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Virgil W. Lueth - Research Summary


Jarosite Geochemistry and Geochronology
Geochronology of Hydrothermal Mn Deposits
Solid Solution Behaviour in Sulfides
Groundwater Mineralogy
Mineralogy of New Mexico
Skarn and Carbonate Replacement Deposits
Geologic Membrane Phenomena
Studies in Igneous Petrology
Ore Deposit Studies
Geochemistry of Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth

Geochemistry and Geochronology of Jarosite

Massive jarosite and hematite mineralization  Level 1, upper stope, Copiapo Jarosite Mine, NM
     Jarosite, a potassium iron sulfate, is a member of the alunite group. The mineral contains K, SO4, and OH. Accordingly, it can be dated using K/Ar or Ar/Ar methods and isotopic values of sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen determined. Previous workers identified three types of jarosite, based on stable istope characteristics and geologic occurrence: supergene, sedimentary, and steam-heated. My collaborative work has led to a definition of a fourth type: sour gas jarosites. By determining the  isotopic characteristics of jarosite, one can use these characteristics to infer water sources, sulfur sources, and paleoclimate conditions during the formation of the mineral. We are currently applyingthese principles to the formation of barite-fluorite deposits in the Rio Grande rift of New Mexico and the weathering of ore deposits on the flanks of the rift.

Publications

Lueth, V.W., Peters, L., Campbell, A.R., Donahue, K., McLemore, V.T., and Walker, B.M., 2005, 40Ar/39Ar age and geomorphic development of hydrothermal alteration scars in the Red River valley, New Mexico: Geological Society of America, Abstracts and Programs, v. 37, n. 7 p. 232

Campbell, A.R., Lueth, V.W. and Pandy, S., 2005, Stable isotope discrimination of hypogene and supergene sulfate minerals in rock piles at the Questa Molybdenum mine, New Mexico: Geological Society of America, Abstracts and Programs, v. 37, n. 7, p. 394.

Pandy, S., Campbell, A.W., and Lueth, V.W., 2005, Stable isotope studies of ancient and modern acid sulfate minerals in rock piles at the Questa mine, Taos County, New Mexico: Society of Mining Engineers Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, p.49.

Lueth, V.W., Rye, R.O. and Peters, L., 2005, "Sour Gas" Hydrothermal jarosite: Ancient to modern acid sulfate mineralization in the southern Rio Grande Rift: Chemical Geology, v. 215, p. 339-360.

McLemore, V.T., Lueth, V.W. and Walker, B.M., 2004 , Alteration scars in the Red River valley, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 55, p. 19.

Lueth, V.W. and Rye, R.O., 2003,  Sulfuric and hydrofluoric acid speleogenesis associated with fluorite-jarosite mineralization along the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society 2003 Spring Meeting, Abstracts and Programs and New Mexico Geology, v. 25, p. 42.

Lueth, V.W., Rye, R.O., and Peters, L., 2000, Hydrothermal "Sour Gas" Jarosite: Ancient and modern acid sulfate mineralization events in the Rio Grande Rift: Geological Society of America, 2000 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Programs, p.A49. 

Lueth, V.W., Rye, R.O., and Peters, L., 2000, The origin and natural destruction of an ore deposit as recorded by jarosite: Hansonburg Mining District, New Mexico: Geological Society of America, 2000 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and  Programs, p. A109.

Lueth, V.W., Rye, R.O., and Peters, L., 1999,  Age and stable isotope geochemistry of hydrothermal jarosite at the Copiapo Jarosite Mine, New Mexico (abstract): Geological Society  of America, 1999 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and  Programs, p.A403.

Lueth, V.W., Rye, R.O., and Peters, L., 1999, The applications of jarosite geochronology and stable isotope geochemistry to ore deposit genesis and weathering - some examples from the Rio Grande Rift (abstract): New Mexico Geology,  v. 21 p.32-33

Lueth, V.W., Goodell, P. C., Heizler, M.T. and Peters, L., 1998, Geochemistry, geochronology, and tectonic implications of  jarosite mineralization in the northern Franklin  Mountains, Doña County, New Mexico: New  Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 49, p.  309-316.  

Goodell, P.C., Lueth, V.W., Peters, L., and Reyes-Cortes, I., 1999, Giant jarosite crystals from the Peña Blanca Uranium district, Chihuahua,Mexico: Mineralogical Record, v. 30, p. 85. 

Lueth, V.W. and Heizler, M.T., 1997, 40Ar/39Ar age and orgin of jarosite mineralization at the Hansonburg district, New Mexico (abstract): New Mexico Geology, v.19, p.51. 

