Grant: Alliance Grants
University of Windsor
$165,500.00
Toward an integrated genetic model for the MacIlvenna Bay Cu-Zn-Au Deposit, Northern Saskatchewan
FY 2023-24
Summary
The McIlvenna Bay Cu-Zn-Au deposit is situated in east-central Saskatchewan and comprises multiple zones of massive and stockwork style sulphide mineralization. The deposit represents the largest occurrence of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) Cu mineralization in the Flin Flon greenstone belt, with probable reserves of 691 million pounds of Cu and 1.4 billion pounds of Zn. Notwithstanding previous assessment activities, little is known about the system(s) and process(es) responsible for ore formation. Current interpretations based on whole rock lithogeochemistry provide insights into primary lithologic compositions, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting but are insufficient to characterize ore-forming processes, and only preliminary structural observations have been made thus far. Available evidence indicates, however, that secondary (e.g., metamorphic, hydrothermal, structural) processes may have caused modification of primary VMS mineralization and resulted in metal enrichment/redistribution including: heterogenous Cu and Zn values; variable ore metal ratios; association of ore with hydrothermal alteration (chlorite and sericite) devoid of metamorphic fabrics; and association of ore with relatively late, cross-cutting structures. Development of an integrated model for deposit formation requires: 1) detailed large (hand specimen to face/back) scale mineralogical, textural, chemical, and paragenetic characterization of representative ore and associated alteration zones to establish the nature and relative timing of ore-forming stage(s), and 2) detailed small (face/back to mine scale) lithologic and structural mapping, petrography, and chemical characterization of representative ore and associated alteration zones to establish primary lithologies, structure, ore/alteration/deformation related compositional/mass/volume changes, and relative timing. The proposed research will be conducted in collaboration with Foran Mining Corporation (Foran). Foran will provide access to McIlvenna Bay project property and certain company information, as well as provide technical oversight and input into proposed projects.
Program
Alliance Grants
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
586678-2023
Name nom
Gagnon, Joel JE
Department département
Environment, School of the
Organization id
37
Institution établissement
University of Windsor
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2023
Competition year année de concours
2023
Award amount
165500
Program id
ALLRP
Program name en
Alliance Grants
Program name fr
Subventions Alliance
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
202
Area of application group en
Natural resources (economic aspects)
Area of application group fr
Ressources naturelles (aspects économiques)
Area of application en
Mineral resources ( prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing)
Area of application fr
Ressources minérales (prospection, exploration, mines, extraction et préparation)
Research subject code
4200
Research subject group en
Geochemistry and geochronology
Research subject group fr
Geochemistry and geochronology
Research subject en
Géochimie et géochronologie
Research subject fr
Géochimie et géochronologie
Application title
Toward an integrated genetic model for the MacIlvenna Bay Cu-Zn-Au Deposit, Northern Saskatchewan
Keyword
greenstone belts; hydrothermal mineral deposits; lithogeochemistry; mineral chemistry; ore deposit models; petrogenesis; petrography; structural geology
Application summary
The McIlvenna Bay Cu-Zn-Au deposit is situated in east-central Saskatchewan and comprises multiple zones of massive and stockwork style sulphide mineralization. The deposit represents the largest occurrence of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) Cu mineralization in the Flin Flon greenstone belt, with probable reserves of 691 million pounds of Cu and 1.4 billion pounds of Zn. Notwithstanding previous assessment activities, little is known about the system(s) and process(es) responsible for ore formation. Current interpretations based on whole rock lithogeochemistry provide insights into primary lithologic compositions, petrogenesis, and tectonic setting but are insufficient to characterize ore-forming processes, and only preliminary structural observations have been made thus far. Available evidence indicates, however, that secondary (e.g., metamorphic, hydrothermal, structural) processes may have caused modification of primary VMS mineralization and resulted in metal enrichment/redistribution including: heterogenous Cu and Zn values; variable ore metal ratios; association of ore with hydrothermal alteration (chlorite and sericite) devoid of metamorphic fabrics; and association of ore with relatively late, cross-cutting structures. Development of an integrated model for deposit formation requires: 1) detailed large (hand specimen to face/back) scale mineralogical, textural, chemical, and paragenetic characterization of representative ore and associated alteration zones to establish the nature and relative timing of ore-forming stage(s), and 2) detailed small (face/back to mine scale) lithologic and structural mapping, petrography, and chemical characterization of representative ore and associated alteration zones to establish primary lithologies, structure, ore/alteration/deformation related compositional/mass/volume changes, and relative timing. The proposed research will be conducted in collaboration with Foran Mining Corporation (Foran). Foran will provide access to McIlvenna Bay project property and certain company information, as well as provide technical oversight and input into proposed projects.
