Grant: Alliance Grants

We seek to integrate field data with new analytical methods to advance our understanding of the processes controlling the formation of high-grade nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co) in magmatic sulfide deposits, and to develop criteria to guide near-mine exploration of these critical metals. Canada hosts several world-class magmatic Ni-Cu-Co deposits, including the 100 Mt Raglan district located in the 360 km-long Cape Smith Belt in northern Québec (Nunavik) and an enormous potential for more resources. However, despite extensive exploration, magmatic sulfide deposits remain notoriously difficult exploration targets. Ni, Cu, and Co are chalcophile (sulfur-loving) elements, partitioning strongly into sulfides to form magmatic sulfide deposits. As the assimilation of sulfide-bearing sedimentary rocks is known to be an important mechanism for triggering sulfide saturation and inducing ore formation in these deposits, tracing where and when assimilation occurred in the Earth's crust is critical for targeting. Several recent advances in microanalytical analysis developed by our pan-Canadian team, have advanced our potential to track elemental the depletion of chalcophile metals, prior to and during sulfur saturation. Further, the isotope signature (d34S-?33S) of sulfides is a powerful tool for tracing sulfur crustal pathways through the crust. Therefore, we propose a research program that will support three HQP to: 1) determine the age, nature and S isotope signatures of previously identified sulfur-bearing sedimentary horizons in the Cape Smith Belt, and 2) quantify and compare the multiple sulfur isotope signature of volcanic-invasive Raglan, and other mineralised parts of the system, and 3) investigate the chalcophile composition of oxides and in melt inclusions. To do so, we collaborate closely with Glencore and the Bureau de Connaissances Geoscientifique Québec who both provide in kind logistical and scientific support to the research program. This research integrate field data with state-of-the-art analytical data to provide insight into the relative timing of sulfur saturation in the magmatic system. This will enable better criteria for targeting for the critical metals nickel, copper and cobalt ore horizons in the Cape Smith Belt, northern Québec.