Entity_Type:
Entity_Type_Label: ARDF.csv
Entity_Type_Definition:
Table with details of mines, prospects, and mineral occurrences in Alaska. It contains information compiled from published and unpublished sources from industry, U.S. Bureau of Mines (BOM), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and other government and private sources. Presented in both: (1) a Comma Separated Value (CSV) formatted table, and (2) a Filemaker Pro (.fmp12) formatted file.
*note: a few fields provided in previous versions of the ARDF have been removed, their contents are incorporated in different fields in the current version: (a) 'Host rock', 'Host rock age', 'Assoc ign rock', 'Ign rock age' are removed, the contents are incorporated in 'geologic_description'; (b) 'Expanded References' is removed, the contents are incorporated in 'references'; (c) 'Reporter affiliation' is removed, the contents are incorporated in 'reporters'; (d) 'Lat-DMS', 'Long-DMS' are removed, the contents are incorporated in 'latitude', 'longitude' reported in decimal degrees.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ARDF_number
Attribute_Definition:
A unique label assigned to each mineral deposit in the database. The form of the ARDF number is the two-letter 1:250,000 scale quadrangle code followed by a three digit number.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
A unique label assigned to each mineral deposit in the database.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: MRDS_number
Attribute_Definition:
Unique identification number used in the USGS National Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS,
https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds). Most records do not have MRDS numbers as the MRDS database is not currently maintained.
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Unique identification number used in the USGS National Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS).
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: site
Attribute_Definition:
The name or names for the site as found in the literature. It may be a proper name or name of a nearby geographic feature. Site is 'Unnamed', if the site does not have a proper name, does not coincide with a geographic feature, and has never or only informally been identified with a geographic name.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: The name or names for the site as found in the literature.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: commodities_main
Attribute_Definition:
Comma delimited list of dominant elements or commodities of real or potential economic value in the mineral deposit. Commodities are listed alphabetically by chemical symbol; commodities such as barite, chromite, gypsum, and jade are spelled out. When described collectively, rare-earth elements = REE; platinum group elements = PGE. The chemical symbols are used for individual REE and PGE elements if they have been cited by element specifically as the commodities of interest at a site. Although arsenic is rarely a commodity of economic interest, it is commonly a pathfinder element and may be listed among the other commodities.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
List of dominant elements or commodities of real or potential economic value in the mineral deposit.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: commodities_other
Attribute_Definition:
Comma delimited list of commodities that are present in minor amounts as determined by analysis or mineralogy. May include by-products from a mine. Distinguishing 'main' and 'other' may not be possible for prospects and occurrences.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Commodities that are present in minor amounts.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: quad_250
Attribute_Definition:
Two-letter code for the 1:250,000 scale quadrangle USGS topographic maps ("quads"). The code and corresponding full names of each quad is provided in the table "geology_ARDF_quad250names.csv" included with this data package.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Two-letter code for the 1:250,000 scale quad.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: quad_63360
Attribute_Definition:
A code used to designate the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic map sheet (within its 1:250,000 scale quadrangle) on which the site is located. The code consists of a letter (A-D), a hyphen, and a number (1-8), and originates in the southeast corner of the quadrangle. The letter identifies the tier (or 15 degrees of longitude). The number ranges from 1 through 6, or 1 through 8, depending on the quadrangle, and increases from east to west.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
A code used to designate the 1:63,360 scale USGS topographic map sheet on which the site is located.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: latitude
Attribute_Definition:
