---

• Mission
• Staff
• Offices
• Announcements

Senior Economic Geologist 
Minerals Outreach Liaison
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources 
New Mexico Tech 
801 Leroy Place 
Socorro NM 87801-4796 
(575) 835-5521 

Education

• Graduated Woodlawn Senior High School, Baltimore, MD 1973
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Geology B.S., 1977,
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Geophysics B.S., 1977
• New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Geology M.S. 1980
• University of Texas at El Paso, Ph.D., Geoscience, 1993

Professional Experience

• Employed at NMBMMR since June 1980
  • tenured 1986
  • appointed Senior Economic Geologist 1993
  • adjunct faculty apointment Earth and Environmental Science Department and Mineral Engineering Department 1996-present
• May 1979 to September 1979 Urangesellschaft, USA, Inc., Denver, CO 80222 Position:  Assistant field geologist
• July 1976 to May 1977 Tax Mapping Supervisor, Battaan Memorial Building, Santa Fe, NM (office in Socorro) Position:  Draftsman - plotted tax properties for Socorro County Assessor's Office
• From January 1976 to May 1976 Employer:  NMIMT, Socorro, NM 87801 Position:  Teaching assistant (taught surveying lab)
• From July 1975 to September 1975 Employer:  Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America,  Houston, TX 77001 Position:  Exploration geologist

Courses Taught

• Teacher's workshop presentations
• Geology of Industrial Minerals
• Geology and Mining of Uranium Deposits

Specialties and Interests

• Weathering of mine waste rock piles
• Mineral resources in New Mexico (geology, origin, resource potential, water resources, environmental assessment, reclamation; see current projects)
• Geology and history of mining districts in New Mexico (impacts on water resources)
• Geology and geochemistry of Proterozoic mafic and granitic rocks in the Burro Mountains and Little Hatchet Mountains and adjacent areas of southern New Mexico, West Texas, and Arizona
• Geology and geochemistry and tectonic evolution of Cambrian-Ordovician syenites and carbonatites in New Mexico

Current Projects

• Mineral resources in New Mexico
  • Presentation given at the Northwest Mining Association
  • MMD annual report to the Mining Commission (includes tables of active mines and permits)
• Mineral resources in New Mexico
  • The effects of weathering on the stability on the rock piles at the Questa molybdenum mine, Taos County, NM
    • Papers
    • Abstracts
    • Thesis
  • Economic Impact of the Mineral Industry in New Mexico SUMMARY
  • New Mexico Mines Databases including geochemistry and production SUMMARY
    • Paper Use of the New Mexico Mines Database in Reclamation Studies Involving Mine Waste Rock Piles and Tailings
    • Mining districts of New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Open-file Report 494, CD-ROM--download
  • Mineral resources in New Mexico SUMMARY
  • Geochemistry, geochronology, and evolution of the igneous intrusions and mineralization in southwestern New Mexico
  • Uranium in New Mexico
    • Uranium in New Mexico
    • Uranium mines and deposits in the Grants district (NMBGMR OF 353)
    • Uranium presentation for Northwest Mining Association
    • Database of uranium mines, deposits, and occurrences in NM (NMBGMR OF 461)
    • Other references
      • Turner-Peterson, C. E., Santos, E. S., and Fishman, N. S., editors, A basin analysis case study: The Morrison Formation, Grants Uranium Region, New Mexico: American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Studies in Geology No. 22
      • Hilpert, L. S., 1969, Uranium resources of northwestern New Mexico: U. S. Geological Survey, Professional Paper 603, 166 p.
      • Holen, H. K., and Hatchell, W. O., 1986, Geological characterization of New Mexico uranium deposits for extraction by in situ leach recovery: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Open-file Report 251, 93 p.
      • Rautman, C. A., compiler, Geology and mineral technology of the Grants uranium region 1979: New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, Memoir 38
      • V. C. Kelley, compiler Geology and technology of the Grants uranium region: New Mexico Bureau Mines Mineral Resources, Memoir 15
  • Sustainable development and mining
  • Geology and geochemistry of the Copper Flat porphyry copper deposit and associated deposits in the Hillsborro district SUMMARY
  • Alteration and volcanic-epithermal mineralization in the Steeple Rock district SUMMARY
• Geology of the Monticello Canyon (Alamosa River), Socorro County, NM (Monticello Canyon or Taylor district)
  • BERYLLIUM EXPLORATION AND MINING, UPPER CAÑADA ALAMOSA, SOCORRO COUNTY, NEW MEXICO (unpublished report)
• Geology and geochemistry of Proterozoic mafic and granitic rocks in the Burro Mountains and Little Hatchet Mountains and adjacent areas of southern New Mexico, West Texas, and Arizona
  • Geology and geochemistry of Redrock-Wild Horse Mesa anorthosite and granites, Grant Co SUMMARY
  • Geology and geochemistry of Proterozoic rocks in Little Hatchet Mountains
  • Significance of Rapakivi Granites and Comingled Diabase Enclaves and Synplutonic Dikes, Little Hatchet Mountains, New Mexico ABSTRACT
• Geology and geochemistry and tectonic evolution of Cambrian-Ordovician syenites and carbonatites in New Mexico SUMMARY
• Geology of the State Parks and Monuments (see virtual tour)
• Environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits in New Mexico
  • Environmental impacts of Pecos mine, Pecos River, NM SUMMARY
  • Environmental impacts of the Red River-Questa area, Taos County, NM
  • Characterization of Host Rocks, Rock Piles, Alteration Scars, and Debris Flows at the Molycorp Questa Mine, Taos County, New Mexico
• ADTI (Acid Drainage Technology Initiative)
  • Introduction to handbook of technologies for metal mine drainage
  • Handbook of technologies for sampling and monitoring of metal mine drainage
    • BIBLIOGRAPHY OF REFERENCES ON SAMPLING AND MONITORING
  • ASMR (American Society of Mining and Reclamation)

