Hal Bonham, Jr.

Harold F. Bonham (Hal) grew up in southern California and the Pacific Northwest. After a stint in the U.S. Navy in the late 1940s, Hal received an A.A. degree in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1951, and then graduated with a B.A. in Geology from U.C.L.A. in 1954. He went to work for the Southern Pacific Company as a geologist in the following year. His work in California and Nevada as field geologist and group leader on geologic mapping and mineral deposits on Southern Pacific Railroad land began his extensive career in Nevada geology. Hal and other S.P. Railroad geologists mapped (at 1:24,000-scale) thousands of square miles of the "checkerboard" land and adjacent areas during this period; some of that time he lived at Toulon.

In 1962 Hal began work toward a M.S. at the University of Nevada's Mackay School of Mines. He undertook a project to map northern Washoe County, with Vincent P. Gianella as mentor and field partner. With the completion of this thesis and his graduation in 1963, Hal began a 33-year career with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (NBMG). His first job (along with mineral commodity studies) was to complete a geologic map of Washoe and Storey Counties; the bulletin and map were published as NBMG Bulletin 70. Some 1962 travel claims demonstrate the high cost of this effort: $1.00, breakfast; $1.25, lunch; $1.50, dinner; $0.00, lodging (camped out).

Hal, along with a number of other economic geologists, was responsible for the development of ore-deposit models for epithermal and Carlin-type gold deposits. He is the author of NBMG’s million-scale commodity maps for gold and silver, and produced geologic maps in many areas of western Nevada, including the Shoshone Range, Tonopah, and the Reno area.

Hal has maintained an abiding belief in the importance of field geologic studies. Although he expanded his horizons over the years to the study of mineral deposits elsewhere in western North America, South America, and the Far East, he continued to study and publish on Nevada. His resume lists over 100 bulletins, reports, and articles, the majority on Nevada. Over the years, he has been an invited speaker at numerous international meetings, and organizer of many short courses. Before Hal retired from NBMG in 1996, he served as NBMG’s Acting Director from 1992-1995.

 

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Douglas Cook

Doug Cook, Honorary Member of the Geological Society of Nevada and past-President of the Society of Economic Geologists, was a graduate of the University of Durham (UK), where he earned a Mining Engineering degree (1945), the University of Toronto, which awarded him a Master’s degree in Mining Geology (1948), and the Colorado School of Mines, where he earned a PhD in Geology in 1952. Doug’s dissertation was on the “Geology of the Pride of the West Vein System, San Juan County, Colorado”. In addition to his comprehensive academic credentials, Doug had an equally impressive career as an exploration geologist and mining executive, and played a pivotal role in mineral discoveries and developing young geologists to become productive members of the economic geology profession.

Doug’s professional career began upon his graduation from the University of Durham when he joined Consolidated African Selection Trust at one of their alluvial diamond mining operations in Sierra Leone. Upon completion of his advanced geologic studies (and completion of his doctoral dissertation at the Colorado School of Mines) he joined Bear Creek Mining Company working first in the Bonanza mining district of south-central Colorado, and subsequently in the Tintic mining district of Utah. During his assignment in the Tintic district he played an important role in the discovery of significant ore deposits at the Bergin and Trixie mines, as well as working with other geologists from the USGS and industry to develop a comprehensive geologic understanding of the ore deposits of the district. From the Tintic program he moved on to become Bear Creek’s Northwest District Manager, and was involved in the programs that resulted in the discoveries of several mineral deposits in the Ambler district on the southern flank of the Brooks Range of Alaska. Doug joined the minerals group of Exxon in 1967, and was initially assigned to the Denver office, and ultimately became the company’s Australian Exploration Manager.

One of Doug’s most notable postings was his appointment to the position of President of the Freeport Exploration Company in 1973. During the ensuing 13 years of his association with the Freeport group of companies he guided a comprehensive and very successful global minerals exploration program that resulted in the discovery of copper deposits in Irian Jaya (Indonesia); gold, diamond and nickel deposits in Western Australia, and gold deposits in Nevada. Most notable of the Nevada discoveries was the Jerritt Canyon district, which was a joint venture with FMC Corporation. There are those in the industry who contend that Freeport’s discovery of the Marlboro Canyon gold mine at Jerritt Canyon was the catalyst for the modern-day “gold rush” in the Great Basin that continues to this day. Doug retired from Freeport in 1987, but continued to serve as an industry consultant and a director of several public mineral companies.

