Grant: Alliance Grants

Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are important sources of metals, including Cu and Zn, as primary commodities, and Co, Ga, Ge, Te (+ Bi, Ni, In, Sb, Sn, and W) as by-products, elements that will be important for electrification of the energy and transportation sectors as the world transitions away from fossil fuel-based energy delivery. This project will focus on VMS deposits and the enrichment of critical minerals within these deposits and the processes that lead to enrichment. There will be four research pillars focusing on the enrichment of Zn-(Ge-Ga-Te-Cu)(pillar 1) and Cu-Co-Ni-(Te-Zn)(pillar 2) in VMS deposits, pillar 3 will focus on the geochemistry, mineralogy, and critical mineral distribution in VMS deposits in British Columbia, whereas pillar 4 will focus on the role that metamorphism, deformation, and sulfide partial melting play on upgrading, redistribution, and concentrations of critical minerals in VMS deposits. The work will provide information on critical element mineral residence, siting, and textures and will utilize both existing sample suites from the proponents and research partners, and involve new sample collection from archives and deposit sites, as needed. The work will focus on deposits of different grades, tonnages, and sub-types from Newfoundland, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Yukon, and will involve both government and industry partners who will provide both cash and in-kind contributions, including field support, samples, assay databases, and on-the-ground expertise to help guide research and supervise highly qualified personnel (HQP) on the project. The end goal of this project will be to provide refined descriptive, genetic, exploration, and development models for critical mineral-bearing VMS deposits and in doing will provide an updated metallogenic model for this deposit type that can be used in Canada and globally.