Lueth, V.W. and Goodell, P.C., 1996, A remarkable deposit of jarosite: The product of rift basin dewatering (abstract): Geological Society of America, 1996 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Programs, p. A-210. 
Geochronology of hydrothermal Mn mineralization

Virgil Lueth (left) and Lisa Peters (with sledge) sampling manganese oxide ores at the Manganese Chief mine, Magdalena Mtns, NM.
      Hydrothermal managanese oxide ores are abundant in New Mexico. We are using cryptomelane to directly date hydrothermal mineralization and also determine the duration of mineralization activity. Lisa Peters and I have successfully dated a number of deposits in New Mexico. We are continuing to develop better separation and analytical techniques to date the manganese deposits around the state. 

Publications

Lueth, V.W., Peters, Lisa, and Chamberlin, Richard, 2004, 40Ar/39Ar age dating of hydrothermal manganese mineralization in the Luis Lopez district, New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources Bulletin 161, p. 239-249

Lueth, V.W., Peters, Lisa, and Chamberlin, Richard, 2001, Age of hydrothermal manganese mineralization in the Luis Lopez Manganese district determined by 40Ar/39Ar Dating of Cryptomelane: New Mexico Geological Society 2001 Spring Meeting, Abstracts and Programs and New Mexico Geology, v. 23, p. 51. 
Solid solution behavior and trace element incorporation in sulfide minerals

 


Galena on sphalerite, Picher, OK (specimen 5 cm).  Note the development of octahedral faces on the corner of the cube and the oriented crystal growth on the cube face. No silver in this one!

     The solid solution behavior of sulfide minerals has been studied intensively in recent years and some systems have been modeled by thermodynamics. My research has concentrated on the solid solution behavior of sulfide minerals in natural systems, mainly bismuthinite - stibnite and galena. Miner's tales often speak of "silver-bearing" galena in the octahedral form or in distorted forms - this has not been observed in my studies. By documenting natural variation in sulfides we can constrain thermodynamic models,  predict metal zoning and ore grades, and infer the fractionation of hydrothermal fluids. 

Publications

Lueth, V.W., Megaw, P.K.M., Pingitore, N.E., and Goodell, P.C., 2000, Systematic variation in galena solid solution compositions at Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico: Economic Geology, v.95,  p. 1673-1687. 

Lueth, V.W., Pingitore, N.E., Goodell, P.C., and Megaw, P.K.M., 1996, Compositional study of argentiferous galena from the West Camp of the Santa  Eulalia mining district: in, Goodell, P.C., Reyes, I.A., Reyes, M., and Carreon, P.I., eds, VI Conferencia Internacional de Mineria - Excursion geologica al Cenozoico de Chihuahua 1996, Facultad de Ingeniería   U.A.Ch, Mexican Geological Society and Colegio de Ingenieros Geologos de México A.C., p. 63-73. 

Lueth, V.W., Goodell, P.C., and Pingitore, N.E., 1990, Encoding an ore system in bismuthinite-stibnite compositions, Julcani, Peru: Economic Geology, v. 85,  p. 1462-1472.

Lueth, V.W., Goodell, P.C., and Pingitore, N.E., 1988, Compositional variation in the bismuthinite-stibnite solid solution with reference to metal zoning at Julcani, Peru (abstract): Geological Society of America, 1988 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Programs, v. 20, p. A352. 
Groundwater Mineralogy & Geomicrobiology 

Travertine mineralization west of Belen, NM.
     An example of groundwater mineralization occurring at the surface (a spring). Magnetite minerals occurring in domestic water supplies was brought to my attention while I was at Tarleton State University in Texas. My students and I identified favorable lithologies and water chemistry that were common to magnetite contamination. The physical and chemcial characteristics of the magnetite in relation to the geologic distribution suggests the "contamination"  is caused by iron reducing bacteria that live naturally in the aquifer. 

Publications

Lueth, V.W., 1993, Lithologic control of magnetite contamination in the Upper Trinity Aquifer of north central Texas: Geological Society of America, south-central Section Meeting, Ft. Worth, TX, Abstracts and Programs, p. 36. 

