Multiple Metals - NW Canadian Cordillera

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

The Multiple Metals - NW Canadian Cordillera project, part of the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program, aims to outline resource-rich environments in, and related to, the accreted terranes of the outer margins of the northern Cordillera in south western Yukon and north western British Columbia to determine whether geological settings in this area are similar to those for known deposits along strike.

Project leader –  Steve Irwin

Hypothesis:

What oceanic arc and accretion processes of outboard Cordilleran terranes influence formation of gold and base metal deposits?

Research objectives:

  • determining the nature of the exotic terranes (Alexander, Wrangellia, and Cache Creek), with their enclosed pre-accretionary syngenetic and epigenetic deposits, through geological mapping, airborne geophysical surveys, paleontological and isotopic studies, with a focus on knowledge gaps;
  • studying the metal-rich Triassic through Paleogene magmatic arcs and associated accretion zones using innovative geochemical and isotopic methods; and
  • contributing regional tectonic, structural and analytical knowledge to develop a Cordilleran-scale geologic framework and synthesis.

Scientific Highlights

  • Identification of previously unrecognized platinum group element potential in the Yukon.
  • New models for links between syn-magmatic, mid-Cretaceous faulting and structurally hosted gold in British Columbia and the Yukon.
  • New model for large Eocene porphyry and epithermal gold environments in SW Yukon.
  • Recognition of ancient large-scale crustal faults that focus magmatism and mineralization.
  • Confirmed extension of volcanogenic massive sulphide and Cu porphyry productive belts outside of known areas (BC and Yukon).
  • More than 7 magmatic suites transect western Yukon between Devonian to Eocene time, defining prominent arc centres of similar scale and demonstrate polycyclic opportunities for fluid mobility events in the same metallotect.

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