Structural geology of hydrothermal ore systems

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Natural resources are important for the economic future of Canada.  The proposed research will aid the discovery of new copper-zinc deposits in Flin Flon, Manitoba, and gold deposits in the Kirkland Lake - Larder Lake area, Ontario.  The research addresses the less studied effects of rock deformation on the genesis and subsequent modification of ore deposits.  Faults play an important role in the genesis of ore deposits by creating conduits that focus metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids.  Ore deposits commonly form along active tectonic margins and are subsequently deformed during mountain-building closure of past oceans.  Copper-zinc deposits in Flin Flon formed in an oceanic island in the ancestral Manikewan Ocean and were deformed during closure of that ocean and collision of continental tectonic plates.  This deformation affected both the geometry and distribution of the deposits.  Gold deposits in the Kirkland Lake - Larder Lake area were emplaced along presently inactive faults and were deformed during subsequent reactivation of the faults. The main objective of the proposed research is to understand how deformation controlled the genesis of these ore deposits, changed their geometry, and redistributed the deposits within two of Canada's important mining areas.