Lueth, V.W., Brian, A.D., and Alford, P., 1990,  Submicron magnetite of potential biologic origin in north-central Texas groundwater: Geological Society of America, 1990 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and
Programs, p. A64. 
Mineralogy of New Mexico & the Mineral Museum 

Barite on fluorite from the Sunshine No. 6 Mine, Hansonburg District, Socorro Co., NM. Mined in 1998. This specimen was offered to the museum twice, we took it the $econd time...what a story. (Specimen 40 cm).
     Serving as the state mineralogist, much of my time and expertise is spent on researching and documenting the mineralogy of New Mexico. As curator of the Mineralogical Museum I have the opportunity to study many unusual and historic specimens. Many of these studies are reported at the New Mexico Mineral Symposium every November. Robert W. Eveleth, the associate curator of the musuem, and I have made documenting the history of the 100 year old museum and its collections a priority.

Publications

Lueth, V.W., 2004, Early commercial mineral collecting in New Mexico as represented in the Mineral Collector (1894-1909), Proceedings of the 25th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, p.5

North, R.M. and Lueth, 2004, Gemstones of New Mexico, Proceedings of the 25th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, p. 8-9.

McLemore, V.T., Lueth, V.W., Rowe, A., Walker, B.M., DeMark, R.S. and Hlava, P. F., 2004, Minerals of the Quest Mine, Taos County, New Mexico: Proceedings of the 25th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, p.12.

Eveleth, R.W. and Lueth, V.W., 2004, New Mexico Gold throughout history: Proceedings of the 25th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, p. 19.

McGlasson, J., Megaw, P.K. and Lueth, V.W., 2004, The wealth of New Spain: Conquistador silver in Mexico: Proceedings of the 25th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, p. 20-23.

Albright, J.L. and Lueth, V.W., 2003, Pecos diamonds - quartz and dolomite crystals from the Seven Rivers Formation outcrops of southeastern New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v. 25, p. 63-74.

Frisch, P.L., Lueth, V.W. and Hlava, P., 2002, The colors of smithsonite: a micorchemical investigation: New Mexico Geology, v.24, p.132-133.

North, R.M. and Lueth, V.W. 2002, History of native copper specimens from the Chino Mine, Santa Rita, New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v. 24, p. 133-134.

Eveleth, R.W. and Lueth, V.W., 2000, "Pseudomorph City," The minerals of the Graphic and Kelly Mines, Magdalena district, New Mexico: 21st Ann. New Mexico Mineral Symposium Abstracts & Program, p. 4. 

Wilbur, D. and Lueth, V.W., 2000, An update on the fluorescent minerals of New Mexico: 21st Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium Abstracts & Program, p. 13. 

Lueth, V.W., 1999, Coronado's Treasure Chest - The mineral museum at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM: New Mexico  Trails & Treasures, v. 7, n. 1, p. 4. 

Lueth, V.W. and Eveleth, R.W., 1998, The New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources - Mineral Museum, Socorro, New Mexico, USA: Mineralien Welt, Heft 6/98 , p. 61-67. 

Lueth, V.W. and Eveleth, R.W., 1998, "Science and Service," the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources - Mineral Museum, Socorro, New Mexico, USA:Abstracts & programs of the International Mineralogical Association, Toronto,  p.A137. 

Eveleth, R.W. and Lueth, V.W., 1997, A Rocky History: The first one hundred years of the Mineral Museum in New Mexico, USA: New Mexico Geology, v. 19, p. 65-75. 

Lueth, V.W., 1998, Two diverse origins for turquoise at the Orogrande mining district, Otero County, New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v. 20, n. 2, p. 64-65.

Goodell, P.C. and Lueth, V.W., 1998, Lazulite occurrences in southern New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v. 20, n. 2, p. 65. 

McLemore, V.T., Glines, J. and Lueth, V.W., 1998, Quartz epimorphs from the Hermosa district, Sierra County, New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v. 20, n. 2, p. 63-64. 

Eveleth, R.W. and Lueth, V.W., 1998, A Rocky History - The first 100 years of the Mineral Museum in  Socorro, New Mexico, USA: New Mexico Geology , v. 20, n. 2, p. 62. 

Lueth, V.W., DeMark, R., and Hlava, P., 1996, New mineral occurrences in New Mexico - Reported at the open forum of the 17th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium: New Mexico Geology, v.19, p.28. 

Lueth, V.W., 1996, Secondary bismuth minerals from the Apache mine, Hidalgo County, New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v. 19, p.11. 

Lueth, V. W., Gibbs, R. B., and Beyer, J., 1995, Geology and tellurium mineralogy of the Lone Pine area, Wilcox district, Catron County, New Mexico: 16th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, Socorro, NM. p. 20-21. 

