Abstract

Southwestern Utah contains a number of significant zeolite occurrences. Because their intricate crystalline structures give them many favorable chemical and physical characteristics, zeolites are used in hundreds of industrial applications. The deposits in southwest Utah could be mined in the future for this industrial market.

These zeolites formed by diagenesis of tuffaceous pyroclastic and sedimentary material or by hydrothermal alteration of igneous and other rocks. Of the 19 zeolite occurrences known in the area, four occurrences of sedimentary/diagenetic origin have economic potential, one is associated with coal seams, and the remaining occurrences are small and not of economic significance. Twelve are hydrothermal/igneous occurrences and contain a broad suite of zeolitic minerals: thomsonite, natrolite, chabazite, mordenite, stellerite, stilbite, and analcime. Five of the sedimentary/diagenetic deposits contain clinoptilolite, one was reported to contain heulandite, and one contains analcime.

The Cove Fort, Panguitch, Three Creeks Reservoir, and Telluride Power Plant No. 2 deposits contain relatively large amounts of clinoptilolite and could be of commercial interest. They formed by diagenesis of Tertiary air-fall and ash-flow tuffs of rhyolitic to dacitic compositions. It is probable that other significant zeolite deposits are present in this area. There are huge volumes of favorable pyroclastic rocks and evidence of zeolitization is subtle and could easily have been overlooked during previous geological investigations.

Clinoptilolite, from deposits such as the Cove Fort deposit, has potential for many local applications including: use in industrial and municipal waste water treatment plants, in the formulation of construction materials, and in various horticultural and livestock industries.