Download Introduction to metamorphic petrology

Mineral Deposit Research Unit
Canada’s major
collaborative industry-university
research group
What is MDRU ?
• An internationally recognized research group
devoted to;
Æ identifying & solving mineral exploration-related
geoscience problems
• Part of a geologic and geophysical research program
at UBC devoted to;
Æ training students for employment in industry
and academia
“MDRU provides quality geological research and is undoubtedly one of the
best collaborative research institutions in the world. It not only delivers
critical training to new explorationists, it improves the ore deposit models
that guide our exploration.”
C.J. Hodgson,
Former Chief Geologist, Barrick Gold Corporation
MDRU & the exploration industry
Initiated by industry in 1989 as a link between
industry and academia
(NOT a product of a government sponsored program)
Exploration &
Mining Industry
Investment
Community
DISCOVERY
MDRU Founders:
• Peter Bradshaw
MDRU / UBC
MDRU Past Directors:
• John McDonald
• Alastair Sinclair
• John Thompson
• John McDonald
• Ian Thomson
• (Richard Tosdal)
MDRU – Structure
Mineral exploration
industry –
the major shareholder
MDRU – Board of
Directors
University of British
Columbia
MDRU – Research
Generative Group
Department of Earth and
Ocean Sciences
Director (Richard Tosdal / Craig Hart)
+ financial / technical infrastructure
Research Associates &
Post-doctoral Fellows (6)
- solely funded by projects
Graduate students (>30)
Faculty in EOS (8)
• Pacific Centre Isotopic &
Geochemical Research
• Diamond Exploration Lab.
• Volcanology Lab
• UBC - GIF
Academic collaborators
MDRU – Members (Nov 2008)
Foundation Members (5)
Corporate members (52)
Almaden Resources Corp.
Amarc Resources Ltd.
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.
Ashton Mining of Canada Inc.
BHP Billiton Ltd.
Calibre Mining Corp.
Canadian Zinc Corp.
Cardero Resource Corp.
Cash Minerals Ltd.
Cia. De Minas Buenaventura S.A.A.
Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp.
Corriente Resources Inc.
Diamondex Resources Ltd.
Entrée Gold Inc.
Equity Engineering Ltd.
Falconbridge Inc.
First Point Minerals Corp.
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
Full Metal Minerals
Galore Resources Inc.
Geoinformatics Exploration Inc.
Geoscience BC
Goldcorp Inc.
Gold Fields Exploration
Hecla Mining Company of Canada
Imperial Metals Corp.
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
Jinshan Gold Mines Inc.
Kenrich-Eskay Mining Corp.
Klondike Star Mineral Corp.
Lysander Minerals Corp.
Newcrest Mining Ltd.
Newmont Gold Co.
Northern Peru Copper Corp.
Northgate Minerals Corp.
Novagold Resources Inc.
Pacific Rim Mining Corp.
Pacifica Resources Ltd.
Pan American Silver Corp.
Rimfire Minerals Corp.
Roca Mines Inc.
Savant Explorations Ltd.
Sherwood Copper Corp.
Stornoway Diamonds Corp.
StrataGold Corp.
Triex Minerals Corp.
Tupra Metal Madencilik (El
Dorado)
Tyhee Development Corp.
Triex Minerals Corp.
Vale Inco
Western Copper Corporation
XStrata Nickel
Individual Members
(4) & Government
Agencies (3)
Peter Fisch
Daniel Gregory
Daniel Rubiolo
Heather Smith
British Columbia Geological Survey
Geological Survey of Canada
Yukon Geology Program
People of MDRU
People of MDRU
• People
Æ Permanent staff:
staff
Director + 2 admin
Æ Graduate students :
>30
Æ Research faculty:
6
Æ EOS Faculty:
8
Æ Graduated 17 students in last 18 months;
4 more expected to graduate in 1st quarter 2009
Æ Students come from 16 countries - “United
Nations”
Geographical focus
• Started with BC focus Æ expanded to global
presence,
but still with significant “west coast” presence
• Largest integrated group in North America
• Significant Canadian & international
collaboration with other academics, mineral
exploration / mining companies , & government
institutions
Æ research (concepts & locations), funding,
MDRU membership, students, & student
supervision
Research Project - Locations
pending
new
current
Current research themes
1. Core geological studies:
•
•
•
pre-, syn- and post ore processes
big-picture geological framework of deposits
focus more on the “how” and “why” of ore deposit genesis
2. Exploration methodologies – science-based
exploration:
•
•
•
identifying the proximal to distal mineralogical,
geochemical, thermal & geophysical footprint of ore
deposits
focus on the “where”
feedback into the “how” and “why”
3. Mining and environmental sustainability:
•
CO2 sequestration in mine tailings Æ financial, social and
