Open House 2009 Abstract Volume Saskatchewan Geological...

November 30 to December 2, 2009

Open House 2009

Abstract Volume

SaskatchewanGeological Survey

November 30 to December 2, 2009

Open House 2009 Abstract Volume Saskatchewan Geological Survey

Printed under the authority of the Government of Saskatchewan

19 48

Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House 2009, Abstract Volume ii

Although the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources has exercised all reasonable care in the compilation, interpretation, and production of this report, it is not possible to ensure total accuracy, and all persons who rely on the information contained herein do so at their own risk. The Ministry of Energy and Resources and the Government of Saskatchewan do not accept liability for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies that may be included in, or derived from, this report.

Cover: Employees of the Northern Geological Survey Branch of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources are examining an outcrop of mafic volcanic rocks in the Trade Lake area of the central Glennie Domain. Junior geological assistant Andrew Masurat (left) is taking magnetic susceptibility readings and project geologist Ralf Maxeiner (right) is acquiring their GPS position.

Additional copies of this volume may be obtained by contacting:

Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources Publications 2101 Scarth Street, 3rd floor Regina, SK S4P 2H9 (306) 787-2528 FAX: (306) 787-2488 E-mail: [email protected]

Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House 2009, Abstract Volume iii

Contents

page Technical Session 1: Geological Context of the Athabasca Basin and its Uranium Deposits

* Cree South Project 2009: Reconnaissance Bedrock Mapping in the Lloyd Domain and Virgin River Shear Zone ......................................................................................................... C.D. Card 2

Lithostratigraphic Investigations of the North and Northeast Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan .................................................................. Sean A. Bosman and Matthew Schwab 3

A 2009 – Advances in Geophysics – Adapting to Changing Geological Models .................. Ken Witherly 4

A SQUID in Saskatchewan: The Next Level of Deep Electromagnetic Exploration in the Athabasca Basin .................................. Dennis Woods, Lawrence Bzdel, Tiaan Le Roux, Guy Marquis, ....................................................................................... Matthias Meyer, Larry Petrie, and Joseph Roux 5

A Overview and Recent Exploration Success at the McArthur River Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan ................................................ Jason T. Craven and C. Trevor Perkins 6

A Hathor’s Roughrider Zone: One Year and a Lot of Core Later! ............ Alistair McCready, Tom Elash, James Sykes, Brian Reilkoff, and Phil Robertshaw 7

A New Uranium Opportunities at Fond du Lac .................................. Marnie Muirhead, Guy Marquis, Karl Schimann, and Peter Dasler 8

A 3-D Seismic Investigations at the Millennium Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan ............................................................................................... C.R. O’Dowd and G. Wood 9

A The Spectrum of Uranium-bearing Mineral Systems in South Australia and Global Exploration Implications ...... Martin Fairclough and the Geological Survey of South Australia 10

Technical Session 2: Gold, Mineral Activity Overview, and Mineral Deposit Models

A Overview of Saskatchewan Mineral Exploration and Development Activity for 2009 ...................................................................... Gary Delaney and Staff of ................................................................................ the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources 12

A Comments on the New Saskatchewan Descriptive Mineral Deposit Models ............. Murray C. Rogers 14

A Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership Update ................................................... Geoff Gay 15

A Golden Band Resources’ Birch Crossing Gold Deposit: Geochemical Characteristics and Controls on Mineralization .......................................................................................... M.D. Senkow 16

A Claude Resources Inc: Growing the Seabee Gold Project by Discovering, Defining, and Developing the Santoy 8 Gold Deposit ................................................................ Brian Skanderbeg 17

Technical Session 3: Base Metals, REEs, Generative Mapping, and Geophysical Applications

* Norites, Gabbros, and Pyroxenites of the Dodge Domain: Their Setting Within a Potential Nickel Belt ........................................................................................ B. Knox and K.E. Ashton 20

* Quaternary Geology of the Dodge Domain: Initial Investigations Along a Potential Nickel Belt .......................................................................................................... M.A. Hanson 21

A The Snowbird Nickel Project, an Emerging Belt of Nickel Sulphide Discoveries ............... David Gale 22

Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House 2009, Abstract Volume iv

page

A ZTEM Airborne Tipper AFMAG Test Survey Over a Magmatic Copper-Nickel Target at Axis Lake in Northern Saskatchewan ......... Jean M. Legault, Harish Kumar, Biljana Milicevi, and Larry Hulbert 23

* Geology and REE Mineralization of the Hoidas-Nisikkatch Lakes Area Revisited ................................................................ Charles Normand, Brian McEwan, and Ken Ashton 24

A Highlights of the New 1:10 000-scale Geology Map of the Flin Flon Area, Manitoba and Saskatchewan ............................................................... R-L. Simard and K. MacLachlan 25

Update on Sub-Phanerozoic Geological Mapping of the Flin Flon–Glennie Complex and Implications for Base Metal Exploration ............................................................................ Ryan Morelli 26

* Bedrock Geology of the Keg-Trade Lakes Area (Churchill River), Central Glennie Domain ...................................................................... Ralf O. Maxeiner and Charles Normand 27

A Results from the Initial Field Trials of a Borehole Gravity Meter for Mining Applications ....................... Harold O. Seigel, Chris Nind, Aleksandar Milanovic, and Jeff MacQueen 28

A The Lalor Deposit, Snow Lake Area, Manitoba ........................... Kelly V. Gilmore, Jason Levers, Rob Carter, Kim Proctor, and Alan Bailes 29

A Addressing Issues in Exploration Health and Safety ........................................................ Dale Huffman 30

Technical Session 4: Diamonds, Potash, and Coal

A Goldsource’s Border Coal Project, An Emerging New Energy Resource ........................... N. Eric Fier 32

Preliminary Investigations of the Hudson Bay Area Coal Deposits ...................................................................... Jason Berenyi, Arden Marsh, and R. Leray 33

A NuCoal Energy Corp. South 50 Project Update ........................... NuCoal Energy Corp. Representative 34

A The Stratigraphic Framework of the Potash-rich Members of the Middle Devonian Upper Prairie Evaporite Formation, Saskatchewan ........ Chao Yang, Gavin Jensen, and Jason Berenyi 35

A BHP Billiton Update on Saskatchewan Potash Activities ...................................................... Tom Olson 36 A Geological Control on the Orion South Kimberlite Mineral Resource, Fort à la Corne, Saskatchewan ...................................... S. Harvey, P. Du Plessis, M. Shimell, G. Read, B. van Breugel, ........................................................................................ F. Brown, W. Ewert, E. Puritch, and D. Leroux 37

Abstracts for Other Papers Appearing in the Summary of Investigations 2009, Volume 2

Meso- and Neoarchean Granitic Magmatism, Paleoproterozoic (2.37 Ga and 1.93 Ga) Metamorphism and 2.17 Ga Provenance Ages in a Murmac Bay Group Pelite; U-Pb SHRIMP Ages from the Uranium City Area ................... K.E. Ashton, N.M. Rayner, and K.M. Bethune 40

New U-Pb and Sm-Nd Results from the Pelican Narrows Area: 1865 to 1857 Ma Successor Arc Sedimentation from Juvenile Sources, 1857 Ma Juvenile Successor Arc Plutonism, and 1837 Ma Missi Group Sedimentation .................... N.M. Rayner, R.O. Maxeiner, and R.A. Creaser 41

Geology and Associated Vein- or Shear Zone-hosted Uranium Mineralization of the 46 Zone and Hab Mine Areas, Beaverlodge Uranium District, Northern Saskatchewan .................................................... G.M. Tracey, D.R. Lentz, R.A. Olson, and K.E. Ashton 42

A Indicates an Open House 2009 talk abstract only. * Indicates a report accompanied by a map or maps available separately for purchase. They are listed in full on the Ministry of Energy and Resources’ website at:

www.er.gov.sk.ca/soi. All other titles represent papers found in the Summary of Investigations 2009, Volume 2. These papers are also found at: www.er.gov.sk.ca/soi.

Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House 2009, Abstract Volume 1

Technical Session 1: Geological Context of the Athabasca Basin and its Uranium Deposits


Cree South Project 2009: Reconnaissance Bedrock Mapping in the Lloyd Domain and Virgin River Shear Zone

C.D. Card 1

Abstract

The Cree South Project is focussed on the transition from the Mudjatik and Virgin River domains of the Hearne Province to the Lloyd Domain of the Taltson Magmatic Zone across the Virgin River Shear Zone. Four map areas were chosen, two to investigate rocks of the central Lloyd Domain and two to examine the domainal transition. Rocks of the central Lloyd Domain were observed at Fournier and Lloyd lakes. Those areas are dominated by granulite-facies (M1) intermediate intrusive rocks, the ‘quartz diorite suite’, and charnockitic granite, with pelitic diatexite of the Careen Lake Group subordinate. A gneissic S1-S2 foliation was imparted on these rocks during M1 metamorphism prior to emplacement of the Clearwater anorthosite, which contains folded (F3) primary igneous layering and was emplaced under granulite-facies conditions. D3 deformation was generally weak in the central Lloyd Domain but, where more intense, it is accompanied by a strong amphibolite-facies metamorphic (M2) overprint.

The domainal transition was investigated at Turnor-Wasekamio lakes and Westgate Lake. The Virgin River Shear Zone in the Turnor-Wasekamio lakes area contains granitic to tonalitic orthogneiss of the Virgin River Domain in its footwall and the quartz diorite suite of the Lloyd Domain in its hanging wall. Between those rocks is the ca. 1819 Ma Junction granite, which stitches the Virgin River Shear Zone. The Junction granite is heterogeneously strained though generally well foliated parallel to the fabric of the shear zone, suggesting that episodic deformation along the shear zone spanned the intrusive event. Metamorphic conditions across the Turnor-Wasekamio lakes area were in the amphibolite-facies realm. At Westgate Lake, granitic to granodioritic orthogneiss and amphibolite of the Virgin River Domain and the quartz diorite suite of the Lloyd Domain are separated by the Virgin Schist Group. Unlike elsewhere in the Lloyd Domain, diabase is the most common rock unit. Diabase was emplaced after the regional S1-S2 foliation was formed but is well foliated (S3). The Virgin Schist Group is dominated by phyllonitic pelitic rocks. Rocks previously interpreted as Virgin Schist Group psammites south of Westgate Lake are mylonitic orthogneisses of the Virgin River Domain. As such, a previously proposed fold of the Virgin Schist Group cored by orthogneiss of the Virgin River Domain is not real. The Virgin Schist Group is confined to a panel between the Virgin River and Lloyd domains and not folded into the Virgin River Domain as proposed in previous reports.

Mapping in 2009 largely supports the findings of previous mapping during the Cree South project: that the Lloyd Domain is a dominated by the quartz diorite suite, whereas the Virgin River Domain is dominated by granitic to tonalitic orthogneiss. These rocks are separated by the 1 to 2 km-wide Virgin Schist Group along most of the length of the Virgin River Shear Zone, except in the southwest where the Junction granite replaces it. The D3 Virgin River Shear Zone is part of a widespread and protracted episode that resulted in heterogeneous deformation, with high-strain zones developed in both the hanging wall and footwall blocks. The Virgin River Shear Zone was reactivated a number of times under a variety of temperature-pressure conditions.

1 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9.


