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Lithologic and tectonic controls on Paleoproterozoic banded iron formation-hosted/associated
gold (148274)
Proposal Status: Conformity Determination Issued
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Overview
Documents
Project Overview
Type of application: New
Proponent name:
Dr. Patrick Mercier-Langevin
Company:
Natural Resources Canada
Schedule:
Start Date:
2016-07-01
End Date:
2020-03-31
Operation Type:
Seasonal
Project Description:
Recent research and exploration in eastern Nunavut and its emerging gold districts (e.g.,
Meliadine and Meadowbank-Vault-Amaruq) indicates complex, varied styles of gold
mineralization, with most of the gold associated with a crustal-scale fault and its splays at
Meliadine, intensely poly-deformed banded iron formations at Meadowbank, and shallowdipping shear zones at Vault. In this context, magnetite-rich banded iron formations are
considered as very favourable hosts to gold due to a combination of key tectonic features such as
major faults, specific rheology (rock hardness and how it deforms) of some units, and high
reactivity to gold-bearing fluids. But other types of volcani and sedimentary rocks and distinct
deformation zones with contrasting orientations and histories also appear to be favourable hosts
to gold in the area as indicated by the a number of recent major gold discoveries made in the
region such as the Whale Tail zone of the Amaruq project. The scientific objective is to constrain
the the age and nature of the major gold deposit-forming events in the region by studying the
Whale Tail deposit of the Amaruq project and test if the composition of the rock is important or
not on the formation of a gold deposit. This activity will further document the nature, structural
setting, and age of Archean and/or Paleoproterozoic banded iron formation (rocks with over 15
weight % iron)-hosted/associated gold, and assess the potential controls of contrasting chemical,
textural, and rheological characteristics of sedimentary±volcanic units on gold
precipitation/concentration (conduits and traps) through the study of the recently discovered gold
zones at Amaruq , 50 km north of the Meadowbank Mine). In terms of on the ground specific
works, the proposed project will comprise geological mapping by students on the company
exploration property. The students will select areas where rocks are exposed (outcrops) and
describe these rocks based on visual critera (mineralogy and structures). In some cases, samples
will taken (using a hammer or sledge, taking about fist-sized pieces). Photographs will be taken.
Samples and outcrops will be precisely localized using a handheld GPS. Most of the sampling
will however take place on existing drill core at the company's camp. In terms of laboratory
work, these rock samples will be analyzed to know their composition, which will help us tell the
exact rock type, and also help detecting the effects of alteration that result from fluid circulation
in the rockmass while deposits are formed. The samples will also be studied under the
micrsocope to further establish their mineralogy. Parts of the samples will be looked at for
geochronology (dating the rock), which means crushing to isolate tiny crystals of zircon that are
used to date the rock. This will form the basis of data acquisition for the proposed project.
Personnel:
Persons:
5
Days:
50
Project Map
List of all project geometries:
ID
Geometry
616
polygon
Planning Regions:
Kivalliq
Affected Areas and Land Types
Inuit Owned Surface Lands
Settlement Area
Location Name
Project Land Use and Authorizations
Project Land Use
Scientific Research
Licensing Agencies
NRCan
Other Licensing Requirements
No data found.
Material Use
Equipment
Type
Quantity
Size
Use
Hammer-Sledge
2
50 cm
Hand-size rock sampling
Fuel Use
Type
Container(s)
Capacity
UOM
Use
Other
0
0
Liters
none
Hazardous Material and Chemical Use
Type
Container(s)
Capacity
UOM
Use
No records found.
Water Consumption
Daily Amount (m3)
Retrieval Method
Retrieval Location
0
Waste and Impacts
Environmental Impacts
This project is done in collaboration with Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd who provides transportation
to and on site, housing, and access to drill core material. Research-related activities will be done
at Agnico Eagle Mines' Amaruq camp. Geological mapping will be done on the exploration
property in the vicinity of the main mineralized zones. Rock sampling will be done in support to
geological mapping. Samples will be fist-size, and selected carefully to avoid unnecessary
sampling and material collection. Most of the sampling will be done on core provided by the
company.
Waste Management
Waste Type
Quantity Generated Treatement Method Disposal Method
Sewage (human waste)
0
0
0