Mineral exploration in the Wadi Bidah district, 1972-1976, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Thor H. Kiilsgaard; W.R. Greenwood; W.P. Puffet; M.I. Naqvi; R. J. Roberts; R. G. Worl; Habib Merghelani; V. J. Flanigan; A.R. Gazzaz

doi:10.3133/ofr78771

USGS · ofr78771

Mineral exploration in the Wadi Bidah district, 1972-1976, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Thor H. Kiilsgaard·W.R. Greenwood·W.P. Puffet·M.I. Naqvi·R. J. Roberts·R. G. Worl·Habib Merghelani·V. J. Flanigan·A.R. Gazzaz

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Abstract

Four deposits in the Wadi Bidah district of southwestern Saudi Arabia were explored during the period 1972-1974. The work consisted of geologic, geochemical, and geophysical investigations and diamond drilling in the subsurface. Thirteen holes were drilled, aggregating a length of 2,397 m. Drilling at three of the deposits, Gehab, Sha'ab El Tare, and Rabathan, indicated mineralized reserves aggregating 6,341,000 tons, the average grade of which is 0.95 percent copper. The deposits are strata-bound in volcaniclastic rocks of the Baish Group and in quartz porphyry, all of which are Precambrian in age. The bodies are lenticular in strike and dip, and are offset and broken by postmineral faults.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 20° to 21° latitude; 41° to 41.5° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Thor H. Kiilsgaard, W.R. Greenwood, W.P. Puffet, M.I. Naqvi, R. J. Roberts, R. G. Worl, Habib Merghelani, V. J. Flanigan, A.R. Gazzaz. 1978. Mineral exploration in the Wadi Bidah district, 1972-1976, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr78771

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