Lueth, V. W., 1994, New Mexico garnets:mineralogical beauty and economic potential: 15th Ann. New Mexico Mineral Symposium, Abstracts & program, Socorro, NM, p. 16-17. 

Goodell, P.C and Lueth, V. W., 1994, Geology and mineralogy of the Jarilla (Orogrande) mining district,  New Mexico: 15th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium, Abstracts and program, Socorro, NM, p. 7-8. 

Lueth, V.W., Goodell, P.C., Llavona, R., and  Sandoval, J., 1989, Mineral inclusions in galena from the Organ district, Dona Ana Co., New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v.10, p. 20. 

Lueth, V.W., Goodell, P.C., Llavona, R., Mertig, H., and Sharp, W., 1988, Tellurium minerals of the Organ district, Dona Ana Co., New Mexico: New Mexico Geology, v.10, p. 18. 
Geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of skarn and carbonate replacement deposits 

Skarn mineralization in the Lake Valley Formation,Continental Open Pit, Fierro, Grant Co., NM. A diagram and discussion of this outcrop is in Marco Einaudi's paper in "Advances in the Geology of the Porphyry Copper Deposits," S. Titley ed. (1983). This photo is  from my MS thesis.
     Skarn mineralization refers to calc-silicate rocks the formed by replacement of originally carbonate- rich rocks. They differ from carbonate replacement deposits in the amount of calc-silicate development. However, there is mounting evidence they are produced by similar processes. This outcrop photograph is in a zone where the transition from skarn to carbonate replacement occurs. These types of deposits have been major producers of copper and zinc in New Mexico.

Publications

Lueth, V.W., Jones, R.W., 2003, Rasberry-red garnets from the Sierra de Cruces, Coahuila: Mineralogical Record, v. 34, p.73-79, 95.

Lueth, V.W., 2002,  Red garnets from Lake Jaco, Mexico, and the chemical controls of color in garnet: New Mexico Geology, v. 24, p. 133.

McLemore, V.T. and Lueth, V.W., 1996, Carbonate-Hosted Lead-Zinc Deposits in New Mexico: in Sangster, D.F. (ed.) Carbonate Hosted  Lead- Zinc Deposits, Society of Economic Geologists, Special Publication 4, p. 264-276. 

Lueth, V. W., 1996, Garnet Resource Potential in Southern New Mexico: Proceedings of the 31st Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals, New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources Bulletin 154, p.137-146. 

Cetin, H., Walder, I.F., Lueth, V. W., and Gundiler,  I.H., 1996, Garnet Recovery from Hanover Mine Tailings, Grant County, New Mexico: Proceedings of the 31st Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals, New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources Bulletin 154, 147-158. 

Lueth, V.W., 1987, Mineralogic, petrologic, and fluid inclusion comparison of copper skarns in the Silver City mining region, New Mexico: Geological Society of America, 40th Annual Rocky Mountain  Section Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, p. 316. 

Lueth, V.W., 1984, Comparison of copper-bearing skarn deposits in the Central mining district, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, 1984 Ann. Mtg., Socorro, NM, Abstracts and Program, p.28.
Geologic Membrane Phenomena

A Portable geologic membrane from the Abo Fm., Torrence Co., NM. Note the copper mineralization above the shale layer. This sample is from the Bluestar Mine, Scholle district. (20 cm tall). 
     Geologic membranes behave much like other natural membranes by allowing the passage of water and leaving dissolved salts behind. We have tried to apply membrane principles to red bed copper deposits. These deposits are fairly common in New Mexico, though rather small. We have studied the deposits in the Pastura and Scholle districts. Geologic membranes may be the primary concentration mechanism for copper in these deposits. 

Publications

Whitworth, T.M. and Lueth, V.W., 2002, Microbial/clay membrane interactions and the origin of sedimentary copper deposits in the Pastura district, Guadalupe County, New Mexico: Clay Minerals Society, 39th Annual Meeting, Boulder, CO, Progarm and Abstracts, p. 178

Whitworth, T.M. and Lueth, V.W., 2002, Microbial and clay membrane processes and the origin of sedimentary copper deposits in the Pastura district, Guadalupe County, New Mexico: 16th International Conference on Basement Tectonics, Rolla, MO, p. 52.

Lueth, V.W. and Whitworth, T.M., 2001, Ageologic membrane mechanism for the origin of the sedimentary copper deposits in the Pastura district, Guadalupe County, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 52, p. 333-340.