Riz Bigelow, a former associate of Doug’s at Bear Creek, and noted Alaska geologist once characterized Doug in the following way “a geologist who exhibited a propensity for finding mineralization others missed”. Whether others “missed” mineralization at projects or not, Doug’s association with the discoveries is impressive: Jerritt Canyon and Big Springs (Nevada, gold); Karonie (Western Australia, gold); Bow River (Western Australia, alluvial diamonds); Ertsberg East/GBT/Grasberg (Indonesia, copper); and Bergin and Trixie (Utah, lead, zinc, silver).

Exploration successes notwithstanding, his greatest professional accomplishments revolved around the development, teaching and mentoring of young geologists. He was an ardent advocate of “applied exploration research”, for which he assigned members of his staff to conduct detailed studies of specific mineral deposits and develop geologic models of the ore-forming systems. In this manner he created an environment in which to advance the understanding of these geologic processes and advance the knowledge of the researchers themselves. In turn, many members of his staffs have gone on to lead successful exploration programs and participate in the discoveries of new ore deposits at other localities throughout the world.

Doug was not only an excellent geologist and a fine manager, but he was a gentleman of the first order. He held himself to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, and he taught his staff to do the same through his example. Although Doug passed away in May of 2010 (on the eve of the GSN Symposium) his legacy of excellence lives on by those of us who had the distinct honor and privilege of serving with him.    

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Lance Eklund

 

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Del Flint

 

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Peter F. Galli (2008)

Peter E. Galli was granted Honorary Membership in the Geological Society of Nevada in May, 2008 after approval by the GSN Board of Directors and a majority vote at the May membership meeting in Reno. Mr. Galli has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the geological sciences in Nevada through his long and successful career in mineral exploration. Some of the more significant of his many accomplishments and experiences are detailed below.

Peter Galli began his professional career upon graduation from the University of Alaska (Alaska School of Mines), in 1951 with a B.S. in Geological Engineering. From 1951-1952, Peter was a dredge surveyor with U.S. Smelting, Refining and Mining of Fairbanks, Alaska. By 1953, he had traveled to Nevada and with a partner developed and mined a small manganese deposit. His next 4 years were spent working at the Riley Tungsten Mine located in the Osgood Mountains. Here, Peter worked as an underground mine shift boss before advancing to a position as a mining engineer. From 1957-1966, he worked throughout the western U. S. and Canada as an exploration geologist. Union Carbide hired Peter as District Geologist (manager for Western U.S. and Alaska exploration) in 1966, where he continued until 1970.

Cordilleran Exploration (Cordex 1) was formed in 1970 as a partnership between John S. Livermore and Peter Galli, and as a syndicate comprised of four Canadian mining companies, was able to finance a three and one-half year exploration program for $1,000,000. From 1974-1977, Peter was Manager of U.S. Exploration for Lancana Mining Co. of Toronto, Canada (working under his sole proprietorship, Galli Explorations). E. B. Berg of Piedmont, California, financed Peter’s gold and silver exploration in Montana and Nevada during the years 1978-1979.

From 1979 through 2001, Peter became a Consulting and Independent Geologist. Clients during this time included Lacana, R.T. Vanderbilt (clay), Chromoloy (barite) and Western Gas, Oil and Mining (WSGOM-Hong Kong, China). With WSGOM, Peter was retained to set-up and manage a gold exploration program in the U.S. and overseas. In 1980, he formed a Limited Partnership, General Minerals Development Co. (GMDC), to search for precious metals in Nevada and Montana. By 1983, Mr. Galli formed another Limited Partnership which became known as GEXA Gold Corporation with intent of prospecting for gold-silver deposits. From 1989-1992, Peter joined J.D. Welsh and Associates (aka Zephyr Resources, Inc.) as an advisor to seek and exploit small mineral deposits. In 1995, he became associated with Rio Grande Mining Company, a privately held company. Rio Grande Mining acquired the Shafter/Presido Silver Project located in Presido County, Texas which was later acquired by Silver Standard.

