Alaska Resource Data File, 

Kantishna River quadrangle, Alaska 

By Cameron S. Rombach 1 

Open-File Report 00–289 

2000 

This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological 

Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, 

firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

1

 Fairbanks, Alaska 
Alaska Resource Data File 

This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic code. Any use 

of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government. 

OPEN-FILE REPORT 00-289 

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Distribution of mineral occurrences in the Kantishna River

1:250,000-scale quadrangle, Alaska

 This and related reports are accessible through the USGS World Wide Web site 

http://ardf.wr.usgs.gov. Comments or information regarding corrections or missing

data, or requests for digital retrievals should be directed to: Frederic Wilson, USGS, 4200 

University Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, e-mail fwilson@usgs.gov, telephone (907) 

786-7448. This compilation is authored by:

 Cameron S. Rombach

 Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys

 794 University Ave., Suite 200

 Fairbanks, AK 99709-3645

Kantishna River quadrangle

 Descriptions of the mineral occurrences shown on the accompanying figure follow. 

See U.S. Geological Survey (1996) for a description of the information content of each field 

in the records. The data presented here are maintained as part of a statewide database 

on mines, prospects and mineral occurrences throughout Alaska.
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 2 

Site name(s): Bearpaw Mountain 

Site type: Prospects 

ARDF no.: KH001 

Latitude: 64.087 Quadrangle: KH A-3 

Longitude: 151.053 

Location description and accuracy:

 The Bearpaw Mountain prospects are found within a 2-square-mile area, low on the 

west flank of Bearpaw Mountain. The approximate center of the prospect area is in 

SW1/4SE1/4 section 34, T. 9 S., R. 18 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian. The Kantishna 

River is approximately 2 miles to the south, and there is an airstrip at Lake Minchumina 

approximately 35 miles southwest of the prospects. The Bearpaw Mountain prospects are 

located on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Sn 

 Other: 

Ore minerals: 

Gangue minerals: Quartz 

Geologic description:

 Bearpaw Mountain is composed of a two-mica granite stock (Doyon, Limited, 1998) 

intruding hornfelsed shale, schist, and siltstone (Bond, 1985). The shale, schist, and siltstone are of Ordovician to Silurian age, and the granite is Cretaceous to Tertiary 

(Chapman and Yeend, 1981). The granite outcrops on the west flank of Bearpaw Mountain cover approximately 2 square miles. The granite is coarse grained, vuggy, and cut in 

many places by numerous tourmaline-bearing aplite dikes. The granite is interpreted to 

be similar to tin granites in the Seward Peninsula (Bond, 1985). Regionally, the area contains a system of northeast-trending strike-slip and related conjugate faults, associated 

with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks (Clautice 

and others, 1993). 

 The prospects consist of vein and stockwork quartz in hornfels adjacent to the granite. 

As much as 1 percent limonitic voids and rare, blue-gray sulfide wisps are found in the 

quartz. Limited sampling identified quartz veins with as much as 15 ppm Sn (Bond, 

1985). Limited outcrop suggests detrital tin placers and other tin bearing zones may be 

found with the granite (Bond, 1985). 

 A regional stream sediment sampling and mapping program in 1975-77 and 1980 idenKH001 
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Page 3 

tified geochemical anomalies (Bond, 1985). In 1981, an airborne radiometric survey was 

conducted. In 1985, exploration consisted of mapping and collecting 12 rock chip samples (Bond, 1985). There are no indications of production. 

Alteration:

 

Age of mineralization:

 Veins are syn- or post-Cretaceous to Tertiary intrusion. 

Deposit model:

Plutonic-related mesothermal veining. 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 A regional stream sediment sampling and mapping program in 1975-77 and 1980 identified geochemical anomalies (Bond, 1985). In 1981, an airborne radiometric survey was 

conducted. In 1985, exploration consisted of mapping and collecting 12 rock chip samples (Bond, 1985). 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 The Bearpaw Mountain prospects are located on land selected by or conveyed to 

Doyon, Limited. For more information, contact Doyon, Limited. 

