NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area, Dehcho Region

Tags: physical sciences, geology, mineral deposit, copper

Objective(s): To further the knowledge of the geology of the Redstone Copperbelt - an area of copper deposits within the Mackenzie Mountains. This will lead to a clearer understanding of the science behind the formation of copper deposits.

Project Description: The objective is to further the knowledge of the geology of the Redstone Copperbelt - an area of copper deposits within the Mackenzie Mountains. This will lead to a clearer understanding of the science behind the formation of copper deposits. This information can be utilized by environmental and exploration companies to provide baseline data on the distribution of copper in the Mackenzie Mountains. Time will be spent each summer collecting rock samples from outcrops within the Mackenzie Mountains. A rock hammer will be used to collect samples which will then be placed in buckets and shipped back to the University of British Columbia. No analysis of these rocks will take place in the field. Also, geological mapping will be carried out (a process involving the creation of a map showing the rock type at each location within the study area). Many field photographs will be taken of rock samples and outcrops. Access to the rocks will be via helicopter or where possible on foot. Direct involvement for the community will not be possible. The scale of the operation (2 persons) and the need for advanced scientific training preclude the direct hiring additional personnel. However, as this project will be part of a research project run by the NWT Geoscience office where personnel from the communities have been hired and are anticipated to be hired, the opportunity to train people on the identification and recognition of copper minerals in the mountains is anticipated. In addition to the benefits to the community of the end goals of the project, project members will be supporting local business through the use of aviation, helicopter, expediting and outfitting companies. The findings of the project will be written up as a Ph.D. thesis and copies will be sent to both the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office and the Geological Survey of Canada. Papers will also be submitted to national and international scientific journals. Open file reports will be written and made public through the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office and presentations will be given at the annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum. Research partners from the Northwest Territories will also incorporate the finding into presentations to community members and organizations to ensure that all data reaches communities and is held within the public domain. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 15, 2010 to September 1, 2010.