85 208 297 315 360 1.78 -
360 380 "Trace" -
R-51 | 16,681 | 21,273 | 1,158 330 40 82 208 285 290 305 | "Specks" -
R-52 | 17,000 | 21,272] 1,160 275 38 84 202 2732 - - - -
R-53 | 17,080 | 21,271] 1,160 325 35 84 203 270 260 285 | "Specks" -
R-54 | 17,000 | 20,070| 1,151 335 31 92 203 300 165, 190 2.59 -
R-55 | 17,000 | 20,400] 1,153 327 37 92 2202 | 270 165, 185, 1.10 +23
R-56 | 20,541 | 25,793| 1,162 350 28% 79%| 1957 | 288 315 3274 1.36
R-57 | 21,200 | 26,950] 1,174 330 32 81 208 277% | 2774 | 285 41 -
285 310 "Trace"
R-58 | 21,200 | 26,550] 1,171 385, 32 84 213 295 260 267% 1.56 -
330 360 +26 -
R-59 | 21,200 | 26,750] 1,172 365 39 80 208 280 250 285 | "Trace" -
R-60 | 20,600 | 23,030| 1,141 330 24 60 190 280 260 267% do. -
R-61 | 20,600 | 23,330| 1,145 325 25 66 178 270 - - - -
R-62 | 21,800 | 24,750] 1,161 374 30 100? | 210 296 75 85 +75 43
100 107% 1.09 -
220 245 2.18 -
280 285 1.32 -
340 367% -80 -

9¢


44

14,600N

Ty)

= =
“RBS Rr2e Jara Re15 80° ro

; | (C A

24,200€

L e GE N i)

STRUCTURE CONTOUR oN
Top oF "R* BED

BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
ORILL MOLE

© HOLE PREVIOUSLY CHURN
ORILLED

NOTE: SEE FIG.5 FOR IDENTITIES
OF UNNUMBERED BUREAU
OF MINES DRILL MOLES

SCALE IN FEET

‘400 001200

8,000N

Ons
Or-2

FIGURE 31. - Structure Contours on Top of R Bed, Southwestern Part of

Racine-Spurgeon Area.



16

laboratory for chemical analyses. Bulk samples, representative of each in-
terval of each hole, were bagged and stored for reference until the project
was completed.

Accurate cost records were kept on all phases of the project. Comparison
of the actual cost of the electrical-resistivity survey with an estimated
cost of shale drilling shows a decided advantage in favor of the electrical-
resistivity method. Computations indicate that shale drilling on the stand-
ard pattern of 16 holes per 40-acre tract would have cost about three times
as much as the electrical-resistivity survey in the Racine-Spurgeon area.

The project was under the immediate supervision of Clinton C. Knox,
Bureau mining engineer, from its inception until April 1957. The research
work was then supervised by the author. Logging of drillholes and all sur-
veying were conducted by J. L. Woolsey, engineering technician, of the
Bureau of Mines.

CORRELATION OF GEOPHYSICAL AND TEST-DRILLING DATA

Isoresistivity contours form many and various patterns in the project
area. The more pronounced anomalies are: (1) Long, benchlike anomalies,
(2) domelike highs, (3) large lows, (4) small pothole lows, (5) noselike
highs intruding lows, and (6) saddlelike anomalies between areas of high-
resistivity readings. Representative anomalies of each type were tested by
drilling to determine their relationship to lithologic conditions, structure,
and favorability for ore deposition. The results of these tests are summa-
rized below.

Milnot Property (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 8)

An elongated area of high resistivity, with readings up to 1,500 meter-
ohms, crosses the Milnot property in a northeast direction. A smaller area
of low resistivity, with readings down to 100 meter-ohms, lies on the north-
west flank of this long high (fig. 5). This pattern of anomalies was in-
terpreted to be the resistivity expression of the Seneca fault.

The first test hole drilled in the project area was near the center of
the low-resistivity area, near a group of shallow shafts and prospect pits.
This hole, R-1, penetrated a thick section of Chester limestone, which appar-
ently had dropped below its normal position owing to solution action, fault-
ing, or both. The only indications of ore minerals here were faint traces of
sphalerite in the depth interval of 390- to 415 feet.

Holes R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5 were drilled primarily to obtain a strati-
graphic cross section of Lost Creek Valley. This valley is believed to be
the topographic expression of the Seneca fault. These widely spaced holes
did not establish the location of the fault or its relationship to the
dropped block disclosed by hole R-1.

In order to obtain more information relative to the dropped block and
test a benchlike anomaly between the areas of high- and low-resistivity


34

RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS,

8-50
« R-48 R49 R47
ew Bt vor i fas
ey 3 ~———— ——
a soit, cuay, soucoers | resiouum
L 8 |
dE \8
lo 8
J ray | | Z|
2 alle
evev e q|
fas Fed ccd
1000 Feet . 5
— | stl.
2
LEGEND ee = La
f a
[| veao a zine reaces en 8
“ 3
Leao a zine. sume 8
8
Leno 8 zine one !
2
&
600 __ RESISTIVITY PROFILES a) ~ 2
13
© 400 __ 00" DEPTH PENETRATION fe
2 100" DEPTH PENETRATION
200

FIGURE 21. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-27—R-47,
Watson, Winchester, and Crawford Tracts.


CONTENTS

Introduction....
Summary....oe
Acknowledgments.....
Location, accessibility, and physical features
Geology and ore deposits.
History and production......esseee
Previous exploratory churn drilling.
Bureau of Mines exploration research..
Correlation of geophysical and test-drilling data
Milnot property..c..seee
Snow property (Ruark)
Williams property......
Crawford mine property and Bailey property.
Fort-Wilkins properties.
Watson property......0-
Watson-Scheid properties
Scheid property..
Rodgers property..
Winchester property....
Conclusions...
Selected bibliography....
Appendix (tables 1 to 5)s.eeee

ILLUSTRATIONS

1. Location map, Tri-State zinc-lead mining district.... 3
2. Location of drillholes and mine workings, Racine-
Spurgeon area, Newton County, Mo.

3. Land ownership, part of Racine-Spurgeon area.. 4
4. Northwestern part of Racine-Spurgeon area... 5
5. Southwestern part of Racine-Spurgeon area... . 6
6. Detail of hole locations, Winchester deposit......... 13

7. Detail of hole locations, Ruark deposit......ee..e05. 14
8. Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-75A - R-74, Milnot tract...ccceccccccccvecceeeeee 18
9. Plan and vertical cross-section through drillholes
R-40A - R-44, Snow tract (Ruark)..
10. Plan and vertical cross section throug!
R-54 - R-52, Williams tract...ccccccccsceceseecsees 20

19



RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS

23,6008

HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
R-36 R35 R27

30 33 R39 R-E Soo
R-7 Mae? ig ge 50_ ett 83
aev. nas
—_—————— ——"*
SOIL, CLAY, BOULOERS|. pesipuum
— r | 8

CHESTER,
\, LIMESTONE

VERTICAL SCALE IN FEET
o

ELEY. /
tas. ° o
8 2
1000 FEET 8 z
=
: ra
®
3
~ =
2
g
LEGEND
| Leap @ zinc
TRACES
LEAD 8 ZINC
SHINES

Lea a ZINC
one

FERN GLEN|
—TNORTHVIE NG
5 z

RESISTIVITY PROFILES

‘ORDOVI

2 60g .
g
= \
° \300' DEPTH PENETRATION
t \
400 ‘
2
200 100' DEPTH PENETRATION

FIGURE 15. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-7—R-27,
Watson Tract.


19,400N

23,600€

o
R-35 R27

zo,00" 0 Ras re Rs Ros
8 3 R48 g
R249
o
R250
<
Rea7
°

8 46
R45
°
Tor Hole
©
1e,g00N__
22
° Lb E S Ee N Do
© LEAD Ano zINC ORE
® Lead and ZINC. TRACE TO SHINE
© BLANK OR NO RECORD
NUMBERS WITH PREFIX "BW" OR "WC,"
HOLE DRILLED BY ST LOUIS SMELTING
GND REFINING COMPANY
18,200 NUMBERS WITH PREFIX "SE", HOLE DRILLED
BY BUREAU OF MINES, 1946
NUMBERS WITH PREFIX "R" HOLE DRILLED
R-38 BY BUREAU OF MINES, 1955-1957
on-32 NUMBERS WITHOUT PREFIX, HOLE DRILLED
R43 BY A.M, WINCHESTER OR AMERICAN
on-29 (éA0, ZINC ANO SMELTING COMPANY
ngs SCALE IN FEET
17,8008) os ——
é 300 7000
FIGURE 6. - Detail of Hole Locations, Winchester Deposit.

€1


RESISTIVITY CONTOURS

Lev.
fas.

RESIDUUM

MISSISSIPPIAN

ORDOVICIAN

Prospect Shaft
55 (Coved)
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
300 600
_ 80
1063 S257 R44
05654 1085
ELEV
R-40A —R-3) a foe
1oor___1008 ?
— 1000 FEET
L_--t che
2n8
LEGEND Sl,
Leao zinc TRaces =
FERN GLEN LEAD 8 ZING SHINES.
Lea 8 ZINC ORE
— 1200
1
NORTHVEM RESISTIVITY PROFILE
Fy 8
E — 1000 F
8 é
— 800 ¥
100' DEPTH PENETRATION 600

FIGURE 9. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-40A—R-44,

Snow Tract (Ruark).

19


15

Several operators used a system of "shale drilling" to evaluate large
tracts of land. This consisted of a pattern of holes drilled through the
overburden and shale into the underlying "hard" formations. A contour map
was then constructed on the "hard." This was not a true structural contour
on the top of the Boone formation, as no allowance was made for erosion of
some of the upper beds of the Boone. It was accurate enough to show erosion
channels and other structural features masked by overburden.

In recent years several of the various geophysical methods have been
used. The electrical-resistivity techniques employed by the Bureau of Mines
in the course of this project differ little from those used by private oper-
ators in the district. Emphasis was placed on correlation with surface and
subsurface features, the search for new interpretations of anomalies, and an
overall evaluation of the effectiveness of the method. It was felt that re-
sults surpassing those by "shale drilling" could be obtained at much reduced
cost.