DeRosa, G., Whitworth, T.M. and Lueth, V.W., 1997, Experimental evidence for potential natural remediation of heavy metal plumes: Proceedings on the Joint Confernce on the Environment, WERC and HSRC, Albuquerque, NM, p. 285-288.

Whitworth, T. M. and Lueth, V. W., 1995, On seafloor hydrology and the origin of manganese nodules (abstract): Geological Society of America, 1995 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Programs, p. A-428 

Lueth, V.W. and Whitworth, M.T., 1994, Geologic membrane effects and the origin of red bed copper deposits in New Mexico (abstract): Geological Society of America, 1994 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Programs, p. A-310.

Whitworth, M.T., and Lueth, V.W., 1994, Potential geologic membrane controls on heavy metal transport (abstract): Geological Society of America, 1994 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Programs, p. A-200
Topics in Igneous Petrology

Laccolith in the southern San Andres Mountains (foreground) exhibiting fluid escape features; miarolitic cavities and aplite-pegmatite veins. Telluride mineralization is associated with this pluton. The floor of the intrusion is visible in the photo.
     Most of my research in the field of igneous petrology concentrates on the late stage processes of magma crystallization. The evolution of late stage fluids from magmas is responsible for hydrothermal ore deposits,  pegmatites, and skarns.

Publications

Goodell, P.C., Lueth, V.W., and Willsie, T., 2002, The Chess Draw depression, Otero County, New Mexico: An altered sublaccolithic, alkalic system: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 53, p. 357-361.

McLemore, V.T. and Lueth, V.W., Pease, T.C., and Guilinger, J.R., 1996, Petrology and mineral resources of the Wind Mountain laccolith, Cornudas Mountains, New Mexico and Texas: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 34, p. 335-347 

McLemore, V.T., Lueth, V. W., Guilinger, J. R., and Pease, T. C., 1996, Geology, Mineral Resources, and  Marketing of the Wind Mountain Nepheline Syenite Porphyry, Cornudas Mountains, New Mexico and Texas: Proceedings of the 31st Forum on the Geology of Industrial Minerals, New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources Bulletin 154, p. 127-136 

Lueth, V.W., 1992, Origin of reversed textural features in a granite laccolith, Organ district, New Mexico (abstract): Geological Society of America, Rocky Mountain Section Meeting, Ogden, UT, Abstracts and Programs, v.24, p. 49. 

Wong, Virgina and Lueth, V.W., 1991, Contact metasomatism associated with a llanite dike, Llano County, Texas: Proceedings of the Texas Academy of Science, v.1, p. 153-158 
Ore Deposit Studies 

The Rickardite Mine, Organ District, Dona Ana Co., NM, one of the telluride deposits in the southern San Andres Mountains. Mineralization once extended across the canyon - now in the bottom of the Rio Grande rift. 

 

   Part of my job title is as Economic Geologist at the NMBMMR. Accordingly, I have studied a wide variety of ore deposits. Specialization in skarns is one facet, however I have an interest in many types of ore deposits - especially those found in New Mexico. Many of my projects have been concentrated in the Organ and San Andres Mountains where a batholith system has been dissected and tilted, revealing a wide variety of ore deposits associated with the magmatic event.
 

Publications

Party, F., Lev, S., Casey, R., Widom, E., Lueth, V. and Rakovan, J., 2005, Source of fluorine and petrogenesis of the Rio Grande Rift type barite-fluorite-galena deposits: Goldschmidt Conference, Abs. No. 1207.

Phillips, E.H., Lueth, V.W., Campbell, A.R., McLemore, V.T., and Tachie-Menson, S., 2005, Stratigraphy and weathering history of the Goathill North mine rock pile, Questa Molybdenum Mine, New Mexico - Some initial results: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 7, p. 510

Donahue, K.M., Dunbar, N.D., McLemore, V.T., Lueth, V.W., Hauff, P.L., and Heizler, L., 2005, Clay mineralogy of the Goathill North mine rock pile and Goathill and Straight Creek hydrothermal alteration scars, Questa area, New Mexico: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 37, No. 7, p. 394

Phillips, E.H., Lueth, V.W., Campbell, A.W., McLemore, V.T., Walker, B.M. and Tachie-Menson, S., 2005, Soil petrography of a sample traverse from a portion of the Goathill North Rock Pile, Questa mine, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society 2005 Spring Meeting, Abstracts and Programs and New Mexico Geology, v. 27, n. 2, p. 47.