Lithostratigraphic Investigations of the North and Northeast Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

Sean A. Bosman 1 and Matthew Schwab 2

Abstract

Multi-parameter digital plots of diamond drill cores are a simple, quick, objective, and effective method of delineating the lithostratigraphy of the Athabasca Basin. During 2009, 61 diamond drill holes from several understudied areas of the Athabasca Basin were documented using multi-parameter digital plots. The focus of the summer program was to log drill holes located in the north and northeast parts of the basin. The techniques and logging parameters closely followed those developed by the EXploration science and TECHnology initiative (EXTECH IV) Athabasca Uranium Multidisciplinary Study. Gamma-ray data integrated with the multi-parameter logging method were used in the EXTECH IV research and this study to help define several stratigraphic contacts including the one between the Read Formation and the Bird Member and/or Raibl Member of the Manitou Falls Formation. These new quantitative logs guided the repositioning of several unit contacts. The summer findings also suggest that there is a significant fining of the conglomerates in the lower stratigraphic units towards the north and northeast parts of the Athabasca Basin. This fining may indicate a more southerly contact between the central Ahenakew deposystem and the northern Moosonees deposystem than previously identified.

1 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9. 2 Department of Geology, University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2.


2009 – Advances in Geophysics – Adapting to Changing Geological Models

Ken Witherly 1

Abstract

Geophysical approaches to exploring for uranium in the Athabasca Basin have evolved over time. Initially, the focus was on locating local/shallow sources of radioactivity that were often associated with radioactive boulders. This approach was quite successful in the early stages of the exploration history of the Basin and a number of deposits were located via the tracing of boulder trains.

With the recognition of the existence of deposits under the sandstone associated with graphitic faults in the Archean basement, explorers began applying EM techniques to help further refine the search. Direct detection of mineralization was not possible but being able to map the permissive structures was extremely valuable, especially when the sandstone cover was only a few hundreds of metres thick. As with boulder tracing, there were a number of significant discoveries which ensued using EM as a indirect targeting technique. Considerable emphasis was placed on the application of airborne techniques as a first pass tool but ground and, to a lesser extent, borehole approaches were also honed as the basement conductor model was pursued.

This model is still being pursued and advances in airborne EM technology MegaTEM, VTEM and most recently ZTEM have pushed the depth of sandstone cover which can be penetrated to >1 km.

In the last decade, explorers began experimenting with techniques such as seismic, gravity gradiometry and IP-resistivity. This was motivated by a number of factors; the diminishing success of EM techniques alone, the high cost of chasing conductors into the deeper parts of the Basin, plus a growing awareness by geologists that there were deposit styles which did not fit the classic, close coupled conductor-deposit-at-unconformity model developed over 30 years ago.

While a broader set of deposit models opens up the available target space for explorers, there is commensurate need to re-calibrate on the new target models, otherwise the enterprise can be reduced to ‘random walk’ style strategy which many would deem leads to the explorers’ anathema, sometimes termed ‘gamblers ruin’. The industry’s success at defining and exploiting new target models will be examined and a ‘score card’ of these outcomes will be proposed.

1 Condor Consulting, Inc., Suite 150 - 2201 Kipling Street, Lakewood, CO 80215, U.S.A.


SQUID in Saskatchewan: The Next Level of Deep Electromagnetic Exploration in the Athabasca Basin

Dennis Woods 1, Lawrence Bzdel 2, Tiaan Le Roux 3, Guy Marquis 4, Matthias Meyer 5, Larry Petrie 6, and Joseph Roux 7

Abstract

A SQUID is a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device: a high precision, high sensitivity magnetometer that was developed in cryogenic physics labs about 40 years ago. It consists of a special arrangement of metals and solid state materials, which at liquid helium or liquid nitrogen temperatures is superconducting and effectively measures the quantum state of a magnetic field to incredible precision: i.e., femtoTesla or 10-10 times the earth’s magnetic field. With this high-sensitivity, it is possible to measure the magnetic component of an electromagnetic field directly, usually referred to as the “B-field”, rather than the more usual rate of change of the magnetic component (dB/dt) using an induction coil.

Over the past 40 years, the challenge has been to develop a SQUID in a portable instrument that is robust enough for typical field work conditions. Various designs were attempted over the years, until a German research organization (IPHT in Jena, Germany) developed low temperature (liquid helium) and high temperature (liquid nitrogen) SQUIDs using a small cryogenic liquid container (cryostat) made from a robust composite material. The low temperature SQUID or LTS has about four times the sensitivity of the high temperature SQUID or HTS, however the availability, safety aspects and ease of handling of liquid nitrogen versus liquid helium needs to be taken into consideration. The IPHT LTS is proprietary to Anglo American, who funded the original research. The IPHT HTS is being used for contract surveys worldwide exclusively by Discovery International Geophysics and Supracon AG, the Jena based distributor of the IPHT HTS.

In November 2007, a prototype IPHT Z-axis HTS was brought to Saskatchewan by Discovery/Supracon and tested by AREVA Resources Canada over the Shea Creek deposit using a Geonics Protem TEM system. The same sensor was later used in a comparative production TEM survey by CanAlaska Uranium. The following year, Anglo American, in conjunction with AREVA, brought their IPHT LTS to Saskatchewan and tested it over Shea Creek in a variety of survey modes using both Geonics Protem and EMIT Smartem TEM systems. The results from these initial test surveys were very encouraging, so from January to April this year, the first three-axis IPHT HTS, developed with funding by Discovery, was used in a variety of production TEM surveys for AREVA and various test surveys for Cameco Corporation and Denison Mines. During these test and production SQUID TEM surveys, different survey modes were tried and various comparisons were made between B-field SQUID and dB/dt induction coils.

All of these test and production IPHT SQUID surveys demonstrated the improvement in interpretable TEM data that can be realized by using SQUID versus regular induction coil EM receivers. The increased detection sensitivity (i.e., lower noise) of the Discovery/Supracon HTS leads to four main SQUID TEM advantages: 1) the ability to detect anomalous responses from conductors up to 1 km deep; 2) greater precision of results leading to more precise interpretations with greater confidence of drill targets; 3) increased ability to discriminate between conductors of different conductance and size because of the increased frequency range, which permits the detection of basement conductors under conductive cover or the differentiation of specific conductors within a conductive zone; and 4) simplified survey logistics: e.g., a smaller Tx loop will produce the same or better quality TEM data with SQUID as larger loops with induction coil. All of the above advantages are demonstrated by the initial test and production survey data shown, using the first SQUID in Saskatchewan.

1 Discovery International Geophysics Inc., 1 Greunthal Road, P.O. Box 57, Hague, SK S0K 1X0. 2 Cameco Corporation, 2121 - 11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 1J3. 3 Anglo American, Anglo Technical Division, 45 Main Street, Johannesburg 2091, South Africa. 4 CanAlaska Uranium Limited, 625 Howe Street, Suite 1020, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T6. 5 Supracon AG, Wildenbruchstraße 15, Jena 07745, Germany. 6 Denison Mines Corporation, 230 - 22nd Street East, Suite 200, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0E9. 7 AREVA Resources Canada Inc., 817 - 45th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3X5.


Overview and Recent Exploration Success at the McArthur River Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

Jason T. Craven 1

Abstract

and C. Trevor Perkins 1

The McArthur River P2 North deposit discovered in 1988 is the world’s largest high-grade uranium mine. In 1992, Cameco went before a joint federal-provincial review panel seeking approval to proceed with underground exploration. In 1993 approval was granted and shaft sinking commenced that year. Mine construction began in 1997 after the project received regulatory approval, and full production capacity was achieved in November 2000.

McArthur River is located in the southeastern Athabasca Basin, 70 km northeast of the Key Lake mill and 620 km north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The deposit is hosted by late Paleoproterozoic Athabasca Group sandstones, conglomerates and mudstones that unconformably overlie Paleoproterozoic meta-sedimentary and Archean rocks of the Hearne Province, close to the transition between the Wollaston and Mudjatik lithostructural domains.

The main structural control to the mineralization of the P2 North deposit is the southeast-dipping P2 fault, a thrust fault zone that has moved a wedge-shaped block of Wollaston Group basement rocks into a position structurally overlying the lower Athabasca Group sediments. The P2 fault is the most prominent structural feature in the area and is directly related spatially to the P2 North ore bodies.

The McArthur River mine contributes approximately 20% of annual global uranium mining production. At current levels the mine has a life expectancy of 25 years with a production capacity of 18.7 million pounds of uranium per year. As of December 31, 2008, proven and probable reserves at McArthur River stood at 729 500 tonnes averaging 20.69% U3O8 totalling 332.6 million lbs U3O8 (Cameco Annual Report 2008).

Surface exploration along the P2 trend resumed in 2004 as part of Cameco’s brownfield program. The P2 trend (as currently defined) is at least 18 km in length and less than 40% has been fully tested. Recent drilling results have been encouraging as exploration moves northward. This includes the definition of Zones A and B. Several more years of dedicated exploration will be required to fully realize the total uranium resource endowment of the fertile P2 structure.

1 Cameco Corporation, 2121 - 11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 1J3.


Hathor’s Roughrider Zone: One Year and a Lot of Core Later!

Alistair McCready 1, Tom Elash 1, James Sykes 1, Brian Reilkoff 2, and Phil Robertshaw 3

Abstract

During 2009, exploration at Hathor Exploration’s Midwest NorthEast property has continued at an intense pace. This activity included two multi-rig diamond drilling campaigns, several geophysical surveys, metallurgical studies, and an initial resource estimate. This abstract provides an insight into the developments at the Roughrider Zone (RRZ) since those detailed at the 2008 Open House.

Four drill rigs completed 89 drill holes totalling about 30 000 m during the 2009 winter program. This activity focused primarily on delineating the RRZ. This program: 1) identified significant strike and width extensions; 2) demonstrated good continuity of mineralization; 3) discovered zones of high radioactivity at (±5 m) the unconformity; 4) demonstrated that the RRZ remains open in all dimensions; and 5) intersected the highest grade assays (84.2 wt% U3O8) reported from the project to date.

The 2009 summer program used three drill rigs, completing 57 drill holes for about 20 150 m. This activity combined exploratory drilling around the RRZ and reconnaissance drilling elsewhere on the property. At the time of writing, no geochemical information has been released from this program. This exploration successfully identified two new alteration zones along strike from the main RRZ and drill hole MWNE-09-170 discovered a new zone of high-grade mineralization in one of these alteration zones. This mineralization is 200 m away from the main RRZ.

In plan view, RRZ mineralization is now identified over an area of 200 m strike length by 100 m width elongated in an N75E direction. In 3D, the overall mineralization envelope (>0.05% U3O8) comprises a series of complexly oriented zones that, in general, dip to the north-northwest with an up-plunge direction to the east-southeast. Within the Main (in the basement) and Unconformity zones, a number of distinct high-grade zones (>5%) are present. Uranium mineralization is predominantly hosted within Wollaston Group pelitic and graphitic pelitic gneisses that appear to be part of a larger faulted/sheared, recumbent to isoclinal, antiformal fold that has been thrust southwards up onto the Midwest Dome, and bounded to the north by the Hanging Wall Wedge (strongly re-worked Archean granitic gneisses).

The initial, preliminary, resource estimate contains an indicated resource of 6.58 million lbs at 2.57 % U3O8 and an inferred resource of 5.47 million lbs at 3.00% U3O8 (0.06% U3O8 cut-off). These numbers do not include all of the uranium identified to date within the RRZ or the mineralization intersected in MWNE-09-170. Consequently, we believe considerable upside potential to the current resource exists.