climatic(?) benefit
Current research themes
1. Core geological studies:
•
•
•
pre-, syn- and post ore processes
big-picture geological framework of deposits
focus more on the “how” and “why” of ore deposit genesis
2. Exploration methodologies – science-based
exploration:
•
•
•
identifying the proximal to distal mineralogical,
geochemical, thermal & geophysical footprint of ore
deposits
focus on the “where”
feedback into the “how” and “why”
3. Mining and environmental sustainability:
•
CO2 sequestration in mine tailings Æ financial, social and
climatic(?) benefit
Shallow- and deep-level
alkalic mineral deposits geological and metallogenic
character and evolution
•
structural & geological architecture
•
alteration zonation
•
geochemical dispersion and
depletion halos
•
geochronology and igneous fertility
indices
•Deep-level: BC focus
•Shallow-level: Australasia
Courtesy:
D. Cooke,
CODES
Full sponsorship:
Porphyry module:
Matching funds:
Collaborative with CODES, University of
Tasmania
AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick, Newmont Mining, Teck Cominco
Imperial Metals, Amarc Resources, NovaGold, Newcrest Mining, Lysanders Minerals
Geoscience BC, NSERC
8 MSc and PhD students, 2 RA’s, 1 GSC
The geology, genesis and exploration context of the Central
Zone, alkalic Cu-Au porphyry deposit, Galore Greek District,
northwestern British Columbia
Janina Micko (Ph.D. candidate)
Objectives
• Lithology and hydrothermal alteration on a
deposit scale
• Lithogeochemistical and isotopic analysis
• Compositional and fluid inclusion analysis on
hydrothermally zoned garnets
• Definition of genetic models
• Identification of applicable exploration tools
Sponsored by: AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick, Newmont Mining, Teck; Imperial
Metals, Amarc Resources, NovaGold, Newcrest Mining, Lysanders Minerals
Magmatic-hydrothermal evolution and zonation of a brecciacentered Cu-Au alkalic porphyry: Southwest Zone, Galore
Creek
Kevin Byrne (Msc candidate)
DESCRIBE,
CHARACTERISE and
MAP THE
DISTRIBUTION OF:
ORE DEPOSIT MODEL
•Sequence of events
•Lithofacies
•Ore-body geometry
•Alteration
•Fluid flow pathways
•Mineralisation
Sponsored by: AngloGold Ashanti, Barrick,
Newmont Mining, Teck; Imperial Metals, Amarc
Resources, NovaGold, Newcrest Mining,
Lysanders Minerals
HYDROTHERMAL
MINERAL CHEMISTRY
•Paleo-physicochemical
environment
•Metal deposition
mechanisms
•Integrate findings with
ore-deposit model
Evolution of Reko Diq porphyry Cu-Au Deposits,
Chagai District, Balochistan – Pakistan
Abdul Razique, Ph.D. candidate
Quellaveco Cu-Mo Porphyry, Southern Peru
Adam Simmons, Ph.D. candidate
– Igneous evolution;
• U/Pb zircon geochronology and intrusion paragenesis
• Zircon and whole rock geochemistry as indicators for magma chamber
processes
– Hydrothermal evolution of the Quellaveco ore body
• Vein paragenesis and relative timing to porphyry intrusions
• Element mobility and alteration definition
– Metal and volatile rejuvenation in porphyry Cu (-Mo)
systems Æ implications for longevity of hydrothermal
systems
Reconstructing the
Cerro Bayo low
sulfidation epithermal
deposit, Chile
•
•
•
•
Volcanic stratigraphy
hosting the veins
Pre-syn and post
mineralization
deformation history
Structural setting of ore
shoots
Chemistry of ore
forming fluids
Jaime Poblete, M.Sc. candidate
Fabiola vein surface outcrop
High-Grade Hydrothermal Copper in Foliated
Granites
• The relationship of mineral chemistry, mineral paragenesis, and foliation development to fluid flow and metal precipitation in the Minto Cu‐Au deposit, Yukon
Shawn Hood (MSc candidate)
Sponsored by: Minto Exploration Inc
The Subsurface Geometry of the >30 Moz Donlin
Creek Gold Deposit, Southwest Alaska
Daniel MacNeil,
M.Sc. candidate
• Structural style and subsurface geology
• Controls on dyke and sill emplacement
• Controls on mineralized vein distribution
Sponsored by: Barrick
Geological framework and genesis of Cretaceous
magmatic-hydrothermal systems
in the Coast Mountains, BC
• Application of geological mapping, mineral alteration, mineral paragenesis, structural analysis, geochronology & thermochronology to better understand the character and genesis of magmatic‐hydrothermal Cu‐Au systems in the Taseko Lakes region of BC
Lucy Hollis (MSc candidate)
Scott Blevings (MSc candidate)
Sponsored by: Galore Resources
Metallogeny of the eastern Gangdese Arc, Tibet
Reza Tafti (PhD candidate)
Supported by Hunter Dickinson (Continental Minerals Corp.)
