Monthly data releases
Monthly research and exploration information releases
Reports and data related to Minnesota's mineral resources are made available to the public by the Lands and Minerals Division at the beginning of the month following their completion. This page includes information from the Division's monthly "Open-File Bulletin", and may contain information on other data releases as well.
The format of these releases varies depending on the project. For more information on any of the projects listed below (unless noted otherwise in a project description), please contact:
Richard Ruhanen, Geologist
1525 Third Avenue East, Hibbing, MN 55746
tel. (218) 231-8469
fax (218) 262-7328
November, 2008
DNR Lands and Minerals geologists have compiled exploration data and obtained new results from gold prospects within the Vermilion District, St. Louis Co. MN. These are greenstone terrane prospects which will be offered for lease in the January, 2009 sale.
Lease sale information:http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lands_minerals/leasesale/index.html
The following Power Point presentations are available:
Project 372 Vermilion District Gold Project leader Don Elsenheimer
Power Point file State Metallic Minerals Lease Sale, Minnesota's Vermilion Gold District. This reviews compiled mineral exploration data and identifies gold prospects within the Vermilion District.
For further information contact Don Elsenheimer 651 259 5433.
Project 373, Drill Core Evaluation Project leader Barry Frey.
Power Point file Vermilion Greenstone Gold: New Results from Drill Cores This characterizes previously unrecognized gold-bearing intervals within archived drill cores from the Vermilion District. New data includes semi-quantitative hand-held XRF data, gold mineral associations, and proposed mineralization models.
For further information contact Barry Frey 218 231 8450
October, 2008
No data releases
September, 2008
No data releases
August, 2008
No data releases
July, 2008
No data releases
June, 2008
The following data is released:
Project 373, Drill Core Evaluation Project leader Barry Frey
The remaining chemistry for the first 65 samples from the Vermilion Greenstone Belt. The earlier results are included for convenience. File names are:
P373Juneopenfile.doc P373ALSchem1A.xls P373ALSchem1B.xls P373CHEMsamps1.xls P373Chemsamp1locations.xls
For further information contact Barry Frey 218 231 8450
May, 2008
The following data is released:
Project 373, Drill Core Evaluation, Barry Frey, project leader
Sampling information, locations and results of re-analysis of selected drill cores from the Vermilion Greenstone Belt.
New data consists of drill logs and XRF chemistry data in three EXCEL files and a WORD file.
For further information contact Barry Frey, 218/231 8450,
e-mail:barry.frey@dnr.state.mn.us or Andri Hanson, 218/231 8459
e-mail: andri.hanson@dnr.state.mn.us
Project 370, Portfolio project, Don Elsenheimer, project leader.
A laboratory report in EXCEL format documenting geochemical analyses of heavy mineral concentrates derived from glacial till samples from the Virginia Horn Greenstone Terrain, St. Louis Co. MN. Analysis performed by Chemex, Inc.
For further information contact Don Elsenheimer 651/259 5433
e-mail:donald.elsenheimer@dnr.state.mn.us
April, 2008
The following data is released:
Project 373, Drill Core Evaluation, Barry Frey, project leader
Sampling information, locations and results of re-analysis of selected drill cores from the Vermilion Greenstone Belt.
March, 2008
No data releases
February, 2008
The following data is released:
Project 370, Portfolio Project Open-File Report Project Leader: Don Elsenheimer The following data is released: A laboratory report Virginia Horn Gold Grain Counts.xls, from Overburden Drilling Management, Ltd, which documents total gold grain counts and non-magnetic heavy mineral concentrate weights in 29 till samples from the Virginia Horn Greenstone Terrain, St. Louis County, Minnesota. Anomalous total gold grain counts and pristine gold grain counts were obtained from samples both proximal to and distant from known gold occurrences. Samples were collected in May, 2007, and shipped to the laboratory in June, 2007. The results were reported to the MDNR on January 20, 2008. A spreadsheet Till Sampling Notes.xls, which provides supplemental information for each sample location (i.e. collection date, UTM coordinates, till descriptions). A map VH Till Sampling Location.pdf, which displays total gold grain counts for each sample location, relative to the quartz-feldspar porphyry unit that has been associated with almost all of the known gold occurrences in the area. Joe Hudak made significant contributions to this project. For further information, contact Don Elsenheimer, phone 651/259-5433; e-mail:donald.elsenheimer@dnr.state.mn.us or Joe Hudak (particularly for GIS shape-file information) e-mail:joe.hudak@dnr.state.mn.us
January, 2008
No data releases.