While individual samples may be highly polymetallic in nature (including up to 2.8 wt% Co, 9.59 wt% Cu, 28.8 wt% Ni, 2.8 wt% Mo, 1.76 wt% V, 6.5 wt% Zn, and 12.1 g/t Au), the resource estimate identifies that, on a bulk-scale, the RRZ contains relatively low amounts of these metals. Very importantly, compared to most other deposits in the area, the RRZ also has low values for common toxic elements such as As and Se. Geochemical property-scale modelling of the metals is currently being undertaken to understand the role of these metals.

1 Hathor Exploration Limited, Saskatoon Exploration Office, Suite 1202, The Tower at Midtown, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1J5. 2 Consultant/Applications Specialist (Geosciences), University of Saskatchewan, 114 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2. 3 Robertshaw Geophysics Ltd., 4908 Island Highway South, Courtenay, BC V9N 9S3.


New Uranium Opportunities at Fond du Lac

Marnie Muirhead 1

Abstract

, Guy Marquis 1, Karl Schimann 1, and Peter Dasler 1

The Fond du Lac Uranium Deposit is located on the northern rim of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 65 km east-southeast of the Beaverlodge Uranium District. The area of the deposit was initially explored in the late 1960s by a group of related French companies who were following up on the discovery of several uraniferous boulder trains in the area; and by 1970 Amok had defined a non–43-101 compliant resource of 450 000 kg (990,000 lb) of uranium grading 0.25% U3O8 on the deposit. In 1976, the ground covering the Fond du Lac Deposit was ceded to the Crown, whom subsequently incorporated it into First Nations Reserve 228, although agreements between the Federal Government and Eldorado Nuclear Ltd. allowed exploration work to progress. Interest eventually waned however, along with the price of uranium, and in the late 1980s the agreements were allowed to lapse.

The bulk of the Fond du Lac Deposit mineralization is hosted in sandstone of the Manitou Falls member of the Athabasca Group and mineralization can occur throughout the 35 to 50 m of sandstone that overlies the basement. Uranium mineralization in the sandstone is accompanied by silicification and hematite, carbonate, pyrite and weakly developed chlorite, dravite, and/or kaolinite.

Throughout the history of exploration on the deposit, a sandstone-based exploration model was employed. Most of the drill holes targeting the deposit were vertical and extended only a few metres into paleo-weathered basement before being terminated. In 2006, following an agreement with the Fond du Lac Denesuline First Nation, CanAlaska began conducting exploration using modern geophysical survey methods. Subtle basement structures were identified that had been missed by earlier work.

In 2009, drill hole FLC017 intersected 40.40 m at 0.32% U3O8, including 6 m of 1.13% U3O8. This drill hole targeted coincidental Resistivity and IP anomalies and a magnetic lineament. Pitchblende in this drill hole occurs as coatings and encrustations on brecciated fragments of foliated biotite gneiss. Further drilling is planned to delineate the extent of the mineralised zone encountered in FLC017 and a basement-hosted model for uranium mineralization is being used to develop additional targets.

1 CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., 1020 - 625 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T6.


3-D Seismic Investigations at the Millennium Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan

C.R. O’Dowd 1

Abstract

and G. Wood 1

The Millennium uranium deposit, a joint venture among Cameco Corporation (41.96%), JCU (Canada) Exploration Co. Ltd. (30.10%), and AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (27.94%), is located in the eastern Athabasca Basin approximately 40 km north of the Key Lake mill. The deposit is hosted by Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary basement rocks below 500 m of variably altered younger Paleoproterozoic sandstones, and is focused along moderately dipping post-Athabasca structures (post-Hudsonian). Currently, the deposit is undergoing a mining feasibility study. In 2006, as part of a pre-feasibility proposal, seismic methods were identified as a potential tool capable of mapping the unconformity topography and post-Athabasca basement structures, the location of which are important in determining the optimal shaft location, as well as help guide future mine development planning. The target depth and the complicated geology is considered a seismic challenge as well as an engineering challenge for mine development. Knowing the location of potential water-bearing structures within the immediate mine area became a significant driver for this survey. Early in 2007 a comprehensive seismic program, including surface and bore hole methods, was completed over the proposed mine area. Evaluation of the data and revisions of the processing, velocity modeling, and static corrections has taken place over the following years.

While seismic programs have been performed sporadically in the Athabasca Basin over the past 50 years, the Millennium 3-D seismic program was one of the first of its kind to successfully image, in detail, the basement unconformity, horizontal and sub-vertical sandstone structures in such a (seismically) shallow, highly attenuating environment. The success of the program resulted from the combination of testing various source parameters, development of an understanding of the signal attenuation and the complicated site-specific static corrections required. In addition, the integration of various seismic survey techniques was used to mitigate technical obstacles such as the overburden, signal penetration through heavy alteration, and geometric coupling with features of interest (ranging from vertical to horizontal). The resultant products include a full 3-D surface seismic reflection cube and a 3-D VSP reflection cube. The combination of these two products, which contain dramatically different coupling and resolution characteristics, ranging from ±15 m to ±7 m, have allowed for a detailed interpretation of the unconformity offsets, and direct imaging of associated sub-vertical structures directly over the deposit and to the east of the deposit within the area of proposed mine workings.

Prior to the seismic investigations, little was known about the geological (structural) setting outside of the immediate area of drilling (approximately 1100 m strike length by 100 m wide) which focused along interpreted electromagnetic conductor traces. The geological model has now been updated to include a more detailed understanding of the main faults, as well as numerous cross faults that control mineralization and offset the interpreted conductor axes. Furthermore, the expansion of our knowledge of the area has allowed for interpretation of a half graben, located footwall to the deposit, location of the area of shallowest unconformity with minimal sub-vertical structures for optimal shaft sinking, and has successfully imaged the alteration zone surrounding the deposit. Investigations of the surface seismic 3-D cube as well as the other seismic datasets are still ongoing. Great potential still exists for developing further understanding of the physical properties of the geology of the Millennium uranium deposit.

1 Cameco Corporation, 2121 - 11th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7M 1J3.


The Spectrum of Uranium-bearing Mineral Systems in South Australia and Global Exploration Implications

Martin Fairclough 1

Abstract

and the Geological Survey of South Australia

South Australia hosts two of Australia’s three uranium mines, with another due to begin production within a year. Crystalline basement is intruded by 1600 to 1580 Ma uranium-rich granitoids that are the probable source to a wide variety of potential geological host rocks within the broader uranium mineral system, via remobilisation into older and younger rocks (hydrothermally, structurally and within basins and channels).

Currently four types (and variations between them) are explored for:

Breccia complex deposits are formed at high crustal levels in active hydrothermal and/or phreatomagmatic systems and occur in a range of host rocks, but uranium enrichment is proportional to proximity of Mesoproterozoic granitoids. Examples of this type of “IOCG+/-U” deposit include Olympic Dam. Olympic Dam is within a iron-rich belt hosting Prominent Hill, Carrapateena, Acropolis, Wirrda Well and Oak Dam. Palaeozoic examples enriched from Mesoproterozoic basement are also known.

Roll-front deposits are hosted by medium- to coarse-grained fluvial, marginal marine or alluvial sands draining off uraniferous basement rocks. Mineralization results from the interaction of uranium-rich oxidising fluids and reduced lithologies (e.g., carbonaceous material). Spatial association with basement faults and non-channel sands adjacent to basement highs are noted (e.g., Beverley 4 Mile). South Australia contains significant examples of Tertiary roll-front deposits, including Beverley and Honeymoon within the Callabonna Sub-basin. The Beverley Deposit is the only deposit of its type currently being mined in Australia, although Honeymoon is due to begin full production.

Vein style deposits are hosted by cavity fill (fractures, veins, apophyses) and can be related to fault planes and shear zones. In some cases, these may be remobilised examples of other styles. The most significant area for this style of deposit in South Australia has historically been at Radium Hill and Crocker Well within the Curnamona Province.

Unconformity-related models have not traditionally been considered in South Australia, but are a recent focus of exploration activity. Mineralization is proposed to occur immediately below and/or above major unconformities separating deformed uraniferous basement from overlying clastic sediments. This scenario occurs on the Gawler Craton where Mesoproterozoic sandstones unconformably overly Palaeoproterozoic Hutchinson Group and Mesoproterozoic granites.

Known uranium occurrences for each deposit type have been collated and represented spatially as “key ingredients” maps which subsequently provide a foundation for predictive modelling. Key parameters include: distance from uranium-rich granitoids and their proximity to faults, distance of uranium mineralization down-gradient from a source in palaeochannels, flow rates, fluid chemistry, the presence and proximity of reductants below unconformities and so on. However, due to lack of outcrop, some parameters can be outline only in geophysical data, particularly for IOCG, but importantly these can also be applied to uranium exploration worldwide, independently of degree of outcrop. Examples of this include generating mineral potential maps for potential field signatures of Olympic Dam–style systems.

1 Geological Survey Branch, Minerals and Energy Resources, Primary Industries and Resources SA, GPO Box 1671, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia.


Technical Session 2: Gold, Mineral Activity Overview, and Mineral Deposit Models


Overview of Saskatchewan Mineral Exploration and Development Activity for 2009

Gary Delaney 1

Abstract

and Staff of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources

In 2008, Saskatchewan continued its unprecedented growth in mineral exploration and development. The total value of mineral sales in 2008 was $9.36 billion (B) ranking Saskatchewan first in Canada. Saskatchewan continued to be the global leader in potash and uranium production, contributing approximately one-third and one-fifth respectively of the world’s supply. There was also production of gold, salt, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, kaolinite, coal, aggregate, bentonite, and silica sand. The province also has significant potential for copper, nickel, zinc, platinum group metals, diamonds, and rare earth elements.

Although the global recession has caused many commodity prices to drop in 2009, exploration activity throughout the province continued to be strong, despite dropping from a record $474 million (M) in 2008 to an estimated $293 M in 2009. In 2009, most exploration expenditures will be for potash, uranium, and coal, with limited activity for base metals, diamonds, gold, and rare earth elements.

Mineral dispositions have declined significantly from last year. As of October 31, 2009, there were 4,942 active mineral dispositions issued totalling 6 926 635 ha. In addition, there were 182 active potash dispositions covering 4 313 171 ha. Due to a significant find in the Hudson Bay area in 2008, a staking rush for coal ensued and there are now 6,448 active coal dispositions totalling 4 062 694 ha.

Uranium was produced from three operations in 2008: the McArthur River Mine/Key Lake Mill; the Eagle Point Mine at Rabbit Lake; and the McClean Lake Mine. Total production was 23.4 M lb U3O8, down from 24.6 M lb in 2007. The McArthur River Mine produced 16.6 M lb of the total. In and adjacent to the Athabasca Basin, the world’s premier exploration district for high-grade uranium deposits, it is estimated that about $124 M will be spent on exploration in 2009, down from actual expenditures of nearly $204 M in 2008. Major programs include those of producers Cameco Corporation (Cameco) and AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (AREVA), mid-sized Denison Mines Corp. (Denison), and juniors UEX Corporation (UEX) and Hathor Exploration Ltd. (Hathor). Exploration successes continue to be reported, underlining the ongoing potential of the basin. Exploration highlights in 2009 include continued positive results from Hathor’s Roughrider zone, and AREVA-UEX’s Shea Creek property; new discoveries include the Phoenix zone at the Denison-operated Wheeler River Joint Venture property, Pitchstone Exploration Ltd.’s Gumboot property, and CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.’s extension of the Fond du Lac deposit.

