New Exploration Tools for Copper-Gold Porphyry Deposits with Advanced Argillic Alteration Zones

New report published: AME Roundup; Porphyry Vectoring Techniques in Advanced Argillic Altered Rocks of British Columbia

Vancouver, BC – January 31, 2022 – New tools have been developed to help direct mineral explorers towards copper-gold porphyry deposits in British Columbia.

Results from this research have been published at the AME Roundup 2022 conference. The project studied the zones of advanced argillic alteration that can form a blanket of clay and aluminous-rich minerals above and around an economic copper-gold porphyry deposit. Mineral exploration within these alteration zones is traditionally difficult because of the large size of the altered areas and subtle mineralogical changes that can be difficult to identify.

Three areas across BC's Northwest and North Central Regions were included in the study, though the techniques developed from the results could be applied to any similar deposit. Rock samples were analyzed by a range of techniques, with the observations providing a toolset that can support rapid and cost-effective mineral exploration of porphyry copper and related epithermal mineralization.

Geoscience BC Vice President, Minerals, Christa Pellett said: “Geoscience BC is excited to co-release this report with the University of British Columbia’s Mineral Deposit Research Unit.  The tools identified in this research will directly support the mineral exploration industry in BC and beyond as they explore for critical minerals.”

Farhad Bouzari, Mineral Deposit Research Unit said: “Results of this project highlight the effectiveness of mineralogical and geochemical data as cost-effective and easy to use exploration vectoring tools for exploring within and around advanced argillic altered rocks in British Columbia and elsewhere.”

Accessing Data

Information about the Porphyry Vectoring Techniques in Advanced Argillic Altered Rocks in British Columbia study is available from the Geoscience BC Booth at the AME Roundup 2022 conference (booth #312), from the Geoscience BC project pages and the Mineral Deposit Research Unit website.

View project page          View project in Earth Science Viewer

About Geoscience BC

Geoscience BC generates independent, public geoscience research and data about British Columbia’s minerals, energy and water resources. This advances knowledge, informs responsible development, encourages investment and stimulates innovation.

Our collaboration with the resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and government develops and shares unbiased and credible earth science research and data.

Geoscience BC is a not for profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act.

Visit www.geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.

For more information, please contact:
Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147/778-929-1662
truman@geosciencebc.com