Nepheline Syenite is a rare igneous rock that, although resembling medium-grained granite in texture, consists principally of nepheline and alkali feldspars. The name sounds ominous but the mineral is not related to cyanide, nor is it poisonous. In fact, Nepheline Syenite is a very beneficial element. It is a "Swiss Army Knife" mineral whose usefulness keeps expanding.

In 1957 there were eleven separate commercial uses identified as the manufacture of glass, ceramics, roofing granules, rock wool insulation. Today, it is a challenge keeping up with all the new uses for this material. Nepheline may be used in industrial pollution control, in the manufacture of insulation materials such as roofing granules with an ëRí factor, and in foam carpet backing. Itís use in plastic extenders and resin systems that have the strength of steel, but not the weight, is in development.

The material takes a polish and many consider it a superior building stone. Nepheline is a unique and desirable replacement material for manufactured soda ash in the manufacture of ceramics and glass—allowing for a thinner, stronger, lighter weight bottle. As nepheline syenite has a lower fusing point the energy cost is less. Even so, the price paid for nepheline syenite used in manufacturing glass has historically been driven by the competitive cost of soda ash. In 1993 US consumption of soda ash was 10.1 million tons, at an average price of $98 per ton, bulk, carload lot, FOB. The historic low in the last 10 years for same was $61.00 per ton.

Prices for Canadian ceramic grade nepheline syenite listed in Industrial Minerals (London) in December 1987, were $66 per ton for, 200 mesh, bagged; and $99 per ton for filler-extender grade, bagged.

The deposit is located at Table Mountain, Lincoln County, Oregon. On a highway map the claims may be found 15 miles (direct) SE from Newport/Toledo, or 12 miles NW (direct) from Waldport, on the scenic Oregon Coast. The deposit is covered both by 32 lode claims, for a total area of 640 acres.

The only known—besides Table Mountain—deposits in North America are located at Blue Mountain, Ontario (owned by Indusmin Ltd., a division of Falconbridge Ltd.), at Magnet Cove in Arkansas along with a new deposit located in New Mexico (owned by 3M). Worldwide, other deposits are located in Norway (recently purchased by Indusmin, Ltd.), Russia, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, and Pakistan.

Figured very conservatively the Table Mountain claims cover a deposit that contains 26 million tons of measured reserves of recoverable nepheline syenite, out of a total volume indicated to be 525 million tons. Evaluations of this deposit were made following the guidelines and data published by the U.S. Geological Survey and the State of Oregon.

See a more detailed HTML report of this property at TheProspector.com
See the FlashMX video tour of this property at nepheline.com

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