283 Critical Mineral Resources and Recovery in the Americas: Emerging Methods in Exploration and Sustainable Extraction, Part II

This session explores the role of critical minerals in technology and the low-carbon economy, focusing on geological discoveries, sustainable extraction methods, and recycling to support secure, environmentally responsible mineral supply chains in the Americas.

Wednesday, 22 October 2025
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, 217A

Geochemical sampling of the West Desert indium-bearing zinc-copper skarn, Juab County, Utah

Paper number: 283-7
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 3:10 PM – 3:25 PM

Authors

Abstract

The West Desert indium-bearing zinc-copper-magnetite skarn is a magnesian skarn and the only established resource of the critical mineral indium within the United States (23.8 Moz indium, published by American West Metals in 2023). Mineralization is shallow but not exposed at surface, presenting the opportunity to study surface indicators of blind skarn mineralization in Paleozoic carbonates. This study focused on evaluating the geochemical dispersion of both indium and the overall skarn signature of the deposit via surface rock chip sampling. The goal of the geochemical dispersion study was to evaluate potential surface geochemical exploration vectors for critical-mineral enriched skarn deposits. 

 

We completed a regional surface sampling campaign comprising 329 rock chip samples. Samples were taken over known surface expressions of distal mineralization related to the skarn system (polymetallic veins) and alteration (bleaching). Areas of sampling interest were determined via satellite imagery and included historical mining prospects, pits, and waste piles. Additionally, regional transects focused on in situ sampling of unaltered carbonate units exposed in the district. Seventeen stratigraphic units were sampled with a minimum of three samples per unit. Results from the unaltered lithology samples were averaged to establish a unit-specific geochemical baseline from which the geochemical enrichment and/or depletion of altered and mineralized samples can be assessed. This presentation discusses preliminary geochemical results and applicability for minerals exploration. 

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-412696

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