As of 2002, Peter became semi-retired. He currently lives in Chiloquin, OR.

During his long career, Peter became a Registered Professional Geologist in California and Idaho, was made a Legend of Honor Member of the American Institute of Mining Engineering, became a Board Member of the Society of Economic Geologist’s Foundation, and was appointed to the State of Nevada, Governor’s Mining Advisory Board by Governor Mike O’Callahan in 1974 and served under four consecutive Governors.

Memberships included the Society of Economic Geologists, Nevada Geological Society (Vice President, 1962-1963, Chairman, 1970-1971), and the Northern Nevada Chapter of AIME (Chairman).

His extensive company and exploration experience included involvement in the following mines:

UNION CARBIDE: Hard Point (Tungsten), Mono County, CA; Bowie Zeolites, Cochise County, AZ; Tempiute (Tungsten) Nye County, NV.

CORDEX: Pinson, Preble (Gold); Florida Canyon (Gold), Pershing County, NV; Sterling (Gold), Nye County, NV.

GEXA: Gold Stripe (Gold), Plumas County, CA; Mother Lode (Gold), Nye County, NV.

ZEPHYR: Silver Peak (Silver & Gold) Esmeralda County, NV.

 

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Larry Garside

Larry has been involved in Nevada geology since his days in graduate school at the Mackay School of Mines in the late 1960s. He joined the faculty of the Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology in 1968. Larry retired in July 2009 after 41 years of service to the geologic community in Nevada.

Larry has produced more than 100 geologic publications including papers and abstracts in professional journals, 3 - NBMG Bulletins, 6 - NBMG Reports, 5 – NBMG Special Publications, 15 – NBMG Geologic Maps, 11- Geothermal related publications and 17 – NBMG Open-File Reports. Some highlights of these publications include the geologic maps of the Camp Douglas and Olinghouse quadrangles, Bulletin 81, Radioactive Mineral Occurrences in Nevada, 1973 and Special Publication 19, Geologic and natural history tours of the Reno area, 2005. It is unlikely that there is a practicing field geologist in the state of Nevada that has not had numerous occasions to use the geologic maps that Larry has produced over his years of work at the Bureau.

Larry is an active member in GSN. In 1969-1970 Larry served as Secretary/Treasurer of the GSN Executive Committee and in 1973-1974 he served as Chairman. Larry has also contributed to many GSN publications including 7 articles in Symposium Proceeding and several contributions to GSN field trip guidebooks.

As impressive as Larry’s publication record is, his most significant contribution to professionals in the geologic community and to the general public may be his openness and availability. Larry has always been willing to share his vast knowledge of the state’s geology and familiarity with almost every part of it with anyone who calls, e-mails, or drops by to ask him anything on any topic related to Nevada geology. I believe his willingness to listen to other’s ideas and share his knowledge has been his most significant contribution to the geologic community in Nevada.

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Robert C. Horton

Robert C. Horton has had a long and esteemed career in geology and mining from 1949 through 1990. He received three degrees from the Mackay School of Mines including an Honorary Ph.D. Degree in 1995. Highlights of his career include Director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines in Washington; he served as a member of Governor’s Advisory Mining Board, for Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt, and Associate Dean, Mackay School of Mines. He authored numerous publications many on the geology and mining of Nevada. Early in his career he worked on geochemical, geophysical studies of Steamboat Hot Springs and geological mapping of the Virginia City Quadrangle, the mining district that made Nevada.

RESUME

Education:

B.Sci. Geological Engineering, Mackay School of Mines, 1949
Geo. Eng. Professional Degree, Mackay School of Mines, 1966
Dr.Sci. Honorary Degree, University of Nevada, Reno, 1985

Career History

1949-1950: Geological Asst., U.S. Geological Survey; assisted in geochemical and geophysical studies of Steamboat Hot Springs and in the geological mapping of the Virginia City quadrangle.

1950-1953: Partner in United Engineers; a 3-person firm that provided oil and gas leasing and scouting services.

1953-1955: Air Intelligence Officer with a fighter-bomber squadron in the western Pacific.

1956-1965: Mining Engineer, Nevada Bureau of Mines, University of Nevada.

1966-1967: Associate Director, Nevada Bureau of Mines, University of Nevada.