Claude Resources Inc.’s (Claude) Seabee Mine is the only producing gold mine in the province. Claude produced 45,466 ounces of gold in 2008 and is on track to produce 46,000 to 48,000 ounces in 2009. Despite strong gold prices in 2009, gold exploration spending is expected to drop by more than 50% from a recent high of $8.9 M in 2008. Claude continued to have success exploring in the Seabee Mine and surrounding area. Linear Gold Corporation recently took over the Goldfields project near Uranium City from GLR Resources Inc. and released an updated feasibility study for the Box deposit and pre-feasibility study for the Athona deposit to reflect a higher current gold price. Golden Band Resources Inc. made important progress toward its goal of gold production including: a positive pre-feasibility study, approval from the Ministry of Environment, and a surface lease agreement for its La Ronge Gold project.

In 2009, base metal exploration was limited, primarily as a result of low commodity prices. Strongbow Exploration Inc. undertook some preliminary exploration for mafic-ultramafic–hosted nickel-sulphide mineralization on their Snowbird project north of Stony Rapids, and Mantis Minerals Corp. drill tested several VTEM anomalies for nickel adjacent to the historical Rottenstone Mine.

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. undertook REE exploration at properties in the Hoidas Lake, Douglas River, and Beatty River areas.

Diamond exploration expenditures in 2009 are expected to be down significantly from 2008, with most activity at Shore Gold Inc.’s (Shore) two advanced stage projects in the Fort à la Corne area. Recently, Shore announced a



positive result for a preliminary feasibility study for the Star Kimberlite project. Progress also continued at the Fort à la Corne Joint Venture project where operator Shore announced a NI 43-101–compliant resource estimate for the Orion South Kimberlite.

Sherritt International Corporation operates the three coal mines that together produced 9.5 M t of coal in 2008, mainly for thermal power generation. In 2008, Goldsource Mines Inc. (Goldsource) encountered thick sub-bituminous coal intersections in its Border property in east-central Saskatchewan. Extensive drilling in 2008 and 2009 further delineated the original discovery and, to date, 15 discrete coal deposits within six areas or “sub-basins” have been discovered with average thicknesses in the range of 25 m. Following the Goldsource discovery, a coal staking rush spread through much of the central and southern parts of the province. Several companies are actively exploring their permits.

In 2008, Saskatchewan’s potash industry set a near-record for production, and a record for the total value of sales at $8.3 B. Due to the global recession, however, potash demand has withered in 2009 leading to temporary production cuts and layoffs at the mines. Long-term forecasts for potash demand remain very positive. As a consequence, Saskatchewan’s potash mining companies are investing a cumulative $8.4 B to increase production capacities at existing operations by 75% over the next 12 years. The positive outlook for potash has also resulted in a major potash exploration boom after 25 years of inactivity. Aside from the three current producers, there are now over a dozen different companies involved in potash exploration that will compose almost all of the estimated $150.6 M that will be spent exploring for industrial minerals in Saskatchewan in 2009.


Comments on the New Saskatchewan Descriptive Mineral Deposit Models

Murray C. Rogers 1

Abstract

The Saskatchewan Geological Survey has just completed a three-year project of producing synoptic descriptive mineral deposit models and posting them on the Ministry of Energy and Resources’ website: www.er.gov.sk.ca. The models are oriented towards Saskatchewan mineral deposits and geology and many are specific to Saskatchewan. A total of 42 models were written that include metallic, industrial, gem, and two petroleum deposit types. The models document the key characteristics of each deposit type from the literature. They range in length from one-and-a-half to four pages, averaging about two pages. Their purpose is as an initial reference source. The primary intended audience is geoscience professionals, particularly in the mineral exploration industry and government. Members of the general public may also find the models useful. The intent is to continue updates to the models annually, where warranted by significant new information.

The models can be found in three locations on the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources’ website: www.er.gov.sk.ca. Click on Mineral Resources and then on any one of the following: What’s New; Geological Services and Mineral Resource Information; or Geoscience and Mineral Exploration Publications and Products. Then click on Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Models. A sequential list of the models will be displayed as PDF files that can be opened, printed, or downloaded. The models are not organized and are sequenced in the order that they were written. In general, the most economically significant and those of current interest were written first.



Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership Update

Geoff Gay 1

Abstract

Formed in 2002, the Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership (ABDLP) has ownership and governance from the seven Athabasca region communities in the far north of Saskatchewan. With over 90% of the residents being of aboriginal descent, the ABDLP is focused on aboriginal participation. The ABDLP is a diversified investment and operations company with its primary focus in the mining and exploration industry. The ABDLP holdings that are mainly focused on exploration are as follows:

1) Team Drilling is focused on underground and surface exploration in the minerals industry and provides clients with long-term, safe, and productive services. Team Drilling is a company based on knowledge, experience, integrity, and safety and is focused on underground and surface exploration in the minerals industry. Headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, its exploration activities focus on the northern region of the province, but will undertake projects throughout North America and international projects.

2) Points North Freight Forwarding LP (PNFF) provides retail and wholesale land and aviation fuels, accommodations and meals, as well as local scheduled freight and delivery services through interline arrangements with Ridsdale Transport, Sand Road Express, Transwest Air, and Pronto Airways.

In addition, PNFF is a part owner and operates the adjacent 6,000 ft. airstrip which is utilized by AREVA for its McClean Lake Mine crew changes as well as large fishing lodges in the area and daily scheduled flights by Transwest Air and Pronto Airways.

This presentation will summarize all of the ABDLP holdings with a focus on the activities and future for our exploration-focused companies.

1 Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership, P.O. Box 183, Wollaston Lake, SK S0J 3C0.


Golden Band Resources’ Birch Crossing Gold Deposit: Geochemical Characteristics and Controls on Mineralization

M.D. Senkow 1,2

Abstract

The Birch Crossing deposit is a structurally controlled, shear zone–hosted gold deposit located within the Proterozoic La Ronge Domain of northern Saskatchewan. The deposit is located at the boundary between the compositionally zoned Brindson Lake Pluton and the intermediate to mafic metavolcanic rocks of the La Ronge Domain. The dominant structural feature in the area of Birch Crossing is the Byers Fault (also referred to as the Byers Tectonic Zone), a 100 to 200 m wide zone of shearing and deformation which trends east to north-east for at least 30 km, from Partington Lake in the west to Waddy and Weedy lakes in the east to north-east. The gold mineralization at Birch Crossing is interpreted to be related to the Byers Fault.

Birch Crossing hosts two distinct styles of gold mineralization. The Red Cube quartz vein zones are named as such due to the characteristic presence of oxidized cubes of pyrite occurring within them. These sub-vertically to steeply dipping quartz veins form zones of brittle fracture infilling emplaced within shear zones which occur at or near the contact between intrusive and volcanic rocks. The veins are accompanied by potassic-sulphidic alteration, consisting of biotite-chlorite-carbonate-hematite and pyrite mineralization. There are a minimum of three sub-parallel Red Cube zones identified, termed the South, North, and North 2 zones. The second type of gold mineralization at Birch Crossing is the Alder zone, a steeply dipping shear zone containing disseminated pyrite mineralization over broad intervals, which is accompanied by biotite-chlorite-carbonate alteration similar to the Red Cube zones. The Alder zone occurs preferentially within the volcanic rocks.

A suite of 48 samples were selected from drill core at Birch Crossing, and submitted for whole rock analysis along with two samples collected from within the Brindson Lake Pluton as “least altered” equivalents, and two samples collected from a trench at the Kaslo gold occurrence, approximately 700 m to the west of Birch Crossing. Analysis of the data indicates that all rocks at Birch Crossing are of calc-alkaline affinity. Unusually, there is little evidence that a correlation exists between gold and commonly associated elements (Ag and Te) or with other metals (Cu, Mo, Pb). A positive correlation exists between gold and potassium which, along with petrographic evidence, suggests that the primary gold mineralizing event at Birch Crossing is likely related to the sulphidic-potassic alteration event. Work continues to be carried out with this sample set at the time of writing.

1 Golden Band Resources Inc., Suite 100, 701 Cynthia Street, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6B7. 2 Laurentian University, Department of Earth Sciences, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6.


Claude Resources Inc: Growing the Seabee Gold Project by Discovering, Defining, and Developing the Santoy 8 Gold Deposit

Brian Skanderbeg 1

Abstract

Claude Resources Inc. is a public, gold exploration and mining company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. One of the Company’s primary assets, the Seabee Gold Project, is a narrow vein underground operation that hosts a reserve of 998 400 tonnes at 6.82 grams/tonne, an indicated resource of 705 625 tonnes at 8.64 grams/tonne and an inferred resource of 1 487 500 tonnes at 8.17 grams/tonne (as at December 31, 2008). The 14 000 ha project is located in the La Ronge Mining District on the north shore of Laonil Lake, approximately 125 km northeast of the town of La Ronge and 150 km northwest of Flin Flon, Manitoba.

The Seabee deposit is a Paleoproterozoic shear zone–hosted vein-type gold deposit. Gold occurs in a series of sulphidized, steeply dipping, east-northeast–striking quartz veins within D2 shear zones cutting through the metagabbroic rocks of the Laonil Lake Intrusive Complex, Glennie Lake Domain. On a regional scale, gold mineralization is also hosted within D2 and D3 shear systems in the Porky Lake and Santoy regions.

In tandem with the continued development of the Seabee ore body at depth, a key driver of future growth of the Seabee Project is the exploration and development of satellite ore bodies, particularly the Santoy 8 Deposit. Gold mineralization is hosted within a 4 km-long, north-northwest–trending, D3 shear system. The vein system was discovered via post-burn prospecting in the early 1990s, however not appreciated until 2001-02. Phase I, 50 m-spaced drilling was completed in 2005 and Phase II, 25 m-spaced, infill drilling and an updated resource statement were completed in 2008. Current reserves and resources are in excess of 299,500 ounces. The deposit has only been defined to a depth of 250 m and remains open down plunge. Claude is in the final stages of Santoy 8 environmental permitting, with preconstruction approval received for portal development and polishing pond construction. Full-scale commercial production at a rate of 500 tonnes/day is anticipated in 2011.

Since 1991, Seabee has produced in excess of 865,000 ounces of gold and is well on the way to becoming Saskatchewan’s first million ounce producer. With the successful development of the Santoy 8 deposit and continued commitment to exploration and development within the Santoy Porky regions, the Seabee Gold Project has 100,000 ounce per year production potential and will evolve into a 2+ million ounce camp.