Donahue, K.M., Hauff, P.L., Dunbar, N.W., Lueth, V.W., McLemore, V.T. and Heizler, L., 2005, Clay mineralogy of alteration scars and rock piles, Questa area, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society 2005 Spring Meeting, Abstracts and Programs and New Mexico Geology, v. 27, n.2, p. 50.

Tachie-Menson, S., White, T., McLemore, V.T., Lueth, V.W., Walker, B.M., 2005, Variation of temperature and pore oxygen and carbon dioxide in rock piles at the Molycorp Questa Mine, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society 2005 Spring Meeting, Abstracts and Programs and New Mexico Geology, v. 27, n.2 p. 47.

Partey, F.K., Widom, E., Lueth, V.W., Lev, S., and Rakovan, J., 2004, Tracing the source of fluorine in the fluorite mineralization of the southern Rio Grande Rift: Geological Scoiety of America Cordilleran and Rocky Mountain Section Meeting,

Lueth, V.W. and Rye, R.O., 2003, Sulfuric and hydrofluoric acid speleogenesis associated with fluorite-jarosite mineralization along the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society 2003 Spring Meeting, Abstracts and Programs and New Mexico Geology, v. 25, p.17-18. 

Lueth, V.W., 1998, Tellurium mineralization in the northern Organ district, Doña Ana County, New  Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 49, p. 265-270. 

Lueth, V.W. and McLemore, V.T., 1998, A reinterpretation of zoning in the Organ district, Doña Ana County, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 49, p. 279-286. 

McLemore, V.T., Giordano, T.H. Lueth, V.W., and Witcher, J.C., 1998, Origin of barite-fluorite-galena deposits in the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico: New Mexico Geological Society, Guidebook 49, p.251-264. 

McLemore, V.T., Pease, T.C., and Lueth, V.W.,1996, Age and geology of the mineral deposits in the Organ Mountains district, Doña Ana County, New Mexico (abstract): New Mexico Geology, v. 18, p. 42-43. 

Lueth, V.W., Pearson, J., and Porter, E., 1986, Distribution of precious metal deposits in southwestern New Mexico: El Paso Geological Society Guidebook, v. 19, p. 95-104. 

Lueth, V.W., Pingitore, N.E., and Goodell, P.C., 1990, Polygenetic ore mineralization in the Organ district, New Mexico: International Symposium on Mineral Resources of the Chihuahua Desert, El Paso, Texas, p. 12.

Lueth, V.W., Pingitore, N.E., and Goodell, P.C.,1989, Characterization of tellurium mineralization in the Organ district, New Mexico: Geological Society of America, 1989 Annual Meeting, Abstracts and Program, p. A149 

Lueth, V.W., Pingitore, N.E., and Goodell, P.C., 1989, Hot spring telluride mineralization overprinting base metal sulfide replacement deposits, Organ district, New Mexico:  Texas Academy of Science,  92nd Annual Meeting, Abstract No. 144. 

Goodell, P.C., Lueth, V.W., and Llavona, R., 1988, Sulfosalt minerals in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico: El Paso Geological Society Guidebook, v. 21, p. 151-157.
Element Geochemistry

My favorite elements! 

 

     Semimetal-nonmetal elements are important components in sulfosalt minerals and the basis of my dissertation. I have also been very interested in the many mineralogical combinations exhibited by the sulfosalts, telluride-tellurates and phosphate minerals. Since these minerals are important in many ore deposits, I have made understanding their chemical components one of my vocations.
 

Publications

Lueth, V.W., 1999, Antimony: Element andGeochemistry, in, Marshall, C.P. and Fairbridge, R.W. (eds.) The Encylopedia of Geochemistry: London, Kluwer Academic Publishers, p.15-16. 

Lueth, V.W., 1999, Bismuth: Element and Geochemistry, in, Fairbridge, R.W. (ed.) The Encylopedia of Geochemistry: London, Kluwer Academic Publishers, p.43-44 

Lueth, V.W. and Goodell, P.C., 1988, Sulfosalt and semimetal sulfide distribution in the southwestern United States (abstract):  First International Symposium on Tectonics and Metallogeny of Diwa Regions,  Changsha, China, p.300-301 

Lueth, V.W. and Goodell, P.C., 1987, Distribution of semimetals in the southwestern United States and implications for metallogeny:  Geological  Society of America, 1987 Annual Meeting, Abstracts  and Programs, v.19, p. 750. 

Lueth, V.W., Goodell, P.C., and Kropp, D.A., 1987, Sulfosalt and semimetal sulfide distribution in the southwestern United States (abstract):  New Mexico  Geology, v. 8, p. 28. 

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