1966-1972: Vice President of three related corporations: Raven Electronics, Inc., Transcon Industries, Inc. and Nevada Geoservices, Inc.; responsible for petroleum exploration, drilling, production and transportation in eastern Nevada.

1972-1975: Chief of construction, Meiser Enterprises, a general contracting firm.

1976-1977: Regional geologist, Bendix Field Engineering Corp., Reno, Nevada; responsible for the operation of the field office and activities of 8 geologists in execution of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program.

1977-1981: Director, Geology Division, Bendix Field Engineering Corp., Grand Junction, CO; directed all geology research activities in nine field office and a headquarters office in support of the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program of the U.S. Department of Energy. The program required the identification and statistical quantification of the potential uranium resources of the United State. The program was completed on time and under budget.

1981-1987: Director, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Department of the Interior, Washington D.C. responsible for all operations of the Bureau of Mines including ten research centers, three field operation centers, the helium conservation and production facility and the Washington D.C. headquarters.

1987-1990: Director, Center for Strategic Minerals Research and Policy Study, Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno.

1989-1990: Associate Dean, Mackay School of Mines.

Professional Memberships:

Geological Society of Nevada.
Legion of Honor, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.
Society of Economic Geologists.

Other Service or Appointments

1987-1997: Member, Board of Directors, Getchell Gold Corp.
1983-1988: Member, Board of Directors, Mineral Information Institute.
1971-1973: Governor’s Advisory Mining Board, be Gov. Mike O’Callahan; Chairman, 1972
1971-1972: Chairman, Environmental Protection Hearing Board, State of Nevada.
1967-1971: Governor’s Advisory Mining Board, By Gov. Paul Laxalt.
1958: Republican candidate for the U.S. Congress. Defeated in the general election.

Publications:

Authored numerous publications, for the Nevada Bureau of Mines, dealing with the geology, history and mineral resources of Nevada.

Authored several papers concerning the National Uranium Evaluation Program including the statistical. estimate of unseen uranium resources.

Authored several papers dealing with mineral resources, politics and economics while with and following his term as Director, U.S. Bureau of Mines.

Military Service:

1944-1946: U.S. Navy, Apprentice Seaman (flight officer training).
1953-1955: U.S. Navy, Air Intelligence Officer, Western Pacific.

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Larry Larson (2006)

Lawrence T. Larson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno

Lawrence T. Larson, Ph.D., Larry or L.T. to many of us, was born in 1930 in Waukegan Ill. As a youngster he played football and did exhibition roller skate dancing. After graduating from High School during the Korean conflict, Larry enlisted in the USAF and was stationed in England where he guarded something “secret” with shotguns and grease guns, but says he only “murdered” rabbits. Larry realized that the Lieutenants were in charge because they had college degrees, which helped him decide to go to college. He and his wife Beth met in college and have 3 grown children: Jackie, Doug (Mackay graduate) and Kathy.

His degrees include: B.S. Geology (highest honors) University of Ill. Urbana, M.S. Geology and Ph.D. in Economic Geology, University of Wisconsin.

From 1961 to 1975 Larry advanced from assistant to full Professor of Geology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. There he taught mostly upper level and graduate economic geology subjects. He directed graduate research leading to 2 Ph.D. and 18 M.S. degrees. At Tennessee, he authored over 25 publications for the Tennessee Div. of Geology, Economic Geology, GSA, American Mineralogist, AIME, Mining Engineering and others.

In 1975 Larry accepted the position of Chairman (1975-1991) and Professor of Economic Geology (1975-1997) at the Mackay School of Mines, UNR. When he arrived at Mackay, there were only 5 full time geology professors. He quickly grew the geology department to 20 professionals to meet the demand for graduates by industry. Besides being Chairman with all its responsibilities at Mackay, he also taught graduate and undergraduate courses in economic geology, mining and exploration geology, ore petrology, geochemistry, summer field geology and others. He also sat on over a dozen UNR and Mackay committees and was responsible for many grants and contracts being awarded to the University.

While at UNR, Larry was involved in numerous research projects including the Great Basin geological framework and uranium favorability study, gold at Bald Mountain, uranium and zeolites in the Reese River Valley, geothermal resources in Dixie Valley and remote sensing in the Ely-Hamilton-Eureka area.

