Geology and mineral resources of the Cache Creek-Rocky Creek Wilderness Study Area /cby Larry Vredenburgh

The Cache Creek-Rocky Creek Wilderness Study Area (WSA) contains deposits or occurrences of mercury-gold, asbestos, placer chromite, gemstones, magnesite and sand and gravel. There has been production of mercury from within the area and there is potential for production of gold. Recent development work at the Knoxville mercury mines has delineated a major gold deposit which may extend into the WSA. Claims have been staked in the WSA to explore for a possible extension of the gold mineralization at Knoxville. Natural gas seeps occur within the WSA, and there is potential for the production of electrical energy from geothermal sources at Wilbur Springs and the geothermal reservoir may extend into the WSA.