GEOLOGY AND METALLOGENY OF MELVILLE PENINSULA: AN UPDATE ON RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE GEM-MINERALS PROJECT

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1 GEOLOGY AND METALLOGENY OF MELVILLE PENINSULA: AN UPDATE ON RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE GEM-MINERALS PROJECT David Corrigan 1 and Tommy Tremblay 2 (1) Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON (2) Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, Iqaluit, NU

2 Acknowledgements - Staff Leo Nadeau (co-leader) Michel Houle Pierre Brouillette Gabriel Machado Rosemary Khoun Natasha Wodicka Rob Berman Pierre Keating Richard Fortin Steve Day Martin McCurdy Rick McNeil Maurice Lamontagne Eric Grunsky GSC Quebec GSC Quebec GSC Quebec C-NGO C-NGO GSC Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC-Ottawa GSC Ottawa

3 Acknowledgements - Post-doc/graduate/undergraduates Saskia Erdmann PDF-GSC Camille Partin PhD U. Manitoba Crystal Laflamme PhD U. New Brunswick Jon Rigg M.Sc. U. Waterloo Lindsay Richan M.Sc. U. Laurentian Nik Ganderton M.Sc. U. Western Ontario Hosanna Lillidahl-Shroeder M.Sc. Boston College (NSF grant) Ian Ames B.Sc. Hon., Queen s U. Anne Belanger B.Sc. Hon., Dalhousie U. Amelie Dufresne B.Sc. Hon., U. Calgary

4 Acknowledgements Logistical and/or Administrative Support/Guidance Hall Beach Hamlet Office Repulse Bay Hamlet Office Advanced Exploration Inc. Commander Resources Inc. Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP) INAC

5 OUTLINE Description and scope of the Melville Peninsula project Results from 2010 field season bedrock mapping Results from 2010 field season surficial mapping Conclusions

6 Melville Peninsula Multiple Metals Project Geomapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) Program 5 year plan to update geoscience knowledge base and improve understanding of mineral potential of Melville Peninsula (3 field seasons, 2009, -10, -11) Collaborative effort between Geological Survey of Canada, Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, Academia and Industry Multidisciplinary, from mantle to surface.

7 Simplified geological map modified after Berman et al. (2005) Mary River Rae Bravo AEI Three Bluffs Meadowbanks Rae Hearne Meliadine

8 IGLOOLIK HALL BEACH REPULSE BAY Skulski (OF 5577, in prep) Total field aeromagnetic map (GSC)

9 Project Framework 2010 Fly camp G. Machado + 2 M.Sc (recon sampling only) 2011 Igloolik 2009 Hall Beach 3 Field seasons ( ) Bedrock and Surficial mapping Focus on Archean Greenstone and Paleoproterozoic supracrustal belts, with some attention to plutonic rocks of economic interest. Provide constraints on structural and metamorphic evolution. Repulse Bay 2010 Provide precise U-Pb isotopic ages, tracer isotopes, and lithogeochemical constraints on crustal evolution. Define metallotects Refine ice flow dynamics history Surface material composition and chemistry

10 New till analyses Open File Report 6285 (Dredge, 2009) Igloolik Prior to Field Work ( ) Surficial Geochemistry Hall Beach - Analysis and publication of 508 till samples from GSC archives, from north half of Melville Peninsula. Dredge, L. (2009) Till geochemistry, and results of carbonate, lithological and textural analyses, northern Melville Peninsula, Nunavut. (NTS 47A, B,C,D). GSC Open File Repulse Bay Till analyses Published in 2002 Results of previous ICP-MS analyses on till and gossan mudboils samples, and a new reanalysis of archived samples using INAA techniques. Carbonate contents, pebble lithologies, and textural analyses are also included in the datasets. Released July 2009

11 Prior to Field Work ( ) Surficial Geochemistry - Re-analysis of 2,341 lake sediment samples from South Melville Peninsula (GSC Open File 6269). Samples collected on Melville Peninsula in 1977 and published the following year as GSC Open Files 521 and 522. Original methods of analyses produced data for 12 elements plus loss-on-ignition. Lake Sediment re-analyses Day et al. (2009) GSC Open File 6269 Reanalysis by ICP-MS (Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) and Instrumental Neutron Activation (INA) analysis generated new data for 36 and 25 elements respectively. These new data include precious metals (Au, Ag), base metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn), pathfinder elements (As, Sb, Se, Te), rare earth elements (Ce, Eu, La, Lu, Sm, Tb, Yb) as well as other elements of economic interest (Cr, Mo, U) Released November 2010

