NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area, North Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, geology, land use planning, ground truth survey, mapping, mineralogy

Objective(s): Provide a modern, solid geoscience knowledge basis for polymetallic iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposit-type mineralizing systems in the Great Bear magmatic zone.

Project Description: The objectives of the Great Bear/IOCG geoscience research and mapping project are to: • develop a modern geological, crustal architecture and exploration framework for polymetallic iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposit-type mineralizing systems in the Great Bear magmatic zone and new exploration methods for IOCG deposits in glaciated terrains; • validate deposit-type model for known mineral occurrences, identify new mineralizing systems in virgin territories, clarify the mineral potential of the belt, provide new exploration opportunities and catalyze discovery of other IOCG settings in the North; • refine knowledge of the geological parameters and processes that potentially control mineralization and distribution of deposits along the belt, and advance nationally and internationally the formulation of IOCG deposit models; • train a new generation of Canadian geoscientists to sustain emerging IOCG exploration in Canada's North and extend that training to some First Nations youths; • provide a solid geoscience basis for informed land use planning in Tlicho and Sahtu lands also taking into account the geology of their cultural heritage; • engage northern youths in science activities and ensure that project benefits northern development, Northerners, the Canadian mineral industry and Canadians in general. The Great Bear/IOCG project will be conducted jointly by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) and the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (NTGO). It has two leaders, Louise Corriveau (GSC) and Valerie Jackson (NTGO). Research and mapping will be conducted by a team of government scientists, university professors, professionals, laboratory technicians, post-doctoral fellow from four Geological Survey of Canada offices, the NWT Geoscience Office, the Canadian Center for Remote Sensing, the universities of Brandon, Alberta, Victoria, Laval, INRS, McMaster, Western Ontario, McGill and others as well as many contributors from the private sector. Strategic post-doctoral, Ph.D., M.Sc. and B.Sc. academic research will help deliver project outputs and expected outcomes and will ensure training of future highly qualified geoscientists. Geoscientists involved in the project have started to collaborate with members of the Tlicho and Sahtu communities engaged in land use planning, land regulation and resource management to ensure tangible results for Northerners in as short a term as possible. Some First Nations youths and collaborators will also join the researchers in the field. The researchers will attempt to limit the number of people at any one time, to lower to the maximum the impact on the land and in respect of all permits under which this project is operating. This project will involve acquisition of high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data in the North-central part of the Great Bear magmatic zone and targeted and integrated geoscience research and detailed mapping in the most prospective areas of the belt as well as target areas within virgin territories by GSC and collaborators. In parallel and in collaboration with the Great Bear/IOCG project, framework geological mapping will be conducted in the central part of the Great Bear magmatic zone by the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (South Wopmay bedrock mapping project led by Val Jackson between Acasta Lake and Hottah Lake). For each of the study areas, two-person teams will be traversing the land, looking at, documenting and in some cases sampling the rocks. A day of work involves landing with a float plane or helicopter on specific sites, locate themselves, and throughout the day map the rocks by documenting what is observed with a naked eye or with a hand lens, take small rock samples as witness, for analysis or for dating, make structural measurements with a compass, and measure in some cases the rock magnetic fields or their contents in potassium, thorium or uranium. For that they will use portable handheld magnetometer, gamma-ray spectrometer and palm computer for data collection. They will occasionally take ~1 kg samples with a hammer and a few larger samples up to about 30 kg will be taken with a sledge hammer for further examination. Till sampling will also be collected (2 bags up to 20 kg). They will use inflatable zodiac boats, fixed wing plane and helicopter to move around the project area. They expect to travel mostly within about 100 km from our camps. As per all the other types of study, there will be no lasting impact on the land, or anything left behind. The Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) Great Bear/Iron Oxide Copper-Gold (IOCG) project will significantly modernize the geological framework and the understanding of the mineral potential of a geological corridor between Great Bear and Great Slave Lake that overlaps with lands First Nations have to manage and plan for. Collaboration is on-going with government officials and aboriginal organizations. The results of this research will be formally presented annually at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum in November each year of the project (2009-2013). Community visits will also be undertaken to present project results, discuss their implications, exchange knowledge, plan and conduct collaborative work, etc. Copies of interim and final reports and maps will be provided to Tlicho and Sahtu communities. Throughout the year, project participants from communities will interact with the research scientists as information needs arise. This process has already started and will be continued throughout the entire length of the project. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 03 to August 31, 2009, in the following regions: within 100 km north and 50 km south of Lou Lake; east of Lou Lake; east of Great Bear Lake along a northern Great Bear corridor; areas of interest are spread across the geological entity called the Great Bear magmatic zone; eastern end of Rae Lake, the adjacent “Fab” Lake and at DeVries Lake; the Hottah Lake region; south east of Great Bear Lake (aerial only); Hottah Lake and Grant Lake.