Poster Session
Abstracts
AME Roundup 2017 Poster Session Presentation Abstracts Abstracts are listed alphabetically by first author. Student presenters are underlined. Murray ALLAN Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Structural Controls on Gold‐bearing Veins of the Cariboo, Cassiar and Sheep Creek mining districts, British Columbia Co‐authors: David Rhys, Terence Harbort, Craig Hart and James Mortensen Poster 30 Gold‐bearing quartz veins of the Cariboo and Sheep Creek mining districts of BC formed inboard (east) of the suture between the Quesnellia arc terrane and North American passive margin sediments of Upper Proterozoic to Lower Paleozoic age. Vein‐hosted gold mineralization in the Cassiar district is similarly situated east of the Quesnellia margin, but is hosted mainly in metabasaltic rocks of the Slide Mountain terrane (Sylvester allochthon), which structurally overlies platformal North American strata. In all three localities, penetrative strain fabrics of the host rock sequence imply orogen‐normal shortening and simultaneous orogen‐parallel, longitudinal extension. Quartz vein geometries and shear sense indicators are kinematically compatible with coaxial progressive shortening under the same general stress regime responsible for earlier fold‐and‐thrust style deformation. Gold mineralization of this style, examples of which occur along the entire strike length of the BC Cordillera, thus signals the transition from collisional orogenesis in the Jurassic, to the onset of orogenic collapse and extensive magmatism in the mid‐Cretaceous. Joel ANGEN Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Improved Structural Framework for the Skeena Arch (West Central British Columbia) Co‐authors: J.L. Nelson, M. Rahimi and C.J.R. Hart Poster 29 The Skeena Arch is an east‐northeast trending belt of dominantly Jurassic volcanic rocks exposed across the width of the Stikine terrane in central British Columbia. Mineral potential in the Skeena Arch is high, with the majority of mineral occurrences interpreted as related to the Late Cretaceous Bulkley and Eocene Babine and Nanika plutonic suites. Porphyry intrusions and associated hydrothermal fluids are often localized along reactivated structures; therefore, understanding the structural framework of a region is advantageous when 1 planning mineral exploration programs for porphyry and related deposit types. Little is known about the structural framework of the Skeena Arch. We present preliminary results of targeted mapping, geochronology and interpretation of new aeromagnetic data collected as part of the GeoscienceBC funded SeArch Phase 1 program. This study is aimed at refining the structural framework of the Skeena Arch and its relationship to intrusive phases and mineralization. This study confirms the presence of east‐northeast trending compressional structures parallel to the orientation of the Skeena Arch and south‐southeast trending extensional structures perpendicular to it. Intrusions within the Skeena Arch occur parallel to both of these features. Holly ARNOLD British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Using derived‐stereo imagery to map macro‐scale ice‐flow features Co‐authors: A.S. Hickin and T. Ferbey Poster 16 The majority of ice‐flow features (i.e. crag‐and‐tails, drumlins, drumlinoids, and flutes) previously mapped in British Columbia are from mapping campaigns that used traditional stereoscopic aerial photography. Advances in 3D digital technology have enabled the transition from hardcopy aerial photographic mapping and interpretation to the digital environment. Derived‐stereo imagery provides the ability to use single frame imagery types in traditional stereo mapping at a significantly less cost. Here we evaluate the efficacy of stereoscopic aerial photography and two derived‐stereo imagery types (i.e. Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) and orthomosaics) for mapping ice‐flow features in two areas of Northern British Columbia. Our evaluation indicates that derived‐stereo orthomosaics provide the best value for cost to map ice‐flow features for the ongoing ice‐flow indicator mapping in British Columbia by the British Columbia Geological Survey. Jieun BAEK Pukyong National University, Republic of Korea Uncertainty Analysis and Representation of Open Pit Optimization Results Considering Mineral Price Volatility Co‐author: Yosoon Choi Poster 109 Determination of optimal open pit boundary is extremely important in planning an open pit mine. This study proposes a new method to quantitatively represent the uncertainty existing in open pit optimization results due to variations in mineral prices. After generating multiple mineral prices using Monte Carlo simulation with data on past mineral prices, a probability model that represents the uncertainty was developed by integrating multiple open pit optimization results derived from the mineral prices. The results of applying the proposed method to the copper‐zinc deposits showed that significant uncertainty exists in open pit optimization results due to the variation in copper prices. In addition, the study was able to quantify the probability that each block that represents deposits is included within the open pit optimal boundary when copper and zinc prices increase 2 or decrease from the current reference prices. Using these probabilities, reserves of the deposits were estimated as a function of confidence level. When confidence level is set at 90% or higher, reserve was estimated to be about 76,000 tonnes, and when confidence level was set at 50% or higher, reserve was estimated to be about 2,550,000 tonnes. This suggests that the proposed method also has a potential as a tool for classifying the estimation results of ore reserve based on confidence level. Christopher BECKETT‐BROWN Laurentian University, Ontario An investigation of tourmaline from Canadian porphyry deposits Co‐authors: A.M. McDonald, M. Leybourne, J.B. Chapman and M.B. McClenaghan Poster 49 Tourmaline minerals are common accessory phases in porphyry‐style deposits and have been proposed as efficient indicators of porphyry‐style mineralisation. The tourmaline supergroup constitutes a large group of alkali, borosilicate hydroxide minerals whose structural complexity permits the incorporation of a wide‐range of elements including alkali and alkaline‐earth metals (Na, Ca, K, Rb), transition metals (Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn), halogens (F, Cl, Br) and high field strength elements (REE, Hf, Zr, Ti, Nb, Ta). During precipitation from aqueous solutions, many of these are incorporated with partition coefficients close to unity. Tourmaline has, therefore, the potential to accurately record physiochemical changes of fluids throughout its crystallisation. We are investigating the textural, chemical, and geological relationships of tourmaline among selected Canadian porphyry (Cu‐Au, Cu‐Mo‐Au) deposits (e.g., Casino, YT; Schaft Creek, BC; Woodjam North, BC). Here we describe three major textural types of tourmaline: 1) disseminated, 2) vein, and 3) breccia, all of which are associated to varying degrees with Cu‐mineralisation. Tourmaline also exhibits variable growth histories, including oscillatory and patchy zonation, that provide a record of evolving geologic processes. We are employing a variety of techniques (e.g., scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy) to characterise and understand the development of tourmaline within mineralised porphyry systems. Defining characteristics of tourmaline developing within mineralised porphyry systems will provide a baseline when examining tourmaline during surficial exploration. Rob BERMAN Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario GEM‐2 progress in understanding the geological evolution and economic potential of the Thelon tectonic zone Co‐authors: W.J. Davis, M. Sanborn‐Barrie, M.W. McCurdy, I. McMartin, J.A. Craven, B. Roberts, R. Mitchell, J.B. Whalen, L. Nadeau, B.E. Taylor, A. Camacho, S. Carr, E. Girard and P. Brouillette Poster 71 3 The GEM‐2 Thelon Tectonic Zone project is aimed at improving understanding of the geological evolution, crustal architecture, and economic potential of a remote part of the Canadian Shield that lies between the better‐known Slave and Rae cratons. Thematic bedrock mapping and supporting multidisciplinary studies reveal Mesoarchean crust of Rae craton occurs ~40 km further east than previously interpreted, with its western boundary marked by a >400‐km long belt of ca. 1.9 Ga peraluminous leucogranite. Whole‐rock oxygen isotope data support leucogranite derivation from a passive margin or foredeep basin that was inverted and melted during widespread, ca. 1.9 Ga upper‐amphibolite metamorphism. The orogenic core comprises three belts of magnetite‐bearing, commonly orthopyroxene‐bearing, ca. 2.0 Ga metaplutonic rocks with convergent margin geochemistry. The complexity of the orogenic core is underscored by the presence of ca. 2.6 Ga plutonic rocks of unknown cratonic affinity, in tectonic contact with <2.07 Ga metapsammite (possibly as young as interlayered 1.95 Ga quartz porphyry), which experienced ca. 1.81 Ga amphibolite‐facies metamorphism and deformation. The west side of the orogen (eastern Slave craton) comprises a dioritic plutonic domain which lacks distinctive Yellowknife Supergroup supracrustal rocks, has older Nd model ages than basement to the Yellowknife Supergroup, and may represent a discrete, intervening crustal block. Garnet amphibolites in high strain zones along its northwestern margin may record accretion of this crustal block. Stream sediment and till samples collected during 2016 fieldwork are further defining several previously recognized regions with elevated potential for base and precious metals. Thomas BISSIG Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia An Exploration Framework for Porphyry to Epithermal Transitions in the Toodoggone Mineral District (94E) Co‐authors: Farhad Bouzari and Craig J.R. Hart Poster 35 The Toodoggone area in northeastern British Columbia hosts several precious metal‐rich mineral deposits and occurrences classified as low or high‐sulfidation epithermal type mineralizations. Exploration activities thus far were mostly focused on epithermal type of mineralization and on high‐grade ore‐zones. Past production at Baker, Shasta and Lawyers is exclusively from veins previously classified as quartz‐adularia or low‐sulfidation type. However, field observations together with short wave Infrared Spectroscopy (SWIR) and thin section petrography strongly suggest that these mineralized zones are associated with andesitic to dacitic igneous rocks, locally centered on porphyry stocks and correspond to porphyry type mineralization (e.g., Baker) and intermediate‐sulfidation veins which either overprint porphyry‐style alteration (e.g., Shasta) or occur distal to intense argillic alteration (Lawyers). At Baker, SWIR reveals that stockwork quartz veining is associated with intense muscovite and illite alteration affecting quartz‐feldspar porphyry intrusions. Takla group basaltic rocks are widely altered to chlorite‐sericite‐pyrite. More significantly, quartz‐magnetite‐chalcopyrite veins with irregular boundaries within K‐feldspar altered rocks were observed in drill‐core drilled less than 200 m below surface at Baker. Extensive quartz, sericite (illite), pyrite (largely oxidized) alteration, locally with chlorite occurs at Black Gossan ca. 3 km east of Baker. Alteration assemblages including alunite, diaspore, dickite, kaolinite and illite, typical for high‐sulfidation epithermal deposits, has been confirmed at Alunite Ridge, whereas pyrophyllite occurs with alunite in the Creek‐zone at the Brenda prospect. However, intense residual quartz alteration seems to be absent at Brenda and Alunite Ridge. Taking all observations together, the Toodoggone epithermal mineral occurrences are considered part of porphyry mineral systems (sensu Sillitoe, 2010) and 4 past‐producing veins are only a small part of such systems in the district. Consequently, significant exploration potential remains particularly for porphyry‐style Cu‐Au mineralization. Britt BLUEMEL REFLEX Geosciences, British Columbia Adding Value to Regional Till Geochemical Data through Exploratory Data Analysis, TREK Project Area, Central British Columbia (parts of NTS 093 B, C, F, G) Co‐author: W.G. van Geffen Poster 25 The most efficient use of resources in mineral exploration is to add value to existing data products. The utility of existing geochemical data can be greatly improved by first order interpretation, because derivative data products (which are common in geophysics) account for surficial processes. These derivative data products can spur interest in areas that may have been otherwise overlooked. Over the past 11 years, Geoscience BC has supported the continued collection and chemical analysis of till geochemical samples in efforts to promote mineral exploration throughout British Columbia (BC). The TREK (Targeting Resources for Exploration and Knowledge) Project was initiated in 2013 to generate new information on BC's northern interior plateau region, an area which is highly prospective for mineral resources and may also have some geothermal potential. However, the area is underexplored for these resources due to overburden of variable thickness covering complicated and poorly understood bedrock geology. Across the TREK Project area almost 3,000 samples were collected by the British Columbia Geological Survey, Geological Survey of Canada and Geoscience BC. Samples from the BCGS and GSC campaigns were reanalysed as part of the TREK Project (Jackaman et al., 2015), to ensure state‐of‐the‐art data quality. All available till geochemical analyses in the TREK area were evaluated and assessed for comparability and utility on an element by element basis. Data artefacts were visible between original survey areas, but these effects were suitably handled throughout the following interpretation. The interpretation involved cluster analysis to determine till provenance signatures, and these provenance groups were subsequently assessed for multivariate outliers. Finally, areas of increased mineral potential based on ranked multi‐element anomalies were identified using robust second order geochemical derivative products, and compared to known mineral occurrences. Matthew BODNAR Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Mapping chemical dispersion above a buried VMS in a till covered terrain, Lara VMS deposit, Vancouver Island, Canada. Co‐author: Peter Winterburn Poster 27 5 Landscape and surface material mapping with soil and vegetation sampling was undertaken at the Lara polymetallic VMS deposit on Vancouver Island in order to identify processes that control trace element dispersion of mineralization in the surface environment. Upper B horizon soil was collected along with follow‐
up Ah soil and western hemlock bark. Measurement of soil moisture, pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity was completed at each sampling location. The research area is covered by till with erosional gullies and related alluvial deposits. A compilation of drill hole data has shown that till cover ranges between 6 ‐ 12 m with thickness increasing to 15 – 22 m over a fault system hosting the Zn‐Pb‐Cu sulphide mineralization. Results of B horizon soil chemistry demonstrate an anomalous trend of Cu, Zn exists in soil over mineralization. Continued research includes till clast analysis, soil hydrocarbon data, self‐potential and non‐traditional stable isotope analysis of Cu and Zn. The results of this work will generate a model of trace element dispersion over the Lara VMS deposit that integrates bedrock geology, landscape evolution and soil development to identify processes resulting in genuine and false anomalies. Farhad BOUZARI Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Assessing BC Porphyry Fertility using Zircons Co‐authors: Craig Hart and Thomas Bissig Poster 36 Distinguishing metal fertile from barren plutons is a significant advantage for exploration geologists seeking porphyry copper deposits particularly in British Columbia where many porphyry systems occur within or around the edges of large batholiths. Zircon is a geochemically‐robust mineral and records orthomagmatic compositions that influence formation of porphyry copper deposits. Zircon samples from Highland Valley, Woodjam, Gibraltar, Lorraine, Kemess and several other deposits in BC are characterized texturally and analyzed using electron‐probe and LA‐ICP‐MS. Preliminary results of Ti‐in‐zircon temperature from Takomkane batholith and Woodjam district shows that zircons from the Boss Creek and Schoolhouse Lake plutons have variable temperatures from 950°C to below 700°C, whereas the older Spout Lake pluton has temperatures near 800°C. Zircons from the mineralized Woodjam Creek granodiorite have temperatures of 750° to 650°C. Chemical compositions of zircons indicate that the unmineralized Boss Creek unit has a more pronounced europium anomaly (EuN/EuN* < 0.35) compared to the other rock suites. Zircons from the mineralized Woodjam Creek unit have relatively small negative europium anomalies (mostly > 0.35). The younger phases of batholith, Schoolhouse Lake and the quartz feldspar porphyry unit, both similar to Woodjam Creek, display EuN/EuN* < 0.35 but these phases have a larger range of EuN/EuN*. These results indicate that zircon crystallization in porphyry fertile plutons occurred in near‐eutectic conditions close to the solidus of hydrous granite. Moreover, small negative europium anomalies in zircons suggest high water contents and late magmatic oxidation resulting in the loss of SO2‐rich magmatic‐hydrothermal ore fluids during late‐stage crystallization of granites. Jim BRITTON Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia 2016 Exploration and Mining Highlights, South‐Central Region, BC 6 Poster 20 Poster will present visual highlights of mineral exploration activities and mining developments in BC's South‐
Central Region (formerly Thompson‐Okanagan‐Cariboo Region) for the 2016 calendar year. Katelynn BROWN University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Heavy mineral compositions in Saskatchewan till: classification and constraints on source, with a focus on garnets Co‐author: Kevin Ansdell Poster 90 Glacial sediments of varying thickness cover much of Saskatchewan’s landscape, creating significant challenges in mineral exploration within the underlying rocks. However, the scouring of bedrock by glacier ice often leads to the entrainment and transport of rock debris, which is later deposited as till. Within this till, there may exist heavy minerals indicative of mineral deposits previously eroded by the glacier. If dispersal trains of these indicator minerals can be identified, they can be traced back to their original source based on an understanding of historical ice flow directions. This study investigates a suite of heavy minerals, with a focus on garnets and ilmenites, recovered from till samples of an active diamond exploration project in Saskatchewan. The minerals have been analyzed using the electron microprobe to determine their composition, and to identify mineral inclusions, chemical zonation, and internal textures. Preliminary results indicate that the garnets are not zoned and are dominated by the pyrope component, with up to 12 wt. % Cr2O3. Evidence suggests that these garnets may be derived from metasomatized lithospheric mantle, similar to those of the Fort à la Corne kimberlites located on the Sask Craton. Some of the ilmenites, which preserve complex internal textures, are Mg‐rich and may be derived from a similar source. The mantle‐derived garnets will be further studied in order to shed light on the pressure‐