Focused studies of Xietongmen porphyry Cu-Au
district
Mesozoic and Tertiary metallogeny of
southeastern Lhasa Block
U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology
Pb isotopic studies
Radiogenic tracers
Sulfur isotope studies
Framework of the El Galeno and Hillorico CuAu-Mo system, northern Perú
Establish alteration distribution
and linkage between Miocene
porphyry Cu-Mo-Au and
epithermal Au-Ag deposit
Farhad Bouzari, Research Associate
Sponsored by Northern Peru Copper Corp.
Integrating paleogeography/tectonics, geochemistry &
thermochronology to track fluid flow
in sedimentary rock-hosted Cu-deposits
A basin‐wide study of the Redstone copper belt, NWT to;
•define the basin architecture and tectonic/sedimentological framework for sediment‐hosted mineralization
•examine mineralogical, geochemical, and thermal expressions of the hydrothermal flow to help develop vectors toward ore PhD project
Sponsored by: Western Copper Corp
Oxidation, exhumation and re-sedimentation of Carlin
Au-deposits
• An initiative to integrate geological mapping, geochronology, mineral chemistry to further our understanding of the post‐
mineralization history of Carlin hydrothermal Au‐systems in Nevada and aid exploration beneath Miocene‐Recent gravel deposits
MSc project
PHANEROZOIC OROGENIC GOLD SYSTEMS
Jim Mortensen; in collaboration with:
Dave Craw, Doug MacKenzie (U. of Otago) – Otago and Klondike
Dave Rhys, Kika Ross (Panterra Geoservices) - Cariboo
Golden Point battery, Macraes, Otago
Tethyan metallogeny, Turkey
Define petrochemical, geochronological, and metallogenic framework for 2
transects (west and central) across the Tethyan arc in Turkey
Sponsored by:
Barrick, TeckCominco, Tuprag Madencilik
Nature and Origin of Mafic Volcanism and Associated Diatremes
in the Misty Creek Embayment, Mackenzie Mtns., NWT
Chris Leslie (MSc candidate)
40Ar/39Ar
geochronology of diatreme and
epiclastic facies
Whole rock geochemistry and radiogenic isotopes
Mineral chemistry (pyroxene, phlogopite) – are
these rocks kimberlitic?
Age, Petrogenesis and Paleotectonic Setting of the Sicker Gp
Volcanic Rocks and contained VMS Deposits, Vancouver Island
Tyler Ruks (PhD candidate)
Supported by Geoscience BC, Laramide Res., Paget Res., Bitterroot Res., Westridge Res.
Collaboration with Fabrice Cordey (U. Lyons, France)
Volcanic stratigraphy
Paleotectonic setting
U-Pb geochronology
Micropaleontology (radiolaria)
Whole rock geochemistry and
radiogenic isotopes
Pb isotopic characterization of
VMS and epigenetic
sulfide mineralization
in the Sicker Gp
Magmatic deposits
Layered Intrusions, flood basalts, zoned ultramafic
intrusions, Proterozoic anorthosites
• Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide mineralization, Muskox layered
intrusion, Nunavut
• Rutile and hemo-ilmenite mineralization in Proterozoic
anorthosites, Québec
• Alaskan-type zoned ultramafic intrusions: Turnagain
Ni-Cu-PGE, B.C.
• Flood basalts of the Wrangellia Terrane in B.C., Yukon
and Alaska
Sponsored by:
Anglo American Exploration
(Canada), Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium,
Hard Creek Nickel, Rock to Riches,
Y.G.S., B.C.G.S, NSERC
Massive FeFe-Ti Oxide Ore
StSt Urbain, Qu
Québec
Wrangellia Flood Basalt,
Wrangell Mtns, Alaska
Kimberlites
Physical volcanology of kimberlites and petrology of diamondiferous
rocks
Volcanology
OBSERVATION
Buffalo Head
Hills, Renard,
Diavik, Victor
How does the
eruptive
process affect
diamond
distribution?
kimberlite
studies
Modern
Volcanology
EXPERIMENTAL
Sponsored by:
Tahera Diamond Corp., BandBand-Ore Resources, KM Consulting, Diagem, De Beers, Ashton,
Rio Tinto, Canadian Light Source, Saskatchewan Research Council, NSERC
MODELLING
Diamond potential of the Brodeur Peninsula (Baffin Island)
J. Cross (B.Sc candidate)
In collaboration with Diamondex Resources Ltd
EXAMINE
• Tuwawi kimberlite thin
sections and core
• Tuwawi peridotite and
eclogite xenoliths
CHARACTERIZE
DIAMOND POTENTIAL
BASED ON
•Volcanic facies of
kimberlite
• Thermal state of the
mantle
Diamonds and diamondiferous conglomerates of Wawa (S.