References:

Eakin, 1918; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Chapman and Yeend, 1981; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Bond, 1985; Clautice and others, 1993; Doyon Limited, 1998 

Primary reference: Bond, 1985 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH001 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 4 

Site name(s): Chitsia Creek 

Site type: Prospect 

ARDF no.: KH002 

Latitude: 64.039 Quadrangle: KH A-1 

Longitude: 150.469 

Location description and accuracy:

 Chitsia Creek drains northwest into the Kantishna River. The creek is roughly 21 miles 

long and has several tributaries. The Alaska Division of Mining Kardex file system reports placer claims on Chitsia Creek north of Chitsia Mountain. The approximate center 

of mining activity on Chitsia Creek is in NE1/4NW1/4 section 22, T. 10 S., R. 15 W., of 

the Fairbanks Meridian, at an elevation of about 700 feet. There are references to additional placer mining along Chitsia Creek, but it is unclear where. The Chitsia Creek prospect is located on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Au 

 Other: 

Ore minerals: Gold 

Gangue minerals: 

Geologic description:

 Along Chitsia Creek, north of Chitsia Mountain, the geologic units are Miocene to Pliocene Nenana gravels overlain by unconsolidated Quaternary silt and colluvium. The Nenana gravels consist of weakly consolidated pebble conglomerate and thin-bedded sandstone and claystone (Chapman and Yeend, 1981). Regionally, the area contains a system 

of northeast-trending strike-slip and related conjugate faults associated with Cretaceous to 

Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks (Clautice and others, 1993). 

 Float collected from Chitsia Creek, north of Chitsia Mountain, consisted of quartzmuscovite schist, white bull quartz with iron-oxide, and biotite-feldspar-quartz gneiss 

(Bond, 1985). A pan concentrate from Chitsia Creek assayed by the acid digestion 

method contained 340 ppb Au, 60 ppm Cu, 10 ppm Pb, 170 ppm Zn, 3 ppm Mo, 20 ppm 

As, and 10 ppm W (Bond, 1985). 

 Placer gold was discovered in the stream gravels of Chitsia Creek by George Wickersham during the 1903 expedition to Mt. McKinley (Bundtzen and others, 1976). There 

are no indications of production. 

KH002 
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Page 5 

Alteration:

 

Age of mineralization:

 Quaternary? 

Deposit model:

Placer Au (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 39a). 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

39a 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 Placer gold was first discovered in the stream gravels of Chitsia Creek by George Wickersham during the 1903 expedition to Mt. McKinley (Bundtzen and others, 1976). The 

area was later mapped by Chapman and Yeend (1981). 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 The Chitsia Creek prospect is located on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. For more information, contact Doyon, Limited. 

References:

Bundtzen and others, 1976; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Chapman and Yeend, 1981; 

Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Bond, 1985; Clautice and others, 1993. 

Primary reference: Bond, 1985 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH002 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 6 

Site name(s): Cosna Dome 

Site type: Prospects 

ARDF no.: KH003 

Latitude: 64.509 Quadrangle: KH C-4 

Longitude: 151.997 

Location description and accuracy:

 The Cosna Dome Pb-Ag and Sn prospects are situated on a 2,026-foot-high rounded hill 

on the north flank of the Bitzshtini Mountains. The approximate center of the 1-squaremile area that contains the two prospects is in NE1/4SW1/4 section 6, T. 5 S., R. 22 W., 

of the Fairbanks Meridian. The Pb-Ag prospect is situated along a west-flowing tributary 

of the Cosna River that drains the southwest side of hill 2,026. The Sn prospect is situated at the top of hill 2,026. The Cosna Dome prospects are accessible by the Cosna 

River and an airstrip, 1,100 feet long, on the south flank of the dome. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Ag, Pb, Sn 

 Other: Au, Cu, Sb, Zn 

Ore minerals: Arsenopyrite, cassiterite, chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, sphalerite, stibnite 

Gangue minerals: Chlorite, quartz, sericite, tourmaline 

Geologic description:

 The Cosna Dome area is characterized by low rounded hills having less than 1 percent 

outcrop (Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). The country rocks are Precambrian to Cambrian 

quartzite, metasiltstone, slate, phyllite, and grit (Chapman and others, 1975). Regionally, 

the area contains a system of northeast-trending strike-slip and related conjugate faults associated with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks 

(Clautice and others, 1993). The Cosna Dome prospects are sparsely intruded by thin 

aplitic dikes (Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). 

 The Pb-Ag prospect is characterized by numerous east-trending subparallel zones of limonite-stained vuggy quartz veins in open-space fractures. The quartz veins contain hydrothermal sericite and various combinations of galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, 

and stibnite. Massive galena samples from two prospect pits contained 65 to 147 ounces 

Ag per ton. A cobble of stibnite from a trench contained 0.7 ppm Hg, 0.8 ppm Ag, and 

68.95 percent Sb. Some of the best assays of galena yield 71percent Pb, 91.3 ounces Ag 

per ton, and 0.06 percent Sn. A pan concentrate from gravels downstream of the prospect 

contained 7 ppm Ag, and 1,150 ppm Pb (Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). 