December, 2007
No data releases.
November, 2007
No data releases.
October, 2007
Project 368, Drill Core Evaluation, Virginia Horn Area. Barry Frey, Project leader.
The following data is released:
Microprobe, X-RAY Fluorescence, and alteration chemistry work on select samples within the Virginia Horn greenstone terrane.
The following PDF provides contextual information about the Virginia Horn area:
Four PDF files describing the work and available files may be downloaded via the following links:
This document contains photomicrographs of selected minerals.
This document lists the available files not included on this site; please contact the listed personnel for copies.
This document is a power point presentation (in PDF format) describing the work and mineralization of the Virginia Horn. For the notes accompanying the slides move your cursor to the icon in the upper left of the slide.
This document presents the X-Ray Fluorescence, microprobe and alteration chemistry data. Move your cursor to the icon in the upper left of the slide for notes.
The following links display maps (PDF format) portraying data from the Virginia Horn gold project.
vh_gold_map1.pdf vh_gold_map2.pdf vh_gold_map3.pdf
vh_gold_map4.pdf vh_gold_map5.pdf vh_gold_map6.pdf
For a discussion of the data, the project, or for further information contact:
Barry Frey, phone 218/231 8450;
e-mail:barry.frey@dnr.state.mn.us
or Joe Hudak (particularly for GIS shape-file information) 218/231 8455
e-mail:joe.hudak@dnr.state.mn.us
Don Elsenheimer also contributed to this project: phone 651/259-5433;
e-mail:donald.elsenheimer@dnr.state.mn.us
September, 2007
No data releases.
August, 2007
Project 370, Portfolio Project Open-File August 3, 2007
Project Leader: Don Elsenheimer
The following data is released:
A report, Gold Mineralization in the Virginia Horn Greenstone Terrain, St. Louis County, Minnesota which compiles historic mineral lease information, as well as historic and new, geologic, geochemical, and fluid inclusion data for the area.
A large number of GIS shape-files have been compiled and created as part of this project. These files are available for release. Alternatively, based on public requests, MnDNR staff can provide specific maps and/or data plots based on these shape-files.
Barry Frey and Joe Hudak made significant contributions to this project.
For further information, contact Don Elsenheimer, phone 651/259-5433;
e-mail:donald.elsenheimer@dnr.state.mn.us
or Barry Frey, phone 218/262 7326;
e-mail:barry.frey@dnr.state.mn.us
or Joe Hudak (particularly for GIS shape-file information)
e-mail:joe.hudak@dnr.state.mn.us
July 25, 2007
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Lands and Minerals has received a donation of mineral exploration data from RGGS Lands and Minerals Ltd of Houston, Texas. The materials are composed of historical U. S. Steel exploration maps and data that were previously stored at the Minntac Mine facility in Mountain Iron, Minnesota.
Exploration areas covered include portions of the following terranes: the Mesabi Iron Range (primarily iron ore drilling linens), the Duluth Complex area (airborne and ground geophysics, geology and geochemistry), Archean and Proterozoic terrane in Minnesota (airborne and ground geophysics, geology and geochemistry related to base metal, manganese and gold exploration), and various Minnesota reconnaissance geochemical survey data.
A preliminary inventory of the donation has been completed and consists of three (3) Excel spreadsheets.
Clients should plan on spending extra time and care in order to preserve the structure and organization of these uncatalogued materials. The materials are presently housed in the containers as shipped.
Contact Information:
Lands and Minerals Division
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
1525 Third Avenue East
Hibbing, Minnesota 55746
Attn: David Dahl (218) 231-8445
e-mail:dave-hibbing.dahl@dnr.state.mn.us
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or Richard Ruhanen (218) 231-8469
e-mail:rick.ruhanen@dnr.state.mn.us
July, 2007
DNR LaM Project 368, Barry Frey, Project leader. The following data is released:
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Chemistry and mineralogy from 635 samples from three areas: The Rice River District of the Cuyuna Range, the Virginia Horn, and greenstones from Itasca and Beltrami counties.
