A computer processable storage and retrieval program for Alaska mineral information

The Mineral Industry Research Laboratory has developed a storage and retrieval file for Alaska mineral information to facilitate resource studies. The basis for the computer-processable file is the Division of ecological Survey Mineral Kardex system which contains an entry for every mineral property in Alaska that has either been recorded in the literature or has been claimed under the mineral staking laws. Use of the file has greatly increased the research capability of the laboratory to compile resource-oriented reports such as M.I.R.L. Report No. 16, IIFinal Report - Mineral Resources of Northern Alaska," M.I.R.L. Report No. 18, JlKnown and Potential Ore Reserves, Seward Peninsula, Alaska", and M.J.R.L Report No. 27, "Copper Mineral Occurrences in the Wrangell Mountain - Prince William Sound Area, Alaska" and S.E. Alaska Mineral Commodity Maps. The programs have been given the name MINFILE. MINFILEJ refers to a program that stores mineral information on magnetic tape. MINFILE2 is a Retreival program, MINFILE3 is a program to correct and make additions to the file. MINFILE4 and MINFILE5 are utility programs used for maintenance of the system.The basic data for this report were obtained from the Division of Geological Survey KARDEX FILE. James A. Williams of that Division was of great assistance in making the file available and in providing a space for Mineral Industry Research Laboratory employees to work. He also provided assistance in abstracting some of the information for inclusion into the system. Funds for completing the file came from the U. S. Bureau of Mines under Contract No. GOl11783. A. L. Service of the Bureau of Mines provided much encouragement and is responsible for the awarding of the contract. Earl H. Beistline, Dean of the College of Earth Sciences and Mineral Industry, helped with many of the administrative problems associated with the development of the system of programs. Ernest N. Wolff of the Mineral Industry Research Laboratory provided invaluable assistance throughout the project. He is acknowledged for his persistent support and encouragement during the writing and the many test runs of the program