KH003 
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Page 7 

 The Sn prospect is characterized at the surface by subtle linear benches and depressions 

trending approximately 145 degrees. These benches and depressions contain brecciated 

graywacke with irregular quartz stringers, goethite-limonite gossan, and some quartztourmaline veining. An iron-stained quartz-veined breccia sample contained 45 ppm Ag, 

830 ppm Sn, 2,200 ppm Pb, and 181 ppm As. A sample consisting of gossan and quartzchlorite veins crosscutting a massive quartz lens contained 54 ppm Ag, 5,800 ppm Pb, 

897 ppm As, 0.320 ppm Au, and less than 200 ppm Sn. A zone of dense gossan material 

contained 20,000 ppm Sn, 110 ppm Ag, 2,130 ppm As, and 3,950 ppm Pb. Regional 

stream-sediment sampling has found detrital cassiterite. A pan concentrate from gravels 

downstream of the prospect contained 0.090 ppm Au, less than 5 ppm Ag, 2,100 ppm Sn, 

and 195 ppm Pb (Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). 

 The regional northeast-trending fault and plutonic system that characterizes Cosna 

Dome and the Bitzshtini Mountains also characterizes Haystack Mountain (KH004) approximately 20 miles southwest and the Chitanatala Mountains to the north and northwest. Silberman and others (1978) determined a K-Ar biotite age of 64.2 plus or minus 

1.9 Ma for the pluton on Haystack Mountain, and a K-Ar biotite age of 91.3 plus or minus 

2.7 Ma and a K-Ar hornblende age of 92.5 plus or minus 2.8 Ma for the pluton in the Chitanatala Mountains. Results of airborne radiometric and magnetic surveys of the 

Bitzshtini Mountains are similar to the geophysical expression of the Haystack Mountain 

pluton and associated hornfels. Burleigh (1989 [OFR 11-89]) interprets the Bitzshtini 

Mountains, including Cosna Dome, as the surface expression of an aureole of hornfels 

around a shallow, unexposed pluton with high-level felsic dikes and Pb-Ag-Sn mineralization. 

 It is reported that Tom Arnstrom first discovered lode cassiterite at the head of a gulch 

on the northwest flank of Cosna Dome. It is unclear what year the discovery occurred. 

Using information supplied by Arnstrom, Charles Holky prospected the area for tin 

(Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). Holky reported good prospects of placer cassiterite in the 

headwaters of the Cosna River (Joesting, 1943). Holky and Colbert discovered lead and 

silver vein mineralization at the Pb-Ag prospect and hand-dug a 100-foot adit, three 

trenches, and several prospecting pits. The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a brief examination, consisting of rock, soil, and pan concentrate sampling, of the Pb-Ag and Sn 

prospects in 1964 and a follow up Cu-Pb-Zn soil survey in 1966. In 1980, the Department of Energy completed 1:250,000-scale airborne radiometric and magnetic reconnaissance surveys for the region. During and after 1985, Charles Woodruff conducted various 

trenching operations and constructed a 1,100-foot airstrip on Cosna Dome. There is no 

reported production for the Cosna Dome Pb-Ag and Sn prospects (Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 

11-89]). 

Alteration:

 Burleigh (1989 [OFR 11-89]) reported sericite flakes in the vein material and wall rock, 

indicating hydrothermal alteration. 

Age of mineralization:

 The vein mineralization is most likely related to mid- to Upper Cretaceous plutonism in 

the Bitzshtini Mountains similar to that in the nearby Haystack Mountain and Chitanatala 

Mountains (Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). 

KH003 
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Page 8 

Deposit model:

Plutonic related mesothermal, Sn veins (?) (Cox and Singer, 1986; model 15b). 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

15b? 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 It is reported that Tom Arnstrom first discovered lode cassiterite at the head of a gulch 

on the northwest flank of Cosna Dome. It is unclear what year the discovery occurred. 

Using information supplied by Arnstrom, Charles Holky prospected the area for tin 

(Burleigh, 1989 [OFR 11-89]). Holky reported good prospects of placer cassiterite in the 

headwaters of the Cosna River (Joesting, 1943). Holky and Colbert discovered lead and 

silver vein mineralization at the Pb-Ag prospect and hand-dug a 100-foot adit, three 

trenches, and several prospecting pits. The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a brief examination, consisting of rock, soil, and pan concentrate sampling, of the Pb-Ag and Sn 

prospects in 1964 and a follow up Cu-Pb-Zn soil survey in 1966. In 1980, the Department of Energy completed 1:250,000 scale airborne radiometric and magnetic reconnaissance surveys for the region. During and after 1985, Charles Woodruff conducted various 

trenching operations and constructed an 1,100-foot airstrip on Cosna Dome (Burleigh, 

1989 [OFR 11-89]). 

Production notes:

 There is no reported production for the Cosna Dome Pb-Ag and Sn prospects (Burleigh, 

1989 [OFR 11-89]). 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 

References:

Joesting, 1943; Chapman and others, 1975; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Silberman and 

others, 1979; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Burleigh, 1989 (OFR 11-89); Patton and others, 

1989; Clautice and others, 1993. 

