Mineral Resources of the Diablo Mountain Wilderness Study Area, Lake County, Oregon

摘要

Approximately 85,470 acres of the Diablo Canyon Wilderness Study Area was evaluated for identified mineral resources (known) and mineral resource potential (undiscovered). Fieldwork was conducted in 1986, 1988, and 1989 to assess the mineral resources and resource potential of the study area. No energy or mineral resources were identified in the study area, but brines within lake and playa sediments contain concentrations of chemical components suitable for the production of soda ash, boron compounds, and sodium sulfate. Possible byproducts include potash, salts, bromine, lithium, magnesium compounds, and tungsten. Limestone from the study area could be used in the recovery process of brine components. The study area includes thermal springs and lies within 2 mi of the Summer Lake Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA). The resource potential of the entire study area is moderate for low-temperature geothermal energy useful for agricultural and building heating and is low for oil and gas.