Ontario)
CHARACTERIZE
In collaboration with Dianor
Resources Ltd
W. Bruce (M.Sc candidate)
• Diamonds
• Archean diamondiferous
conglomerates
COMPARE
• Diamonds and
conglomerates with
Archean lamprophyric
diamonds found in Wawa
DETERMINE
• The source for alluvial
diamonds in S. Ontario and
Quebec
Current research themes
1. Core geological studies:
•
•
•
pre-, syn- and post ore processes
big-picture geological framework of deposits
focus more on the “how” and “why” of ore deposit genesis
2. Exploration methodologies – science-based
exploration:
•
•
•
identifying the proximal to distal mineralogical,
geochemical, thermal & geophysical footprint of ore
deposits
focus on the “where”
feedback into the “how” and “why”
3. Mining and environmental sustainability:
•
CO2 sequestration in mine tailings Æ financial, social and
climatic(?) benefit
Archean lode Au-systems - Red Lake
Mapping alteration footprints and tracing fluid flow
• Lithogeochemistry
• Isotope geochemistry
• Alteration mineralogy
• Mineral chemistry
Liz Stock, Ph.D. Candidate
Sponsored by: Goldcorp Canada
Distal manifestation of hydrothermal fluid flow and the
development of down- & cross-stream vectors to ore
• Integration of lithogeochemistry, stable isotope geochemistry, mineral chemistry, thermometry and thermochronometry to characterize the spatial and temporal evolution of Carlin hydrothermal Au‐systems
Shaun Barker (Postdoc Fellow)
Jeremy Vaughan (PhD student)
heat
ore
isotope halo
alteration
Sponsored by: Barrick, Newmont, Teck
Ayesha Amhed (MSc candidate)
Footprints of Porphyry Cu Deposits:
Spectral and Lithogeochemisty
Dick Tosdal (MDRU), John Dilles (OSU), Scott Halley (Mineral Mapping Service),
Tatiana Alva (M.Sc. Candidate)
In Collaborations with Teck Corporation, BHP Billiton, Barrick Gold, Codelco,
Imperial Metals, CVRD-Inco
Study sites: Yerington (Nevada); Highland Valley (BC); Red Chris (BC); Mt. Polley
(BC) and Gaby (Chile)
3D integration of geology and geophysics
Physical Properties
Magnetic susceptibility - density crossplot
Scaling and
Constraints
Mineralogy and
Processes
Geophysical
Modeling
Geology
Geologic
concepts
and
hypothesis
testing
Interpretation,
Classification and
Mineral Estimation
Calculated Pentlandite Abundance
Sponsored by:
AngloGold Ashanti ,Anglo American,Barrick, Geoinformatics, Kennecott
Kennecott Exploration,
Teck Cominco, Xstrata, ValeVale-Inco, NSERC
Current research themes
1. Core geological studies:
•
•
•
pre-, syn- and post ore processes
big-picture geological framework of deposits
focus more on the “how” and “why” of ore deposit genesis
2. Exploration methodologies – science-based
exploration:
•
•
•
identifying the proximal to distal mineralogical,
geochemical, thermal & geophysical footprint of ore
deposits
focus on the “where”
feedback into the “how” and “why”
3. Mining and environmental sustainability:
•
CO2 sequestration in mine tailings Æ financial, social and
climatic(?) benefit
Greenhouse Gas Fixation in Mine Tailings
• Some mining tailings absorb the greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Carbon dioxide is trapped in mineral structures where it is safely
sequestered from the atmosphere in the long-term.
• Many hard rock mines produce a tailings sequestration capacity that
is greater than total GHG emissions (CO2 equivalent).
• Acceleration of carbon fixation could turn some mining operations
into a GHG-neutral industry and/or provide additional revenue.
• Employed worldwide could impact global anthropogenic GHG
production and provide an environmental benefit.
Field & scanning electron microscope images of mineralogically bound carbon dioxide
Sponsored by: BHPB, Rio Tinto (Diavik), NSERC
Recipe for MDRU success
Initiated by industry as a link between
industry and academia
Exploration &
Mining Industry
Investment
Community
DISCOVERY
MDRU / UBC