Primary reference: Burleigh, 1989 (OFR 11-89) 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH003 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 9 

Site name(s): Haystack Mountain 

Site type: Prospects 

ARDF no.: KH004 

Latitude: 64.163 Quadrangle: KH A-5 

Longitude: 152.314 

Location description and accuracy:

 The Haystack Mountain prospects cover about 15 square miles and are situated in the 

numerous streams draining Haystack Mountain. The approximate center of the prospect 

area is in NW1/4SW1/4 section 5, T. 9 S., R. 24 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian. The 

North Fork Kuskokwim River provides access to the Haystack Mountain prospects. The 

southern half of Haystack Mountain, located within T. 9 S., R. 24 W., is situated on land 

selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Au 

 Other: As, Sn, W, Zn 

Ore minerals: 

Gangue minerals: 

Geologic description:

 Haystack Mountain is composed of a quartz monzonite stock (Silberman and others, 

1978) intruding hornfelsed chert, siltstone, mudstone, and argillite. The sedimentary 

rocks are of Ordovician to Late Devonian age (Chapman and Yeend, 1981). Sillberman 

and others (1978) determined a K-Ar biotite age of 64.2 plus or minus 1.9 Ma for the intrusive rock from Haystack Mountain. Regionally, the area contains a system of northeast-trending strike slip and related conjugate faults associated with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks (Clautice and others, 1993). 

 Pan concentrates collected from several streams draining the northwest, southwest, and 

northeast sides of Haystack Mountain contain as much as 1,650 ppb Au, 20 ppm Sn, and 

135 ppm W. Stream-sediment samples contained up to 40 ppb Au, 7 ppm Sn, and 10 

ppm W (Bond, 1985). A pan concentrate from a north-draining stream contained 13 ppm 

As, 28 ppm W, 120 ppm La, 250 ppm Ce, 29 ppm Th, and 105 ppm Sn. Two rock chip 

samples of gossan material contained up to 430 ppm Zn, 105 ppm Cu, 109 ppm As, 8,898 

ppm Mn, and 190 ppm Sn (Clautice and others, 1993). Bond (1985) reported rock chip 

samples from buff-colored hornfels and black graphitic schist that contained as much as 

15 ppb Au. A sample of calc-silicate hornfels contained 100 ppb Au and 776 ppm As 

KH004 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 10 

(Clautice and others, 1993). No mineralization was observed in the Haystack Mountain 

quartz monzonite (Bond, 1985). 

 A regional stream sediment sampling, airborne radiometrics, and mapping program in 

1975-76 identified several anomalies (Bond, 1985). There are no indications of production. 

Alteration:

 

Age of mineralization:

 Probably related to Early Tertiary plutonism. 

Deposit model:

Plutonic-related mesothermal veining. 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 A regional stream sediment sampling, airborne radiometrics, and mapping program in 

1975-76 identified several anomalies (Bond, 1985). In 1985, 2 rock chip, 10 stream sediment, and 7 pan concentrate samples were collected (Bond, 1985). 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 The southern half of Haystack Mountain, located within T. 9 S., R. 24 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian, is situated on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. For more 

information, contact Doyon, Limited. 

References:

Eakin, 1918; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Silberman and others, 1979; Chapman and 

Yeend, 1981; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Bond, 1985; Clautice and others, 1993. 

Primary reference: Bond, 1985 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH004 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 11 

Site name(s): Roosevelt Hills 

Site type: Prospects 

ARDF no.: KH005 

Latitude: 64.022 Quadrangle: KH A-4 

Longitude: 151.502 

Location description and accuracy:

 The Roosevelt Hills prospects cover about 10 square miles and are situated on the 

southeast flank of a rounded hill, locally termed hill 1910. The approximate center of the 

prospect area is in SW1/4SE1/4 section 29, T. 10 S., R. 20 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian. 

The Kantishna River flows within 11 miles, and there is an airstrip at Lake Minchumina 

approximately 30 miles southwest of the prospects. The Roosevelt Hills are situated on 

land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited and in the Denali National Preserve. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Ag, Sn 

 Other: As, Bi, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, U, W, Zn 

Ore minerals: Pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Coronodite, fluorite, quartz, sericite, tourmaline 

Geologic description:

 The Roosevelt Hills are composed of an elliptical, east-trending, muscovite-biotite 

granite stock and hornfelsed, pelitic schists (Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]). The age of the 

schist is unknown; the granite is Tertiary in age (Bond, 1985). The granite underlies several rounded hills and an adjacent eroded basin, covering approximately 10 square miles 

(Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]). Bond (1985) reported that the stock comprises early to 

late intrusive phases of granite, semi-porphyritic granite, equigranular granite, aplite, and 

quartz-tourmaline veins. The Roosevelt Hills stock is interpreted to be a deeply weathered, calc-alkaline, peraluminous granite (Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]). Regionally, the 

area contains a system of northeast-trending strike-slip and related conjugate faults associated with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks 

(Clautice and others, 1993). 