Electrical-resistivity surveys covered about 4 square miles. These sur-
veys were conducted by Sherwin F. Kelly Geophysical Services, Inc., under two
separate contracts completed in December 1953 and May 1954. Resistivity meas-
urements were taken along parallel lines, usually spaced 600 feet apart. Sur-
vey lines were oriented west to east, except in the northeastern part of the
area, where they were oriented normal to the inferred trace of the Seneca
fault. Electrodes were spaced for a theoretical depth penetration of 100
feet. In a few places, where more detailed resistivity data were desired to
define certain anomalies, measurements were taken along parallel traverse
lines 300 feet apart. One area was tested by taking resistivity measurements
with electrodes spaced for a theoretical 300-foot depth penetration. One
line was surveyed with 100-, 200-, and 300-foot depth penetrations. In addi-
tion, several depth determinations were made. The contractor prepared iso-
resistivity contour maps and furnished interpretative data for use in locat-
ing test drillholes and for correlating geologic features.

The combined traverse length covered by resistivity measurements was 53
miles. In preparation for the geophysical surveys, 56 miles of base and grid
traverses was brushed and staked; a base map of the area was prepared showing
pertinent topographic, geologic features, development, and mine openings.
Test drilling totaled 23,986 feet in 76 holes; 8,312 feet in 28 holes was
drilled under contract; and 15,674 feet in 48 holes was drilled by the Bureau
of Mines on force account. Table 5 of the Appendix shows pertinent data ab-
stracted from the logs of these drillholes.

All drilling was done with churn drills, using standard drilling tech-
niques. Samples of cuttings were taken at 5-foot intervals in barren ground
and at 2-1/2-foot intervals in mineralized zones. The samples were taken
with a "flapper-valve" bailer. This type of bailer was used instead of the
"dart-valve" bailer, because it was considered superior in its ability to
clean the hole, and so minimized salting or contamination of cuttings.

Samples from mineralized zones were reduced in bulk with a Jones-type
riffle sampler. After drying, the samples were taken to a commercial


rm m7 ry w
ar Tal Tas
J 8 Sis s 3 CONTOURS &
BY eo oge/ a g
| re | [ [2a
Goo! \ ? eo
8 -
8
UY .
PN *
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN_FEET
R-60 mee ° 300 300
eLev_uat
os
SOIL, CLAY, BOULDERS > RESIOUUM
i re — °
Og Pt
eg 5
‘she
z
3
guey. ® Fai
as 3
+ 3
= °
1000 FEET 3
2
z
wb - 7 &
=
cS
BI LEGEND
— LEAD & ZINC
Pasces
Lea @ zine
Sunes
Lea @ zine
one
tooo —
RESISTIVITY PROFILES .
» 800— S300 DEPTH PENETRATION
2 se
=
é
5 600— 100" DEPTH PENETRATION
3
400 —

FIGURE 16. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-60 and
R-61, Watson Brothers Tract.


10

The ore is further localized within the Boone formation in the more per-
vious zones usually associated with structural features. Two major structural
features can be observed in the district. The first of these (and probably
the oldest) is a series of northwestward-trending, gentle folds, which include
the Bendelari trough, the Joplin anticline, and the Webb City-Duenweg syn-
cline. This system was later cut by a series of northeastward-trending
faults; the best known examples are the Miami trough and the Seneca fault.

The Seneca fault is the major structural feature in the Racine-Spurgeon area.

The fractures and joints associated with these major structural features
and parallel to them have apparently increased the permeability of the rock;
the fractures and joints allowed more circulation of ground waters and solu-
tions and have provided conditions that favored deposition of ore.

Sphalerite and galena are the principal ore minerals in the Tri-State
district. A large part of the production from the Racine~Spurgeon area and
other mining camps in Newton County, Mo., was made up of the oxidized lead
and zinc minerals calamine, smithsonite, cerussite, and pyromorphite. Chert,
limestone, jasperoid, dolomite, shale, and calcite are the principal gangue
minerals.

There is no general agreement among geologists regarding the origin of
the ore deposits. Various authors have ascribed the origin to ascending hot
solutions, to descending ground water, and to artesian circulation. Regard-
less of origin, the deposits do bear some relation to the structural features
of the district - a fact that can be used as a guide in exploration.

HISTORY AND PRODUCTION

Information on early mining activities in the Racine~Spurgeon area is
meager, and records of ore production are incomplete. It was common practice
in some years to lump production from several adjacent areas and report the
data by subdistricts; records of individual mines therefore were not preserved.

The first significant production of lead ore in the district was from the
Mosely mine, 3 miles east of Spurgeon, in the early 1850's. Although zinc
occurs with the lead in nearly all mines of the district, production of zinc
ore was not economically feasible until after 1870, when completion of a rail-
road through southwest Missouri provided transportation to zinc smelters in
Illinois. The Mosely mine was one of the earliest producers of zinc ore and
was worked sporadically for over 100 years.

Following discovery of ore at the Mosely mine, other mines were developed
near Spurgeon and along the Seneca fault to the southwest. Much of the re~
corded production came from mines near Spurgeon, but other contributors were
the Olson mine, about 2 miles west of Spurgeon; the Crawford mine, about 4
miles west; the Silver Moon mine and Racine Diggings, southwest of Spurgeon;
the Gallimore and Potwin-Holmes mines near Seneca; and the Canyon Diggings,

2 miles east of Spurgeon (figs. 1 and 2). The most recent recorded production
from the Racine-Spurgeon area was in 1952, when about 100 tons of ore from the
Olson mine was hauled to a small custom mill near Joplin for treatment.


TABLE 5. - Pertinent data abstracted from logs of holes
churn-drilled by Bureau of Mines

1954-57

Location Collar Depth Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation | drilled | Base of | Top of| Top of| Top of | Interval, feet Content, percent.
Hole North | East (£.a.s.) (feet) | residuum] M bed | N bed | R bed | From- To- Zine Lead
R-1 8,880 | 25,196 981 608 16 277 330 385 390 415 Trace -
R-2 7,237 | 26,336 942 233 12 12* 45 70 - - - -
R-3 7,451 | 26,188 945 260 17 17* 45 75 45 60 Trace -
250 260 do. -
R-4 8,390 | 26,173 952 260 15 15* 45 70 - - - -
R-5 8,687 | 26,038 957 255 35 35* 45 80 - - - -
R-6 20,080 | 24,600 |} 1,150 390 40 172 235 305 225 245 "Specks."
280 320 Do.
360 390 "Specks and traces."
R-7 20,080 | 23,600 | 1,145 380 38 70 190 265 255 280 Do.
R-8 19,950 | 19,950 | 1,127 307 (Unconsolidated) 2152 270 210 240 0.06 0.26
R-9 21,200 | 19,570 | 1,113 230 25 66 169 - - - - -
R-10 | 20,325 | 18,200 | 1,128 378 35 68 170 240 225 230 - "Trace."
305 315 "Trace" -
R-11 | 20,600 | 25,500 | 1,163 400 29 80 210 295 380 387% 12 -
387% | 400 "Specks."
R-12 | 15,800 | 21,350 | 1,123 365 20 50 170 245 245 275 Do.
360 365 "Trace."
R-13 | 19,100 | 23,700 | 1,156 371 29 91 213 280 305 320 "Specks."
363 371 Do.
R-14 | 20,600 | 25,700 | 1,163 362 25 79 200 295 260 325 Do.
325 332% 18 +04
R-15 | 15,800 | 21,850 | 1,105 280 15 25 150 225 240 260 "Specks."
R-16 | 19,100 | 23,300 | 1,158 335 25 80 210 285 - - - -
R-17 | 20,600 | 25,600 | 1,163 402 25 80 210 295 240 270 "Traces."
270 385 71 .03
R-18 | 15,200 | 22,500 | 1,113 365 39 49 160 203 - - - -
R-19 | 17,775 | 22,000 | 1,157 385 25 85 210 300 265 280 "Trace."
325 385 "Specks"
R-20 | 20,300 | 21,050 | 1,132 370 30 68 175 275 280 290 "Trace"
305 370 "Specks" -
R-21 | 15,388 | 22,351 | 1,102 241 30 37 145 210 - - - -



Be ) my R33W. 5) y ep)
WILLIE - GLENA M © 2 Anoy J.8] 7 ow. ecorr H.
w.M., C.C. 7 co EDNA J.E. STEDOUM
ROGERS FRITCHEY ace AYLOR g JOHNSON A\q NELSON
HEIRS a
J.H. CRAWFORD & TR.
a Heirs of | WATSON ° Wwitkins|E- yoo. JE. nw ALG. 36
: E.C.SCHEID xz AW 7 “|NEECE ~ Iswartz
¢.C, CRAWFORD 5 curkins|SLOW] prye, | UM SON N
® H.J.TUR-|J:RUT-| AN UAL | HG. T
g ols eon [WINCHESTER watson} M. BAILEY | J. F. wl. 35
Zw2| => |corte HEIRS H HEIRS [MC GEYER FITZJOHN| oO] Ow
Szs| 0 HEIRS CRAWFORD, ETAL DANIEL| wl ee N
ze) re CONNOR| z/ou w
2zs/ 8 | uo INVEST-| G.c. LACY olaZ SE
338 w 2= MENT S cE
:2q tay . i
= =
Ox D er @) Le 0) 2 oO
woye °S= l.6. @ SILVIA Y» oe
Ne |d2 ze |'> eo LILLY
=|/@
go | Se FORT MACY
oF | oe
ze |%o |
7 oO = an
3 a «2
2 FRED @| w
FROG POND| & = Fay [Ow Og, JAMES
SCHOOL | g * ROUT- :O| REYNOLDS
« LEDGE |P5]*S
: FREO @
Atva Brock [FAY |£0 SNOW
RouT- | (RUARK)
3 LEDGE
{ey °
a
=
&
a
¢, 7| ,GOSwicK
Zz
ro Wy RACINE
2-4 GILSTRAP SCALE IN FEET
ROY ]
MYERS| MILNOT CO. SLGSE RR ° 1320 2640 5280
J.W, BUZZARD
O) ®

FIGURE 3. - Land Ownership, Part of Racine-Spurgeon Area.



