2016

Yellowknife Geoscience Forum

Abstract and Summary

Volume

Cover photograph

Mackenzie Mountains foothills, NWT; Viktor Terlaky, Senior Petroleum Geologist at the Northwest Territories Geological Survey

The picture was taken near the Arctic Red River and shows river cuts and thaw slumps in the Peel Plateau area. Old meets new: the river cuts expose Devonian and Cretaceous strata, some of which are the target of investigation as potential unconventional hydrocarbon plays; thaw slumps are caused by permafrost melting and are interpreted to be the consequence of climate change.

Compiled by D. Irwin, S.D. Gervais, and V. Terlaky Recommended Citation: Irwin, D., Gervais, S.D., and Terlaky, V. (compilers). 2016. 44th Annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum Abstracts; Northwest Territories Geological Survey, Yellowknife, NT. YKGSF Abstracts Volume 2016.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES

Contents ordered by first author (presenting author in bold)

Abstracts - Oral Presentations

Qilalugaq Diamond Project, Nunavut – A Unique Locality for Rare ‘Canary’ Yellow Diamonds. Armstrong, K.A...... 1

Insights into Gold Mineralization at the Yellowknife City Gold Project using Synchrotron X-Ray Spectroscopy. Banerjee, N.R., Van Loon, L.L., Gordon, S., Lu, L., Bajwa, C., Flynn, T., Sexton, A., Setterfield, T., Campbell, J., and Carpenter, R...... 2

Socio-Economic Agreements in the Northwest Territories. Beck, D...... 3

Northern Models of Consultation and Accommodation Practice. Bertelsen, C.B...... 3

Preliminary Geology of the Kelvin-Faraday Kimberlite Cluster. Bezzola, M., Vivian, G., and Hrkac, C...... 3

Marian Watershed Community-Based Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program. Birlea, M.B...... 4

Ekati Automated UG Dewatering. Blacklock, S...... 5

Developing a Hydrothermal Model for Polymetallic Ni-Co-Bi-Ag-Sb-As-U Veins at Blanchet Island and Copper Pass, East Arm Basin and Southern Slave Province. Burke, J., Hanley, J., and Ootes, L...... 6

2016 NWT Mineral Exploration and Mining Overview. Cairns, S., Elliott, B., Falck, H., and Powell, L...... 6

Northwest Territories Geological Survey – Mineral Deposits and Bedrock Mapping 2016 Activities. Cairns, S...... 7

Into the Unknown Part 2: Surficial Geological Investigations in the South Rae, Northwest Territories. Campbell, J.E., Lauzon, G., Dyke, A.S., and Haiblen, A.M...... 8

Direct Detection of Drift-Concealed Kimberlites using Surface Geochemistry and Landscape Evolution Models in the NWT, Canada. Cayer, E.M., Winterburn, P.A., and Elliott, B...... 9

The Yellowknife Bay Aquatic Ecosystem 75 Years after Gold Production began: Arsenic, Antimony and Metals in Water, Sediment and Fish. Chételat, J., Black, J., Cott, P., Amyot, M., Muir, D., Richardson, M., and Evans, M...... 10

Areas of Operation: Improving Clarity and Consistency in Land and Water Board Practices and Procedures. Chouinard, R., Fequet, R., DeBastien, L., Dixon, P., and Plautz, A...... 12

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Technical Sessions on Cultural Impacts - A New Environmental Assessment Tool. Cliffe-Phillips, M.A...... 12

Innovative Approaches to Community Engagement in an Indigenous and Urban Environment. Connelly, D...... 13

Coordination and Completion of Multi-Year Geotechnical Investigation in the Canadian Arctic: Challenges and Lessons Learned. Cormier, Y., Piraux, O., and McLeod, W...... 13

Effects of Fire and Development on Bathurst Caribou Winter Range Habitat Selection. Coulton, D., Dawe, K., Virgl, J., and Karras, A...... 14

Kennady North Property: 2015 Field Season Update. Cox, D. and White, D...... 14

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Environmental Emergency Regulations – A Summary of Important Characteristics and Current Regulatory Requirements. Cox, T...... 15

Diamond Breakage and Grade Prediction. Danoczi, J...... 16

Talmora Diamond Inc. - Horton River Project Update. Davies, A.W. and Davies, R...... 16

Interrelationships between Permafrost and Subsurface Water: 3 Case Studies along a Latitudinal Gradient in the Canadian North. De Grandpré, I., Fortier, D., Godin, E., Paquette, M., and Sliger, M...... 17

What Does the Minister Do with the Board's Report? Donihee, J. and Paille, J...... 19

The Grays Bay Road and Port Project – Arctic Gateway Connecting Nunavut to the World. Anablaks, S., Duxbury, P., Northey, S., Evalik, C., and Stevens, J...... 19

Slave Province Surficial Materials and Permafrost Study Preliminary Results - Revitalizing Multi- Commodity Mineral Exploration and Facilitating Sustainable Development in a Key Economic Region. Elliott, B...... 20

Mactung: An Introduction to the Tungsten Deposit and its Geological Setting. Falck, H., Fischer, B.J., Martel, E., and Kirkham, G...... 21

Northwest Territories Geological Survey: Petroleum Geosciences 2016-17 Activity Overview. Fiess, K.M...... 22

Geological Drilling Results for the Central Mackenzie Valley Canol Shale Play. Fiess, K.M...... 23

2015 NWT Environmental Audit: Review of Results Relevant to Mining and Oil and Gas Development. Fitzgerald, J. and Kanigan, J...... 24

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Update on Recent and Planned Activities of the NWT Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO). Fulford, J., de Jong, P., Heppelle, B., and Cameron, K...... 24

Project Summary of “Geoscience Tools for Supporting Environmental Risk Assessment of Metal Mining” with a Focus on the Distribution of Arsenic in Sediments of Lakes of the Yellowknife Region. Galloway, J.M. and Patterson, R.T...... 25

Geochronologic Constraints and Geochemical Characteristics of Granitoids and Associated Mineralization at the Mactung Tungsten Skarn Deposit, Yukon-NWT. Gebru, A.L. and Lentz, D.R...... 26

An Early Cambrian Radiation into Characteristic Ethological Niches. Gingras, M.K...... 27

Fortune Minerals' Nico Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth-Copper Project, NWT, Canada. Goad, R...... 27

Integrated ITRAX-XRF and Freeze Coring as a Method for High Quality, Rapid, and Cost Effective (QRC) Determination of Background Levels of Elements of Concern: Testing Linear and Multivariate Calibration Methods. Gregory, B.R.B., Patterson, R.T., Galloway, J.M., Nasser, N.A., Macumber, A.L., Falck, H., and Sexton, A...... 28

A First Year of Ground Temperature Measurements Resulting from the Slave Province Surficial Materials and Permafrost Study. Gruber, S., Riddick, J., Brown, N., Karunaratne, K.C., and Kokelj, S.V...... 29

Activities of the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office. Ham, L.J., Zhang, S., Steenkamp, H.M., Tremblay, T., Gilbert, C., and Basso, S...... 30

Fate and Transport of Contaminants at a Closed Lead Zinc Mine in Yukon, Canada. Hamilton, G.J...... 31

Outcrop to Subsurface Sequence Stratigraphic Relationships of the Canol and Hare Indian Shales in Relation to the Kee Scarp Reef Complex; New Techniques for an Old Problem. Herbers, D.H. and Gingras, M.K...... 31

Gamma-Ray Spectrometry and Uranium Prospectivity of the 1.9 Ga Kilohigok Paleosol in Melville Sound, Nunavut. Ielpi, A., Rainbird, R.H., Greenman, J.W., and Creason, C.G...... 32

“We Watch Everything”: A Boots-On-The-Ground Approach to Caribou Monitoring. Jacobsen, P. and Rabesca, M.L...... 33

Liard Basin Shale Gas: A Significant Resource in Canada's North. Johnson, M., Doubrovina, G, Rocheleau, J., Fiess, K.M., Hutchison, M., Fraser, T.L., Ferri, F., Johnson, J., and Hayes, M...... 34

NWT Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program: Review of Current Results Relevant to Mining and Oil and Gas Development. Kanigan, J...... 35

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Northwest Territories Geological Survey – 2016 Overview. Ketchum, J.W.F...... 35

Geoscience Information from a Regional Mineral Development Strategy Perspective. Ketchum, J.W.F...... 36

The Northwest Territories Mineral Development Strategy Annual Report 2015-2016. Knotsch, C...... 37

Details from Bedrock Mapping of the Beaulieu River Volcanic Belt at Sunset Lake. Knox, B...... 37

Permafrost and Terrain Research for the Dempster and Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway Infrastructure Corridors. Kokelj, S.V., Fraser, R.H., Lantz, T.C., and van der Sluijs, J...... 38

Geophysical Modelling of the Nechalacho Deposit at Thor Lake, NT. Kouhi, D.W. and Tiampo, K.F...... 39

Simulated Thaw Development and Groundwater Flow within a Peat Plateau-Bog Complex in Discontinuous Permafrost. Kurylyk, B.L., Hayashi, M., Quinton, W.L., McKenzie, J.M., and Voss, C.I...... 40

2016 Northwest Territories Petroleum Resources Division & Petroleum Industry Activity Overview. Lennie, J.L...... 40

Diavik Closure Plan. Macdonald, G...... 41

Assessing the Seasonal Variations in Ground Temperatures Along the ITH Alignment through Mathematical and Statistical Analysis of the Relationship Between Ground Temperature and Air/Surface Temperature Time Series. MacDonald, S...... 41

Learning from Leadership: Adopting Principles from AIDEA into Northern Infrastructure Development. Marshall, B.M...... 42

Meteorology and Synoptic Climatology of Streamflow in the Snare River Basin. Martin, J.P. and Pisaric, M.F.J...... 43

Flow-Thaw Feedback – How Thawing Permafrost and Groundwater Interact. McKenzie, J.M. and Voss, C.I...... 44

Predictive Mapping of the Thaw Sensitivity of Permafrost Along the Dempster Highway Corridor Based on Landform-Ground Ice Associations. McKillop, R.M., Sacco, D.A., and Roy, L.P...... 45

Features of Apatite in Kimberlites from Ekati Diamond Mine and Snap Lake, Northwest Territories: Modelling of Kimberlite Composition. Milligan, R., Fedortchouk, Y., Normandeau, P.X., and Fulop, A...... 46

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Hydrogeological Characterisation of a Degrading Permafrost Environment: A Catchment-Scale Study in Umiujaq, Québec, Canada. Molson, J.W., Lemieux, J.M., Fortier, R., Therrien, R., Ouellet, M., Barth, J.A.C., van Geldern, R., Cochand, M., Dagenais, S., Fortin, J., and Parhizkar, M...... 47

Overflow Generation for Icing Formation: A Conceptual Model. Morse, P.D...... 48

High Resolution Inter-Lake Assessment of Environmental Controls over the Distribution of the Bioindicator Arcellinina (Testate Lobose Amoebae) in the Canadian Subarctic: Implications for Environmental Monitoring. Nasser, N.A., Patterson, R.T., Gregory, B.R.B., Macumber, A.L., Galloway, J.M., and Falck, H… ...... 49

Transportation Corridors and Access to Resources in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Neudorf, R...... 50

Reducing Energy Costs for Remote Mines and Communities through Improved Liquefaction Technology for LNG. Nikiforuk, C.F. and Miller, P.E...... 51

Regional and Localized Distribution of Arsenic in Soils in the Yellowknife Region. Oliver, J.T., Maitland, K., Jamieson, H.E., and Palmer, M.J...... 51

Gahcho Kué Mine – A Welcome New Addition to the NWT and Canadian Economies. Ormsby, T.O...... 52

The Recovery of Yellowknife Area Lakes from 50 Years of Mining Emissions: The Influence of Landscape Scale and Within-Lake Processes. Palmer, M.J., Chételat, J., Richardson, M., Jamieson, H.E., Van Den Berghe, M., and Galloway, J.M...... 53

Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Uranium Mining and Milling in Canada. Parker, D.J., McNaughton, C.S., and Sparks, G.A...... 54

Quantifying Anthropogenic Versus Natural Impacts on Northern Lakes: New Tools for High Quality, Rapid Collection and Cost-Effective (QRC) Data Acquisition. Patterson, R.T., Gregory, B.R.B., Nasser, N.A., Macumber, A.L., Menard, E., Hutchinson, S., Galloway, J.M., Roe, H.M., and Falck, H...... 55

Preliminary Structural Constraints on the Geometry of Selwyn Basin from Summit Lake to Howard's Pass, Nahanni Map Sheet (NTS 105I), NWT. Penner, B., Hickey, K., Kennedy, L., Martel, E., and Falck, H...... 56

The Big Picture: Engaging on the Giant Mine Remediation Project. Plato, N.A. and Wells, C...... 57

The Geochemistry of Diamond Indicator Minerals from the Horn Plateau and Trout Lake Regions of the NWT Interior Platform. Poitras, S.P., Pearson, D.G., Stachel, T., and Cairns, S...... 58

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Structurally-Controlled Mesothermal-Style Gold Mineralization in the UpTown Gold Prospect, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Power, M.A., Vivian, G., and Rodriguez Madrid, A.L...... 59

Ahead of the Herd: A Summary of Recent Results from Various Gold Projects in Nunavut and NWT. Power, M.A...... 60

The Importance of a Federal/Territorial Northern Aviation Infrastructure Support Strategy. Priestley, G.K...... 61

Mapping and Regional Correlations of the Horn River and Exshaw Formations in the Liard Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada. Rocheleau, J. and Fiess, K.M...... 61

Long Term Landscape and Forest Responses to Climate Change in the Central Northwest Territories: Insights from Biological Proxy Data. Roe, H.M., Patterson, R.S., Trainor, P.G., Vermaire, J.C., Patterson, R.T., and Wolfe, S.A...... 62

Hydrogeology - Working on and below Deep Permafrost. Royle, M.D.R...... 63

Baseline Hydrologic Assessment of Remote Northern Canadian Terrain in Advance of Shale Oil and Gas Development. Rudolph, D.L., Lotimer, A.R., Barker, J.F., Hanna, B., and Applejohn, A...... 64

Revealing the Hidden Message in Surficial Exploration Data using Setting-Specific Data Standardization and Evaluation Techniques: Project Highlights from Canada and Beyond. Sacco, D.A. and Mckillop, R.J...... 65

The Spatial Distribution, Solid-Phase Speciation, and Post-Depositional Mobility of Arsenic in Long Lake Sediments. Schuh, C.E., Jamieson, H.E., Palmer, M.J., and Martin, A.J...... 65

Over 10,000 Years of Prospecting – Archaeology North of 60. Seip, L.P...... 67

Nunavut Exploration Overview 2016. Senkow, M.D...... 67

Terrax Minerals Inc. - Yellowknife City Gold Project - Update on Drilling. Sexton, A.S...... 68

Environmental Monitoring at Gahcho Kué. Slack, T...... 69

Origins of Kimberlite Indicator Minerals on Banks Island, NWT: Evidence for Unknown Arctic Kimberlite(s) and the Potential of Bedrock Inheritance. Smith, I.R...... 70

2016 Bedrock Geology Mapping in the Tehery-Wager Geoscience Project Area, Northwestern Hudson Bay, Nunavut. Steenkamp, H.M., Wodicka, N., Weller, O.M., and Kendrick, J...... 71

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What is a Regional Mineral Development Strategy? Examples and Case Histories. Strand, P.D...... 71

2015 NWT Regional Aboriginal Mineral Development Strategy Workshop - Community Learnings. Stubbs, T.E...... 72

Outcrop Description of the Horn River Group at Arctic Red River East and Flyaway Creek, Peel Plateau Area, NWT. Terlaky, V., Fiess, K.M., and Rocheleau, J...... 72

The Wholdaia Lake Shear Zone; Unraveling the Nature of Paleoproterozoic Tectonometamorphism in the South Rae, Northwest Territories, through Structural Analysis, Petrochronology and Metamorphic Petrology of a ~1.9 Ga Crustal-Scale Fault. Thiessen, E.J., Gibson, H.D., Pehrsson, S.J., and Regis, D...... 74

Signs of Life? The State of the Canadian Exploration Industry. Thomas, R...... 75

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Seasonal Range Attributes in a Declining Barren-Ground Caribou Population. Virgl, J., Rettie, J., and Coulton, D...... 75

Indin Lake Gold Project - Exploration Update. Waychison, W. and Byron, M...... 76

Impacts of Mining Operations on the Forage Availability and Quality for the Bathurst Caribou. Wenjun, C., Leblanc, S.G., White, H.P., Milakovic, B., Rock, C., Sharam, G., O'keefe, H., Corey, L., Croft, B., Adamczewsk, J.Z., Gunn, A., van der Wielen, S., Football, A., Tracz, B., Snortland Pellissey, J., and Boulanger, J...... 77

Environmental Assessment Initiation Guidelines - Getting off on the Right Foot! Wheler, B.A...... 78

Advancing a Dehcho Regional Mineral Development Strategy. Wiebe, H...... 78

The Present State and Future Fate of Permafrost: A Paleoenvironmental Perspective. Wolfe, S.A. and Kokelj, S.V...... 79

Summary of Completion Operations and Testing of the Canol Shale in the Central Mackenzie Valley. Woo, G...... 80

Geological and Geochemical Comparisons between the Duvernay Formation in Alberta and the Canol Formation in NWT with some Insights into Exploration and Production of the Duvernay Formation. Wust, R.A.J., Fiess, K.M., and Nassichuk, B...... 80

Selwyn Zn - Pb Project: An Update on Recent Exploration Activities and Geological Findings. Xue, GX...... 81

TłįChǫ Mineral Policy. Zoe, H. and Mackenzie, G...... 81

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Abstracts - Poster Presentations

Characterization of Arsenic-Hosting Solid Phases in Tailings and Tailings Dust from Giant Mine, Yellowknife, NT. Bailey, A.S. and Jamieson, H.E...... 82

A Preliminary Teleseismic Investigation of the Crust and Mantle Lithosphere Obtained from BISN in the Western Canadian Arctic. Cairns, S., Elliott, B., Schaeffer, A., Audet, P., Esteve, C., Murray-Bergquist, L., Falck, H., and Snyder, D ...... 83

Tropical Weathering in Area of Melville Hills, Northwest Territories. Davies, R. and Davies, A.W...... 83

Local Stratigraphy of the Duo Lake Formation at Howards Pass in the Selwyn Basin Region. Flower, A.F., Fischer, B.J., and Melchin, M...... 84

Determining the Impact of Wildfire on Stream Systems in the Dehcho and South Slave Regions (NWT) using Water Chemistry and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages. Garner, C.S., Pisaric, M.F.J., Chin, K.S., and Speakman, J.E...... 85

