Multiple Metals - Melville Peninsula

The scientific research and results of this project are available via GEOSCAN.

The Multiple Metals - Melville Peninsula project, part of the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program, will acquire a better understanding of the geological framework and economic mineral potential of Melville Peninsula and adjacent Repulse Bay-Wager Bay area.

Project leader –  David Corrigan

Hypothesis:

Does Melville Peninsula have similar Au-Ni-PGE-U-Fe and gem potential in comparison to on-strike environments to the southwest and northeast?

Research objectives include:

  • characterizing supracrustal belts and mafic intrusions through targeted bedrock  mapping;
  • establishing regional tectonostratigraphic correlations through mapping supported by radiogenic and tracer isotope data;
  • defining potential deposit types in the region by modern re-analysis of archived lake sediment and till samples;
  • linking surficial anomalies and bedrock sources through new surficial mapping and till sampling in areas of suspected mineral anomalies;
  • developing a new Quaternary geological framework for the Repulse Bay-Wager Bay area through surficial geological mapping and regional till sampling
  • informing mapping and regional exploration through high-resolution airborne magnetic-radiometric surveys and interpretation; and
  • identifying subsurface structures through long- and short-period MT surveys.

Scientific Highlights

  • The Prince Albert Group of western Melville has a long-lived stratigraphic history (2920-2700 Ma); it hosts Ni-Cu and polymetallic (Ag-Cu-Zn-Pb +/- Au) mineralization in western Melville as well as the well-known Fe deposits of eastern and western Melville.
  • Archean granitoid rocks are associated with rare-earth-element lake sediment geochemical anomalies.
  • The Penhryn Group of southern Melville is characterized by polymetallic (Au-Ag-As-Sb) lake sediment anomalies suggesting possible undiscovered intrusion-related mineralization.
  • Knowledge of the complex ice-flow directions resulting from interplay of the Keewatin and Foxe Basin Ice sectors will facilitate mineral exploration in the Repulse-Bay-Wager Bay area.

Information about other GEM mineral projects is available on the Geo-mapping for mineral web page.