temperature conditions and mantle composition at the time of their formation, and to determine if these conditions are appropriate for the formation of diamondiferous kimberlites. Aaron BUSTARD British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Till geochemistry of the Pendleton Bay map area (NTS 93K/12), British Columbia Co‐authors: T. Ferbey, and V.M. Levson Poster 15 Regional till geochemical sampling in the Pendelton Bay area (NTS mapsheet 93K/12) has successfully detected dispersal from known porphyry Cu±Mo±Au mineralization at the Fort showing (MINFILE 93K 093) and identified three new areas of geochemical interest. Situated 30 km southwest of the past producing porphyry Cu±Mo±Au Bell and Granisle mines, the Pendleton Bay area has potential to host new porphyry Cu±Mo±Au mineralization 7 but access to the area is limited and glacial sediment cover is extensive. To better assess mineral potential here, 182 subglacial till samples were collected by the British Columbia Geological Survey in 1998 for geochemical analysis of the <63 µm size fraction by inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP‐ES) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Ice‐flow features indicate that glacial dispersal was predominantly towards the east and southeast. Sampling near the Fort showing has identified that the maximum Cu value (522 ppm Cu) occurs 700 m northeast of the main showing, and anomalous values above the 90th percentile (60 ppm Cu) continue for approximately 2 km down ice (southeast). The Mo footprint in till at the Fort showing is smaller, with the maximum value (29 ppm Mo) occurring 300 m to the northeast, and concentrations falling to near detection limit 800 m to the east. Three additional areas have been identified with anomalous values of Cu (up to 167 ppm), Cr (up to 263 ppm), and Ni (up to 101 ppm). The identified geochemical anomalies provide a starting point for future exploration work in the area. Michelle CAMPBELL Oregon State University, USA Magmatic and Hydrothermal Evolution of the Kerr‐Sulphurets‐Mitchell porphyry Cu‐Au district, British Columbia Co‐author: John H. Dilles Poster 48 The Kerr‐Sulphurets‐Mitchell (KSM) porphyry Cu‐Au‐Mo‐Ag district, located in northwestern British Columbia, hosts one of the world’s largest undeveloped reserves of copper and gold. The KSM district features four distinct ore bodies: Kerr, Sulphurets, Mitchell and Iron Cap. The four deposits are contemporaneous, featuring predominantly hypogene mineralization centered on Early Jurassic intrusions. Nonetheless, each of the four deposits displays a unique combination of important attributes, including the nature of the syn‐mineral intrusions, overall Cu/Au ratio, deposit morphology, and proportion of mineralization hosted within wallrock. We present an overview of the principal igneous phases and styles of hydrothermal alteration present at KSM, revealing new insights into the magmatic evolution of the district. A notable characteristic of the KSM district porphyry deposits is their enrichment in gold, which is commonly associated, in British Columbia, with alkalic porphyry systems. The Kerr, Mitchell and Iron Cap deposits, however, display the characteristics of typical calc‐alkaline porphyry deposits: early central potassic alteration with abundant quartz veining and lateral propylitic alteration cut by extensive sericitic alteration with high pyrite contents. The nature of the fault‐dismembered and possibly truncated Sulphurets deposit, primarily hosted by sedimentary wallrock, is somewhat more cryptic. Nevertheless, weakly mineralized alkalic intrusions, roughly coeval with the calc‐alkaline intrusions, are also found within the district – a feature which has been observed at other large gold‐enriched copper porphyry deposits (e.g., the Pebble and Bingham deposits). Additional gold enrichment factors, including the emplacement of the KSM deposits on relatively thin crust and at shallow depths, will also be examined. Jamie CAMPO Western Washington University, USA 8 Cathodoluminescence and trace elements in quartz from low sulfidation epithermal ore deposits; implications for ore genesis Co‐authors: Brian Rusk, Mark Simpson and Heather Lowers Poster 42 We analyzed quartz veins from twelve low‐sulfidation epithermal (LSE) deposits in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Canada, and the United States. Quartz textures were imaged in both monochrome and color SEM‐CL with trace elements measured by LA‐ICP‐MS and EPMA. Here we correlate the relationship between trace elements and CL textures to better constrain the complex vein history and physio‐chemical conditions of epithermal vein genesis. Quartz textures reflect the steep gradients in composition, pH, fS2, and fO2 at the boiling zone. Rapidly changing physio‐chemical conditions are inferred by the sharp contrasts in CL character in adjacent quartz bands. Quartz SEM‐CL textures include euhedral zoned crystals, homogenous bands, plumose textures, chalcedonic banding, mossy aggregates, CL dark fractures, microbrecciation, cockade textures, and bladed carbonate replacements. Boiling indicators appear as spheroidal growths and bladed quartz after calcite. Trace elements correlated to CL intensity in epithermal quartz include Al, Li, Na, K, Ga, Ge, and Sb. Other trace elements include B, Be, Ca, Fe, Mn, P, and As. Aluminum typically ranges from 10s‐100s of ppm or 1000‐4000 ppm. Lithium correlates strongly with Al, ranging from 10s of ppm or 100‐500 ppm. Gallium, Ge, and Ti are typically <2 ppm. Antimony ranges from 10‐80 ppm. Some low Al quartz contains elevated Ga and Sb concentrations, reaching up to 20 ppm or 300 ppm respectively. Shifts in CL character correlate directly with trace element concentrations, but no consistent relationship applies across all deposits. Electron microprobe results suggest Na and K correlate with Al‐rich CL growth zones. Samuel CANTOR University of British Columbia, British Columbia Stable isotopes as an exploration tool: tracking cryptic alteration surrounding the Iscaycruz Zn (Pb‐
Cu‐Ag) skarn‐CRD deposit, Central Peru Co‐authors: Craig Hart, Greg Dipple, Abraham Escalante, James Mortensen and Russ Algar Poster 101 The Iscaycruz Zn‐(Pb‐Cu‐Ag) skarn‐carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) is located within a sequence of lower Cretaceous‐aged, layered carbonate and siliciclastic rocks in central Peru. The deposit is located on the western flank of a tightly compressed anticline (Escalante and Hart, 2011), within a larger northwest‐trending thrust‐fold belt in the Western Peruvian Cordillera (Wilson, 1963). Proximal stable isotope haloes have been identified surrounding the Antamina Zn‐Cu skarn, Uchucchacua Ag‐base metal vein, and Iscaycruz Zn‐(Pb‐Cu‐
Ag) skarn‐CRD in central Peru. Studies analyzing stable isotopes around mineral deposits observed consistent alteration haloes of carbonate rocks with relatively depleted ẟ18O values proximal to the center of mineralization, as well as areas of higher degrees of fluid/rock interaction (Barker 2013). Prior work in the Iscaycruz district identified several stable isotope anomalies; however, an investigation between these anomalies and various stratigraphic units, orebodies, or sulfide accumulations has not been conducted. The primary goal of this study is to integrate visible and cryptic alteration around a known ore body and utilize the 9 resulting identified relationships as an exploration tool for regional targets. The initial sampling survey collected representative samples from contacts, structural intersections, and mineralized zones to assess the interactions between fluids and carbonate host rocks. The second sampling survey focused on regional sampling, Pb‐isotopes, and prospective contacts north of the Santa Este pit. The two surveys accumulated ~1,600 samples for stable isotope analysis from surface and subsurface locations around the Iscaycruz deposit, and from surface locations in the Palpas region located 12 km west of Mina Iscaycruz. Sébastien CASTONGUAY Geological Survey of Canada, Quebec The Gold project of the Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI‐5; 2015‐2020): Main objectives and ongoing research Co‐authors: Patrick Mercier‐Langevin, Benoît Dubé, Christopher J.M. Lawley, Vicki McNicoll, Nicolas Pinet, Wouter Bleeker, William J. Davis, Simon Jackson and Valérie Bécu Poster 69 The Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI) is a collaborative federal‐provincial‐academia‐industry research program led by NRCan that aims at providing new knowledge to improve effective targeting of buried mineral deposits. The overarching objective of the TGI‐5 Gold project is to better define the mechanisms that control the heterogeneous distribution of gold resources through space and time and to tackle some of the crucial issues in our understanding of ore‐forming processes at the ore system scale. Our approach requires a multi‐scale (craton to ore zone) and multidisciplinary approach. Two complementary subprojects have been defined: 1) System controls on gold through space and time (source and trap), and 2) Tectonic influences on the formation and distribution of gold deposits (tectonic drivers and conduits). Each subproject is divided into a series of thematic and/or regional research activities. Subproject 1 aims at assessing and synthesising the multi‐scale geologic characteristics of gold mineralization in selected well‐endowed regions, and at undertaking comparative targeted studies in “less fertile” environments. Emphasis is put on district‐scale features, which represent a priority and a geological challenge for the mineral exploration industry. Subproject 2 consists of an analysis of the geometry and kinematic evolution of major ore‐associated structures in selected districts and their relationships to different types of gold deposits. Most planned research activities were initiated in 2016, including several graduate thesis projects, and already have highlighted some recurring and site‐specific characteristics that will be further documented and interpreted in the coming years to provide new and revised models for gold exploration in Canada. Hannah CAVALLIN Western University, Ontario Gold Mineralization at the Monument Bay Deposit, Stull Lake Greenstone Belt, Manitoba Co‐authors: C. Bajwa, M. Metcalf, T. Twomey, G. Kuntz, C. Venturi, C. O'Shea and N.R. Banerjee 10 Poster 44 Yamana Gold Inc.’s Monument Bay Project within the Stull Lake Greenstone Belt in northeastern Manitoba hosts economically promising Archean shear‐hosted gold deposits. The project is comprised of three separate deposits: The Twin Lakes, the Mid‐East, and the AZ deposits, which lie within the Oxford Stull Domain of the Western Superior Province. The east‐west trending granite‐greenstone belt is exposed across northeastern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, and records a complex history of magmatism, sedimentation, and deformation associated with periods of subduction and continent‐continent collision. Gold mineralization occurs in 1) smoky quartz veins that are locally mineralized, 2) quartz‐carbonate‐tourmaline veins, and 3) quartz‐carbonate‐albite‐scheelite veins, which represent the main mineralization type at the Twin Lakes deposit. Quartz‐feldspar porphyry dykes/sills and surrounding rocks are the dominant host rocks for mineralization within east trending, steeply north dipping shear zones. The current study will examine the associations and controls on gold mineralization at Monument Bay and elucidate relative timing relationships, alteration types, and trace element correlations, such as arsenic and tungsten that could be used for vectors to gold mineralization. This will be accomplished using petrography, existing ICP data, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and electron microprobe analysis (EPMA). The goal is to provide a foundation for further study and investigation of the Twin Lakes, AZ, and Mid‐East deposits that can be used to better understand the formation of these deposits and provide geochemical exploration vectors to help future exploration in the region. Erika CAYER Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Direct Detection of Drift‐Concealed Kimberlites Using Surface Geochemistry and Landscape Evolution in the Northwest Territories, Canada Co‐authors: Peter Winterburn and Barrett Elliott Poster 91 The DO‐18 kimberlite is buried beneath 5‐20 meters of till deposited by the Laurentide ice sheet. 150 soil samples from the oxidized upper B‐horizon in a detailed grid crossing the kimberlite were taken to assess the potential of surface geochemical techniques in conjunction with surface materials mapping and landscape evolution modelling to detect the presence of a concealed kimberlite. Samples were screened to ‐180 microns, and analysed by multi‐element ICP‐MS following 4‐acid, aqua‐regia and deionized water extractions, as well as fp‐XRF. Geochemical data is subject to geomorphological processes. The northern half of the grid comprises till with numerous frost boils. The southern, topographically low region is dominated by fluvial deposits. Results from the 4‐acid and aqua regia extraction show a dispersion of Nb, Ni, Mg, and Cr from directly above the northern part of the kimberlite to the edge of the sampling grid, approximately 500 metres to the northwest, following glacial dispersion. fp‐XRF data repeats the pattern in all elements except Mg, where the concentrations are too low for reliable detection. Sequential leach on selected samples was undertaken to identify which phases within the soil are host to the aforementioned anomalous elements. Surficial mapping included soil type, topographic variation, landforms, environment and vegetation, giving insight to the surface controls on the geochemistry. 11 Clastic dispersion down ice of the kimberlite is hypothesized to have generated the observed geochemical anomaly. The southern part of the area is considered to have been inundated with water, diluting geochemical responses. John CHAPMAN Geological Survey of Canada, British Columbia Picrite Possibly Pinpoints Porphyry Prospectivity? Co‐author: Dejan Milidragovic Poster 68 From the early days of geological exploration within the Canadian Cordillera, picritic igneous rocks have been noted as a very minor but widespread component of its Mesozoic volcanic sequences. G.M. Dawson described picrite bodies in the vicinity of the Guichon Creek and Iron Mask batholiths in 1895, and further work in the century since has extended the known range of similar rocks along the lengths of both Quesnel and Stikine terranes. Geodynamic models for porphyry ore‐formation within the Cordillera have suggested this picritic magmatism may have been caused by abnormal heat flow into the arc mantle wedge, possibly a result of tearing or break‐off of the subducted oceanic slab. However, recent assessments of the formation temperatures of picrite bodies proximal to the Schaft Creek Cu‐Mo deposit have shown that these were in ‘normal’ basaltic ranges (<1300°C), with enhanced partial melting likely having been caused not by excess heat but by volatile components within the melting region. Whether these volatile concentrations are abnormal within arc magmatism, or whether it is the eruption of otherwise commonplace primary arc melts that is unusual, remain unanswered questions. In addition, the spatial relationship between picritic volcanism and porphyry ore deposits remains striking, but it is unclear whether this reflects a true causal link or simply the effect of sampling or confirmation bias. This poster will examine that relationship in the context of present data for the Cordillera, as well as other known arc picrite occurrences worldwide. Robert CHAPMAN University of Leeds, UK Trace Element Quantification in Gold by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry Co‐authors: David A. Banks, Carl‐Spence Jones, Olga Borovinskaya and Matthew Grimshaw Poster 34 Analyses of natural gold grains has largely been restricted to the major components, Au, Ag, Cu, Hg from electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) due to the relatively high detection limits for minor elements. LA‐
ICP(quadrupole)‐MS has sub‐ppm detection limits for most elements in gold, but by comparison with EMPA is both destructive and penetrates the gold to much greater depth. We have analysed natural gold grains for Si, Al, S, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Se, Y, Nb, Mo, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Te, La, W, Pt, Au, Hg, Pb, Bi, Th, U to assess which are present in sufficient concentration to form a basis for the discrimination of 12 gold from different localities and different styles of mineralization. Quantitative analyses were achieved by combining a number of certified standards, NIST 610 (silicate glass), AuRM2 (London Bullion Gold Standard), USGS Mass‐1 (synthetic sulphide standard) and NIST 481 (gold silver wires) as no one standard exists with concentrations comparable to those in natural gold and contains all these possible elements. In some instances element distribution may not always be homogeneous and we have mapped these using LA‐ICP (time of flight) MS at a scale of 10 microns or less. Some elements show grain boundary or crystal structure controlled variability at concentrations much lower than previously seen in EMPS analyses. The combination of spot analysis and multi‐element mapping reveals much more detail than previously available and is likely to allow discrimination between natural occurrences. Rachel CHOUINARD University of British Columbia, British Columbia Surficial Geochemical Footprint of Buried Porphyry Cu‐Mo Mineralization at Highland Valley Copper: Project Update Co‐authors: P.A. Winterburn, M. Ross and R.G. Lee Poster 61 The research project is part of the Porphyry Cu Subproject of the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Canadian Mining Innovation Council’s (CMIC) Mineral Exploration Footprints project. This subproject aims to quantify and identify the footprint of porphyry Cu‐Mo mineralization at the Highland Valley Copper (HVC) operation through a multidisciplinary, integrated approach. Teck Resources Limited (“Teck”) has a 100% interest in HVC which is located in south‐central BC, 15 km west of the municipality of Logan Lake, and consists of five known porphyry‐style Cu‐Mo mineralized bodies. These clusters include: 1) the active producing Valley, Lornex and Highmont pits; 2) the past producing Bethlehem deposit; and 3) the buried J.A. deposit, all of which are centrally located within the Guichon Creek batholith. The J.A. and Highmont South targets comprise two mineralized areas that are both undeveloped and buried under variable thicknesses of glacial and preglacial sedimentary cover. Surficial geochemical studies at these two buried targets aim to fully characterize mineralogical and chemical changes that manifest themselves in the surficial environment after glacial dispersal and soil development over mineralized bedrock. The research will help develop surficial geochemical exploration models that can be applied to the search for other buried Cu‐(Mo) porphyry mineralization. This poster provides an update on the progress of the project, which is expected to be complete by August 2017. Anastasia COMTOIS‐POISSANT University of Regina, Saskatchewan Petrogenesis and Geochemistry of Mafic Granulites from the Upper‐Deck of the Tantato Domain, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada Co‐authors: T. Raharimahefa and C. Normand Poster 89 13 The Tantato Domain, or the East Athabasca Mylonite Triangle of Northern Saskatchewan, is one of three “lozenges” of mylonitized lower Archean crust, of which, extend into the Northwest Territories, and are located between the Grease River Shear Zone and the Snowbird Tectonic Zone. The Tantato Domain is commonly divided into two subdomains based on structural and metamorphic characteristics, referred to by authors as the Upper Deck and the Lower Deck. Each subdomain is characterized by a different suite of rocks, with the Upper Deck being composed of extensive mafic intrusions emplaced in psammopelitic gneisses, and meta‐
tonalities at approximately 2.6 Ga. These mafic intrusions have since undergone predominately granulite facies metamorphism and therefore are referred to by many authors as “mafic granulites” although small lenses of mafic eclogites can be found in the northern half of the Upper Deck, with the metamorphic grade decreasing to the south to mafic amphibolites can also be found. These mafic intrusions have been of economic interest as they have been found to host to Nickle‐Copper sulphide deposits in the Axis Lake area, however, very little its understood of the origin of these rocks. This poster will summarize the preliminary geochemistry analysis done on these mafic granulites. The goal of the geochemical analysis its to help understand more about the petrogenesis of the magma, including the source of magmas, where in the crust the magma was emplaced and under what tectonic setting. Fred COOK Salt Spring Imaging, British Columbia Combining Geological, Seismic Reflection and Magnetotelluric Data in the Purcell Anticlinorium, SE British Columbia Poster 21 Combining geological data, seismic reflection data and magnetotelluric (MT) data in southeastern British Columbia can target concentrations of sulphide mineralization in the subsurface. Existing MT data are being reprocessed with two‐dimensional (2D) inversions where possible, and the results are combined with reprocessed seismic reflection profiles and drill hole information. Seismic reflection data acquired for hydrocarbon exploration were initially reprocessed for large‐scale regional studies; however, by focusing on the near‐surface data, they provide a unique view of the Purcell basin that is not available with any other geological or geophysical data set. A deep (3.477 km) exploration drill hole was drilled by Duncan Energy in 1985 and provides definitive correlations of seismic reflections to stratigraphic horizons along a number of seismic profiles. Thus, the seismic data and drill holes allow detailed mapping of structural and stratigraphic variations, while the MT data help to characterize the electrical properties, and thus perhaps the presence or not of metals, at different stratigraphic levels. Yao CUI British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Digital Geology: progress in data integration Co‐authors: Deanna Miller and Larry Diakow Poster 11 14 The British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS) has developed a ‘geospatial frame data’ (GFD) model to simplify the compilation, update, edit, and integration of geological maps into a province‐wide spatial database for digital geology. The GFD model only consists of centroids (describing map units) and lines (defining geological boundaries) to store, edit, revise, and integrate geological maps. Bedrock polygons are not part of the GFD but are generated from the GFD for the finished maps. Using the GFD model, maps are integrated with a ‘checking‐
