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

该项目将调查安大略省北部桑德湾-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~1.1Ga周日湖侵入体和Lac des Iles杂岩的~2.7Ga侵入体，这两个侵入体都正在由行业合作伙伴Impala Canada Ltd勘探。该项目将培训五名硕士、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)对已知的太古宙Ldi杂岩及其围岩矿化侵入体的岩石学、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(S)、结晶分化史、金属的来源以及在岩浆演化中所起的作用(如果有混染作用)。2)以新发现的周日湖侵入体为研究对象，研究了MCR及相关未矿化岩墙套的矿化侵入体的岩性、岩石学、岩石地球化学和同位素特征。这项研究将利用基础地质填图和测井，结合传统和最新的分析技术，表征该地区矿化侵入体的侵入史和共生关系。通过这样做，我们将培训年轻的研究人员，掌握在地学领域取得成功所必需的关键技能，无论是在学术界、政府部门还是行业。 这项研究中产生的数据将被用来开发一个矿化侵入体模型(S)，黑斑羚加拿大有限公司可以利用该模型来加强勘探工作，并有望导致矿产生产。这个项目将大大有助于我们理解形成岩浆Ni-Cu-PGE系统的过程和其中的高品位带。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。新矿物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.