Latitude of the site in decimal degrees. In the early written records the certainty of the location was shown by the number of decimal values given. In later records, all values were recorded to 4 decimal places, and the certainty of the location was described in the 'Location' field. The latitude and longitude values in this data set were collected using the NAD27 datum up until the early 2000's. In more recent years, the data was collected using the NAD83 datum. Future work will be done to correct this confusion. This field may be blank.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: 51.6000
Range_Domain_Maximum: 69.6300
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: longitude
Attribute_Definition:
Longitude of the site in decimal degrees. Longitude with positive value for western hemisphere (following the conventional presentation in USGS topographic maps). In the rare case of a site located in the eastern hemisphere, the values is given as a negative number. In the early written records the level of certainty of the location was shown by the number of decimal values given. In later records, all values were recorded to 4 decimal places, and the certainty of the location was described in the 'Location' field. The latitude and longitude values in this data set were collected using the NAD27 datum up until the early 2000's. In later years, the data was collected using the NAD83 datum. Future work will be done to correct this confusion. This field may be blank.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Range_Domain:
Range_Domain_Minimum: -172.8200
Range_Domain_Maximum: 178.8000
Attribute_Units_of_Measure: Decimal degrees
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: location
Attribute_Definition:
Narrative description of the location of the mineral deposit and its areal extent, as well as an assessment of the accuracy of the location as given in the latitude and longitude fields. The locality description is keyed to geographic names on the appropriate 1:63,360 scale topographic map and located by section, township, and range.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Narrative description of the location and an assessment of the accuracy of the location.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: ore_minerals
Attribute_Definition:
A comma delimited alphabetical list of the ore minerals at the site. By convention, the ore minerals include all native metals, sulfides and sulfosalts, metallic oxides, and metal-rich minerals of real or potential economic value. This includes pyrite and arsenopyrite if they are of economic value. The relative abundance should be described in the 'Geologic_description' field. Barite, gypsum, chromite, fluorite, and the like may be listed here if they are the chief minerals of economic interest.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Alphabetical list of the ore minerals at the site.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: gangue_minerals
Attribute_Definition:
A comma delimited alphabetical list of the non-economic minerals at the site that cannot be avoided in mining. As conventionally used, gangue minerals are silicates, carbonates, and other minerals that are intergrown with the ore minerals. The term 'gangue' mineral was originally used in the context of classic vein or replacement deposits and may not apply in discussing the mineralogy of many deposits. 'Gangue' usually does not include the minerals in the host rock, nor does it normally include alteration minerals. Minerals like barite, fluorite, and gypsum are usually included as gangue minerals if present in relatively minor amounts. The relative abundance of the gangue minerals should be described in the 'Geologic description' field. This field may be blank.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Alphabetical list of the non-economic minerals at the site that cannot be avoided in mining.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: site_type
Attribute_Definition:
Sites are classified as Mine, Mines, Prospect, Prospects, Occurrence, or Occurrences. In some cases, the only suggestion of a mineral deposit existing at a site is that a claim or claims have been staked there. These sites are included in ARDF if: 1) the claim or claims have been identified as a site in a previous publication (may have an MRDS number) or 2) there is clear evidence that the claim or claims have had substantial work by a reputable source. However, ARDF is NOT a claim-location database.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Mine or Mines
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
Mines have had past production, though it may be small or trivial.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Prospect or Prospects
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
Prospects have had some mapping, or geochemical or geophysical surveys, or physical excavation by industry.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Occurrence or Occurrences
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition:
Mineral occurrences include unexplored occurrences of minerals of economic interest, or areas with multiple samples having substantial values of one or more metals as determined by analysis or mineralogy. By convention, an occurrence does not become a prospect if only government workers have found or studied it.
