Abstract

GIS and Geostatistical Analysis of the La Plata Mining District
Track: Mining and Geosciences
Author(s): David Schiowitz, Scott White, Jeffrey Cary

The La Plata mining district is located in southwestern Colorado, and contains numerous gold, silver, and copper deposits. Geologic and structural data for the district was obtained from digitizing historic geologic maps. New stream sediment samples were collected at 41 locations throughout the area, and analyzed for metal concentrations. Using ArcGIS's surface hydrologic modeling tools, individual watersheds were delineated upstream for each sediment sample location. A geodatabase has been created consisting of geologic formations and structures, veins, rock ages, historic mines, and geochemical anomalies associated with the 41 watersheds. The Spatial and Geostatistical Analyst extensions are being used to analyze the data to aid in visualization and quantification of the relationships among geology, structure, and geochemistry. The results will provide greater insight into regional geochemical domains of mineralization and in the modeling of spatial associations of known ore deposits within the mining district.

David Schiowitz
Fort Lewis College-Department of Geosciences
Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive
Durango , Colorado 81301
United States
Phone: 970-769-2647
E-mail: dsschiowitz@fortlewis.edu

Scott White
Fort Lewis College - Department of Geosciences
Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive
Durango , Colorado 81301
United States
Phone: 970-247-7475
E-mail: white_s@fortlewis.edu

Jeffrey Cary
Fort Lewis College - Department of Geosciences
Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive
Durango , Colorado 81301
United States
Phone: 970-247-7620
E-mail: cary_j@fortlewis.edu