Minerals and Geology

 

Welcome to the Minerals and Geology web pages for the Ouachita and Ozark-St.Francis National Forests in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

This page also includes a link to an "Inventory" of interesting minerals related sites on other National Forests across the Country. 

For further information, contact the Forest Geologist by phone at (501) 321-5285 or by mail at P.O. Box 1270, Hot Springs, Arkansas 71902. You may also email your question using the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of this page.

 

Geology of the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

General information and descriptions of the geology of the National Forests in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

 

Minerals Activities Procedures

Information on obtaining approval to prospect and mine for hardrock minerals and drill for energy minerals on the National Forests in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Exploring and Mining for Quartz

Questions and answers on obtaining quartz contracts for quartz mining on the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas.
 

Quartz on the Ouachita National Forest

Brief history of quartz crystal and quartz mining on the Ouachita National Forest.

Other Minerals of the Ouachita National Forest

Brief history of minerals exploration and mining on the Ouachita National Forest.
 

Crystal Vista

There is one quartz crystal collecting location on the Ouachita National Forest that is free to the public.

Mine Safety

Guidelines designed to help keep you safe if you encounter abandonded mines on the Ouachita National Forest:

STAY OUT AND STAY ALIVE!

Reclamation of Mined Lands

Brief examples of reclamation of mined lands on the Ouachita National Forest told through photographs.
 

Ozark-Ouachita Highlands Assessment: Minerals Selection

Minerals and geology excerpts from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri state geological reports for the Forest Service.

ROCKHOUNDING RULES - on the Ouachita National Forest

Rules for quartz collecting and for gold panning (to develop skills) for the rockhounder on the Ouachita National Forest.

Rockhounding and Our National Forests

Advise and observations for the mineral collector interested in rockhounding on national forest lands

Rockhounding

The "challenge" of rockhounding.

This paper includes links to some good websites for the Arkansas and Oklahoma area.

National Forest Service Minerals and Geology INVENTORY

Minerals and Geology features and field sites on many of the national forests across the United States.

 

Special Features

Some of the interesting geological features in the Ouachita and Ozark National Forests.