Show ALUNITE IN ARIZONA alunite is a mineral with a theoretical content of per cent potash KO and 37 per cent while the mineral is found pure in nature its deposits iare are of importance as a possible source of both potash and and interest attaches to several of the recent discoveries of this mineral by geologists of the united states geological survey A recent investigation of the nogales region in southern arizona by F C schrader of the survey revealed a deposit of alunite analyses of rock samples collected from the evening star copper prospect by mr schrader showed large percentages cen of and potash and while the discovery of the alunite was only incidental to the investigation of the copper deposits it has served to suggest that other alunite deposits may be found in this formation which occupies an area of many square miles mr schrader states that the porphyry belt in an which alunite was found would commend itself for prospecting in case a practical process is developed for the reduction of alunite to soluble potash salts and in the light of the fact that a study of the alunite deposits near marys vale utah and in other parts of the western states by the united states geological survey indicates that the mineral alunite may become became at some future time an important source of to those who are interested in prospecting for alunite the simple test described in geological survey bulletin would be of interest another deposit of alunite discovered by mr schrader is at bovard nevada where he says the rocks show as high as 10 to 11 per cent of potash the actual extent of the deposits of the bovard district is not known as the character of the rock was not recognized by mr schrader on the ground so that no prediction of the poss possible ible value is justified A copy of mr Sch report on these discoveries bulletin 1 alunite in arizona and nevada may be obtained free on application to the director geological survey Wi washington ashington |