 The prospects consist of silicified-sericitized shear zones in the granite. One such zone, 

about 70 feet long and 30 feet wide, contains a black coating in vugs and on joint surfaces. According to x-ray fluorescence analysis, this coating is coronodite: (Mn, Pb)

Mn3O7. (Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]) inferred that the coating could be from downward-percolating supergene fluids. Assays from the coronodite-bearing shears contained 

KH005 
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Page 12 

as much as 5,000 ppm Sn, 39.7 ppm Ag, 20,013 ppm Mn, and 2,688 ppm Pb (Burleigh, 

1989 [DLR 90-24]). Bond (1985) reports that assays from the same zone contain 61percent Pb, 1,600 ppm Cu, 6,500 ppm Zn, 300 ppm Mo, 300 ppm As, 785 ppm Sn, and 60 

ppm W. Adjacent areas with no coronodite coating contain as much as 3,100 ppm Pb, 

500 ppm Zn, 16 ppm Mo, 7 ppm Ag, 1,400 ppm As, 6,800 ppm Sn, and 105 ppm W 

(Bond, 1985). In the northern half of the granite, widely spaced sets of coarse drusy 

quartz veins, 0.1 to 3 feet wide, trend 15 to 150 degrees and dip 70 degrees. According to 

x-ray fluorescence, these veins contain as much as 110 ppm Sn, with minor pyrite. Latestage veins contain purple fluorite (Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]). Bond (1985) reported a 

rock chip that contained 12,600 ppm Sn. Pan concentrates from streams draining the 

granite contain as much as 4,200 ppm Sn, 9 ppm Pb, 66 ppm Zn, 9.8 ppm As, and 6 ppm 

U (Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]). Burleigh (1989 [DLR 90-24]) reported that the upper 

portions of the granite, which commonly contain large amounts of Sn, have been eroded. 

There are numerous alluvial deposits in the area with potential for Sn placers. 

 Regional stream sediment sampling with airborne radiometrics in 1975-76 identified 

geochemical anomalies (Bond, 1985). In 1977, exploration efforts consisted of a scintillometer survey, mapping, and a stream sediment, rock chip, and soil sampling grid. Additional stream-sediment, rock chip, and water sampling was completed in 1980 (Bond, 

1985). In 1981, an airborne radiometric program was conducted. Further rock chip sampling occurred in 1984. In 1985, two days of rubble and outcrop sampling identified hill 

1910 as a Sn-rich zone in the granite (Bond, 1985). (Burleigh, 1989 [DLR 90-24]) conducted mapping activities and collected 18 rock chip and 10 pan concentrate samples. 

There are no indications of production. 

Alteration:

 Numerous shear zones in granite are silicified and sericitized and contain a black coating in vugs and on joint surfaces. According to x-ray fluorescence analysis, this coating is 

coronodite: (Mn, Pb)Mn3O7. Burleigh (1989 [DLR 90-24]) inferred that the coating 

could be from downward-percolating supergene fluids. 

Age of mineralization:

 Veins cut Tertiary intrusion. 

Deposit model:

Shear-hosted veining, lower portion of Sn greisen deposits(?) (Cox and Singer, 1986; 

model 15c). 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

15c? 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 Regional stream sediment sampling with airborne radiometrics in 1975-76 identified 

KH005 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 13 

geochemical anomalies (Bond, 1985). In 1977, exploration efforts consisted of a scintillometer survey, mapping, and a stream sediment, rock chip, and soil sampling grid. Additional stream-sediment, rock chip, and water sampling was completed in 1980 (Bond, 

1985). In 1981, an airborne radiometric program was conducted. Further rock chip sampling occurred in 1984. In 1985, two days of rubble and outcrop sampling identified hill 

1910 as a Sn-rich zone in the granite (Bond, 1985). Burleigh (1989 [DLR 90-24]) conducted mapping activities and collected 18 rock chip and 10 pan concentrate samples. 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 The Roosevelt Hills are situated on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. 

For more information, contact Doyon, Limited. The site is also in Denali National Preserve. 

References:

Eakin, 1918; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Chapman and Yeend, 1981; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Bond, 1985; Burleigh, 1989; Clautice and others, 1993. 

