Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #60: Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization potential in volcanic and intrusive rocks of the Sverdrup Basin Magmatic Province, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Nunavut  (New Ni-Cu targets in flood basalts of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago)

Outline
It is widely accepted that magmatic sulphide deposits are related to mafic igneous bodies emplaced during the formation of epicontinental rift basins (e.g. Naldrett, 1992; Econ. Geol. 87: 1945-1962). In addition to nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), the orebodies may contain concentrations of the platinum-group elements (PGE) that are of great economic importance. In Canada, the recovery of platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) are limited to the Lac des Iles and Sudbury mining operations (Johnson Mathey, 2004). The Sverdrup Basin, in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is an epicontinental rift with a 250 million year history of sediment accumulation and subsidence. During the Cretaceous, the eruption of thick volcanic piles and the emplacement of sills and dykes in the sedimentary succession led to the formation of a flood basalt province refered to as the Sverdrup Basin Magmatic Province (SBMP; Williamson, 1998; IAVCEI Abstracts: 70). The SBMP is interpreted as a fragment of an Early Cretaceous Large Igneous Province (LIP), recognized in eastern Svalbard, and northern Russia (Drachev & Saunders, 2003; ICAM Abstracts: 45). The Sverdrup Basin is also characterized by the presence of evaporite diapirs (e.g. Zentilli et al., 2003; ICAM Abstracts: P-28). These attributes compare favourably with those of flood basalts hosting the world-class Ni-Cu-PGE massive sulphide deposits in the Norilsk-Talnakh region of northern Russia. This is a Geoscience project that intends to use the Geographic Information System (GIS) available for western Axel Heiberg Island (Lyon et al., in prep., 2004: detailed geology of the ca. 100 Ma old volcanic-intrusive complex; geochemistry, geochronology, regional topography, digital elevation model, and aeromagnetic data), as a tool to target volcanic feeders that provide hydrodynamic traps in which the sulphides can be concentrated to form orebodies. The GIS will be expanded to include structural information and remote sensing data, as well as the results of additional metal assays for lava flows and intrusions in the Early Cretaceous Isachsen Formation. The area of study will be expanded to include 3 neighbouring islands: Amund Ringnes, Ellef Ringnes, and Cornwall Islands. In each case, there is documented evidence for the interaction and mechanical mixing between igneous rocks and gypsum-anhydrite. Sulfur-rich sediments and/or the presence of evaporites interacting with flood basalts are key attributes of the metallogenic environment for the Norilsk-Tanalkh flood basalt province, still the top Pd-producer worldwide. Results of the study will be applied to other parts of the Cretaceous, circum-Arctic Large Igneous Province, particularly Svalbard, and Franz Josef Land.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
There is currently little or no mineral exploration north of the 75th parallel because of the remoteness of these uninhabited islands, lack of infrastructure, and presence of permanent ice cover, particularly in the vicinity of Axel Heiberg Island. In view of the Arctic warming trend, and predicted access to waterways in the Canadian Arctic, it is important to anticipate an increase in mineral exploration activities over the next 10-15 years. Collaboration between the Geological Survey of Canada, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, and Dalhousie University, has led to the production of the first Geographic Information System (GIS) for this region of Nunavut. What we propose to do is expand and use the GIS tool produced for western Axel Heiberg Island, to identify new Ni-Cu-PGE targets in the region, and other areas of the Cretaceous circum-Arctic igneous province. This is new geoscience in Canada’s last frontier region for mineral exploration.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Potential international collaborators: Dr. Sergey Drachev, Russian Academy of Sciences; Dr. Andy Saunders (University of Leicester, U.K); Geologists from the Norwegian Geological Survey who specialize in the Mesozoic stratigraphy of Svalbard; and scientists from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS; e.g. Dr. Lotte Larsen) who are already collaborating with the lead proponent on Tertiary offshore magmatism in the Davis Strait area, eastern Canada.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The first part of the study will focus on outcrops of the Strand Fiord and Isachsen Formations in proximity to evaporite diapirs, western Axel Heiberg Island. The second part of the study will expand the field study to Amund Ringnes, Ellef Ringnes and Cornwall Islands, Nunavut, and include data from Panarctic wells drilled in the 70’s and 80’s. The third part of the study will be a comparison with Cretaceous volcanic-intrusive systems observed in Svalbard (Norway), and Franz Josef Land (Russia).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07 – 08/07      06/08 – 08/08      06/09 – 08/09
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Most of the field work will be oriented to ground-truthing experiments of GIS and remote sensing data in the manner described at this site http://www.ccrs.nrcan.gc.ca/ccrs/rd/apps/geo/arctic/arctic_e.html and with the use of small teams operating out of fly camps with PCSP logistics and aircraft support.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Any legacy of infrastructure will be limited to GIS applications, sharing of best practices with industry and international partners, and interaction with the Grise Fiord community. The project may include a component of Traditional Knowledge (see collaborators).

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The geoscience that underpins this proposal – to develop a GIS for the Strand Fiord/Expedition Fiord regions of Axel Heiberg Island – is already underway, with support in 2003-2004 provided by PCSP, New Energy Options for Northerners (NEON / Earth Science Sector’s NRD Program) and an NSERC Discovery Grant to Dr. Marcos Zentilli, 2005-2009. The science is linked to an IPY proposal led by Drs. M. Zentilli and W. Pollard. There will follow-up with Inco Ltd. (Dr. Peter Lightfoot) to investigate the possibility of collaboration and support. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Geoscience and New Technologies/ Challenges for Sustainable Resource Development

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


This project is a new proposal that could become part of a Northern Resource Development initiative to increase mineral exploration in frontier regions of Canada (ESS Sector Project System, Dave Scott). Collaboration with Dr. Marcos Zentilli started in 2001, with input from Paul Budkewitsch starting early 2004.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project management will take the same format established since 2001 in the GSC-Dalhousie University collaboration: regular meetings, joint participation at conferences, co-authored scientific manuscripts, and joint field programs.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The research group will take advantage of Outreach activities already underway in the NEON project. A new initiative of interaction with northern schools will be started with Jennifer Bates, GSC Atlantic, and partners at INAC, and the PDAC.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The GIS currently in preparation will be published as a GSC Open File; and we will continue to use that format to make the GIS available. A website will be used to describe all aspects of the science and outreach, and databases will be made available through the appropriate GSC web links, and according to guidelines established by the Northern Resource Development Program for their projects in the North.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
In years 1 and 2, $40,000 will be required in operating funds, and the equivalent in logistics and aircraft support from PCSP during field work. It is expected that half of the 40K required in O&M, or 20K, can be obtained from mining companies targeting new Nickel deposits in the Nunavut. The remaining 20K/yr would have to be secured through ESS program support. In year 3, travel to Russia or Svalbard for a field workshop will likely require an additional 10K, or 50K total.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Marie-Claude Williamson
Geological Survey of Canada (Atlantic)
1 Challenger Dr, P.O. Box 1006
Dartmouth, NS
B2Y 4A2
Canada

Tel: (902) 426-5072
Mobile: no
Fax: (902) 426-6152
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation