Mineral Reconnaissance Programme (MRP) reports
Summaries and links to downloads of reports can be accessed from the links below:
| MRP 1-10 | MRP 11-20 | MRP 21-30 | MRP 31-40 |
| MRP 41-50 | MRP 51-60 | MRP 61-70 | MRP 71-80 |
| MRP 81-90 | MRP 91-100 | MRP 101-110 | MRP 111-120 |
| MRP 121-130 | MRP 131-140 | MRP 141-146 | Data releases 1-23 |
Mineral Reconnaissance Programme(MRP) reports 1–10
1 The concealed granite roof in south–west Cornwall
K E Beer, A J Burley and J M C Tombs (1975)
This report outlines the results of gravity surveys and drilling to locate cusps in the concealed granite roof north and west of the Carnmenellis granite outcrop. The results are plotted as Bouguer anomaly maps. Three other maps are presented that show the results of similar surveys to the north of the St. Austell granite. The surveys around the Carnmenellis granite show that shallower-depth prolongations of outcropping granites can be defined, but that smaller or more deeply buried rises in the roof are not easily recognisable. The relationships between mineralisation, porphyry intrusion and granite eminences are considerably more complex than had been postulated previously. A borehole at Bosworgy penetrated greisenised granite. A hole at Parbola failed to reach a postulated granite cusp but found cassiterite in some narrow quartz-chlorite veins and a complex Cu-Pb-Zn lode. It is concluded that the location of concealed cupolas is likely to define areas of future mineral potential.
2 Geochemical and geophysical investigations around Garras Mine near Truro, Cornwall
R C Jones and J M C Tombs (1975)
Detailed geochemical and geophysical surveys indicated that only very limited extensions exist to the Pb-Ag lodes in Devonian sediments previously worked at Garras.
3 Molybdenite mineralisation in Precambrian rocks, near Lairg, Scotland
M J Gallagher and R T Smith (1976)
Low-grade molybdenite mineralisation is intermittently exposed in Moinian and Lewisian rocks intruded by Caledonian granites to the west of Lairg in Sutherland. Molybdenite occurs with pyrite in thin post-foliation quartz veins and as coatings to joints and foliation planes in the schists and gneisses. Chalcopyrite, fluorite and bismuth minerals sometimes occur as accessories. Galena, baryte and sphalerite are also present in narrow brecciated zones and small veins. Sampling of sparse rock exposures and of cores from a series of shallow boreholes drilled through peat and glacial deposits shows the Mo and Cu concentrations to average less than 100 ppm. The regional distribution of mineralisation appears to be related to the presence of small late-Caledonian granites that contain traces of molybdenite, but the local controls are mainly structural and include zones of thrusting associated with the Moine-Lewisian boundary.
4 Investigation of copper mineralisation at Vidlin, Shetland
M S Garson, F May and others (1976)
The mineralisation occurs in an amphibolitic belt (possibly metamorphosed tholeiitic lavas) and consists of a strata-bound sulphide horizon outcropping at four localities at Vidlin Ness within a Dalradian succession of dominant calc-silicate granulites and minor marbles and semi-pelitic gneisses. The massive sulphides comprise mainly pyrrhotite and interesting amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena, associated with sulphide-bearing quartz rock and tremolite rock. A southern extension of the mineralisation is indicated by linear geophysical anomalies and occasional outcrops of sulphide-bearing amphibolite. At the northern end, well-defined EM and magnetic anomalies suggest that the belt of massive sulphides at Vidlin Ness has a strike length of at least 1000m. Six drill-holes penetrated the sulphide horizon at Vidlin Ness, confirming that it persists laterally for at least 500m and in depth to probably at least 100m. The horizon increases in thickness from just under 2m in the southern drill-holes to about 10m in the most northerly holes. Average values across the sulphide intersection range from 0.46% Cu and 0.12% Zn in the south to 1.19% Cu and 1.27% Zn in the north.
5 Preliminary mineral reconnaissance of Central Wales
(also published as Rep. Inst Geol. Sci., No. 75/14)
T K Ball and M J C Nutt (1975)
Numerous lodes in the Lower Palaeozoic mudstones, shales and sandstones of Central Wales have been worked, principally, for Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag. This report presents 1:100 000 geochemical maps for Cu, Zn and Pb in stream waters, Mn, Cu, Zn Sn, Ba and Pb in stream sediments, and Zn, Ba, Ce and Pb in panning concentrates for the Central Wales mining field, together with a geological map and a list of named mines. It is concluded that future potential lies in the extension, under cover and at depths greater than 130m, of known base-metal lodes.
6 Report on geophysical surveys at Struy, Invernesshire
A J Burley (1976)
Geophysical surveys carried out over two veins containing Pb and Zn mineralisation in Moine schists and granulites in Strath Glass showed that resistivity lows coincide with both veins, and also that the adits are probably located in the areas of most concentrated mineralisation. There was an indication that one of the veins may extend to the west, but the size and ore content of the exposed deposits are insufficient to make them of economic importance.
7 Investigation of tungsten and other mineralisation associated with the Skiddaw Granite near Carrock mine, Cumbria
J D Appleton and A J Wadge (1976)
The W mineralisation at Carrock mine is closely associated with a greisenised cupola of the Caledonian Skiddaw granite, and in the investigation described in this report similar cupolas were tested for W veins. Analyses of stream sediments, panned concentrates and rock samples indicate anomalous W and As values from an area west of the mine, and further exploration is suggested. Analytical data are presented for Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Sn, Ba, W, Au, Pb and U.
8 Investigation of stratiform sulphide mineralisation in parts of central Perthshire
C G Smith and others (1977)
Detailed geological mapping in the area north and west of Loch Tay confirmed the presence of a weak but persistent zone of pyritic mineralisation, and subsequent reconnaissance surveys showed it to have considerable lateral extent. It was found, however, to contain only minor amounts of chalcopyrite and no other base-metal sulphides. Chemical analyses of rock samples showed that Cu, the most abundant base metal, seldom averages more than 60 ppm, though locally it exceeds 1000 ppm. A limited number of Au analyses failed to confirm a previous report of anomalously high concentration.
9 Investigation of disseminated copper mineralisation near Kilmelford, Argyllshire, Scotland
R A Ellis and others (1977)
Geological and geophysical surveys and geochemical sampling (drainage, soil, deep till and rock) showed the presence of low-grade Cu and Mo mineralisation over an area of approximately 1500m x 800m associated with a Caledonian dacitic porphyry. The sulphide mineralisation shows features characteristic of porphyry-style mineralisation. It is in the form of blebs and veinlets associated with quartz-carbonate vein stockworks and is accompanied by pervasive hydrothermal alteration. Two boreholes were drilled, and maximum assays of 0.34% Cu over 2.15m and 0.04% Mo over 1.80m were obtained. Further drilling is recommended.
10 Geophysical surveys around Talnotry mine, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland
M E Parker (1977)
Magnetic field and VLF electromagnetic surveys were performed to investigate the Ni-Co lode at the contact between a diorite and Silurian greywackes in the aureole of the Cairnsmore of Fleet intrusion. No significant anomalies were found in the area, except over the small amount of mineralisation already known.
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