Larry was the author or co-author on over 80 reports, articles and abstracts. His publications included such diverse subjects as: Geothermal reservoir assessment case study, Northern Basin and Range province; Overview of energy and mineral resources at the Nevada nuclear waste storage; Miocene hydro-thermal activity at the Willard and Scossa Mining Districts, Pershing Co. NV; and Geology and gold exploration in western Turkey.

Scholastic Honors include, but not limited to the Phi Kappa Phi (honor society), Fulbright Professor and visiting Professor at two Universities in Turkey. In Turkey, he is considered to be the father of modern gold exploration.

Besides working for many companies as a consultant, Larry has also worked for the United Nations, NATO, State of Nevada, Sandia Laboratories, U.S. Department of Energy and many others. Larry continues to consult to many companies in Nevada and all over the world as a petrographic consultant specializing in ores and ore minerals.

Jaak Daemen as acting dean of Mackay School of Mines in 1996 wrote:

“Your departure will leave a huge void that will be difficult to fill. The school will miss your major contributions to Economic Geology. Most recently your personal commitment and involvement in the start up of the Ralph J. Roberts Center have allowed this center to develop and bloom at a certainly astonishing speed. Bringing this center into being clearly is a major capstone contribution to your already most productive academic career.

Over your 22 years at the University you have made truly major contributions to Mackay and the University. I am especially impressed by the huge number of graduate students you have advised and by the astonishing number of Ph.D. and M.S. degrees your students have completed. It is very clear that your contributions in this regard have been a major factor in the recognition of Mackay as a major center for economic geology. Moreover your orientation towards research in support of the minerals industries, in particular of gold deposits, fits exceedingly well in our mission as a state university and a School of Mines.”

Larry considers his greatest accomplishment in his academic career and contribution to the geological sciences as being able to push, shove, squeeze, and cajole nearly 100 students through graduate school. Many of them are members of the Geological Society of Nevada.

The Geological Society of Nevada is proud to recognize Larry Larson as an Honorary Member. Larry contributed greatly to understanding the geology of the State of Nevada for over 22 years through his research, education of future geologists and pursuit of academic excellence. Larry’s training of geologists at the Mackay School of Mines now working throughout the State and his professional contributions to advancing the geology of Nevada makes him well qualified to be distinguished as an Honorary Member of the GSN.

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Edmond Lawrence

Edmond Lawrence
Spanish Fork, Alabama

Edmond Francis Lawrence, age 90, died Sunday, January 4, 2009, in Spanish Fort, Al. He was a born in Bessemer, AL. He lived in Reno for many years, working for the Nevada Bureau of Mines and all over the state of Nevada and internationally for over 40 years as a consulting geologist. In his later years he returned to his native Alabama.

Ed received his B.S. in geology from the University of Alabama, a M.S. from the University of California - Los Angeles and a PhD from the University of California - Riverside. His career as a consulting mining, exploration, and engineering geologist took him all over the world, but Nevada held his heart. He taught geology at Purdue, University of California at the Davis, Riverside and Santa Barbara campuses, as well as the University of Alabama. He was a member of The Geological Society of America for 50 years and was selected as an Honorary Lifetime member of The Geological Society of Nevada. He also was a quite active member of the SME-AIME in various states.

Geology was not just a profession but his passion. He delighted in sharing his knowledge of and collection of “rocks” with school children, universities around the world and anyone who was interested. Ed was widely published and his Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin 61, Antimony Deposits of Nevada, has been a widely used reference work aiding modern exploration for gold.

Ed was a man of stories. He collected them and created them as he lived his life with energy, vitality, great compassion for others and an all-abiding sense of adventure.

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John Livermore

John S. Livermore

John Livermore graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Geology in 1940. Since, then he has enjoyed a long and successful career in mining and exploration. In 1960-1961, as an exploration geologist for Newmont he designed and carried out the exploration program that discovered the multi-million Carlin gold deposit. This discovery of disseminated gold mineralization in carbonate rocks lead to the recognition of a new class of gold deposits now known as “Carlin-type gold deposits.”

During the 1940’s, he worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in the Strategic Minerals program and spent three years as an officer for the U.S. Navy during World War II.