Mineral Deposits of Arctic Canada: Excerpts from a Chapter in "Mineral Resources in the Arctic". Harrison, J.C. and Chorlton, L.B...... 86

Intersecting Fold Belts in the Bathurst Island Region, Nunavut. Harrison, J.C...... 87

Till Compositional Data from a Regional RC Drilling Program in the Lac De Gras Region, NT; Insights into the Net Effect of Ice Flow Shifts on 3-D Patterns of Indicator Minerals and Pathfinder Elements. Janzen, R.J.D., Kelley, S.E., Ross, M., Normandeau, P.X., and Elliott, B...... 88

Compilation of Ground Temperature Records in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Karunaratne, K.C., Kokelj, S.V., Morse, P.D., Smith, S.L., Wolfe, S.A., Gruber, S., Palmer, M.J., and Hoeve, E...... 89

Geochemistry, Sedimentology, and Ichnology Of the Hare Indian Formation at Mountain River, Mackenzie Mountains, N.T. Lagrange, M., Gingras, M.K., and Herbers, D.H...... 90

Till Composition and Glacial Dispersal Patterns in South Rae Craton, Northwest Territories. Lauzon, G., Campbell, J.E., Dyke, A.S., and Pehrsson, S.J...... 91

Highlights of Regional Geology and Mineral Potential from 2016 Mapping in South Rae Province, NWT. Martel, E., Percival, J., Pehrsson, S.J., Acosta-Góngora, P., Regis, D., Thiessen, E., Jamison, D., Neil, B., and Knox, B...... 92

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Surficial Geology Studies across the Keewatin Ice Divide, Tehery-Wager Geoscience Project Area, Nunavut. McMartin, I., Day, S.J.A., Randour, I., Roy, M., Steenkamp, H.M., and Wodicka, N...... 93

Geochemical Baselines and Metal(loid) Mobility in a Changing Northern Climate. Miller, C.B., Parsons, M.B., Jamieson, H.E., Galloway, J.M., and Patterson, R.T...... 95

Geophysical Data Projects 2016-2017. Mirza, A.M...... 95

Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Palynostratigraphy in the Aklavik Range, Northwest Territories. Nguyen, A.V., Galloway, J.M., and Beauchamp, B...... 96

The Influence of Forest Fires on Metal Loading to Northern Lakes. Pelletier, N., Vermaire, J.C., Chételat, J., Palmer, M.J., Pellisey, J., Tracz, B., Black, J., and van der Wielen, S ...... 97

The Effects of Mineralogical Composition and Texture on Induced Polarization (IP) Effects in Gold- Bearing Rocks from the Herbert-Brent Gold Showing, Yellowknife Greenstone Belt. Richardson, M.W., Butler, K., and Lentz, D.R...... 98

Porphyry or Pyroclastic? A Petrographic Comparison of Lithologies from the Hebert-Brent Showing in the Yellowknife Greenstone Belt, NWT. Speight, S.C., Lentz, D.R., and McFarlane, C.R.M...... 99

Micron to Mine: Synchrotron Science for Mineral Exploration, Production, and Remediation. Van Loon, L.L., Flynn, T., Lu, L., Bajwa, C., and Banerjee, N.R ...... 100

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Abstracts - Oral Presentations Presenting Author denoted by *

QILALUGAQ DIAMOND conducted directly from Naujaat and local PROJECT, NUNAVUT – A employees are able to live at home while UNIQUE LOCALITY FOR RARE working at the project. During the summer of 2014, North Arrow collected, by surface ‘CANARY’ YELLOW trenching, an approximate 1,350 dry tonne DIAMONDS sample from Q1-4. Final diamond recoveries from the sample included 11,083 diamonds ARMSTRONG, K.A. greater than +1 DTC weighing approximately 384 carats. Yellow diamonds, NORTH ARROW MINERALS INC., representing a range of hues and tones, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] comprise approximately 9.0% by stone count (21.5% by carat weight) of the +1 The Qilalugaq diamond project is located DTC diamonds. The diamond parcel was near the community of Naujaat (Repulse valued by WWW International Diamond Bay), Nunavut. A total of eight kimberlite Consultants (WWW) with a modeled range pipes (Q1-4, A34, A42, A59, A76, A94, of possible values from a possible low of A97 and A152) have been identified within $43 per carat and a possible high of $92 per the project as well as a number of laterally carat. The primary conclusion reached by extensive kimberlite dyke systems. The Q1- WWW was that the valuation results and 4 kimberlite, at 12.5 hectares and containing modeled values should be treated with a May 15, 2013 Inferred Mineral Resource* considerable caution when assessing the estimate of 26.1 million carats from 48.8 Qilalugaq project due to the very small size million tonnes total content of kimberlite of the diamond parcel. with an average +1 DTC (>1mm) total diamond content of 53.6 carats per hundred Subsequent evaluation of the diamond tonnes (cpht), is the most significant parcel has focused on the yellow diamond discovery on the property. (*Mineral population in order to better understand its resources that are not mineral reserves do potential value contribution to the deposit. not have demonstrated economic viability. The yellow diamonds have been confirmed For information on the data verification, as rare Type Ib – IaA ‘Canary’ yellow exploration information and the resource diamonds, representing a distinct population and related target for further exploration from the non-coloured diamonds. A estimation procedures please see the diamond polishing exercise has confirmed technical report dated May 13, 2013 which the canary yellow diamonds could command is available under North Arrow Minerals' a premium price and a review of possible profile at www.sedar.com). size frequency distribution models suggests the canary yellow diamonds could have a Q1-4 also represents a unique situation in significant positive impact on the potential Nunavut, being located within the viability of the Q1-4 diamond deposit. municipality of Naujaat, only 9 km from the Additional sampling is required to confirm community. Evaluation of the deposit is the appropriate size frequency distribution

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and valuation models for these rare and and sphalerite and/or galena in arsenic-poor beautiful diamonds. mineralization.

INSIGHTS INTO GOLD Sulphide ore minerals efficiently incorporate MINERALIZATION AT THE many key metals during precipitation and YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD progressive growth that effectively records the chemical evolution of mineralizing PROJECT USING fluids. Trace elements like Ni and Cu can SYNCHROTRON X-RAY substitute for Fe in the sulphide lattice SPECTROSCOPY whereas As can exchange with S. Sulphide ore minerals crystallized from hydrothermal BANERJEE*, N.R.1, VAN LOON, L.L.2, fluids with different trace-element contents GORDON, S.3, LU, L.1, BAJWA, C.1, will contain variable concentrations of these FLYNN, T.2, SEXTON, A.4, elements that manifest themselves as zones SETTERFIELD, T.4, CAMPBELL, J.4, like growth rings in a tree. Gold commonly and CARPENTER, R.1 displays similar geochemical characteristics to many trace elements during pyrite (1) WESTERN UNIVERSITY, LONDON, ON precipitation but may behave differently (2) CANADIAN LIGHT SOURCE, SASKATOON, during hydrothermal fluid evolution. SK Synchrotron radiation micro X-ray (3) UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, FREDERICTON, NB fluorescence (SR-µXRF) provides rapid and (4) TERRAX MINERALS INC., OTTAWA, ON cost-effective micron to cm-scale trace [email protected] element analysis and mapping of ore The Yellowknife City Gold Project (YCGP) minerals with ppm detection limits. In encompasses 129 sq. km of contiguous land addition, speciation of gold and trace immediately north and south of elements important for understanding Yellowknife, in one of the six major high- element mobility can be probed using grade gold districts in Canada. The project synchrotron X-ray absorption near-edge lies in the prolific Yellowknife greenstone structure (XANES) spectroscopy. belt, covering 23 km of strike length on the northern (15 km) and southern (8 km) We have developed new SR-µXRF extensions of the shear system that hosts the techniques that can be performed directly on past producing high-grade Con (6.1 Moz @ half core samples and produce trace element 16.1 g/t Au) and Giant (8.1 Moz @ 16.0 g/t maps >10 cm long by full core width. The Au) gold mines. Samples of high-grade technique is totally non-destructive and mineralization were collected from the provides critical trace-element associations Crestaurum, Barney Shear, Hébert Brent, in gold bearing sulphide minerals that and Homer Lake targets as well as historical provide integral information regarding the samples from the Geological Survey of nature of mineralizing fluids. By using Canada Yellowknife EXTECH collection. synchrotron-based µXRF mapping, micron Gold occurs as either visible or so-called scale growth halos and correlations between “invisible gold”; either lattice-bound in gold and other trace metals can be resolved. sulphides or as nanoparticle inclusions. Gold In addition, XANES analysis provides in these deposits is also commonly critical information about the oxidation state intimately associated with pyrite and/or of these elements, providing evidence for arsenopyrite in arsenic-rich mineralization fluid redox states as well as the nature of - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 2

invisible gold. Ultimately, this project will This presentation provides an overview of help develop an understanding of the these agreements and how the GNWT metallurgical characteristics of the ores as monitors their implementation. well as the nature of refractory and free- milling gold and its association with NORTHERN MODELS OF potentially deleterious elements such as CONSULTATION AND arsenic. Synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy is a ACCOMMODATION PRACTICE novel niche presently under-utilized in our field. Harnessing synchrotron light for BERTELSEN, C.B. micron-scale analysis provides a powerful tool that addresses industry relevant CANNOR, YELLOWKNIFE, NT problems using a rapid, high-resolution [email protected] analytical technique. In partnership with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), NPMO has SOCIO-ECONOMIC developed northern Models of Consultation AGREEMENTS IN THE and Accommodation Practice each NORTHWEST TERRITORIES composed of an integrated suite of tools, procedures and broadened resources. These BECK, D. Models integrate the duty within officials' normal course of business, streamline (for DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND all parties) how the duty is discharged and INVESTMENT, GOVERNMENT OF improve the protection of asserted or NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT established Aboriginal and/or Treaty rights. [email protected] Socio-Economic Agreements formalizes PRELIMINARY GEOLOGY OF socio-economic commitments made THE KELVIN-FARADAY between resource developers and the KIMBERLITE CLUSTER Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT). These agreements focus on BEZZOLA*, M., VIVIAN, G., and maximizing benefits to communities in the HRKAC, C. Northwest Territories. AURORA GEOSCIENCES LTD., The Government of the Northwest YELLOWKNIFE, NT Territories (GNWT) currently has three MARTINA.BEZZOLA@AURORAGEOSCIENCES .COM SEAs in place with three active mines: The Kelvin-Faraday kimberlite cluster is  Dominion Diamond Corporation located in the southeastern Archean Slave (DDC), Ekati Diamond Mine (Ekati), Craton of northern Canada and consists of at signed October 1996; least four irregular pipe-like bodies (Kelvin,  Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc. Faraday 2, Faraday 1 - 3, Hobbes) and (Diavik), signed October 1999 and numerous kimberlite sheets. Hosted in amended January 2015; and metaturbidites of the Yellowknife  De Beers, Gahcho Kué Project, Supergroup, the cluster occurs along a signed June 2013. regional northeast structural trend, eight kilometres from the Gahcho Kué diamond

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 3

mine. The kimberlite bodies are significantly and several hypabyssal kimberlite sheets. diamondiferous and characterized by Work is currently underway to establish multiple emplacement events and preliminary 3-D geology models for Faraday characterized by non-traditional inclined 1 - 3. pipe shapes. Detailed core logging, petrography, microdiamond investigations The geology of the Kelvin-Faraday and preliminary 3-D modeling over the past kimberlite cluster is similar and yet unique three years have been completed to establish compared to kimberlites that have been the pipe morphology and the internal previously discovered and mined globally. geology of the Kelvin, Faraday 2 and Our understanding of emplacement Faraday 1 - 3 pipes. processes of these kimberlites, specifically with respect to Kimberly-type pyroclastic The Kelvin pipe is primarily infilled by bodies, will continue to evolve. This volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK). Hypabyssal evolution will have an impact on the kimberlite (HK) and a spectrum of exploration and recognition of non-typical kimberlite displaying textures transitional volcaniclastic kimberlite bodies, particularly between VK and HK textures have been in the southeastern Slave province. identified. Seven kimberlite phases have been established and grouped into three MARIAN WATERSHED geologic zones (A, B and C) based on COMMUNITY-BASED AQUATIC textural characteristics, country rock EFFECTS MONITORING dilution, diamond grade and interpreted emplacement relationships. Internally the PROGRAM Kelvin pipe displays sub-horizontal layering of the different kimberlite phases over the BIRLEA, M.B. length of the pipe. External to the Kelvin pipe are a number of hypabyssal kimberlite TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT [email protected] sheets and a volcaniclastic blow (Hobbes), which together make up an extensive The Tłı̨chǫ Government is working together associated sheet complex that extends for with Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board one kilometre to the south of Kelvin. (WLWB) and other partners to develop the Marian Watershed Community-Based The Faraday 2 pipe is infilled by Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program. This is volcaniclastic kimberlite, with minor a community-based monitoring program that amounts of hypabyssal and transitional is being developed based on the questions kimberlite. Four kimberlite phases have and needs of the Tłı̨chǫ people. been identified. The internal geology of Faraday 2 also shows sub-horizontally Tłı̨chǫ Lands have been under Moratorium layered kimberlite phases trending the since the signing of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement in length of the pipe similar to the Kelvin 2005 and on June 1, 2013, the Moratorium kimberlite. was lifted as the Tłı̨chǫ Wenek'e or Land Use Plan came into force. With the potential The Faraday 1 and Faraday 3 kimberlite for future development of Tłı̨chǫ Lands, the bodies are also characterized by Tłı̨chǫ people have expressed concern about volcaniclastic kimberlite, extensive impacts on the water and wildlife they are so kimberlite rich marginal breccia features, dependent upon. The objective of the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 4

Marian Watershed Monitoring Program is to EKATI AUTOMATED UG begin collecting baseline information about DEWATERING the water and fish on Tłı̨chǫ lands and in locations the Tłı̨chǫ feel are the most BLACKLOCK, S. important, prior to any major development pressure (such as the NICO mine by DOMINION DIAMOND CORP., YELLOWKNIFE, Fortune), and to continue collecting this data NT over time. Community members are being [email protected] trained to collect samples, analyze the As the Ekati underground mine approaches samples, and report findings back to the rest its end of life it was recognized that the of the community members. single line pumping system was unable to deal with major inflows from freshet or a A pilot project was conducted at Hislop significant rain event (>500 gallons per Lake, upstream of the planned NICO Mine minute). This risk resulted in the design and site, in the fall of 2013. This project construction of a fully automated dual eight included the training of eight community inch dewatering system capable of pumping members and a field program where the a combined 2000 gallons per minute with a newly trained Environmental Monitors maximum particle size of three quarter inch worked with scientists to investigate the and four percent solids. The lines run concerns of the elders and community independently of one another, are fully members. automated without human input for up to 72 hours and were constructed utilizing existing A workshop was organized by the infrastructure. Construction took place Department of Culture and Lands Protection without interrupting operations, unnecessary (DCLP) in the spring of 2015 to bring back sumps were eliminated, the life of the results from the Marian Lake camp and mechanical seals was extended, pumps are to develop a long term monitoring plan that protected from cavitation, and the system is truly addresses the concerns of the elders. fully operable from the Human Machine We identified five important field sites along Interface (HMI) at the underground the Marian River from Hislop Lake to dispatch. A dual system allows for on-going Marian Lake, which will be visited on a maintenance to take place without four-year cycle. The DCLP organized the compromising daily pumping requirements. forth field program this fall on Marian River near La Martre River. Where the Environmental Monitors worked with the scientist to investigate the concerns from the elders and communities.

The ongoing program will facilitate enhanced understanding of fish health and water chemistry each year, ensure active monitoring of Tłı̨chǫ waters by Tłı̨chǫ people, and prioritize meaningful communication back to community members.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 5

DEVELOPING A Blanchet Island contains cobalt-ores HYDROTHERMAL MODEL FOR skutterudite, safflorite, cobaltite and Ni- POLYMETALLIC NI-CO-BI-AG- minerals rammelsbergite and minor amount of nickeline. Copper Pass is dominated by SB-AS-U VEINS AT BLANCHET nickeline and minor gersdorffite, with native ISLAND AND COPPER PASS, bismuth, molybdenum, antimony, and EAST ARM BASIN AND galena, and a late uranium phase. SOUTHERN SLAVE PROVINCE Microthermometry of fluid inclusions hosted in quartz and carbonate indicate a narrow BURKE*, J.1, HANLEY, J.1, and range in fluid salinity and wide range of OOTES, L.2, 3 homogenization temperatures for the paleo hydrothermal fluids. Analysis of fluid (1) SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX, NS inclusions in Blanchet Island vein-carbonate (2) BRITISH COLUMBIA GEOLOGICAL minerals indicate a range of entrapment SURVEY, VICTORIA, BC temperatures between 124.8 to 244.3oC, (3) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL with fluid salinities between 18.5 to 23.7 SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] wt.% CaCl2. Fluid inclusions in Copper Pass vein-quartz and carbonate return entrapment Polymetallic veins (Ni-Co-As-Bi-Ag-Sb-U), temperatures between 123.5 to 359.5 oC and traditionally defined as “five-metals 125.9 to 244.3 oC, respectively, with a bulk association” veins, occur in the southern salinity range from 20.1 to 22.6 wt.% CaCl2. Slave Province and East Arm basin of Great Ongoing Raman spectroscopy and LA-ICP- Slave Lake, Northwest Territories. This MS on fluid inclusions will complement the style of mineralization was historically micro-thermometry to help constrain the mined at Blanchet Island and Copper Pass, chemical composition and evolution of and is being investigated in this study using hydrothermal fluids as they relate to ore a variety of bulk and microanalytical formation. (geochemical and geochronological) techniques. Blanchet Island occurs in the East Arm basin of Great Slave Lake where 2016 NWT MINERAL vein hosted-styles of cobalt-nickel EXPLORATION AND MINING mineralization occur within skarnified OVERVIEW carbonate sedimentary rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Great Slave Supergroup CAIRNS*, S., ELLIOTT, B., FALCK, H., (ca. 1.88 Ga), and adjacent to (and locally and POWELL, L. within) monzonitic sills (ca. 1.87 Ga). Copper Pass occurs within the southern the NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL Slave Province and mineralization occurs as SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] massive nickeline veins that cross-cut Archean metavolcanic rocks and pegmatite This year marks a 25-year commemorative dykes. Nickeline mineralization also occurs milestone for the diamond industry of the as breccia-cements in altered country rock; Northwest Territories (NWT). In 1991, on this has only been observed in float, not the shores of Lac de Gras, geologists Chuck outcrop. Ore mineralization consists of Fipke and Stewart Blusson found evidence nickel-cobalt-arsenides, galena, native of the territory's first diamond-bearing bismuth, molybdenum and minor sulfides. kimberlite pipe that resulted in the largest staking rush in Canadian history. Their - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 6

discovery resulted in the construction and metals continued in the NWT Cordillera and opening of Canada's first diamond mine, other areas. Ekati, and ignited a $28-billion-dollar This year the NWT Mining Incentive industry which established Canada as the Program supported six corporate and five world's third largest diamond producer by prospector programs exploring for gold and value and fifth by volume. diamonds in the Slave Geological Province and the NWT Cordillera. The program Despite tough financial market conditions, invested $400,000 in assistance to NWT NWT mineral producers continue to mineral exploration. advance their projects. In mining news, after moth-balling the Snap Lake Mine late last NORTHWEST TERRITORIES year, in September DeBeers Canada and GEOLOGICAL SURVEY – Mountain Province Diamonds opened the MINERAL DEPOSITS AND Gahcho Kué Mine, the NWT's fourth diamond mine. Both Diavik and Ekati mines BEDROCK MAPPING 2016 are proceeding with major expansions that ACTIVITIES will increase the longevity and profitability of these projects. The total estimated value CAIRNS, S. of minerals produced in the NWT during 2015 was $1.79 billion, of which diamonds NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL account for 97 percent of this value. SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected]

