total value $CAN 100,000

investigators: Michael Doggett, Alan Clark, Mark Diedrichs, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario; principal investigator – Susan Bird, Queens University, part of PhD study.

Systematic quantification of costs associated with the development of deposits of varying geological quality and geological type. Models will integrate economics with geological and geotechnical deposit characteristics. The models are intended to provide a format to make realistic economic decisions in the early stages of exploration and even before exploration is undertaken. This project will establish approach and methodology using the Cu ± Au porphyry model and other deposit types within limits of the data, time and budget

startup summer 2004; completion mid 2007
 

total value $CAN 220,000

Investigators: Mary Doherty, International Geochemical Consultants, Beth McClenaghan, Doreen Ames, Geological Survey of Canada with student assistants, Bob Brodowski, nickel-PGE geological consultant, Stu Averill, Overburden Drilling Management, GEMOC Laboratories, Macquarie University

Linkage with Canadian government-funded programs in exploration method development

Circum-polar and northern temperate shield terranes are highly prospective for sulphide Cu-Ni-PGE deposits, however much of this land is covered by thick overburden where surficial techniques must be applied. This project will establish a practical guide to geochemical and mineralogical exploration for magmatic Cu-Ni-PGE deposits using indicator minerals in glacial versus high chemically weathered subtropical terrains. The minerals chrome diopside, Mg-ilmenite, chrome spinel (chromite) and apatite are distinctively associated with secondary phases of mafic intrusions that contain Cu-Ni-PGE deposits. Work to date on chrome spinels (Steve Barnes – CSIRO, OGS, BCGS) demonstrates ability to differentiate a wide range of mafic and ultramafic intrusions. This study will collect trace element data from minerals using laser ablation ICP-MS. Public heavy minerals archives and databases in most Canadian provinces and territories provide a rich resource for indication of prospective intrusions. However, case studies are required to refine the chemistry of resistate minerals diagnostic of prospective intrusions. The project’s aim is to develop two dispersion case studies in Canada and Australia and to analyze a suite of minerals associated with key deposits including Norilsk and Jinchuan.

startup: June 2004; completion 2007
 

total value $CAN 150,000

sponsored by five companies; involved support and mapping of properties of two Canadian junior companies + a property in Tanzania

investigators: Tucker Barrie, Barrie Associates, Iain Samson and Brian Fryer, University of Windsor; PhD, MSc and BSc students are involved in field mapping and laboratory work.

Pervasive alteration and vein systems extend well into the wall rock around Cu-Ni-PGE massive and disseminated sulphide and low sulphide deposits associated with mafic and ultramafic intrusions. The nature and extent of this alteration is commonly not documented in a systematic manner. Alteration patterns and vein mineralogy and chemistry will be documented in 3 to 4 study areas through integration of field geology, mineral chemistry and whole rock chemistry.

Startup: September 2004; project completion late 2007

 

total value of $CAN1,000,000 with Scintrex

investigators: Scintrex, Ecole Polytechnique

Several million dollars were invested in development of a down-hole gravimeter for oil wells. Significant precision of direct measurements is proven and has essential multiple applications to the mineral industry. Exploration and mining engineering recognize need for in situ specific gravity. Over 1.5 years Scintrex will downsize this technology for use in BQ drill holes and NQ casing. The development includes the development of a fully integrated real-time logging system from down-hole sensor to robust surface computer system and interpretative forward-modelling interpretation of data. Field tests will constitute the last year of the program.

startup late 2005; completion early 2008.
 
 

total value $CAN40,000

sponsored by 4 mining companies

investigators: Bernd Milkereit and research associates at University of Toronto Department of Physics and application of borehole geophysical instruments on loan from Geoserve, Germany

A DC/IP data acquisition system is designed to acquire high resolution data rapidly in any user defined configuration. Geo-electric tomography and inversion can be applied for data analysis. Short borehole tests will be carried out in varied mine settings on surface and underground.

Surveys to be carried out July to September 2006 with a final report delivered in December 2006

 

total value $CAN35,000

investigators: database development by Mira Geoscience (John McGaughey and staff); delivery of rock property data from GSC (Jonathon Mwenifumbo, Carmel Lowe); demonstration of applications by UBC Geophysics (Nigel Phillips and syudent)

Collection and organization of available data into a relational database; public delivery; demonstration of application through a university project and a workshop at project end

startup August 2006; completion late 2007

 

total value $CAN40,000+

investigators: database development by Mira Geoscience (John McGaughey and staff); in coordination with GSC staff

Transfer of rock property database system to the national Geophysical Data Repository. During the term of the project additional funds will be raised to enter data from regions of Canada.

Start-up December 2006; completion 2007-2008