Geoscience BC Releases Reports 2011-16 and 2011-17
December 19, 2011 - Geoscience BC is pleased to announce the release of the following two reports:
- Report 2011-16 "The Characteristics, Origin and Exploration Potential for Sediment-Hosted Cu±Ag Mineralization in the Purcell Supergroup, Canada" by R.P. Hartlaub, W.J. Davis and C.E. Dunn
- Report 2011-17 "Porphyry Indicator Minerals (PIMS): A New Exploration Tool for Concealed Deposits in South-Central British Columbia" by F. Bouzari, C.J.R. Hart, S. Barker and T. Bissig
Both reports are now available for download through Geoscience BC's website at www.geosciencebc.com/s/DataReleases.asp.
About Report 2011-16
"The Characteristics, Origin and Exploration Potential for Sediment-Hosted Cu±Ag Mineralization in the Purcell Supergroup, Canada"
Large cratonic basins filled with immature siliciclastic sediments are excellent source regions for sediment-hosted copper deposits. The Mesoproterozoic Belt-Purcell basin has sedimentary rock thickness of at least 19 km within the central part of the basin in BC and up to 18 km in the U.S. This large thickness of sediment was deposited in a relatively rapid period, leading to the formation of numerous sediment-hosted stratabound Cu-Ag occurrences in the quartzite-dominated Revett Formation. These deposits, including Troy, Rock Creek and Montanore, are all located in western Montana; however, evidence for sediment-hosted copper mineralization has recently been identified in southeastern British Columbia.
Several sediment-hosted copper occurrences from the Cranbrook area were examined in detail as part of this project. U-Pb geochronology samples were collected in order to better constrain the age of these mineral occurrences. An important factor limiting exploration and development in the area is the limited bedrock exposure due to thick deposits of glacial drift. Fifty samples of lodgepole pine bark were collected to test biogeochemical exploration for concealed mineralization.
For more information on this project, go to www.geosciencebc.com/s/2007-019.asp.
About Report 2011-17
"Porphyry Indicator Minerals (PIMS): A New Exploration Tool for Concealed Deposits in South-Central British Columbia"
The common occurrence of resistate minerals, such as apatite, rutile, titanite and titanomagnetite, as alteration products in BC porphyry copper deposits suggest that these minerals could be utilized as porphyry indicator minerals (PIMS) and potentially provide a new exploration tool for BC explorers. The research project evaluated several resistate minerals but focused mainly on apatite and Fe-oxide phases from the Highland Valley, Mt. Polley, Mount Milligan, Huckleberry, Lorraine and Endako porphyry deposits. This project has successfully recognized, characterized and documented the occurrence, types, relative abundances and compositions of selected resistate minerals in several BC porphyry deposits, such that the "proof of concept" of PIMS has been established. The authors can now recognize features of resistate minerals that indicate their association with mineralized porphyry systems. This tool will be particularly beneficial in improving exploration targeting in terrains covered by glacial till. =
For more information on this project, go to www.geosciencebc.com/s/2009-009.asp.
Geoscience BC
Geoscience BC is an industry-led, industry-focused not-for-profit society. Its mandate includes the collection, interpretation and marketing of geoscience data and expertise to promote investment in resource exploration and development in British Columbia. Geoscience BC is funded through grants from the Provincial Government and works in partnership with industry, academia, government, First Nations and communities to attract mineral and oil & gas investment to BC.