NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: physical sciences, geology, metals

Objective(s): 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. The researchers will provide new framework geology and geophysics maps, as well undertake numerous thematic studies. These major increases in the basic geoscience base will likely lead to increased private sector mineral exploration activities, spending in the area, and ultimately an increased likelihood of mineral discoveries. 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 team aims to undertake: 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. The team hopes 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 Paleozoic succession overlying a regional unconformity has not been investigated since the 1950s. Refinement of the stratigraphy and identification of late faults will impact on offshore oil exploration. Carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb is common in the central Arctic Islands where basement-controlled faults focus fluid movement in the overlying Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. This mineralizing event formed the Polaris Mine that was a significant part of the Nunavut economy between 1982-2002. Large, basement-controlled structures similar to those in the central Arctic cut the Minto Inlier and its covering Paleozoic succession, and these need to be mapped and prospected. 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. 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. Reconnaissance-scale investigations of shale successions in the Proterozoic Shaler Supergroup will establish the depositional history and identify prospective horizons for further exploration and opportunities. Overlying Paleozoic sedimentary carbonate rocks have promising potential for Pb-Zn deposits (e.g. Polaris Mine) and are currently being explored for diamonds. Compilation and focused fieldwork on the Quaternary geology will generate ice-flow maps to facilitate diamond exploration. 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). The research conducted is very exciting and interesting and the team anticipates that operating out of Ulukhaktok will provide many opportunities for interaction with interested parties and the general public. Some intended ways to promote the science and findings is by coordinating and presenting the results at the high school and at town meetings if there is an interest to do so. Additionally, all results will be published, online Geological Survey of Canada maps available to all who are interested. The team expects that findings will also be published in external scientific journals. As a by-product of the project the researchers will be generating high-resolution satellite images of this part of the island. The research team intends 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 researchers hope 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 10, 2011 to August 18, 2011.