Western United States Mine-Dump Data Retrievals

	 The Western United States Mine-Dump 

Data Retrieval Project is compiling minedump data from four geologic and geochemical computer databases, and releasing 

these data, by individual States, on computer diskette. This information is being used 

by Federal and State agencies involved 

with inventory and remediation efforts pertaining to inactive and abandoned mine 

sites.

	 Two of the databases are maintained by 

the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The 

Rock Analysis Storage System (RASS) and 

PLUTO contain analytical and geochemical data collected from reconnaissance 

studies conducted over the last 30 to 60 

years. Analytical data have been retrieved 

from seven sample sources: mines, dumps 

or prospects, open pit mines or quarries, 

prospect pits, underground mines, mine 

dumps, and mill products. Approximately 50 

elements, many of which are environmentally sensitive, are available for each sample 

source.

	 The Mineral Resource Data Systems 

(MRDS) database is a compilation of data 

related to mining activities that originate 

from studies conducted by the USGS and 

other Federal and State agencies. The data 

comprise 54 fields and include mine name, 

location, deposit type, commodities, products, 

tectonics information and mineral age.

Distribution for 27,000 combined RASS 


and PLUTO data points

Distribution for 51,000 MRDS data points

FS–184–95 AUGUST 1995
	 The Minerals Industry Location 

Systems (MILS) dataset was a subset of 

the Minerals Availability System database 

formerly maintained by the U.S. Bureau of 

Mines. MILS contains information on 

locations of mines, their operational status, 

and their associated minerals. From 64 

fields of the MILS dataset, a subset consisting of sequence number, name of deposit, 

deposit type, current status, location, and 

point of reference is included in these 

database releases.

Data currently available on diskette:


Ryder, J.L., 1994, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF94-579.

Ryder, J.L., 1995, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

Idaho: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report OF95–644.

Ryder, J.L., 1995, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of Montana: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF95–229. 

Ryder, J.L., 1995, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of New Mexico: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF95–528.

Ryder, J.L., 1995, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of Arizona: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF95–578.

Ryder, J.L., 1996, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of California: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF96–004.

Ryder, J.L., 1996, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF96–061.

Ryder, J.L., 1996, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of Utah: U.S. Geological Survey OpenFile Report OF96–653.

Ryder, J.L., 1996, Active-, inactive-, and 

abandoned-mine information and 

selected geochemical data for the State 

of Washington: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report OF96–710.

For more information, please 

contact:

Jean Ryder

Box 25046, MS 973, Federal Center

Denver, CO 80225-0046

(303) 236-1191

jryder@helios.cr.usgs.gov

or

any USGS library

Distribution for 117,000 MILS data points