1 Claude Resources Inc., 200, 224 - 4th Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5M5.


Technical Session 3: Base Metals, REEs, Generative Mapping, and Geophysical Applications


Norites, Gabbros, and Pyroxenites of the Dodge Domain: Their Setting Within a Potential Nickel Belt

B. Knox 1

Abstract

and K.E. Ashton 1

Bedrock mapping in the Robins Lake area has revealed a terrane dominated by a mixed tonalite to gabbro suite along with psammopelite and its derived garnet-bearing anatectic melt. Minor bodies of granite appear spatially associated and time correlative with the mixed tonalite to gabbro suite. A distinct homogeneous highly magnetic tonalite unit is located within the center of the map area; however, its age relative to other rock types remains unknown. The first recognizable phase of deformation (D1) to affect these rocks occurred under granulite-facies conditions and created a regional foliation and transposed geological contacts along with any pre-existing fabrics. Sheets of norite, gabbro, and pyroxenite intrude mainly the psammopelite and anatectic melt and to a lesser extent the mixed tonalite to gabbro suite. The sheets appear to be emplaced prior to, or during D1 as their contacts and internal fabrics, where present, parallel the regional S1 foliation. All of these rocks then experienced D2 deformation resulting in tight to isoclinal F2 folds with south-southwest–striking axial planes and west-southwest–plunging hinge lines. D2 was coincident with M2 granulite-facies metamorphism and followed by emplacement of a foliated biotite leucogranite into the mixed tonalite to gabbro suite and psammopelite. Subsequent F3 folds have open to gentle, southwest-striking axial planes and southwest-plunging hinge lines. A strong amphibolite-facies overprint likely corresponds with late-D3 deformation. Muscovite-bearing leucogranite dykes and stocks are undeformed and thus postdate all other rock types in the map area.

Previously documented Ni-Cu showings hosted by the norite and gabbro sheets locally contain several percent disseminated sulphides (chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, etc.) and significant nickel concentrations. These showings, along with others at Axis and Currie lakes (~70 km southwest) and Thye Lake (~60 km northeast), suggest a highly prospective belt for Ni-Cu exploration in the easternmost Rae Province adjacent to the Snowbird tectonic zone.



Quaternary Geology of the Dodge Domain: Initial Investigations Along a Potential Nickel Belt

M.A. Hanson 1

Abstract

As part of the multi-year, multidisciplinary Snowbird Project in the northern Dodge Domain, Quaternary geological investigations were initiated in the summer of 2009 in the Robins Lake area, northern Saskatchewan, to complement concurrent bedrock mapping. The Quaternary component of the project involves production of 1:20 000-scale surficial geology maps, measurement of ice-flow indicators, and a regional till sampling program.

Drift cover is extensive, covering approximately 80% of the study area. Main surficial units include till, glaciofluvial sediments, boulder fields, and organic deposits. Till occurs primarily as ground moraine veneer (<2 m thick) and blanket (≥2 m thick). Two textural till facies were noted: a silty-sandy till and a bouldery till. In certain areas, particularly the northern part of the study area, the bouldery till is commonly associated with boulder fields interpreted to have been formed by post-depositional meltwater erosion. Surface till also occurs as stagnant-ice moraine, which is characterised by hummocky relief and crevasse-fill ridges, and is concentrated in the southeast part of the study area. A large esker system and associated ice-contact glaciofluvial deposits are found in the northeast part of the study area. Stagnant-ice moraines and well-developed esker systems are features attributed to a slowly retreating ice margin that is dominated by down-wasting of the ice sheet, and is associated with an abundance of meltwater beneath the ice sheet. No evidence of proglacial lakes was found in the study area.

Two hundred and thirty-two new ice-flow indicators were documented, indicating multiple ice-flow directions during the Late Wisconsin glaciation. Relative age relationships were difficult to determine, thus ice-flow history is preliminary. Three main regional ice-flow phases were identified. The presumed earliest recorded ice flow is to the southwest, followed by a subsequent ice flow to the south. The youngest and main regional ice flow documented is to the south-southwest. This main regional flow is found throughout Saskatchewan and northwest Manitoba and represents sustained ice flow during the Late Wisconsin deglaciation.



The Snowbird Nickel Project, an Emerging Belt of Nickel Sulphide Discoveries

David Gale 1

Abstract

Strongbow Exploration’s wholly owned Snowbird Nickel Project extends from the Stony Rapids area in northern Saskatchewan, 150 km northeastwards into the Northwest Territories. The project has targeted a portion of the Snowbird Tectonic Zone, a 2800 km long suture zone that separates high grade metamorphic rocks of the Rae Craton in the northwest from the Hearne Craton in the southeast. Strongbow believes this area is prospective for finding magmatic Ni-Cu sulphide deposits.

The Nickel King deposit is host to the largest concentration of nickel, copper, and cobalt mineralization within the project. The deposit was discovered in the 1950s by the Canadian Nickel Company Ltd. Since then, four separate drilling programs have tested mineralized norite intrusions in the area. The main Nickel King deposit is hosted in two arcuate, south-dipping norite sills where nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization has been traced over a 2600 m strike length. The norite sills range from 30 to 120 m in thickness and are interpreted as either discrete, stacked intrusions or the south-dipping limbs of a westerly plunging synform.

In February, Strongbow reported a NI 43-101–compliant geological resource estimate for the Nickel King deposit. At a 0.2% Ni cut-off, the model yielded an Indicated Resource of 11.1 M t grading 0.40% Ni, 0.10% Cu, and 0.018% Co (44 000 tonnes of contained nickel). The total Inferred Resource is 33.1 M t grading at 0.36% Ni, 0.09% Cu, and 0.017% Co (119 000 tonnes of contained nickel). An initial metallurgical study has yielded a final concentrate grading 16.5% Ni, 4.2% Cu, and 0.74% Co at Ni, Cu and Co metal recoveries of 78.4%, 89.1% and 63.5%, respectively.

Outside of the main Nickel King deposit, 15 additional nickel mineral occurrences have been discovered within the Snowbird Nickel Project. At the Opescal Lake property, located on the provincial border 30 km southwest of Nickel King, Ni-Cu mineralization has been discovered at the OPN and NP8 targets. Both targets are hosted within mafic intrusions, have returned from 0.2% to 1.17% Ni, and are coincident with magnetic and high priority (>1000 siemens) electromagnetic anomalies. Of particular interest is a 5 km-long discontinuous magnetic trend that coincides with at least eight priority conductive targets having conductivity thickness values in excess of 150 siemens. The Heel property has a number of nickel-sulphide occurrences hosted within mafic intrusions. The Laura Zone is centrally located and returned 0.48% Ni and 0.27% Cu. A single drill hole in 2008 lead to a brand new discovery on the Nickel Lake property, where drilling of a 600 m-long electromagnetic anomaly intersected semi-massive sulphides. This drill hole returned 1.89% Ni, 0.94% Cu, and 0.11% Co over 0.80 m.

The Snowbird Nickel Project now includes numerous nickel-copper sulphide occurrences with the potential to define a new and emerging nickel belt within central Canada.

1 Strongbow Exploration Inc., Suite 860, 625 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2T6.


ZTEM Airborne Tipper AFMAG Test Survey Over a Magmatic Copper-Nickel Target at Axis Lake in Northern Saskatchewan

Jean M. Legault 1, Harish Kumar 1, Biljana Milicevi 1, and Larry Hulbert 2

Abstract

Airborne tipper AFMAG (audio frequency electromagnetics) surveys were conducted over the Axis Lake property that is situated in the Fond du Lac region of northern Saskatchewan, in May 2008. The survey consisted of Tipper AFMAG measurements using the ZTEM system, as well as aeromagnetics using a caesium magnetometer. The survey was comprised of 34 approximately 10.5 km-long, north-south–oriented flight lines, totalling 358.7 line-km, that were obtained at nominal 250 m line spacing over an approximately 8 x 10 km area. The property hosts known copper-nickel sulphide showings (Axis Lake East and West, Rae Lake, and Currie Lake), has been previously surveyed using the VTEM helicopter EM system with ground follow-up using UTEM surveys, and has subsequently been drilled. The property was chosen to test the ZTEM capability to identify and define potential along strike and deep extensions of the known Cu-Ni mineralization to below 500 m.

The ZTEM results appear to correlate very well with the known geology, in particular the presence of a Cu-Ni mineralized conductive horizons, at Axis Lake and Rae Lake, which are known to occur at surface and are followed along several kilometers along strike. In particular, the ZTEM results provide indications of the longer strike continuity of the known mineralized horizons, as compared to the VTEM results, that likely relate to more weakly mineralized, lower conductivity extensions of the zones. This also agrees with the ground UTEM anomaly trends that extend beyond the known mineralized zones. In fact, an unexplained ZTEM anomaly northwest of the known Cu-Ni showings and south of Currie Lake correlate well with the east-extension of VTEM conductor and therefore represents a new target for follow-up. Other ZTEM lineaments also correlate well with similar areomagnetic trends and structures, which highlight its ability to provide complementary information. In addition to mapping lithology and structure, the ZTEM results appear to corroborate both the moderate conductance (~5 siemens) and the vertical depth-extent (~500 m) of the defined mineralized zones and therefore agree with the previous geophysical and drill-tested geologic findings. These results over a Cu-Ni target add to the variety of succesful applications of the ZTEM technique, notably for sedimentary-exhalative and porphyry copper type deposits, as well as unconformity uranium, kimberlite, and geothermal targets.

The authors would like to thank Geotech Ltd., as well as Pure Nickel Mines Inc. for graciously allowing us to present these data and for providing the geologic and historical geophysical data.

1 Geotech Ltd., 245 Industrial Parkway North, Aurora, ON L4G 4C4. 2 Pure Nickel Inc., 95 Wellington Street West, Suite 900, Toronto, ON M5J 2N7.


Geology and REE Mineralization of the Hoidas-Nisikkatch Lakes Area Revisited

Charles Normand 1, Brian McEwan 2

Abstract

, and Ken Ashton 1

Early Paleoproterozoic (~ 2.3 Ga) dioritic to granitic rocks and their derived gneisses and migmatites dominate bedrock in the Hoidas-Nisikkatch lakes area. Volumetrically minor garnet-biotite-sillimanite-graphite pelitic gneisses and diatexites, and spatially associated amphibolites and intermediate rocks, may represent remnants of supracrustal sequences. The first two phases of deformation are homogeneously developed throughout the area. The third phase of folding is responsible for the regionally developed northeast-trending structural grain, although it is heterogeneously developed. The S1-S2 structural grain in the northwest part of the mapped area is east-southeast–trending, and is only mildly affected by D3. To the southeast, between the Hoidas-Nisikkatch Fault and the Black Bay Fault, all structures are intensely transposed parallel to the S3 foliation. Ultramylonite zones in excess of 20 m are common close to the Black Bay Fault. A weak fourth phase of deformation produced open folds with north- to north-northwest–oriented steeply dipping axial planes. The lithologies have undergone upper amphibolite facies metamorphism during D1, D2 and, possibly, D3. Multiple generations of pink leucogranites generated by crustal melting during the first two deformation events have intruded all lithologies. An early generation is oriented parallel to S1 and was folded during F2. Later examples cut S2 and are affected by F3.

North-northeast– to east-northeast–oriented REE-mineralized dykes occur at three locations between Hoidas and Nisikkatch lakes, and are distributed along a 9 km-long section of the Hoidas-Nisikkatch Fault. Structural relationships suggest that the REE deposits were emplaced during the later stages of D3. Whereas allanite-apatite–rich dykes are undeformed in the JAK zone, they are folded and sheared at the Hoidas South and Nisikkatch South showings. The axial planar surfaces of folded dykes at Hoidas South parallel S3. At Nisikkatch South, mineralized dykes with well-developed metasomatic halos occur in east-northeast–striking, D3-associated dextral shear zones that dissect an amphibolite lens. A published preliminary monazite age of 1.87 Ga for the mineralization suggests that compressive deformation coaxial with D3 persisted for a long period of time, extending the previous estimates of the lower age limit of D3 by about 30 Ma.

