Non-pegmatitic resources of beryllium in United States

During the period from 1948 to 1950 the U.S. Geological Survey conducted a program of field
and laboratory research w determine the mode of occurrence of beryllium in non-pegmatitic rocks and
mineral deposits as part of the Beryllium Program of the Division of Raw Materials of the U.S. Atomic
Energy Commission. Approximately 23 man months were spent in the field collecting samples from 146
localities in 15 states; a total of 680 samples were collected and analyzed for beryllium. Additional
samples collected by the Geological Survey. U.S. Bureau of Mines, various state Geological Surveys
and other institutions. and private companies were analyzed for beryllium. In total, the beryllium
content of 1,238 samples from about 600 localities in the United States is compiled in the final report
which is being prepared for publication by the U.S. Geological Survey. The main topics discussed are:
uses and properties of beryllium; methods of analysis and mineralogy of beryllium; occurrence of
beryllium in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, pyrometasomatic and related deposits, vein
deposits, and hot spring deposits; the genesis of beryllium deposits; and a description of the deposits
examined. This abstract and table 1 summarize the more pertinent economic data.
Beryllium is more abundant than arsenic, gold, silver, and molybdenum in the lithosphere, but
its chemical and physical properties prohibit its concentration in minerals which are common w large
commercial vein and replacement deposits. There are 29 minerals in which beryllium is an essential
constituent but of these only beryl, mined from granite pegmatites, is an ore of beryllium., Beryl also
occurs disseminated in granites and high-temperature veins. The other 28 minerals occur as rare
constituents in syenite and granite pegmatites, granites, and pyrometasomatic deposits. Beryllium, as
a trace constituent, has been detected in 49 minerals but recovery of the beryllium requires metallurgical
methods as yet unknown.