Reconnaissance for mineral deposits in the Precambrian rocks of the Wadi Ar Rimah quadrangle, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

A reconnaissance of the Precambrian area of the Wadl ar Rlmah quadrangle, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, included more than 50 ancient mines which are grouped into seven mining districts. The best mineral potential appears .to be in the Ad Dawadami district, where silver and lead were formerly mined, and in the southwestern part of the quadrangle in the vicinity of the Nafud al Urayk. Ancient mines in the southwestern part of the quadrangle were probably opened for gold, but the present exploration disclosed tungsten and antimony minerals, and slightly anomalous lead, zinc, and molybdenum. Of these elements the greatest potential appears to be tungsten.

Most ancient mines and the newly discovered mineralized veins are in areas underlain by graywacke intruded by granitic stocks and apophyses. These areas should be further investigated for ore deposits.