out’ and ‘anchoring’ mechanism to eliminate map boundary issues in edge matching. The GFD model is implemented in a PostgreSQL/PostGIS database at BCGS, making it possible to handle large volumes of data, and permit multiple users to perform concurrent operations on the same GFD base. As part of the spatial database management system, database applications automate checking‐out, anchoring, integration, and creation of bedrock polygons. These applications not only simplify the integration process, but also streamline rules‐driven data quality checks, content standardization, change audits, map legend updates, and production of custom maps for delivery via web services. Currently, BCGS is using the GFD model to facilitate regional compilations and map integration, including south Nicola, Chilcotin and Bonaparte, Atlin, Dease Lake, Iskut, and Bowser basin areas. The bedrock legend at the provincial scale also has a new colour scheme to highlight major geological units. Yao CUI British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Up to Speed on MapPlace 2 Co‐authors: Steven Zhao, Larry Jones, Gabe Fortin and Sarah Meredith‐Jones Poster 10 The British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS) creates, delivers, and archives geoscience data to help industry, research agencies, and the general public make decisions related to the Earth sciences. Since 1995, MapPlace has been providing web map services to help clients browse, visualize, and analyze an array of geoscience and mineral resource data, including geology, mineral occurrences, regional geochemical survey, assessment reports, geophysical survey, and mineral tenures. BCGS has recently revamped its web map services by developing MapPlace 2, with a new interface and much improved functionality and performance. MapPlace 2 beta is available on the BCGS website for the public to use. MapPlace 2 is designed for use by anyone interested in British Columbia geoscience, including the mineral industry, resource planners, public safety agencies, communities, First Nations, government, and research organizations. MapPlace 2 has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to use, requires no plug‐ins, and works in most web browsers. MapPlace 2 differs from other web services: it allows visualizing and querying province‐wide geoscience data at exceptional speed, and provides advanced custom applications to search, analyze, report, and download these data. The power of MapPlace 2 derives from databases that talk to each other, enabling users to conduct queries and generate custom results by connecting many data sources. MapPlace 2 embraces the most appropriate open‐source software for rendering maps, integrating databases, and developing web applications. BCGS will continue to improve MapPlace 2 with advanced applications and access to more databases. Victor DE BRONAC DE VAZELHES Université Laval, Quebec 15 Quaternary mapping and till geochemical analysis: glacial dispersal of a gold deposit in the Amaruq area, Nunavut Co‐authors: Nicolas Boulianne‐Verschelden, Georges Beaudoin, Isabelle McMartin, Olivier Côté‐Mantha and Marjorie Simard Poster 99 Understanding remobilization of a deposit by glacial processes is challenging, especially in polyphase glacial flow areas, highlighting the need to map and interpret glacial deposits in detail. The Amaruq deposit (Nunavut), owned by Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., is located in the Rae Province of the Churchill craton, within the Woodburn Lake greenstone belt. The mineralization is interpreted as a stratiform and vein‐type iron formation‐hosted gold deposit. During the last Wisconsin glaciation, it was eroded by the Laurentide Ice Sheet which covered the Archaean basement with till and remodeled the bedrock surface. Amaruq offers an excellent case study, because of the association of multiple glacial landforms, variable till thickness, lack of significant vegetation cover, and mineralized structures perpendicular to the main regional ice flow direction. Four sets of ice flow indicators are recognized. The oldest oriented towards the NNW (345°) is responsible for most of the glacial moulding of the landscape. The second and third are oriented respectively at 325° and 308°. The final ice flow is oriented toward a nearby esker. The interpretation of a detailed scale till geochemical dataset (100 m spacing) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows an association between gold and arsenic, silver, cobalt, nickel and copper in the first component (45 % variance). Kriging of PCA scores in this component at each till sampling point shows a NNW dispersal pattern in the gold mineralization signature. An area of thick till north of the Whale Tail zone suggests the deposit anomaly reaches the till surface approximately 1,5 km from the outcropping mineralization, now beneath a lake. Kristin ENS University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Isotopic and geochemical investigation of the igneous intrusions of the Little Rocky Mountain region of Montana Co‐authors: Matthew Tsui, Bruce Eglington and Camille Partin Poster 58 The Little Rocky Mountains region of Montana, near the town of Zortman and the old Zortman‐Landusky gold mine, preserves exposures of Precambrian basement and overlying Palaeozoic to Mesozoic sediments. These sediments are intruded by lamprophyre dykes and a series of granite and syenite porphyries. Previous K‐Ar dating suggests that the porphyries are Eocene in age although no high‐temperature mineral phases such as zircon have been dated. The Little Rocky Mountains exposures are located near the northern margin of the Wyoming Craton, close to the boundary of the Great Falls tectonic zone. Both ultramafic and felsic intrusive lithologies occur in close proximity. Their occurrence near the crustal to lithospheric contact may reflect deep‐
penetrating structures, possibly associated with Eocene reactivation well inboard of the coeval volcanic arc igneous activity which occurs further west in Washington and Oregon states and in British Columbia. Whole‐
rock Rb‐Sr, Sm‐Nd and Pb‐Pb isotope analyses, lithogeochemistry and zircon U‐Pb and Lu‐Hf isotope analyses 16 are being conducted to better constrain the timing and nature of the igneous activity and the crustal/lithospheric source regions involved. Rachel GAVIN University of British Columbia, British Columbia Field Relationships and Structure of Silver‐rich Veins, Cariboo Gold District, British Columbia Co‐authors: Murray Allan, Terence Harbort and Craig Hart Poster 46 The Cariboo Gold District (CGD) in east‐central British Columbia is a hotbed for gold exploration and production. The Cariboo gold rush began in the late 1850s with the discovery of placer‐gold in streams near Likely and the Wells‐Barkerville area, and lode‐gold was discovered not long after. To date, the CGD has yielded an estimated 118 ‐ 134 tonnes of gold (Levson and Giles, 1993). Although structural controls appear to be similar throughout the CGD, not all mineralized veins are gold‐bearing; a cluster of argentiferous quartz veins, located 23 km southeast of Barkerville Gold Mines’ Cow Mountain deposit, are dominated by silver, copper, lead, zinc and tungsten minerals with little to no gold mineralization. Relatively fresh lamprophyre dikes, some containing xenoliths of quartz vein fragments, intrude close to and apparently cross‐cut these veins. Silver Mine, Penny Creek, and Cariboo Hudson are examples of such occurrences. Silver Mine, a past‐producer and the most prominent vein in this cluster, is the focal point of this study. Detail maps and field observations produced in the summer of 2016 are presented, as well as preliminary results from petrographic and structural analysis. Janelle GHERASIM Utah Valley University, USA Geochemical and Sociological Study of Backyard Wells and Gardens in Utah Valley, Utah Co‐authors: Sterling Roberts, Skyler Tulley, Brennan Christensen, Anthony Bradford, Colby Oliverson, Joshua Mcneff, Jarrett Nichols, Jake Sorensen, Steven H. Emerman, Alexander T. Simon and Eddy Cadet Poster 102 Ferreira (2013) documented elevated concentrations of As and heavy metals in rivers that flow westward across the Wasatch Range and heavily‐populated Utah Valley, Utah, to drain into Utah Lake, which is consistent with the history of unregulated mining in the watershed of Utah Lake. In Utah Valley it is not uncommon for urban residents to dig and maintain shallow (< 10 m) wells in their backyards, although the practice is illegal in Utah and unusual in urban areas outside of developing countries. Since the rivers in Utah Valley are losing streams, the question arose as to the levels of As and heavy metals in these shallow wells. Chemical analysis of 107 backyard wells thus far has shown that EPA Drinking Water Standards are not met for Mn, As, Cd, Fe, Cu, Pb, and nitrate in 18.7%, 15.9%, 6.5%, 6.5%, 0.9%, 0.9%, and 0.9% of wells. According to a preliminary analysis of 20 interviews carried out, wells are dug and maintained for emergency planning and for watering lawns and livestock and are conservative in terms of their social, political and religious attitudes. In fact, owners of backyard wells are no different than the mainstream of Utah culture, which suggests that backyard wells may 17 be very common throughout the state. These findings raise the possibility that a state water policy that is backed by the public ought to include the promotion and legalization of safe water supply at the household level. Rohanna GIBSON British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Syncollisional Middle Jurassic volcanism and porphyry‐style alteration in Stikinia: a new metallogenic epoch in northwestern British Columbia? Co‐author: Bram van Straaten Poster 4 Geologic mapping and geochronological studies on the northeastern margin of Stikinia identified an unusual late Early to Middle Jurassic volcanic succession that hosts porphyry‐ and epithermal‐style mineralization. We assign it to the recently defined Horn Mountain Formation. The sequence is coeval with accretion of Stikinia and Quesnellia; volcanic rocks of this age are rare in northern Stikinia. The Horn Mountain Formation (ca. 5.4 km thick, Toarcian to Bajocian) consists of lower subaqueous mafic volcanic breccia units, an overlying subaerial mafic flow, volcanic breccia and tuff unit, and an unconformably overlying mafic volcanic flow unit. It gradationally overlies sedimentary rocks of the Spatsizi Formation (up to 1 km thick, late Pliensbachian to Toarcian). The Horn Mountain Formation is cut by the Three Sisters pluton (ca 173‐169 Ma) and unconformably overlain by sedimentary rocks of the Bowser Lake Group (Bajocian). Folded Takwahoni Formation (Pliensbachian) sedimentary rocks structurally overlie the Horn Mountain Formation in the hanging wall of the south‐verging Kehlechoa thrust fault. The Snowdrift Creek pluton (Late Jurassic) cuts the Kehlechoa fault and constrains movement to ca 170‐160 Ma. The Horn Mountain Formation hosts two early‐stage porphyry projects. At Tanzilla, advanced argillic and porphyry‐style alteration hosts anomalous Cu‐Mo. The McBride Cu‐Au showing has widespread quartz‐
sericite‐pyrite and local potassic alteration. We extended the advanced argillic alteration at Tanzilla for at least 17 km along an unconformity within the upper Horn Mountain Formation. Syncollisional late Early to Middle Jurassic magmatism and volcanism represent a potential new metallogenic epoch for the Canadian cordillera. Martyn GOLDING Geological Survey of Canada, British Columbia Conodonts from the Cache Creek and Stikine terranes in northern British Columbia and southern Yukon Co‐authors: A. Zagorevski and M.J. Orchard Poster 73 As part of the geological framework of ancient oceanic crust activity of the GEM‐2 Cordillera project, more than 500 archive conodont samples housed at the Geological Survey of Canada have been re‐examined. These samples have been collected over the past 40 years by numerous GSC mappers and external collaborators, and 18 define a unique dataset that has previously only been available from largely unpublished paleontological reports. The current contribution presents a tabulation of all of the collections containing identified conodonts from the northern parts of the Stikine and Cache Creek terranes, and a map showing their areal distribution, covering the Laberge, Whitehorse, Teslin, Skagway, Atlin, Tulsequah, Dease Lake, Cry Lake, Telegraph Creek, Spatsizi River, Iskut River, and Bowser Lake map sheets. These samples vary from Mississippian to Triassic in age. All of the samples have been re‐assessed, and the conodont taxonomy has been updated. Reported stratigraphic ages have been confirmed or, in some instances, modified. This compilation reflects the current state of knowledge of conodont palaeontology in this area, and serves as a baseline for ongoing and future work in these regions. Additional sample collection and analysis is underway to supplement the archival data, and to refine biostratigraphic correlations in the Stikine and Cache Creek terranes. Comparison of the conodont faunas from these terranes will help to constrain the tectonic relationships between them during the late Paleozoic and the early Mesozoic. Craig GREEN University of Victoria, British Columbia Geological Setting of the Rock Canyon Creek REE‐Fluorite Deposit, BC, Canada Co‐authors: George J. Simandl, Suzanne Paradis, Fiona Katay, Mihoko Hoshino, Yoshiaki Kon, Shunsuke Kodama and Chris Graf Poster 53 The Rock Canyon Creek rare earth element (REE)‐fluorite deposit lies within the foreland fold and thrust belt of the Canadian Cordillera, 300 metres east of the Munroe Lake thrust fault, which, in the deposit area, divides the Main Ranges from the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The deposit is hosted by the un‐
subdivided Middle Devonian Cedared and Burnais formations, consisting mainly of dolostones, solution‐
collapse breccia, and laminated silty, calcareous gypsum. Fluorite bearing outcrops occur over an area 3300 by 750 metres. The steeply dipping REE‐fluorite zone was intercepted by drilling along strike for more than 1100 metres, to a depth of 124 metres; remains open along strike and dip, and may be over 50 metres thick. Based on surface mapping and borehole logging, the deposit appears to be concordant with stratigraphy. Most of the mineralization occurs as breccias and fracture fillings in fluorite‐impregnated dolostone. Fluorite concentrations vary from less than 1% to 13.5% by weight, and light REE (Ʃ Ce+La+Nd) concentrations vary from trace to 2.8%. REE are hosted mainly by bastnasite‐(Ce), parisite‐(Ce), synchysite‐(Ce), and REE‐bearing phosphates. Bulk rock geochemistry, petrography, mineral chemistry, fluid inclusion studies and age‐dating of pyrite mineralization using Re‐Os isotope system, and monazite using U‐Pb isotope system will be used to characterize the mineralizing system and to compare it with those responsible for the formation of Mississippi Valley‐type deposits. Hiruni GUNAWARDANA Western University, Ontario Use of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility in Cu and PGE bearing gabbroic units in Marathon ON, to analyse petro fabrics 19 Co‐author: Philip J.A. McCausland Poster 104 A study of petro fabric assessment of Cu and PGE bearing gabbroic units is conducted on drill core samples obtained from Marathon, ON. The samples were obtained from three mineralization zones and were analysed with the use of Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS). These magmatic Cu‐PGE sulphide deposits are considered to form within magma conduit style settings. As expected, bulk magnetic anisotropy is influenced with the preferred orientation of the long axes of grains of magnetite which is similar to the overall petro‐fabric of the samples defining the flow direction of the magma. Susceptibility ellipsoids were constructed with the analysis of AMS measurements and were plotted on a Flinn diagram to investigate the dominant petro fabric textures, indicating the presence of a well‐defined planner fabric. Samples that gave results of the highest degree of planar fabrics were from the Two Ducklake Gabbro lithology; the primary lithological host of most of the Marathon deposit of Cu and PGE. Streonet projection of the directional distribution analysis of the maximum and intermediate vector directions of the susceptibility ellipsoid orientations gives a well‐defined planner fabric orientation direction existing within the rocks. This planner fabric strikes at 350 and dips at 20° to the west, agreeing quite well with the orientation of the main mineralization unit, the two Ducklake Gabbro. Therefore the AMS fabric orientation seem to agree quite well with the orientation of the mineralization unit, indicating a potential tool that can be used during investigations of geophysical vectoring in mineral exploration. Tian HAN British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia New British Columbia lithogeochemical database: Development and preliminary data release Co‐authors: Alexei S. Rukhlov, Mustafa Naziri and Adrienne Moy Poster 12 A new database system was developed to maintain, update, and manage the province‐wide lithogeochemical data collected by the British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS) geoscientists and their research partners. The database was currently populated with the data compiled from 214 BCGS publications (e.g. OpenFiles, GeoFiles, Geological Fieldwork, Geoscience Maps, Bulletins, etc.) between 1986 and 2015, including ~11,000 samples with about 250,000 determinations analyzed by 26 analytical methods in 21 laboratories. The operation of this database was conducted through a semi‐automated process for data compiling, quality control, uploading, and product generation, which facilitates consistent, standardized, and long term data storage and update, and regular data release. For this preliminary data release, we derived the data product from the database and made it available to the mineral exploration industry and the general public. The product was provided in a user‐friendly format, which can be easily brought into GIS and geochemical data analytical environments for visualization and analysis. Nathan HAYWARD Geological Survey of Canada, British Columbia 20 Reconsideration of Cenozoic drainage evolution in southern Yukon, through Digital Terrain Model restoration of the Tintina Fault Co‐authors: Jim Ryan and Lionel Jackson Poster 80 The impact of Tintina fault displacement on the development of the Yukon River and drainage basin of central Yukon is investigated through geophysical and hydrological modeling of digital terrain model data. Geological evidence suggests that the Yukon plateaus have been stable features since the late Mesozoic, with relatively low incision rates over the last 100 Ma. The Tintina fault is interpreted to have experienced ~430 km of dextral displacement, primarily during the Eocene. However, the alignment of channels across the fault at specific displacements, coupled with recent seismicity/fault activity, suggest that the fault may have moved in stages over a broader timespan. Models show that Yukon River drainage northwestward into Alaska via the ancestral Kwikhpak River has only been viable at fault restored displacements of 0 to ~50‐55 km. At restored displacements of 230 to 430 km, our models illustrate that paleo Yukon River drainage may have flowed eastward into the continental interior via an ancestral Liard River. We interpret the drainage reversals convincingly attributed to the effects of Pliocene glaciation as an overprint on far more ancient Yukon River reversals attributed tectonic displacements along the Tintina fault in the early Cenozoic. This revised drainage evolution has wide‐reaching implications for surficial deposits, and most notably for placer gold deposits, and the flow direction and channel geometries of these ancient rivers. This technique could be applied to other transcontinental fault zones around the world to reconsider the neotectonic effect on landscape evolution; this is not likely a phenomenon unique to Yukon. David HEBERLEIN Heberlein Geoconsulting, British Columbia Preliminary results of a geochemical investigation of halogen and other volatile compounds related to mineralization: Lara volcanogenic massive‐sulphide deposit (NTS 092B/13) and Mount Washington epithermal gold prospect (NTS 092F/14), Vancouver Island, BC Co‐author: C.E. Dunn Poster 37 The halogens (F, Cl, Br and I) are common constituents of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. They are particularly enriched in differentiated magmas; the hydrothermal fluids and volatile compounds derived from them play an important role in the mobilization and transport of metals in ore‐forming systems. This study seeks to assess their usefulness as exploration tools by establishing their signatures and those of other volatile compounds (e.g. ammonium) in common vegetation species, transpired fluids from trees, Ah horizon soils, soil emanations and snow over concealed mineralized bodies at two localities on Vancouver Island. At the Lara VMS deposit near Chemainus sampling was carried out on a 100 by 100 m grid over the mineralized stratigraphy. A single multi‐media transect was sampled over the epithermal Au system at Mt. Washington near Courtenay, with additional parallel lines sampled for mountain hemlock and Ah soils. 21 Much of the work done to date has focussed on developing effective analytical methods for complex organic‐rich sample media that cannot be determined by traditional analytical methods. Most results are pending. Preliminary results show that at Lara there is a strong enrichment of fluorine in western sword fern compared to other common vegetation species, and positive but variable responses of all the halogens and ammonium in transpired fluids over Au mineralization at Mt. Washington. The clearest signature for fluorine in vegetation was obtained by first reducing the tissues to ash, thereby eliminating the multiple interferences from the organic compounds in the dried tissues. Christopher HERRON Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Defining the Carbonate Alteration Footprint of the Cortez Hills Carlin‐type Au Deposit in North‐