In addition, 279 microprobe analyses from 11 polished sections are available from the Virginia Horn, St. Louis Co., area as well as selected microprobe images and logging data.
For further information, contact Barry Frey, phone 218/262 7326;
e-mail:barry.frey@dnr.state.mn.us
or Joe Hudak
e-mail:joe.hudak@dnr.state.mn.us
June, 2007
DNR LaM Project 368, Barry Frey, Project leader. The following data is released:
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Two sets of chemical results from drill core and cuttings analysis by ALS Chemex of Sparks, NV, and
Preliminary study of fluid inclusions associated with the known gold mineralization in the Virginia Horn area by Dr. Andrew Conly, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.
May, 2007
No data releases.
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April, 2007
No data releases.
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March, 2007
No data releases.
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February, 2007
No data releases.
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January, 2007
No data releases.
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December, 2006
The following data is released:
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Project 368, "Drill Core Analysis Project", Barry Frey, project leader.
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A new occurrence of visible gold has been found in drill hole DML-3, Virginia Horn area. This hole is located with the SE-SE-SW of S. 28, T58N R17W, and is about 8,000 feet from the previously known gold occurrence in the area.
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The gold occurs in a ribbon-textured, quartz-calcite vein with minor pyrite from 207.5 - 209 ft. The wall rock is a volcanogenic greywacke.
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For further information, contact Barry Frey, phone 218/262 7326;
e-mail:barry.frey@dnr.state.mn.us
November, 2006
No data releases.
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October, 2006
No data releases.
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September, 2006
No data releases.
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August, 2006
No data releases.
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July, 2006
The following data is released:
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Mineral Potential Project 370 "Reconnaissance Gold Grain Counts in Glacial Till near Nashwauk, MN," Project leader Dave Dahl
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Results from 15 samples of B horizon till processed by Overburden Drilling Management of Nepean, ON
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Normalized gold grain counts range from 1.5 to 20 gold grains per 10 kg table feed.
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The processing report from Overburden Drilling Management as well as a sample locations map are available.
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Mineral Potential Project 368 "Mineral Potential Investigation of Existing Drill Cores," Project leader Barry Frey
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Logs and analysis from drill cores in the Rice River District, Aitkin County, are released. Data includes anomalous copper values.
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June, 2006
No data releases.
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May, 2006
No data releases.
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April, 2006
No data releases.
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March, 2006
No data releases.
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February, 2006
No data releases.
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January, 2006
The Minnesota Geological Survey (MGS) has released data from the second phase of a study entitled "Geology, Geochemistry and PGE Potential of Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions in Minnesota, Excluding the Duluth Complex."
The data include 850 geochemical analyses from 20 intrusions that were selected on the basis of Phase I of the study, which was open filed-filed in 2003.
A final report will be published in March, 2006, containing data from 150 intrusions, including detailed petrologic, geochemical, and PGE assessment of the 20 selected intrusions.
Both phases of the study were funded by the Minerals Diversification Program of the Minnesota Legislature on recommendations of the Minerals Coordinating Committee.
The Open-file report is available from the MGS website:http://www.geo.umn.edu/mgs/newrelease.html.
For further information contact Mark Jirsa jirsa001@umn.edu, phone 612/627 4780 ext. 208, or Jim Miller mille066@umn.edu, phone 218/720 4355.
December, 2005
No data releases.
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November, 2005
No data releases.
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October, 2005
No data releases.
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September, 2005
No data releases.
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August, 2005
No data releases.
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July, 2005
The following materials are being open filed:
Project 262, Project Leader Dennis Martin
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Follow up mineralogical analysis of 20 concentrate samples from Project 262 (1989) for indicator minerals relating to nickel-copper-platinum group elements from nearby mafic intrusions. The samples were processed by Overburden Drilling Management, Nepean, Ontario; no obvious significant results are noted.
