NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, geology, geochemistry, chemistry, geophysics, mapping, mineralogy

Objective(s): To examine the rocks near Blachford lake lodge to gain a better understanding of how they formed and why there are there.

Project Description: The purpose of the study is to examine the rocks near Blachford lake lodge to gain a better understanding of how they formed and why there are there. Initial mapping has shown that they are unusual with more iron and nickel in them than would be normally expected and we would like to look at them to better understand their history. There have been exploration companies interested in these rocks and they have left a lot of information that we can use in the study including drill core and geophysics. Part of the study is to try and figure out why they were not more successful in their investigations. Did they do all the tests to look for metals or were there geological reasons why they failed. Samples will be collected from outcrop and from drill core samples from past exploration efforts in the area. Mineralogy will be determined through optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS), and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). Fluid inclusion analysis will be performed at Saint Mary's University on heating and freezing stages available at the University. Results of this project may develop interest in the area for geological exploration of a Nickel-Copper-Platinum Group Elements (Ni-Cu-PGE) deposit. Update reports will be relayed through the Northwest Territories Geoscience office. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from August 2, 2013 to August 31, 2013.