Central Nevada, USA Using Stable Isotopes 13C and 18O as a Mineral Exploration Tool Co‐authors: G. Dipple and A. Beinlich Poster 55 A stable isotopic approach was applied to the Cortez Hills 10 Moz Carlin‐type gold deposit (42‐37 Ma) to define the carbonate alteration footprint. This deposit is located in central Nevada, USA along the Battle Mountain‐
Eureka Trend within the Cortez District.The goals of the study were to elucidate fluid flow processes and to define the distal alteration halo surrounding the deposit. The alteration footprint was examined at the micro (mm) ‐ to macroscales (km) through field mapping, core logging and sampling of drill core, pulped rock, surface areas and reverse‐circulation chips. These samples are combined with detailed lithogeochemistry and stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses that were performed using the off‐axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy analyzer [1]. Results from ~1400 drill hole pulped rock samples display a correlation between stable oxygen compositions and Carlin‐type pathfinder elements (As, Au, Hg, Sb, Tl) that can be utilized as a vectoring tool for fluid pathways and mineralization. The most altered areas (18O is 2‐18‰ VSMOW) are proximal and within the orezones and major faults. The results show that the alteration halo extends for >2 km. Alteration is focused along faults and sub‐horizontally permeable strata. Fluid flow predominantly upwards and outwards from is interpreted to reflect the escape of spent mineralizing fluids. [1] Barker, S., Dipple, G.M., Dong, F., Baer,D. (2009). Use of Laser Spectroscopy to Measure the 13C/12C and 18
O/16O Compositions of Carbonate Minerals. Analytical Chemistry. V.83: 2220‐2226." Mihoko HOSHINO Geological Survey of Japan, Japan Mineralogy of the Rock Canyon Creek REE‐Fluorite Deposit, British Columbia, Canada Co‐authors: Yoshiaki Kon, Shinsuke Kodama, George J. Simandl, Chizuru Namatame, Izumi Matsunaga and Tetsuichi Takagi Poster 9 22 The Rock Canyon Creek deposit is one of the most promising, drill‐investigated, REE‐bearing deposits in British Columbia. The main mineralized zone was defined by drilling over a strike length of 1100 metres and mineralization extends to a depth of more than 124 metres. The SEM‐EDS (JEOL JSM‐6610LV), powder‐XRD (Rigaku SmartLab) and Raman Spectroscopy (JASCO NRS‐5100) analyses were carried out on samples from this zone. Mineralization consists of various proportions of dolomite, fluorite, quartz, K‐feldspar, barite, porous apatite, pyrite, REE carbonates [bastnasite‐(Ce), parisite‐(Ce), synchysite‐(Ce)], and REE‐bearing phosphates [monazite‐(Ce), crandallite group minerals]. Barite and fluorite veinlets, and veinlets containing REE minerals, fluorite, barite and pyrite are cut by late calcite filled fractures. REE carbonates and mixture of REE phosphates are spatially associated with pyrite, barite and fluorite. Most of the pyrite in surface samples was destroyed by weathering and at depth, pyrite rims are replaced by hematite. Preliminary results indicate that the bastnasite‐(Ce) contains 8.7‐26.7wt% La, 24.3‐34.4 wt% Ce, from detection limit (dt)– 4.7wt% Pr, 8.2‐24.1 wt% Nd, dt – 2.84 wt% Sm, and dt‐8.42 wt% Th. Synchysite‐(Ce) contains 5.2‐17.4 wt% La, 16.6‐25.3 wt% Ce, dt‐8.3 wt% Pr, 2.6‐19.4 wt% Nd, dt‐2.13 wt% Y and dt‐3.7 wt% Th. Monazite contains 11.03‐13.03 wt% P, 14.15‐18.95 wt% La, 21.46‐32‐98 wt% Ce, 4.01‐8.80wt% Nd, and dt‐3.55 wt% Th. Monazite‐(Ce) includes impurity elements like Al, Ca, which suggests that monazite‐(Ce) are altered. Textures suggest REE‐bearing minerals, fluorite, barite and pyrite are hydrothermal origin. The compositions of REE‐bearing minerals probably reflect the evolution of hydrothermal fluids and/or geographic position of the samples within the mineralizing system. Trygve HÖY Geoscience BC, British Columbia Geology of the Christian Valley map‐area (082E/10), Boundary District, southern BC Co‐author: Wayne Jackaman Poster 22 Geological mapping of the Christian Valley map sheet is a continuation of a study of the structural and magmatic controls of mineralization in the Penticton east‐half map sheet in southern British Columbia. The area is within the Boundary District immediately northeast of the Beaverdell mining camp and approximately 60 km north of the Greenwood camp. Mining in the Beaverdell camp produced approximately 1,076,000 kg Ag and 520 kg Au from narrow, high‐grade lead‐zinc veins. The Phoenix mine in the Greenwood camp produced more than 28,340 kg Au, 183,035 kg Ag and 235,692 T Cu until its closure in 1978, and several other deposits in the camp continue to be actively explored. Historical exploration in the western part of the Christian Valley map‐area has been directed mainly towards uranium deposits and, to a lesser extent, precious‐ and base‐metal mineralization similar to that in the Beaverdell camp. The western part of the map‐area is underlain by a north‐trending graben, the Rock Creek graben, that extends northward for more than 80 km from south of the US border, through the Boundary District and into the northern part of the Christian Valley map sheet. The graben is filled with clastic and volcanic rocks of the Eocene Penticton Group that unconformably overlie late Paleozoic metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, middle Jurassic intrusions, and early Eocene granites tentatively correlated with the Okanagan batholith. In contrast, younger Eocene intrusions, mainly syenite of the Coryell suite, intrude Marron Formation volcanics of the Penticton Group within the graben. Hence, the Marron Formation was deposited between these two magmatic pulses; recent and ongoing Ar‐Ar dating of these intrusions and volcanic rocks in the Christian Valley 23 map area and the Almond Mountain map‐area immediately south (J. Gabites, the University of British Columbia) therefore tentatively restrict the age of deposition of the Marron Formation to 57‐51 Ma. The Rock Creek graben may have formed after deposition of the Marron Formation that is preserved in its core, or by growth faulting during deposition. At least some movement along the bounding graben faults clearly post‐dates the Marron, supporting a model that these Eocene volcanics are remnants of widespread volcanism, preserved from erosion in down‐dropped blocks. However, fault zones along the western margin of the graben are locally cut by fresh, undeformed dykes, lithologically similar to some phases of the Penticton Group, suggesting initiation of graben growth during Eocene volcanism. Dating of these dykes, and more robust dating of the Marron Formation and granitic rocks that form the margins of the Rock Creek graben, will help constrain the timing of movement along the bounding faults, the age span of the Marron Formation and the age and controls of associated base and precious mineralization in the district. Dillon HUME Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Structural and Mineralogical Controls of Gold Mineralization at the Tajitos Project, Sonora, Mexico Co‐authors: D. Marshall, J‐M. Staude, D. Gibson, D. Thorkelson, and F. Cazares Poster 45 The Tajitos project in Northwestern Sonora is situated within the newly defined and studied Caborca Orogenic Gold Belt (COGB). The COGB formed during the Late Cretaceous to Eocene under a compressional tectonic regime associated with the Laramide Orogeny (e.g. Izaguirre et al., 2016). The Tajitos occurence displays many of the characteristic features of orogenic gold deposits, including mineralization that is structurally‐controlled, epigenetic, vein hosted and hosted by lower greenschist facies metamorphic rocks. Field mapping, thin section and hand sample petrography, rock geochemistry, and a structural analysis are consistent with gold mineralization primarily occuring in laminated quartz‐sericite fault fill veins, with minor lower grade anomalies found in quartz‐pyrite extensional veining in quartz‐sericite‐pyrite and quartz‐
carbonate‐pyrite alteration adjacent to the fault fill veining. Gold occurs as interstial, anhedral disseminations among quartz crystals in veins, as native gold with silver impurities, uytenbogaardite (Ag3AuS2), and petzite (Ag3AuTe2). Locally, gold is spatially associated with sericite, calcite, pyrite, galena, and covellite. The fault‐fill veins are predominantly steeply dipping with northwest‐southeast orientations. The meta‐
volcanic strata are tilted to the south‐southwest and gently folded about an ESE‐WNW fold axis. The strata consists of bimodal dacitic to rhyolitic tuffs overlying basaltic to andesite flows. Locally, dioritic to gabbroic pegmatite and late Tertiary felsic and mafic dykes intrude and cross‐cuts the stratigraphy. As well, alteration haloes around fault fill and extensional veining make lithologic identification difficult. Both regionally and locally at Tajitos, late extensional faulting has offset stratigraphy and overprinted deformation fabrics in fault zones during reactivation. Wayne JACKAMAN Noble Exploration Services, British Columbia Ongoing Development of British Columbia’s Regional Geochemical Database Using Material Saved from Previous Field Surveys 24 Poster 40 Reconnaissance‐scale regional geochemical survey programs have been conducted in BC since the early 1970s and information derived from this work continues to guide and complement mineral exploration. Analytical data is systematically collected as part of original field surveys and, more recently through the reanalysis of archived materials. Re‐analysis initiatives are recognized as a cost‐effective means of improving the utility of the existing geochemical database. To date thousands of samples have been successfully recovered from storage and analyzed using modern analytical methods. Results provide lower detection levels for base and precious metals as well as pathfinder and rare‐earth elements. They also generate improved data continuity between surveys completed at different times and samples analyzed by different commercial laboratories. This poster highlights the ongoing effort of Geoscience BC and government agencies to maintain and upgrade this important geochemical data resource. Paul JAGO BC Ministry of Energy & Mines, British Columbia Mining, exploration and discovery in the North Central and Northeast regions, 2016 Poster 19 Challenges associated with low commodities prices and market volatility continued to affect the North Central and Northeast regions in 2016 and four of five operational or fully permitted coal mines, and one metal mine, remained on care and maintenance. One coal mine began restart activities immediately following a rebound in metallurgical coal price that began in August. More grassroots to early stage exploration activity was tracked in 2016 perhaps indicating the initial stage of an improving cycle for mineral exploration and investment. Underexplored parts of the two regions continue to generate interest for a variety of mineral deposit types including porphyry copper‐gold ± silver, epithermal gold‐silver, and stratiform or vein‐hosted polymetallic types; and also for coal and industrial minerals, including nephrite jade. Main highlights for 2016 included the construction and commissioning of a permanent secondary crusher at Mt. Milligan mine (Centerra Gold Inc.); restart of the Brule mine (Conuma Coal Resources Limited); review of a Mines Act permit application for the proposed Murray River underground coal mine (HD Mining International Ltd.); advancement of several environmental assessments in the review stage including Blackwater (New Gold Inc.), Kemess Underground (AuRico Metals Inc.), Giscome (Graymont Western Canada Inc.), and Sukunka (Glencore plc); continued delineation of an orebody at Kemess East (AuRico Metals Inc.); drilling programs that expanded or confirmed areas of known mineralization at several projects including Kwanika (Serengeti Resources Inc.); new high‐
priority drill targets developed at several projects; and new discoveries that continue to be made at the grassroots exploration level. Darius KAMAL University of British Columbia, British Columbia Textural characteristics and chemical composition of chlorite from the Guichon Creek Batholith, south‐central British Columbia 25 Co‐authors: Robert G. Lee, Guillaume Lesage, and Kevin Byrne Poster 64 The Upper Triassic Guichon Creek batholith is located within the Canadian Cordillera as part of the Intermontane Belt, and has surface area of approximately 1,000 km2. The batholith hosts the Highland Valley Copper calc‐alkaline porphyry district, which comprises 5 known mineralized centres: Bethlehem, J.A., Highmont, Lornex, and Valley. Chlorite forms as an alteration byproduct of primary minerals in porphyry copper deposits via hydrothermal fluid flow from a magmatic source and interaction between meteoric water and wallrocks. At Highland Valley, chlorite occurs either as part of the main and proximal sodic‐calcic alteration assemblage (albite‐chlorite‐epidote±actinolite ± diopside ± garnet) or with the generally more distal white mica‐chlorite‐prehnite assemblage. Characteristics of chlorite such as colour, structural composition, and chemical composition vary due to cation substitution, which is directly affected by temperature, pressure, and bulk rock composition. Petrographic observations and geochemical compositional tests (EMP) of chlorite collected from the medial to distal areas of the Guichon Creek batholith were conducted to evaluate the textural and chemical variations as a function of distance to mineralized centres for different styles of alteration. Chlorite associated with sodic‐calcic alteration displays anomalous blue birefringence, showing a more Fe‐rich composition, as opposed to green chlorite which indicates Mg‐rich composition. These petrographic observations and geochemical data will enhance the description of the alteration facies and their distribution at HVC, and can potentially be used to vector towards Cu mineralization. NSERC‐CMIC Footprints Exploration Project Contribution #119 Susan KARL U.S. Geological Survey, USA GIS‐based identification of areas that have potential for lode gold deposits in Alaska Co‐authors: K.A. Labay, N.B. Shew, B. Wang, and M. Granitto Poster 112 Alaska has three operating lode gold mines and numerous widely distributed historic placer gold operations that presumably indicate as yet undiscovered lode gold sources. Geographic Information System‐based analyses of statewide geoscientific databases were applied to evaluate potential for lode gold deposits in Alaska. The analyses addressed orogenic, epithermal, intrusion‐related, and non‐specific lode gold deposit types. Key features, including host rock composition, mineralogy reported from heavy mineral concentrates and site descriptions, pathfinder element geochemistry, alteration, and other factors that characterize these deposit types were integrated in the analyses to evaluate whether the deposit types could be distinguished in Alaska. Despite significant overlap in characteristics of these gold deposit types, the exercise resulted in maps that identified areas having favorability for each type. Areas characterized by 1) key features of orogenic gold deposits, such as greenschist‐grade metamorphic rocks, quartz‐carbonate veins, and the presence of gold in combination with sediment geochemistry and minerals containing arsenic and base metals, include the Seward Peninsula, Kuskokwim Mountains, Alaska Range, southern Alaska, and southeast Alaska; 2) key features of intrusion‐related gold deposits, such as shallowly exposed intrusive rocks, dike swarms, hydrothermal alteration, and gold with sediment geochemistry and minerals containing bismuth, antimony, arsenic, cobalt, copper, and molybdenum, include the Kuskokwim Mountains, east‐central Alaska, and Alaska Range; and 3) 26 key features of epithermal gold deposits, such as felsic extrusive and hypabyssal igneous rocks, sulfosalts, and gold with sediment geochemistry and minerals containing silver, mercury, and tellurides, include the Kuskokwim Mountains, Yukon Tanana uplands, and Alaska Range. Fiona KATAY Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia Exploration and Mining in Southeastern BC, 2015‐2016 Poster 18 Exploration and mining continued in the southeastern region of British Columbia in 2016. Five operating metallurgical coal mines in the Elk Valley account for the majority of Canada’s coal production, and exports. Mine expansion plans continue at 4 of the 5 mines, and several other projects are at various stages between exploration and environmental assessment. Several other mines in the region produce industrial minerals including silica, magnesite, gypsum, graphite, and phosphate. Placer mining occurs throughout the region, and several small operations produce aggregate, sand and gravel, and dimension stone. Several projects are advancing towards bulk sampling stages, re‐starts and upgrades of existing small underground operations, and mill facilities. Exploration in the region continues for a variety of deposit‐types, including: SEDEX, vein, and sediment‐hosted copper targets in the Mesoproterozoic Purcell Anticlinorium; stratiform, VMS, replacement‐style, vein, and skarn mineralization in the Kootenay Arc; skarn, epithermal, porphyry, and vein targets in the accreted terranes of Quesnellia and the Okanagan sub‐terrane; MVT, REE and industrial minerals in the Rocky Mountain foreland belt; and Mesozoic vein and shear‐related precious metal mineralization throughout the region. Rachel KIM Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia New U‐Pb age constraints and lithogeochemical classification for Late Cretaceous volcanics in the TREK project area, central British Columbia Co‐authors: J.J. Angen and C.J.R. Hart Poster 31 Recent development of the ~10Moz Blackwater Au‐Ag intermediate sulfidation epithermal deposit in central British Columbia (BC) has generated interest in the host rocks that belong to the Late Cretaceous Kasalka Group. These are consequentially considered to be highly prospective for exploration; however targeting efforts have been hindered by difficulties in distinguishing the Kasalka Group from similar‐looking Jurassic and Eocene volcanic rocks across the Nechako Plateau. Reported age constraints at Blackwater range from 69‐73 Ma, but previous regional mapping and studies have provided a wide range of reported K‐Ar and U‐Pb ages for rocks assigned to the Kasalka Group, spanning from 67 to 108 Ma (MacIntyre, 1978; Leitch et al., 1991; Friedman et al., 2001; Ferbey and Diakow, 2012). Recent regional‐scale bedrock mapping with Geoscience BC’s TREK project has identified new exposures of Late Cretaceous volcanics in the Nechako Plateau. New U‐Pb 27 zircon geochronology, lithogeochemistry and petrography has allowed for an updated characterization of the Kasalka Group in the Nechako Plateau which will aid future exploration targeting efforts. Julia KING Geoscience North, British Columbia FREE‐D: Viewing and Integrating Spatial Data Using Free Software Co‐author: Alan R. King Poster 111 2D and 3D GIS software are powerful and increasingly essential tools for geologists. The cost of these ubiquitous products can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars per year. These costs are a significant barrier to extracting knowledge from data for academics, students, mineral exploration companies, and the public; however, these platforms are essential to optimizing the use of public and private data. This poster summarizes open source and/or free 1D, 2D GIS, and 3D and 4D visualization tools from academic and industry sources, with the goal of sharing spatial data platforms for all to use, share, interpret, and communicate geoscientific data. These software packages include: The Kansas Geological Survey 1D tool, 2D QGIS, 2D gvSIG, 2D Google Earth Engine, Mira Geoscience's 3D Geoscience Analyst, Geosoft's 2‐3D Oasis Montaj Viewer, 4D ParaviewGeo, and UNAVCO's 4D GEON IDV software tools. Examples are taken from B.C. mineral exploration, geo‐hazard and mapping projects. In addition to enhancing data interpretation, these tools can be used to promote understanding and communication between all stakeholders: the public, non‐earth scientists, students, academics, stakeholders, government and industry. Nikolett KOVACS Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia New geological insights into the Carmacks Copper Cu‐Au‐Ag deposit, central Yukon Co‐authors: M.M. Allan, A. Zagorevski, J.E. Milton, and C.J.R. Hart Poster 96 The Carmacks Copper Cu‐Au‐Ag deposit is hosted in compositionally heterogeneous, foliated and folded, and variably migmatitic metamorphic rocks, which occur as elongate, NNW‐trending inliers in Early Jurassic granitoids of the Granite Mountain batholith. Hypogene copper mineralization is restricted to metamorphic host rocks, and occurs both as foliation‐parallel chalcopyrite‐dominant stringers in schistose rocks, and as net‐