2 —
00
Yo,
|
oe
5S
CaF
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
6 300 00
R-18
R-15 R-2) Ns
LEV. 105
Hey ee tor
4 SOIL, CLAY, BOULDERS» RESIOUUM
ELEV. ws
fas. 2 FI
2000 o g
1000 FEET Fd
2 ene
° &
s
1200 °
r P
2
1600 28
Lorewns P38
rT 2 2
p-_ __JF 2
2 + &
= -7 ra
1300 = _---- %
° 4l- 8 B
' Fe a
& al
1200 |
¥ |
7 z
1000 4
RESISTIVITY PROFILE 3
z
Fd
100' DEPTH PENETRATION rd
800 LEGEND nna nee NORTHVIEW!
Leap @ zinc _ Jcometon,
Traces —}— ----
Leap a Ne 2
600 a COTTER fz
Leap a zinc < é
one ae 8
8
400 ——

FIGURE 14. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-15—R-18,
Fort Tract.

25


22

z
g ae SS a J Ve
1 RESISTIVITY 3 3 ce
% S| ESNTOURS g = we
1300 —|
Dy
| —e
i |
—z,— ioe
“00.
[> Joo. R-71 = a! ‘900.
R70 R+53/R-5e
| ee 009 oS
— 21,200 €|
‘q 720-4
60 200 |
sale |
§ [ay "20. 205
60! 400"
q ( an
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
30 0
a-71 R-70 R53 R-82 pos!
euev_u59 0 160 160 ast
SoiL, cay, souLoers } ResiouUM
wm NE 8
es
z
ee ee | | ee | hs
3
Bill
z
ie
ELeV &
tas 3 elle
1000 FEET 8 z
a
a
&
os z
Q LEGEND
8
8 Lea a zinc
wae
Leao a zine
iq 2 mi
A P eeAg 9 zinc
1000 — : EH ,
® 800 — U
g 200 U Hl
&
S600 —
5 100' DEPTH PENETRATION
g RESISTIVITY PROFILE
400 —

FIGURE

Williams Tract.

11. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-71—R-51,


APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL-RESISTIVITY SURVEYS
TO EXPLORATIONS FOR ZINC-LEAD DEPOSITS,
RACINE-SPURGEON AREA, NEWTON COUNTY, MO.-/

by

J. W. Chester2/

INTRODUCTION

The rapid depletion of zinc-lead ore reserves and the rising costs of
exploration have been major factors in the decline of mining activities and
explorations for additional reserves in the Tri-State mining district. There
is a need to develop new or adopt known, improved exploration techniques that
will appreciably lower the costs of exploration. Demonstration of the practi-
cability of using improved techniques to indicate, rapidly and cheaply, min-
eralized areas or geologic structures where more intensive explorations are
justified could stimulate the search for and discovery of additional ore
reserves,

Various operators in the Tri-State district have used geophysical sur-
veys to some extent since 1928 to guide exploratory drilling. Some geophys-
ical investigations have also been made in the district by the State Geolog-
ical Surveys of Kansas a13/ and Missouri (8, 13) and by Federal agencies
(16), with the objective of directing exploratory drilling to areas where
geologic conditions favored ore deposition. Many factual data obtained have
not been published. The investigations generally have not been broad enough
to permit conclusive evaluation of the usefulness of the geophysical tech-
niques in all parts of the district.

Some parts of the Tri-State district in which ore has been produced in
past years have not been adequately or systematically explored and may contain
undiscovered ore deposits. Geological evidence has shown that ore deposition
is directly related to or was controlled by certain types of geologic struc-
tures, If structures favorable for ore deposition are located by a relatively
rapid, economic method, the cost of exploring new tracts will be greatly re-
duced by confining test drilling to areas where ore is most likely to occur
and by eliminating areas that do not contain significant concentrations of
ore minerals.

1/ Work on manuscript completed January 1959.

2/ Mine examination and exploration engineer, Bureau of Mines, Region IV,
Joplin, Mo.

3/ Underlined numbers in parentheses refer to citations in the bibliography

at the end of this report.


ii

12.
13.
14,
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

21.

22.
23.
24,
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

31.

1.

2.

ILLUSTRATIONS (Con.)

Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-71 - R-51, Williams tract...
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes |
R-73 - R-20, Crawford tract..c.sssecerecccccrccees
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-25 - R-15, Fort-Wilkins tracts......seseeceeeeee
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-15 - R-18, Fort tract .ccsoeesscceescceeeseece on
Plan and vertical cross section through driliholes
R-7 = R-27, Watson tract ..cccsscesecccsccccccceces
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-60 and R-61, Watson Brothers tract.c.cssesecsees
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-62 - R-66, Watson-Scheid tracts........eeeeeenee
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-65 - R-56, Scheid tract.ccccccccccccccccccevcees
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-64 - R-57, Scheid tract..
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes |
R-66 - R-48, Scheid-Winchester tracts..........00-
Plan and vertical cross-section through drillholes
R-27 - R-47, Watson, Winchester, and Crawford
ELACES cece eee cee roe ececcr cer eeeeeceeccerseeceees
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-45 - R-46, Winchester tract.....eccceccccceeeeee
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-16 - R-43, Winchester tract
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-38 - R-29, Winchester tract....cccescccccrervves
Plan and vertical cross section through drillholes
R-19 - R-26, Winchester tract......ssceeeeeeeeeeee
Structure contours on top of M bed, northwestern
part of Racine-Spurgeon area...eccesseecsesecesecs
Structure contours on top of M bed, southwestern

part of Racine-Spurgeon area...sseeeeeeeeee ee eeeee
Structure contours on top of N bed, northwestern
part of Racine-Spurgeon area........ ee

Structure contours on top of N bed, southwestern
part of Racine-Spurgeon area.csecesseeecccceoecees

Structure contours on top of R bed, northwestern
part of Racine-Spurgeon area..erereccscsceececsoce

Structure contours on top of R bed, southwestern
part of Racine-Spurgeon area...cecsrececccvescvoee

TABLES

General geologic section, Racine-Spurgeon area (com-
piled from Bureau of Mines drillhole logs).........

Recorded production, Racine-Spurgeon-Seneca areas,
Newton County, Mo...ccccccsevcvccececsccsesvcsescos

Page
22
23
24
25
27
28
29
30
31

33

34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

44

11


11

In the early days ore was usually upgraded by hand cobbing, sorting, and
hand jigging. Later, when methods were developed for concentrating the lower
grade ores, small milling plants were built at several mines in the area, as
well as in other parts of the district.

Few maps or other pertinent data showing the extent of mine workings are
available. Many mine dumps and mill-tailing piles have been removed or lev~
eled; however, available evidence indicates that the productive mines of the
Racine-Spurgeon area were small and shallow and operated intermittently.

Table 2 shows the recorded outputs of zinc and lead ores from 1850 to
1893 and concentrates from 1905 to 1950, inclusive.

TABLE 2. - Zinc-lead ore production, Racine-Spurgeon-Seneca area,
Newton County, Mo. (1, 2, 7)

Year Zinc ore (tons) Lead ore (tons)
1850-54..... - 281
1886. 1,500 25
1891. 171 603
1892 200 45

2,000 100
3,871 1,054

Zinc concentrate (tons) | Lead concentrate (tons)

Carbonate, and
Year bul fidet/ silicate= sulfide3/ | carbonate4/
1905. cececccceceeccvcns 608 - - -
oe ee cece eeeeee 1,939 514 608 -
eee 1,993 959 606 161
1,706 953 658 94
224 589 757 40
80 400 868 106
593 33 580 69
1,671 1 146 -
1,223 7 144 -
1,291 2 78 3
2,240 311 240 -
2,702 419 138 5
957 105 95 -
650 - 304 -
- - 21 -
120 - 31 -
203 - 14 -
950 - 116 -
- 25 62 51
120 - 34 -
61 2 68 10
22 = 6 =
19,351 4,320 5,574 539

1/ Assumed average, about 60 percent metal.
2/ Assumed average, about 40 percent metal.
3/ Assumed average, about 80 percent metal.
4/ Assumed average, about 60 percent metal.


Ll & G EN OD

GE) MINEO AREAS
(M0 PENNSYLVANIAN CHEROKEE SHALE
[) MISSISSIPPLAN MAYES (CHESTER) LIMESTONE
[) MISSISSIPPIAN BOONE LIMESTONE 8 CHERT
A ANTICLINE
XT SYNCLINE
eon FAULT
2578 FAULT SHEAR ZONE
“0 FROM THE 1954 MAP OF THE TR) - STATE

TR srare
‘mig DISTRICT.

TPreeps '
nee \

ator nonn a

\N @ 3
ae F
inn LAE
| yentworTS | ®
i TM
I i
wr te
cM im
, t
SX heen.
a

; |

Ped id
38 a8
ee ee

WYANDOTTE a

ae
a
ee

wl

FIGURE 1. - Location Map, Tri-State Zinc-Lead Mining District.


17

readings, holes R-67, R-69, R-72, R-74, R-75A, and R-76 were drilled in a line
on either side of hole R-1 (figs. 5 and 8). These holes disclosed that all
the beds, including those of the Cotter formation, were displaced downward.
The thinning of R bed and the probable absence of Fern Glen and Northview
beds indicate some dissolution, but displacement of the Cotter formation by
as much as 120 feet is strong evidence of faulting. Considerable solution
activity in the beds penetrated by the eight drillholes was indicated by the
highly altered condition of the rock and by the many openings encountered.

Concentrations of zinc minerals of ore grade were found in holes R-67,
R-72, and R-74. The ore encountered in R-67 is largely oxidized and there-
fore is not now of economic value, whereas sulfides predominate in holes R-
72 and R-74. The latter two holes were drilled on the edge of a benchlike
anomaly that resembles the one on the Winchester property. This similarity
suggests that the anomaly on the Milnot property might be a favorable area
for further explorations.