Explorers have become cautiously optimistic The Northwest Territories Geological about being able to raise money for Survey (NTGS) carries out geological exploration activities. The Slave Geological survey activities for the Government of the Province saw several diamond, gold and Northwest Territories. Within the NTGS, the base metal exploration projects. Kennady Minerals Deposits and Bedrock Mapping Diamonds received promising new results section (MDBM) carries out geological, on their Kennady North property based on geochemical, and geophysical research to drilling of the MZ, Doyle, Kelvin, Hobbes enhance our knowledge of NWT geology. and Faraday kimberlites. Closer to Yellowknife, TerraX continued drilling gold MDBM is enhancing mapping of Slave and base metal targets on their expanded Geological Province volcanic belts, Yellowknife Gold Project. Good targeting areas of bedrock exposure that intersections continue to come back from the have been recently cleaned by forest fires. lab from TerraX's ca. 27,000 metre, 2016 The detailed mapping will assist the mineral summer drilling program. Nighthawk Gold exploration industry to test the potential for completed almost 8,400 metres of drilling undiscovered gold, volcanogenic massive on the Colomac 1.5 Zone, Goldcrest and sulphide, and other deposits. Surficial other prospects in the Indin Lake Volcanic geochemistry research is being conducted in Belt. Favourable results from the Nighthawk conjunction with the bedrock mapping in drill program have attracted the interest of order to understand how drift prospecting Kinross Gold, prompting a buy-in. Outside techniques might be better used to find a of the Slave Geological Province, variety of Slave mineral deposits. exploration for gold, lithium and other Several studies in the East Arm area of

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Great Slave Lake continued during 2016. INTO THE UNKNOWN PART 2: These are aimed at improving our SURFICIAL GEOLOGICAL understanding of the geological history and INVESTIGATIONS IN THE mineral potential of one of the more accessible regions of the NWT. SOUTH RAE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES In the NWT Cordillera, NTGS stream 1 2 sediment data is being statistically analyzed CAMPBELL*, J.E. , LAUZON, G. , 3 4 to better understand its potential for finding DYKE, A.S. , and HAIBLEN, A.M. new mineral deposits. In the Howards Pass area, systematic sampling for conodonts and (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, graptolites is being used to aid our OTTAWA, ON (2) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL, understanding of the structure and MONTRÉAL, QC stratigraphy of these rocks. MDBM also (3) ARTHUR S. DYKE GEOSCIENCE, completed detailed mapping to help EASTPORT, NL understand the structural and stratigraphic (4) SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, BURNABY, complexities affecting the Mactung tungsten BC [email protected] deposit. Several graduate student research projects were supported in the Cordillera. The Geological Survey of Canada, as part of its Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals MDBM is conducting several diamond Program (GEM2), in partnership with the related research initiatives. These activities Northwest Territories Geological Survey, is include projects to explain occurrences of, in the second year of a project to upgrade and characterize the potential for, diamonds the bedrock and Quaternary geoscience in frontier areas such as Banks Island and knowledge for the underexplored and the central Dehcho Region. Additional predominantly drift-covered South Rae diamond related projects aim to characterize Craton in southeastern Northwest the mantle beneath, and physiochemical Territories. During the 2016 field season, conditions of, known diamondiferous surficial geological mapping and till kimberlites. sampling was conducted in NTS map sheets 75G and H. Targeted reconnaissance In 2015, CanNor funds allowed the sampling (~15 km spacing) resulted in 109 completion of a research program studying till samples collected at 103 sites for the surficial geology of the central Slave provenance, geochemistry, indicator Province diamond fields. The program minerals and gold grains. Multiple small and utilized drilling, surficial mapping, meso-scale erosional ice-flow indicators geophysics, and a host of innovative tools to (e.g. striations, grooves, roche moutonnée) model indicator mineral entrainment, were measured at 109 locations. To help develop new 3D surficial material maps, and establish a minimum age for deglaciation in contribute to glacial transport models for use this area, samples were collected for age by industry diamond explorers. This year dating from 3 beach or delta sites (optically saw the publication of a large amount of stimulated luminescence) and 5 boulder sites research from this program. (terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides).

Preliminary mapping has identified at least 4 phases of ice flow with 2 main flowsets

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variably affecting the entire study area. An mapping, together with reconnaissance-scale old flow of unknown sense (SSE/NNW) and till sampling, will provide new data and temporal relationship was recorded at a few improved understanding of the glacial sites. An old regional southward flow is history in support of mineral exploration, overprinted by the main regional southwest sustainable resource development and land- flowset (Late Wisconsin deglaciation). A use management for the South Rae region. late (youngest) west flow overprints this southwest flow. DIRECT DETECTION OF DRIFT-CONCEALED Distinctive erratics, such as Dubawnt KIMBERLITES USING Supergroup lithologies derived from sources located to the north-northeast are more SURFACE GEOCHEMISTRY prevalent than in the 2015 map area to the AND LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION south. This is consistent with sustained MODELS IN THE NWT, transport and dispersal of glacial debris by CANADA the older southward flow. CAYER*, E.M.1, WINTERBURN, P.A.1, Drift cover of variable thickness is and ELLIOTT, B.2 extensive, with bedrock exposure ranging from 0 to 30%. The dominant surficial (1) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, material is till of varying composition, VANCOUVER, BC thickness and genesis. The till becomes (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL sandier northward likely reflecting an SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] increased Thelon sandstone component in the till. The landscape, particularly in Many diamondiferous kimberlites in the Lac northeastern 75G and much of 75H is de Gras region of the Northwest Territories dominated by streamlined landforms with are concealed by glacial drift, rendering organic terrain in the lows. Numerous them challenging to detect by traditional parallel NE – SW trending eskers systems exploration techniques that exploit residual and subglacial meltwater corridors cross the surface chemistry. Much research has been map area with two types of signature aimed at the development of deep landform/deposits assemblages: 1) eskers, penetrating geochemical exploration parallel trains of either ice-contact technologies to increase the rate of glaciofluvial (hummocks and ridges) discovery whilst reducing risk and deposits or terraced glaciofluvial deposits, exploration cost. However, results from a and 2) trains of hummocky till, boulder lags, detailed study of soil geochemistry above exposed bedrock with small discontinuous the DO-18 kimberlite (Peregrine Diamonds) eskers and related deposits. New mapping demonstrate the potential to apply has continued to delineate the extent of conventional surface geochemical glacial lakes in this region. The reworking of techniques coupled with surface material the existing glacial and glaciofluvial mapping and landscape evolution models to deposits below 410-420 m elevation has the evaluation of discrete targets. resulted in a widespread veneer of sands and sandy diamictons over the low relief terrain. 150 soil samples from the oxidized upper B- horizon in a detailed grid crossing the The 1:100 000 scale surficial geological concealed kimberlite were collected.

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Samples, screened to -180 microns, were entrained to the surface from deeper in the analysed by multi-element ICP-MS till, locally above the kimberlite, by frost following 4-acid, aqua-regia and deionized boil action. The southern part of the area is water extractions. Fp-XRF was utilised as an considered to have been inundated with equivalent total method to evaluate its water, the remains of which comprise the applicability. Sequential leach on selected current lake over the DO-27 kimberlite samples was undertaken to understand the approximately 400m to the south. Sediments deportment of the elements of interest within in this area are clay rich – comprising the soils. Surficial mapping included soil material deposited by the lake, or re-worked type, topographic variation, landforms, sandy material along the palaeo-lake margin environment and vegetation. This allows an and subsequent erosional channels. These assessment of surface controls on the later processes acted to further disperse, geochemistry, in particular the generation of conceal and dilute the signal of the false anomalies from chemical traps such as underlying body. swamps; and allows the generation of a landscape development model. Hydro- THE YELLOWKNIFE BAY carbons, analysed using the SGH and Gore- AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM 75 sorber techniques, were evaluated to YEARS AFTER GOLD characterize the type and abundance of complex hydrocarbons above the kimberlite PRODUCTION BEGAN: relative to above the host granitic gneiss. ARSENIC, ANTIMONY AND METALS IN WATER, Geochemical data is subject to landform SEDIMENT AND FISH generation processes. The northern half of the grid comprises till with numerous frost CHÉTELAT*, J.1, BLACK, J.2, COTT, boils. The southern half, at lower P.3, AMYOT, M.4, MUIR, D.5, topography below a distinct break, is RICHARDSON, M.6, and EVANS, M.7 dominated by sand-rich material and fine clay. Results from the 4-acid and aqua regia (1) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE extraction show a dispersion of Nb, Ni, Mg, CANADA, OTTAWA, ON Ce, Cr and Cs from directly above the (2) YELLOWKNIVES DENE FIRST NATION, northern part of the kimberlite to the edge of YELLOWKNIFE, NT (3) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, the sampling grid, approximately 500 metres AB to the northwest, following glacial (4) UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL, MONTRÉAL, dispersion. SGH-hydrocarbon results exhibit QC a similar pattern in light-alkyl benzenes. Fp- (5) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE XRF data repeats the pattern in all elements CANADA, BURLINGTON, ON (6) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON except Mg, where the concentrations are too (7) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE low for reliable detection. In the southern CANADA, SASKATOON, SK half of the grid, at a lower topographic level, [email protected] geochemical responses are considerably Yellowknife Bay on Great Slave Lake is a more subtle. water body of cultural, subsistence and recreational importance for the It is hypothesised that anomaly formation in Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the till followed standard glacial dispersion residents of Yellowknife. The bay has been in the down ice trend. Material was impacted by releases of pollution from gold - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 10

mining since the start of ore production in migration of dissolved arsenic from arsenic- the late 1930s. Arsenic, antimony and metals rich sediments below. were deposited in the bay through effluent and tailings releases, and air emissions from Summer concentrations of arsenic in surface ore roasting. Local concerns remain over the waters were relatively low (<4 ppb) in long-term fate of legacy mining pollution. A Yellowknife Bay, although levels were study from 2013 to 2015 investigated several-fold higher close to Giant Mine processes controlling the movement and compared to the mouth of Yellowknife Bay environmental fate of metal(loid)s released and main body of Great Slave Lake. Surface into Yellowknife Bay, with a focus on water water arsenic was predominantly in the and sediment quality, and bioaccumulation dissolved fraction as arsenate (As+5) in the food web. although arsenite (As+3) was also present. Recent total arsenic concentrations in Dated sediment cores showed significant Yellowknife Bay surface waters near Giant enrichment of antimony, arsenic, copper, Mine were about half the levels measured in lead, mercury, silver and zinc in sediments the 1980s and 1990s. corresponding with the timing of historical mining operations in the region. Over 200 fishes, representing seven species, Atmospheric deposition of pollution from were collected in Yellowknife Bay and near ore roasting extended approximately 20-25 Wool Bay on Great Slave Lake for arsenic km south of Giant Mine and into the main and metals analysis of tissues. Arsenic body of Great Slave Lake. The most concentrations in fish muscle were well intensive enrichment of metal(loid)s in below the Canadian Food Inspection sediments occurred in Yellowknife Bay Agency guideline of 3.5 ppm wet weight. within 5 km of the Giant Mine roaster and The low arsenic in fish muscle can be during the early years of operation. In explained by low arsenic in surface waters Yellowknife Bay nearest to Giant Mine, and the physiological behaviour of this levels of antimony and metals have declined element in fish. near the sediment surface but remain above pre-mining levels. At farther sites, Yellowknife Bay is showing positive signs concentrations of elements in surface of recovery with long-term declines of sediments have declined to background. arsenic in water and metals in surface sediment. However, further study is While sediments in Yellowknife Bay recommended to better understand the indicate some recovery from legacy potential for arsenic release from sediment, pollution of less mobile metals (e.g. copper, which remains a large and potentially leaky lead), arsenic remains highly concentrated in reservoir of legacy arsenic. younger surface sediment with solid-phase peaks of 800-4500 ppm in the top 5 cm. Levels and speciation of dissolved arsenic in sediment porewaters were related to oxygen conditions, with elevated concentrations found below the oxic-anoxic boundary. The arsenic peaks in near-surface sediment likely resulted from dissolution and upward

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AREAS OF OPERATION: TECHNICAL SESSIONS ON IMPROVING CLARITY AND CULTURAL IMPACTS - A NEW CONSISTENCY IN LAND AND ENVIRONMENTAL WATER BOARD PRACTICES ASSESSMENT TOOL AND PROCEDURES CLIFFE-PHILLIPS, M.A. CHOUINARD*, R.1, FEQUET, R.2, DEBASTIEN, L.3, DIXON, P.4, and MACKENZIE VALLEY REVIEW BOARD, 1 YELLOWKNIFE, NT PLAUTZ, A. [email protected]

(1) MACKENZIE VALLEY LAND AND WATER The Mackenzie Valley Review Board (the BOARD, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Board), when conducting environmental (2) WEK'ÈEZHÌI LAND AND WATER BOARD, assessments, is required to consider the YELLOWKNIFE, NT protection of the environment from the (3) GWICH'IN LAND AND WATER BOARD, INUVIK, NT significant adverse impacts of proposed (4) SAHTU LAND AND WATER BOARD, FORT developments, as well as the protection of GOOD HOPE, NT the social, cultural and economic well-being [email protected] of residents and communities of the In early 2008, the Mackenzie Valley Land Mackenzie Valley. In addition, the Board is and Water Board (MVLWB) formed the required to consider both scientific and Standard Procedures and Consistency traditional knowledge. The Board has found Working Groups to focus on specific that a disproportionate amount of regulatory improvements to improve clarity information provided to the Board to and consistency among the Land and Water consider in past environmental assessments Boards (LWBs). Though the Working has focused on scientific evidence related to Group initiative was successful, lessons the biophysical environment, and less so on have been learned and improvements are the human environment and traditional necessary to ensure continued success in knowledge. To help address this imbalance, areas of collective LWB product the Board has recently held as part of an development. The LWBs have identified ongoing environmental assessment process areas where improved clarity and community technical sessions that have consistency in our common practices and focused on cultural impacts and the procedures should be achieved. These Areas collection of traditional knowledge. This of Operation include: Corporate Excellence, talk will focus on how these sessions were Regulatory Improvement, Information and conducted and how the information Communications Technology, and Outreach provided will assist the Board to better and Engagement. This talk will provide an fulfill its broader mandate. overview of these Areas of Operation and the exciting initiatives and products that are underway.

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INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO COORDINATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMPLETION OF MULTI-YEAR IN AN INDIGENOUS AND GEOTECHNICAL URBAN ENVIRONMENT INVESTIGATION IN THE CANADIAN ARCTIC: CONNELLY, D. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS

ILE ROYALE ENTERPRISES LTD., LEARNED YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] CORMIER*, Y., PIRAUX, O., and Earning social licence is critical for MCLEOD, W. successful natural resource projects. STANTEC, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Experience in Canadian territories has [email protected] focused on remote fly-in fly out projects. While northern stakeholders, regulators and The Northwest Territories Department of industry have made significant Transportation is entering the final winter improvements in meaningful community season of construction of an all-season engagement over the last 25 years it has highway connecting Tuktoyaktuk with been almost that long since the last Inuvik which is currently the terminus of the community hosted project shut down. Dempster highway. This development will The concerns, opportunities, impacts and comprise over 140 km of two-lane, gravel benefits of a project on the outskirts of surfaced highway. It will require roughly 7 N'dilo, Dettah and Yellowknife are different million cubic meters of granular material for than remote projects. Here employees would construction and operation and thus required drive home every day, indigenous the completion of a borrow source employees and suppliers are 20 minutes investigation program along the proposed from site, infrastructure will be impacted, corridor. residents and tourist would see the project from where they ski, snowmobile, hike and The execution of the program required the have their cabins and the environment development of risk management strategies legacy of mining is close by. with an emphasis on team roles focusing on TerraX's Yellowknife City Gold Project is the logistical aspects and associated developing the last major greenstone belt in challenges while maintaining technical Canada on 129 sq. km bordering the north oversight and quality. As such, significant and south of the City. The talk will provide effort was spent on planning, including an update since last year's community identifying areas deemed most probable to engagement presentation and discuss contain suitable borrow. This included TerraX's pioneering approach to co-usage cooperation between geotechnical staff and and partnering with urban stakeholders for a terrain staff using new technologies to project within sight of the YKDFN Band complete an initial desktop study of the Office and City Hall. proposed alignment area to identify and prioritize investigative areas of interest. Overall, approximately 700 boreholes were drilled successfully in under 80 days, spread over three winter seasons in a remote location. - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 13