textured bornite‐chalcopyrite‐dominant sulphides in the migmatitic rocks prevalent along the eastern margin of the largest metamorphic inlier. The latter style of mineralization is interpreted to originate from a sulphide melt phase generated during partial melting of a previously mineralized protolith, during emplacement of the Granite Mountain batholith. 28 Gabriel LAUZON Université du Québec à Montréal, Quebec Till Composition and Surficial Geology of the Wholdaia‐Abitau Lakes Area, South Rae Craton, Northwest Territories Co‐authors: J. Campbell, M. Roy, A.S. Dyke, and S. Pehrsson Poster 98 In 2015, 1:100 000 scale surficial geology mapping and a reconnaissance‐scale till sampling survey were completed within NTS map sheets 75A and 75B by the Geological Survey of Canada during the first year of the South Rae Activity of the Geo‐Mapping for Energy and Minerals Program (GEM‐2). This previously unmapped area lies in the southern part of the Rae Craton, Northwest Territories. This region is extensively covered with glacial sediments with bedrock exposure generally less than 10%. Ground observations were recorded at 157 sites and 94 till samples were collected for compositional analyses including geochemical and heavy minerals. Erosional ice‐flow indicators (e.g. striations, roches moutonées) and streamlined landforms record at least four phases of ice flow. A poorly defined old flow of unknown sense (SSE/NNW) and temporal relationship is recorded at a few sites. Well defined indicators reveal a clockwise rotation in regional ice‐flow directions, shifting from a southward to a southwestward flow. A late deglacial westward flow is recorded only in the north part of the map area. The dominant regional ice flow direction is to the southwest. The sediment cover consists mostly of till (till veneer, till blanket, hummocky till) intersected by NE‐SW trending eskers systems and subglacial meltwater corridors. The poster will present preliminary results focusing on the ice‐flow reconstruction, till composition and the spatial distribution of major and trace elements of the till matrix geochemistry, gold grains and selected indicator minerals. Emily LAYCOCK McGill University, Quebec The Snowfield Deposit: A Gold‐Enriched Copper Porphyry System in NW British Columbia Co‐authors: A.E. William‐Jones, and J. Clark Poster 50 An important question in understanding the genesis of porphyry deposits, is why are some of these deposits unusually enriched in gold? The Snowfield porphyry in Northwestern British Columbia, provides a unique opportunity to address this issue. A review of the literature suggests that it is one of the most gold‐enriched porphyry systems in the world, with unusually high gold/copper ratios. In addition to the exceptionally high Au:Cu ratio, the extensive quartz‐sericite‐pyrite alteration assemblage observed at Snowfield, cannot be satisfactorily explained by the classic telescoping porphyry model. It may reflect a more complex hydrothermal evolution. The aim of the research is to gain a better understanding of the nature of the hydrothermal fluids and the physiochemical conditions related to the gold mineralisation and alteration at Snowfield. These conditions will be interpreted within the evolution of the porphyry system. The overarching objectives are to use this 29 information to determine why the deposit is unusually rich in gold, validate new field strategies for mapping alteration, and develop tools for vectoring to mineralisation in future exploration. This poster will present some initial results, which include detailed petrography and SEM imaging that display important mineral relationships and textures, as well as preliminary alteration mapping using a field portable spectrometer. Well‐Shen LEE Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia A Petrographic Comparison of Gold‐bearing Veins Near the 5 Moz Coffee Gold Deposit, Dawson Range, Yukon Co‐author: Murray M. Allan, Kathryn R.G. MacWilliam, Stephen Bartlett, Greg McKenzie, and Craig J.R. Hart Poster 95 The discovery of the 5 Moz Coffee gold deposit in 2009 emphasizes the exploration potential of the Dawson Range, Yukon, but relatively little is known about the metallogeny of Coffee or related gold prospects in the region. This study focuses on three mid‐Cretaceous hydrothermal vein systems in close proximity to Goldcorp’s Coffee deposit: ‐Sugar, Boulevard and Toni Tiger. The limited amount of quartz veining associated with mineralization at Coffee has made determinations of fluid chemistry and ore‐forming conditions difficult to constrain through fluid inclusion studies. This study compares the vein mineralogy, paragenenesis, sulphide minerals and fluid inclusion composition of similarly quartz‐carbonate‐sulphide veins in Boulevard, Sugar and Toni Tiger, and to assess possible genetic relationships with gold mineralization at Coffee. Mineralization features at Sugar and Boulevard are similar to those at Coffee, with (1) a strong Au‐As‐
Sb signature, (2) gold inferred to be largely present in solid solution in arsenian pyrite; and (3) sulphides occurring as wall rock disseminations and in fault or vein breccias. Veins at Sugar and Boulevard share several important characteristics: (1) a quartz‐carbonate ± arsenian pyrite ± arsenopyrite ± tetrahedrite ± stibnite mineral assemblage; (2) common sulphide paragenesis of early euhedral pyrite and arsenopyrite overprinted by late arsenian pyrite ± (native gold?); (3) syn‐mineralization polyphase breccia and shear structures. Microthermometric data show mineralizing veins at Boulevard and Toni Tiger have a common parent fluid containing ~3 wt% NaCl, 16 mol% CO2, trapped at >280°C and >1100 bars. However, quartz veins at Toni Tiger are distinctive in that they contain molybdenite as the main sulphide mineral. These quartz‐molybdenite veins are preceded by an earlier quartz‐garnet vein generation that is more intimately associated with calc‐silicate alteration. Guillaume LESAGE Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia District‐scale porphyry‐related hydrothermal alteration and the quantitative use of feldspar staining: the case of Highland Valley Copper, British Columbia Co‐authors: Kevin Byrne, Robert G. Lee, and Craig J.R. Hart Poster 63 30 The Highland Valley Copper district (HVC), near Kamloops, British Columbia, contains four mineralized porphyry Cu ± Mo centers hosted in the Late Triassic Guichon Creek batholith. Porphyry copper systems form when large quantities of magmatic fluids are exsolved from a magma chamber and react with the country rock, causing hydrothermal alteration that may include changes in feldspar species modal percentages. The spatial distribution of district‐scale hydrothermal alteration at HVC is strongly controlled by structural permeability. The main alteration assemblages observed include: (1) potassic alteration (K‐feldspar±biotite) striking dominantly NNE and approximately E, (2) sodic‐calcic alteration (albite‐chlorite‐
epidote±actinolite±diopside±garnet) striking dominantly NNE and WNW, (3) coarse‐grained white mica alteration striking dominantly NE and NW, and (4) white mica‐chlorite‐prehnite alteration striking dominantly NNE. Quantitative image analysis of feldspar stained rock slabs using the ImageJ software is a cheap and effective technique to assess the nature and intensity of hydrothermal alteration. Vein‐controlled K‐feldspar alteration can be identified by analyzing the shape and size of particle fit ellipses in the slab and detecting samples containing anomalously large and elongate ellipses corresponding to interconnected grains in veins. Because sodic‐calcic alteration destroys K‐feldspar, it can be identified by a ratio of K‐feldspar to plagioclase, and a K‐feldspar particle count per area decreasing by up to three and two orders of magnitude respectively. Quantifying feldspar alteration can significantly improve the mapping of alteration distribution and intensity by recognizing otherwise cryptic features not consistently observed by geologists in the field. NSERC‐CMIC Mineral Exploration Footprints Project Contribution Number 113. Gloria LOPEZ Alberta Geological Survey, Alberta Alberta Interactive Minerals Map: A View to Alberta's Metallic and Industrial Mineral Occurrences Co‐authors: Rastislav Elgr, John Pawlowicz, Jill Weiss, Noah Nahachewsky, Lori Walton, and Dean Rokosh Poster 110 Historical records document nearly 100 years of mineral exploration and industrial mineral production in Alberta. However, compared with other jurisdictions in Canada, mineral development within the province remains at an early stage. The absence of a single repository for mineral data provided the impetus to review and inventory existing data held at the Alberta Geological Survey (AGS). A collaboration between the AGS and Alberta Energy resulted in the Alberta Interactive Minerals Map (AIMM), a web‐based easy to use interactive tool for viewing and querying information about Alberta's metallic and industrial mineral occurrences. This project has involved a significant compilation effort to gather mineral information from existing holdings, industry reports, journal publications and mineral assessment reports. Since its 2015 release, AIMM has been accessed over 15,000 times, providing local and global users with an array of base maps, layers, datasets, and supporting information for viewing and downloading mineral data. Currently, AIMM shows location and characteristics of mineral occurrences in the province including industrial mineral mines, industry resource estimates (including historical), kimberlite indicator mineral data and mineral survey results for metallic, industrial minerals and also wastewater from formation brines generated during oil and gas production activity. AIMM also displays the surficial and subsurface geology of Alberta, new glacial landform, sediment thickness and bedrock topography as base maps. AGS will continue to migrate, validate and analyze mineral data into AIMM to ensure efficient and timely dissemination of information. 31 Meaghan MACPHERSON Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia The genetic and exploration significance of ferromagnesian silicate compositions for metamorphosed sediment‐hosted Cu‐Au mineralization in the Kanmantoo Group, South Australia Co‐authors: Paul G. Spry, Katherine A. Tott, Alan E. Koenig, and Joseph Ogierman Poster 100 Multiply deformed sedimentary rocks of the Kanmantoo Group, South Australia, which were metamorphosed to the amphibolite facies, host Cu‐Au and Pb‐Zn‐Ag deposits. The Kanmantoo Cu‐Au deposit, the largest in the Kanmantoo Group (31.3 Mt @ 0.8% Cu and 0.2 g/t Au), is characterized by discordant and pipe‐like orebodies (Kavanagh and Spitfire) along with concordant mineralization (Nugent). Previous studies have suggested a syngenetic origin for the Pb‐Zn‐Ag deposits whereas syngenetic and epigenetic models have been proposed for the Kanmantoo deposit. The recognition of the stratiform nature of the Nugent orebody at Kanmantoo and of a zone chalcopyrite‐pyrrhotite‐magnetite‐rich rocks at the Wheal Ellen Pb‐Zn‐Ag deposit, which is the dominant mineralogy in the Kanmantoo deposit, suggests a genetic link between the two deposit types. A principal component analysis of garnet compositions further supports the concept of a link between these ore types. Garnet in country rock schists within the Kanmantoo Group contains approximately 5‐10 wt.% MnO, whereas that in Pb‐Zn‐Ag deposits contains up to 30 wt.% MnO. The MnO content of garnet in the Kavanagh and Spitfire orebodies contains 2‐4 wt.% MnO, whereas up to 10 wt.% MnO occurs in garnet from the Nugent orebody. The distinctive compositions of garnet at Kanmantoo, along with those for staurolite (up to 2000 ppm Mn and up to 1.38 wt.% ZnO), biotite (up to 200 ppm Mn and Zn), and chlorite (up to 650 ppm Mn and up to 180 ppm Zn) constitutes a potential pathfinder to Cu‐Au deposits in the Kanmantoo Group. Kathryn MACWILLIAM Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Uncovering alteration through petrography, geochemistry and hyperspectral analysis at the Coffee Gold deposit, Dawson Range, Yukon Co‐authors: Murray M. Allan, Lionel C. Fonteneau, Craig J.R. Hart, and Tim Smith Poster 94 Determining the hydrothermal alteration associated with mineralization is important for understanding the genesis of a mineral deposit. This is particularly important where alteration is cryptic, and not easily identified by traditional techniques such as core logging and petrography. The Coffee Gold deposit is a mid‐Cretaceous, structurally controlled, gold only, near surface and oxidized deposit with a large (5 Moz) resource located in the Dawson Range, Yukon. Mineralization is hosted in meta‐ psammites and semi‐pelites, orthogneiss, and biotite granite, with gold occurring in solid solution within arsenian pyrite, and where oxidized, as nanoparticles of native gold within pyrite rims. The dominant alteration assemblage consists of micro‐ to cryptocrystalline quartz‐illite‐kaolinite‐dolomite that is intricately intergrown. Hyperspectral VNIR/SWIR analysis, petrography, alteration geochemistry, and imagery analysis highlights a complex association of alteration minerals. Alteration imagery and spectral analysis emphasize intricate textural associations of white mica, kaolinite, and 32 carbonate. Both kaolinite and white mica predominantly exhibit moderate to low crystallinities suggesting low temperatures of formation (~200°C). White mica compositions range from Na‐rich paragonite to Fe‐rich phengite, the latter commonly replaced by auriferous arsenian pyrite. Ammonium‐bearing white mica is observed in mineralized and/or oxidized rocks suggesting fluid interaction with carbonaceous host rocks. Iron spectrum in carbonate‐rich samples provides further evidence for Fe‐rich and non‐Fe carbonate phases. Goethite is the predominant oxide mineral, and is commonly intergrown with hematite. These alteration features indicate a low temperature, moderate pH (4‐5) hydrothermal fluid, which interacted with locally carbonaceous host rocks was responsible for auriferous pyrite mineralization. Neal MANKINS Oregon State University, USA Vein Orientation and Structural Geology of the Boulder Batholith, Mount Thompson Quadrangle, southwestern Montana Poster 59 The Mount Thompson 7.5 Quadrangle is located in the central Boulder Batholith, between Butte and Helena. The Boulder batholith is host to numerous metalliferous vein deposits, including those in the Butte District. Recent USGS (EDMAP)‐funded geologic mapping at 1:24,000 scale in the Mount Thompson Quadrangle focussed on new measurement of vein and fault orientation and compilation of previous data. The orientations of vein systems observed in the Mount Thompson Quadrangle are consistent throughout the Boulder Batholith. Several vein types are hosted in the Boulder Batholith and shortly post date emplacement of the 76 Ma Butte granite. Two distinct vein orientations have been identified on stereonet plots: 1) massive milky‐grey East‐West 98˚ striking quartz veins with dip range of 73˚North‐72˚South, and 2) NE‐SW (azimuth 157˚) striking quartz‐chalcedony veins with dip range 65˚NW‐76˚SE. Vein mineralogy includes three subsets: 1) massive grey quartz 70‐80% of which are locally vuggy quartz with abundant sulphides (Py>Ga>Sl>Cp), 2) quartz‐sulphide‐