The structural profile determined by holes R-75A, R-69, R-67, R-1, R-76,
R-72, and R-74 matches very closely the resistivity profile (fig. 8), thus
correlation in this area is excellent.

Snow _Propert: ark) (Figs. 2, 3, 5, and 9)

Isoresistivity contours indicated that the previously discovered Ruark
ore deposit might be associated with a domelike anomaly of high-resistivity
readings and that a fracture zone existed between this high and a smaller
domelike anomaly to the southwest (fig. 5). Holes R-31, R-34, R-37, R-40A,
and R-42 were drilled to test the saddlelike anomaly between the two highs,
and R-44 was drilled on the east flank of the Ruark high. All these holes,
except R-40A, penetrated ore sections. Most of the zinc was in nonsulfide
form. The presence of oxidized zinc minerals and open, altered strata tends
to confirm the inference of a fracture zone roughly parallel to the Seneca
fault.

The resistivity profile of the section through holes R-40A, R-31, 80,
52, 57, and R-44 (fig. 9) bears a general resemblance to the profile of the
top of the M-bed. The correlation here was not as good as that in the sec-
tion on the Milnot property. Extension of the resistivity survey farther to
the east and west might change the overall pattern of anomalies and permit
broader correlation.

Williams Property (figs. 2-4, 10, 11)

Holes R-54, R-55, and R-68 were drilled to test a large area of low
resistivity wherein readings ranged from 100 to 300 meter-ohms. The low
resistivity here was tentatively interpreted as indicating a slump in the
strata, but test drilling did not substantiate this (fig. 10). A slight
dip of strata into the low is indicated, but the pattern of resistivity
here is apparently related to the difference in alteration of the rock
rather than to structure.


Bureau of Mines
Report of Investigations 5503

APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL-RESISTIVITY SURVEYS
TO EXPLORATION FOR ZINC-LEAD DEPOSITS,
RACINE-SPURGEON AREA, NEWTON COUNTY, MO.

By J. W. CHESTER

United States Department of the Interior — 1959

metadc38677


40

3
16,400N
RUARK
DEPOSIT
R-37%q R42
2°
R-40a, PR.3i
io R3L
cl = S EN i=}
STRUCTURE CONTOUR ON
Top oF "M" BED
® BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
DRILL HOLE
° MOLE PREVIOUSLY CHURN
onicceo
SeALe in Feet
qo 800 1200 1600-2000
8,000

R-2

FIGURE 27. - Structure Contours on Top of M Bed, Southwestern Part of

Racine-Spurgeon Area.





32

Warner's PANey
z

ROGERS
HEIRS

RESO

Ri Ria

ho,
FSS”

aca

spurceon 4

T26N

AWN.

re GRAS
Ca ca
R46

1150:

® T25N

er

: OR:

y a

RACINE DIGGINGS
TTF RISAGR GS OSS
7 eee
| y ue
y a.
} YZ a
‘ in

z

—?—?— INFERRED TRACE OF SENECA FAULT ZONE

TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOUR INTERVAL 50 FEET

OTHER CHURN ORILL HOLE

- POWER LINE
~ PIPELINE

[

e N i)

BUREAU OF MINES CHURN DRILL HOLE

ABANDONED ZINC-LEAD MINE SHAFT OR PROSPECT

SCALE IN FEET

i000 «2000-==« 300080008000

FIGURE 2. - Location of Drillholes and Mine Workings, Racine-Spurgeon Area, Newton County, Mo.


TABLE 4. - Pertinent data abstracted from logs of holes churn-drilled

by Bureau of Mines in 1946 on Winchester property,

N1/2 sec. 4, T. 25N., R. 33 W.

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation] drilled | Base of | Top of | Top of Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole North] East (£.a.s.) | (feet) residuum | M bed N bed From- To- Zinc Lead
SF-1 | 18,630] 23,655 1,156 360 29 85 210 280 295 2.14 -
295 342 70 -
SF-2 | 18,550] 23,670 1,157 395 25 80 205 275 282 1.35 -
282 305 42 -
305 322 2.54 -
322 360 +80 -
SF-3 | 18,815] 23,920 1,151 365 25 85 210 305 322 2.29 -
322 330 81 -
SF-4 | 18,850] 23,955 1,152 370 25 87 210 300 310 +89 -
310 322 1.97 -
322 340 87
SF-5 | 18,770| 23,935 1,152 375 20 80 205 330 347 1.04
347 360 2.21 -
360 365 «52 -
SF-6 | 18,970] 24,165 1,153 370 15 80 210 295 330 1.38 -
SF-7 | 18,880) 24,205 1,143 379 19 68 195 290 340 "Traces" -
SF-8 | 19,060} 24,125 1,154 380 29 93 215 305 345 1.05 -
SF-9 | 18,955] 24,050 1,153 380 30 90 220 330 340 +59 -
SF-10 | 18,900) 24,050 1,152 380 20 87 215 305 317 1.00 -
317 325 2.06 -
325 345 +66 -
SF-11] 18,475| 23,605 1,159 395 20 83 203 275 330 4.21 -
330 357 1.80 -
357 395 +84 -
SF-12 | 18,370} 23,560 1,159 365 25 78 195 305 335 "Traces" -
SF-13 | 18,385] 23,530 1,161 370 20 80 210 310 370 do. -
SF-14 | 18,420 | 23,515 1,160 376 20 80 210 290 362 77 0.18
SF-15| 18,450] 23,490 1,160 370 30 85 215 280 295 0.43 -
310 325 2.24 -
325 330 +43 -
SF-16 | 18,480 | 23,465 1,160 370 20 85 215 285 310 77 -
310 327 2.35 -
327 355 +89 .
SF-17 | 18,340 | 23,320 1,162 363 20 83 210 295 330 -55 0.08

€s


36

RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS

R-16

LEV. 158

fase ts

HORIZONTAL SCALE _IN FEET

° 300

SOIL, CLAY, BOULDERS fRESIDUUM

Lead 8 zinc
Shines |

LEAD @ ZINC
ORE

1000 —

e00—

600—

METER ~ OHMS.

400~

RESISTIVITY PROFILES

| ee 2
o
2
ELEV.
tas
1000 FEET
LEGEND o
a
Leap a zinc co
TRACES 2
®

f00' DEPTH PENETRATION

600

To

80

30

VERTICAL SCALE IN FEET.
20

MISSISSIPPIAN

ORDOVICIAN

FIGURE 23. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-16—R-43,

Winchester Tract.


RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS
§

s/s
gs S8 |g
15, wf R525, |

8 hf
8
a il i
R-25
cuey Nee gh 28 HORIZONTAL_SCALE_IN FEET
as U Soo
rs ° 600
R12
wes
4 R-15
[> -—___] moe
>] [ sou, vay, souroers } RESIDUUM
ena chs)
wah BEDS
2
= @
2000 grey
__ 1000 Feet =
ere
1800 — a
wo 8
OPENING 2
1600 — Pd leone a 8 z 3
8s a 3| Pte
4 2 & 2
2 8 ene
4 2 a

1400 — S ji 3 5
o ‘ 2 = °
2 a _J|------

1200 — 9 o LEGEND
a ‘3 lLeao @ zinc
ra | {| i aR aces
g = LEAD & ZINC
2 4h Shines

1000 — 2 JLeao a zinc

fo One
@
z |

00 — &

-: NORTHVIEW.
_ corr f

600 u RESISTIVITY PROFILE OTTER ORDOVICIAN

100' DEPTH PENETRATION

FIGURE 13. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-25—R-15,
FortWilkins Tracts.


L

900,

®

NOTE:

, WINCHESTER
DEPOSIT

—E G —EN ODO
STRUCTURE CONTOUR ON
TOP OF “N* BED

BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
ORILL HOLE

HOLE PREVIOUSLY CHURN
DRILLED

SEE FIG.4 FOR IDENTITIES

OF UNNUMBERED BUREAU R-54
OF MINES ORILL HOLES

SCALE IN FEET

ee
° 300-800 —1200.-=«1600--2000

FIGURE 28. - Structure Contours on Top of N Bed, Northwestern Part of Racine-Spurgeon Area.

1y


ry 709 Py ry
8 8] resistivity 8 3
| >| conTouRS | &
3 g & 3 "ep.
g
‘
rr a 20,600N
00. |_/ (— aad
g
s é —N
ao $
50 * Va 0
Pe R-73 R-24 A R-20) 20,300N
70% v
0
0°
90 s se
( que seas
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
R-20
R-73 nse 300 00
LEV 1126 R-24 enn
(an neo SOIL, CLAY,
[| —_] BOULDERS RESIDUUM
? IE 8
CHEROKEE SHALE oil
aK / tie
~ N 7 Z|
| ee r Ht
ai Z
~, “ns
FH
ELEY. Sl}.
fae 5 en?
1000 FEET A & ell,
i = z
H Fa
&
| ee 4 2
ry
3
EF
cd
1 2
_ LEGEND
OPENING 3
a Leao a zinc
| 3 Matz
a Leao a zinc
‘Shines
U 8 Lean a zinc
1000 — F 8 One
i &
wo 800 — [en ent ean cLen|
g > ——_] NORTHVIEW,
z
&
i RESISTIVITY PROFILES
2 a

200 —

A200" DEPTH PENETRATION

100' DEPTH PENETRATION

FIGURE 12. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-73-R-20,

Crawford Tract.

23




In advancing this objective, the Bureau of Mines, from December 1953 to
July 1957, conducted investigations designed to test the practicability of
electrical-resistivity methods for indicating zones of structural deformation
favorable to deposition of zinc and lead minerals - logical sites for explora-
tion and development. The area selected for investigation is in western
Newton County, Mo., in the southeastern part of the Tri-State district.
Racine is in the southwestern part of the site, and Spurgeon is near the
northeast corner (fig. 1). The major structural feature in the area is the
Seneca fault. The trace runs northeastward through Racine and Spurgeon.
There are several small, abandoned zinc-lead mines along the fault.