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: site_status
Attribute_Definition:
The level of current activity at the site. This is the best estimate by the compiler of recent activity at the time the ARDF record was updated and is somewhat subjective. It is not a legal definition of claim validity. Activity is not restricted to excavation or other physical exploration, but may include substantial geologic mapping, geochemical sampling, or ground geophysics within the last several years.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Values include Active, Active?, Probably inactive, Inactive, and Undetermined.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: production
Attribute_Definition:
A brief description of production from the site. An example of 'Small' production is minor gold from a placer deposit; a 'Large' example would be the Alaska-Juneau Mine; and 'Medium' production is somewhere in between.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Yes; large
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Large production site
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Yes; medium
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Medium production site
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Yes; small
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Small production site
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: Undetermined
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Undetermined production at site
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Enumerated_Domain:
Enumerated_Domain_Value: None
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: No production at site
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: production_notes
Attribute_Definition:
A summary of published or publicly available production figures with citation. For some deposits, the numbers may be incomplete for some years, or not available. This field should summarize the chronology of production up to and including the present if the mine is still active.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
A summary of published or publicly available production figures with citation.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: reserves
Attribute_Definition:
Nonproprietary reserve or resource figures. Values are referenced to a source document. For some deposits, there may be conflicting calculations of reserves; in these cases, the different figures are provided with reference to the source, year, and character of each. The terms 'reserves' and 'resources' are not strictly defined.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Nonproprietary reserve or resource figures.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: alteration
Attribute_Definition:
Description of the alteration at the deposit and the source of the information. This field is empty in some ARDF records.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Description of the alteration at the deposit and the source of the information.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: generic_deposit_model
Attribute_Definition: Deposit models described Hedenquist (2005)
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Deposit models described Hedenquist (2005)
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: deposit_model
Attribute_Definition:
There are three ways to describe 'deposit_model'. 1) Classified as one of the Cox and Singer (1986) or Bliss (1992) deposit models, 2) Classified by referring to a published source other than Cox and Singer (1986) or Bliss (1992), or 3) Defined in general terms for lack of or very limited evidence. A query may be appropriate, such as 'Porphyry copper?'.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain: Description and citation of the deposit model that was used.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: deposit_model_number
Attribute_Definition:
The deposit model number for Cox and Singer (1986) or Bliss (1992) deposit models. Only used if the 'deposit_model' field is a Cox and Singer model or Bliss model.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
The deposit model number for Cox and Singer (1986) or Bliss (1992) deposit models.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: geologic_description
Attribute_Definition:
Full description of the geology and character of the deposit or occurrence. Should include information about the host rock, structure of the host and mineralized system, mineralogy and mineralogical relations, alteration, age, and the shape and form of the deposit. This field may duplicate information in other fields. This field is empty in some ARDF records.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Full description of the geology and character of the deposit or occurrence.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: workings_exploration
Attribute_Definition:
Description of the exploration done to evaluate the prospect or occurrence, or a description of the workings at the mine. For mineral occurrences, this field includes the exploration work or evidence to suggest mineral potential. For prospects and mines, this field should include who has worked on or mined the site, and when. For some sites, the data may include multiple generations of work by different companies. Geochemical or geophysical work should be noted and may include a brief summary of the findings. This field is empty in some ARDF records.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Description of the exploration done to evaluate the prospect or occurrence, or a description of the workings at the mine.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: additional_comments
Attribute_Definition:
Information considered important for the site, but not appropriate for the other fields. Information may include restrictions on mineral exploration and development due to land status. May also include environmental issues.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Information considered important for the site, but not appropriate for the other fields.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: age
Attribute_Definition:
The age of mineralization and the source information used as evidence for the age determination. May be an age, age range, or inferred age. This field is empty in some ARDF records.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
The age of mineralization and the source information used as evidence for the age determination.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: primary_reference
Attribute_Definition:
Short form reference citation to the single best or most complete source of information on the site.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Short form reference citation to the single best or most complete source of information on the site.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: references
Attribute_Definition:
Published references and unpublished reports by industry or other organizations that have been cited in the record.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Published references and unpublished reports by industry or other organizations that have been cited in the record.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: reporters
Attribute_Definition:
The individual(s) responsible for compiling or updating the ARDF record. Entry should be the reporter's name, followed by his/her affiliation or address in parentheses. The first name in the list is the initial compiler. The most recent reporter's name is added to the end of the list of reporters' names.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
The individual(s) responsible for compiling or updating the ARDF record.
Attribute:
Attribute_Label: last_report_date
Attribute_Definition:
Date when the record was compiled or updated. This is not the date of the last publication on the site. It is the date that a competent geologist reviewed the information in the record and, if necessary, added information to bring it up to date. The date indicates that the updater was satisfied that the record was complete and accurate as possible as of that date.
Attribute_Definition_Source: Author defined
Attribute_Domain_Values:
Unrepresentable_Domain:
Date when the record was compiled or updated (date format: MM/DD/YYYY).