Canadian deposit types discussed at colloquim

The Geological Survey of Canada’s (GSC’s) fourth biennial Minerals Colloquim in Ottawa attracted representatives from Canadian, as well as foreign, companies.

Entitled “Canadian Mineral Deposit Types: Current Concepts,” the program included four thematic sessions:

n mafic and ultramafic associations;

n massive sulphide environments;

n stratabound, sedimentary environments; and

n porphyry systems.

London-based consultant Richard Sillitoe presented an overview of porphyry and related epithermal deposits, which focused on the precious metal potentials of porphyry systems.

Maps representing the first-ever systemic survey of southern Baffin Island were released in conjunction with discussion of a major field mapping project of the area. The maps and accompanying report highlight the potential for ore deposits similar to the Raglan deposit in Quebec.

The maps also provide information essential to long-term planning for the community of Iqaluit, the future capital of Nunavut.

Associated with the Colloquium was a fully subscribed 1-and-a-half-day course on geophysics in mineral exploration, presented by Dr. Patrick Killeen of GSC’s Mineral Resources division. Physical principals, calibration and methods of data presentation were reviewed, including a hands-on demonstration of the GSC software program known as LogView.