12 Sarcpa Lake Advanced Exploration Inc. Fe prospect Miertsching Lake

13 Miertsching Lake radiometric survey

14 New data acquisitions Magnetotelluric Survey - 29 stations along 300 km transect - Crustal and SCML electrical properties - Diamond Exploration - Large hydrothermal systems (i.e., IOCG deposits)

15 2-D models: Northern section N S

16 2-D models: Southern section

17 U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga

18 U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga Monzogranite 2771 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga

19 U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) QF porphyry 2766 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga Monzogranite 2771 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga QF porphyry 2760 Ma Nd = 3.10 Ga

20 Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Monzogranite 2771 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga Magmatic Ni-Cu deposit in gabbro BIL showing Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) QF porphyry 2766 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga BIL gabbro 2712 Ma Nd = 3.18 Ga Monzogranite 2690 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga QF porphyry 2760 Ma Nd = 3.10 Ga Tonalite 2752 Ma Nd = 2.84 Ga Tonalite 2717 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga

21 Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Monzogranite 2771 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) QF porphyry 2766 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga BIL gabbro 2712 Ma Nd = 3.18 Ga Monzogranite 2690 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga QF porphyry 2760 Ma Nd = 3.10 Ga Tonalite 2752 Ma Nd = 2.84 Ga Tonalite 2717 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga Psammite < 2718 Ma

22 Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Monzogranite 2771 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) QF porphyry 2766 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga BIL gabbro 2712 Ma Nd = 3.18 Ga Monzogranite 2690 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga QF porphyry 2760 Ma Nd = 3.10 Ga Tonalite 2752 Ma Nd = 2.84 Ga Tonalite 2717 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga Psammite < 2718 Ma Prince Albert greenstone Belt - ca Ga supracrustal rocks - Intruded by 2.77 Ga plutonic rocks - Greenschist amphibolite facies Roche Bay greenstone Belt - ca. > 2.77 Ga supracrustal rocks - Intruded by Ga plutonic rocks - Clastic sediments < 2.72 Ga - Built on ca. 3.0 Ga crust

23 Tonalite 2599 Ma Nd = 2.73 Ga Rhyolite 2968 Ma Nd = 3.08 Ga Andesite 2970 Ma Nd = 3.05 Ga U-Pb zircon ages Nd model ages Monzogranite 2771 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga Granulite Meta-plutonic (2.6 Ga?) QF porphyry 2766 Ma Nd = 2.86 Ga BIL gabbro 2712 Ma Nd = 3.18 Ga Monzogranite 2690 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga QF porphyry 2760 Ma Nd = 3.10 Ga Tonalite 2752 Ma Nd = 2.84 Ga Tonalite 2717 Ma Nd = 2.98 Ga Psammite < 2718 Ma Prince Albert greenstone Belt - ca Ga supracrustal rocks - Intruded by 2.77 Ga plutonic rocks - Greenschist amphibolite facies Red-Lake type associations Roche Bay greenstone Belt - ca. > 2.77 Ga supracrustal rocks - Intruded by Ga plutonic rocks - Clastic sediments < 2.72 Ga - Built on ca. 3.0 Ga crust

24 PROTEROZOIC ARCHEAN Idealized stratigraphic columns In Archean greenstone belts of the Rae Craton Comparison between Mesoarchean Prince Albert belt and Red Lake striking. Similar metamorphic grade and bt-muandalusite alteration zones Au potential? Strong Ag anomalies in till Ag anomalies in till Prince Albert Belt (Melville) From Pehrsson et al., 2011 PDAC

25 PROTEROZOIC ARCHEAN Idealized stratigraphic columns In Archean greenstone belts of the Rae Craton Comparison between Mesoarchean Prince Albert belt and Red Lake striking. Similar metamorphic grade and bt-muandalusite alteration zones Au potential? Strong Ag anomalies in till Committee block North Baffin block Ag anomalies in till Prince Albert Belt (Melville) From Pehrsson et al., 2011 PDAC

26 PROTEROZOIC ARCHEAN Idealized stratigraphic columns In Archean greenstone belts of the Rae Craton Comparison between Mesoarchean Prince Albert belt and Red Lake striking. Similar metamorphic grade and bt-muandalusite alteration zones Au potential? Strong Ag anomalies in till Au Au Committee block North Baffin block Ag anomalies in till Prince Albert Belt (Melville) From Pehrsson et al., 2011 PDAC