EFFECTS OF FIRE AND defined as the area outside of individual DEVELOPMENT ON BATHURST home ranges but within the cumulative area CARIBOU WINTER RANGE used by all other collared caribou cows. We used a hierarchical approach of information HABITAT SELECTION theory to identify the most supported resource selection models representing COULTON*, D.1, DAWE, K.2, VIRGL, 3 3 different ecological hypotheses with J. , and KARRAS, A. variables supported by Traditional Knowledge in mixed-model logistic (1) GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., regression. Our study builds on work from YELLOWKNIFE, NT (2) QUEST UNIVERSITY CANADA, SQUAMISH, two previous Bathurst caribou winter habitat BC selection studies and uses more recent (3) GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., SASKATOON, techniques to determine indirect effects SK (zones of influence) to habitat quality [email protected] associated with different development Barren-ground caribou are a migratory including active mines, exploration camps, species and their ability to locate suitable power transmission lines, winter roads and resources on different seasonal ranges is communities. Our results indicate that important to their survival and reproductive Bathurst caribou prefer areas above the success and coping with environmental treeline during winter suggesting they may variability. The winter range is important be less sensitive to forest fire than because it immediately precedes the calving previously believed. The results of this study period and represents a time when energetic will be informative to land use plans, costs of thermoregulation and foraging are caribou management and future high and body reserves required to maintain environmental assessments. cow pregnancy are typically decreasing. For Bathurst caribou, the winter range has KENNADY NORTH PROPERTY: historically included a large area of boreal 2015 FIELD SEASON UPDATE forest, which is subject to spatial and temporal variation of wild fire and human COX*, D. and WHITE, D. development disturbance. A new resource selection model for the Bathurst caribou AURORA GEOSCIENCES LTD., winter range was developed with collared YELLOWKNIFE, NT cow data from 1996 to 2015 to assess factors [email protected] important to caribou distribution on their The Kennady North Property, wholly owned winter range. These data were used to by Kennady Diamonds Inc. (KDI) is located determine the relative importance of 300 km northeast of Yellowknife adjacent to different vegetation communities, and the the DeBeers/Mountain Province Gahcho size, age and frequency of fire, different Kué mine site. Exploration on the property types of development, density dependence dates back to the early 90's, during which (herd size) and the segment of the Bathurst time several kimberlites were discovered. herd that remains on the barren-grounds Since 2012, KDI has completed a number of during winter. This was accomplished by geophysical, hand and RC till sampling, comparing locations used by caribou with a diamond drill, and large diameter bulk random sample of locations describing sampling programs. available habitat. Available habitat was

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In 2016, KDI completed a large diameter Exploration results have been very reverse circulation drill program to bulk encouraging and Kennady Diamond Inc. sample the Northern lobe of the Kelvin anticipates the continuation of this success kimberlite and to collect a mini bulk sample in 2017. from the Faraday 2 kimberlite. Following the RC program, diamond drilling and ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ground geophysical surveys continued in the CHANGE CANADA'S Kelvin-Faraday Corridor (KFC) and at the ENVIRONMENTAL MZ Sill. Operations were split between summer and winter field efforts. EMERGENCY REGULATIONS – A SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT The RC drill pad and a seasonal spur road CHARACTERISTICS AND off the Gahcho Kué seasonal road were CURRENT REGULATORY completed in January to coincide with the REQUIREMENTS opening of the Tibbit-Contwoyto winter road and facilitated the mobilization of two COX, T. large diameter RC rigs operated by Midnight Sun Drilling Inc. to the property. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA, EDMONTON, AB A total of 612 tonnes of the Kelvin [email protected] kimberlite and 21.1 tonnes of the Faraday 2 Environment and Climate Change Canada's kimberlite were obtained via RC drilling (ECCC) Environmental Emergencies between February 18 and April 24. The bulk Program aims to protect Canadians and their sample was processed via DMS at the environment from the effects of Saskatchewan Research Council in environmental emergencies through the Saskatoon. provision of science-based expert advice and regulations. ECCC's main environmental One diamond drill commenced drilling prior emergencies responsibilities are defined in to the RC program and two other drills the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, commenced during the final stages of RC 1999 (CEPA) and the Fisheries Act. drilling. A total of 20,260 meters of NQ and HQ core were drilled during 2016. Diamond This talk will focus on the federal drilling focused on delineating the Faraday Environmental Emergency Regulations 1, Faraday 2 and Faraday 3 kimberlites. under CEPA. In 2003, the Environmental These pipe-like bodies are similar to the Emergency (E2) Regulations came into Kelvin Kimberlite in geometry and internal force under the authorities of section 200 of geology. CEPA. The current E2 Regulations are focused on land-based, fixed facilities, and Aurora Geosciences Ltd. conducted aim to enhance the protection of human life geophysical surveys in the KFC and at the and health and the environment, by MZ Sill. These comprised 20,346 stations of minimizing the frequency and consequences ground gravity, 763.3 line-km of walk mag of environmental emergencies involving the and 587.36 line-kilometers of Ohm TM unplanned, uncontrolled or accidental Mapper capacitively coupled resistivity. release of hazardous substances. The E2 Additionally, 143.3 line-km of bathymetry Regulations require the development and were conducted at 24 lakes. implementation of environmental - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 15

emergency plans for substances with control and security monitoring of all associated thresholds that, if released to the processes involved in diamond recovery. environment as a result of an environmental Diamond breakage is more complex and emergency, may harm human health or involves expert evaluation of each broken environmental quality. diamond to assess whether breakage occurred prior to emplacement or from This talk will summarize key aspects of the exploration or mining activities. The general current regulations, including the substances paucity of macrodiamonds in exploration regulated, associated reporting requirements, samples makes identifying breakages and and important timelines. Examples of reporting the affected diamond to their common facilities that are subject to the E2 correct size fractions essential for forward regulations within the Prairie and Northern modeling of diamond distributions. The Region of Canada will be provided. reconstructed size-frequency distribution often has a significant increase in the 10kT DIAMOND BREAKAGE AND diamond size (largest single diamond GRADE PREDICTION predicted for a 10,000 tonne sample). Some samples recovered at SRC have increased 5 DANOCZI, J. to 25 carats 10kT when the breakage is corrected. SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH COUNCIL, SASKATOON, SK TALMORA DIAMOND INC. - [email protected] HORTON RIVER PROJECT The size-frequency distribution of diamonds UPDATE in natural samples follow a log-normal distribution which can readily be modelled. DAVIES*, A.W. and DAVIES, R. The modelled distribution is used for grade prediction and hence can have significant TALMORA DIAMOND INC., TORONTO, ON impact on target prioritization in [email protected] exploration. The predicted occurrence of The Slave “Diamond Corridor” is a north- large diamonds (deca- and hecto-carat sizes) northwest trend that appears to have also has implications for recovery process controlled the emplacement of significantly design in operating mines. diamondiferous kimberlites of the Slave craton. Darnley Bay and Dharma Combining diamond data from diamond diamondiferous kimberlites on the east side recovery from drill core exploration samples of the Lena West diamond region of the (using caustic fusion) and bulk samples Northwest Territories are on a northern (using dense medium separation; DMS) extension of this corridor that has been produces a smooth log-normal data subject to major left-lateral displacement distribution. The data modelling is (~350km) in the region of the Great Bear complicated by two major factors: 1) Fault Zone. Talmora's Horton River project inefficient recovery of microdiamonds <100 is located on the corridor extension about µm and a recovery gap between smallest 100 kilometers south of the Darnley Bay grain size of DMS and caustic fusion; and 2) kimberlites near Paulatuk. broken diamonds artificially deflating the frequency of macrodiamonds. The first Regional sampling programs across Lena factor is eliminated by rigorous quality - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 16

West have recovered widespread kimberlite alters to hematite and iron-hydroxides, show indicator minerals (KIMs) with good little evidence of early remnant magnetism. diamond association chemistry including 18 The tops of two magnetic anomalies were diamonds. There is evidence that many of successfully investigated with a small the KIMs recovered on the western side of Packsack drill. The holes penetrated through Lena West are derived from secondary about 10 vertical meters of glacial concentrations at the base of the Cretaceous overburden and ended 1 to 2 meters in sedimentary basin with a likely primary compact rusty coloured clay. A 25mm source to the east, probably outside the basin section of clay was recovered with a along the diamond corridor. KIMs both composition similar to weathered kimberlite within and outside the Cretaceous basin from Sierra Leone. Drill cuttings from one were redistributed by glaciation. hole contained thirteen chromites, one picroilmenite, fourteen altered Mn-ilmenites The regional KIMs across Lena West differ and five fresh Mn-ilmenites with diamond from those of the Darnley Bay kimberlites inclusion chemistry. Chromite compositions but are similar to those of the Dharma lie on a relatively narrow Fe/Mg kimberlites. The latter kimberlites are small crystallization trend line indicating a single and have a limited range of KIM population and nearby source. compositions so cannot be the source of all the Lena West KIMs. Cluster analysis There is evidence that Talmora could hold confirms that KIMs in the Horton River area the source area of the Lena West KIMs and have compositions that cover the full range diamonds. A larger drill is required to obtain of those found across Lena West and differ fresh kimberlite and sufficient core for from those at Darnley Bay and Dharma. microdiamond analysis.

Ferricrete ("laterite") cobbles occur in tills in INTERRELATIONSHIPS Talmora's project area especially down-ice BETWEEN PERMAFROST AND of magnetic anomalies and appear to be of SUBSURFACE WATER: 3 CASE local origin. Together with diagenetic alteration of KIMs and apparent destruction STUDIES ALONG A of silicate KIMs they are evidence of a LATITUDINAL GRADIENT IN humid and tropical climate that probably THE CANADIAN NORTH coincides with the Eocene Thermal Maximum (55Ma). Located on the flanks of DE GRANDPRÉ*, I.1, 2, FORTIER, D.2, the unglaciated Melville Hills glaciation has GODIN, E.3, PAQUETTE, M.2, and not removed the weathered zone. SLIGER, M.2

Numerous magnetic anomalies on the (1) WATER RESOURCES DIVISION, Talmora property show characteristics of ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, weathered kimberlite pipes. Over forty of GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT them have associated KIMs down-ice (2) DÉPARTEMENT DE GÉOGRAPHIE, (mostly chromite and ilmenite). The UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL, MONTRÉAL, QC magnetic anomalies have relatively low (3) DEPARTMENT OF EARTH amplitude and as expected in deeply SCIENCES/CENTRE FOR PLANETARY weathered kimberlites, in which magnetite SCIENCE AND EXPLORATION, UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO, LONDON, ON [email protected] - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 17

For a few decades, Northern Canada has surface and in the active layer acts as a been experiencing noticeable climate change thermo-erosion agent for the ice wedges, (e.g. increase of air temperature, change in inhibiting infiltration and leading to the precipitation). These changes affect the formation of tunnels in the permafrost, water balance and the thermal regime of preferentially in ice-wedges. Ultimately permafrost through the development of new these tunnels collapse and form a network of flow paths, and may trigger thermokarst gullies. This process occurs in a short time processes, drainage of lakes, mass scale: for example, one gully had a linear movements such as active layer detachment erosion rate averaging 90 my-1 between slides and thaw slumps, and the formation of 1999 and 2007, several orders of magnitude gullies. faster than permafrost thawing due to higher air temperatures. Groundwater-permafrost dynamics are complex and the processes involved highly Ward Hunt Island possesses very cold and depend on the permafrost properties and arid climatic conditions where permafrost climate conditions. To understand and contains almost no unfrozen water. During compare the variety of interactions between the short summer season, runoff from subsurface water and permafrost, we present melting snow flows rapidly underground three case studies along a large latitudinal through water tracks, mobilizing fine gradient: 1. Beaver Creek, Yukon (ice-rich sediments along the way. This near-0°C discontinuous permafrost); 2. Bylot Island, water has a different effect on permafrost Nunavut (inland continuous ice-rich compared to the two other study sites, as permafrost); and 3. Ward Hunt Island, groundwater flow is slowing down the Nunavut (polar desert continuous thawing of the active layer by preventing permafrost). effective radiation heating of the ground.

The results show substantial variability While this research identified variable between sites in the response of permafrost permafrost response to groundwater flow to groundwater flow. At the Beaver Creek along a latitudinal gradient, more work is site, groundwater flowing through water necessary to clearly identify the conditions tracks (preferential flow paths) have the that cause this variability. With the current effect of lowering the permafrost table by global warming trend, issues associated with 30-50 cm, while stagnant water within the increased groundwater erosion and surrounding wetland contributed to decrease permafrost degradation will continue to the ground surface mean temperature by 1°C present challenges for the long term stability (in comparison with proximal mesic terrain of infrastructure. Understanding the units). Under the road infrastructure at the interrelationship between groundwater and same site, the groundwater flow is an permafrost is a key for the advancement of effective heat transfer vector and the fundamental periglacial geomorphology and permafrost degrades about 10 times faster for the construction and maintenance of where groundwater flow is present. sustainable and adaptable infrastructure.

On Bylot Island, ice wedge polygons in organic rich silty sediments are ubiquitous at the valley floor level. Recurring and localized water flow from snowmelt at the

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WHAT DOES THE MINISTER THE GRAYS BAY ROAD AND DO WITH THE BOARD'S PORT PROJECT – ARCTIC REPORT? GATEWAY CONNECTING NUNAVUT TO THE WORLD DONIHEE*, J. and PAILLE, J. ANABLAK*, S.1, DUXBURY, P.1, WILLMS & SHIER ENVIRONMENTAL NORTHEY, S.1, EVALIK, C.1, and LAWYERS LLP, TORONTO, ON 2 [email protected] STEVENS, J.

Mining is a highly regulated business, from (1) NUNAVUT RESOURCES CORPORATION, cradle to grave. Many of the most important CAMBRIDGE BAY, NU project approvals processes in the NWT and (2) DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC Nunavut are the responsibility of co- DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION, GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT, IQALUIT, NU management tribunals which report to [email protected] Ministers who make final decisions. This is the case for environmental impact The Grays Bay Road and Port Project assessment and water licensing (regulatory (GBRP Project) is a proposed transportation processes) proceedings which result in two system that will connect the rich mineral of the most important decisions in the resources of the Slave Geological Province mining approvals process. These regulatory to arctic shipping routes. The GBRP Project processes require significant investment of consists of a 227 km all-season road linking time and resources by all parties, none more the northern terminus of the Tibbitt- so than project proponents. On occasion, Contwoyto Winter Road to a deep-water however, the outcomes of these processes port at Grays Bay on the Northwest Passage. are not satisfactory to one or more of the The GBRP Project would stimulate the participants. The tribunals' reports regional economy, yielding a wide range of nevertheless go to a Minister(s) for final significant benefits to Nunavut residents and decision. to other Canadians. The Government of Nunavut and the Kitikmeot Inuit What does the law say about the Minister's Association jointly champion the project and options at that point? What role can the are seeking to advance it by: 1) securing participants play in influencing that Federal Government infrastructure program decision? What are the legal constraints on funding to cover the majority of capital the Minister and the participants and how costs; and 2) acquiring all necessary can we ensure the integrity of the decision- environmental approvals to allow making process? construction to proceed. Details on this project, including its multiple benefits, will This presentation will explore these be provided in this presentation. questions in the context of several recent examples from the mining approvals process in the NWT and Nunavut. The results of this investigation should help project proponents and other parties to better understand their options in the final approvals process.

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SLAVE PROVINCE SURFICIAL sampling with implication for MATERIALS AND mineral exploration; PERMAFROST STUDY  Updated surficial maps highlighting landforms associated with glacial PRELIMINARY RESULTS - outwash corridors; REVITALIZING MULTI-  Installation of a large thermistor COMMODITY MINERAL network to study the impact of EXPLORATION AND climate change on permafrost and FACILITATING SUSTAINABLE terrain sensitivity to inform potential DEVELOPMENT IN A KEY infrastructure development; ECONOMIC REGION  The application of ground penetrating radar and Ohm Mapper to determine depth to bedrock in ELLIOTT, B. permafrost rich areas. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT In order to accomplish these objectives, [email protected] 1131 glacial sediment samples were In 2014 and 2015 the Northwest Territories collected from 235 boreholes and 363 Geological Survey (NTGS) carried out the thermistors were installed at 41 LIDAR Slave Province Surficial Materials and surveyed permafrost monitoring sites. In Permafrost Study (SPSMPS), a two year addition, over 1500 km2 of field mapping collaborative government–industry– and approximately 150 line km of ground academic research program in NTS sheets geophysics were carried out. Large 76C and 76D. The overall goals of this proprietary indicator mineral and remote project were to advance our understanding sensing datasets and logistical support were of glacial history, develop innovative generously provided by our industry exploration techniques, update surficial partners. maps in targeted areas and study permafrost and terrain sensitivity to climate change. Our industry partners included Dominion This project was funded through the Diamond Ekati Corp, Diavik Diamonds Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Mines Inc., North Arrow Minerals Inc., Development (SINED) program of the Peregrine Exploration Ltd., Artic Star Canadian Northern Economic Development Exploration Corp., New Nadina Agency (CanNor). Highlights include: Explorations Limited, and TNT Mineral A database of indicator mineral counts, Science. Our research partners included the indicator mineral chemistry and till Canadian Mining Institute Research geochemistry showing previously unknown Organization (CAMIRO), Palmer anomalies and new unsourced indicator Environmental Consulting Group Inc., trains; DCGeo Applied Sedimentary Geology, the University of Waterloo, Simon Fraser  3D models of the DO-27 / DO-18, University, Carleton University and the Monument and Coppermine University of British Columbia. This work indicator trains with implications for was carried out with Aurora Geosciences mineral exploration; Ltd as the operator.  Studies on esker transport distance,

glacial dynamics and geochemical This presentation will highlight the new - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 20

datasets and geological models generated 230 m in thickness. The deposit consists of over the course of this study while providing two scheelite-bearing skarn zones separated an update on forthcoming scientific by 100 m of hornfelsed pelite, along the publications from the NTGS and our project southern contact of the granitic Cirque Lake partners. stock. The main exposure occurs along a steep northerly-sloping cliff on the side of MACTUNG: AN Mount Allan, which marks the border INTRODUCTION TO THE between the Yukon and the NWT. Both TUNGSTEN DEPOSIT AND ITS zones dip to the south, but the sequence has been folded to the north, producing a GEOLOGICAL SETTING recumbent isoclinal “z” fold in the lower zone with an amplitude of about 90 m and FALCK*, H.1, FISCHER, B.J.1, 1 2 an axis that plunges at about 16° to the west MARTEL, E. , and KIRKHAM, G. in the west, and at a shallow angle to the east at the eastern end of the deposit. (1) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT (2) KIRKHAM GEOSYSTEMS LTD., Scheelite is the economic mineral of interest VANCOUVER, BC occurring predominantly with pyrrhotite in [email protected] the pyroxene-pyrrhotite skarn facies, such The Mactung deposit is a W- (Au-Cu-Bi) that scheelite content increases while its skarn that straddles the NWT/Yukon border grain size decreases with pyrrhotite content. just north of the historic Canol Trail. In Ore-grade mineralization, including minor 2009, North American Tungsten (NATCL) amounts of coarser-grained scheelite, also reported it to contain mineral reserves of 8.5 occurs in garnet facies skarn. Wolframite has been reported occasionally. Mt, at an average grade of 1.082% WO3 within an Indicated Mineral Resource of Nine stratigraphic units were distinguished 33.0 Mt grading 0.88% WO3. This compares favourably with the reported Measured and and were designated from oldest to youngest Indicated Mineral resources of the recently numerically 1, 2B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, opened Hemerdon Mine, UK (56.9 Mt and 4. The sediments were deposited in the late Precambrian to Early Devonian Selwyn grading 0.17% WO3 and 0.02% Sn) and the Los Santos Mine, Spain (2.2 Mt grading Basin. Thin-bedded dark siltstone to fine- grained quartzite of the Proterozoic –Early 0.29% WO3). NATCL's mining plan envisaged the project as an underground Cambrian Vampire Formation (1) grade to mine utilizing long-hole blast and the northeast into the thick-bedded mechanized cut-and-fill mining methods carbonate sediments of the variably with long-hole stoping for the majority of subsiding Mackenzie Platform. The the ore at a high production rate and mineralized stratigraphy includes the Early mechanized cut-and-fill stoping for thinner Cambrian Sekwi Formation (2) (calcareous and steeper ore zones. An open pit option to siltstone, limestone slump breccia and reduce costs and increase the production rate conglomerate) and Rabbitkettle Formation could also be considered. (3D, 3E, 3F) (silty limestone, phosphatic limestone conglomerate, and mudstone). The Mactung mineralization occurs within a These are separated by Hess River sequence of altered limestones, shales and Formation (3C) mudstone and overlain by siltstones of Cambrian to Silurian age, up to the Ordovician to Lower Devonian Road - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 21

