Petrogenesis of Archean and Mesoproterozoic Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization in NW Ontario

该项目将调查安大略北方的雷霆湾-尼皮贡湖地区的镍铜铂族元素矿化侵入体。我们将调查中大陆裂谷的~1.1 Ga星期日湖侵入体和Lac des Iles复杂的~2.7 Ga侵入体，这两个侵入体都正在由行业合作伙伴Impala Canada Ltd进行勘探。该项目将培养五名硕士，五名HBSc和一名PDF，以完成具有两个关键目标的综合研究计划。1)描述太古代LDI杂岩及其围岩的已知矿化侵入体的岩性、岩相学、岩石地球化学和同位素属性，以确定岩浆的来源、结晶和分异历史、金属的来源以及在岩浆演化中所起的作用（如有）。2)描述MCR矿化侵入体和相关未矿化岩脉组的岩性、岩相学、岩石地球化学和同位素属性，重点关注新发现的周日湖侵入体。本研究将利用基础地质填图和测井，结合传统和最先进的分析技术，来描述该地区矿化侵入体的侵入历史和共生关系。通过这样做，我们将培训年轻研究人员掌握在地球科学领域取得成功所需的关键技能，无论是在学术界、政府还是工业界。 本研究中生成的数据将用于开发矿化侵入体模型，Impala Canada Ltd.可用于加强其勘探工作，并有望导致矿产生产。该项目将大大有助于我们了解岩浆Ni-Cu-PGE系统的形成过程及其内部的高品位区。我们将开发可供加拿大公司应用的工具，以帮助产生未来的发现。新矿产资源的发现和开发对加拿大经济的福祉至关重要，该项目将提高这一进程的效率。

This project will investigate Ni-Cu-PGE mineralized intrusions in the Thunder Bay- Lake Nipigon region of Northern Ontario. We will investigate the ~1.1 Ga Sunday Lake intrusion of the Midcontinent Rift and the ~2.7 Ga intrusions of the Lac des Iles complex, both of which are being explored by Impala Canada Ltd, the industry partner. The project will train five MSc, five HBSc and one PDF to complete an integrated program of research with two key objectives. 1) Characterization of the lithologic, petrographic, lithogeochemical and isotopic attributes of known mineralized intrusions of the Archean LDI complex and their country rocks in order to determine the source of the magma(s), its crystallization and differentiation history, the source of the metals and what role if any contamination played in the magma evolution. 2) Characterize the lithologic, petrographic, lithogeochemical and isotopic attributes of mineralized intrusions of the MCR and the related unmineralized dike suites, focusing on the newly discovered Sunday Lake intrusion. This study will utilize fundamental geological mapping and logging combined with traditional and state-of-the-art analytical techniques to characterize the intrusive history and paragenesis of the mineralized intrusions in the district. By so doing we will train young researchers in the key skills necessary for a successful career in the geosciences whether in academia, government or industry. The data generated in this study will be used to develop a model(s) for the mineralized intrusions that Impala Canada Ltd. can use to enhance their exploration efforts, and hopefully lead to mineral production. This project will contribute significantly to our understanding of the processes that form magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE systems and the high-grade zones within them. We will develop tools that can be applied by Canadian companies to aid in generating future discoveries. The discovery and development of new mineral resources is critical to the well-being of Canada's economy and this project will lead to greater efficiencies in that process.