Primary reference: Burleigh, 1989 (DLR 90-24) 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH005 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 14 

Site name(s): Sischu Mountain 

Site type: Prospects 

ARDF no.: KH006 

Latitude: 64.104 Quadrangle: KH A-6 

Longitude: 152.923 

Location description and accuracy:

 The Sischu Mountain prospects cover about 20 square miles, including Sischu Mountain and several surrounding peaks. The approximate center of the prospect area is in 

NE1/4SW1/4 section 30, T. 9 S., R. 27 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian. There is an airstrip at Lake Minchumina approximately 30 miles southeast of the prospects. The Sischu 

Mountain prospects are located on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Sn 

 Other: As, Au, Bi, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sb, Zn, Zr 

Ore minerals: Chalcopyrite, magnetite, pyrite 

Gangue minerals: Chlorite, goethite, kaolinite, quartz, tourmaline 

Geologic description:

 Sischu Mountain is composed of multiple igneous phases intruding phyllite, limestone, 

and siltstone to the north and various volcanic rocks, including rhyolite, dacite, andesite, 

and basalt, to the south and east (Chapman and Yeend, 1981). The phyllite, limestone, 

and siltstone are of Devonian age, and the intrusive rocks are Cretaceous to Tertiary 

(Chapman and Yeend, 1981). Float mapping has found aplite, coarse biotite granite, porphyry granite, hornblende-biotite monzodiorite, and porphyry dikes (Bond, 1985). Regionally, the area contains a system of northeast-trending strike-slip and related conjugate 

faults associated with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks (Clautice and others, 1993). 

 On Sischu Mountain, float samples exhibit silicification and chlorite-kaolinite alteration 

and vein brecciation with tourmaline. Disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite occur in altered intrusive rock. Some aplite dikes contain as much as 1 percent magnetite. An area 

identified by a color anomaly consists of hydrothermally brecciated sandstone fragments 

in a goethite matrix. A rock chip of altered granite contained as much as 1,450 ppm As, 

25 ppm Bi, 100 ppm Sn, and 15 ppm Mo (Bond, 1985). Clautice and others (1993) reported analyses of several samples: (1) a rhyolite dike cutting limestone contained as 

much as 1,200 ppm Zr, 86 ppm Cu, 542 ppm Zn, 265 ppm Ni, 136 ppm As, 35 ppm Sb, 

KH006 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 15 

799 ppm Mn, and 10 ppm Sn; (2) limestone near a granitic contact contained as much as 

114 ppm As; (3) equigranular, biotite monzonite contained 767 ppm Zn, 47 ppm As, 23 

ppm Pb, and 6 ppm Sn; (4) a rhyolite dike in limestone contained 132 ppm As, 590 ppm 

Mn, and 38 ppm Pb; and (5) limonitic rhyolite contained 105 ppm As and 463 ppm Mn. 

 A regional stream sediment sampling, airborne radiometrics, and mapping program in 

1975-76 and 1980 identified several anomalies. In 1984, one sample was collected. In 

1985, exploration efforts consisted of mapping and collecting 12 rock chip, 7 stream sediments, and 8 pan concentrate samples (Bond, 1985). There are no indications of production. 

Alteration:

 On Sischu Mountain, float samples exhibit silicification and chlorite-kaolinite alteration 

and vein brecciation with tourmaline. An area identified by a color anomaly consists of 

hydrothermally brecciated sandstone fragments in a goethite matrix. 

Age of mineralization:

 Probably related to Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonism. 

Deposit model:

Plutonic-related mesothermal veining. 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 A regional stream sediment sampling, airborne radiometrics, and mapping program in 

1975-76 and 1980 identified several anomalies. In 1984, one sample was collected. In 

1985, exploration efforts consisted of mapping and collecting 12 rock chip, 7 stream sediments, and 8 pan concentrate samples (Bond, 1985). There are no indications of production. 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 The Sischu Mountain prospects are located on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, 

Limited. For more information, contact Doyon, Limited. 

References:

Eakin, 1918; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Chapman and Yeend, 1981; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Bond, 1985; Clautice and others, 1993. 

KH006 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 16 

Primary reference: Bond, 1985 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH006 
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Site name(s): Unnamed (east of Bearpaw Mountain) 

Site type: Prospects 

ARDF no.: KH007 

Latitude: 64.086 Quadrangle: KH A-2 

Longitude: 150.824 

Location description and accuracy:

 These two unnamed prospects cover about 1 square mile and are situated on the northwest bank of the Kantishna River about 5 miles east of Bearpaw Mountain (KH001). The 

approximate center of the prospect area is in SW1/4SE1/4 section 35, T. 9 S., R. 17 W. 