River Group including the Duo Lake distributed over many different sources and Formation (3H, 4) (black shale, laminated requires keyword and subject expertise. A chert, and minor limestone) and the Steel web-based NWT petroleum geological atlas Formation (pyritic, siliceous, bioturbated would simplify petroleum-related data mudstone to siltstone). In the Mid- searches by providing industry, government Devonian, the sequence was superseded by and private sector clients with downloadable turbiditic, chert-rich clastic rocks of the Earn data from one resource. Group that were sourced from the north and west in contrast to the previous eastern Scoping research, in addition to industry and sources. Geological Survey of Canada consultations, was conducted by the Petroleum NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Geosciences Group in the fiscal year 2015- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: 16 to evaluate the feasibility of initiating a PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCES NWT petroleum geological atlas project. During the remaining fiscal year (2016-17), 2016-17 ACTIVITY OVERVIEW the Petroleum Geosciences Group will review the research and formulate FIESS, K.M. recommendations regarding a web-based NWT petroleum geological atlas project. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL Such recommendations will include project SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] scope, participants, design, product delivery, timing and budget. The Petroleum Geosciences Group of the Northwest Territories Geological Survey Advancing the knowledge of the petroleum (NTGS) had five primary research potential of Devonian age shales of the objectives during 2016. These were to Mackenzie Plain area of the NWT has been eliminate the current backlog of NTGS a Petroleum Geosciences Group primary Petroleum Geosciences publications by research objective since 2009. The 2014 fiscal year end, review the results of the “Shale Basin Evolution in the Central 2015-16 Northwest Territories (NWT) Northwest Territories Mainland” project was Petroleum Atlas Scoping Project, review the initiated to extend the knowledge of the recent drilling results for the Canol oil play petroleum potential of these shales beyond in the Central Mackenzie Valley, advance the boundaries of the Mackenzie Plain. Field the knowledge of the hydrocarbon potential work in 2016 was conducted in the Peel of Devonian age shales of the Peel Plateau Plateau to characterize the petroleum and Mackenzie Plain areas of the NWT, and potential of the Bluefish and Canol shales at promote research collaborations with two outcrop localities. The analytical results universities, surveys and other government of this field work will be published in Open agencies. Report format during the spring of 2017.

The Petroleum Geosciences Group has Data from seven new exploration wells identified a need to deliver NWT petroleum drilled in the Central Mackenzie Valley to geoscience information to the public via a test the Canol shale oil play have been single encompassing web application. recently released to the public requiring Abundant published NWT petroleum further work in the Mackenzie Plain area. technical information is available but it is The data will be reviewed to further the

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understanding of the Horn River Group land sales and by the spring of 2014, a total stratigraphy, geochemistry and hydrocarbon of seven new explorations wells (five distribution. Existing mapping will also be vertical and two horizontal) were drilled to updated. test the Canol unconventional hydrocarbon play. Drilling operations were conducted by The Petroleum Geosciences Group strives to ConocoPhillips Canada Limited, Husky Oil ensure the delivery of high-quality Operations Limited and MGM Energy Corp. petroleum geoscience to the public. Collaborating with universities and other All of the new wells penetrated a government surveys assists in ensuring hydrocarbon bearing Canol interval excellence. A contribution agreement has characterized by thicknesses that ranged been entered with the University of Alberta from 93 to 141 m thick. This range of in which a Ph.D. and M.Sc. student will be isopach values falls within the regional working on the Canol and Bluefish shales, expectations. Five of the seven recently respectively. drilled wells were cored in the Canol Formation and the cores were sampled for GEOLOGICAL DRILLING various and abundant analyses. Each RESULTS FOR THE CENTRAL company analyzed the mineralogy of the MACKENZIE VALLEY CANOL Canol Shale by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) of core chip samples. The new XRD SHALE PLAY mineralogy results show moderate to high quartz (average range 50.4 to 61.4 Wt. %) FIESS, K.M. and low clay (average range 21.3 to 30.9 Wt. %) content, which agree well with the NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL trends previously observed for the Canol in SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] the CMV. Operators also analyzed for kerogen type, thermal maturity (e.g. Tmax The organic and silica rich mudstone and and reflectance data (% R0)) and total shale of the Upper Devonian age Canol organic carbon (TOC) content. The recent Formation (Canol) has recently been the well data shows that the Canol is dominated focus of significant industry activity in the by Types II and III kerogen, Tmax Northwest Territories (NWT). The Canol variations that range from 439 to 471 oC, sourced the oil trapped in the Kee Scarp calculated % R0 values of 1.07 to 1.32 and carbonate member of the Horn River Group an average TOC value of 4.2 Wt. %. of the Norman Wells oil pool and is the exploration target of an unconventional The new well data may have significant hydrocarbon resource play in the Central implications with respect to the Mackenzie Valley (CMV). Land sale understanding of the hydrocarbon phases activity commenced on this unconventional likely present in the Canol Formation in the resource play with a 2010 to 2011 call for CMV. The resource assessment completed bids. By November of 2013, 14 exploration in 2015 by the National Energy Board licenses totaling approximately one million (NEB) and the NTGS prior to the release of hectares were acquired for a total gross bid confidential data assumed only oil would be of 627.5 million dollars. present in the reservoir. The results of the Canol production tests and thermal maturity A flurry of drilling activity followed the studies suggest that the Canol contains oil,

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gas, and condensate hydrocarbon phases that NWT has continued to improve since the may be inter-layered within the mudstone last audit in 2010. The integrated system of and shale reservoir. During the remainder of land and water management is generally fiscal 2016 the NTGS Petroleum Group will effective in protecting the environment. review all of the recent well data and However, they concluded that some reassess the NTGS current geological foundational challenges continue to affect mapping for the Canol and Bluefish the ability of the system to fully function. Formations. Once remapping is complete, Recommended actions included completing the Canol and Bluefish shale resource unsettled land claims, completing land use assessment should be updated to account for plans, providing clarity on federal Crown the presence of oil, gas and condensate consultation, increasing funding for resource volumes in the Canol Formation Aboriginal governments and organizations reservoir. and others to participate in the system, and improving integration of socio-economics 2015 NWT ENVIRONMENTAL (especially community wellness) into AUDIT: REVIEW OF RESULTS decision-making. The Auditor found that RELEVANT TO MINING AND these challenges create uncertainty for proponents, co-management boards, OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT Aboriginal governments and regulators, and recommended that closing these gaps be a FITZGERALD*, J. and KANIGAN, J. priority.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, GOVERNMENT OF UPDATE ON RECENT AND NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, PLANNED ACTIVITIES OF THE NT [email protected] NWT OFFICE OF THE REGULATOR OF OIL AND GAS In the Northwest Territories, an independent environmental audit guided by a committee OPERATIONS (OROGO) of Aboriginal, Federal and Territorial governments is required every five years by FULFORD*, J., DE JONG, P., the Mackenzie Valley Resource HEPPELLE, B., and CAMERON, K. Management Act (MVRMA). A key OFFICE OF THE REGULATOR OF OIL AND objective of the audit is to review the GAS OPERATIONS, YELLOWKNIFE, NT effectiveness of the MVRMA regulatory [email protected] regime. In 2015, industry, government and OROGO holds regulatory responsibility for Aboriginal representatives were among a oil and gas operations in the onshore broad group of participants in the regulatory Northwest Territories outside of the regime that were surveyed for their views. Inuvialuit Settlement Region and federal The 2015 NWT Environmental Audit was areas. Despite the current decline in oil and released in May 2016. The purpose of this gas activity, OROGO has remained busy. presentation is to highlight audit This presentation will provide a brief update recommendations that are of relevance to the on OROGO's activities over the past year mining and oil and gas industries. and our plans for the coming year. Areas of

focus will include OROGO's efforts to Generally the Auditor found that the further its strategic objectives of enhancing environmental regulatory system in the - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 24

certainty and predictability in regulatory change, on the transport and fate of decision-making and promoting accessibility metal(loids), with a focus on arsenic (As), and transparency in its work as OROGO and on the health of regional ecosystems in maintains its readiness for a return of oil and areas of high resource potential in the gas activity to the NWT. The presentation Canadian North. will update conference attendees on new and proposed guidelines under the Oil and Gas We have initiated geochemical, Operations Act, the recently-launched Well sedimentological, and paleoecological Watch program, and OROGO's Information analyses of sediment cores from lakes and Office, regulatory compliance and permafrost peatlands with a focus on the inspection functions. Yellowknife and Courageous Lake regions. Data emerging from this research may be PROJECT SUMMARY OF used to inform the establishment of “GEOSCIENCE TOOLS FOR geochemical background and baseline in SUPPORTING environmental media and assess and predict the potential impact of climate change and ENVIRONMENTAL RISK land disturbance on environmental metal ASSESSMENT OF METAL fluxes. MINING” WITH A FOCUS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF Project team work on near-surface ARSENIC IN SEDIMENTS OF sediments from 211 lakes in the Yellowknife LAKES OF THE YELLOWKNIFE area (et al., 2015) suggest that pre-mining geochemical background for arsenic is REGION substantially lower than current values. We also show that the concentration of As in GALLOWAY*, J.M.1 and PATTERSON, 2 near-surface sediments is highest in lakes R.T. within a ~20 km radius of the historical Giant Mine roaster stack, a spatial pattern (1) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, consistent with point source emission. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, CALGARY, AB Analysis of the type and amount of organic (2) DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES, matter in the sediments, likely to be affected CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON by current and forecasted climate change, [email protected] show that highly reactive, readily degradable We will present an update on an on-going and labile organic matter (S1) is an research project Geoscience Tools for important determinant of sedimentary As Supporting Environmental Risk Assessment concentration. Sedimentary As is highly of Metal Mining to apply an innovative, correlated with both dissolved and total As multidisciplinary research methodology to in overlying surface waters (Palmer et al., reconstruct variations in climate, 2015), suggesting that As is present in a geochemistry, permafrost, and ecology over reactive and mobile forms in lakes the past ~1000 years along a north-south throughout the study area. transect from Yellowknife, NWT, to the Courageous Lake area in the central Slave Our research will support and improve Geological Province. Our objective is to decision making, environmental assess the cumulative effects of natural and stewardship, and Canada's regulatory human-driven changes, particularly climate

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processes to ensure sustainable development metallogenic aspects of the intrusion, of Canada's North. associated alteration-mineralization effects, and new geochronological data combined GEOCHRONOLOGIC with previously published Re-Os dating of CONSTRAINTS AND molybdenite. GEOCHEMICAL Multiple dating techniques were used to CHARACTERISTICS OF characterize the various rocks of Mactung. GRANITOIDS AND U-Pb age data for zircon grains were ASSOCIATED obtained by ID-TIMS analytical techniques MINERALIZATION AT THE for five samples from three rock types of MACTUNG TUNGSTEN SKARN Mactung granitoids: an aplitic dyke south of DEPOSIT, YUKON-NWT the Mactung skarn tungsten deposit yields an igneous crystallization age of 97.1 ± 0.2 Ma; porphyritic biotite granite from the GEBRU, A.L. and LENTZ*, D.R. main phase of the Mactung pluton yielded a crystallization age of 97.6 ± 0.2 and 97.0 ± DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, 0.1 Ma. A leucocratic granite dyke, a FREDERICTON, NB marginal phase in the southeast of the [email protected] pluton, yielded an age of 97.0 ± 0.3 Ma. A The skarn W-(Au-Cu-Bi) deposit at titanite age from the lower skarn orebody Mactung, Yukon, Canada is situated within was obtained using laser ablation the eastern flank of the NW-SE striking inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry that yielded a less precise poly-deformed Paleozoic Selwyn 206 238 metasedimentary basin. Two biotite granite Pb/ U concordia intercept age of 97.1 ± stocks occur south and north of the deposit. 4.1 Ma that agrees very well with the U-Pb The northern stock is dominantly zircon dates (this work) of the biotite porphyritic, cut and rimmed by a more granite. Ar-Ar dating reveals the following leucocratic medium- to coarse-grained best ages: 95.6 ± 0.3 to 98.1 ± 2.0 Ma from granite. Prominent aplitic dykes outcrop muscovite separates and 91.8 ± 0.4 to 95.1 ± south of the mineralization. Major- and 0.8 Ma from biotite separates from trace-elements strongly discriminate porphyritic biotite granite; 93.3 ± 1.2 Ma between the various phases of biotite granite from biotite of coarse-grained leucogranite; and the leucogranite. The biotite granite has 92.9 ± 0.4 and 95.3 ± 0.4 Ma from an arc-like affinity. The leucogranite is muscovite of medium- to coarse-grained sourced from anatexis of a supracrustal leucocratic granite dyke; 94.0 ±0.5 Ma from sequence at depth. Tracer Sm-Nd and Rb-Sr biotite of an aplitic dyke; 97.1 ± 1.9 and isotope systems further indicate both these 96.9 ± 0.6 Ma from biotite grains of biotite granitoids were sourced from the partial hornfels. Re-Os molybdenite dating of melting of old continental crust. The δ18O quartz veins, cutting all granitoids and the values of Mactung granitoids indicate a lower metasedimentary unit, adjacent the dominantly metasedimentary source region Mactung tungsten skarn yields ages of 97.3 or extensive contamination during magma to 106.3 ± 0.4 Ma; these Mo-W veins are the ascent. The less-evolved biotite granite is latest visible magmatic hydrothermal directly associated with the W-(Cu-Bi-Au) activity linked to the biotite granite at mineralization, based on field relationships, Mactung. They provide a direct lower - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 26

timing constraint for granite intrusion and exploration of subtle stratigraphic sulphide mineralization events of the area, if hydrocarbon traps within the Colville Hills the older ages are disqualified. and Central Mackenzie Valley.

AN EARLY CAMBRIAN FORTUNE MINERALS' NICO RADIATION INTO COBALT-GOLD-BISMUTH- CHARACTERISTIC COPPER PROJECT, NWT, ETHOLOGICAL NICHES CANADA

GINGRAS, M.K. GOAD, R.

UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB FORTUNE MINERALS LIMITED, LONDON, ON [email protected] [email protected] The Cambrian represents an important time The NICO Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth-Copper in Earth's history when complex metazoans Project is a proposed mine and concentrator first colonized the shallow marine realm. in Tlicho Territory, 160 km northwest of The Mount Clark Formation within the Yellowknife Northwest Territories, and a Colville Hills and Central Mackenzie Valley hydrometallurgical refinery near Saskatoon, in the NWT is interpreted to record Saskatchewan. With expenditures exceeding deposition within a storm-influenced $116 million, NICO has Mineral Reserves shoreface succession, with storm-bed tops with more than 33 million tonnes proven by substantially reworked by an assemblage of drilling and test mining, and pilot plant post-storm opportunists. These shoreface validation of the process metallurgy to sandstones comprise the major hydrocarbon support a positive Feasibility Study and reservoirs within the Colville Hills. FEED engineering. Environmental Prominent hydrocarbon staining observed Assessment approvals have been completed within piperock intervals show that reservoir in both jurisdictions and the major mine quality is locally improved by bioturbation. permits received making NICO essentially The unit contains the Bonnia-Olenellus shovel-ready upon receipt of project trilobite zone indicating early Cambrian financing and public road construction deposition. We report diverse and robust schedule certainty. ichnofossils in shoreface-associated environments that demonstrate that the NICO will be a vertically integrated broadest strategies of resource exploitation producer of cobalt sulphate to the rapidly in different food-availability niches evolved expanding Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery before the Cambrian explosion. The industry to support the transformative observed ichnofacies are so well developed evolution of automotive electrification and that they are directly comparable to well use of stationary storage cells to enable understood Mesozoic and Cenozoic renewable energy options for base load and shorefaces. We contend that the radiation of off-peak charging from the electrical grid. animals into these ethological landscapes With 12% of global bismuth reserves, NICO was a necessary precondition for the will produce ingots and chemicals used in Cambrian Explosion to occur. In addition, the automotive and pharmaceutical well-constructed facies models for the industries and support growth in the Mount Clark Formation will aid in the consumption of bismuth as a non-toxic and

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environmentally safe replacement for lead in will rehabilitate areas potentially impacted plumbing and electronic industry alloys, by mining operations to their original. paint pigments and cosmetics. As a reliable Differentiating the relative environmental vertically integrated Canadian producer of impacts from natural versus anthropogenic cobalt and bismuth, development of NICO sources is paramount to developing will alleviate geographic concentration of reasonable baseline levels as required by supply and other concerns with supply chain sound remediation plans. The primary goal transparency and custody control from ore of this research is to develop new through to the production of value added methodologies that provide high quality, metals and chemicals. More than 1.11 rapid and cost effective (QRC) techniques to million reserve ounces of gold is a highly better inform mining companies and liquid co-product that is also typically regulators as to potential liabilities for countercyclical to cobalt and bismuth price development and evaluation of remediation volatility. plans.

