Critical Minerals in Mississippi Valley-type Mineralization

Kentucky hosts significant occurrences of fluorite, sphalerite, galena, and barite, concentrated in three key areas with historical production. In western Kentucky, part of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District, mineralization is linked to ultramafic intrusions, with notable germanium content in sphalerite. Southcentral Kentucky features sphalerite-dominated deposits similar to the Middle Tennessee Mines, with ongoing studies to assess germanium content. Central Kentucky, historically known for barite production, is the focus of a new Earth MRI project targeting critical mineral potential. The GEMS Lab will play a vital role in this research by utilizing advanced fluid inclusion analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and geochemical tracers to investigate the structural controls and fluid evolution responsible for these mineral occurrences. These tools, combined with high-resolution USGS geophysics, will provide critical insights into the genesis and exploration potential of Kentucky's mineral systems.