Mafic dykes, lamprophyres, and REE mineralization in the Hoidas-Nisikkatch lakes area have similar northeast-oriented distribution patterns, and define a trend roughly parallel to the Black Bay Fault. This suggests that the structural boundary between the Zemlak and Train Lake domains is deeply rooted and has provided a favourable zone for the channelling of deeply derived fluids and magma for extended periods of time.

While the REE deposits at Hoidas Lake have been touted as having an alkaline affinity, their origin remains to be determined. The mineralization contains elevated REE, Th, Ba, and, to a lesser extent, Sr concentrations, but lacks the enrichment in Zr/Hf, Nb/Ta, and Ti that is usually associated with carbonatites or peralkaline, silica-saturated or silica-undersaturated systems. In addition, sodic pyriboles are essentially absent (although arfvedsonite is reported from the deposit, it is rare and late in the paragenesis); the ferromagnesian minerals are predominantly diopsidic clinopyroxene, hornblende and biotite. The character of this mineralization shares similarities with carbohydrothermal systems and may represent the distal expression of buried mafic and/or potassic alkaline intrusive rocks. Or, the deposit may represent an early expression of the alkaline Uranium City mafic dykes and Martin Group mafic volcanic rocks, which would have involved much lower levels of partial melting of the LILE-enriched Rae sublithospheric mantle, consistent with the elevated chondrite-normalized LILE/HFSE ratios of the REE mineralization.

1 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9. 2 Department of Geology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2.


Highlights of the New 1:10 000-scale Geology Map of the Flin Flon Area, Manitoba and Saskatchewan

R-L. Simard 1and K. MacLachlan 2

Abstract

A five-year collaboration between the Manitoba Geological Survey, the Saskatchewan Geological Survey, the Geological Survey of Canada, researchers from Laurentian University, and Hudson Bay Exploration and Development Company Limited has led to the production of a new 1:10 000-scale bedrock geological map for the Flin Flon mining camp. A coherent lithostratigraphic and structural framework now spans the provincial border and has resulted in recognition of the VMS-hosting strata in areas well outside the immediate mine surroundings. An improved understanding of the importance of subsidence structures and associated high-temperature hydrothermal alteration in the generation of the VMS deposits has led to an increase of exploration potential in the hanging wall in both Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Both early thrust faulting that pre-dates deposition of the Missi Group and late thrust faulting that resulted in imbrication of the Missi Group with the older volcanic rocks have been recognized. The critical role of thrust faulting at various scales in the overall architecture of the camp has been revealed by the integration of surface map data into a 3-D model constrained by drill holes and 3-D seismic surveys. Based on new U-Pb geochronology, the VMS-hosting volcanic rocks of the Flin Flon block are ca. 1.89 Ga old, as are rocks in the western Hook Lake block. Volcanic rocks in the eastern Hook Lake block, however, are about 10 Ma younger.

1 Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, 360 - 1395 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3P2. 2 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9.


Update on Sub-Phanerozoic Geological Mapping of the Flin Flon–Glennie Complex and Implications for Base Metal Exploration

Ryan Morelli 1

Abstract

The Flin Flon–Glennie Complex (FFGC) is a belt of accreted Paleoproterozoic intraoceanic terranes in the internides of the Trans-Hudson Orogen that is well known for its potential to host economic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits. The southern extension of the FFGC is covered by an unconformable sequence of sedimentary rocks of the Paleozoic Western Canada Sedimentary Basin, as well as unconsolidated Quaternary glacial deposits. These sequences hinder exploration for VMS deposits in this part of the belt. To aid exploration in the buried FFGC, revision geological mapping of the sub-Phanerozoic FFGC is being undertaken in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada and Manitoba Geological Survey as part of the Targeted Geoscience Initiative 3 program.

Work this year focused on an area covering ~2200 km2 of buried Precambrian Shield, extending ~55 km southwards from southern Amisk Lake and including host rocks to known base metal deposits (e.g., Namew Lake, Archibald deposits). This work entailed reconnaissance mapping of exposed rocks at Amisk Lake, interpretation of existing geophysical data for the area, and examination of drill core derived from the Precambrian basement rocks. Exposed rocks in the Amisk Lake area include three previously defined lithotectonic assemblages (Birch Lake, Sandy Bay, and West Amisk assemblages), each of which has a distinct lithological and/or geochemical character. These three assemblages can be traced for a short distance beneath the Phanerozoic cover using regional aeromagnetic data, to a point at which they appear to be truncated by shear zones, some of which can be traced from the exposed Shield.

To the south of these assemblages, five additional magnetic ‘domains’, which are completely buried beneath Phanerozoic cover, have been delineated on the basis of changes in internal magnetic fabric and/or the perceived presence of bounding shear zones. Inspection of core from ~35 industry drill holes in this area revealed significant variation in lithological character, intensity and style of deformation, and degree of metamorphism between the domains. This information was used to broadly interpret relations between the buried domains and to exposed rocks, and to speculate on tectonic setting.

This presentation will provide an overview of current interpretations and their implications for base metal exploration in this portion of the buried FFGC.



Bedrock Geology of the Keg-Trade Lakes Area (Churchill River), Central Glennie Domain

Ralf O. Maxeiner 1

Abstract

and Charles Normand 1

A 40 km-long transect along the Churchill River in the central Glennie Domain covering approximately 350 km2 was mapped at 1:20 000 scale during the 2009 field season. The map area, centered about 35 km south-southwest of the Seabee Gold Mine, is underlain by middle to upper amphibolite facies supracrustal rocks that have been intruded by a variety of gabbroic to granitic plutons. The supracrustal rocks are dominated by a belt of mafic volcanic rocks, emplaced as pillowed flows and flow breccias, and interlayered felsic to intermediate tuff breccias. A succession of migmatized psammitic to pelitic sedimentary rocks, and minor quartzite, polymictic conglomerate and feldspathic psammite occurs to the south of, and structurally beneath, the mafic-intermediate volcanic belt. Layered gabbroic rocks in the Traill Bay and Pickerel River areas predate emplacement of an extensive suite of dioritic, granodioritic, and granitic plutons.

The mafic volcanic rocks are subalkaline basalts and have geochemical signatures consistent with having been emplaced in a mid-ocean ridge environment. An interlayered quartz-phyric rhyolite features relatively flat yet enriched trace element signatures, with a weak negative Eu-anomaly and a strong negative Ti anomaly, but lacking a Nb-anomaly, all consistent with potentially having been emplaced in the same mid-ocean ridge environment as the mafic volcanic rocks.

Earliest deformation predates emplacement of the widespread granodiorite suite, as xenoliths of gabbro within the granodiorite contain isoclinal folds of igneous layering. The supracrustal belt is variably strained, with primary features preferentially preserved in the eastern Trade Lake area, whereas the Keg Lake area, which represents an extension of the Guncoat thrust, has been intensely mylonitized during the D2 deformational event. Tight to close northerly dipping folds measured in the supracrustal belts and the moderately north-plunging stretching lineation, developed during D2. F3 folds are close to open north-trending structures. The warping of the supracrustal belt between Keg Lake and Sadler Lake is caused by late northeast-trending F4 folds.

All three of the historic mineral occurrences in the area are hosted by mafic rocks. The Keg Lake pyrrhotite-pyrite occurrences are located within the mafic volcanic succession at its southern transition into the pelitic sedimentary rocks. Electromagnetic conductors in this area are caused by graphite in sedimentary rocks and disseminated to massive sulphides in the mafic volcanic rocks. Sulphides are likely syngenetic in origin and are situated in the same lithotectonic horizon as the Pitching Lake copper deposit to the northwest, which was interpreted as a volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit. Copper and zinc occurrences west of the Pickerel River, are located within the southern margin of the Pickerel River pluton, a gabbroic to leucogabbroic intrusion that contains xenoliths of the volcanic rocks it intrudes. Mineralization is likely of volcanogenic massive sulphide origin, but of limited extent as it is restricted to large rafts and xenoliths of volcanic rocks that are completely engulfed by the pluton. The Traill Bay copper occurrence is hosted by microgabbroic to gabbroic rocks. Although the original enrichment of sulphides in the gabbro may have been of magmatic origin, the showing today shows abundant evidence of remobilization along partly quartz-filled fractures. No anomalous concentrations of gold or platinum group elements were detected in the area, based on 21 geochemical analyses of gabbroic and mafic volcanic rocks.



Results from the Initial Field Trials of a Borehole Gravity Meter for Mining Applications

Harold O. Seigel 1, Chris Nind 1, Aleksandar Milanovic 1, and Jeff MacQueen 2

Abstract

Scintrex has completed the development of a borehole gravity meter for mining and geotechnical applications. It is designed to log inside NQ (57 mm I.D.) drill rods (or larger diameter casing) to a depth of 2000 m, using standard four-conductor wireline cable. The achieved sensitivity is better than 5 μgal, and is operable in boreholes inclined from 30° to vertical. École Polytechnique of Montreal has developed forward modelling software, as part of this project. Partial financial support was provided by the Ontario government (IRAP) and through a CAMIRO project sponsored by BHP Billiton, Vale Inco, AREVA Resources Canada, and Schlumberger. The first field test of the prototype probe was successfully conducted in December 2008 for Vale Inco in a borehole located in Norman Township near Sudbury, Ontario. The results of this test show a large amplitude bipolar residual gravity anomaly, with the crossover at 1400 m down the hole where the borehole intersected sulphides. A repeat log of the hole indicates that the Gravilog system achieved operational specifications close to its targets.

The second field test was conducted in March 2009 for AREVA in a newly drilled, vertical borehole at Shea Creek in northern Saskatchewan. The results clearly show the unconformity, and the bulk density calculations show an indication of a low density zone at the base of the Athabasca sandstone. The data is undergoing further analysis.

The third and fourth field tests for Schlumberger and BHPB respectively have been delayed until mid-2010 by request of these companies. The Gravilog system is now commercially available.

Gravity measurements inside boreholes provide evidence of density variations both in the immediate vicinity and at a distance from the hole. Scintrex’s development of a new borehole gravimeter allows, for the first time, the application of gravity logging in typical mining and geotechnical boreholes.

Primary applications of the Gravilog system in mining include the sensing and mass-estimates of massive sulphide bodies, either intersected by or in close proximity to the borehole; or accurate bulk density measurements of formations intersected by the hole. In some cases (e.g., iron deposits), there is a semi-quantitative relationship between bulk density and grade of the deposit.

1 Scintrex Ltd., 222 Snidercroft Road, Concord, ON L4K 2K1. 2 Micro-g LaCoste Inc., 1401 Horizon Avenue, Lafayette, CO 80026, U.S.A.


