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Monument Valley Mining District, USAi
Regional Level Types
Monument Valley Mining DistrictMining District
USACountry

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PhotosSearchMineralogy
06326980017272301593847.jpg
Alhambra Rock

Alhambra Rock, San Juan County, Utah, USA
09646190017272301594958.jpg
Alhambra Rock Minette

Alhambra Rock, San Juan County, Utah, USA
02731390017271921898595.jpg
Carnotite

Monument Valley Mining District, USA
07759450017272724331817.jpg
Alhambra Rock

Alhambra Rock, San Juan County, Utah, USA
05960230017272724344298.jpg
Alhambra Rock Minette

Alhambra Rock, San Juan County, Utah, USA
02731390017271921898595.jpg
Carnotite

Monument Valley Mining District, USA
06326980017272301593847.jpg
Alhambra Rock

Alhambra Rock, San Juan County, Utah, USA
09646190017272301594958.jpg
Alhambra Rock Minette

Alhambra Rock, San Juan County, Utah, USA
Type:
Mining District
Largest Settlements:
PlacePopulation
Oljato-Monument Valley674 (2016)
Mindat Locality ID:
31463
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:31463:2
GUID (UUID V4):
0
Other/historical names associated with this locality:
Oljeto Mesa Mining District


The Monument Valley (Oljeto Mesa) district is in southwestern San Juan County, Utah, and adjacent Navajo and Apache Counties, Arizona. The Utah portion of the Monument Valley district produced 322,802 pounds U3O8 and 532,739 pounds V2O5 from 54,033 short tons of ore at an average grade of 0.29% U3O8 and 0.48% V2O5. Total district metal production at modern metal prices is estimated at $13 million. The most important producer in the district is the Whirlwind mine, which is the northernmost mine in the district on the northeast face of Monitor Butte and adjacent to Lake Powell (Chenoweth, 2006).
Monument Valley lies in the Monument Upwarp on the Colorado Plateau. The ore deposits consist of multiple, closely spaced, lenticular pods, generally concordant to bedding, in paleochannels of the Shinarump Conglomerate Member of the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation. Host units are carbonaceous sandstone and conglomerate in paleochannels cut into the underlying Moenkopi Formation (USGS Model 30c). The paleochannels are 20 to 2000 ft wide and 40 to 200 ft deep. Near the Utah- Arizona line, the channels trend west to northwest, but in the northern part of the district, major identified channels trend northerly. The ore pods are 1 to 8 ft thick, up to several hundred feet long, and typically have width-to-length ratios of 1:5 to 1:10. Primary ore consists of uraninite, coffinite, corvusite, montroseite, chalcocite, and chalcopyrite. Major secondary minerals include tyuyamunite, uranophane, autunite, tobernite, malachite, and azurite. Uranium grades range from 0.10% to over 1.0% U3O8 and average 0.30% U3O8; copper grades range from 0.29% to 2.5% Cu and average 0.71% Cu; and vanadium grades range from 0.05% to 1.85% V2O5 and average 0.60% V2O5. The deposits are confined to carbonaceous sandstone and conglomerate in the lower part of the Shinarump Member. The deposits also appear to be restricted to areas where the overlying Monitor Butte Member was deposited in a sub-aqueous, reduced setting containing black, organic-rich mudstone and green, carbonaceous sandstone and siltstone having abundant plant fragments. There is some suggestion that the richer and large deposits occur in the deeper scours and near channel intersections (Young and Malan, 1964; Chenoweth, 2006).
The Monument Valley U district is entirely on Navajo Tribal Lands.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.


Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

26 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded


Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Autunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
ⓘ Azurite
Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Localities: Reported from at least 7 localities in this region.
ⓘ Baryte
Formula: BaSO4
Colour: Brown
Description: Druses of minute crystals on fracture surfaces in sandstone.
ⓘ Bornite
Formula: Cu5FeS4
ⓘ Brochantite
Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
ⓘ Calcite
Formula: CaCO3
ⓘ Carnotite
Formula: K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Localities: Reported from at least 12 localities in this region.
ⓘ Chalcocite
Formula: Cu2S
ⓘ Chalcopyrite
Formula: CuFeS2
ⓘ Chrysocolla
Formula: Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
ⓘ Corvusite
Formula: (Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ Hewettite
Formula: CaV6O16 · 9H2O
ⓘ Jarosite
Formula: KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
Localities: Reported from at least 9 localities in this region.
ⓘ 'Limonite'
Localities: Reported from at least 17 localities in this region.
ⓘ Malachite
Formula: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Localities: Reported from at least 15 localities in this region.
ⓘ 'Manganese Oxides'
ⓘ Metahewettite
Formula: CaV6O16 · 3H2O
ⓘ Metatorbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘ Montroseite ?
Formula: (V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
ⓘ Navajoite
Formula: Fe3+V5+9O24 · 12H2O
ⓘ 'Petrified Wood'
Localities: Reported from at least 18 localities in this region.
ⓘ 'Petroleum var. Bitumen'
ⓘ Tangeite
Formula: CaCu(VO4)(OH)
ⓘ Torbernite
Formula: Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Localities: Reported from at least 6 localities in this region.
ⓘ Tyuyamunite
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Localities: Reported from at least 15 localities in this region.
ⓘ Uraninite
Formula: UO2
Localities: Reported from at least 15 localities in this region.
ⓘ Uranophane
Formula: Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
ⓘ Uranopilite
Formula: (UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
ⓘ Volborthite
Formula: Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘChalcocite2.BA.05Cu2S
ⓘBornite2.BA.15Cu5FeS4
ⓘChalcopyrite2.CB.10aCuFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
ⓘUraninite4.DL.05UO2
ⓘMontroseite ?4.FD.10(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
ⓘCarnotite4.HB.05K2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
ⓘTyuyamunite4.HB.25Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
ⓘHewettite4.HE.15CaV6O16 · 9H2O
ⓘMetahewettite4.HE.15CaV6O16 · 3H2O
ⓘCorvusite4.HE.20(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
ⓘNavajoite4.HG.30Fe3+V5+9O24 · 12H2O
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘCalcite5.AB.05CaCO3
ⓘAzurite5.BA.05Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
ⓘMalachite5.BA.10Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘBaryte7.AD.35BaSO4
ⓘBrochantite7.BB.25Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
ⓘJarosite7.BC.10KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6
ⓘUranopilite7.EA.05(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Group 8 - Phosphates, Arsenates and Vanadates
ⓘTangeite8.BH.35CaCu(VO4)(OH)
ⓘAutunite8.EB.05Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
ⓘTorbernite8.EB.05Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
ⓘMetatorbernite8.EB.10Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
ⓘVolborthite8.FD.05Cu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘUranophane9.AK.15Ca(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
ⓘChrysocolla9.ED.20Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Unclassified
ⓘ'Limonite'-
ⓘ'Petrified Wood'-
ⓘ'Petroleum
var. Bitumen'		-
ⓘ'Manganese Oxides'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Hⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Hⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Hⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Hⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Hⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Hⓘ HewettiteCaV6O16 · 9H2O
Hⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Hⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Hⓘ MetahewettiteCaV6O16 · 3H2O
Hⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Hⓘ Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Hⓘ NavajoiteFe3+V95+O24 · 12H2O
Hⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Hⓘ TyuyamuniteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Hⓘ TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)
Hⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Hⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Hⓘ VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
CCarbon
Cⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Cⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
OOxygen
Oⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Oⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Oⓘ BaryteBaSO4
Oⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Oⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Oⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Oⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Oⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ HewettiteCaV6O16 · 9H2O
Oⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Oⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Oⓘ MetahewettiteCaV6O16 · 3H2O
Oⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Oⓘ Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Oⓘ NavajoiteFe3+V95+O24 · 12H2O
Oⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Oⓘ TyuyamuniteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Oⓘ TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)
Oⓘ UraniniteUO2
Oⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Oⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
Oⓘ VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
NaSodium
Naⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
SiSilicon
Siⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Siⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Pⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Pⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
SSulfur
Sⓘ BaryteBaSO4
Sⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Sⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Sⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Sⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Sⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Sⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O
KPotassium
Kⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Kⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Kⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
CaCalcium
Caⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Caⓘ CalciteCaCO3
Caⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Caⓘ HewettiteCaV6O16 · 9H2O
Caⓘ MetahewettiteCaV6O16 · 3H2O
Caⓘ TyuyamuniteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Caⓘ TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)
Caⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
VVanadium
Vⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Vⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Vⓘ HewettiteCaV6O16 · 9H2O
Vⓘ MetahewettiteCaV6O16 · 3H2O
Vⓘ Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Vⓘ NavajoiteFe3+V95+O24 · 12H2O
Vⓘ TyuyamuniteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Vⓘ TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)
Vⓘ VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
FeIron
Feⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Feⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Feⓘ Corvusite(Na,K,Ca,Mg)2(V5+,V4+,Fe2+)8O20 · 6-10H2O
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ JarositeKFe33+(SO4)2(OH)6
Feⓘ Montroseite(V3+,Fe3+)O(OH)
Feⓘ NavajoiteFe3+V95+O24 · 12H2O
CuCopper
Cuⓘ AzuriteCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Cuⓘ BorniteCu5FeS4
Cuⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Cuⓘ ChalcopyriteCuFeS2
Cuⓘ ChalcociteCu2S
Cuⓘ ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Cuⓘ MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Cuⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Cuⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Cuⓘ TangeiteCaCu(VO4)(OH)
Cuⓘ VolborthiteCu3(V2O7)(OH)2 · 2H2O
BaBarium
Baⓘ BaryteBaSO4
UUranium
Uⓘ AutuniteCa(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 10-12H2O
Uⓘ CarnotiteK2(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 3H2O
Uⓘ MetatorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 8H2O
Uⓘ TorberniteCu(UO2)2(PO4)2 · 12H2O
Uⓘ TyuyamuniteCa(UO2)2(VO4)2 · 5-8H2O
Uⓘ UraniniteUO2
Uⓘ UranophaneCa(UO2)2(SiO3OH)2 · 5H2O
Uⓘ Uranopilite(UO2)6(SO4)O2(OH)6 · 14H2O