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The data are contained in two Microsoft Word files and a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
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June, 2005
No data releases.
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May, 2005
No data releases.
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April, 2005
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The following materials are being open filed:
Project 365, Project Leader David Dahl
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Final Report, "Results of Glacial Till Sampling in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Minnesota"
This report provides details on gold grain counts, silt/clay chemistry, heavy mineral concentrate chemistry and pebble counts for 32 glacial till samples collected east of Lake Vermilion, Minnesota; available in paper or digital form.
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e-mail:dave-HIBBING.dahl@dnr.state.mn.us
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March, 2005
No data releases.
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February, 2005
No data releases.
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January, 2005
No data releases.
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December, 2004
No data releases.
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November, 2004
The following materials are being open filed:
Project 298-3, "Dimension Stone Inventory of Northern Minnesota", Project Leader Matt Oberhelman
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A new dimension stone prospect site has been identified in St Louis County: Township 65N Range 15W, Sec. 9, SE-SW. Dimension stone project site S-290 is grayish-pink granite exhibiting good quarry block potential.
October, 2004
The following materials are being open filed:
Project 365, "Orientation Survey of Glacial Till Materials in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Minnesota", Project Leader David Dahl
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1. Geochemistry (INAA) results, including gold, for -63um (silt/clay) fractions of 32 glacial till samples.
2. Geochemistry (INAA) results, including gold, for -0.25mm nonmagnetic heavy mineral concentrates of 32 glacial till samples.
3. Laboratory hardcopy of geochemistry results for -63um (silt/clay) fractions of 32 glacial till samples (hardcopy of 9/1/2004 release).
September, 2004
The following materials are being open filed:
Project 365, "Orientation Survey of Glacial Till Materials in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Minnesota", Project Leader David Dahl
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1) Geochemistry results for -63um (Silt/Clay) fractions of 32 glacial till samples.
2) Geochemical results for 12 rock grab samples and rock float samples from the Mud Creek area in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt.
3) Geochemical results and sample locations for 24 rock float samples from the Purvis Lake Road area in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt.
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August, 2004
The following materials are being open filed:
Project 365, "Orientation Survey of Glacial Till Materials in the Vermilion Greenstone Belt, Northeastern Minnesota", Project Leader David Dahl
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1) Gold Grain Report from Overburden Drilling Management, Ltd. (ODM) for 32 glacial till samples; 8 pages
2) List of laboratory abbreviations used by ODM in Gold Grain Report; 1 page
3) Table of sample locations, Munsell colors, UTM coordinates, and normalized grain counts
4) Regional map of Minnesota/Ontario greenstone belt areas, size 8.5" x 11"
5) Sample locations map on shaded-relief topography backdrop, size 8.5" x 11"
6) Sample locations, gold grains, shear zones map on 2003 color aerial photography backdrop, size 11" x 17"
7) Hardcopy prints of 4 JPEG images showing sample locations against Peterson & Patelke (2004) geology map
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July, 2004
No data releases.
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June, 2004
No data releases.
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May, 2004
No data releases.
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April, 2004
No data releases.
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March, 2004
No data releases.
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February 2004
No data releases.
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January 2004
No data releases.
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December, 2003
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Aggregate Resources and Surficial Geology, Renville County, MN. by Heather E. Anderson.
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Two plates, in Adobe Acrobat format, are available for download from the Aggregate Maps page. These drafts will be available for review and comment until December 22, 2003. After this date a final set of maps and associated GIS data will be published and available on CD-ROM and the internet.
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For paper copies, contact Heather E. Anderson, Aggregate Resources Geologist.
tel: 651-259-5376 Fax: 651-296 5939
email:heather.anderson@dnr.state.mn.us
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November 2003
No data releases.
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October 2003
No data releases.
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September 2003
No data releases.
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August 2003
No data releases.
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July 2003
Aggregate Resources and Surficial Geology, Le Sueur County MN.
Two plates, in Adobe Acrobat format, are available for download from the Aggregate Maps page. These are drafts available for a 30 day review and comment period. Associated GIS data will be available after the comment period (Aug.15).