From 1946 through 1947, his mining career continued as an underground miner and mine geologist at the Cripple Creek gold mines in Colorado. After Colorado, he spent the years from 1948 to 1952 as a prospector and geologist in Nevada. Those years as a prospector paid off latter in his career.

Newmont hired John in 1948 as an exploration geologist. He had a very productive 18-year career with Newmont. After attending a presentation by Ralph Roberts in Ely, Nevada, “Alignment of Mining Districts in North-Central Nevada” (USGS Professional Paper 400-B), he placed the concepts into practice in the Carlin area. John and other Newmont geologists, including Alan Coope, in 1961 staked the claims that were to become the Carlin mine for Newmont. Their discovery of the Carlin deposit has been followed by discovery of numerous other gold deposits along the Carlin Trend. This initial discovery has lead to the production of more than 50 million ounces of gold from the Trend.

Livermore and others were intrigued by the potential of the Great Basin for Carlin-type gold deposits. In 1970, he and Peter Galli formed the Cordilleran Exploration Project also called the Cordex Syndicates. Andy Wallace joined the Cordex Syndicate and together they continue to explore Nevada for gold mines. Several discoveries are among Cordex’s successes: Pinson, Preble, Dee and the Florida Canyon mines. Livermore’s application of basic prospecting along with geology in Nevada reaped great rewards.

John remains active and is a strong supporter of geology, public service and academia.

Among the numerous awards John Livermore has received are:

• Life member of SME

• Trustee of the California Academy of Sciences

• Medal of Merit from the American Mining Hall of Fame of the Southwest

• Endower of the Arthur Brant Chair of geophysics at MacKay School of Mines

• Founder of the Public Resources Associates

• Honorary member of GSN

The GSN is privileged to have John as a long standing member.

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Ralph Roberts

Ralph J. Roberts (1911-2007)

Dr. Ralph J. Roberts was a world renowned geologist with U.S. Geological Survey and for his contributions to the understanding of the geology of Nevada. It was his work in Nevada that leads to the discovery of the Carlin-type gold deposits. In 1960, he published his paper “Alignment of Mining Districts in North-Central Nevada” (USGS Professional Paper 400-B). In the paper, he documented the presence of large thrust faults and mineral trends or belts in Nevada. Roberts theorized that the upper plates of these faults in places overlie reactive, carbonate rocks with the potential for large, low-grade, disseminated gold deposits. Ralph Roberts presented his ideas at a geological meeting in Ely, Nevada, in 1961. A Newmont geologist John Livermore was present at the meeting and applied Robert’s concepts in Lynn district resulting in discovery of the multi-million ounce Carlin gold deposit.

His career began as a student at the University of Washington in Seattle (BS and MS) degrees and he went on to receive a Ph.D. in geology from Yale University. His doctoral research defined the Antler Orogeny through his mapping of the Battle Mountain 15’ Quadrangle.

Roberts lived and worked in Central America during World War II exploring for and conducting research on strategic minerals. After the war, upon returning the United States he worked for the USGS as a research scientist and geologist. He also spent six years in Saudi Arabia contributing to the mineral industry in the Middle East. In 1981, after 40 years with the USGS he retired at the age of 70. After his retirement, he continued to work for industry primarily in gold exploration in Nevada. He worked for several companies and was a key factor in several gold discoveries, including the Marigold deposit in the Battle Mountain area.

He published his autobiography in 2002, “A Passion for Gold.” The book is a fascinating read and all geologists will benefit from reading about his life and career.

In addition to his numerous publications, he received numerous awards and honors.

• Distinguished Service Award from the US Department of the Interior

• Medal of Merit from the American Mining Hall of Fame

• Distinguished Service to the Minerals Industry Award from the Northwest Mining Association

• The Ralph J. Roberts Center for Research in Economic Geology at the (CREG Program) University is named in his honor

• Honorary Member of GSN

Dr. Roberts was respected and admired by all that knew him. It was an honor for GSN to have him as a member.