This report summarizes the results of the research work on exploration
in test areas in the northwestern and southwestern parts (figs. 2-5) of the
Racine-Spurgeon site. The conclusions are drawn from these results.

SUMMARY

During an investigation of the Racine-Spurgeon area from December 1953
to July 1957, the Bureau of Mines completed 53 miles of reconnaissance elec-
trical-resistivity profiling and 76 test holes aggregating 23,986 feet of
churn drilling.

The geophysical survey was made under contract by Sherwin F. Kelly Geo-
physical Services, Inc. Part of the test drilling was done under contract,
and part was accomplished on force account by the Bureau of Mines.

Electrical-resistivity measurements disclosed four large and several
smaller low-resistivity anomalies and a few high-resistivity anomalies.
Patterns of both high and low readings often vary, but locally the trends
are similar for high and low anomalies.

Test drilling shows that most resistivity readings are related to the
geology of the area and, in a few places, to the topography. Low-resistivity
areas are related to thickness of overburden, very porous limestone and shale,
slumped areas that contain clay and broken chert, and occasionally to swampy
areas on the surface. High-resistivity readings are usually related to firm,
relatively unaltered limestone and chert. The resistivity survey, combined
with a study of topographic relationships, indicated favorable areas in which
to search for zinc-lead ore deposits.

Test drilling indicated that long, benchlike anomalies between areas of
low- and high-resistivity readings, such as the one associated with the
Winchester deposit (fig. 4), are probably the most favorable sites for ex-
ploration in this part of the district. The pattern of isoresistivity con-
tour on the Milnot property (figs. 2, 3, 5) indicates the presence there of
a similar benchlike anomaly. Test drilling disclosed material of ore grade
on the Milnot property.

Test drilling near the Ruark deposit on the Snow property (figs. 2, 3,
5) indicated a relationship between a saddlelike anomaly and ore deposition.


14

25,400

w w
coy °o
°o oS
co &
12,200N g ©
100-2
6-2
2-2 o?
)
89-2 83-2
Oo oO
86-2
79-2
o R-44
e
H1,600N
53-2°
106-2 91-2 102-Z
R-34 Oo
e 95-2
R-37
R-42
e
R-31
e
11,000N
R-40A
°

LEGEN D
@ LEAD AND ZINC ORE

@ LEAD AND ZINC TRACE

TO SHINE
O BLANK OR NO RECORD

°

NUMBERS WITH PREFIX "R{ HOLE

ORILLED BY BUREAU
OF MINES, 1953-1957
NUMBERS WITH SUFFIX
ORILLED BY GRASSELL/
CHEMICAL COMPANY

SCALE IN FEET

100 200 300 400

"25 HOLE

FIGURE 7. - Detail of Hole Locations, Ruark Deposit.



TABLE 3. - Pertinent data abstracted and interpreted from logs of holes churn-drilled

by private interests on various properties

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation | dtilled| Base of | Top of | Top of | Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole North| East (f£.a.s.) | (feet) | residuum | M bed N_bed From- To- Zinc Lead
1-C | 18,640 | 24,975 1,156 350 25 80 205 * - -
2-C | 18,260] 25,030 1,150 375 24 70 160? 320 365 Fair Zn
1-H | 17,030 | 22,980 1,140 350 35 105 185? * - -
1-R | 19,530] 21,870 1,164 365 25 85 225 * - -
2-R | 19,640 | 21,880 ? 353 18 75 210 * - -
113Al | 17,100 | 24,050 1,138 326 15 2 180? 275 0.41 -
113A2 | 17,100 | 24,600 1,128 295 15 7 185? * -
113F1 | 14,830] 24,970 1,133 376 28 83 180? * - -
113F2 | 15,050 | 24,960 1,128 348 26 80 1907 * - -
1-T | 17,865] 25,060 1,105? 315 15 2 155? 268 289 1.34 -
K-1 | 18,110} 28,430 1,130? 265 25 342 2 211 265 "Trace"
K-2 | 18,030 | 29,640 1,095 312 22 170? 197? *
W-1 | 19,890) 28,810 1,145? 82 15 - - *
W-2 | 19,930 | 28,850 1,145? 95 60 2 - *
123B1 | 20,190 | 29,620 1,120? 341 55 ? 155 *
123B2 | 20,370 | 29,630 1,122 326 50 2 140 *
123B3 | 20,480 | 29,370 1,130? 314 62 ? 2 *
123Al | 21,630 | 29,800 1,129 306 50 ? 150? *
K-1 | 20,830 | 28,980 1,135? 150 2 2 1412 80 98 "Trace"
K-2 | 20,620 | 28,980 1,135? 150 30 2 1497 139 150 "Shines"
K-3 | 20,930 | 28,980 1,135? 150 50? 130? 1302? *
122A1 | 21,580 | 26,580 1,175 338 31 85 205 *
122A2 | 22,060 | 26,560 1,176 336 32 80 2102 *
122C1 | 20,150 | 26,240 1,168 327 34 80 210? *
122D1 | 20,260 | 26,850 1,166 352 38 75 210 *
1 | 20,395 | 24,475 1,151 385 28 2 208 359 366 | Few "shines"
2 | 20,370 | 22,985 1,139 363 22 70 2 267 286 do.
3 | 21,325 | 22,985 1,142 360 15 65 2 245 250 "Shines"
4 | 21,340 | 23,905 1,154 380 2 z ? 251 264 | "Silicate"
5 | 21,390 | 23,780 1,154 377 25 83 195? 314 362 "Shines" "Shines."
6 | 21,410 | 23,690 1,152 367 22 77 195? 296 342 1.07 -
7 | 21,370 | 23,430 1,150 385 22 70 198? 290 360 "Shines"
8 | 22,060 | 24,340 1,166 340 38 65 1952 *

1g




3 3 Resistivity 3 \
3 3
3 of g| ‘CONTOURS, § 4
F é & $
g
g
; é s
R-64 ( R-59; R87 é [21,200 N
el J
&| g
8 8
¢ 8
s  § s 8
N 8
is / 500 | if
= aan fi
HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
R-58 R-59° ‘300 600
R64 uz wee srg RST
ev 64
HEE RESIOUUM
8
2
as
$
oie
Fi
oO
6
uty. 8 z
PF &
1000 FEET oO
=
LEGEND
Leng a zine
lI wad
H Leo a zn
ry
Leno a zing
one
1000 —
z
z
= 800— >
= 8
é fs
5
100' DEPTH PENETRATION
© 600 — °
g RESISTIVITY PROFILE

200 —

FIGURE 19. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-64—R-57,

Scheid Tract.

31


32

A north-south section consisting of holes R-48, R-65, R-64 and R~-66
produced expected results (fig. 20). The holes are widely spaced and at
about the same resistivity. The information is consistent with what was
expected, but the holes are spaced too widely for any but broad correlation.

Rodgers Property (Figs. 2-4)

Holes R-9 and R-10 were drilled to test two separate noselike highs on
the Rodgers property. The results appear to confirm the presence of struc-
tural "noses" but the limited drilling does not permit more specific correla-
tion. Neither hole showed more than faint traces of ore minerals.

Winchester Property (Figs. 2-4, 21-25)

Five sections were drilled across the long, benchlike anomaly with which
the Winchester ore deposit is associated. These sections are composed of
(1) holes R-27, R-48, R-49, R-50, and R-47 (fig. 21); (2) holes R-45 and
R-46 (fig. 22); (3) holes R-16, R-43, and SF-11 (fig. 23); (4) holes R-29,
R-32, and R-38 (fig. 24); and (5) R-19, R-22, R-23, and R-26 (fig. 25). The
finding of ore in holes R-22, R-26, R-32, R-38, R-45, R-46, and R-50 has
greatly enlarged the previously indicated size of the ore deposit. All
sections show good correlation. Differences in both structure and alteration
conform with interpretations made from resistivity measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained by using electrical-resistivity measurements in
conjunction with test drilling indicate that resistivity determinations
adequately reflect structure and alteration, in most instances, in the test
area. The 600-foot spacing between lines of resistivity readings and the
100-foot depth penetration are adequate here for reconnaissance work.

Fair to good correlation was obtained between drillhole data and elec-
trical-resistivity determinations in most of the tests. Overlays of topo-
graphic contours and structural contours on the tops of M, N, and R-beds
were compared with the isoresistivity contour map. In most of the area
the topography and resistivity are unrelated, but the structural contours
show definite relationship with resistivity. The relationship of the M bed
is clearest (figs. 26 and 27), the N bed is slightly less clear (figs. 28
and 29), and the R bed is a little more vague (figs. 30 and 31). Many parts
of the project could not be structurally contoured because of widely spaced
drilling, so the relationship of structure to resistivity there is obscure.
In other places more definite interpretations would be possible by extending
the lines of resistivity readings farther to the east and west.

Too many factors may influence the resistivity readings to permit defi-
nite prediction of structure or degree of alteration on the basis of the
absolute reading. It is the relationship between a reading and its adjacent
readings that is important in interpreting subsurface conditions. Toward the
close of the project it was possible to predict, with fair accuracy, the con-
dition of the subsurface rocks in a specific locality before a test hole was
drilled.


APPENDIX

TABLE 1. - Pertinent data abstracted and interpreted from logs of holes churn-drilled
by various private interests on Winchester property
N1/2 sec. 4, T. 25. N., R. 33 W.

