Base and Precious Metals - Victoria Island

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

The principal objective of the Base and Precious Metals - Victoria Island project, part of the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program, is to provide an improved understanding of northwestern Victoria Island, which lacks sufficient knowledge to define Ni-Cu-PGE and base metal potential.

Project leader –  Jean Bédard

Hypothesis:

Does the underexplored Minto Inlier contain undiscovered stratiform Cu-Pb-Zn, magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE, and Mississippi Valley-Type Pb-Zn deposits?

Research objectives:

  • investigating the potential for magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization through petrological and geochemical study of mafic intrusive and extrusive rocks of the 723 Ma Franklin magmatic event;
  • identifying strata prospective for sediment-hosted Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization by establishing the depositional and diagenetic history of the Neoproterozoic Shaler  Supergroup;
  • investigating the potential for Mississippi Valley type (Pb-Zn) deposits and for kimberlite-hosted diamonds in Paleozoic sedimentary carbonate rocks; and
  • facilitating diamond exploration by generating ice-flow maps.

Scientific Highlights

  • Prominent northeast-striking normal faults of late Precambrian age are key to understanding map patterns in Minto Inlier; subsequent fault reactivation potentially channelled fluids carrying MVT mineralization.
  • Mapping of the Franklin magmatic system revealed a faultcontrolled feeder system and provides geologic control on possible locations of Noril’sk-type Cu-Ni-PGE deposits.
  • Franklin magmas have been subdivided into 2 populations, one of which is more prospective for Ni and forms the basal lava sequence, implying that high-Ni primitive magmas may occur throughout the Shaler Supergroup.
  • Local vent complexes in Franklin lavas are associated with fumarolic native copper, providing a targeting tool for this type of deposit.
  • New Cu-sulphide showings support the concept of sulphide immiscibility triggered by sulphate assimilation.

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