27 PROTEROZOIC ARCHEAN Idealized stratigraphic columns In Archean greenstone belts of the Rae Craton Comparison between Mesoarchean Prince Albert belt and Red Lake striking. Similar metamorphic grade and bt-muandalusite alteration zones Au potential? Strong Ag anomalies in till Au Au Committee block Fe Ag anomalies in till Fe Prince Albert Belt (Melville) North Baffin block Fe From Pehrsson et al., 2011 PDAC

28 PROTEROZOIC ARCHEAN Idealized stratigraphic columns In Archean greenstone belts of the Rae Craton Comparison between Mesoarchean Prince Albert belt and Red Lake striking. Similar metamorphic grade and bt-muandalusite alteration zones Au potential? Strong Ag anomalies in till Au Au Committee block Fe Ag anomalies in till Fe Ni Prince Albert Belt (Melville) North Baffin block Fe From Pehrsson et al., 2011 PDAC

29 Houle et al. (2010) GSC Open File Report 6729 Sarcpa Lake aeromagnetic survey total field Ni-Cu 47B AEI Spl Type Slabs Clasts Powder Assays Low 6.1% 0.99% 7.2% - High Average 18.8% 10.5% 5.8% Roche Bay 3.3% 8.1% greenstone 7.7% belt ca Ga - 6.7%

30 Houle et al. (2010) GSC Open File Report 6729 Sarcpa Lake aeromagnetic survey total field Ni-Cu Semi-massive sulphides 47B AEI Spl Type Slabs Clasts Powder Assays Low 6.1% 0.99% 7.2% - % Ni High Average 18.8% 10.5% 5.8% Roche Bay 3.3% 8.1% greenstone 7.7% belt ca Ga - 6.7%

31 The Adamson River Nickel Showing Prince Albert Hills, Nunavut Houle et al. (2010) GSC Open File Report 6729

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33 Comparative stratigraphy Au Melville Baffin

34 Paleoproterozoic rocks Leucogabbro 2018 Ma bt-granite Granite/anorthosite/leucogabbro 2018 Ma Diorite 2145 Ma

35 Paleoproterozoic rocks Intrudes lower-penrhyn Z Y Z X 1950 Ma hbl-bt-granodiorite 1950 Ma hbl-bt-granodiorite Granite/anorthosite/leucogabbro 2018 Ma Diorite 2145 Ma Hbl-bt Granodiorite 1950 Ma

36 Lake Sediment Analysis Au Bi W Te Carlin-type or intrusionrelated gold?

37 Penrhyn Group typical gossans Same age & setting as Black Angel deposit in Greenland (Karrat group)

38 Potential for IOCG-type deposits? Ce La Sa Co

39 Potential for IOCG-type deposits? Ce La Sa Comparison with REX property, Nunavik (Azimuth Expl.) Co La Ce Sm Eu Maximum individual values (ppm) Melville REX

40 Geology and metallogeny of Melville Peninsula: an update on recent activities of the GEM Multi Metals Project Surficial geology and exploration geochemistry Tremblay, T. 1 and Corrigan, D. 2 (1) Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Centre, Iqaluit, NU (2) Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON tommy.tremblay@nrcan.gc.ca

41 Introduction 1. Regional glacial geomorphology 2. Economic potential from: -Lake sediments geochemistry (Day, 2009) -Till matrix geochemistry (Dredge 1995, 2002, 2009; new data from field seasons 2009 and 2010) -Till heavy mineral fraction mineralogy and geochemistry (new data from field seasons 2009 and 2010) -Mineralized boulders geochemistry (new data from field seasons 2009 and 2010) 3. Conclusion

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43 TILL TYPES

44 TILL TYPES

45 ICE FLOW PHASE 1

46 ICE FLOW PHASE 2

47 TILL SAMPLING

48 GOLD IN LAKE SEDIMENTS

49 GOLD IN TILL (63um)

50 GOLD GRAINS IN TILL

51 COPPER

52

53 ZINC

54 MINERALIZED BOULDERS

55 1,4% Ni AND 0,4% Cu ULTRAMAFIC BOULDER

56 Conclusion Glacial geology indicates different till types and complex ice flow history, impacting on surficial geochemistry interpretation for mineral prospecting From geochemistry and mineralogy in till, mineralized boulders and lake sediments: -Prince Albert Gr. (PAG) shows potential for Ni, Cu, Au,Ag -Penrhyn Gr. shows potential for Au, Zn, Cu, U, Mo, Ag

57 Community Involvement: Hall Beach (2009) & Repulse Bay (2010)

58 Thank you!