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons

coordinates elevation | drilled | Base of | Top of | Top of |_ Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole*| North| East (£.a.s.) | (feet) | residuum | M bed N_bed From- To- Zinc Lead
1 18,680 | 23,800 1,154 339 16 2 2 258 330 5.36 -
330 339 1.14 0.07

2 18,725 | 23,755 1,154 360 26 2 215? 298 310 2.40 -03
310 340 -80 03
3 18,625 | 23,815 1,155 391 25 80? 2007 262 271 2.19 .09
271 289 71 14

289 298 2.17 -10

298 344 -61 -06

4 18,665 | 23,745 1,155 350 28 77 210 265 272 +42 «12
272 284 2.26 12

5 18,745 | 23,830 1,152 360 25 80 200 316 319 -90 03
319 331 3.84 07

331 356 1.02 07

6 18,695 | 23,850 1,154 354 26 85 205 300 316 91 .08
316 325 2.73 204

325 346 +58 .07

7 18,655 | 23,790 1,154 358 25 75 196 265 273 3.41 -
273 309 1.61 -

309 345 4.87 -

345 358 51 -

8 18,700 | 23,810 1,153 366 25 85 200 303 328 2.97 -
328 343 1.16 -

343 366 "Shines" -

9 18,660 | 23,820 1,154 371 25 85 200 282 321 -58 -
321 330 2.95 -

330 353 77 -

10 18,610 | 23,775 1,154 365 30 85 200 265 276 2.04 -
291 302 1.22 -

302 333 3.02 -

333 354 +89 -

Ly


20

7 7 z 7
S| resistivity 3 8 JJ py) O
8} “Conrours 3 g 3| ‘500
/* gi al al —I
gi 600
| 200° 8 ee
8 ° |
8 és
g eg ss
| c |
ass acs Waa
i ©

) 000m | R54

aff)
ht W/Z

HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET

R-52
R-84 R-55 R68 uo
ev 115) gg te
fos.) -———_] SOIL, CLAY, BOULDERS
4}+—__] a ---
fA
3
ELEY. =
fas
tooo Feet
| | 4.
We g
1200 — -
OPENING 8
2
2
1000 — dk |
“7 ‘OPENING o
2 a ¢
Zz s0oo— 4"
- RESISTIVITY PROFILE
© U
o U
5 600-—
2

100! DEPTH PENETRATION

300 00

RESiOUUM
the
8 2
3
Ehe
g
g

z

z ©

=

a

a

3

=

LEGEND

LeAG 8 ZINC
haces

Leap a zinc
‘SHINES,

LeAao a ZINC
ORE

FIGURE 10. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-54—R-52,

Williams Tract.


TABLE 2. - Pertinent data abstracted and interpreted from logs of holes churn-drilled
by Grasseli Chemical Co. on Snow (Ruark) property,

sec. 10, T. 25N., R. 33 W.

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation} drilled | Base of | Top of | Top of Interval, feet Content, percent

Hole | North | East (f.a.s.) (feet) | residuum | M bed N bed From- To- Zinc Lead
35-Z | 11,610 | 26,670 | 1,023 181 10 10* 2 40 45 "Shines"

43-Z | 11,605 | 26,370 | 1,036 142 20 20* 2 100 130 do.

47-Z | 11,590 | 26,080 1,067 196 35 35* 70 150 160** 2.20 -

52-Z | 11,580 | 26,140 | 1,058 162 34 34% 65 145 155** 1.19 1.23
53-Z | 11,590 | 26,000 1,076 190 29 29% 75 150 165 "Shines" -

57-Z | 11,590 | 26,170 | 1,054 155 35 35* 65 140 145 1.44 12
60-2 | 11,690 | 26,100 1,067 173 28 28% 70 150 165** 2.51 -

62-z | 11,690 | 26,070 | 1,069 171 30 30* 15 157% | 162% 1.30 -
63-Z | 11,700 | 26,140 | 1,065 172 25 25* 80 142% 165** 1.41 -

68-Z | 11,700 | 26,175 | 1,063 164 30 30* 70 150 160** 3.03 -

71-Z | 11,700 | 26,200 1,060 163 25 25* 50? 135 160 "Shines" -

76-2 | 11,800 | 26,205 | 1,070 170 35 35* 80 142% 157% do. "Shines."
78-2 | 11,785 | 26,135 1,073 174 25 25% 85 160 170** 2.40 -

79-Z | 11,880 | 26,140 | 1,077 181 42 42% 90 142% 175 "Shines" "Shines."
80-2 | 11,495 | 26,100 | 1,063 167 40 40* 65? 140 162% do. Do.
83-Z | 11,985 | 26,130 | 1,082 185 50 50* 90 167% 177% 1.32 -10
85-zZ| 11,485 |26,190 | 1,054 157 40 40* 50? 125 152% 87 1.03
86-Z | 11,975 | 26,065 | 1,083 183 40 40% 95 120 132% "Shines" 1.29
87-2 | 11,475 | 26,215 | 1,052 165 30 30% 60? 115 142i 99 51
89-Z | 11,975 | 26,030 | 1,083 181 33 33* 90 165 172% 1.44 -

91-2 | 11,380 | 26,210 1,058 160 30 30* 50 140 145 "Shines" -

92-Z | 12,065 | 26,030 1,085 184 30 30* 95 125 165 do. "Shines."
95-Z | 11,365 | 26,140 1,060 154 10 10* 50 125 135 - 1.40
96-Z | 12,075 | 26,080 | 1,085 180 28 28% 95 165 175 "Shines" "Shines."
97-2 | 11,490 | 26,145 | 1,066 160 45 45% 75 135 145 - Do.
99-2 | 11,480 | 26,245 | 1,056 151 40 40* 60 None None - -
100-Z | 12,160 | 26,040 | 1,088 181 30 30* 90 120 140 - "Shines."
102-2 | 11,375 | 26,275 | 1,056 150 45 45% 75 115 120 "Silicate" -
103-2 | 11,9207] 25,3102} 1,0297 136 13 13* 30 105 125 0.69 -
106-Z | 11,370 | 26,110 | 1,067 163 45 45% 75 135 145 "Shines" "Shines."
107-Z | 12,0287} 25,1257} 1,029? 128 19 19* 45 115 125 "Fair jack" -

* Upper part

*k Contains a

of M bed removed by erosion.

section of zinc-lead sulfides of ore grade 7 feet or more in thickness.




This publication has been cataloged as follows :

Chester, John William,
Application of electrical-resistivity surveys to exploration
for zin¢-lead deposits, Racine-Spurgeon area, Newton County,

Mo. [Washington] U. S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Mines,
1959.

ii, 56 p. illus., maps (part fold.) tables. 27 cm. (U. S. Bureau of
Mines. Report of investigations, 5503)

Bibliography: p. 46.

1. Zinc ores—Missouri—Newton Co. 2. Lead ores—Missouri—New-
ton Co. I. Title: Electrical-resistivity surveys. (Series)

[TN23.U7 no. 5503] 622.06173

U. S. Dept. of the Int. Library



20,000N_

L

007

®

Nore:

"} srrucTURE coNrouR ow

—E GENO

TOP OF "M" BED
BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
DRILL HOLE

HOLE PREVIOUSLY CHURN
DRILLED

SEE FIG.4 FOR IDENTITIES
OF UNNUMBERED BUREAU
OF MINES DRILL HOLES

SCALE IN. FEET

800-1200

FIGURE 26. - Structure Contours on Top of M Bed, Northwestern Part of Racine-Spurgeon Area.

6€


RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS.

R-32.
R-38 R-29
guey 18! N60 16!
9
RESIDUUM
3
3
2
ELEV. fr
fos. a
1000 FEET 2
z
€
&
3
a ef bee
= 8
ca
°
1200 — &
=
1000— r
2
2
=
6
$800—
2
2
600 — RESISTIVITY PROFILES
400 —

HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET

VERTICAL_SCALE INFEET

LEGEND

LEAD ZING TRACES
LEAD 8 ZING SHINES

LEAD @ ZINC ORE

100' DEPTH PENETRATION

300 600

6080 100

40

300' DEPTH PENETRATION

METER _~ OHMS

FIGURE 24. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-38—R-29,

Winchester Tract.

37


Locations of sinks or potholes can be determined with relative accuracy
by resistivity measurements. Such structures are favorable for exploration.

Results indicate that the electrical-resistivity survey was at least as
effective as shale drilling in delineating favorable areas for exploration.
Moreover, the geophysical work was done for about one-third the cost of
obtaining comparable information by shale drilling.

The holes were drilled primarily to determine the relationship between
resistivity anomalies and geologic structure, and not to explore for ore
deposits: 23 of the 76 holes intersected minable thicknesses of ore-grade
material,

Ore, as used throughout this report, is defined as material with a mini-
mum grade of 1.5 percent of zinc within an interval at least 7.5 feet thick
or its equivalent in feet-percent.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The assistance and cooperation are gratefully acknowledged of American
Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co., The Eagle-Picher Co., individuals, and landowners
in furnishing pertinent drillhole logs, mining and geophysical data, and
other information. Special acknowledgment is due the Missouri Geological
Survey for the geologic logging of churn-drill cuttings and for their cooper-
ation in making available records for the preliminary examination.

LOCATION, ACCESSIBILITY, AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

The Racine-Spurgeon area encompasses about 18 square miles in Newton
County, Mo., and includes Racine in the southwest and Spurgeon in the north-
east. Racine is 10 miles south of Joplin and 8 miles west of Neosho. Figure
1 shows the location of the project site and its relation to various mining
camps in the Tri-State district.

All-weather graveled roads, mostly on section lines, provide access to
nearly all parts of the project area and connect with paved highways leading
to Joplin and Neosho. Freight-loading facilities are available at Racine,
which is on a main line of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. Electric
power is available from transmission lines of The Empire District Electric Co.
and the Rural Electrification Administration that cross the area.

The project site is mainly rolling prairie land near the western boundary
of the Ozark uplift. Altitudes range from approximately 925 feet near Lost
Creek, southwest of Racine, to about 1,180 feet on the highest part of the
upland prairie. Most of the area is drained by Lost Creek and its tributaries,
including Willow Branch. Lost Creek flows southwestward to Grand Lake in
Oklahoma. Cedar Creek, a tributary of Shoal Creek, drains the northeastern
part; and Warrens Branch, a westward-flowing tributary of Spring River, drains
the northwestern area. Figure 2 shows the topography and drainage.


TABLE 1, - Pertinent data abstracted and interpreted from logs of holes churn-drilled
by various private interests on Winchester property,
N1/2 sec. 4, T. 25.N., R. 33 J. (Con.)