The Lalor Deposit, Snow Lake Area, Manitoba

Kelly V. Gilmore 1, Jason Levers 1, Rob Carter 1, Kim Proctor 1, and Alan Bailes 2

Abstract

The Lalor Deposit is an exciting new zinc-rich, volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) discovery with a significant and developing gold zone by HudBay Minerals Inc. in the Snow Lake area of central Manitoba, Canada. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd. (HBMS), has been mining and exploring in the Snow Lake area since it began production in 1960 at the Chisel Lake mine, which was discovered in 1956. The Lalor Deposit was discovered in March 2007 by drill hole DUB168, testing a Crone Time Domain fixed loop electromagnetic anomaly that intersected high grade zinc mineralization at a depth of approximately 800 m below surface. The deposit is located approximately 3 km northwest of the Chisel North Mine. Additional drilling has defined a multi-lens deposit that dips shallowly to the northeast and occurs at depths between 550 m and 1200 m. Assay results from DUB168 included 16.45 m assaying 0.19% Cu and 17.26% Zn. Mineralization occurs as massive to disseminated sulphides consisting of medium to coarse-grained sphalerite, pyrite and chalcopyrite with lesser galena and arsenopyrite. The mineralization is immediately underlain by a thick zone of intense metamorphosed hydrothermally altered rocks dominated by sericite, chlorite and quartz with abundant porphyroblasts of garnet, kyanite, biotite, staurolite, cordierite, and gahnite. HudBay released an NI 43-101–compliant technical report in October 2009 with a zinc-rich base metal Indicated resource of 12.3 M t 1.6 g/t Au, 24.2 g/t Ag, 0.66% Cu, 8.70% Zn, and an Inferred resource of 5.0 M t 1.4 g/t Au, 25.5 g/t Ag, 0.57% Cu, 9.39% Zn. Zinc-rich base metal mineralized intersections were geologically interpreted into six stacked lenses. In addition a conceptual estimate of potential gold zones of 10.6 to 12.0 M t 4.3 to 5.2 g/t Au, 30.0 to 33.0 g/t Ag, 0.40 to 0.60% Cu, 0.30 to 0.40% Zn was also released. This potential gold mineral deposit with principal credits derived from gold occurs in five stacked mineralized zones either directly in contact with or entirely separate to the zinc-rich base metal resource. This separate gold mineralization has the potential to significantly enhance the economics of the project and increases the probability that Lalor will be HudBay’s next mine in the productive Flin Flon Greenstone Belt of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

1 HudBay Minerals Inc., Box 1500, Flin Flon, MB R8A 1N9. 2 Bailes Geoscience, 6 Park Grove Drive, Winnipeg, MB R2J 3l6.


Addressing Issues in Exploration Health and Safety

Dale Huffman 1

Abstract

The remote and isolated nature of exploration work presents challenges with respect to occupational health and safety which are both unique to exploration activities, and distinct from mining activities. The Exploration Section of the Saskatchewan Mining Association identified the need for a health and safety sub-committee to provide a forum for sharing best practices, discussing safety issues relative to the exploration industry, and for the coordination and collaboration of safety program development and training. The Exploration Section has many junior company members who may not have designated safety professionals within their organizations.

The mandate of the Exploration Health and Safety Sub-Committee is:

• to form a network of exploration safety representatives focused on enhancing health and safety within the exploration industry;

• to provide a forum to discuss unique, common, and emerging safety issues relative to the exploration industry, for sharing best practices, information on accidents, dangerous occurrences, potential hazards, and safety products and services;

• to identify, promote, and disseminate safety program development and training opportunities; and

• to monitor developing or changing legal requirements, guidelines, standards, and best practices applicable to the exploration industry.

1 AREVA Resources Canada Inc., P.O. Box 9204, 817 - 45th Street West, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3X5.


Technical Session 4: Diamonds, Potash, and Coal


Goldsource’s Border Coal Project, An Emerging New Energy Resource

N. Eric Fier 1

Abstract

Border Coal was discovered in April 2008 while the company was drilling for diamonds. Since then, 119 core holes have been completed for approx. 17 370 m drilled. Total expenditures to date are approximately $10 million. So far, 15 discrete coal deposits have been discovered within a 10 km radius and adjacent to highway and rail. Geologically, the coal deposits are located in the Cretaceous Cantuar Formation approximately 100 million years old. Geophysically, coal occurrences can be defined with some confidence based on proprietary geophysical data developed by the company. Our drill success rate for hitting coal is now above 70%. The initial resource is 63.5 million Indicated tonnes plus 89.6 million Inferred tonnes, and 18.7 million Speculative tonnes. The minimum target of 100 million tonnes for Thermal Coal has been exceeded. Coal quality is somewhat comparable to Alberta Plains producing coal mines (similar ash, moisture, heat value, higher sulphur %). Based on the company’s success, Goldsource is going to complete a Preliminary Economic Assessment and begin environment baseline work in 2010. A 2009-10 winter drilling program is planned for in-fill holes and further expansion.

1 Goldsource Mines Inc., 570 Granville Street, Suite 501, Vancouver, BC V6C 3P1.


Preliminary Investigations of the Hudson Bay Area Coal Deposits

Jason Berenyi 1, Arden Marsh 2, and R. Leray 3

Abstract

The discovery of anomalous thicknesses of coal in the Hudson Bay region of east-central Saskatchewan by Goldsource Mines Inc., in the spring of 2008, ignited an unprecedented staking rush for coal in the province. Subsequent drilling by the company has shown that these deposits are not only anomalous in thickness, but also in morphology and depositional environment. Unlike most other coal deposits in Saskatchewan, which are relatively thin (less than a few metres) and more regionally extensive, the Hudson Bay area coal deposits are more localized and have far greater thicknesses of up to 100 m (including partings). Since the initial discovery the company has identified a total of 11 discrete coal deposits within its 51 942 ha Border Project area. In June of 2009, Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources staff commenced a study of the stratigraphy, sedimentology, and diagenetic history of the subsurface in and around these discoveries, in an attempt to develop a geologic model for these types of deposits. Detailed stratigraphic logging, combined with geophysical well log interpretation, provided the basis for some preliminary interpretations.

All of the significant intervals of coal occur within the Cantuar Formation of the Manville Group. The Cantuar Formation is infilling paleo-topographic lows on the sub-Cantuar unconformity surface. The mechanisms for the creation of these paleo-topographic lows are still unclear, but are likely related to karsting, faulting, and/or paleo erosion. Within these deposits, post-depositional subsidence appears to be affecting all units above the Cantuar Formation, which may be a result of coal compaction. The greatest accumulations of coal correspond to areas where the thickest intervals of the Cantuar Formation are preserved, most commonly in the centers of the deposits. Further study is required to fully understand the nature of these deposits.

1 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9. 2 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Petroleum Geology Branch, 201 Dewdney Avenue East, Regina, SK S4N 4G3. 3 Department of Geology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2.


NuCoal Energy Corp. South 50 Project Update

NuCoal Energy Corp. Representative 1

Abstract

NuCoal was founded in April 2008 by Alan Cruickshank, President, CEO, Managing Director; Steve Halabura P.GEO, Managing Director; and Tom MacNeill CFA, President of 49 North Resources and advisor to NuCoal.

NuCoal applied for coal prospecting permits covering 14 regional properties in three areas: the South 50 Project, the MainLine Project, and the Northern Properties.

NuCoal’s primary area of interest is the South 50 Project. The South 50 Project has permits covering over 2 million acres in southern Saskatchewan that has by historical data, a resource in excess of 5 billion tonnes. The historical data is based on 4,631 holes drilled in the 1980s by the federal and provincial governments as part of the national coal strategy. The data from each borehole has been analyzed and an extensive drill program is underway to re-confirm the resource and an updated 43-101–compliant report will be produced on the resource. The drilling program is meant to identify the quantity and mineability of the coal in the area.

NuCoal is attracting the necessary stakeholder partners to advance the production of clean energy from the South 50 coal with little to no emissions. NuCoal’s South 50 Project proposes to install ten, 15,000 bpd trains that will, when completed, enable the venture to mine, crush and transport 56 000 tonnes of lignite coal per day to the CTL plant located at or near the mine. The pulverized coal will undergo a gasification process to produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2). The produced gas stream is shifted to affect the CO/H2 ratio and other contaminants are removed pre-combustion leaving a syngas stream of CO and H2 in the proper ratio. This technology is well established around the world.

The main syngas stream is then converted to methanol by employing Haldor-Topsoe’s or another provider’s syngas to methanol process. Subsequently, NuCoal takes the methanol and uses another catalytically driven process, the Exxon-Movil process or another equivalent process, to convert the methanol stream into 130,000 bpd of gasoline and 20,000 bpd liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or their equivalents per day.

NuCoal is at a stage where it can rapidly move the South 50 Project forward. NuCoal controls one of the largest defined lignite/sub-bituminous C grade coal deposits in North America. NuCoal is aggressively advancing its discussions with the key stakeholders who can work with NuCoal to execute all of the tasks. These parties can build, operate and finance a project of this scale. NuCoal will use a modular design approach to provide facilities to produce the transportation of fuels and other products such as electricity, chemicals and fertilizers. The modular design approach reduces risk and capital expense dramatically. NuCoal’s coal to liquid polygen plant will be self sustaining, produce all of its own power and the plants will be environmentally clean. NuCoal has developed a complete carbon management program and the coal-to-fuels plant will operate with a near zero environmental footprint.

1 NuCoal Energy Corp., Suite 1103, The Tower at Midtown, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1J5.


The Stratigraphic Framework of the Potash-rich Members of the Middle Devonian Upper Prairie Evaporite Formation,

Saskatchewan

Chao Yang 1, Gavin Jensen 1, and Jason Berenyi 2

Abstract

The stratigraphic framework of the four potash-rich members (in ascending stratigraphic order, the Esterhazy, White Bear, Belle Plaine, and Patience Lake members) within the upper part of the Middle Devonian Prairie Evaporite Formation in Saskatchewan has been refined through a study of about 1,500 non-confidential geophysical well-logs. This refinement has significant bearing on the potential for further potash-mine development within the province.

The Esterhazy Member generally ranges in thickness from 1 to 15 m with an average of 9 m. It reaches a maximum thickness of 26 m in Township 18 Range 23W2. Thicknesses exceeding 6 m are mainly present east of Range 2W3 between Townships 10 and 33. Within the Potash Exploration Area, the Esterhazy Member’s salt-back has a thickness of more than 9 m in the east-central region (Tp 17 to 38, Rge 2W2 to 1W3) and south of Regina (Tp 14 to 16, Rge 19W2 to 21W2).

The White Bear Member overlies the Esterhazy Member from which it is separated by halite beds. It has thicknesses that commonly range from 1 m to a maximum of 10 m in southeastern Saskatchewan, where it is most fully developed. The distribution of the White Bear Member is inconsistent.

The Belle Plaine Member mostly ranges in thickness from 1 to 12 m with a mean of 7 m and a maximum of 23 m in the area northeast of Saskatoon (Tp 38, Rge 4W3). Thicknesses greater than 6 m are predominantly present in the area between Townships 12 and 40, and Ranges 5W2 and 22W3. Within the Potash Exploration Area, the member’s salt-back has a thickness of more than 9 m in, predominantly, the region between Townships 24 and 41, and Ranges 11W2 and 20W3.

The Patience Lake Member generally ranges in thickness from 3 to 18 m, with a mean of 11 m and a maximum thickness of 31 m in the area west of Saskatoon (Tp 37, Rge 8W3). Thicknesses of more than 6 m predominantly occur west of Range 8W2 between Townships 10 and 45. Within the Potash Exploration Area, the salt-back thickness is commonly less than 15 m although it locally reaches more than 20 m.