Fossils

This region is too big or complex to display the fossil list, try looking at smaller subregions.

Localities in this Region

USA
USA

Other Regions, Features and Areas that Intersect

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USA

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

services.arcgis.com (n.d.) https://services.arcgis.com/ZzrwjTRez6FJiOq4/arcgis/rest/services/Metal_Mineral_Resources_web_View/FeatureServer/6/130/attachments/127
Young, R.G., and Malan, R.C. (1964) Geologic map showing uranium deposits and Shinarump channels in the Monument Valley district, San Juan County, Utah, Navajo and Apache Counties, Arizona. U.S. Department of Energy Preliminary Map no. 34. scale 1:95,000.
Welty, J.W., Reynolds, S.J., Keith, S.B., Gest, D.E., Trapp, R.A., and DeWitt, Ed (1985) Mine index for metallic mineral districts of Arizona: Arizona Bureau of Geology and Mineral Technology Bulletin 196, 92 p.: 50-52.
Welty, J.W. (1989) Additions to bibliographies for metallic mineral districts in Arizona: Arizona Geological Survey Open-File Report 89-09, 25 p. (see link below).
Chenoweth, W.L. (2006) The uranium-vanadium deposits of the Utah portion of the Monument Valley district. in Bon, R.L., Gloyn, R.W., and Park, G.M., editors, Mining Districts of Utah. Utah Geological Association Publication 32. p. 551–564.
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