This project comprises research on porphyry molybdenum systems that will lead to new exploration models at scales from the deposit to regional. The first stage of the research focuses on developing a mineralogical, trace element, and alteration zoning pattern for the Adanac molybdenum deposit. This will allow us to better understand how these patterns can be utilized in exploration both within the Adanac area and for other similar deposits, as well as provide important constraints on fluid flow within and peripheral to the deposit.

Second-stage research will focus on examining the origin of the plutonic suite responsible for mineralization (Surprise Lake Batholith, which is a large, composite, highly-evolved granitic pluton surrounded by polymetallic mineralization) and comparison of that suite to other Mo ± Sn ± W ± Au ± Cu deposits. Of particular interest is the potential linkage between porphyry Mo and intrusion hosted Au deposits. This linkage will be tested by examining the isotopic signature (Re-Os) of the molybdenum deposit and comparison to the isotopic signature of nearby placer Au deposits which may have originated geologically above the molybdenum mineralization. Obtaining evidence for or against this geochemical link will be extremely important in helping to focus exploration for both types of deposit at several scales. Finally, these comparisons will add considerably to our understanding of tectonics and metallogeny of western Canada.

Posters and Presentations

2008 : New Models for Mineral Exploration in British Columbia: Is There a Continuum Between Porphyry Molybdenum Deposits and Intrusion-Hosted Gold Deposits?
- Mineral Exploration Roundup Poster (pdf, 2.81MB)

2007 : New Models for Mineral Exploration in British Columbia: Is There a Continuum Between Porphyry Molybdenum Deposits and Intrusion-Hosted Gold Deposits?
- Mineral Exploration Roundup Poster (pdf, 8.28MB)

Technical Articles

2010: "Isotopic investigation of the Adanac porphyry molybdenum deposit in northwest British Columbia (NTS 104N/11): final project report"
- Summary of Activities 2009, Report 2010-1 p.115-126 (pdf, 4.1 MB)

2008: "New models for mineral exploration in British Columbia: is there a continuum between porphyry molybdenum deposits and intrusion-hosted gold deposits?"
- Summary of Activities 2007, Report 2008-1 p.93-104 (pdf, 6.84MB)

2007: "New Models for Mineral Exploration in British Columbia: Is there a Continuum between Porphyry Molybdenum Deposits and Intrusion-Hosted Gold Deposits?"
- Geological Fieldwork 2006, Paper 2007-1 p.239-242 (pdf, 1.11MB)

Final Deliverables

M.Sc. Thesis - J.L.K. Smith

A study of the adanac porphyry molybdenum deposit and surrounding placer gold mineralization in northwest British Columbia with a comparison to porphyry molybdenum deposits in the North American Cordillera and igneous geochemistry of the western United States - University of Nevada, Reno, 2009 - Available in hard copy only through the University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract: The Adanac molybdenum deposit has been studied in detail in this thesis in order to classify the deposit as Climax-type or Endako-type. Placer gold from a nearby Creek that drains the Adanac deposit was sampled in order to compare initial Os signatures with that of magnetite from the porphyry deposit, so that it may be determined whether some of the placer gold is from eroded margins of the porphyry molybdenum deposit. Characteristics of porphyry molybdenum deposits throughout the North American Cordillera were summarized and tabulated. Finally, some of the geochemical characteristics of porphyry molybdenum deposits were used to query igneous rock databases for the Western United States to identify areas that may be host to more molybdenum deposits.