Remote Predictive Mapping
Since 1991, exploration companies have collected tens of thousands of glacial sediment samples in northern Canada, prepared heavy mineral concentrates and tested them, primarily for diamond indicators. With the exploration focus in the North now shifting to other commodities, the GEM Indicator Mineral Project is compiling indicator mineral data for surficial sediments, beginning with Nunavut. Project objectives are to establish a digital, web-accessible database of known indicator mineral sample localities, abundance and mineral chemical data for samples collected by industry and government agencies.
The scientific research and results of this project are available via GEOSCAN
Remote Predictive Mapping involves the compilation and interpretation of all available geoscience data sources to produce predictive maps that will guide geologists during field work. Predictive maps based on remotely-sensed data will also be used in large, isolated regions where field work is impractical.
Predictive maps will assist geologists by:
- highlighting complex areas requiring new work;
- providing images showing structures such as form lines, faults, dykes, lineaments, glacial form lines, as a basis for interpretation; and
- outlining the distribution of bedrock and other features such as wetlands, areas of forest fire burns and infrastructure which can assist in field planning and in locating potential field traverses.
In parallel with the RPM project, a Mineral Resource Assessment Project (MRA) will assess the mineral wealth of northern Canada. The process will involve compilation of geoscience data across the North in GIS format, to inform predictions of potential for a variety of known mineral deposit types. The value of each commodity will be calculated using established grade-tonnage models.
For further information please contact:
Jeff Harris, GSC-Ottawa, harris@nrcan.gc.ca
(613) 947-0790