For paper copies, contact:
Jon Ellingson - Industrial Minerals Geologist
MN - DNR Division of Lands and Minerals
2300 Silver Creek Rd. NE
Rochester, MN 55906
Phone: 507-280-5590 Fax: 507-285-7144
e-mail:jon.ellingson@dnr.state.mn.us
June 2003
No data releases.
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May 2003
No data releases.
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April 2003
The following data set is released:
Project 359, Conversion of Statewide Aeromagnetic Digital Files to ARCVIEW GIS Format Project Leader David Dahl
Sixty-two data files from Minnesota's statewide aeromagnetic data set from the survey flown (1979 - 1989) by the Minnesota Geological Survey are available for download through the MN DNR GIS Data Deli at http://deli.dnr.state.mn.us.These data were originally available through NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center at Boulder,CO.
The data, in ARCVIEW (ver.3.2) point shapefiles, comprise approximately 11 million records. Coordinates are UTM Zone 15 projection, NAD 83 datum, X and Y ordinates in meters. Attribute data includes fiducials, altimeter readings, diurnal corrections, total field and residual magnetic values, and flight line numbers.
For further information contact David Dahl: e-mail, dave.dahl@dnr.state.mn.us or phone (218) 231-8445.
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March 2003
The following report is released:
Report 347, Analysis of Drilling and Sampling Techniques Used to Obtain Representative and Accurate Samples in Coarse Sand and Gravel Deposits, Project Leader Jon Ellingson.
Multiple samples were collected utilizing several different sampling techniques to determine the best methodologies for obtaining representative samples from coarse sand and gravel deposits. The effects of each technique on the type of material sampled (particle size distribution of the material)is compared.
The report is available in Adobe PDF format.
February 2003
The following report is released:
Report 358, Inventory of Publicly Owned Stockpiles and Natural Aggregate Resources at the Former LTV Mine and Vicinity Project Leader Glenn D. Melchert.
An inventory of all mining stockpiles with any public ownership for the former LTV mine at Hoyt Lakes, MN and vicinity. Covers all of Township 59N Range 14 and 15W and portions of Townships 58N and 60N, Range 14 and 15W. Includes qualitative estimates for crushed rock aggregate, rip-rap, and decorative stone. Surrounding public lands were evaluated for indications of gravel and concentrations of glacial boulders.
Products include a report with appendices, photo supplement, and two plates. A CD with these items as well as ARCVIEW shapefiles, digital photos, and an ACCESS database is available.
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January 2003
No data releases.
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December 2002
No data releases.
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November 2002
The following materials are released:
Report 353, Description of the Metamorphosed Virginia Formation at the Peter Mitchell Mine, Babbitt, Minnesota
by Richard W. Ruhanen
Descriptions of the Virginia Formation from 14 drill cores from Sec. 16, T60N R12W, in the northeast portion of the mine.
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October 2002
The following draft report to be released on October 8:
Report 357, Aggregate Resources of Dodge County, Minnesota, 2002, by Heather E. Anderson.
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This draft will be available for review and comment until November 5, 2002. After this date a final set of maps will be published and available on CD-ROM and the internet.
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For additional information, contact Heather E. Anderson, Aggregate Resources Geologist.
tel: 651-259-5376
email:heather.anderson@dnr.state.mn.us
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Download Plates
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Please note: Best results in viewing these plates will be obtained by saving the files to a location of your choice and opening with Adobe Acrobat. Some plate information may not display as a result of opening with Acrobat directly from a web browser.
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Plate 1: Significant Aggregate Resource Deposits
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Plate 2: Aggregate Resources, Dodge County, Minnesota
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Plate 3: Surficial Geology, Dodge County, Minnesota
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Plate 4: Data Sources and Mapping Methodology, Dodge County, Minnesota
September 2002
No data releases.
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August 2002
The following materials are released:
Report 336-5, Surficial Geology of Interstate State Park, Project Leader Matt Oberhelman.
Includes a 1:12000 scale geologic map.
Drill Core Library Index. Compiled by A. Dzuck and R. W. Ruhanen.
Catalogue of drill cores held at the Division of Lands and Minerals Core Library at Hibbing, MN. Includes such information as location, lessee, footages, and so on.