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David "Burt" Slemmons

 

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John Stewart

 

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T. Lyle Taylor

 

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Joe Tingley

Joseph V . Tingley, Economic Geologist Emeritus
Nevada Bureau of Mines & Geology

Joseph V . Tingley was born in Sacramento, California in 1938 . He attended the University of Idaho and while still a student worked two summers in 1957 and 1958 at the Hazel Creek mine, an east-belt Mother Lode gold mine in El Dorado Co ., California, as mine and mill sampler, timekeeper, and handled gold concentrate cleanup and amalgamation in the mill . After receiving his bachelors degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Idaho in 1960, he worked at the Strawberry Tungsten Mine and the New Idria Mercury Mine both in California, doing mine surveying, geologic mapping, and installation and operation of an assay laboratory . From 1962 until 1963, Joe worked as a uranium geologist for Susquehanna Western, Inc . in Riverton, Wyoming and Falls City, Texas doing geologic mapping, drilling, and regional exploration in Wyoming, Nevada, California, and south Texas . He then returned to New Idria as senior staff engineer for the mining and furnacing of mercury ore at that mine, where he designed a gravity concentrating plant for low-grade mercury ore .

Somehow he managed to squeeze in time between these jobs to earn his masters degree in Mining Engineering from Mackay School of Mines in 1963, doing his thesis on tungsten exploration in Nevada and California . Having survived working with mercury, tungsten, and uranium, Joe moved on to explore primarily for porphyry copper deposits in Arizona and New Mexico working as a geologist for Superior Oil Co . Minerals Division, in Tucson, Arizona from 1963 to 1967 . From 1967 to 1969, Joe worked as a geologist for Union Pacific Railroad, Natural Resources Division, first in Reno and then as manager of the Salt Lake district office exploration activities within the five-state Rocky Mountain area, looking for gold, copper, molybdenum, and mercury deposits .

In 1969, he returned to Reno, where he worked as a consulting mining geologist for several years conducting property examinations and regional exploration programs for various metallic minerals commodities in Nevada, California, Arizona, and Idaho . In 1972-73, while working for Hazen Research, Inc . he did an in-depth property examination on the Mill City tungsten district for

General Electric Co that led to a 4-year job with G .E . from 1973 through 1977, during which time he successfully brought the Mill City tungsten project from exploration into mine development . In 1975, Joe’s further detailed geologic studies for G .E . in the Getchell tungsten district led to development of the Getchell Mine . After 1976, when General Electric bought Utah International and merged its tungsten exploration staff with that of Utah, Joe’s responsibilities were expanded to include management of tungsten exploration in the western U .S .

In 1978, Joe left Utah International to join the staff of the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, where he has been for the last 28 years, achieving emeritus status in 2005 . Joe has been a tireless field geologist and prolific publication producer during his years at NBMG . His NBMG publications alone include more than 100 authored works including 3 NBMG Bulletins, 6 NBMG Special Publications, 5 NBMG Reports, and 39 Open File Reports totaling more than 10,000 written pages of first-hand, field-gathered, factual information on the mines and prospects of the state . Many of these stand as solid reference volumes useful to anyone researching Nevada mining and mineral resources . Added to this are his numerous contract reports, abstracts, journal articles, and metallic minerals exploration summaries . He modestly describes his principal research while at NBMG as a “collection of data on and evaluation of metallic mineral resources in Nevada” . The reality is that there is hardly a mine, prospected area, or dog hole in the state that does not have a sample, field description, and geochemical analysis on file for public inspection at NBMG done under one of Joe’s resource evaluation studies, including those on the Nevada Test Site, Nellis Bombing Range, and Yucca Mountain federally restricted lands . It can safely be said that any geologist doing minerals exploration work in Nevada has used and relied on Joe’s publications repeatedly .

In addition to this impressive professional work, in recent years, Joe has been a major contributor to a series of very popular NBMG roadside field guides: Geologic and natural history tours in the Reno area, Geologic tours in the Las Vegas area, and Traveling America’s loneliest road, a geologic and natural history tour through Nevada along U .S . Highway 50 . He currently has another roadside guide for Highway 93 in progress, and is widely known as a lecturer and writer on all aspects of Nevada mining history .

The body of work that Joseph Tingley has contributed on mineral resources in the state of Nevada will stand for decades to come as a source of reliable data for geologists, mining historians, and the general public, and well-qualifies him to be recognized as an Honorary Member of the Geological Society of Nevada .

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