Economic Geology

The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology has a continuing program of research into industrial mineral commodities that are either being mined in the State or have the potential to be mined. In recent years the results of investigations on sapphires and zeolites have been released either in publication or in open-file reports. Current projects include work on talc, chlorite, vermiculite, and zeolites as well as occurrences of other industrial minerals in the State and general market information. The MBMG also houses an inventory of maps, mineral property files, and production records on properties. These are primarily metallic minerals but industrial commodities are included. Current research is also being focused on metallic districts and gold placers.