Huge collection of ore deposit samples gathering dust

In January 2002, the University of Arizona’s Dept. of Geosciences (UA) acquired the Waldemar Lindgren Ore Collection from Harvard University. The Arizona Geological Society (not the Survey) and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society played a pivotal role by jointly providing ~$25,000 for curating and transport of the collection to Tucson. 

For 12 years the collection has been secure in a shed off campus in Tucson. The Lindgren Ore Collection – at a glance:

• 19 shrink-wrapped wood pallets [right, photo credit, Mike Conway, AZGS]
• ~ 840 boxes of minerals and rocks
• ~ 10,000 hand specimens in individual trays
• Assorted paperwork and perfunctory catalog listing the 840 boxes, generally by location.  
• Many samples have much more specific locality and specimen descriptions written on labels in the bottom of individual trays [bottom right, photo credit, Mike Conway, AZGS]

It was originally thought that the collection included Lindgren's premier specimens from seminal investigations at the Morenci mine and others. But initial examination of the boxes when they first arrived found mostly surface grab samples and little of significance. UA professors have not used the collection for teaching and research as originally anticipated. 

So, the question is, should something be done with the collection or just let it sit in storage?  The Arizona Geological Society last night established a small committee to consider options and make recommendations.   One possibility is to open, inventory, photograph, and inventory every specimen and then evaluate the collection's usefulness.  The committee will report back in May.

Museum bill advances in state Senate

Senate Bill 1200, which would transfer the former Mining & Mineral Museum from the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) to the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS), passed 5-0 in the Arizona Senate Rural Affairs and Environment Committee yesterday.

The bill directs AZGS to re-open the museum as the Mining, Mineral, and Natural Resources Education Museum, to include the elements planned for the proposed Centennial Museum that was never developed - agriculture, livestock, specialty crops, tourism, and education. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Gail Griffen, told the committee that her intent is that the museum would encompass forestry, range management, and wildfire impacts as well.

The bill would also transfer $428,300 from the Arizona Historical Society to AZGS to cover the rent on the building and the salary for one curator. [Right, the former museum drew as many as 25,000 school students each year]

A report from the Arizona Dept. of Administration and AHS completed in December, estimated it would cost an additional $2.1 million in one-time capital costs to make the building ready to open and annual operational costs including an educational program, would run $294,000.    Those costs are not factored into SB1200.

Trilobites featured in new UA Mineral Museum exhibit

The University of Arizona Mineral Museum previewed its new exhibit on trilobites last week.  The delicacy of some of the specimens legs and antennas is astonishing, especially if you are used to seeing the fossils mostly as flattened bodies embedded in the rock.   To my knowledge, this is the first time the museum has had a fossil exhibit, focusing instead on minerals.

Bill would task AZGS with re-opening Mining & Mineral Museum with '5C's' theme

Legislation was introduced late on Friday afternoon that would transfer the former Mining & Mineral Museum building in Phoenix [right] and all of its assets from the Arizona Historical Society to the Arizona Geological Survey to re-open it as the Arizona Mining,  Mineral, and Natural Resources Education Museum.    A hearing on the bill, SB1200, is scheduled for 9 a.m., Tuesday, February 17 in the Senate Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.

The bill says the State Geologist may "promote the recognition and celebration of the historical, cultural, economic and social contributions to this state made by the mining, mineral and natural resource industries in this state, including the livestock and agricultural industries."

A 14-member Advisory Council, appointed by the Governor, would be comprised of two representatives from the mining industry, two from the tourism community, two each from agriculture, livestock and specialty crops communities (total of 6), an education representative, and two from the public.  The State Geologist would also be a member.   The Council makeup is the same as that for the Arizona Experience museum proposed for the Centennial but never implemented.

SB1200 was initially introduced to make a technical correction but a 'strike everything' amendment added all the new language.

AZGS at Mining Day on the Capitol

AZGS participated in the Mining Day at the Capitol in Phoenix on Wednesday, with an informational table, and filming interviews with legislative leaders about mining and mineral resource issues for the next episode of our online video magazine, Arizona Mining Review.  That episode should air on February 25 at 10 a.m. and posted to YouTube afterwards.     [Right, Chris Hanson, Nyal Niemuth, and Stephanie Mar preparing for a video interview]

Mining and supply/service companies filled the mall in front of the state legislature with equipment and hands-on displays.

Mining Day at the Arizona State Capitol

The Arizona Mining Association (AMA) and the Arizona Rock Products Association (ARPA) are hosting Mining Day at the State Capital from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, February 11, at the Arizona State Capitol. Large mining trucks, tires and equipment, informational booths on mines in Arizona, equipment simulators, state agencies and university mining programs are part of the Mining Day displays and activities.

The event is open to the public but mostly members of the Governor’s Office, Legislature, and state agencies are expected to attend.  The goals are to showcase the role of mining for employment opportunities, economic impacts, and how minerals and mining impact Arizona.  [Right, House Speaker David Gowan, Sr. at the 2014 Mining Day event.  Credit, ARPA]

AZGS will share an information table with the Arizona State Lands Dept. to display our publications and work on mineral resources and mining.   

Tucson gem, mineral, and fossil show continues to overwhelm

I've only had time to pop in for a few minutes to a few of the dozens of independent shows around Tucson as part of the Tucson Gem, Mineral, and Fossil Showcase that officially kicked off a week ago.   I was taken by the Peruvian pyrite on quartz with sphalerite specimens at the Days Inn.  The one at right is priced at only $1,500.


Up at the Tucson Inn Suites, Tynsky's Fossil Quarry is displaying a cast of what they say is the only complete Eohippus ("dawn horse") recovered from the Green River Fm lake beds in Wyoming.

Arizona Petrified Wood has beautiful tables with petrified wood slab insets and a wide range of slabs for inclusion in other furniture.

Making copper the official state metal of Arizona

 Arizona has a state fossil - petrified wood, and a state gemstone - turquoise.   Under a new bill, SB1441, Arizona would designate copper as the state metal.

 The list of official state emblems includes:

a)      state colors- blue and old gold;

b)      state fossil- petrified wood;

c)      state bird- cactus wren;

d)     state flower- saguaro blossom;

e)      state tree- palo verde;

f)       state neckwear- bola tie;

g)      state gemstone- turquoise;

h)      state animals- ringtail, Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake, Apache trout and Arizona tree frog;

i)        state butterfly- two-tailed swallowtail;

j)        state nickname- The Grand Canyon State; and

k)      state firearm- Colt Single Action Army Revolver. 

Many states have a state mineral but Nevada designated silver as the official state metal in 1977.

Mining claims in Arizona dropped by 9,000 in 2014

Mining claims on federal lands in Arizona decreased by approximately 9,000 in 2014 from their highest level in at least a decade, to the lowest level since 2008.  The causes may be in part the lower commodity prices last year, but the federal land agency fee increases may be the bigger factor, with marginal or low priority claims being dropped, particularly by small companies and individuals.