poor veins 65% with chalcedony, 3) cm‐scale milky quartz veins 20% with tourmaline. Additionally, a younger set of sulphide‐rich (Py>Sl>Ga) veins at the Montana Tunnels Mine cut the ~50 Ma diatreme breccia and a Lowland Creek Volcanics pyroclastic vent. The Boulder batholith veins are systematically zoned on the km scale around heat centers (e.g., Comet and Occidental Plateau) from high to low temperature. Temperature zoning occurs as tourmaline, to quartz‐sulphide (Pb‐Zn‐Ag±Cu‐Au), to quartz‐chalcedony in the periphery. Erica MASSEY University of British Columbia Okanagan, British Columbia A comparative study of glaciovolcanic palagonitization of tholeiitic and alkaline sideromelane at Helgafell, Iceland and Wells Gray, BC Canada. Co‐authors: J.D. Greenough and B.R. Edwards Poster 103 33 Pleistocene glaciovolcanic eruptions occurred frequently beneath continental‐scale ice sheets that produced vitric, fragmental volcanic deposits in Helgafell, Iceland (tholeiitic basalt) and Wells Gray, BC, Canada (alkali olivine basalt). The deposits are highly susceptible to hydrothermal alteration that transforms sideromelane (basaltic volcanic glass) into palagonite (early amorphous material) and secondary minerals (i.e. zeolites, clays and sulfides). Compositional controls, mass transfer and geochemical‐textural relationships are investigated by optical microscopy, Electron Microprobe Analysis and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, and geochemical modelling. Helgafell’s thinner (6‐10 microns) palagonite rims demarcate highly vesicular (30.2%) sideromelane that has more gel‐material (18.9%) and secondary minerals (1.4%) than Wells Gray’s microlite‐rich (12.3%) sideromelane. The thicknesses of palagonite rims are similar whether the sideromelane is unaltered or completely altered and at least two important geochemical‐textural relationships are formed during palagonitization (e.g. spherical textures and geochemical‐textural trends across palagonite rims). Multi‐dimensional scaling confirms that sideromelane composition, reflecting igneous processes, strongly controls the chemistry of palagonite. Microprobe traverses identified eight prominent geochemical trends across the glass‐palagonite interface and palagonite rim, which do not appear to be controlled by sideromelane composition. Several element concentrations decrease in palagonite, including Si (by ~3‐10%), Al, Ca and Na, while Ti, Fe and Mg concentrations increase. Locally, the palagonite has an inner Ti‐rich zone. The gradual increase in Mg across the palagonite rim may be indicative of changes in solubility and pH. Mass balance calculations from Gresens’ isocons demonstrate that the calculated range of percent mass transfer is strongly affected by assumptions about the concentrations of water inferred to be present in palagonite. The calculations are also most consistent with a two‐stage process of mass transfer. Martin MCCURDY Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Geochemical maps for Mineral Exploration: New Lake Sediment Data from Quebec and Labrador Co‐authors: S.D. Amor, D. Corrigan, R.G. Garrett, and F. Solgadi Poster 72 This poster highlights the GSC’s new multi‐element lake sediment geochemistry maps to be released in Spring 2017 that will support of mineral exploration in the Core Zone and Labrador Trough regions of Quebec and Labrador. These maps present new and compiled data for the largest contiguous area ever covered by a geochemical map in Canada and highlight for the first time a new geochemical province, as well as regional and local scale anomalies. The new geochemical data and maps are the result of collaboration between the Geological Survey of Canada, the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources naturelles du Quebec, under the GEM2 Hudson‐Ungava Project. Duncan MCLEISH McGill University, Quebec The nature and origin of the Brucejack high‐grade epithermal gold deposit, British Columbia, Canada 34 Co‐authors: Anthony E. Williams‐Jones and Warwick S. Board Poster 47 A major challenge in understanding the genesis of epithermal gold deposits is that existing genetic models do not satisfactorily explain the mechanisms responsible for high‐grade gold deposition at temperatures characteristic of the epithermal realm (150–300°C). Although transport by dissolution in an aqueous hydrothermal liquid is the widely‐proposed mechanism for mobilizing gold within Earth’s upper crust, experiments have shown that the solubility of gold is too low in hydrothermal liquids at temperatures of < 400°C to account for the extraordinarily high grades observed in some epithermal deposits. The Brucejack deposit, currently undergoing preproduction mine development in northwestern British Columbia, is host to one of the highest grade epithermal gold deposits in the world. Results from our preliminary petrographic and mineral‐chemistry investigations of mineralized quartz‐electrum±carbonate veins from Brucejack indicate that the deposit formed from a hydrothermal system with a complex history of multiple, possibly long‐lived mineralizing events. The formation of the five synmineral vein stages and substages appear to have resulted from multiple pulses of fluid that circulated through the deposit under dynamic physicochemical conditions, including possible fluid‐overpressure and silica‐dissolution events. We aim to develop a detailed genetic model for Brucejack by: (1) continuing chemical and petrographic characterisation of Brucejack ores and associated hydrothermal alteration, (2) determining the composition of mineralising fluids through fluid inclusion analysis, and (3) reconstructing the physiochemical conditions that controlled Au mineralisation through thermodynamic modelling. If successful, our study will improve on existing genetic models for epithermal gold deposits and the strategies that guide their exploration. Mitch MIHALYNUK British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Turtle Lake area geology, NTS 104M/15, northwest British Columbia Co‐authors: Alex Zagorevski, Dejan Milidragovic, Maria Tsekhmistrenko and Nancy Joyce Poster 3 Turtle Lake map area is bordered to the north by Yukon and is bisected by north‐south‐trending Tagish Lake. It straddles the boundary between exotic oceanic crustal and mantle rocks of the Cache Creek terrane and coarse clastic strata of the Early Jurassic Whitehorse Trough. Marine Whitehorse Trough sediments are believed to have been deposited on the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic forearc of the Stikine terrane. Final juxtaposition of Stikine and Cache Creek terranes was accommodated by collapse of the Whitehorse Trough before mid Middle Jurassic time. However, newly documented and isotopically dated field relations point to an important episode of faulting that involved early Late Cretaceous strata and significantly modified this boundary. Dejan MILIDRAGOVIC British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia The Mount Hickman ultramafic complex, northwestern British Columbia: an Fe‐rich Alaskan‐type intrusion 35 Co‐authors: A. Zagorevski and J.B. Chapman Poster 8 Middle to Late Triassic magmatism played a key role in the development of northern Stikinia and its prolific porphyry mineralization. The majority of plutonic rocks emplaced during this period are felsic to intermediate; ultramafic plutonic rocks are rare and may provide constraints on the early magmatic processes, influencing both the Cu‐Mo‐Au and Ni‐Cu‐PGE mineralization in Stikinia. The Mount Hickman ultramafic complex is an Alaskan‐type intrusion of Middle to Late Triassic age located in northwestern British Columbia. The cumulate rocks of the complex are predominantly composed of olivine ±magnetite clinopyroxenite, but also include subordinate serpentinized dunite, wehrlite, and gabbro. Magnetite is a volumetrically significant primary phase, especially in magnetite‐olivine clinopyroxenite, where it may comprise up to 40 % by volume. In contrast to most other Alaskan‐type intrusions, and terrestrial ultramafic plutons in general, the Mount Hickman ultramafic complex has an unusually high concentration of FeOTOT, including ~21 wt. % in serpentinized dunite. We consider three petrologically viable scenarios, which may account for the elevated FeOTOT concentrations of the Mount Hickman complex dunite. These are: metasomatic enrichment, mixing between genetically related basaltic magmas, and mixing between genetically unrelated primitive (basaltic) and evolved (Fe‐enriched) magma. Preliminary considerations suggest that the high contents of FeOTOT in the Mount Hickman ultramafic complex reflect mixing of relatively primitive high‐MgO silicate magma, and a dense Fe‐Ti‐P –rich highly oxidized magma. Deanna MILLER British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia A Depth‐to‐Bedrock 3D Model Pilot Project for Ootsa Lake, Central BC: An Aid to Mineral Exploration Co‐authors: Stephen Rowins and Yao Cui Poster 14 The British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS) conducted a pilot project to test the methodology and applicability of 3D modelling to generate a simple depth‐to‐bedrock predictive map for the Ootsa Lake porphyry Cu‐Mo‐Au district using datasets provided by Gold Reach Resources. The completed depth‐to‐
bedrock model predicted the overburden thickness based on extrapolation between drillholes, surface outcrops, and LiDAR data. Where combined with geophysical datasets and geochemical anomalies identified from Regional Geochemical Survey (RGS) data, the depth‐to‐bedrock map has proven to be helpful in ranking exploration targets. Geochemical anomalies that were located in areas of shallow cover ranked higher than similar geochemical anomalies over areas of thicker overburden. This ranking was based on the fact that Ootsa Lake is an area with variable depth‐to‐bedrock cover, thus this predictive model could reduce drilling costs by avoiding those areas of deep cover where drillholes are easily lost or difficult to complete. JoAnne NELSON British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia 36 What’s up down there? Opening the door to Stikinia’s basement Poster 5 Near Terrace, BC, stratified rocks of Stikinia are intruded by the Early Jurassic Kleanza pluton. They are fault‐
juxtaposed to the west with the Central Gneiss Complex and Early Jurassic Shames River intrusive complex. Farther west, the Ecstall belt is a mid‐Paleozoic arc complex intruded by Mississippian and Early Jurassic plutons. Geological continuity across the Terrace‐Ecstall transect is demonstrated by similar igneous geochemical signatures of Mississippian and Early Jurassic suites. Mississippian suites are silica bimodal, showing subduction influence in felsic rocks and non‐arc immobile element signatures in metabasalts. Early Jurassic intrusive phases show continua on modified alkali‐lime, aluminum saturation and Fe* vs. silica plots, increasing LREE/HREE and HREE/MREE with silica, and influence of plagioclase and hornblende fractionation. The Early Jurassic intrusions are interpreted as evolving in related magma chambers within a structurally‐
controlled permeability corridor along the terrane‐transverse Skeena arch. Middle Jurassic stratified rocks west of Anyox at the southern end of the Eskay rift comprise basalt, rhyolite, and associated sedimentary units. They correspond to the Iskut River Formation, the fill of the Eskay rift in the Iskut region. The Ecstall belt and the cryptic Precambrian source of detrital zircons in the Iskut River Formation near Anyox (Evenchick and McNicoll, 2002) are parts of the composite, pre‐late Paleozoic basement. Major long‐lived (Late Devonian to Recent) N‐S and E‐W fault corridors in Stikinia cut across different basement components, suggesting that their precursors formed after amalgamation of its basement, prior to the Stikine assemblage. Graham NIXON British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Geochronology of the Turnagain Alaskan‐type intrusion and implications for Ni‐Cu‐PGE mineralization Co‐authors: J.E. Scheel, R.M. Friedman, C.J. Wall, J. Gabites and J.S. Scoates Poster 7 Geochronology (U‐Pb, 40Ar/39Ar) and field mapping of ultramafic‐mafic rocks forming the Early Jurassic Turnagain Alaskan‐type intrusion in north‐central British Columbia has established a multi‐stage history of emplacement. Four distinct intrusive phases are recognized (from oldest to youngest): Phase 1, interlayered wehrlite and clinopyroxenite; Phase 2, mainly dunite and wehrlite with minor clinopyroxenite and hornblendite; Phase 3, mela‐diorite and hornblendite; and Phase 4 clinopyroxenite, hornblendite and minor leuco‐diorite. Magmatic Ni‐Co‐platinum group element (PGE) sulphide mineralization hosted by Phase 2 forms a subeconomic resource of 1842Mt grading 0.21wt% Ni, and Phase 4 contains additional occurrences of Cu(‐
PGE) sulphides. U‐Pb dating by chemical abrasion‐isotope dilution‐thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA‐
ID‐TIMS) yields the following 236U/208Pb dates (±2σ) that are interpreted as crystallization ages: Phase 2 hornblendite, 190.3±4.5 Ma (titanite); Phase 3 mela‐diorite, 188.11±0.14 Ma (zircon); and Phase 4 clinopyroxenite and leuco‐diorite, 185.63±0.19 and 185.33±0.13 Ma (both zircon), respectively. 40Ar/39Ar dating of Phase 2 wehrlite and hornblendite yield plateau ages of 188.6±1.2 Ma (2σ, phlogopite) and 187.4±1.5 Ma (hornblende), respectively, that represent cooling ages. Thus, the Turnagain intrusion was emplaced in discrete stages over a period of at least 3 million years (ca. 188‐185 Ma). The geochronology results rationalize the enrichment of chalcophile elements (Cu, PGE) in the youngest Phase 4 intrusive event: evolution towards 37 sulphide saturation in Cu(‐PGE)‐enriched Phase 4 and Ni‐Co(‐PGE)‐endowed Phase 2 intrusions evidently occurred in completely independent mineral systems. Bruce NORTHCOTE BC Ministry of Energy and Mines, British Columbia Exploration and Mining in Southwestern BC, 2016 Poster 17 The region's major metal mine, Myra Falls, and only coal mine, Quinsam, remained on care and maintenance in 2016. Most aggregate and industrial minerals producers remain in operation. The level of mineral exploration in the region in 2016 was generally low, though there were a few diamond drilling projects and a number of surface exploration programs, mainly on porphyry copper and gold vein prospects. Andrew PARSONS Geological Survey of Canada, British Columbia Investigating the Slide Mountain Terrane: Preliminary observations from Dunite Peak, Big Salmon Range, south‐central Yukon Co‐authors: J.J. Ryan and C.R. van Staal Poster 78 Understanding of the formation of accretionary orogens requires investigations of the timing, kinematics and mechanisms of terrane accretion. In the NW Cordillera, the Slide Mountain oceanic terrane (SMT) formed between Phanerozoic island arcs and the North American continent (NAC) during Devonian‐Permian times and subsequently recorded multiple deformation events during ocean closure and arc accretion. We present preliminary findings from fieldwork in the Dunite Peak area of the Big Salmon Range, south‐central Yukon; an area in which klippen of mafic‐ultramafic rocks belonging to SMT structurally overlie rocks that are interpreted as island arc basement of the Yukon Tanana terrane (YTT). The allochthon / parautochthon suture between YTT and the Cassiar terrane (CT) of the NAC has also been mapped in this region by previous workers. As such, this area provides an excellent opportunity to study the structural relationships between multiple terranes of the NW Cordillera. Initial findings from fieldwork and optical microscopy are presented, and include a new geological map and lithostratigraphic framework for the area. Currently, multiple tectonic models may be used to explain the formation and subsequent obduction and deformation of the SMT in this region. We assess these models and propose future lines of investigation that should be undertaken in order to ascertain their validity and applicability to the NW Cordilleran orogen. Christa PELLETT Geoscience BC, British Columbia Search Project: Phase II Activities in West‐Central British Columbia 38 Poster 24 The Search Project is a multi‐year Geoscience BC initiative that reveals prospective mineral areas in North Central BC using airborne surveys. A primary objective of the project is to complete airborne magnetic surveys with a line spacing of 250 m—creating an opportunity to formulate new geological interpretations at a property‐scale as an aid to explorers. The regional scale of the surveys also supports the development of a refined tectonic framework, especially in areas with poor access or low rock outcrop such as those identified in the adjoining Geoscience BC TREK project area. It is hoped that exploration sector will use this new information to focus or renew its efforts in discovering and developing opportunities within the province, and communities, First Nations and governments will benefit from new geoscience data that will assist in making informed resource‐management decisions and highlighting economic opportunities. The Search project is planned to be completed in four phases, with the results of Phase II being released at Roundup 2017. Phase II activities began in late June 2016, and a contract was awarded to Ottawa‐based Sander Geophysics Ltd., who flew an estimated 105 000 line kilometres using fixed‐wing aircraft at a predetermined height and drape over the project area. The survey followed east‐west‐trending flight lines at 250 m intervals, with north‐south tie lines specified at 2500 m intervals. Although not identified as one of its major priorities, radiometric data was also collected in the course of the survey. Barry PENNER University of British Columbia, British Columbia Structural Geometry of the Southeast Selwyn Basin: How Folded is the Selwyn Fold Belt? Co‐authors: K. Hickey, E. Martel, L. Kennedy, and H. Falck Poster 93 Mesozoic deformation of Selwyn Basin rocks in Nahanni, located ca. 50km northwest of Tungsten, NT, is poorly constrained. Data collected during four months of structural transect mapping has identified kilometer‐scale similar folding via stratigraphic repetition, mesoscopic parasitic fold vergence, and bedding‐foliation vergence patterns. Three structural‐lithostratigraphic domains are distinguished based on complex foliation relationships across the study area. Domain 1 is defined by four tectonic foliations overprinting bedding, two‐fold generations, and biotite‐zone metamorphism affecting coarse sandstones and shales. This domain is not yet correlated with the remaining two. Domain 2 is defined by one crenulation foliation (S2) axial planar to one‐
fold generation, and biotite‐zone metamorphism with localized growth of andalusite, cordierite, and rare staurolite in coarse sandstones and shales. Domain 3 is defined by one foliation, one‐fold generation, and sub‐
chlorite zone metamorphism affecting fine shales and minor carbonates. This foliation is correlated with the S2 fabric of domain 2 along the Fork Anticline. The relative intensity of strain fabrics is consistent both regionally and through the stratigraphic column, and no evidence for significant thrust‐related shortening is observed. The next phase of research will focus on correlating foliations across domains, relating metamorphic assemblages to tectonism, and developing a kinematic history for LPS in Nahanni. A kinematic history for LPS in Nahanni will provide important constraints on the transition of strain accommodation mechanisms from the inner to the outer Cordilleran FAT belt, and will clarify outstanding questions posed by the mineral exploration community regarding the geometry of Nahanni rocks. 39 Jan PETER Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Targeted Geoscience Initiative: Research on depositional controls on volcanic‐ and sedimentary‐
hosted base metal sulphide deposits Co‐authors: Michael G. Gadd, Daniel Layton‐Matthews, Matthew I. Leybourne, Nigel Bocking, Simon Jackson, Ming Liu, Madison Schmidt, Daniel Kontak, Beth McClenaghan, Bruce E. Taylor, and Nicholas Johnson Poster 70 This project is focused on four areas: 1) Evaluation of the relative roles of anoxia (no O2 in the water column), euxinia (H2S in the water column) and microbes in SEDEX and VSMS deposit formation. The long‐standing exploration model for these deposits is that reduced (organic matter‐rich and pyritic) sediments are a key requisite (as an inhibitor of destructive seafloor oxidation in the case of VSMS), as is the involvement of microbes in the water column. 2) Genesis of metalliferous shale deposits, an important global resource for Zn‐Ni‐Cu‐Mo‐Se‐U‐V ± Cr‐
Co‐Ag‐Au‐PGE and REE. Genetic and exploration models are myriad, with interpreted sources of metals including seafloor hydrothermal, ambient seawater/phosphogenesis/high organic productivity and extra‐
terrestrial. There is significant potential for the further discovery and development of such deposits in Canada, but the lack of consensus on genetic controls hinders exploration. 3) Evaluation of direct magmatic contributions of metals and volatiles to VMS deposits. Fluid inclusion salinities are mostly substantially greater than seawater. Various mechanisms have been proposed to explain these values, including direct contribution of a saline magmatic fluid. For some deposits, there are other indicators (e.g., “magmatic suite” trace metals; S, H, O stable isotopic; radiogenic Pb isotopes; aluminous alteration assemblages) that provide supporting evidence of a magmatic contribution. 4) Evaluation of the utility of non‐traditional size fractions of indicator minerals (e.g., <0.25 mm) in VMS as a record of fluid‐rock interaction and their potential use in exploration. Yuliana PROENZA Apex Geoscience Ltd., British Columbia Direct‐use Geothermal Resources in British Columbia Co‐author: Catherine Hickson Poster 23 A follow‐on project to carry out recommendations from Report 2016‐07 (http://www.geosciencebc.com/s/Report2016‐07.asp) was undertaken during August to December 2016. The recommendations were to raise awareness of Direct‐use development possibilities in BC and interact closely with communities (including First Nations) to provide guidance as to the value and variety of Direct‐use geothermal applications. Educational activities for the general public and to school educators were also developed. A total of 83 communities in BC were provided with the results and 29 communities participated actively to learn and evaluate possible next steps. A one day workshop was organized in Agassiz, BC, a 40 presentation was given to the Northeast BC Resource Municipalities Coalition Forum in Fort St. John and a delegation presentation was delivered to the Board of Directors of the Thompson‐Nicola Regional District. These activities engaged 20 communities and more than 10 electoral areas. Challenges were encountered to actively involve other communities and so bridging material was developed. An introductory webinar is currently being developed with BC Economic Development Division to be delivered winter 2017. Other steps included the development of a website resource portal, a Twitter account (www.twitter.com/BCGeoHeat) and the recording of eight modules in webinar format that are available on the website (www.bcgeoheat.com). Collaborations with Northern Lights College, BCIT and Thomson Rivers University will provide project results for post‐secondary and continuing education students. In addition to community interaction, a proposal for Carbon Tax Credits and incentives for Direct‐use Geothermal Investments was developed as a way to encourage communities to develop Direct‐use projects. Mana RAHIMI Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia Multi‐Depth Structural Interpretation of Western Skeena Arch Using SeArch Phase 1 Aeromagnetic Data, west‐central BC Co‐authors: Joel J. Angen and Craig J.R. Hart Poster 32 Identification of the structural framework is critical to mineral exploration and geological mapping of any area. An advanced method for interpretation of gridded magnetic data has been applied to interpret and visualize newly‐acquired SeArch geophysical data as an important source of information for identifying lineaments and subsurface structures. The method provides an effective approach to identify the fault systems that affect the source rocks and control fluid flow in mineralized areas. The Skeena Arch is a northeast‐trending geomorphological belt of dominantly Jurassic rocks located in west‐central BC. The SeArch project area spans two mineral‐rich geological terranes, covering 6755.6 km2 within the western Skeena Arch. A structural framework is derived from aeromagnetic structural interpretation using Advanced Edge Detection techniques (AED). A variety of different derivative layers of the magnetic data such as analytical signal, vertical derivative, total horizontal derivative and tilt derivative (Ferreira et al., 2011; Verduzco et al., 2004) were considered. As well, the Multi‐scale Enhanced Edge Detection method was applied to identify shallow, mid‐depth and deep structures. The method provides the information on the 3D orientation of structures based on the maximum horizontal gradient in potential‐field anomalies and upward continued levels. The results were interpreted and evaluated through comparison with available datasets to aid in understanding the tectonic trends of the area and potential structural constraints on mineralization. The identification of aeromagnetically‐defined structural zones clarifies the type, series and the depth of structures in different geological domain in the SeArch area which can advanced targeting for high‐probability mineralized regions. Abdul RAZIQUE University of British Columbia, British Columbia 41 Anatomical Variation of the Hydrothermal Alteration at Reko Diq Western Porphyry Copper‐Gold Complex, Balochistan, Pakistan Co‐authors: Richard Tosdal and Farhad Bouzari Poster 60 The Reko Diq western porphyry complex in Chagai belt, Balochistan Pakistan host a cluster of porphyry copper‐