Outreach activities

• Origin of geodes and spherulites
• The case of the scarlet mineral: mineral identification
• The imporatance of minerals to New Mexico: where they are found and how they are used
• Gold panning in New Mexico
• Edible rocks: rock identificationMineral resources in New Mexico
• Salt and turquoise, how ancient cultures were affected by geology
• Geology of state parks in New Mexico

Committees

• New Mexico Geological Society—Fall Field Conference Committee 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2000, Spring Conference Registration chairman 1990, Co-chairman 1998, 1999.
• AIME-SME Publications Committee (1989-1993) and Education Committee (vice chairman 1993-1994, chairman 1994-1997, past chairman 1998-2000, Program committee 2002-present).
• NMIMT—Sabatical Committee (1993-1995).
• Sigma XI/NMIMT Chapter—Treasurer (1994-1995, President-elect 1995-1996, President 1996-1998, Past President 1999-2000).
• Chairman of ADTI (Acid Drainage Technology Initiative) Sampling and monitoring committee, member of the Steering Committee (1998-present).
• Editor (2001-2003), American Institute of Professional Geologists.
• AIPG NM Section—Executive committee (national executive representative)
• SME Central New Mexico Section—program chair and vice-president, Fall 2002-Spring 2003, President Fall 2003-Spring 2004
• SME (National)—Sustainable Development from the Ground Up—Exploration session chair SME meeting 2004
• ASMR—National Executive Committee (2004-2005)
• Vice president 2007, American Institute of Professional Geologists.

Presentations

1. McLemore, V. T., and the Steering Committee of the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative—Metals Mining Sector (ADTI—MMS), 2003, Steering Committee of ADTI-MMS: presented at the ADTI workshop, Elko, Nevada, March 26, http://www.unr.edu/mines/adti/ADTI_Agenda.html
2. McLemore, V. T., and the Steering Committee of the Acid Drainage Technology Initiative—Metals Mining Sector (ADTI—MMS), 2003, Steering Committee of ADTI-MMS: presented at the Heap Leach Closure workshop, Elko, Nevada, March 25, http://www.unr.edu/mines/adti/ADTI_Agenda.html
3. V. McLemore, C. Krueger, P. Johnson, J. Raugust, G. Jones, G. Holfman, and M. Wilks, New Mexico Mines Database, Acid Drainage Technologies for Metal and Coal Mining, http://www.unr.edu/mines/adti/sme/McLemore.pdf
4. Patrick Walsh, V. T. McLemore and others (2005),PRELIMINARY STATUS REPORT ON MOLYCORP GOATHILL NORTH TRENCHES, QUESTA, NEW MEXICO, ELKO Presentations 06-22-05 http://www.unr.edu/mines/mlc/presentations_pub/elkopresentations.asp

