Chuck Thorman cthorman@comcast.net or 303-988-2236

Trip participants will meet at the Salt Lake City airport before noon on May 17. It is the responsibility of each participant to get to the Denver airport and fly to Salt Lake City.  Thorman will coordinate transportation from Keystone to DIA, either late May 16 or early May 17.

On the afternoon of May 17, there will be a series of presentations by mine trip leaders on the geology of the region and the various mine trips (at the motel in Salt Lake City).  The Bingham open-pit mine (2.5 miles wide and >1/2 mile deep) will be visited on May 18.  The group will drive to Elko, Nevada, following the mine visit.  Bingham Canyon, a world-class Cu mine (40.1 billion lb), is also a major producer of Au (37.1 million oz), Ag (378.5 million oz), Pb (4.6 million lb), Zn (1.9 million lb), MoS₂ (2.8 billion lb) etc.  Au production for 2004 was 330,000 ounces.  It is a late Eocene deposit, the same age as the majority of the Carlin-type gold deposits in northern Nevada.  Mines on the Carlin Trend and Pipeline-Cortez Hills will be visited May 19-20.

The 50 millionth ounce of gold was poured in 2002 from the Carlin Trend and total production from the region will probably exceed 100 million ounces.  Major deposits visited will include the world-class Gold Quarry and Post-Betze deposits as well as a few satellite deposits.  The Pipeline and Cortez Hills deposits are expected to produce more than 10 million ounces.

The return to Salt Lake City on May 21 will include looking at the stratigraphy and structure in several ranges along the way, arriving late in the afternoon.  Flight arrangements should not be scheduled earlier than 7 p.m. on May 21.  Field trip guidebooks, all lunches, and one dinner are included in the registration fee.

Participants will be responsible for payment of their lodging.  Thorman will coordinate the lodging payments, so please contact him directly.