NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, geology, metals

Objective(s): The principal objective of this project is to improve our understanding of the geology of central Victoria Island (NWT).

Project Description: Northern residents and communities rely on the resource industry for employment and related economic benefits (e.g. Polaris Pb-Zn mine, diamond mines). The principal objective of this project is to improve our understanding of the geology of central Victoria Island (NWT). This will provide an improved understanding of the geology in two areas with base and precious metal potential, likely increasing the chances of mineral discoveries by the private sector, as well provide a modern geoscience base for informed decision-making about land use. While the work performed involving the primary objectives seek to increase the geological knowledge of the area there are numerous other learning and discovery objectives that the researchers are aiming to undertake including: - The development of a remote predictive map that incorporates new aeromagnetic and satellite data. The satellite image will be made available to the citizens of Ulukhaktok, to facilitate planning of hunting expeditions. One focus of activity will be the Neoproterozoic Franklin/Coronation Sills and Natkusiak Flood Basalts, together with their host strata in the Minto Inlier of central and northwestern Victoria Island, where there has been significant Ni & platinum group element (PGE) exploration. - Examining the Paleozoic succession on Victoria Island, which has Pb-Zn and kimberlite potential that will provide useful insights to offshore oil and gas exploration in the same sequence. - To establish the depositional history and identify prospective horizons for further exploration related to the Shaler Supergroup. Improved maps and refinement of the stratigraphy will establish the depositional history of the basin and identify prospective horizons for further exploration. Significant deposits of serpentine and alabaster are locally developed in sill-contact metamorphic aureoles, and represent material suitable for sculpture by local artisans. The project will combine basic framework mapping by the Geological Survey of Canada (GCS), with a wide range of thematic studies undertaken in collaboration with university researchers. The GSC will provide the logistical base for the latter. In 2010 it is anticipated a field camp size of up to 25-28 people, equipped with a helicopter. A second helicopter will be based out of the camp for 2 weeks. Visitors to the camp will be staggered depending on their research needs and to minimize the impacts on the camp site. Over the duration of the field season the camp size will only be expected to reach its maximum capacity (25-28 people) for approximately 4 weeks. Mapping will be by helicopter-borne traverses. The context and potential for magmatic Nickel and Platinum Group Element mineralization will be investigated through studies in intrusive and extrusive rocks of the 723 Ma Franklin mafic magmatic event, which extend from Greenland to Siberia. The Neoproterozoic Shaler Supergroup (host to the Franklin rocks) has known deposits of carving stone, as well as strong potential for sediment-hosted Cu-Zn. Geophysical surveys will generate diamond exploration targets. The in-field methodologies involved with this project are fairly basic and primarly consist of gathering samples using a standard rock hammer (hand tool), measuring thickness and orientation of beds with a tape measure and compass, and identifying rocks and minerals with a magnifying glass. Some aspects of the projects will required on occasion paleomag sampling which involves the use of a small hand held gas powered drill to pentrate rock samples (up to 3 cm penetration). As a by-product of our project, high-resolution satellite images of this part of the island will be generated. We intend to print up multiple copies of these and donate them to the local school, hamlet office, hunter’s and trapper’s association, and other interested parties. Annual progress reports will be given at the Northwest Territories geological open houses hosted by the Northwest Territories Geoscience Office (NTGO), furthermore as part of the Aurora Research Institute renewal process for multi-year licences a summary of the previous year’s findings will also be provided to ARI. In addition to the above mentioned, the researcher also hopes to also communicate and teach through hands on experiences by hiring town residents and high school graduates as helper and assistants, who will ultimately transfer project information, their knowledge and experiences to others. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from June 9, 2010 to August 25, 2010.