Evaluating mineral potential of the Winter Lake greenstone belt, Slave craton, Northwest Territories

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Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are ancient copper-, zinc-, lead-, silver-, and gold-rich mineral deposits that form at or just below the seafloor. They form from seafloor hydrothermal venting along mid-ocean ridges, within island arcs, or in back-arc basins, which are areas of rifting that form behind island arcs. These deposits are hosted by Archean to Eocene volcanic sequences that formed during periods of major ocean closure and associated terrane collision, including the Late Archean (2.8-2.69 Ga), Paleoproterozoic (1.92-1.87 Ga), Cambro-Ordovician (500-450 Ma), Devono-Mississippian (370-340), and Early Jurassic (200-180 Ma). Archean volcanic arc to backarc sequences of the Northwest Territories (NWT) host multiple VMS deposits and are areas of high mineral potential in Canada. Objectives of this research are to determine why a specific volcanic succession contains VMS-type mineralization or is barren; its regional context, and the role of tectonic setting, volcanic architecture, and facies distribution in VMS formation. The research team will accomplish these objectives through reconstruction of the volcanic, magmatic, hydrothermal, sedimentary, structural and tectonic evolution of the subarctic Winter Lake greenstone belt that hosts VMS-type mineralization, but is under explored. This research program will advance understanding of the metallogenesis of the Slave craton and bring multiple benefits: 1) it will facilitate the training of HQP, thereby providing the Canadian mining and mineral exploration industry with highly skilled geoscientists; 2) new knowledge gained through this research will directly impact the Canadian mining and mineral exploration industry responsible for VMS deposit exploration (which historically accounts for considerable Canadian base (~30% Cu, ~50% Zn, ~20% Pb) and precious metal (~40% Ag, ~3% Au) production); and 3) it will aid in sustaining northern communities, whose economies are largely dependent on mineral exploration and mining.