July 2002
No data releases.
May - June 2002
Aggregate Resource Mapping of Benton County, Minnesota. (Project leader Jonathan B. Ellingson, Report 356).
A draft version of this report was released on May 29, 2002, and was available for public review and comment until June 29, 2002. After that, a final set of plates and data were released as Report 356 and is now available through the Aggregate Mapping Program page.
Products include: 4 plates (in identical digital and paper versions), and a CD with maps, data, and metadata.
April 2002
Compilation of Mineral Resources Digital Information for the Minnesota River Valley Corridor (Dennis Martin, Compiler, DNR Report 340).
Mineral resource information was compiled into digital format for the Minnesota River Valley Corridor for local governments that have the authority for planning and zoning. Mineral commodities included in this report are granite, quartzite, limestone, silica sand, industrial clay, and sand and gravel. Contributors to the report include staff from the Natural Resources Research Institute, Minnesota Geological Survey, and Department of Natural Resources. The brief text and 4 plates contain information such as the existing pit and quarry locations, available outcrop locations, and mineral potential maps for the above commodities. The digital information will be available on a CD-ROM at a later date.
December 2001 - March 2002
No data releases.
November 2001
Aggregate Resource Evaluation of a School-Trust Parcel Southeast of Big Fork in Itasca County, MN (Project Leader Glenn Melchert, Project 334-13).
This report summarizes the extent, quantity, and quality of a gravel resource delineated by auger drilling on a parcel of state land (Section 36, T60N, R25W) managed by DNR Forestry in Effie.
Aggregate Resource Evaluation of the Olson and Cranberry Pits in the Mille Lacs Wildlife Management Area near Onamia, MN (Project Leader Glenn Melchert, Project 334-14).
This report summarizes the extent, quantity, and quality of two gravel resources delineated by auger drilling on state land (Section 7, T41N, R25W and Section 34, T41N, R26W) managed by DNR Wildlife.
September - October 2001
No data releases.
August 2001
The following material was released on August 10, 2001.
Stockpile Ownership, Composition, and Use for Two Study Areas Located near Virginia and Calumet, Minnesota (Project 350, part of Mesabi Iron Range Water and Mineral Resource Planning). Contacts: Heather Anderson, (651) 259-5376, and Vicki Hubred, (218) 231-8454.
This is a pilot project conducted in two study areas: 6,000 acres near Calumet and 3,000 acres near Virginia, Minnesota. The project researched the ownership and composition of stockpiles and assessed the possible uses of the material. Stockpile ownership and composition was captured in a database.
The report, four plates, and metadata are available for download here. The CD can be requested from the contacts above. It contains README files, the report, plates in PDF and PS formats, metadata, and the database.
Download report.
Stockpile Ownership, Composition, and Use for Two Study Areas Located near Virginia and Calumet, Minnesota (79 pages, PDF/2.4 mb, filename Report 350.pdf)
Download README and metadata files, zipped.
(125 kb, filename proj350_metadata.zip).
Download accompanying color plates. Please note: Best results in viewing these plates will be obtained by saving the files to a location of your choice and opening with Adobe Acrobat. Some plate information may not display as a result of opening with Acrobat directly from a web browser.
Plate 1: Ownership, Calumet Study Area: a Portion of Township 56 North, Range 23 West and Township 56 North, Range 24 West Itasca County, Minnesota 2001 (48 x 36 inches, full size. PDF/500 kb, filename proj350_plate1.pdf)
Plate 2:Ownership, Calumet Study Area: a Portion of Township 56 North, Range 23 West and Township 56 North, Range 24 West Itasca County, Minnesota 2001 (48 x 36 inches, full size. PDF/250 kb, filename proj350_plate2.pdf)
Plate 3: Material Type, Vegetation, and Transportation Calumet Study Area, a Portion of Township 56 North, Range 23 West and Township 56 North, Range 24 West Itasca County, Minnesota 2001 (48 x 36 inches, full size. PDF/8.8 mb, filename proj350_plate3.pdf)
Plate 4: Material Type, Vegetation, and Transportation Virginia Study Area: A Portion of Township 58 North, Range 17 West St. Louis County, Minnesota 2001 (48 x 36 inches, full size. PDF/5.5 mb, filename proj350_plate4.pdf)
The following material was released on August 1, 2001.
