string(10) "[Minerals]"

Halogens in Surface Exploration Geochemistry: Evaluation and Development of Methods for Detecting Buried Mineral Deposits

Lead Researcher(s):  C. E. Dunn

Project ID:  2005-008

Key Research Organization(s):  Independent Consultant

Project Location:  Cariboo

Strategic Focus Area:  Mineral

Summary



Areas of Focused StudiesMuch of the bedrock in central British Columbia has a cover of Quaternary deposits and/or volcanic rocks. Given the fact that the area is underlain by the generally 'fertile' Quesnellia Terrane, there is good reason to be optimistic that significant buried mineralization may be present. The challenge is, therefore, to develop a method for detecting mineralization hidden beneath this cover. Geoscience BC Report 2007-10 is aimed at enhancing the discovery of concealed mineral deposits using the halogen elements, focusing on soil and common vegetation from three target areas: Mount Polley (Imperial Metals Corp); QR (Cross Lake Minerals Ltd.); and 3Ts (Silver Quest Resources Ltd.).

The halogen elements (Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine) are commonly associated with the emplacement of mineral deposits. They are contained within the structure of many minerals and in saline fluid inclusions that are typical of a wide range of mineral deposits. Their volatility renders them good candidates to examine as 'pathfinder elements' in surface geochemical media, where they may be captured on soil particles and taken up by vegetation. Other studies have demonstrated the exceptional migrational abilities of Iodine and Bromine in different geological settings, and found these elements to be highly effective in exploring for orebodies at depths of up to 1000 m. Geoscience BC Report 2007-10 reports on the optimal procedures for determining halogen concentrations in soil and vegetation, and examines new halogen data from the Mount Polley, QR and 3Ts deposits. This project complements the parallel Geoscience BC project "A Comparative Assessment of Soil Geochemical Methods for Detecting Buried Mineral Deposits: 3T's Epithermal Au-Ag Prospect, Central British Columbia, Canada" by Stephen Cook and Colin Dunn, which was released as Geoscience BC Report 2007-7. Much of the data in this report falls within Geoscience BC's QUEST Project area.

Deliverables


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