West-east structural cross sections illustrate a westward deepening of potash members at a rate of about 1 to 2 m/km. The potash members are thickest in the centre of the depositional basin and pinch out westward with an onlapping pattern and eastward with an offlapping pattern from the lowermost Esterhazy Member to the uppermost Patience Lake Member. North-south structural cross sections show the potash members generally thin southward, deepening at a rate of about 2 to 4 m/km.

Although the potash-rich members appear to show relatively continuous distribution, they are locally interrupted or broken by geological anomalies. In places, they have been observed to be replaced by halite without any noticeable change in the thickness of the Prairie Evaporite Formation. Elsewhere, the entire potash-rich upper part of the Prairie Evaporite Formation is absent, resulting in a significant lowering of the top boundary and an overall reduction in the thickness of the formation. Identification of these anomalies is crucial to the exploration and mining of potash.

1 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Petroleum Geology Branch, 201 Dewdney Avenue East, Regina, SK S4N 4G3. 2 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9.


BHP Billiton Update on Saskatchewan Potash Activities

Tom Olson 1

Abstract unavailable at time of printing

1 BHP Billiton, 215 - 421 Downey Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 4L8.


Geological Control on the Orion South Kimberlite Mineral Resource, Fort à la Corne, Saskatchewan

S. Harvey 1, P. Du Plessis 1, M. Shimell 1, G. Read 1, B. van Breugel 1, F. Brown 2, W. Ewert 2, E. Puritch 2, and D. Leroux 3

Abstract

In September, 2009 a National Instrument 43-101–compliant Mineral Resource was published for the Orion South Kimberlite complex. The resource definition was based on detailed geological modeling utilizing 149 vertical core holes drilled on a 100 m grid. A 23 468 tonne underground bulk sample provided the detailed grade and diamond information for the two main units, the EJF and Pense. Sixty-two variably-sized large diameter (24, 36, and 48 inch) mini-bulk sample drill holes recovered diamonds enabling grade estimation across the complex. Diamonds from both the underground bulk sample and the mini-bulk sampling were utilized to determine a diamond valuation returning an average modelled price of US$166/carat for the EJF.

Quantitative core logging provided a solid basis for the recognition of five discrete eruptive events (from oldest to youngest: CPK, Pense, EJF, LJF and VPK) at the Orion South Kimberlite, and has allowed for accurate allocation of recovered diamonds to specific kimberlite eruptive phases. Core logging has been supplemented by downhole geophysics, whole rock chemistry, and geotechnical analysis. In general, drilling has revealed that the kimberlites are comprised of multiple eruptive units (or phases) each of which is texturally, mineralogically, physically and chemically distinct. More importantly, these units have different diamond grades and prices. Within the kimberlite complex the units have cross-cutting relationships near conduits, but are stacked vertically within the volcanic edifice and crater/extra-crater deposits. Several conduits, feeding different units, have been identified on the Orion South Kimberlite.

There are generally three main types of volcaniclastic kimberlite that form the bulk of the Orion South Kimberlite:

1) A fine- to medium-grained, matrix-rich, poorly sorted, massive to weakly bedded volcaniclastic kimberlite that forms a positive relief tephra cone (Pense age-equivalent).

2) A variably fine- to coarse-grained, olivine-clast–rich, moderately to well sorted, bedded volcaniclastic kimberlite of early Joli Fou age (EJF). These deposits consist of multiple fining-up beds with medium- to very coarse-grained bases and finer-grained tops. Commonly the bases are xenolith-rich kimberlite breccia. These deposits comprise the bulk of the vent/crater fill, tephra ring and distal (extra-crater) deposits. EJF volcaniclastic rocks are fine ash-sized component depleted, resulting in clast-supported, olivine-rich kimberlite deposits.

3) A very fine- to fine-grained, well sorted, massive to weakly bedded volcaniclastic kimberlite of late Joli Fou equivalent age (LJF).

As part of the Mineral Resource Estimation, each kimberlite unit was estimated in a separate block model containing rock type, density, percent, class, grade and rock value models using the sampling variography and an economic pit shell.

The three pronged exploration strategy (core and LD drilling, and underground bulk sampling) that has taken place on Orion South has provided a strong geological basis for understanding the kimberlite complex with the important recognition of different kimberlite units, each with different diamond grades and prices. The recognition of these units has allowed the FalC JV to prioritize the largest and most promising units in Orion South. With this prioritization, systematic underground bulk sampling and LDD mini-bulk sampling has been completed. This, in turn, has enabled an estimate of mineral resources in the kimberlite.

1 Shore Gold Inc., 300 - 224 4th Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 5M5. 2 P&E Mining Consultants Inc., 2 County Court Boulevard, Suite 202, Brampton, ON L6W 3W8. 3 ACA Howe International Ltd., 365 Bay Street, Suite 501, Toronto, ON M5H 2V1.


Abstracts for Other Papers Appearing in the Summary of Investigations 2009, Volume 2


Meso- and Neoarchean Granitic Magmatism, Paleoproterozoic (2.37 Ga and 1.93 Ga) Metamorphism and 2.17 Ga Provenance Ages

in a Murmac Bay Group Pelite; U-Pb SHRIMP Ages from the Uranium City Area

K.E. Ashton 1, N.M. Rayner 2, and K.M. Bethune 3

Abstract

A new 2941 Ma U-Pb zircon crystallization age for gneissic granite from the southwestern Beaverlodge Domain increases the extent of the known ca. 3.0 Ga suite into more highly metamorphosed gneisses. A 2606 Ma crystallization age from magnetic granitic orthogneiss demonstrates the complexity of the southeastern Zemlak Domain. Detrital zircon study of a pelitic gneiss from the Murmac Bay Group, which has a maximum depositional age of 2.33 Ga, revealed a diverse 3.14 to 2.17 Ga range of ages, most of which are represented in the regionally exposed basement rocks. The largest population, however, is the youngest at about 2.17 Ga, implying that deposition of at least part of the Murmac Bay Group took place after this time. The closest known potential source for detrital zircons of this age is in the Taltson Domain and buried terranes beneath northeastern Alberta and the Northwest Territories to the west.

The earliest of two metamorphic overprints recorded in the granitic orthogneiss has an age of 2366 Ma, and is attributed to the Arrowsmith Orogeny. This age demonstrates that emplacement of an extensive 2.33 to 2.29 Ga granitoid suite in the Uranium City area and deposition of the Murmac Bay Group took place in a post-orogenic environment. A younger 1931 Ma metamorphic overprint is consistent with development during the Taltson Orogen.

1 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9. 2 Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E8. 3 Department of Geology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK S4S 0A2.


New U-Pb and Sm-Nd Results from the Pelican Narrows Area: 1865 to 1857 Ma Successor Arc Sedimentation from Juvenile Sources, 1857 Ma Juvenile Successor Arc Plutonism, and 1837 Ma Missi

Group Sedimentation

N.M. Rayner 1, R.O. Maxeiner 2, and R.A. Creaser 3

Abstract

New U-Pb geochronological and Sm-Nd isotopic results are presented for three samples from the Wunehikun Bay area of Mirond Lake, east of Pelican Narrows and one sample from the Jones Lake area, 30 km to the east near the Manitoba border. A calcic psammopelitic gneiss, intercalated with high-grade tuffaceous rocks, is inferred to be syn-volcanic. Detrital zircons are dominantly 1.865 Ga, with a minor older component at ca. 1.88 Ga. The maximum age of deposition of the calcic psammopelite, constrained by the youngest reproducible detrital zircon population, is 1854 ±16 Ma. A psammitic gneiss, inferred to be part of an early sedimentary succession at Wunehikun Bay, is also dominated by 1.865 Ga detrital zircons and has a maximum age of deposition of 1844 ±19 Ma, based on the youngest detrital zircon population. Subsequent high-grade metamorphism at 1818 ±11 Ma is recorded in high uranium overgrowths on detrital zircon. A gneissic diorite from central Wunehikun Bay yields a crystallization age of 1857 ±3 Ma and intrudes a layered hornblende-bearing sedimentary succession thought to be equivalent to the dated calcic psammopelite. Prevalent high uranium overgrowths on zircon constrain the timing of metamorphism to 1817 ±5 Ma. All three samples at Wunehikun Bay have relatively juvenile isotopic signatures with ε143Nd results between +0.59 and +1.46 and model ages ranging from 2.1 to 2.3 Ga, consistent with values obtained for the Sickle and Grass River groups in Manitoba.

At Jones Lake, an aluminous potassic psammite gneiss from the lower Missi Group yielded a detrital zircon population dominated by 1.85 Ga material but also a minor component of older material at 1.89 Ga and 2.1 Ga. The maximum age of deposition is 1837±9 Ma, constrained by the youngest reproducible detrital zircon population. A depleted mantle model age of 2.2 Ga is consistent with those observed at Wunehikun Bay.

1 Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E8. 2 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9. 3 Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, 1 - 26 Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3.


Geology and Associated Vein- or Shear Zone-hosted Uranium Mineralization of the 46 Zone and Hab Mine Areas, Beaverlodge

Uranium District, Northern Saskatchewan

G.M. Tracey 1, D.R. Lentz 1, R.A. Olson 2, and K.E. Ashton 3

Abstract

The Beaverlodge Domain is a variably metamorphosed and deformed lithotectonic domain within the southwestern Rae Province. Archean basement granites were unconformably overlain by the Murmac Bay Group prior to ca. 1.93 Ga amphibolite-facies metamorphism, which was accompanied by the emplacement of widespread leucogranite and coeval development of an early east-southeast–trending D1-D2 structural fabric. This was followed by a second thermotectonic event at about 1.91 to 1.90 Ga at which time the early fabric was largely transposed by northeast-trending D3 folding and faulting . This was followed by unconformable deposition of the Martin Group redbeds and the D4 deformational event, which resulted in open north-trending folds and a network of faults comprising a northeast-trending dextral set (e.g., Black Bay Fault) and subordinate east-trending normal and southeast-trending sinistral sets , consistent with an east-west shortening regime.

The D4 deformational event played a key role in the genesis of conduits along which the uranium-bearing fluids were transported. Uranium mineralization at the former Hab mine and 46 Zone examined during this study occurs in dominantly east-southeast–trending fractures occurring within zones of variably high strain in the brittle and ductile regimes. This epigenetic style of uranium mineralization is similar to many of the other larger uranium deposits that occur within the Beaverlodge Domain (e.g., Ace-Fay-Verna). Previous workers have noted the proximity of the Martin Group redbeds to the majority of uranium deposits and suggested a genetic link, although this has yet to be convincingly demonstrated.

Highly evolved granite bodies found within zones of variably high strain within the study area are also being examined to assess if they could be the source of uranium. Abundant uranium may have been leached and mobilized from such granite bodies such as the pink leucogranite and Donaldson Lake Granite during widespread faulting and shearing; the actual fluid circulation mechanism is under investigation. Fault breccias observed in the vicinity of the St. Louis Fault exhibit high concentrations of uranium similar to that of the Ace Mine where a uranium-mineralized, brecciated ore body was targeted along the footwall of the St. Louis Fault.

1 Department of Geology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3. 2 Red Rock Energy Inc., 33 Woodlark Drive SW, Calgary, AB T3C 3H6. 3 Sask. Ministry of Energy and Resources, Northern Geological Survey Branch, 2101 Scarth Street, Regina, SK S4P 2H9.

Open House 2009 Abstract Volume Saskatchewan Geological...

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