Location Collar Depth | Depth below collar (feet) Zinc-lead horizons
coordinates elevation | drilled| Base of | Top of | Top of Interval, feet Content, percent
Hole* | North | East. (£.a.s.) | (feet) | residuum | M bed N_bed From- To- Zinc Lead
WC-3 | 18,840 | 23,990 1,149 340 23 80 205 297 305 1.13 -
305 317 3.49 -
317 325 1.13 -
BW-1 | 18,735 | 23,875 1,153 375 24 85 200 312 332 1.76 -
340 348 2.91 -
BW-2 | 18,680 | 23,760 1,154 356 25 90? 200 265 277 2.76 -
295 312 1.55 -
BW-3 | 18,630 | 23,770 1,155 365 26 2 195? 265 275 2.33 0.04
290 330 5.11 -03
BW-4 | 18,600 | 23,750 1,156 355 27 79 200 265 275 1.27 -
295 315 2.49 -
315 330 1.34 -
340 347 1.18 -
BW-5 | 18,615 | 23,800 1,155 350 27 80 200 265 275 4.21 "Trace."
275 280 90 +28
290 310 1.01 -
310 340 2.19 -
BW-6 | 18,645 | 23,740 1,155 350 27 80 195? 295 312 1.56 -
312 320 65,

* Numbers with prefix WC and BW designate holes drilled by St. Louis Smelting & Refining Co.; all others
were drilled by American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co. and A. N. Winchester.

64


R-33
R-34

R-35
R-36
R-37
R-38
R-39
R-40A
R-41

R-42
R-43
R-44

17,600

17,648
20,300
15,800
17,576

20,080
15,800
17,925
20,080

11,060

18,002

20,080
11,343

20,080
20,080
11,157
18,041
20,080
10, 930
21,200

11,118
17,930
11,855

22,410

22,322
20,240
20 ,800
22,453

24,985
21,000
23,090
24,250

25,675

23,024

24,350
25,576

24,885
24,750
25,648
22,992
24,485
25,560
24,200

25,865
23,800
26,426

1,154

1,147
1,120
1,152
1,155

1,153
1,147
1,161
1,148

1,009

1,160

1,149
1,015

1,154
1,152
1,011
1,161
1,149
1,007
1,157

1,015
1,163
1,055

350

355
335
406
341

360
333
350
365

245

324

100
141

75
105
124
336

90
135
340

125
381
170

33

25

36
33

27
36
27
15

10

28

29
10

15
13
12
30
30
35
37

10
32
25

79 203
79 190
2 162?
97 190
82 200
93 215
85 198
84 213
122 218
10* 35
86 220
Not reached
10* 30
Not reached
do.

12* 33
86 215
Not reached
* 35?
89 210
10o* 45
81 210
25* 70

290

283
272
242
285

302
260
293
313

98

297%

105

95
300

100
300

100
300
147%

250
295%
307%
312
283
250

275
295
340
293
122
315

55

85
100
120
280
305
315

85
107%

40
300

200
252%
305
85
300
120
155

295,
307%
312%
350
355,
255

295
310
355
320
130
320

60
100
110
135
305
315
322

674
107%
141

110
327%

2074
260
320
1074
340
155
170

"Specks"
1.40
-40
"Specks"
"Traces"
"Trace"

"Specks"
2.62
"Specks"
"Trace"

"Specks"
1.13
2.56
+93
+27
55
3.23
67
2.37
87
"Trace"

0.15
1.44
+29
1.95
"Specks"
1.75
"Trace"

"Specks."
0.01
OL

Al
"Specks.

"

"Specks .""

"Specks."
1.45
07

"Trace.
Do.
04

09

ss


TABLE 1. - General geologic section - Racine-Spurgeon area,
(compiled from Bureau of Mines drillhole logs)

Thickness,
System Formation Rock character feet
Soil, clay, and gravel; chert,
Recent Alluvium and residuum limestone and sandstone boulders o- 70
Pennsylvanian | Cherokee Shale and a little sandstone o0- 70
Limestone; a few sandstone and
Mississippian| Chester shale lenses 0 - 140
Warsaw - B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and J beds Limestone and chert 0 - 100
K and L beds Chert and limestone O- 32
a | B}S]M bed: Short Creek oolite Oolitic limestone o- 12
§| ale Limestone and chert 0 - 134
=)
Boonel 2 2 Grand
q Falls N, 0, P, and Q beds Chert and a little limestone 0 - 110
3
19] Reeds
5| Springs bed Limestone and chert 25 - 140
Fern Glen Shaly limestone, dolomite 9- 84
Northview Shale O- 23
Compton Limestone . o- 15
Ordovician Cotter (Jefferson City) Dolomitic limestone -



APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL-RESISTIVITY SURVEYS
TO EXPLORATION FOR ZINC-LEAD DEPOSITS,
RACINE-SPURGEON AREA, NEWTON COUNTY, MO.

By J. W. CHESTER

« * « « «+ «+ +  « Report of Investigations 5503

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fred A. Seaton, Secretary
BUREAU OF MINES
Marling J. Ankeny, Director

1959


30

ra TT rm 3
3 8 || resistiviry 3 &
3 i i S|} “contours 8 S 8
¢ 3 3 3
g 3 Fe 3
NU 8
8 Sg
8
| ’
Rear ait “nia_ of? } fo,d00n
5 ye
go?
fu
=
R65 Roll Rai? R-I4 RB HORIZONTAL SCALE IN FEET
ELEV._159. Mes ues es N62 300
os
SOIL, CLAY, BouLoERS | REsiOUUM
fj --] b —_
me
7 be. 8
Bs
3
ell®
ELEV. Filo
fos
1000 FEET _
z
<
g
ra 8
3 =
2
el 2
A OU e LEGEND
Leap a zine
L Taaces
Leo a zine
Sunes
Leap @ zine
one
1000 — B
2 e00—
z RESISTIVITY PROFILES
Fenn cen
' HORNE)
& ra - & 2
a 300! DEPTH PENETRATION FE <
Et 8 é
8 5
3
2
400— Es

f00' DEPTH PENETRATION

FIGURE 18. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-65—R-56,

Scheid Tract.


18

OQ 25 2, 2
= oor 09 09 oF oz 0 Z 38 of oy
8 3 ————————— W of 0% oS
ns 2 Tad Ni STVOS WOILBIA © 3 3° 3
& ra i
Fy g [=
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3 so3e Cin o
3 S038 1, O1 2,3, 038 MW, ,0,01,N, 038 4, XN3T9 NAS} ¥34109 2
* ~~ iy ry
Fy 2
é g
g & =
Ed = 5
g 5
a o
3
3
8

1809 NOL108—~
TF

R-75A,

|
8 2
ry 8

SWHO - Y31aW

RESISTIVITY
CONTOURS,

900 FEET
1200 —
1000 —

400 —
200

FIGURE 8. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-75A—R-74,
Milnot Tract.





42

14,600N,

24,200€

L e G € N D

Nore:

STRUCTURE CONTOUR OW
Top oF "N” BED

BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
DRILL HOLE

HOLE PREVIOUSLY
DRILLED

cHuRN

SEE FIGS FOR JOENTITIES
OF UNNUMBERED BUREAU
OF MINES DRILL HOLES

SCALE IN FEET

01600-2000

8,000N

DEPOSIT

FIGURE 29. - Structure Contours on Top of N Bed, Southwestern Part of

Racine-Spurgeon Area.



26

Watson Property (igs. 2-4, 15, 16)

The northern end of a large area of low resistivity readings (100-200
meter-ohms) is in the southern part of this property (figs. 2-4). The nose
of a pattern of higher resistivity intrudes the low from the west. Test
holes R-7, R-30, R-33, R-39, R-6, R-36, R-35, and R-37 confirmed the inferred
relationship between the resistivity readings and structure. R-7 confirmed
the presence of a structural nose, and the other holes confirmed the presence
of a sink structure containing a block of highly porous Chester limestone
(fig. 15). No significant mineralization was indicated by these holes, but
correlation between the resistivity profile and structure is good.

Holes R-60 and R-61 (fig. 16), drilled on a flank of the nose further
confirmed the presence of a structural nose but the short section through
these holes is not conclusive as to the relationship between resistivity
and structure or alteration.

Watson-Scheid Properties (igs. 2-4, 17)

The small, almost circular area of low resistivity readings (100-200
meter-ohms) in the northeast section of the Watson property was interpreted
as an expression of a pothole or sink structure. Hole R-62, which was
drilled in the center of this anomaly, penetrated highly altered beds and
oxidized zinc ore. Hole R-63 unexpectedly penetrated a greater thickness of
residuum than R-62 and greater thinning in the M-bed. R-63 also disclosed
intervals of oxidized zinc ore. Hole R-66, drilled on a line with and east
of the other two holes (fig. 4), penetrated relatively unaltered beds.

The structure shown by the cross section through the three holes corre-
lates fairly well with the resistivity profile, except for being offset (fig.
17).

Scheid Property (Figs. 2-4, 18-20)

Holes R-65, R-11, R-17, R-14 and R-56 were drilled to test a weak "high"
on the Scheid property (figs. 2-4). All the holes except R-65 showed indi-
cations of zinc mineralization; R-17 cut through a thick section of submar-
ginal ore, and R-56 a 7-1/2-foot section that contains 2.15 percent of zinc.
The test drilling was encouraging with respect to mineralization; however,
the correlation between geology and geophysics is not clear. No structural
features can be recognized at the depths expected that might account for the
differences in resistivity readings. A suggestion of doming is shown on the
top of the N-bed and also on the top of R-bed (fig. 18), but these features
are thought to be too deep to influence the 100-foot depth penetration of
resistivity. The relative alteration in the rocks does not appear to bear
any relation to resistivity.

Test drilling of holes R-57, R-58, R-59, and R-64 across a broad, rela~
tively shallow "low" north of the weak "high" on the Scheid property produced
good results (fig. 19). Residuum was the deepest at the center of the low, a
structural low was evident through all the beds penetrated, and alteration
was greatest in the center of the low. Hole R-58 cut a 7-1/2-foot interval
containing 1.56 percent zinc. The zinc occurs as sphalerite in the OPQ
beds at a depth of 260-267-1/2 feet.