INTEGRATED ITRAX-XRF AND The continuous sedimentary records found FREEZE CORING AS A in lake basins archive important records of METHOD FOR HIGH QUALITY, both natural and anthropogenically sourced elements of concern (EOC), primarily RAPID, AND COST EFFECTIVE arsenic (As) in the Yellowknife region. The (QRC) DETERMINATION OF nature of deposition and mobilization of BACKGROUND LEVELS OF EOC is linked to hydrologic conditions that ELEMENTS OF CONCERN: can be directly linked to climate variability. TESTING LINEAR AND Investigating the geochemical variability MULTIVARIATE CALIBRATION within lake sediments permits recognition of baseline levels of As, how As responds to METHODS hydrologic (climate) change, and the identification of possible overprinting GREGORY*, B.R.B.1, PATTERSON, 1 2 anthropogenic contamination. Obtaining the R.T. , GALLOWAY, J.M. , NASSER, required temporal resolution is difficult to N.A.1, MACUMBER, A.L.3, FALCK, H.4, 5 achieve using conventional methods due to and SEXTON, A. high per-sample cost of analyses and low sedimentation rates typical of Subarctic (1) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON lakes where 1 cm of deposition may (2) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANANDA represent several hundred years. To CALGARY, CALGARY, AB overcome these issues, we have combined (3) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST, BELFAST, freeze coring, a method that reliably NIR captures the sediment-water interface in (4) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL soupy Subarctic lakes, with ITRAX high- SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT (5) TERRAX MINERALS INC., NEPEAN, ON resolution core scanning X-ray fluorescence [email protected] (ITRAX-XRF). Historical issues related to mining practices led the Northwest Territorial government to ITRAX-XRF is relatively new technology establish the “Mine Site Reclamation designed to measure geochemical variations Policy”, which stipulates that companies in split sediment cores at high resolution must present a detailed plan as to how they (<0.2 mm), rapidly (5 hours/1 m of core) - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 28

and inexpensively ($100/hour) using XRF. A FIRST YEAR OF GROUND The substantially increased resolution TEMPERATURE associated with ITRAX-XRF, however, MEASUREMENTS RESULTING comes with the drawback of semi- quantitative results. Traditional XRF FROM THE SLAVE PROVINCE requires a large volume of dry, homogenous SURFICIAL MATERIALS AND sediment to ensure accurate calculation of PERMAFROST STUDY absolute chemical concentrations. Because ITRAX-XRF analysis is conducted on split GRUBER*, S.1, RIDDICK, J.1, BROWN, cores, matrix effects caused by sediment N.1, KARUNARATNE, K.C.2, and heterogeneity, variations in moisture content KOKELJ, S.V.2 and topography-induced artefacts inherent to the material analyzed may interfere with the (1) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON calculation of absolute elemental (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL concentrations. Recent research has shown SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] that it is possible to create calibration equations for ITRAX-XRF data by The Slave Geological Province is a key comparing quantitative geochemical results region for mining in the Canadian North. Its (e.g. ICP-MS data) from a subset of samples tundra areas form a large and resource-rich to ITRAX-XRF data. To test methods of landscape in which comparably few ITRAX-XRF calibration, one freeze core systematic permafrost observations exist. was recovered from Milner Lake ~15 km Because the region contains layers of ice- north of Yellowknife in June 2015 with the rich till, the ground is susceptible to support of TerraX Minerals Inc. The core subsidence during thaw. The possibility for was sub-sectioned into smaller segments and severe consequences of permafrost thawing transported to McMaster University for on infrastructure and the natural analysis using an ITRAX-XRF core- environment motivate baseline scanner. The remaining core material was investigations. sub-samples at 1 cm resolution for ICP-MS analysis carried out at Bureau Veritas Labs, In July 2015, an observation network, of Vancouver. To calibrate ITRAX-XRF data, more than 40 study sites, was installed to linear and multivariate log-ratio equations monitor ground thermal regimes and to were derived. Here we present preliminary detect surface subsidence. Each site results, and comment on the relative merits represents a distinct combination of surficial from carrying out both linear and geology, vegetation, drainage conditions, multivariate methods to calibrate ITRAX- and snow cover. At each study site, XRF data in Subarctic lake sediments. temperature measurements are recorded continuously down a borehole as well as at four near-surface ground locations. The aim of the measurement approach is to more fully resolve spatial variation in ground temperature and thus to support better analysis and prediction of ground thermal regimes.

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In September 2016, the sites were re-visited. bedrock and surficial geology mapping, and During this visit, data was downloaded from geochemical surveys, and recently carving the data loggers and site conditions as well stone deposit mapping; 2) thematic studies, as damage to the installations were including detailed research of specific described. This contribution presents the subjects (e.g., Paleozoic stratigraphy) and first results of the temperature select mineral deposits (i.e., Meadowbank measurements as well as an assessment of gold mine, lead-zinc potential of Borden the strengths and challenges of the Basin); 3) energy-related research (uranium, techniques used for instrumentation. petroleum); 4) research for infrastructure needs (permafrost studies, aggregate ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADA- studies), and 5) data dissemination NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE (publication of maps, reports and datasets, as OFFICE well as publicly-accessible websites, and outreach efforts).

HAM*, L.J., ZHANG, S., STEENKAMP, Some of the work that has been conducted to H.M., TREMBLAY, T., GILBERT, C., date include: 1) the CNGO-led Hall and BASSO, S. Peninsula project (2010-2014) that involved bedrock and surficial mapping and many CANADA-NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE OFFICE, IQALUIT, NU thematic studies. Aeromagnetic surveys of [email protected] Hall Peninsula were flown and interpreted in The Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office 2010 and published as Open Files Maps. (CNGO) opened in September 1999, The success of the Hall Peninsula project following on Nunavut's own creation in leveraged a new GSC-led mapping project April 1999. The CNGO is a unique initiated in 2012 under Geo-Mapping for government entity within Canada, being co- Energy and Minerals (GEM) programming funded and co-managed by three partners – to conduct regional-scale bedrock mapping Natural Resources Canada, Indigenous and of southern Baffin Island; 2) Surficial Northern Affairs Canada and the (glacial) mapping being completed through Government of Nunavut's Department of the Western Hudson Bay project (a joint Economic Development and Transportation. GSC-GEM and CNGO initiative) includes The CNGO is considered Nunavut's de- the determination of ecosystem facto' Geological Survey, with Nunavut classifications and delineation of surficial being the only jurisdiction within Canada deposits (such as construction aggregate without a formal ‘geological survey’. resources) that are used by the mineral exploration sector. The results of this project The mandate of the CNGO is to provide may influence decision-making in the accessible geoscience information and territory, especially in regards to permafrost expertise in Nunavut to support sustainable stability, climate change effects, and development of mineral and energy infrastructure development and resources, geoscience education, training, maintenance; 3) the Frobisher Bay seabed and capacity building. mapping project is a collaborative effort between the CNGO, GSC and Government This work over the years has collectively of Nunavut. Originally planned as a small- concentrated on 1) regional and detailed scale program by the Geological Survey of mapping, including aeromagnetic surveys, Canada-Atlantic, this initiative has since - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 30

grown and supports another project and ore stockpiles) and non-core (landfill, conducted by ArcticNet, a consortium of maintenance Shop, fuel tanks, and power many collaborators, which conducts detailed house) mine activities were assessed. Both case studies in Frobisher Bay to help with surface and sub-surface contaminant port and infrastructure development; 4) transport mechanisms were evaluated. For Quicklime from high-calcium limestone is heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons, of particular interest to the mining sector surface water fate and transport of and has many uses within mines or particulate and dissolved phase organic and advanced exploration projects. Since 2009, inorganic solids, as well as wind-induced the CNGO has delineated the resource contaminant transport of near surface soil, potential for industrial limestone on was assessed. For subsurface contaminant Southampton Island; 5) CNGO and GN have movement, environment factors and evaluated and defined carving stone groundwater geochemistry were taken into resources, of particular importance to consideration. Results of the work Nunavut and the arts and crafts sector, and concluded that both wind-induced and 6) disseminated geoscience data through surface water particulate transport were the many avenues, including the annual primary mechanism for the spread of heavy Summary of Activities initiated in 2012. metals (arsenic, lead, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, vanadium, and zinc) at the surface FATE AND TRANSPORT OF and groundwater flow was the primary CONTAMINANTS AT A CLOSED transport mechanism for in-organics in the LEAD ZINC MINE IN YUKON, sub-surface. Surface contaminants were transported a significant distances from the CANADA source zone with wind-induced transport of up to 150 m and surface water particulate HAMILTON, G.J. transport up to 400 m. Natural attenuation processes in the subsurface limited the GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., VANCOUVER, BC transport of organics and most in-organic [email protected] contaminates, except a localized area of As part of the closure process for a lead-zinc cadmium, to the unsaturated zone within the mine in the Yukon an assessment of the fate source areas. and transport of environmental contaminants at the surface and within the subsurface was OUTCROP TO SUBSURFACE conducted in order to assess the potential impacts to human health and ecological SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC receptors. The results of this assessment was RELATIONSHIPS OF THE used to facilitate permanent closure of the CANOL AND HARE INDIAN mine. A sediment, soil, waste rock and SHALES IN RELATION TO THE groundwater sampling and chemical analysis KEE SCARP REEF COMPLEX; program was completed in order to delineate NEW TECHNIQUES FOR AN the spatial extent of contaminants at each area of environmental concern. Areas of OLD PROBLEM environmental concern associated with core (waste rock piles, mine portals, sediment HERBERS*, D.H. and GINGRAS, M.K. ponds, concentrator complex, truck load-out UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB area, tailings and reclaim ponds, haul roads [email protected]

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The late Devonian Canol, Hare Indian, and Formation post-dates Kee Scarp Reef Ramparts/Kee Scarp Formations record growth. distal basin fill to shallow-water carbonate platform sedimentation within the Central GAMMA-RAY SPECTROMETRY Mackenzie Valley of the Northwest AND URANIUM Territories, Canada. The sequence PROSPECTIVITY OF THE 1.9 stratigraphic relationship between the Kee Scarp Reef and the basinal Canol Formation GA KILOHIGOK PALEOSOL IN has been a topic of debate over the last 70 MELVILLE SOUND, NUNAVUT years. Various workers have argued for a 1 2 Pre-Canol unconformity (Hume and Link, IELPI*, A. , RAINBIRD, R.H. , 3 1945; Warren and Stelck, 1977; Norris, GREENMAN, J.W. , and CREASON, 4 1997). Alternatively, Muir et al (1984) C.G. proposed that the Canol shale is both coeval to and younger than the Kee Scarp and (1) LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, SUDBURY, ON Ramparts Formations through field and (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON subsurface core-based observations. Recent (3) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON industry activity within the Central (4) OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, CORVALLIS, Mackenzie Valley has resulted in the OR acquisition of Hare Indian and Canol [email protected] Formation long cores (~150 m) within the Proterozoic sedimentary basins in Canada distal part of the shale basin. These long have proven prospectivity for uranium, yet cores and outcrop observations at the many remain largely unexplored. A Mountain River Tributary combined with prominent example is the Paleoproterozoic the recent development of portable X-Ray Kilohigok Basin, located in the Kitikmeot Fluorescence (XRF) equipment has allowed Region of Nunavut. Its northeastern region for additional stratigraphic insights into the includes a 1-km-thick siliciclastic stratigraphic relationships between the Kee succession, the ca. 1.9 Ga Burnside River Scarp Reef and Canol Formations. High- Formation, which nonconformably overlies resolution XRF data acquisition (10cm Archean (~2.7 Ga) basement rocks of the spacing) of the Husky Little Bear N-09 Canadian Shield. In Melville Sound, ~150 (distal shale basin), Esso O-45X (shallow km southwest of Cambridge Bay, the carbonate platform) cores, and the Mountain Burnside River Formation overlies a River outcrop allows the Canol and Hare paleosol horizon developed on granitoid Indian Formations to be placed within a rocks of the Slave Province, or meta-igneous sequence stratigraphic context. Through and meta-sedimentary rocks of the Hope identifying time-synchronous surfaces Bay greenstone belt. We present within the Canol of the N-09 and O-45X stratigraphic and gamma-ray spectrometry cores and recruiting previous interpretations data collected along a transect of ~80 km, and observations (Muir et al., 1984: Pyle et and discuss the results in terms of uranium al; 2014) we are able to establish the timing prospectivity, and development of of Kee Scarp Reef growth within the basinal Precambrian weathering profiles. Canol shale units. Our observations show that the Kee Scarp Reef is coeval to the Paleo-saprolite, up to 15 m thick, is well basal most ~10m of Canol Formation developed on granitoid rocks displaying a deposition and that most of the Canol distinctive three-fold zonation in fabric and

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mineralogy. A lowermost, fresh Results indicate that uranium is more likely syenogranite (Kfs±Qz±Pl±Ms) is overlain to be concentrated in saprolite derived from by a “lower saprolite” devoid of plagioclase, granitoid rocks and developed in mature enriched in iron oxide (Qz±Kfs±Ms±Hem), interfluves that were subject to prolonged and showing mild fracturing. The overlying sub-aerial exposure. By comparison, poorly “upper saprolite” is devoid of plagioclase developed saprolite underlying a and K-feldspar, shows pervasive nonconformity with significant erosional seriticization, and is heavily fractured. The topography demonstrate less prospectivity Burnside River Formation sharply overlies for uranium mineralization. These results the paleosol and consists of pebbly shed light on possible styles of uranium sandstone with quartz-overgrowth cement, mineralization in under-explored sericite, and iron-oxide mineralization. sedimentary basins of Arctic Canada. Profiles of natural radioactivity indicate that peak concentrations of uranium (up 30 ppm) “WE WATCH EVERYTHING”: A occur in the lower saprolite. Lower BOOTS-ON-THE-GROUND concentrations of uranium (up to 15 ppm) APPROACH TO CARIBOU also occur in a pebbly sandstone that immediately overlies the paleosol. MONITORING

1 2 A paleo-saprolite is also weakly developed JACOBSEN*, P. and RABESCA, M.L. on meta-igneous and meta-sedimentary rocks of the Hope Bay greenstone belt. (1) DEDATS’EETSAA: TŁĮCHǪ RESEARCH AND TRAINING INSTITUTE, YELLOWKNIFE, Examples are up to 5 m thick and display a NT two-fold zonation. A lower parent rock (2) DEDATS’EETSAA: TŁĮCHǪ RESEARCH (typically consisting of gabbro or tholeiitic AND TRAINING INSTITUTE, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT basalt) shows mild fracturing, and [email protected] hydrothermal alteration highlighted by iron- The range of the Bathurst caribou, on the oxide enrichment (Cpx±Pl±Hem±Ol). The barrenlands of Northwest Territories, has parent rock is overlain by a saprolite zone undergone environmental changes during composed of highly altered basalt and meta- the last decades; the establishment of large- pelites. The overlying Burnside River scale mines, increased exploration, climate Formation consists of an open framework change and increased human activity. These pebble-conglomerate hosted in erosional factors impact the dynamic between the depressions interpreted as paleovalleys. hunting culture of the indigenous peoples Elsewhere, sandstone cemented by quartz and the barren-ground caribou herds. The overgrowth and iron-oxide directly overlies direct effect is experienced by hunters in the saprolite. Profiles of natural radioactivity mainly two ways: the dramatic and rapid reveal uranium concentrations of ~10 ppm decline of the Bathurst caribou herd in the paleovalley-hosted pebble- population, which has brought about tight conglomerate. Elsewhere, background hunting regulation for the indigenous concentrations are were recorded from hunters, and large changes to the migration greenstone-derived saprolite and overlying routes of the herds, altering access to sandstone deposits. hunting. To investigate the cumulative impacts and current condition of the Bathurst caribou herd, the Tłı̨chǫ Government initiated the boots-on-the-

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ground caribou monitoring program on the LIARD BASIN SHALE GAS: A summer range of the herd at Contwoyto SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE IN Lake. CANADA'S NORTH

The pilot year of the program was JOHNSON*, M.1, DOUBROVINA, G.1, completed this summer, and established a ROCHELEAU, J.2, FIESS, K.M.2, “do as hunters do” methodology for HUTCHISON, M.3, FRASER, T.L.3, monitoring caribou and a framework based FERRI, F.4, JOHNSON, J.5, and HAYES, on the traditional knowledge perspective of M.5 Tłı̨chǫ elders and hunters. From the elder's holistic concept “we watch everything”, we (1) NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD, CALGARY, identified: (1) traditional knowledge AB indicators of a healthy environment by (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL assessing caribou and habitat conditions, SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT impacts from predators, climate change and (3) YUKON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, industrial activities, and (2) established a WHITEHORSE, YT (4) BRITISH COLUMBIA MINISTRY OF methodology based on the lifeways of NATURAL GAS DEVELOPMENT, VICTORIA, hunters; by identifying and waiting at BC specific na'oke (water crossings) and (5) BRITISH COLUMBIA OIL AND GAS following caribou herds by boat and on foot. COMMISSION, VICTORIA, BC [email protected] The long term, on the ground approach The marketable, unconventional gas allows us to be the eyes and ears of the land, potential of the Mississippian-Devonian as we watch and wait days and weeks, as Exshaw and Patry shales of the Liard Basin's hunters do, for caribou to come. The boots- Besa River Formation have been evaluated on-the-ground approach is a continuation of in a joint assessment by the National Energy creating, learning and recording Tłı̨chǫ Board, the British Columbia Oil and Gas traditional knowledge live: a qualitative Commission, the British Columbia Ministry approach to understand current dynamics of Natural Gas Development, the Northwest between caribou, their habitat and Territories Geological Survey, and the cumulative impacts. As healthy caribou Yukon Geological Survey. Volumetric and population is central in the Tłı̨chǫ harvesting adsorbed-gas equations were used to economy, the program uses long-established determine the amount of in-place gas while methods of the hunters to produce answer decline-curve analysis was used to for current issues - and thus the ability to determine expected well EURs and sustain the cultural practice of travelling on marketable gas. The thick and the land for caribou. geographically extensive Exshaw and Patry shales are expected to contain 35.37 trillion m³ (1213 trillion cubic feet) of in-place, dry gas and 6.20 trillion m³ (219 trillion cubic feet) of marketable natural gas.