Public Access to Minerals Data: 12,000 unpublished mineral exploration documents can now be accessed at http://minarchive.dnr.state.mn.us. Documents are primarily from non-ferrous exploration since the mid-1960's. The site provides map-based and attribute-based access to the contents of the mineral exploration archives at MnDNR's Hibbing office, and also includes outlines of data sources and reports from the Minnesota Geological Survey and the University of Minnesota - Natural Resources Research Institute. For more information check the web site or contact David Dahl, Rick Ruhanen, or Dale Cartwright at 218/262-6767.
Chisago County Aggregate Resources (Gary Meyer, Minnesota Geological Survey, Project 345) Contact: Dennis Martin, 651/259-5405.
Project (map scale 1:50,000) was contracted to the Minnesota Geological Survey. Products include: 2 plates and a CD with maps, GIS data, and metadata. Maps and data will be made available digitally through the Aggregate Mapping Program page.
Mesabi Iron Range Water and Mineral Resource Planning, Stockpile Ownership, Composition and Use (Project Leader Heather Anderson, Project 350).
A CD containing PDF format chemical assay results of 52 grab samples, and supporting documentation, that were taken of stockpiles in two study areas. One site is located east of the city of Virginia in St. Louis County comprising approximately 3,000 acres in portions of Township 58 North, Range 17 West. The second site is located on the west end of the Mesabi Iron Range in the vicinity of the cities of Calumet and Marble in Itasca County comprising approximately 6,000 acres.
PDF format chemical assay results are available here. As part of this zip file, assay results are also provided in Comma Delineated Text, DBF IV, Excel 97, INF, and MDX. Also included are README file, maps, and metadata files. (300 kb, filename project350.zip). An additional file, project350_study_area_ortho.pdf, containing digital orthophotographs of the two study areas is included separately here, due to its large size (PDF, 4.2 mb).
June - July 2001
No data releases.
May 2001
The following material was released on May 1, 2001.
Aggregate Resources and Quaternary Geology of Isanti County
(Digital Open-File Report Text by J.D. Lehr, 1996, Project 304).
Contact Person: Dennis Martin, (651) 259-5405
One of the goals of the Lands and Minerals Division is to produce our resource maps in digital format. Recently, the 1992 Isanti County Aggregate Resources map was added to the DNR website, and is available from the Aggregate Mapping program page. The digital version of the accompanying report text is now available. No previously published report was issued. This text will now be included in open-file indexes of digital information regarding county aggregate resource maps.
The aggregate resource map format has changed since this project; supportive text is now included on the map plate.
January - April 2001
No data releases.
December 2000
The following material was released on December 14, 2000: Draft Aggregate Resource Mapping of Nicollet County, Minnesota, Project Leader Jonathan B. Ellingson.
Products include: 4 plates and a CD with maps, data, and metadata.
These plates were available for public review and comment until January 31, 2001. After that, a final set of plates was released and is now available through the Aggregate Mapping Program page.
November 2000
No data releases.
October 2000
Site-specific Aggregate Resource Evaluation, Warroad Area, Project leader Glenn Melchert. This report summarizes results of Giddings probe work at two existing gravel pits (Summer Pit and Ditch 10 Pit) managed by DNR Forestry in Warroad. (Project 334-9).
July-September 2000
No data releases.
June 2000
Minnesota Aeromagnetic Data converted for GIS use, Project Leader David Dahl, MnDNR Lands and Minerals. (Misc/ No Project Number).
Four files of flight line data, covering the Duluth Complex, MN, from the Minnesota Geological Survey/National Geophysical Data center CD-ROM set of Minnesota Aeromagnetic Data, converted to Arcview GIS shapefile format. The GIS data files also contain a dbase IV (.dbf) file of the flightline data for non GIS users.
Access to the four files is available at MnDNR's internet site for free public data: http://deli.dnr.state.mn.us
In addition, several TIFF images of the aeromagnetic data are available for download and will be posted at the data deli site. Feedback from users will determine whether the flight line data for the rest of the state will be posted for free download.
