Mineral deposits of Lincoln County, New Mexico

Abstract

Lincoln County has yielded a variety of metals and minerals: gold, coal, iron, lead, copper, zinc, fluorite, bastnaesite, gypsum, and tungsten. In addition, deposits of molybdenum, thorium, uranium, and manganese are known, although no significant production has been recorded.The White Oaks district produced almost $3 million in gold from the time of its discovery in 1879 until shortly after the turn of the century. This district was the leading producer for the entire county. The Nogal (gold, silver, lead) and Gallinas (copper, lead, silver) districts produced significant amounts of metals during the late 1800's and early 1900's. Lesser districts, such as the Oscuro, Jicarilla, and Schelerville, have produced gold, copper, and other metals intermittently in the past. Mining was revived during World War II and later years to produce iron, fluorspar, and bastnaesite in previously known districts, but mining is now practically at a standstill. The total recorded production for Lincoln County to date is estimated at approximately $5.5 million.Excluding coal, gypsum, and placers, the majority of the deposits are of hydrothermal origin, being intimately associated with the widespread igneous activity evident in Lincoln County. The temperature of deposition of the deposits extends from epithermal to pyrometasomatic. The composition of the various igneous intrusives appears to have controlled the type of mineralization found in each district.The known deposits of the area studied do not appear to favor economic exploitation under present market conditions, but several of the iron and fluorite deposits may be exceptions. Future exploration by courageous prospectors may completely reverse this discouraging outlook.