The mid- to late-Devonian Horn River shales, also part of the Besa River Formation of the Liard Basin, were also assessed in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The Horn

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River shales are estimated to contain another reporting back to many groups, including 5.89 trillion m³ (208 trillion cubic feet) of communities, environmental regulators, in-place, dry gas. Because of a lack of industry and their consultants. For more production data from the Horn River shales information on the program, visit in the Liard Basin, the amount of marketable www.nwtcimp.ca. gas was not determined. In 2016, ten NWT CIMP-funded projects NWT CUMULATIVE IMPACT were completed with directly relevant MONITORING PROGRAM: results to mining and oil and gas REVIEW OF CURRENT development in the territory. Six were related to caribou (CIMP94, 146, 153, 158, RESULTS RELEVANT TO 165, 172), three were related to water MINING AND OIL AND GAS (CIMP149, 159, 161) and one was related to DEVELOPMENT fish (CIMP155). Relevant results include baseline scientific and Traditional KANIGAN, J. Knowledge, modeling tools and results, standardized monitoring protocols, and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CUMULATIVE specific resource management guidance. IMPACT MONITORING PROGRAM, Project results can be found by searching for YELLOWKNIFE, NT the above noted CIMP number on the NWT [email protected] Discovery Portal at nwtdiscoveryportal.enr. The Northwest Territories Cumulative gov.nt.ca. Impact Monitoring Program (NWT CIMP) annually funds and conducts approximately NORTHWEST TERRITORIES 30 environmental research and monitoring projects in the NWT. The purpose of this GEOLOGICAL SURVEY – 2016 review is to provide a high level summary of OVERVIEW the program's 2016 research and monitoring results relevant to mining and oil and gas KETCHUM, J.W.F. development in the territory, and to direct interested parties to where they can find NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT more detailed information. [email protected]

The main objective of NWT CIMP is to The Northwest Territories Geological support better resource management Survey (NTGS) is a division of the decisions by furthering our understanding of Department of Industry, Tourism and cumulative impacts, environmental trends Investment (ITI), Government of the and baseline conditions. Grounded in the Northwest Territories (GNWT). It carries priorities of local environmental regulators, out and supports geoscience studies that co-management boards and Aboriginal contribute to a modern, comprehensive governments, the program is focused on key geoscience knowledge base for the knowledge gaps related to caribou, water Northwest Territories (NWT). This and fish. NWT CIMP strives to place knowledge is used by stakeholders and relevant information in the hands of all NTGS staff to support evidence-based parties involved in resource management decision making. NTGS staff also provide decisions. As such, the program focuses on advice and educational/outreach services to

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individuals, communities, governments, and of northern goods and services. The Mining industry. Incentive Program was introduced in 2014 as part of the GNWT's Mineral Research and related work activities are Development Strategy. conducted by 23 staff in five functional working groups. These are Mineral Deposits The NTGS is uniquely situated to work with and Bedrock Mapping, Petroleum third party funders in addressing northern Geosciences, Environmental Geoscience, environmental and economic development Geomatics and Information Technology, and needs. In this regard, the NTGS would like Geoscience Information Services. These to highlight the work of the Canadian groups regularly collaborate on NTGS work Northern Economic Development Agency in objectives and in providing a variety of supporting a number of GNWT initiatives, client services. including those related to the mineral industry. The NTGS also works with other geoscience organisations and universities in pursuit of GEOSCIENCE INFORMATION various research goals. Chief among these FROM A REGIONAL MINERAL are the Geological Survey of Canada and DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY university Earth Science departments across Canada. Following Devolution in 2014, PERSPECTIVE collaboration has become increasingly common with other ITI divisions and KETCHUM, J.W.F. GNWT departments in addressing land- based government decisions and objectives. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] Despite relatively high logistical costs, geological fieldwork remains a primary The Northwest Territories Geological data-gathering activity. During 2016, field Survey (NTGS) is a division of the research was conducted in the Slave and Rae Department of Industry, Tourism and cratons, East Arm Basin, Interior Plains, and Investment, Government of the Northwest Cordillera. The Geological Survey of Territories. It carries out and supports Canada's Geo-mapping for Energy and studies that contribute to a modern, Minerals program provides an opportunity comprehensive geoscience knowledge base for collaborative research in less-studied for the Northwest Territories (NWT). regions of the NWT including the Northern Geoscience knowledge managed by the Cordillera, Arctic Platform, and southern NTGS can be used as one of several tools in Rae Craton. building a mineral development strategy that addresses the realities and needs of a region The Mining Incentive Program, managed by and its residents. The NWT is geologically the NTGS, remains a flagship ITI program. diverse, and this diversity plays a role in It currently funds five prospector and six how mineral resources are found and mined. company projects that focus on gold or The building of a Regional Mineral diamond exploration. The program is merit- Development Strategy can benefit from an based and requires a detailed description of understanding of regional geology and proposed work. Successful applications tend mineral potential. to be well-conceived and emphasise the use

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THE NORTHWEST Volcanic Belt in the southern Slave TERRITORIES MINERAL Province. The Sunset Lake study area is DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY approximately 110 km east-northeast of Yellowknife and has recently been burnt by ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016 a forest fire. The current exposure is superb and allows for detailed mapping at 1:10 000 KNOTSCH, C. scale; a significant improvement from previous 1:50 000 scale maps. MINERAL RESOURCES DIVISION, GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT During 2016, a five-week bedrock mapping [email protected] program was conducted along the Beaulieu The Northwest Territories Mineral River on, and near, Sunset Lake. Mapping Development Strategy (MDS) is an focused on lithology, alteration types, inclusive strategy integral to the broader alteration intensity, structures (primary, effort to build a sustainable Northwest ductile, brittle), and how this information Territories (NWT) economy. Its can increase the understanding of the implementation documents the continuing economic potential in this volcanic belt and realization of the vision of responsible and the Slave Craton as a whole. sustainable mineral resource development in the NWT. The volcanic rocks of the Beaulieu River volcanic belt sit structurally on top of rocks The Mineral Resources Division (MRD) of the Central Slave Basement Complex within the Department of Industry, Tourism (Sleepy Dragon Complex) and, where and Investment is responsible for monitoring preserved, the Central Slave Cover Group. implementation of the MDS and The volcanic rocks and associated coordinating annual reporting. Presented sedimentary rocks are dominantly tholeiitic here is the second report of MDS basalts (pillows, massive, pillow breccias implementation, offering highlights of key etc.), andesites, dacites, rhyolites, interflow activities and their results and an overview argillites, banded iron formation, and many of the monitoring and reporting process variations of volcaniclastic deposits. These applied. rocks are intruded by related volcanic dykes, Amacher Granite and younger mafic Proterozoic dykes. The region has DETAILS FROM BEDROCK experienced greenschist- to lower MAPPING OF THE BEAULIEU amphibolite-facies metamorphism, multiple RIVER VOLCANIC BELT AT distinct ductile deformational events, and SUNSET LAKE several periods of movement along the Beaulieu River fault at different crustal KNOX, B. levels.

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL The Sunset Lake area is situated in a part of SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT the Beaulieu River volcanic belt with known [email protected] mineral endowment and has potential for The Northwest Territories Geological additional discoveries. The area contains Survey has undertaken a multi-year bedrock volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mapping initiative along the Beaulieu River deposits including the “Sunrise” and “Bear”

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deposits. The rocks also host the past challenging terrain underlain by ice-rich producing “Sunset” Au mine (production permafrost. The corridor straddles unknown). The Beaulieu River volcanic belt transitions from warm (0 to -2 °C) to cold shares similarities with the Yellowknife (<-4 °C) permafrost, traverses glaciated and volcanic belt in rock types, metallogeny, and unglaciated terrain with varying ice relationship to a long lived Archean contents, and crosses a range of hydrological structure. Despite previous mapping, and ecological environments. The nature of multiple generations of mineral exploration, anticipated climate change and infrastructure and relatively close proximity to related challenges are likely to vary with Yellowknife; fundamental questions about landscape heterogeneity. The objective of the rocks and mineralizing systems remain. this presentation is to summarize recent The present mapping program, utilizing scientific research results conducted along unparalleled rock exposure, is advancing our the Dempster-ITH corridor with focus on: understanding of this area and aims to A) Spatial heterogeneity in ground provide new tools for future exploration temperatures in natural settings and along efforts. infrastructure; B) Terrain mapping and ground ice distribution; and C) Utilization of PERMAFROST AND TERRAIN new remote sensing techniques to document RESEARCH FOR THE landscape change in natural environments DEMPSTER AND INUVIK- and around infrastructure. These summaries provide context for part 2 of the presentation TUKTOYAKTUK HIGHWAY which pertains to developing a regional INFRASTRUCTURE research strategy related to terrain, CORRIDORS permafrost and infrastructure.

KOKELJ*, S.V.1, FRASER, R.H.2, The Dempster-ITH road corridor presents a LANTZ, T.C.3, and VAN DER SLUIJS, unique opportunity to develop a societally- J.4 relevant, northern-driven permafrost research network to support planning and (1) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL maintenance of infrastructure, regulation, SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT monitoring of climate change impacts and (2) CANADA CENTRE FOR MAPPING AND informed adaptation. The network should EARTH OBSERVATION, OTTAWA, ON (3) UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, VICTORIA, BC promote collaboration and encourage pure (4) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CENTRE FOR and applied studies that engage stakeholders GEOMATICS, YELLOWKNIFE, NT and support northern interests. Successful [email protected] implementation requires leadership from the Permafrost thaw and climate change are Government of the Northwest Territories major stressors on northern infrastructure. (GNWT), coordination between northern The Dempster and Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk partners and research organizations to define Highways (ITH) comprise a critical 400-km key research priorities, human and financial long infrastructure corridor within NWT resources to undertake studies, and protocols where research on geohazards and terrain to manage data collection and reporting. The responses to disturbance and climate development of resilient researcher- warming should be focused. These gravel stakeholder-community relationships is also bed roads link the western Arctic to southern necessary for the research initiatives to reach Canada and are constructed through their potential. Future studies along the

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Dempster-ITH corridor include: A) Thor Lake syenite, within the eastern lobe of Consolidation and dissemination of existing the BLIC. This sequence has undergone datasets; B) Monitoring conditions at significant hydrothermal alteration, resulting abandoned quarries and development of best in further enrichment of HREE as well as practices guidelines to manage these sites; the formation of secondary magnetite as an C) Monitoring thermal evolution of alteration by-product. The magnetite and permafrost across climate and ecological high density cumulate associated with the gradients to provide baseline data for deposit present an opportunity to model the assessing thermal conditions in road deposit using the anomalous magnetic and embankments; D) Study of permafrost gravitational field signals. hydrology and road interactions; E) Monitoring terrain and roadbed stability Geophysical inversion techniques use across different permafrost environments. airborne magnetic field data as well as The GNWT is actively working with gravitational field data to solve for three- government, academic and industry partners dimensional models of the subsurface. Core to implement many of these studies. Co- magnetic susceptibility and density ordination of these studies and other, measurements from over 400 drillholes in ongoing research in the region through a the area are used to constrain the subsurface GNWT led research framework can help models. Results of these modelling focus key infrastructure, resource techniques show a shallow, sub-horizontal management and climate change research layer of high magnetic susceptibility and efforts and build important synergies within density starting near the surface and government and with the research extending to depths of up to 250 metres. community. This anomaly, inferred to represent the layers of the deposit containing high GEOPHYSICAL MODELLING concentrations of rare earth elements, spans OF THE NECHALACHO approximately 2000 metres in either DEPOSIT AT THOR LAKE, NT direction laterally. In addition to delineating the deposit, geophysical inversion techniques show evidence of their ability to KOUHI*, D.W. and TIAMPO, K.F. map other subsurface geologic features such as dyke swarms in the region. UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO, LONDON, ON [email protected] The world-class Nechalacho rare earth element deposit is located within the Blatchford Lake Intrusive Complex (BLIC) at Thor Lake, NT. High concentrations of heavy rare earth elements (HREE) as well as niobium, zirconium and tantalum occur at relatively shallow depths making it one of the world's largest undeveloped deposits. The minerals associated with these elements are hosted within a cumulate sequence of the Nechalacho syenite, which lies beneath the

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SIMULATED THAW is to elucidate processes that contribute to DEVELOPMENT AND multi-dimensional permafrost thaw and GROUNDWATER FLOW associated hydrological changes in discontinuous permafrost regions. WITHIN A PEAT PLATEAU-BOG COMPLEX IN DISCONTINUOUS The thaw evolution in this peat plateau-bog PERMAFROST complex is simulated using SUTRA, a numerical groundwater flow and heat KURYLYK*, B.L.1, HAYASHI, M.2, transport model that has been modified to QUINTON, W.L.3, MCKENZIE, J.M.4, include freeze-thaw processes. To and VOSS, C.I.5 accommodate complex surface processes, long term measured climate data are used to (1) MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON, ON drive a separate soil-vegetation-atmosphere- (2) UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY, CALGARY, AB transfer model. Near-surface temperatures (3) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, produced by the vertical transfer model for WATERLOO, ON (4) MCGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTRÉAL, QC the peat plateau and bog are applied as the (5) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, upper thermal boundary conditions for the MENLO PARK, CA multi-dimensional subsurface heat transport [email protected] simulations. The simulated thaw Air temperatures at high latitudes have development of this peat plateau is increased at rates that exceed globally compared to satellite imagery to assess the averaged trends, and this warming has ability of this modeling approach to produced rapid permafrost degradation in reproduce observed permafrost degradation. many areas. In discontinuous permafrost regions of the Taiga Plains of northwestern 2016 NORTHWEST Canada, past climate warming has created a TERRITORIES PETROLEUM complex landscape mosaic of thawed RESOURCES DIVISION & bogs/fens and remnant peat plateaus underlain by thin permafrost. The thawing PETROLEUM INDUSTRY of peat plateaus can alter the landscape ACTIVITY OVERVIEW hydrologic connectivity by creating pathways to efficiently convey water from LENNIE, J.L. bogs to nearby rivers and lakes. Extensive monitoring of the thermal regime of a peat PETROLEUM RESOURCES DIVISION, DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND plateau-bog complex in the Scotty Creek INVESTMENT, INUVIK, NT watershed (61.3°N, 121.3°W), Northwest [email protected] Territories has identified rapid permafrost The Government of Northwest Territories' degradation in the past decade. In addition, oil and gas administration is guided by the satellite images indicate major landscape Oil and Gas Operations Act (OGOA) and evolution due to permafrost thaw since the Petroleum Resources Act (PRA) along 1970, and these changes have resulted in with several sets of regulations and policies. increased discharge at the watershed outlet.

These long term comprehensive data This presentation provides an overview of facilitate the numerical modeling of the activities of the GNWT's Petroleum idealized permafrost environments based on Resources Division including strategic observed data. The objective of this project

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projects mandated by the 18th Legislative ASSESSING THE SEASONAL Assembly and operational and programmatic th VARIATIONS IN GROUND work. 18 Assembly priorities include an TEMPERATURES ALONG THE Oil and Gas Strategy, a review of the PRA and OGOA and offshore petroleum ITH ALIGNMENT THROUGH management negotiations with Canada and MATHEMATICAL AND others. Operational and programmatic work STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF includes promotion and marketing, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN administration of petroleum land tenure, GROUND TEMPERATURE AND Aboriginal capacity building and benefits AIR/SURFACE TEMPERATURE plans and support for the Environmental Studies Research Fund. TIME SERIES

DIAVIK CLOSURE PLAN MACDONALD, S. CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON MACDONALD, G. [email protected]

DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Upon completion of the Inuvik-to- [email protected] Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH), regular monitoring is required to understand the As a modern mine, Diavik has been state of permafrost beneath it and to preparing for closure since the beginning - establish the effects the road has on it. drafting the closure plan while drafting the Thawing permafrost threatens the stability mine development plan. Join us in this of the ITH, but also has longer term effects session as we discuss how we will close the associated with climate change, such as mine's north inlet water storage area, the carbon release and associated self- open pits and underground mining areas, the reinforcing feedback loops that affect the buildings/infrastructure, the north country surrounding area, thus thermistors have been waste rock pile, and the processed installed along the alignment to assess kimberlite containment area. temperature changes over time. However,

the temperatures during the winter

construction seasons were abnormally

warm, and therefore corresponding natural

seasonal increases in ground temperatures

are expected to occur irrespective of

construction. How is it possible to discern,

then, what variation is natural seasonal

fluctuations, and what (if any) part of this

increase is due to construction, and, in

future, usage?