The Kantishna River provides access to the prospects, and there is an airstrip at Lake 

Minchumina approximately 40 miles southwest. The unnamed prospects are located on 

land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Cu, Zn 

 Other: 

Ore minerals: 

Gangue minerals: 

Geologic description:

 The bedrock in the area is Ordovician to Silurian siltstone, mudstone, argillite, grit, 

quartzite, and limestone, and minor amounts of chert and schist (Chapman and Yeend, 

1981). Regionally, the area contains a system of northeast-trending strike-slip and related 

conjugate faults associated with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic rocks and coeval or 

younger volcanic rocks (Clautice and others, 1993). 

 Black shale crops out on the northwest bank of the Kantishna River. At the prospect 

sites, the black shale contains brecciated zones along low-angle faults. Bond (1985) reported that these brecciated zones contain weak Zn-Cu mineralization. 

 A regional stream-sediment sampling and mapping program in 1975-76 identified geochemical anomalies (Bond, 1985). There are no indications of production. 

Alteration:

 

Age of mineralization:

 Brecciation is younger than Silurian to Ordovician metasedimentary rocks, probably related to Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonism. 

KH007 
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Page 18 

Deposit model:

Shear-hosted brecciation. 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 A regional stream-sediment sampling and mapping program in 1975-76 identified geochemical anomalies (Bond, 1985). 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 These prospects are located on land selected by or conveyed to Doyon, Limited. For 

more information, contact Doyon, Limited. 

References:

Eakin, 1918; Cobb, 1977 (OFR 77-168B); Chapman and Yeend, 1981; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Bond, 1985; Clautice and others, 1993. 

Primary reference: Bond, 1985 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH007 
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Page 19 

Site name(s): Unnamed (near Chitsia Mountain) 

Site type: Occurrences 

ARDF no.: KH008 

Latitude: 64.003 Quadrangle: KH A-1 

Longitude: 150.245 

Location description and accuracy:

 Three unnamed occurrences are situated on a rounded hill approximately 3 miles northwest of Chitsia Mountain. The approximate center of the 1/2 square mile area that contains the three occurrences are NE1/4SW1/4 section 35, T. 10 S., R. 14 W., of the Fairbanks Meridian. The nearest settlement is Bearpaw, which can be accessed by the Kantishna River and a sled road from Nenana. It is locality 1 of Cobb and Chapman (1981), 

who summarized relevant references under the name 'Unnamed occurrence'. 

Commodities: 

 Main: Ag, Pb 

 Other: Au, Zn 

Ore minerals: Galena 

Gangue minerals: Quartz 

Geologic description:

 The Chitsia Mountain area is underlain by Middle Devonian to Early Mississippian Totatlanika Schist (Wilson and others, 1998). This formation consists of slightly metamorphosed volcanic sedimentary rocks, including various phyllites, silicified greenschist, and 

nonresistant greenschist tuffs. It is intruded by resistant porphyro-aphanitic rhyolite 

(Bundtzen and others, 1976). Regionally, the area contains a system of northeast-trending 

strike-slip and related conjugate faults associated with Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonic 

rocks and coeval or younger volcanic rocks (Clautice and others, 1993). 

 The three occurrences consist of a quartz vein system trending N55E and dipping 55 degrees SE, hosted in the rhyolite. The quartz veins locally contain limonite and galena. A 

sulfide-bearing quartz vein sample was assayed by atomic absorption and contained 0.05 

ounces Ag per ton, 0.01 ounces Au per ton, less than 0.01 percent Cu, 0.01percent Pb, 

0.02 percent Zn, less than 0.01 percent Mo, and less than 0.01percent Sb. A streamsediment sample collected near the rhyolite was assayed by atomic absorption and contained 0.03 ppm Au, 34 ppm Cu, 24 ppm Pb, 125 ppm Zn, and 1.10 ppm Ag (Bundtzen 

and others, 1976). These areas of base-metal vein mineralization in rhyolite are interpreted to have potential for large low-grade and smaller high-grade metallic deposits 

KH008 
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Page 20 

(Bundtzen and others, 1976). There are no indications of production. 

Alteration:

 

Age of mineralization:

 Younger than the Middle Devonian to Early Mississippian Totatlanika Schist; probably 

related to Cretaceous to Tertiary plutonism. 

Deposit model:

Plutonic-related mesothermal, shear-hosted veining. 

Deposit model number (After Cox and Singer, 1986 or Bliss, 1992):

 

Production Status: None 

Site Status: Inactive 

Workings/exploration:

 

Production notes:

 There are no indications of production. 

Reserves:

 

Additional comments:

 

References:

Chapman, 1975; Bundtzen and others, 1976; Chapman and Yeend, 1981; Cobb and Chapman, 1981; Clautice and others, 1993, Wilson and others, 1998. 

