NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, geological mapping, geology, aeromagnetic survey

Objective(s): The objective of this airborne survey is to acquire high-resolution aeromagnetic data of the study area. CONDITION TO THIS LICENCE: ISSUED UNDER THE EISC TERMS AND CONDITIONS – WARNER MILES [06/09-05].

Project Description: The objective of this airborne survey is to acquire high-resolution aeromagnetic data. Aeromagnetic surveys measure magnetic properties of bedrock and are one of the tools used in geological mapping. The bedrock may contain mineral deposits, such as gold, copper, lead, zinc, and diamonds. Understanding the geology will help geologists map the area, assist mineral exploration activities, and provide useful information necessary for communities, aboriginal associations, and government to make land use decisions. This survey will be flown to improve the knowledge of the area. It will support potential future ground-based geological mapping and provide basic information to support mineral exploration. The survey will consist of approximately 65,000 line km of surveying flown at a line spacing of 400 m for traverse lines and 2400 m for orthogonal control lines. The flying height will be determined by a smooth draped surface with a minimum terrain clearance of 150 m. The intensity of the total magnetic field will be measured from the aircraft. Please note that aircraft will not touch down except at municipal airports. There will be no ground-based survey. The Minto Inlier aeromagnetic survey is the precursor to potential mineral deposit studies, bedrock geological mapping, and hydrocarbon potential studies in the region (Note: definition of inlier – an area or formation of older rocks completely surrounded by younger rock layers). These future activities would be based on the results of this aeromagnetic survey. These activities may present employment opportunities for community residents such as field assistants and camp wildlife and environmental monitors. Expediting services and translation services from the local community will be required. The results of this research will be presented at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum in November, 2010. The data will be made available on-line for free download through the Geoscience Data Repository for Aeromagnetic and Radiometric Data (http://gdr.nrcan.gc.ca/aeromag). The data will be published as maps available digitally for free download through NRCan’s MIRAGE application (http://gdr.nrcan.gc.ca/mirage). The fieldwork for this study will be conducted between July 15 to September 15, 2009, in the western part of Victoria Island in the region described by N70.5o to N72.25 o and W114 o to W119 o. The area is centred on Minto Inlet and includes the community of Holman (Ulukhaktok). The airborne survey will be based in the community of Holman (Ulukhaktok). The survey is entirely airborne and will not touch down except at the airport in Holman (Ulukhaktok). The survey personnel will seek accommodations from existing resources in the community. CONDITION TO THIS LICENCE: ISSUED UNDER THE EISC TERMS AND CONDITIONS – WARNER MILES [06/09-05]. .