Grant: Alliance Grants

This project will investigate Ni-Cu-PGE mineralized intrusions in the Thunder Bay- Lake Nipigon region of Northern Ontario. We will investigate the ~1.1 Ga Sunday Lake intrusion of the Midcontinent Rift and the ~2.7 Ga intrusions of the Lac des Iles complex, both of which are being explored by Impala Canada Ltd, the industry partner. The project will train five MSc, five HBSc and one PDF to complete an integrated program of research with two key objectives. 1) Characterization of the lithologic, petrographic, lithogeochemical and isotopic attributes of known mineralized intrusions of the Archean LDI complex and their country rocks in order to determine the source of the magma(s), its crystallization and differentiation history, the source of the metals and what role if any contamination played in the magma evolution. 2) Characterize the lithologic, petrographic, lithogeochemical and isotopic attributes of mineralized intrusions of the MCR and the related unmineralized dike suites, focusing on the newly discovered Sunday Lake intrusion. This study will utilize fundamental geological mapping and logging combined with traditional and state-of-the-art analytical techniques to characterize the intrusive history and paragenesis of the mineralized intrusions in the district. By so doing we will train young researchers in the key skills necessary for a successful career in the geosciences whether in academia, government or industry. The data generated in this study will be used to develop a model(s) for the mineralized intrusions that Impala Canada Ltd. can use to enhance their exploration efforts, and hopefully lead to mineral production. This project will contribute significantly to our understanding of the processes that form magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE systems and the high-grade zones within them. We will develop tools that can be applied by Canadian companies to aid in generating future discoveries. The discovery and development of new mineral resources is critical to the well-being of Canada's economy and this project will lead to greater efficiencies in that process.