Primary reference: Bundtzen and others, 1976 

Reporter(s): Cameron S. Rombach (ADGGS) 

Last report date: 11/8/99 

KH008 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 21 

 References 

Berryhill, R.V., 1966, Summary report of minerals examination in the Cosna River region: U.S. Bureau of Mines. 

unpublished report form 6-803. 

Bond, James, 1985, Geologic field examinations in Doyon Limited, regional selection block 9: Doyon Limited 

Report 85-19, 179 p. 

Bundtzen, T.K., Smith, T.E., and Tosdal, R.M., 1976, Progress report: Geology and mineral deposits of the Kantishna Hills, Alaska: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Open-file Report AOF-98, 

80 p., scale 1:63,360, 2 sheets. 

Burleigh, Roger, 1989, Field report on mineral investigation of tin-granites of the Roosevelt Hills, Alaska: U.S. 

Bureau of Mines Field Report, 29 p. 

Burleigh, Roger, 1989, Tin and lead-silver mineralization in the Cosna River region: U.S. Bureau of Mines Openfile Report 11-89, 19 p., 1 sheet. 

Chapman, R.M., 1975, Geology of western half of the Kantishna River quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 722, 58 p. 

Chapman, R.M., 1977, Geochemical anomalies in bedrock, west half of Kantishna River quadrangle, in Brian, K.

M., ed., The United States Geological Survey in Alaska - Accomplishments during 1976: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 751-B, p. B35-B36. 

Chapman, R.M., and Yeend, W., 1981, Geologic reconnaissance of the east half of the Kantishna River quadrangle and adjacent areas, in Albert, N.R.D., and Hudson, T., eds, The United States Geological Survey in 

Alaska - Accomplishments during 1979: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 823-B, 149 p. 

Chapman, R.M., Yeend, W., and Patton, W.W., Jr., 1975, Preliminary reconnaissance geologic map of the western half of the Kantishna River quadrangle, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 75-351, 

scale 1:250,000, 1 sheet. 

Clautice, K.H., Bowman, N.D., Clough, J.G., Gilbert, W.G., Kline, J.T., Smith, T.E., and Blodgett, R.B., 1993, 

Land selection Unit 8 (Kantishna River, Ruby, and Medfra quadrangles): References, lead isotope, geochemical and major oxide data: Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys, 42 p., scale 

1:250,000, 1 sheet. 

Cobb, E.H., 1977, Placer deposits map of central Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 77-168-B, 64 

p., scale 1:1,000,000, 1 sheet. 

Cobb, E.H., and Chapman, R.M., 1981, Mineral occurrences (other than mineral fuels and construction materials) 

in the Kantishna River and Ruby quadrangles, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 81-

170, 94 p. 

Cobb, E.H., and Kachadoorian, R., 1961, Index of metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits of Alaska compiled 

from published reports of Federal and State agencies through 1959: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 

1139, 363 p. 

Doyon Limited, 1998, Block 9, Upper Kuskokwim, annual report: Doyon Limited Report, 274 p. 

Eakin, H.M., 1918, The Cosna-Nowitna region, Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 667, 54 p. 

Joesting, H.R., 1943, Strategic mineral occurrences in interior Alaska: Territory of Alaska Department of Mines 

Pamphlets 1, 2 , 78 p. 

References 
Alaska Resource Data File 

Page 22 

MacKevett, E.M., Jr., and Holloway, C.D., 1977, Map showing metalliferous and selected 

nonmetalliferous mineral deposits in the eastern part of southern Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report 77-169-A, 99 p., scale 1:1,000,000, 1 sheet. 

Patton, W.W., Jr., Box, S.E., Moll-Stalcup, E.J., and Miller, T.P., 1989, Geology of west-central Alaska: U.S. 

Geological Survey Open-File Report 89-554, 50 p. 

Silberman, M.L., Moll, E.J., Chapman, R.M., Patton, W.W., Jr., and Connor, C.L., 1979, Potassium-argon age of 

granitic and volcanic rocks from Ruby, Medfra, and adjacent quadrangles, west-central Alaska, in Johnson, K.M., and Williams, J.R., eds., The United States Geological Survey in Alaska - Accomplishments 

during 1978: U.S. Geological Survey Circular 804-B, 58 p. 

U.S. Department of Energy, 1980, Airborne gamma-ray spectrometer and magnetometer survey, Kantishna River 

quadrangle, Alaska, in Final Report, Volume II, prepared for the Department of Energy: Houston, 

Texas, Aero Service Division, Western Geophysical Company of America, GJBX 94-80. 

Wilson, F.H., Dover, J.H., Bradley, D.C., Weber, F.R., Bundtzen, T.K., and Haeussler, P.J., 1998, Geologic map 

of central (interior) Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-133, 76 p, 2 maps, scale 

1:500,000. 

References