Geology of the Izok Massive Sulfide Deposit, Nunavut Territory, Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. R. MORRISON
Keyword(s):  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Massive Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Nunavut Territory

Geology of the Izok Massive Sulfide Deposit, Nunavut Territory, Canada

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
IAN R. MORRISON
Keyword(s):  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Open Pit ◽  
Open Pit Mining ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Massive Sulfide Deposit ◽  
West Central ◽  
Nunavut Territory

Abstract The Izok Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit is located 265 km south of Kugluktuk (Coppermine), Nunavut Territory, Canada, in the west-central Slave structural province. The Izok deposit is owned 100% by Inmet Mining Corporation and represents one of the largest undeveloped zinc-copper resources in North America. The Izok deposit is hosted within and near the top of a thick sequence of predominantly felsic pyroclastic rocks of late Archean age. The hanging-wall stratigraphy includes additional felsic volcaniclastic rocks, andesitic and basaltic flows, thin sulfide-rich iron formations, and turbiditic sedimentary rocks. The felsic volcanic rocks are intruded by intermediate dikes and sills, followed by gabbroic dikes and sills. Both intrusive suites are interpreted to be volcanic feeders to the overlying flows. All lithologies are subsequently cut by younger, irregular, granitic pegmatite and diabase dikes. The volcanic and sedimentary rocks are regionally metamorphosed to pyroxene hornfels grade. The massive sulfides occur within a large (kilometer-scale) Na-depleted sericitic alteration zone. The immediate footwall and hanging-wall rocks to the deposit are characterized by zones of muscovite-biotite-sillimanite, lesser chlorite-biotite-cordierite, and locally intense silicification and sodium metasomatism. All lithologies have been affected by younger Ca-metasomatism. As currently defined, the Izok deposit comprises a cluster of five complexly zoned composite lenses: the Northwest, North, Central West, Central East, and Inukshuk lenses. The first four lenses are amenable to open-pit mining, whereas the Inukshuk lens will require underground development. The total indicated mineral resource presently stands at 16.5 million tonnes with a grade of 2.2% Cu, 11.4% Zn, 1.1% Pb, and 60 g/t Ag. Inmet Mining Corporation is presently reviewing the economic feasibility of developing the property.

Oxygen isotope geochemistry of the Sullivan massive sulfide deposit, Kimberley, British Columbia

1984 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 933-946 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce E. Nesbitt ◽  
Fred J. Longstaffe ◽  
David R. Shaw ◽  
Karlis Muehlenbachs
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Oxygen Isotope ◽  
Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Massive Sulfide Deposit

scholarly journals Indium and selenium distribution in the Neves-Corvo deposit, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal

2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (S1) ◽  
pp. S5-S41 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. S. Carvalho ◽  
J. M. R. S. Relvas ◽  
A. M. M. Pinto ◽  
M. Frenzel ◽  
J. Krause ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Iberian Pyrite Belt ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Massive Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Actual Distribution ◽  
Shear Structures ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ore Types ◽  
Zinc Concentrate

ABSTRACTHigh concentrations of indium (In) and selenium (Se) have been reported in the Neves-Corvo volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposit, Portugal. The distribution of these ore metals in the deposit is complex as a result of the combined effects of early ore-forming processes and late tectonometamorphic remobilization. The In and Se contents are higher in Cu-rich ore types, and lower in Zn-rich ore types. At the deposit scale, both In and Se correlate positively with Cu, whereas their correlations with Zn are close to zero. This argues for a genetic connection between Cu, In and Se in terms of metal sourcing and precipitation. However, re-distribution and re-concentration of In and Se associated with tectonometamorphic deformation are also processes of major importance for the actual distribution of these metals throughout the whole deposit. Although minor roquesite and other In-bearing phases were recognized, it is clear that most In within the deposit is found incorporated within sphalerite and chalcopyrite. When chalcopyrite and sphalerite coexist, the In content in sphalerite (avg. 1400 ppm) is, on average, 2–3 times higher than in chalcopyrite (avg. 660 ppm). The In content in stannite (avg. 1.3 wt.%) is even higher than in sphalerite, but the overall abundance of stannite is subordinate to either sphalerite or chalcopyrite. Selenium is dispersed widely between many different ore minerals, but galena is the main Se-carrier. On average, the Se content in galena is ~50 times greater than in either chalcopyrite (avg. 610 ppm) or sphalerite (avg. 590 ppm). The copper concentrate produced at Neves-Corvo contains very significant In (+Se) content, well above economic values if the copper smelters recovered it. Moreover, the high In content of sphalerite from some Cu-Zn ores, or associated with shear structures, could possibly justify, in the future, a selective exploitation strategy for the production of an In-rich zinc concentrate.

scholarly journals Subseafloor Alteration of a Modern Mafic-Volcaniclastic Hosted Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa. O Anderson ◽  
Mark Hannington ◽  
Timothy McConachy ◽  
John Jamieson ◽  
Thor Hansteen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Massive Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Seafloor Massive Sulfide
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