gold deposits containing a significant geological resource of 5.9 Gt @ 0.41% Cu and 0.22 g/t Au. Magmatic‐
hydrothermal activity result in the formation of four distinct porphyry centers including H79, H15, H14 and H13 developed from north to south. These porphyry centers are roughly 1‐km apart and are spatially and temporally associated with late‐Miocene (13‐12Ma) calc‐alkaline porphyry intrusions hosted by Oligocene andesitic volcanic and clastic sedimentary rocks. The porphyry intrusions are characterized by phenocrysts of plagioclase feldspars, quartz, biotite, and minor amphibole in a microcrystalline groundmass. The multiphase overlapping porphyry intrusions are accompanied by sodic‐calcic, potassic, sericite‐chlorite, phyllic, and propylitic alteration assemblages introducing distinct alteration patterns and variation between the adjacent porphyry centers. The early porphyry intrusions are overprinted by intense potassic alteration of hydrothermal biotite – K feldspar ‐ magnetite ± anhydrite with associated quartz A‐ and B‐type veins and sulfide mineralization. The H79 complex in the north and the H13 complex to the south are intruded by late dacite porphyry intrusions leading to formed smaller donut‐shaped ore bodies. The central H14 complex has well‐preserved potassic alteration and a distinct high‐grade bornite core. In contrast, potassic alteration in the older H15 complex is largely overprinted by sericite‐chlorite alteration assemblage where bornite is less in volume to chalcopyrite. The hydrothermal fluids in H15 complex appear to have evolved to high‐sulfidation sulfide mineral assemblages of pyrite‐
covellite‐bornite‐chalcopyrite and associated quartz‐sericite alteration restricted to vertical narrow zones and stratabound horizons. The sodic calcic alteration of albite‐epidote ± actinolite ± chlorite at depth > 1‐km overprint potassic alteration assemblages. The cream‐white albite replaces K‐feldspar and epidote replaces plagioclase and actinolite or chlorite replaced igneous mafic silicates. The potassic and sodic‐calcic alteration at deeper levels are deficient in sulfides and contain less than 1% chalcopyrite ± pyrite. The potassic alteration assemblages at shallow depths in all porphyry centers are overprinted by sericite‐chlorite and superimposed by intermediate argillic alteration of illite‐smectite assemblages. The outer phyllic alteration zone is characterized by pale‐white quartz, fine‐grained sericite (muscovite), abundant pyrite, and traces of chalcopyrite overprinted by kaolinite and montmorillonite. Peripheral volcanic and sedimentary rocks around the western porphyry complex are characterized by intense propylitic alteration of chlorite‐epidote ± pyrite‐carbonate assemblage. The youngest and late mineral porphyry intrusions are volumetrically smaller and form narrow low‐grade core in each porphyry deposit at western Reko Diq. Andrea REMAN University of Waterloo, Ontario Towards a 3D Quaternary and Neogene Stratigraphic Model of the Highland Valley Copper Mine Area, South‐Central British Columbia Co‐authors: Martin Ross and Robert Lee 42 Poster 62 The study of sediment successions that partly or completely cover known mineralization can help understand the masking or dispersing effect on geophysical and geochemical properties. Highland Valley Copper (HVC), a large porphyry Cu‐Mo system located in British Columbia, is partially covered by more than 200 meters of Quaternary and Neogene sediments. Till geochemistry and indicator minerals have recently been identified at surface and traced back to their shallow mineralized source. However, we know little about the composition and physical properties of the sediment cover directly overlying the more deeply buried mineralized zones. The goals of this research are to 1) define the three‐dimensional sediment stratigraphy at HVC, 2) investigate the physical properties of the main subsurface units to constrain geophysical inversions, 3) identify mineral indicators and geochemical pathfinders throughout the successions and establish their provenance, and 4) determine the depositional processes of sedimentary units. The methodology focuses on a facies analysis and stratigraphic correlation of nine sonic drillcores at depth ranging from 124 to 242 metres. Petrophysical properties (magnetic susceptibility, chargeability and porosity) will be used to characterize the main units. Provenance will be determined based on the lithology of pebbles, heavy minerals and the geochemical makeup of the silt and clay fraction. The provenance study will also include identification of possible signature of the buried mineralization and alteration in the sediment cover. Preliminary results suggest complex stratigraphic architecture with lateral facies transitions, as well as depositional units of variable spatial extent. NSERC‐CMIC Footprints Exploration Project Contribution #117 Alexei RUKHLOV British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Apatite compositions as a proxy for the oxidation states of porphyry Cu‐Mo‐Au deposits Co‐authors: Stephen M. Rowins, Mao Mao, Laurence A. Coogan, and Jody Spence Poster 13 A wide range of oxidation states characterize magmatic‐hydrothermal systems that form porphyry Cu‐Mo‐Au deposits. High oxidation states are recognized as an important factor in the genesis of giant porphyry systems, but the wide range of oxidation states that accompany porphyry formation indicates that the role of oxygen fugacity in the ore‐forming process is complex. Previous studies have shown that concentrations of multivalent elements S, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ga, As, Ce, and Eu in apatite can be used as redox sensors in magmas and fluids. Here we follow up the utility of apatite chemistry as a redox proxy using both new and published electron microprobe (n = 650) and laser‐ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (n = 712) data from five Neoarchean monzonite‐syenite plutons of the southern Abitibi belt and twenty porphyry Cu‐Mo‐Au deposits with oxidation states ranging between ΔFMQ = ‐3 to +3, based on independent estimates from petrologic buffers. Apatites from reduced, ilmenite‐bearing, calc‐alkaline porphyry systems (e.g., Catface, North Fork, San Anton, Troilus) have much lower S, V, and Eu contents than those of oxidized monzonite‐syenite intrusions and alkalic porphyry Cu‐Au systems (e.g., Mount Polley, Redgold, Dobbin). Apatites from oxidized, magnetite‐
bearing, calc‐alkaline porphyry Cu±Mo±Au (e.g., Kemess, Highland Valley) and porphyry Mo (e.g., Boss Mountain, Endako) systems have intermediate contents of these elements. These elements in apatite appear to correlate with the oxidation state of the magmas. Concentrations of Mn, As, and Ce vary up to three orders of magnitude between individual deposits suggesting additional controls of their behavior. 43 Jim RYAN Geological Survey of Canada, British Columbia Preliminary geological map of the Klaza River area, west‐central Yukon Co‐authors: Steve Israel, Andrew Parsons, Nathan Hayward and Stephen Williams Poster 79 Mapping in the Klaza River area in 2016 improved on reconnaissance work completed in the 1970’s, and extends new published mapping in the Mount Nansen – Nisling River area (carried out in 2015) immediately to the southeast. Mapping was greatly assisted in this area of variable quality of bedrock exposure by recently acquired 400 m line spacing aeromagnetic data. Many of the older, more deformed and metamorphosed rocks in the area correlate to established units within Yukon‐Tanana terrane, dominated by Snowcap assemblage siliciclastic rocks composed mainly of quartzite, micaceous quartzite and psammitic quartz‐muscovite‐biotite (± garnet) schist. Igneous lithologies characteristic of Yukon‐Tanana terrane are generally restricted to area’s easternmost extent. Two major mid‐Cretaceous granitic batholiths dominate the area and are divided into the Dawson Range batholith (DRB) in the north, characterized by blocky hornblende bearing granodiorite, and the Maloney Creek batholith (MCB) in the south, characterized by monzogranitic composition, light smoky quartz phenocrysts, and higher abundance of biotite. We discriminate mid‐Cretaceous to Tertiary volcanic and hypabyssal rock sequences in the area in order to better understand their map distribution, and potential for mineralization (e.g., the Late Cretaceous Casino Suite). This task is complicated by similarities in appearance and character amongst these units. Our mapping clarifies a sequence of volcanic and hypabyssal rocks in the northern part of the area, and correlates them with the mid‐Cretaceous Mount Nansen group volcanic rocks, rather than with the early Late Cretaceous Open Creek volcanics, as currently exhibited on regional maps. Dave SACCO Palmer Environmental Consulting Group, British Columbia Identifying Mineral Exploration Targets in the TREK Project Area, Central British Columbia (parts of NTS 093B, C, F, G), using a Multimedia and Multivariate Analysis of Geochemical Data and a Preliminary Method of Sediment Transport Modelling Co‐authors: Wayne Jackaman, Ray Lett, and Brodie Elder Poster 39 Geoscience BC’s Targeting Resources through Exploration and Knowledge (TREK) project has produced a comprehensive collection of geoscience information for a highly prospective area in central British Columbia. Up to this point, the surficial geochemistry component of the project has focused on new till and lake sediment sampling combined with a reanalysis and genetic interpretation of similar archived data, resulting in one of the largest, high‐quality, and directly comparable surface sediment exploration datasets in North America. This value‐added project provides advanced processing of the TREK geochemical data that incorporates a bedrock 44 and surficial context into the evaluation to better understand the complex nature of this information. Exploration targets will be identified through a multimedia and multivariate analysis that highlights samples with geochemical signatures similar to specific common deposit types. In addition, a method to delineate potential source regions, or areas of influence (AOI), for till and lake sediment samples will be developed and tested. A catchment basin analysis will be used for the lake sediment samples. Till sample AOI will be delineated using ice‐flow data and known sediment transport distances. Till AOI are designed to spatially associate till samples to a dominant bedrock source unit. This association will be used to level the till geochemical data and mitigate the influence of contrasting rock types on the regional till geochemical dataset, which should improve anomaly identification. The overarching goal of this project is to increase exploration activities in the TREK project area by identifying new exploration targets. Jeffrey SALVADOR University of Calgary, Alberta Crystal Chemistry and Structure of Anomalous Birefringent Cubic Uvarovite Garnet, Ideally Ca3Cr2Si3O12 Co‐author: Sytle Antao Poster 56 Extensive research on the anomalous birefringence phenomenon of the garnet group of minerals still continues to be the focus and interest of many geoscientists today. Previous studies from over a century of investigations attribute the occurrence of optical anisotropy mostly but not limited to, cation ordering on the dodecahedral {X} and octahedral [Y] sites, lattice mismatch at compositional boundaries caused by strain, and from the presence of hydrous components within the tetrahedral (Z) site. However, the origin remains debatable and is still unclear. Uvarovite, a rare mantle‐derived garnet, ideally, Ca3Cr2Si3O12, is the least studied silicate end‐
member species. Under crossed‐polarized light, this beautiful emerald‐green mineral displays distinct birefringence of 0.001‐0.006 with some crystals exhibiting additional anisotropic features revealing a sectored ‘bowtie’ structure with well‐defined extinction positions. Birefringent uvarovites from Finland, California, Russia, and Switzerland are the focus of this study. Using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and synchrotron high‐resolution powder X‐ray diffraction (HRPXRD) further reveals the correlation of the anomalous birefringence in relation to crystal chemistry and structure. Our results are consistent with other anisotropic garnets analyzed with EPMA and HRPXRD, further supporting the cause of anomalous birefringence in uvarovite garnets, as derived from strain closely related to crystals containing the existence of secondary cubic uvarovite phases consisting of slight variations in chemical compositions. Ernst SCHETSELAAR Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Integrated 3D model of the magmatic‐hydrothermal evolution of the New Afton alkaline porphyry deposit, British Columbia, Canada. Co‐authors: Gilles Bellefleur, Jim Craven, Don White, Mike Thomas, Victoria Tschirhart, Mark Pilkington, Randy Enkin, John Percival, Jean Percival and Neil Rogers 45 Poster 67 The Geological Survey of Canada’s Targeted Geoscience Initiative is developing an integrated geophysical imaging and 3D geological modelling research study of the New Afton porphyry deposit located in the Canadian Cordillera of south‐central BC. This alkaline Cu‐Au porphyry deposit previously supported an open pit operation and is currently being mined at deeper levels through underground workings, providing geological constraints extending beyond 1.5 km in depth. This study intends to combine new vertical seismic profile (VSP) and 3D magneto‐telluric (MT) surveys, along with multi‐parameter deep drillhole geophysical logs, and 3D modelling to elucidate the magmatic hydrothermal processes and structural controls responsible for concentrating metals in porphyry deposits. A 3D drillcore database compiled from new and existing geological, geochemical and petrophysical data that will calibrate and validate 3D qualitative and quantitative interpretations of the proposed VSP and MT surveys, resulting in an internally self‐consistent multi‐parameter 3D model. A complementary activity is planned to integrate magnetic, geochemical and magnetite microprobe analyses to gain insight into the magmatic and hydrothermal evolution of the porphyry deposit. The multi‐parameter 3D model of the deposit will be interpreted in the context of deep crustal architecture and magmatic sources to constrain the role of mid‐ to deep crustal tectonomagmatic processes in the formation of porphyry mineralization. Paul SCHIARIZZA British Columbia Geological Survey, British Columbia Continuing stratigraphic studies in the Nicola Group: Stump Lake ‐ Salmon River area, south‐central British Columbia Poster 6 The Nicola stratigraphic framework project, initiated in 2015, was implemented to provide a regional‐scale stratigraphy for the Nicola Group (Triassic), the defining supracrustal element of the Quesnel arc terrane in southern British Columbia. The 2016 mapping program covered the eastern part of the Nicola belt southeast of Kamloops, between Stump Lake and the Salmon River. Here, the Nicola Group is subdivided into 3 units, which show strong similarities to 3 of the 4 assemblages established to the north, in the Bridge Lake – Quesnel River area. Most widespread is the volcanic sandstone unit (assemblage two), comprising plagioclase‐pyroxene sandstone, locally intercalated with volcanic conglomerate or siltstone. The pyroxene basalt unit (assemblage three), overlies the volcanic sandstone unit in the western part of the area, and consists of massive pyroxene (±plagioclase±hornblende)‐phyric basalt and associated breccias. The polymictic conglomerate unit (assemblage 4) comprises conglomerate with a distinctive clast population that includes mafic plutonic rocks. It overlies the volcanic sandstone unit in the eastern part of the area, across a contact that is suspected to be a significant disconformity. The Salmon River unit, Triassic conglomerate, calcareous sandstone, and siltstone, occurs east of the Nicola Group, where it overlies Paleozoic schists of the Chapperon Group across a well‐
