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

该项目将研究安大略省北部雷湾-尼皮贡湖地区的镍铜矿化侵入体。我们将研究中大陆裂谷的~1.1 Ga Sunday Lake侵入层和Lac des Iles杂岩的~2.7 Ga侵入层，这两个侵入层都是由行业合作伙伴Impala Canada Ltd进行勘探的。该项目将培养5名理学硕士、5名HBSc和1名PDF，以完成一个有两个主要目标的综合研究项目。1)对太古宙LDI杂岩及其围岩中已知矿化侵入体的岩性、岩石学、岩石地球化学和同位素特征进行表征，以确定岩浆的来源、岩浆的结晶和分异历史、金属的来源以及污染在岩浆演化中的作用。2)以新发现的Sunday Lake侵入岩为研究对象，对MCR矿化侵入岩及其非矿化脉套的岩性、岩石学、岩石地球化学和同位素特征进行了表征。本研究将利用基本的地质填图和测井技术，结合传统的和最先进的分析技术，对该区的侵入史和矿化侵入共生进行表征。通过这样做，我们将培养年轻的研究人员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、政府部门还是工业界。

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.