As part of a collaborative project between the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (BCMEMPR) and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), kimberlite indicator minerals (KIM) were identified in glaciofluvial sediments from the Etsho Plateau region of northeast British Columbia (Simandl et al., 2005). Localized staking occurred immediately after this data was released at the Cordilleran Roundup in January 2005.

This project consists of a multidisciplinary effort to further investigate the resource potential for kimberlites, diamonds, gold, base metal and other economic commodities in the Etsho Plateau region of Northeastern B.C. (see map). A stream sediment, water, and heavy mineral concentrate survey, conducted over two years (2005 and 2006), and a glacial sediment survey conducted in 2005 are the two principal research foci of the project.

The stream sediment, water, and heavy mineral survey consists of two components: the collection of stream sediment and water at every site, and the additional collection of a bulk sediment sample for heavy mineral determination (10- 15 kg wet-screened through a #12-mesh sieve (1.68 mm) from every second site (on average). Sampling procedures will follow established National Geochemical Reconnaissance guidelines.

The glacial sediment survey will follow methodologies which have proven efficient at identifying the presence of kimberlite bedrock elsewhere in Canada by analyzing bulk glacial sediment samples for their KIM content. Bulk glacial sediment samples will be collected in the field from in borrow and sump pits, river bluffs and in hand dug pits.

Stream and glacial sediment samples will be shipped to a commercial laboratory which will conduct the heavy mineral separation using a combination of shaker tables and heavy liquids. Geochemical analyzes (including INAA and ICPMS) will be conducted in commercial laboratories. Spiked, duplicate and analytical standard samples will be included to ensure data quality and control.

Posters and Presentations

2007 : Indicator Mineral Content and Geochemistry of Stream and Glacial Sediments from the Etsho Plateau Region as an Aid to Kimberlite and Base Metal Exploration, Northeast British Columbia (NTS94I, 94P)
- Mineral Exploration Roundup Poster (pdf, 139MB)

2006 : Current and Upcoming NGR Program Activities in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Yukon Territory and Alberta, 2005-06
- Mineral Exploration Roundup Poster (pdf, 8.13MB)

Technical Articles

2006 : "Indicator Mineral Content and Geochemistry of Stream and Glacial Sediments from the Etsho Plateau Region (NTS 094I, P) as an Aid to Kimberlite and Base Metal Exploration, Northeast British Columbia"
- Geological Fieldwork 2006, Paper 2007-1 p.361-372 (pdf, 3.85MB)

2005 : "Glacial and Stream Sediments Sampling in Support of Kimberlite Exploration in Northeastern BC"
- Geological Fieldwork 2005, Paper 2006-1 p.337-342 (pdf, 17.7MB)

Final Deliverables

Geoscience BC Report 2009-2/GSC Open File 6311

Indicator Mineral Content and Geochemistry of Stream Sediments and Waters from Northeast British Columbia (NTS 94A, 94B, 94G, 94H, 94I, 94K, 94N, 94O, 94P)