defined angular unconformity. Although not included in the Nicola Group, it might form an eastern sedimentary facies that underlies or interfingers with the group. Elizabeth SHARMAN Mineral Deposit Research Unit, University of British Columbia, British Columbia 46 Constraining Metal and Magma Sources and the Provinciality of Cordilleran Porphyry Systems: The BC Pb Isotopic Advantage Co‐authors: Craig J.R. Hart, Janet Gabites, James Mortensen, and Colin Goodwin Poster 51 Economically significant Late Triassic to Early Jurassic porphyry Cu±Mo±Au systems in BC have a wide range of associated magmatic rocks, oxidation states, metal types and sizes, and preferentially form in certain districts or belts in Quesnellia and Stikinia. While magmatic and hydrothermal process are ultimately responsible for ore deposition, the source of the magmas, metals and sulphur are likely key constraints to their provinciality, endowment and metal character. Although geodynamic models have been proposed, there is little hard data that constrains the nature of the lithospheric melt sources and their modifications that reflect tectonic geometries, and evolution as they migrate through the crust. Lead isotopes have long been recognized as robust indicators of signatures of various lithospheric and crustal influences, as well as constraining potential metal reservoirs in ore systems, and will be the primary tool utilized in this study. This research will bring forward and update the Leadfile (BCGS Paper 1988‐2) with data in publications and lost in theses. With the new robust dataset, it will be queried, geographically, geologically, and with respect to plutonic suites and metal tenor of the ore systems in question to determine trends and patterns that contribute to magmatic evolution of the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic arcs. Clinton SMYTH Georeference Online Ltd., British Columbia Using Hyperspectral Core Imaging to distinguish Important Mineral Alteration Assemblages within the Big Bulk Porphyry Gold/Copper System at Kinskuch Lake, British Columbia Poster 52 Changes in mineral alteration assemblages within and around mineralised porphyry systems can provide powerful vectors towards the best‐mineralised zones within those systems. These changes are often very subtle, gradational, and not discernable by the human eye. Hyperspectral scanners can, however, detect these changes, and, when systematically deployed on drill core, provide semi‐quantitative mappings of the degree of change from top to bottom of a drillhole. This poster presents the results and interpretation of automated TerraCore Hypespectral scanning of drill core from the Big Bulk Copper Gold Porphyry System in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle. A workflow is demonstrated for managing the large volume of digital information generated by such core scanning, and for integrating that information with other sources of data. The hyperspectral information is used to show that a high‐grade copper / gold intersection near the top of a drillhole at Big Bulk is accompanied by a higher temperature alteration assemblage than a lower grade intersection deeper in the hole – differences which have important exploration implications, but which were not observed by the original loggers of the borehole. Carl SPENCE‐JONES University of Leeds, UK 47 Evaluation of trace elements in gold by LA‐ICP‐MS: preliminary results of placer‐ lode studies in British Columbia Co‐authors: Robert Chapman and David A. Banks Poster 33 The elements present in natural gold have commonly been determined by electron microprobe (EMP), but the high detection limit of this method limits those that can be quantified. Laser ablation‐ inductively coupled plasma‐ mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) can provide quantitative analyses for a much greater number of elements to sub‐ppm levels. Here we present the results of two initial studies where the enhanced range of elements detectable by LA‐ICP‐MS has been applied to the potential use of gold as an indicator mineral for the style of source mineralization. Our new results reveal that detrital gold derived from the alkalic porphyries of Mt Milligan, Copper Mountain and Afton exhibit a very similar trace element signature. Previously EMP studies revealed the significance of elevated Pd and Hg in the Au alloy, but the full concentration range of these elements, (at much lower concentrations), is now available for consideration together with new data sets for Cd, Sb and Cu. All these elements are present at much higher concentrations than in gold from the orogenic mineralization near Wells. Previous gold compositional studies around Wells identified two gold populations on the basis of the Ag content and inclusion assemblage. The range of Ag in these two types overlapped, which in some cases impeded clarification of placer‐ lode relationships. Trace element signatures obtained by LA‐ICP‐MS have provided a better distinction between the gold types, such that the importance of one type is now seen to be much greater than originally believed. Jessica STROMBERG University of Western Ontario, Ontario Fingerprinting Early Gold Mineralization in the Timmins Gold Camp: Trace Element and Isotope Geochemistry of the Dome Mine Ankerite Veins Co‐authors: Erik Barr, Lisa L. VanLoon, and Neil R. Banerjee Poster 43 The Dome mine in Timmins, Ontario has produced over 16 Moz of gold to date, with ~20% mined from its ankerite veins. Early carbonate veining is common across the camp and represents the onset of a multi‐stage, ~10‐25 Ma mineralization history resulting in an over 100 Moz gold endowment. A mine to micron approach, combining conventional geochemical techniques with in‐situ high resolution trace element analysis of ore minerals was used to fingerprint the mineralization history of and develop a model for ankerite vein formation and their role in the world class gold endowment at the Dome. Trends in ankerite δ13C and delta δ18O values, and REE contents provide evidence for fluid flow direction and source, indicating that the Northeast striking ~100m wide Dome fault deformation zone likely acted as a conduit for ankerite‐forming early metamorphic fluids. Gold across the deposit (and camp) is intimately associated with pyrite mineralization. Three distinct fluid events have been identified based on 48 pyrite growth history, trace element geochemistry and gold content. The early syn‐ankerite gold event is enriched in metals and metalloids such as Cu, As, Zn and Ni with respect to the main stage mineralization which contributed the bulk of the gold to the system. This enrichment may be related to previously undescribed local lenses of massive sulphide in the Tisdale Assemblage volcanics and is followed by an Ni‐rich, Au remobilization event before main stage quartz vein hosted gold mineralization. Taija TORVELA University of Leeds, UK Structural interpretation of the Nadaleen Trend, Yukon Co‐authors: Cristina Accotto and Flora Elliston Poster 97 The Nadaleen Trend in eastern Yukon hosts Carlin‐type gold deposits. The deposits are found in the northern margin of the Selwyn Basin and are structurally controlled, associated with known fault systems. This poster presents the key findings of two MSc student projects, completed in summer 2016 at the University of Leeds, United Kingdom. The poster looks into both deposit‐scale and regional structural trends of this part of the fold‐
thrust belt, and the relationships of the structures to the gold occurrences. Both balanced cross sections and deposit‐scale 3D modelling were used to attain an understanding of the relationships between the palaeobasin configuration, fold‐thrust belt related structures, and ore mineralisations. The studies imply a strong structural control of the ores by faults, the location and geometries of which may in turn be controlled by the configuration of the palaeomargin, specifically the location and geometry of the Ogilvie Platform ‐ Selwyn Basin transition. The underlying inherited structure contributed to the present structural complexity, which probably facilitated and focused fluid flow into this specific area. There are, in addition, indications of possible local extensional/transtensional structures in the structurally complex zone, occurring within the overall compressional orogenic regime: these anomalous structures may have also played an important role for the localization of the ore. Pim VAN GEFFEN REFLEX, British Columbia Clay‐Fraction Till Geochemistry of the TREK Project Area, Central British Columbia (Parts of NTS 093B, C, F, G) Poster 26 Large parts of central British Columbia (BC) are underexplored because of extensive Quaternary cover that obscures much of the underlying geology from direct observation. As a result, exploration efforts face increased risk and must rely on indirect detection of mineralization by geophysical or geochemical methods. As these methods evolve and improve over time, integration of the various data types increases confidence in the understanding of the bedrock lithology and mineralization potential. Geoscience BC has funded several campaigns across their TREK project area in central BC. The size fraction that was selected for the till geochemistry in this project was <63 µm (silt + clay). Although this is standard practice in till analysis because 49 dry sieving to a finer fraction would be impractical, the geochemical response may still be overwhelmed by matrix components such as carbonate minerals and organic matter. To remedy the effect of matrix materials on the till analysis and reduce its heterogeneity, the clay‐sized fraction (<2 µm) can be extracted and analyzed, which has been known to provide superior results for trace elements transported by hydromorphic dispersion through the till cover. The results presented here are multi‐element data generated from the clay fraction of a subset of the TREK tills by aqua‐regia digestion and ICP‐MS analysis. Colton VESSEY University of Saskatchewan, Saksatchewan North American Cordillera reconstruction; an example for a new method of viewing regional geology and mineral exploration Co‐author: Bruce Eglington Poster 92 The North American Cordillera is a complex accretionary system that has been extensively mapped since the early 1900’s, leading to conceptual models for relative motion of many of its constituent blocks. The region is host to numerous significant mineral occurrences and deposits, including: volcanogenic hosted massive sulfides (VHMS), Mississippi valley type (MVT), clastic Pb‐Zn/ SedEx, and a variety of porphyry deposits. Variable geodynamic settings and changes throughout the Phanerozoic have produced a variety of depositional and magmatic environments, leading to this diverse range of mineralisation. Current approaches to displaying changes have been quasi‐static with most geological representations presented in the context of their present‐
day location or as schematic illustrations of past geologic plate locations. Here, we attempt to illustrate the geological evolution in a systematic, progressive context of continually varying time with plate motions. To achieve this, we draw on information from a series of structured databases which facilitate compilation of data in a uniform manner with easy updating, querying and extraction. Current data utilized includes: lithostratigraphy, ore deposits, geochronology, lithogeochemistry, isotope geochemistry, palaeomagnetic pole data, plate polygons and a rotation model. Map information and polygons representative of the geology have been taken from the provincial and state regional maps for British Columbia, Yukon and Alaska. The data systems used were initially developed as part of the IGCP 509 and 648 projects. The plate reconstruction model (Palaeoplates) is based on schematic geological interpretations produced by professionals in these areas and conceptual formation of oroclines within the accretionary collage. Stephanie WAFFORN University of Texas at Austin, USA Andradite Garnet U‐Pb Geochronology of the Big Gossan Skarn, Ertsberg‐Grasberg Mining District, Indonesia Co‐authors: S. Seman, J.R. Kyle, D.F. Stockli, and M. Cloos Poster 41 50 The Big Gossan skarn is located in the prolific Ertsberg‐Grasberg mining district, on the island of New Guinea in Indonesia. Despite its relatively small size, Big Gossan has the highest ore grades in the district (71 million tonnes at 2.39 wt% Cu and 0.91 ppm Au, assuming a 1 wt% Cu cutoff grade). Big Gossan was emplaced into the steeply upturned southern limb of the Yellow Valley Syncline near the conformable contact between the Ekmai sandstone and Waripi dolomitic limestone. Previous attempts to constrain the timing and duration of ore formation at Big Gossan have been limited to two phlogopite 40Ar/39Ar cooling ages (Prendergast et al., 2005). A novel technique developed at UT Austin directly dates andradite garnet using the LA‐ICP‐MS method. Seven garnet samples were selected for analysis, and the results show that the Big Gossan skarn formed at 2.8 ± 0.1 Ma. The BG240W‐06 sample was dated three times over a six‐month period, and the age consistently overlapped at 2.75 ± 0.03 Ma (n=150 spots) (lower intercept age, Tera‐Wasserburg concordia). This precision was achievable due to the high U contents (10‐100 ppm) and consistent common Pb composition of Big Gossan garnets. These ages are compatible with the district‐wide zircon U/Pb geochronology and the phlogopite 40
Ar/39Ar ages. The new garnet ages show that Big Gossan was one of the last ore‐forming events in the Ertsberg‐Grasberg district, and the maximum duration of skarn formation was 100 ‐ 200 kyr. Nadia YAVORSKAYA GIS of NADia Geochemical Services, Manitoba A cost‐effective way to evaluate mineral resources in covered prospects – a little known use of surficial geochemistry Poster 28 This is a rapid and cost‐effective method that allows pre‐drilling estimation of the amount of mineral resources in a hidden deposit by using surface sediment geochemical data. The technology is based on contrasting signals between background and mineralization. This technique serves as a substitute for drilling in the early stages of mineral exploration. It permits prediction of the amount of metal in a mineralized zone. Multi‐stage ore‐forming geological processes are reflected in different ranks of multi‐element dispersion trains. In general, highly productive ore systems are characterized by structured geochemical ranks. Each ore‐forming stage provides different elements for concentration on local geochemical barriers, which are reflected in the different ranks of anomalous geochemical fields (AGF). As a result, a specific ore body is characterized by a specific rank of AGF. The calculations for prospect resource evaluation take into consideration rank characteristics and estimation criteria as well as contrast and size of the defined AGF. This technology has been successful in discovering buried deposits of gold, base metals and PGE in the low‐lands and rugged terrains of Russia and Peru. A case study of lode gold exploration in Eastern Siberia is a typical example of an application of this predictive technique for pre‐drilling resource estimation, which is supported by follow‐up reserve calculations during the pre‐feasibility study. This predictive exploration geochemistry method may be of interest to junior exploration companies with limited budgets who can apply geochemistry rather than drilling in the early stages as a mineral deposit discovery tool. Ron YEHIA MYAR Consulting, British Columbia 51 Rapid, Field‐Based Hydrogeochemical‐Survey Analysis and Assessment of Seasonal Variation Using a Field‐Portable Photometer and Voltammeter, Marmot Lake NTS Area, South‐Central British Columbia (NTS 093B/13) Co‐authors: Ray Lett and Dave Heberlein Poster 38 Building on the successful outcome of a 2014 Geoscience BC project (Report 2015‐17) this project aims to build on the wealth of data available in the TREK project area. It extends the real‐time hydrogeochemical‐survey methodology to a regional setting while at the same time investigating the effects of seasonal variation. Stream water samples were collected and analysed in an area immediately southwest of Nazko, BC. Much of the study area is covered by Quaternary glacial deposits. Underlying bedrock consists of widespread Tertiary basalts (Endako Group) overlying older volcanic and sedimentary rocks belonging to the early to middle Cretaceous Skeena Group and middle to late Jurassic Hazelton Group., One hundred and fifty four water samples were collected and analyzed at Nazko during three sampling campaigns in June, August and October 2016. Nineteen duplicate samples were sent to an ALS Environmental laboratory in Burnaby, BC for analysis of cations and anions. A suite of cations and anions were analysed for by portable photometer and electrochemical voltammeter. Results show a good correlation between field and laboratory analyses with acceptable levels of accuracy and precision. Anomalous values for Cu and As were detected in streams draining two known mineral occurrences. Alex ZAGOREVSKI Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Geological relationships in ophiolitic rocks of the northern Cache Creek terrane: GEM 2 Cordillera Co‐authors: M.G. Mihalynuk, N. Joyce, S. McGoldrick, J.H. Bedard, D. Canil, and A‐S. Corriveau Poster 74 Structurally dismembered, Penrose‐style ophiolite components are well exposed in the King Mountain area where they exhibit boninitic chemistry. Nakina Formation basalt and related hypabyssal rocks, the upper crustal component of the ophiolite, are predominantly exposed further to the northwest, such as in the Nahlin Mountain‐Nakina Atlin and Teslin areas immediately above Nahlin suite ultramafic rocks. This lack of lower and middle ophiolitic crust distribution suggests removal by structural excision along an intra‐oceanic detachment zone, well known in intra‐oceanic core complexes. Ophiolitic spreading appears to have been accommodated magmatically in the southeast and tectonically in the northwest . Such a relationship may result from progressive rifting of a supra‐subduction zone ophiolite, with initial rifting accommodated magmatically in the King Mountain area ac ca. 255 Ma and tectonically in Atlin‐Jake’s Corner area at ca. 245 Ma. Re‐evaluation of tectonic relationships indicate that the Cache Creek terrane contains at least two terranes. In the Mt. Nimbus area, ophiolitic rocks are thrust over Mississippian limestone that is interbedded with ocean island basalt. Even though it may have been reactivated, this thrust demarcates the suture between upper plate arc rocks (ophiolite) and subducting plate (limestone platform). In the Jubilee Mountain area, the same juxtaposition is preserved: an isolated klippe of ultramafic rocks intruded by gabbro structurally overlies Horsefeed Formation limestone. Identification of such suture localities is critical for unravelling the tectono‐
52 stratigraphy of the northern Cache Creek terrane as it is the primary contact in the thrust stack that was later reworked by D2 folds and thrusts and younger strike slip faults. Alex ZAGOREVSKI Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Late Triassic calc‐alkaline magmatism in northern Stikinia: GEM 2 Cordillera Co‐authors: M.G. Mihalynuk, N. Joyce, R. Friedman, and D. Milidragovic Poster 75 The Late Triassic Stikine plutonic suite in Yukon is limited to small‐volume plutons, such as the Tally Ho gabbro (ca. 214 Ma) and cumulate Pyroxene Mountain Suite (ca. 218 Ma). Paucity of Stikine plutonic suite in Yukon is partly due to latest Triassic exhumation and erosion of the Stuhini‐Lewes River arc as evidenced by an abundance of ca. 210 Ma detrital zircon in the upper Lewes River and Laberge groups and in Late Triassic to Early Jurassic siliciclastic rocks that overlap or are intercalated with the Cache Creek terrane. In British Columbia, the Stikine plutonic suite comprises calc‐alkaline, diorite to monzogranite plutons. Reconnaissance work on the Stikine plutonic suite in the Tatsamenie Lake and Atlin areas revealed a compositional diversity of magmatic rocks that range from gabbro to monzogranite and yield U‐Pb crystallization and Re‐Os mineralization ages ranging from 229.7 to 217.06 Ma. Based on age constraints, mineralogy and texture, the Stikine Plutonic Suite can be divided into three broad units dominated by quartz diorite, granodiorite and monzogranite (lTrSd, lTrSgd and lTrSmz, respectively). lTrSd is restricted to the Sheslay area, where it hosts porphyry‐style mineralization at the Star Cu‐Au deposit (229.7 Ma quartz diorite). lTrSgd and lTrSmz are much more wide‐spread and are coeval with felsic volcanic rocks. Alex ZAGOREVSKI Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Mid‐Cretaceous magmatism in Yukon: inferences on magmatic sources and implications for the tectonic setting of high flux magmatic episodes Co‐authors: J.J. Ryan, N. Joyce, and W. McClelland Poster 76 The Dawson Range batholith in Yukon and eastern Alaska forms the northwestern‐most extension of the composite Coast Mountain Batholith. Whereas the Coast Mountain Batholith preserves largely overlapping magmatism that spans from Jurassic to Eocene, the Middle Cretaceous plutonic rocks in Yukon are spatially separated and/or are petrographically distinct from Jurassic, Late Cretaceous and Eocene intrusive rocks. In this study, we integrate results of mapping, geochronology, Sm‐Nd isotopes and geochemistry to clarify the relationships between the various phases of the Middle Cretaceous Dawson Range Batholith in the Stevenson Ridge area. Utilizing these new and compiled data, we make inference on the sources of Middle Cretaceous magmatism, propose a model for the generation of the Whitehorse plutonic suite, and make inferences on the tectonic setting of the mid‐Cretaceous magmatism in the northern Cordillera. 53 Zhen ZHANG University of British Columbia, British Columbia Petrochronological Characteristics of Four Zircons from Salt Lake Crater Pyroxenite Xenoliths Co‐authors: John Greenough and John Cottle Poster 57 We present a comprehensive trace element and geochronology study on four zircons extracted from two garnet‐bearing pyroxenite xenoliths recovered in Oahu, Hawaii. There are extensive published articles discussing the origin of these xenoliths, and it has been widely accepted that these rocks were formed in the upper mantle. Thus, our zircons provide the first non‐model ages of oceanic lithosphere mantle, and carry critical information regarding the evolution of the convecting mantle. In situ U‐Th/Pb and trace element data were acquired simultaneously using the laser‐ablation split‐stream method. The ages given by the zircons scatter from 12.9 ±0.2 Ma to 80 ± 2 Ma, which is in contrast to the near‐zero age as suggested in existing literature. Trace elements data suggest that these zircons are chemically distinct from mantle‐derived zircons found in kimberlites, but are identical to crustal zircons. The near‐rim domains of two zircons have lower Ce/Nd ratios compared to the core domains, indicating the zircon underwent a thermal event that was probably resulted from the addition of a depleted component. 54