Data Bases Managed

URANIUM LIBRARY and NURE DATA (National Uranium Resource Evaluation)data base (geochemistry of stream sediments in NM, geochemistry of water samples, radiometric data, magnetic data)
DATABASE Manager-Virginia T. McLemore

 

NEW MEXICO MINES DATABASE
DATABASE Manager-Virginia T. McLemore

A computerized inventory on existing abandoned, inactive, and active mines and mills throughout New Mexico has been established at the NMBGMR. This database, not yet completed for the entire state, includes uranium, metallic, and industrial minerals mines and mills; coal mines are included in the National Coal Resource Data System (NCRDS) at the NMBGMR. Information such as location, production, reserves, geology, development, ownership, type of deposit, geochemistry, and sources of other information are included. Field examination of many sites has occurred over the last 20 years to provide more accurate inventory data. Geochemical data from various mines is being entered into a separate database. Production data for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, vanadium, potash, manganese, barite, fluorite, and other commodities (excluding coal, oil, and gas) are also available for many districts as well as year by year statistics for the state as a separate database. A bibliography of references on metallic and industrial minerals in New Mexico also is being maintained.

Mining districts of New Mexico: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Open-file Report 494, CD-ROM down load or see publications to order

GEOCHEMISTRY OF MINING DISTRICTS IN NEW MEXICO
DATABASE Manager-Virginia T. McLemore

A computerized inventory on geochemical data of mining districts in New Mexico. This database, not yet completed for the entire state, includes multi-element chemical data of mineral deposits obtained from NMBGMR, USGS, USBM, and other selected sources. These data provide metal associations for the mining districts in the state and will be useful in environmental studies.

COLLECTION AND CATALOG OF ROCKS AND ORES FROM NEW MEXICO MINING DISTRICTS
Manager-Virginia T. McLemore

A collection of rocks (altered and fresh), mineralized samples, and ore samples from mining districts throughout New Mexico is archived for the purposes of future scientific study and display. These specimens are typically not museum quality, but are more representative of the specific district. Many of the mines represented are now inaccessible.

PRODUCTION STATISTICS
Data Manager-Virginia T. McLemore

A computerized database of production statistics for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, uranium, vanadium, potash, manganese, barite, fluorite, and other commodities (excluding coal, oil, and gas) is compiled by year, mining district, and state for metals, uranium, and non-metals.

Vita and Full Publication List

Hobbies (and things I do in my spare time)

• Very active in the New Mexico Shooting Sports Assoc. (NMSSA), 4H Shooting Sports (Leader Socorro Junior 4H Gun Club), National Rifle Association of America (NRA Training Counselor, Certified NRA Rifle Coach, Certified U.S. International Rifle Coach, Basic instructor rifle, pistol, Home firearms safety, Range Officer Safety, Reloading), Hunters Education Instructor (1984-2005, New Mexico Game and Fish Department), and Civilian Marksmanship Program State Junior Director for NM.
• NMSSA Presidents Award 1988.
• NMSSA Distinguished Coach Award 1994.
• 4H Socorro County Appreciation award 2000.
• National Record for Women's Team 300 yd High Power Rifle 1989.
• Member of the Women's International Randall Team (smallbore rifle) 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. Member of the International Dewar Team (smallbore rifle) 2002, 2006, 2008.
• Member of the Women's International Goodwill Randall Team to England in 2001.
• Awarded Distinguished Rifleman Badge for Smallbore Prone.
• Coached winning Whistler Boy Smallbore Rifle Team 1998, National Rifle Championships. 
• Member of Black Hawk Ladies Team which set a new Women’s National Record in the prone metallic team sights (.22 rifle) and won the National Metallic Team Sights Prone Championship, Camp Perry 2003.
• Women’s Metallic Sights Prone Rifle Champion , National Rifle Championships, 2006, 2008.

Terms of Use | Accessibility

Revised: 25 August, 2008

© 2007 - 2008 NMBGMR
or as specified

---

Copyright © 2007 - 2008 New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources unless otherwise specified.