ELev
fa.8

1000 FEET

LEGEND
LEAD 6 ZINC TRACES
LEAD 8 ZINC SHINES

LEAD 8 ZINC ORE

1000 —

800 —

600 —

400 —

METER ~ OHMS.

200—

300' DEPTH PENETRATION

100" DEPTH PENETRATION

HORIZONTAL _SCALE_IN FEET

“e"? To "U" BEDS

BEDS

2
2
2

rer cLen|
NORTHVIEW)

ER

cort!

FIGURE 22. - Plan and Vertical Cross Section Through Drillholes R-45—R-46,
Winchester Tract.

RESIOUUM

60 100

40

VERTICAL SCALE IN FEET
20

MISSISSIPPIAN

ORDOVICIAN



21

During the interval of 165 to 190 feet below the surface, hole R-54
penetrated highly altered beds of oxidized zinc ore. Hole R-55 penetrated
somewhat less altered beds and a section of oxidized zinc ore from 172 to
180 feet. The beds in R-68 were only slightly altered and showed no trace
of zinc minerals.

Holes R-51, R-52, and R-53 were drilled to test another low-resistivity
area and the indicated southwest extension of the benchlike anomaly associated
with the Winchester ore deposit. The rock strata penetrated in these holes
were firm and relatively unaltered - a condition considerably different from
that which had been expected. The structural configuration here bears no
apparent relationship to the resistivity pattern (fig. 11). Holes R-70 and
R-71 were drilled in the area of lowest resistivity, northward along this
line of holes (fig. 4), in an attempt to determine the reason for the lack
of correlation. These holes also penetrated firm, relatively unaltered
strata. The surface here is flat, poorly drained, and swampy, so the resis-
tivity readings probably reflect the swampy surface residuum rather than
subsurface conditions.

Crawford Mine Property and Bailey Property (figs. 2-4, 12)

A large area of low resistivity (200-300 meter-ohms) in secs. 4, 5, 32,
and 33 (fig. 2) and the presence of Cherokee shale on mine dumps indicated
the existence of a sink structure. This interpretation was confirmed by
test holes R-8, R-20, R-24, and R-73. Comparison of the resistivity profile
with the cross section through holes R-20, R-24, and R-73 (fig. 12) shows
good correlation between resistivity and structure.

Hole R-8 showed traces of oxidized zinc minerals and galena from 210 to
240 feet in depth; R-20 showed traces of sphalerite in several intervals;
R-24 penetrated a mineralized zone from 250 to 255 feet in depth containing
1.47 percent of zinc; and R-73 penetrated several mineralized zones including
one from 195- to 235 feet in depth with an average zinc content of 2.24 per-
cent, mostly in nonsulfide form.

Fort-Wilkins Properties (Figs. 2-5, 13, 14)

Holes R-12, R-15, R-18, R-21, R-25, and R-28 were drilled to test a
domelike anomaly of high resistivity, with readings ranging from 400 to
2,100 meter-ohms (figs. 4 and 5). The cross section through holes R-15,
R-12, R-28, and R-25 shows only a vague relationship between structure on
the top of M bed and the resistivity profile (fig. 13). The most significant
disclosure is that the domelike pattern of resistivity here was not the re-
flection of a structural dome, as might have been inferred. All holes pene-
trated predominantly firm and relatively unaltered beds, and only R-25
encountered an appreciable thickness of soft material.

The soil cover at hole R-25 is much thicker than at R-15, and the ground
near R-15 is very rocky. These conditions probably influenced the resistivity
readings to as great or greater degree than did the structure. The section
through R-15, R-18, and R-21 (fig. 14) further supports this conclusion. The
soil cover at R-18 is about the same as the cover at R-25.


==
ad
| = £00.

| do |

(800

~—

m
o

e N
BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
ORILL HOLE

HOLE PREVIOUSLY CHURN
DRILLED

ISO-RESISTIVITY CONTOURS

INTERVAL: 100 METER - OHMS
RESISTIVITY TRAVERSE LINE

SCALE IN FEET

400 -800-—«1200=—«1 600

FIGURE 4. - Northwestern Part of Racine-Spurgeon Area.

Oe
[700 —t°s00

to)



svatcnoa'saNim socne~*Lmt

soo

R-63

R-64
R-65
R-66
R-67

R-68
R-69
R-70

R-71
R-72

R-73

21,800

21,202
20,599
21,803

9,003

17,000
9,105
17,280
17,600
8,675

20,300

8,591

9,270
8,775

25,000

25,251
25,174
25,169
25,110

20, 550
25,040
21,269
21,283
25,339

19,890

25,394

24,933
25,249

1,162

1,164
1,159
1,164

988

1,154
996
1,160
1,159
989

1,126

989

1,012
979

385

345
346
330
396

314
375
323
324
311

367

295

362
134

45

33
28
38
25

39
35
34
42
50

40

20

702
10

128?

80
79
72%

89%
110?
83

702

195

210
205
199
193

203
165?
203

195
115?

185

100?

173

285

296
292
280
303

275
265?
275

270
200
275

194

273

Not penetrated

85
235
260
267%
290
325
370
270
275

70
95
120

120
260
282%
270
205
267%
280
72
100
195
320
215
232%,

2724
280
330

95
245
267%
280
300
347%
380
305
280

75
120
165
145
2674
290
300
267%
280
300
7714
115
235
330
2324

2724
280
290
340

0.49

1.60

18
+40
2.21
18
1.77

"Specks"
+61
1.72
47
+22
1.02
2.24
15
1.72
-67
67
1.52
53

"Specks"

Lg


20,000N_-”

R-8
¢
Ee G E N O
an
co} STRUCTURE CONTOUR ON
TOP OF "R" BED
3 R70 BUREAU OF MINES CHURN
\w, 3 8 Dat Move
od i a es | note PRENOUSLY cHURH
oft Pyptes omiieed
o70F c ’ NOTE: SEE FIG.4 FOR IDENTITIES
a? - “ OF UNNUMBERED BUREAU

OF MINES DRILL HOLES

SCALE IN FEET

#00 800 ©—-1200-—1600-«-2000

FIGURE 30. - Structure Contours on Top of R Bed, Northwestern Part of Racine-Spurgeon Area.

ev


45

Highly altered beds were found in areas where resistivity readings ranged
from 75 to 700 meter-ohms. Firm to only slightly altered beds were found
where readings ranged from 270 to 2,140 meter-ohms. Test drilling indicated
that, in the project site, most areas with readings above 800 meter-ohms are
unfavorable for ore deposition. Very little evidence of ore mineralization
was found in these areas. .

Test drilling of various patterns of resistivity readings indicated that
certain types of anomalies are much better indexes to ore deposition than others,
The long, benchlike type of anomaly is apparently one of the best indicators
of a sulfide ore deposit. The Winchester ore body is associated with an
anomaly of this type. Although test drilling was not sufficient to be con-
clusive, the locations of two ore holes adjacent to an area of low resis-
tivity on the Milnot property suggest that this ore may also be associated
with a benchlike anomaly.

Sink structures indicated by low-resistivity readings are favorable
sites for oxidized ore deposits and in some instances for sulfide deposits
near the outer limit of the sink.

This project demonstrated that an electrical-resistivity survey can be
a valuable tool in the search for zinc-lead deposits. As a method of in-
dicating favorable areas for exploratory drilling, eliminating unfavorable
areas, the electrical-resistivity survey is probably more effective than
shale drilling, and can be done at about one-third the cost.


The upland prairie lands have largely been cleared and are used for
forage and production of small grain crops. The rest of the area is mainly
rocky woodland cut by a few valleys, in which the chief occupation is dairy
farming. Several parts of the project site contain groups of abandoned mine
shafts, mine dumps, and mill tailing piles.

The moderate climate is suitable for year-round mining operations. The
average annual precipitation is about 38 inches. Temperatures normally range
from 100° on the hottest days of the summer to nearly 0° F. in the coldest time
of the winter; these extremes are usually of short duration.

GEOLOGY AND ORE DEPOSITS

The geology of the Tri-State district, which includes the Racine-Spurgeon
area, has been described in publications of the Missouri Geological Survey
(2, 3) and the Federal Geological Survey (4-6) and by G. M. Fowler, consulting
geologist (9, 10, 12), and others. Figure 1 shows the general distribution of
surface rocks and the principal structural features of the Tri-State district.

The Tri-State district lies on the gently sloping northwestern flank of
the Ozark uplift and contains an approximate area of 2,000 square miles in
southwest Missouri, southeast Kansas, and northeast Oklahoma. Shale, sand-
stone, limestone, chert, and dolomite of the Pennsylvanian, Mississippian,
and Ordovician systems overlie Precambrian granitic rocks. The thickness of
the sediments, shown by the logs of the few deep wells that have been drilled
in the district, range from 1,045 feet to 1,815. The average dip is 30 feet
per mile to the northwest.

In the Oklahoma-Kansas part of the Tri-State district the Pennsylvanian
Cherokee formation covers most of the surface in the productive area and lies
unconformably on the Mississippian Chester formation where the Chester is
present. In the Missouri part of the district,,the Cherokee and Chester form-
ations have been mostly removed by erosion. Only a few outliers and remnants
survive. The surface formation is largely the Mississippian Boone, which has
been eroded as deep as the OPQ beds in some places.

For closer stratigraphic correlation the Boone formation was subdivided
by Fowler and Lyden (9) into 16 separate beds to the top of the Fern Glen.
These beds are designated B through R, with I omitted. Except for an abnor-
mally thick M bed, the stratigraphic section in the Racine-Spurgeon area
(table 1) is comparable with that in the rest of the Tri-State district.

Most of the ore produced in the district has been mined from the Boone
formation. In a few places the Chester and Cherokee formations have also
been productive. Throughout the district, the GH, K, M, and OPQ beds have
been the most productive. Where conditions are favorable, all beds of the
Boone formation may contain ore.