Geoscience

Geological Survey Activity Tracker

Southwest Manitoba

 

Geology of the eastern sub-Phanerozoic Flin Flon belt

 

Project Information

Principal investigator:
Kyle Reid

Partnered with:
Hudbay Minerals Inc. and Rockcliff Metals Corp.

Location:
Parts of NTS 63J3, 63J4, 63J5, 63J6, 63J7, 63J10, 63J11, 63J12, 63K1, 63K8

 

Project Description

Main objectives:

To understand the stratigraphy, tectonic evolution and mineral potential of the eastern Flin Flon domain beneath Phanerozoic cover rocks.

Methodology:

The project involves subsurface mapping from aeromagnetic data combined with re-evaluation of drillcore from select drillholes. Whole-rock geochemical data of drillcore samples collected by the Manitoba Geological Survey and industry will be used to investigate rock type, alteration and tectonic setting. Geochronology (ID-TIMS and LA-ICP-MS) and tracer isotopes (Sm-Nd) is being employed to determine the history and evolution of these rocks.

 

Benefits:

The southern extension of the Flin Flon belt under Phanerozoic cover is the ‘next frontier’ for VMS exploration in the region. Proper identification of these rocks and the tectonic settings in which they formed provides critical information about their mineral potential. This information can inform exploration strategies, ultimately de-risking projects in this challenging but underexplored area.

 

Plans for fiscal year 2020–2021:

The focus of work for this project in the current year is to assemble all collected drillcore log, geochemical, and geochronological data from the north half of the study area into one Open File report. The Open File will be accompanied by three preliminary maps from the north half of the study area.

 

Completed outputs:

2018–2019

Reid, K.D. 2018a: Sub-Phanerozoic basement geology from drillcore observations in the Watts, Mitishto and Hargrave rivers area, eastern Flin Flon belt, west-central Manitoba (parts of NTS 63J5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14); in Report of Activities 2018, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 37–47.

Reid, K.D. 2018b: Sub-Phanerozoic basement geology in the Watts, Mitishto and Hargrave rivers area, eastern Flin Flon belt, Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Geoscientific Presentation PRES2018-3, Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention, Winnipeg, Manitoba,  November 22, 2018, poster presentation.

2017–2018

Reid, K.D. 2017: Sub-Phanerozoic basement geology south of Wekusko Lake, eastern Flin Flon belt, north-central Manitoba (parts of NTS 63J5, 12, 63K8, 9): insights from drillcore observations and whole-rock geochemistry of mafic rocks; in Report of Activities 2017, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 65–77.

2016–2017

Reid, K.D. and Gagne, S. 2016: Examination of exploration drillcore from the south Wekusko Lake area, eastern Flin Flon belt, north-central Manitoba (parts of NTS 63J5, 12, 63K8, 9); in Report of Activities 2016, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 74–86.

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