New Mexico Mineral Symposium — Abstracts

With today's technology, tin remains an important commodity, one of which the United States has little. Although we consume in excess of 60,000 long tons per year, we produce less than 100 ton yearly. Therefore, any deposit of tin ore is of interest.

In New Mexico, there are three distinct types of tin deposits: Two in northern New Mexico, and one in the southern half, specifically in the Black Range Mountains.

Located in Catron and Sierra Counties, the cassiterite deposits of the Taylor and Squaw Creek area are the most important in the state. They include both lode and placer deposits, and represent a very unusual type of mineralization.

The cassiterite-hematite-silica type deposition at Squaw Creek and Taylor Creek will be discussed, as well as the collecting status of both cassiterite crystals and placer nuggets.