All of the MnDNR Data Deli products are cast in UTM zone 15 projection, NAD83 datum, using map units of meters.
For more information, please contact Project Leader David Dahl, Mn DNR Division of Lands and Mineral at (218) 231-8445 or by email.
May 2000
Aggregate Resource Evaluation for a portion of Felton Prairie in Clay County, Minnesota, by Heather Anderson (Project 334-11). This project summarizes the results of a 27 hole rotosonic drilling program conducted over approximately 700 acres on a portion of Felton Prairie in December 1999. The report was prepared for the Felton Prairie Stewardship Committee by the DNR Division of Lands & Minerals.
Download report:
Aggregate Resource Evaluation for a portion of Felton Prairie in Clay County, Minnesota (PDF/2.4 mb)
Download accompanying color plates. Please note: Best results in viewing these plates will be obtained by saving the files to a location of your choice and opening with Adobe Acrobat. Some plate information may not display as a result of opening with Acrobat directly from a web browser.
Plate 1, Results of Rotosonic Drilling and Geophysics (PDF/2.8 mb)
Plate 2, Geologic Interpretations (PDF/2.5mb)
Report and Plates 1 & 2 zipped together (zipped PDF/3.8 mb)
A hard copy of the report can be obtained through the DNR Division of Lands & Minerals or by contacting Clay County at the following address:
Clay County Planning Office
Clay County Courthouse
807 11th Street North
PO Box 280
Moorhead, MN 56560-280
tel. (218) 299-5002
December 1999 through April 2000
No data releases.
November 1999
The Surficial Geology of McCarthy Beach State Park, by Heather Anderson. Summarizes glacial geology and geomorphology. Project commissioned by DNR-Parks to identify archaeological sites based on the paleo lake levels of the Sturgeon and Side Lake chain. (Project 336-4).
October 1999
No data releases.
September 1999
A final set of 4 plates (one text, three maps) and information on the Aggregate Resources, Eastern Clay County, Minnesota, by J.D. Lehr (Project 306). [Most of this information was released in 1997; for example, as maps on a CD-ROM under the title "Exploring Clay County."]
Contact Person Dennis Martin, Division of Lands & Minerals, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4045, 651/259-5405
August 1999
1. A draft report, Results of a Mobile Metal Ion Geochemical Study near Birchdale, North West Koochiching County, Northern Minnesota by R.D. Birrell and S. Staltari. (Project 330).
2. Results of a preliminary drilling project to evaluate gravel resources on a parcel of state land located in Section 36, T157N, R46W, Marshall County. A map, with attached geologic descriptions, outlining areas of high and low aggregate potential is available. (Project 334-3).
July 1999
1. The first part of a final report on utilizing glacial overburden as an exploration tool for metallic mineral resources in the Vermilion District, Minnesota (Project 326).
- Final report: Part A: Discussion of Lithology, Alteration, and Geochemistry at the Five Mile Lake, Eagles Nest, and Quartz Hill Prospects, by George J. Hudak and Ronald L. Morton.
2. Two reports on Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) and Enzyme Leach Geochemical Orientation Survey and Field Trip Birchdale-Indus Area of northern Minnesota (Project 330).
- Analytical results: Mobile Metal Ion method by XRAL Laboratories.
- Final report: Enzyme Leach Interpretation for Project 330, Birchdale Area, Northwest Koochiching County, Northern Minnesota, by Greg Hill and J. Robert Clark, PhD., Enzyme Laboratories, Inc.
June 1999
Two reports on utilizing glacial overburden as an exploration tool for metallic mineral resources in the Vermilion District, Minnesota (Project 326).
- Progress report: Summary of Lithological, Petrographic and Lithogeochemical Investigations at the Five Mile Lake, Eagle's Nest, and Quartz Hill Prospects, by George J. Hudak and Ronald L. Morton.
- Progress report on glacial drift mapping and statistical correlation, by P. Larson, H. Mooers, and B. Shmagin.
May 1999
Blue Earth County Aggregate Resource Evaluation, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, by Jonathan Ellingson.
Now available through the Aggregate Mapping Program page.