Currently, most research on ground

temperature change uses empirical models

requiring physical and material parameters that are site specific, many of which can only be at best approximated. Here, a

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different approach is taken: rather than 1% of the total days over this period, consider the specific properties at a site, analysis of time series relationships of proxy mathematical and statistical analysis and sites both in Canada and in Russia will be modelling is done directly on the respective done to inform assessment at the ITH sites. temperature time series to establish an expectation of how the variation in LEARNING FROM air/surface temperature should affect the LEADERSHIP: ADOPTING ground temperature if the site was to remain PRINCIPLES FROM AIDEA undisturbed. An assumption is made that changes in attributes like soil and moisture INTO NORTHERN composition, vegetation, etc. will either be INFRASTRUCTURE negligible or will already be reflected within DEVELOPMENT the time series (e.g. a linear trend), and hence that ground temperature fluctuations MARSHALL, B.M. at an undisturbed site will correlate with external temperature fluctuations in a MINING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA, predictable manner. Once a relationship OTTAWA, ON between ground temperature and external [email protected] seasonal temperature variations can be The Liberal Government has committed to identified, one can pursue explanations for establish a Canada Infrastructure Bank, unexpected ground temperature variations. which resembles the industry's For example, a decrease in mean air recommendation in the Levelling the temperature corresponding with a marked Playing Field report to establish a northern increase in ground temperature during infrastructure bank. This commitment was construction could imply a non-negligible noted in the mandate letters to the Minister contribution of heat passing to the ground of Infrastructure and Communities and from construction. Minister of Finance. However, the language within the letters explicitly mention the As this project is only in the preliminary provinces and municipalities, but not the stages, major results have not yet been territories. Given the disproportionately achieved. However, an introduction to the acute infrastructure deficit in the territories approach, methodology used, and compared to the rest of Canada, and the rudimentary observations on motivating barrier this deficit prevents for sustained examples will be given, along with details socio-economic development activity, about the advantages and applications specific consideration for northern afforded by this method to better understand challenges and opportunities must have its the effects of the ITH on the underlying place in the proposed mechanism. permafrost. Since there are currently no designated control sites along the ITH The National Aboriginal Economic alignment, establishing seasonal effects will Development Board's January 2016 report, be done based on comparison to still Recommendations on Northern undisturbed sites along the alignment. In Infrastructure to Support Economic addition, since these time series are Development, also recommends that the relatively short (installed April 2013), and Government of Canada establish a new manual logging of data has resulted in North-specific infrastructure investment ground temperature readings for less than fund to invest in infrastructure that supports

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economic development and Indigenous increasing mobility and territorial communities in the region. The rationale for accessibility. AIDEA has been strategic in the fund was that key investments in facilitating this success. transportation, energy and connectivity could create the conditions to support METEOROLOGY AND Indigenous community and business SYNOPTIC CLIMATOLOGY OF development and facilitate greater STREAMFLOW IN THE SNARE employment opportunities. RIVER BASIN Depending on how the Canadian model is developed, direct and indirect job creation, MARTIN*, J.P. and PISARIC, M.F.J. tax and royalty revenue generation, and broad-based social and economic BROCK UNIVERSITY, ST. CATHARINES, ON [email protected] development considerations can be weighed in assessing the public value of an Drought is an important component of many applicant's business case. Further, special ecosystems in North America, resulting in consideration could be given to environmental and socioeconomic impacts. infrastructure investments that enhance the In the context of ongoing climatic and economic viability of projects in regions environmental changes, issues of drought with high unemployment and limited are becoming problematic in northern alternative development opportunities. Canada, which have not been traditionally Considerations such as these require a associated with drought-like conditions. recognition of the unique challenges and Since this region relies primarily on the opportunities facing northern Canada. By production of hydroelectricity as an energy creating a mechanism that facilitates source, prolonged periods of below normal economic growth, over time, remote and precipitation could threaten the energy northern regions will be able to further security of communities. Across Northwest develop their potential for business Territory (NWT), water levels and development, thus reducing their reliance on streamflows were significantly lower in federal support. 2014/2015. The Government of the NWT had to spend nearly $50 million to purchase MAC sees value in incorporating the diesel fuel to generate enough electricity to strengths of the Alaskan Industrial supplement the reduced hydroelectric power Development and Export Authority generation. (AIDEA) into the proposed Canadian mechanism. Alaska, one-third the size of Climate records of past precipitation Canada's Arctic, has seven times more patterns and drought or drought-like people (710,000), has a $50 billion Heritage conditions in the southern NWT are Fund, and has seven large-scale operating relatively short. For example, the climate mines. Alaska also has the Prudhoe Bay oil record from Yellowknife only extends back fields and pipeline, as well as 25 seaports. to 1943. While short in duration, these Despite being northern, infrastructure has climatic records provide detailed significantly reduced the remoteness of information about climatic conditions at these regions, facilitating both social and timescales ranging from hourly to monthly economic development and prosperity, as conditions, allowing us to gain important well as enhancing sovereignty claims by insights into climatic variability during the

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past ~70 years and the potential drivers of FLOW-THAW FEEDBACK – this variability. With this in mind, the aims HOW THAWING PERMAFROST of this presentation are i) to characterize the AND GROUNDWATER return period of drought conditions similar to those in 2014/2015 using the short INTERACT instrumental record, and ii) to identify the 1 2 relationships between meteorological MCKENZIE*, J.M. and VOSS, C.I. variables and the hydraulic conditions of the Snare River Basin. The hydrograph from the (1) MCGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTRÉAL, QC (2) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, 2014 water season compared with the MENLO PARK, CA average streamflow of the instrumental [email protected] period shows variations in timing and The hydrology of the arctic is rapidly magnitude of the peak flow. The return changing due to climate change, as observed period of such a low freshet discharge was by increases in arctic river discharge and the estimated to 40 years. The lag in the disappearance of arctic lakes. As permafrost correlations between precipitation and (ranging from several meters to hundreds of discharge corroborates that autumn meters in thickness) thaws from above, a precipitation is an important component of deeper seasonal active zone (the shallow the streamflow magnitude in the subarctic subsurface layer that freezes and thaws Canadian Shield. Therefore, the key annually) develops, and more through-going synoptic systems of 2013 fall were thawed zones (i.e. taliks) develop that classified. An abnormally low frequency of connect the supra- and sub-permafrost cyclones above southern NWT and high zones. Despite this potential for increasing frequency of Aleutian lows, along with groundwater movement in warming arctic strong meridional winds and unfavorable environments, predictive models of conditions for cyclogenesis were distinct permafrost thaw and distribution generally patterns leading to hypotheses about the consider only the conduction of heat through large scale climatic drivers of precipitation the subsurface, and do not incorporate in the Yellowknife region. advective heat transport (movement of heat due to flow). To understand these systems Given the relatively high return period and potential feedbacks, the SUTRA estimated from the instrumental period, numerical groundwater model, which these preliminary results advocate for a couples groundwater flow and heat longer reconstruction of past precipitation transport, was modified to include freezing patterns in the Snare River Basin and the processes. When temperatures are below southern NWT. Climate reconstructions of freezing, the model simulates variable past precipitation levels can help us better saturation, permeability, and thermal understand the periodicity and trends in properties as a function of ice saturation, and moisture conditions, identify the large-scale includes the latent heat of formation of ice. climatic conditions responsible for triggering drought episodes, and to better We simulated groundwater flow and estimate the return period of persistent permafrost thawing across a hillslope cross drought hazards across longer timescales. section, with sinusoidal hills and valleys, which has an initially continuous permafrost layer. The mean air-temperature increases by 0.5 oC per 100 years, and in some cases - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 44

this long-term warming trend is effective development and maintenance of superimposed on a seasonal ±10 oC infrastructure in regions of permafrost. temperature variation that drives the yearly Geophysical surveys and shallow drilling freeze/thaw cycle in the shallow subsurface. provide a reliable basis for determining the Simulation results compare changes in thaw sensitivity of permafrost in a particular permafrost distribution over a few thousand area, but the completion of such detailed years of climate change due to (1) purely investigations at suitable intervals within conductive heat transport (equivalent to large study areas or along long study essentially no groundwater flow) and (2) corridors is cost-prohibitive. Predictive advective-conductive heat transport mapping of the thaw sensitivity of (equivalent to regions with significant permafrost based on landform-ground ice groundwater flow). associations provides an effective means of prioritizing areas for more detailed The results indicate that where groundwater subsurface investigations and appropriate flows, the advective transport of heat field data collection methods. enhances the rate at which permafrost thaws, increasing transmissivity and the movement Predictive mapping of the thaw sensitivity of of warmer recharge water and deep water, permafrost was completed along the 736 further increasing the rate at which the edges km-long Dempster Highway corridor to of the permafrost warm and thaw, in a inform estimation of installation costs for a positive feedback. Additionally, proposed fibre optic line, and forecast groundwater is shown to be a significant upcoming highway maintenance control on the pattern of residual permafrost requirements. The mapping was produced in the landscape. by integrating interpretations of high- resolution aerial photography and LiDAR- PREDICTIVE MAPPING OF THE derived elevation models, with references to THAW SENSITIVITY OF historical aerial photography, satellite PERMAFROST ALONG THE imagery, regional-scale surficial geology DEMPSTER HIGHWAY CORRIDOR mapping, and geotechnical data. The BASED ON LANDFORM-GROUND interpretations were based on established ICE ASSOCIATIONS landform-ground ice associations, with limited field reconnaissance. A 100 m-wide MCKILLOP*, R.M.1, SACCO, D.A.1, and corridor centred along the highway was ROY, L.P.2 divided into areas (polygons) according to inferred active layer thickness (<1 m or >1 (1) PALMER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING m) and ground ice potential. These divisions GROUP INC., VANCOUVER, BC were based on vegetative and drainage (2) NORTHERN CLIMATE EXCHANGE (YUKON indicators, interpreted soil texture, and COLLEGE), WHITEHORSE, YT [email protected] surface expression of periglacial features and processes. Each polygon was then Ice-rich permafrost within fine-grained classified according to its permafrost-related materials is prone to rapid and irregular ground movement potential following thaw after disturbance, whether due to ground disturbance in the absence of any climate change or anthropogenic activities. mitigation measures. Understanding the distribution of thaw- sensitive materials is critical to the cost- The results of the predictive mapping reveal

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that the highest potential for permafrost- preservation and quality of diamonds carried related ground movement potential is to the surface. In an attempt to gain concentrated in two broad landscape predictive knowledge of the economic contexts: (1) in valleys, particularly within viability of a kimberlite, it is important to low-gradient, slope-toe aprons and on understand the primary and evolving organic-rich, abandoned floodplains; and (2) compositions of kimberlite magmas, as well on gently undulating plains of fine-grained as the behaviour of volatiles during glacial diamictons locally overlain by peaty, kimberlite eruption. Apatite is a common organic material. The terrain with the lowest groundmass mineral in kimberlite, and has a potential for permafrost-related ground composition sensitive to volatiles and trace movement is on well-drained hillsides with elements [Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)]. This study southerly aspects, and along rubbly ridge will examine the variation of apatite crests where expression of bedrock structure occurrence, composition, texture and trace is visible. These results underscore the element distribution in relation to varied importance and benefit of predictive kimberlite geologies and explore the mapping of the thaw sensitivity of potential of apatite as an indicator of fluid permafrost to support infrastructure history and melt composition. development in northern Canada. Seven kimberlites have been selected for a FEATURES OF APATITE IN study of groundmass apatite. The six Ekati KIMBERLITES FROM EKATI property kimberlites (Koala, Misery, Panda, DIAMOND MINE AND SNAP Beartooth, Leslie and Grizzly) have been chosen for their varying facies and styles of LAKE, NORTHWEST eruption. Panda and Beartooth are TERRITORIES: MODELLING resedimented volcaniclastic kimberlites. OF KIMBERLITE Misery and Koala are massive volcaniclastic COMPOSITION kimberlites. Leslie and Grizzly are pipe-fill coherent kimberlites. The seventh MILLIGAN*, R.1, FEDORTCHOUK, kimberlite, Snap Lake, is a coherent Y.1, NORMANDEAU, P.X.2, and kimberlite dyke. All kimberlites are located FULOP, A.3 in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Selecting kimberlites with diverse eruption (1) DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX, NS (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL styles allows us to test the apatite indicator SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT model for a variety of potential volatile (3) DE BEERS CANADA, TORONTO, ON histories. Back scatter electron imaging has [email protected] been used to identify and discriminate Kimberlites are volcanic ultramafic rocks significant differences in apatite abundance originate from the upper mantle, and some and textural characteristics from Ekati are diamond bearing. Due to assimilation of kimberlites and Snap Lake. Wavelength mantle and crustal material, loss of volatiles, dispersive spectroscopic analysis for major significant alteration and variable and some trace elements (LREE's, Sr, Ba) compositions of kimberlite seen at the reveals primary substitution mechanisms for surface, the primary composition and rare earth element (REE) incorporation into proportion of melt fluids (H2O, CO2) are apatite structure. Previous studies show that unknown. Kimberlitic fluid and melt distribution of trace elements into apatite composition have significant effects on the greatly depends on the growth media.

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Partitioning of the LREE's relative to Sr is 40 m of glacial-fluvial and marine significantly different between silicate melt, Quaternary sediments. Remaining carbonate melt, and aqueous fluid. permafrost extends from a few meters below Experimental partition coefficients between ground surface to depths of about 10-30 m apatite and various growth media are used to within a layer of marine silt. Instrumentation test existing hypotheses of kimberlite melt has been installed to measure groundwater composition. The future aim of this project levels, temperatures and heat fluxes, as well is to establish apatite as an effective as groundwater and surface water indicator of magmatic fluid and outline the geochemistry, isotope signatures (including applicability of groundmass apatite as an 18 2 δ OH2O and δ HH2O), and stream flow. indicator of diamond preservation potential Meteorological conditions including air in kimberlites. temperatures, precipitation and snowpack are also being monitored. Near-surface HYDROGEOLOGICAL geophysical surveys using electrical CHARACTERISATION OF A resistivity tomography (ERT), induced DEGRADING PERMAFROST polarization tomography (IPT), georadar, ENVIRONMENT: A and seismic refraction tomography have been carried out to characterize the CATCHMENT-SCALE STUDY IN catchment and to build a 3D geological site UMIUJAQ, QUÉBEC, CANADA model.

MOLSON*, J.W.1, LEMIEUX, J.M.1, Groundwater geochemical analyses show a FORTIER, R.1, THERRIEN, R.1, distinction between shallow aquifer waters OUELLET, M.2, BARTH, J.A.C.3, VAN with very low TDS and deeper groundwater GELDERN, R.3, COCHAND, M.1, with more evolved geochemical signatures, DAGENAIS, S.1, FORTIN, J.1, and but still representing young water. Stable PARHIZKAR, M.1 18 isotope signals of groundwater (δ OH2O and 2 δ HH O) generally matched those of local (1) UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL, QUÉBEC, QC 2 (2) MINISTÈRE DU DÉVELOPPEMENT precipitation (i.e. the local meteoric water DURABLE, DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT ET DE LA line), thus indicating dominance of recent LUTTE CONTRE LES CHANGEMENTS rain- and snow-input to the groundwater CLIMATIQUES, QUÉBEC, QC system, while a clear evaporation signal was (3) GEOZENTRUM NORDBAYERN, evident from shallow thermokarst lakes. FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITÄT ERLANGEN-NÜRNBERG, ERLANGEN, DE Isotope signatures from shallow permafrost [email protected] ice (<5 m below the permafrost table) also generally followed the local meteoric water The cryo-hydrogeology of a small line, suggesting similar recharge catchment with discontinuous permafrost temperatures as for the groundwater, near the Inuit community of Umiujaq in although its age of formation is not clear. northern Québec, Canada, is being Two- and three-dimensional numerical investigated to determine the impact of models of coupled groundwater flow and permafrost degradation on groundwater heat transport, including thermal advection, resources. Located on the eastern shore of conduction, freeze-thaw and latent heat, are Hudson Bay, the two square kilometer also being developed for the catchment to catchment became deglaciated about 7500 help develop the conceptual model and to years ago and lies in a valley containing 30- assess future impacts of permafrost - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 47

degradation due to climate warming. restricted to, permafrost regions. Source Temperature-dependent functions of water may seep from the active layer, flow unfrozen moisture content and relative from a spring, emerge from a stream permeability are included as well as latent channel, or may be a combination of these heat. The numerical codes inputs. Regardless of the water source, (HydroGeoSphere and Heatflow/Smoker) icings occur where lower boundary are being tested against analytical solutions conditions of the source aquifer are and using benchmarks developed by the confining, and where winter conditions are INTERFROST modelling consortium. A sufficient for the freezing front in the ground conceptual 2D vertical-plane model to contact the water table and also freeze any including several permafrost mounds along overflow. If the freezing front has reached a 1 km section shows dynamic seasonal the water table, water can move to behavior with preferential melting due to unsaturated unfrozen zones for storage. sub-permafrost groundwater flow and When the frost table contacts the water discharge to surface water through taliks. table, the closed flow conditions initiate Under current environmental conditions, the hydrostatic water level rise. If the simulations suggest the remaining hydrostatic level rises above the surface permafrost in the basin could completely (ground or ice), an icing may develop. With thaw within 50-80 years. continued downward freezing throughout the winter the water level rises gradually, This study is providing new insights into the but the level fluctuates rapidly with short- groundwater flow dynamics and thermal term air temperature change. Following a regime within the catchment. Longer-term cold interval the level declines, but the monitoring will help develop optimal subsequent rise in air temperature is investigative methods for monitoring followed by a rise in hydrostatic head, and hydrogeological systems under permafrost- the peak value is above the previous degrading conditions, and will help maximum level. Exfiltration (overflow), determine how new groundwater resources sometimes accompanied by vertical may become available for public use, for movement of the ground and ice, coincides example as a source of drinking water for with the hydrostatic level peak. The northern communities as permafrost thaws hydrostatic base value of each succeeding and as recharge to aquifers increases. decline increases, as do peak values succeeding rises. Additionally, because of OVERFLOW GENERATION FOR shallow overburdens, large fluctuations in ICING FORMATION: A water pressure can occur due to barometric CONCEPTUAL MODEL loading, snowfall, icing in the adjacent stream, but may also be expected due to temperature expansion and contraction of MORSE, P.D. overburden. Here, I suggest that as pressure changes are rapid and are related to air GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON temperature fluctuations, the driving [email protected] mechanism originates near the surface, and Icings (also aufeis, naled) form in winter by in a manner analogous to pressure changes freezing of water that overflows across observed in lake ice. Thermal contraction frozen surfaces (ground and/or ice). Icing cracks that develop on the frozen surface of development is most common in, but is not lakes during cold intervals infill with water - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 48

from below that freezes in place and HIGH RESOLUTION INTER- increases the mass of ice. Due to this LAKE ASSESSMENT OF increase, ice expansion during a warming ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS interval is to a volume greater than the volume preceding contraction. This OVER THE DISTRIBUTION OF volumetric increase raises the internal THE BIOINDICATOR pressure of the ice as the ice sheet is ARCELLININA (TESTATE confined (not the water below). On large LOBOSE AMOEBAE) IN THE lakes this results in pressure ridges. Within CANADIAN SUBARCTIC: closed-flow systems, small water volume IMPLICATIONS FOR changes induce large pressure variations. Thus I hypothesize that within closed-flow ENVIRONMENTAL systems, infiltration of thermal contraction MONITORING cracks in ice or frozen saturated ground by 1 1 water from the unfrozen zone may reduce NASSER*, N.A. , PATTERSON, R.T. , 1 the hydrostatic head (water volume) during GREGORY, B.R.B. , MACUMBER, 2 3 the cold interval. Subsequent expansion of A.L. , GALLOWAY, J.M. , and FALCK, 4 frozen overburden with greater mass leads to H. an overall increase in volume and pressure of the upper boundary condition. When the (1) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON pressure of the upper boundary increases, so (2) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST, NIR (3) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, must the pressure of the confined water, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, leading to exfiltration (i.e. icing) and/or CALGARY, AB surface uplift (and/or injection ice) where (4) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL overburden is least resistant. SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] The gold mining industry has been a major economic driver for the NT, with mines like Con, Giant (GM) and Discovery mines, generating in excess of $5 billion in revenue since the first mine opened in 1938. The operations of these mines, especially GM, left a massive legacy of arsenic (As) contamination and serious environmental degradation of the surrounding landscape. Following closure of the GM in 2004 the very expensive GM Remediation Project (estimated cost of ~ $1 billion) was undertaken. While current efforts are primarily focused on the remediation of As contamination within specific areas of concern (e.g. the mine site and known watersheds), little attention has been devoted to evaluating the true spatial extent of As contamination and the impact it has had on lake systems. With new gold mines under

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development in the productive Yellowknife region; 2) enhance the quantification of the Greenstone Belt, a multidisciplinary and spatial relationship between TLA and As quantitative investigation of background and levels; 3) determine additional key present-day As levels in lacustrine environmental controls over the distribution sediments around GM is critical. This data is of TLA in the Yellowknife area. required to provide mine developers, planners and policy makers with a cost- TRANSPORTATION effective and robust tool for assessing the CORRIDORS AND ACCESS TO intensity of As contamination, required for RESOURCES IN THE development of mitigation strategies and remediation targets in impacted lakes. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES (NWT) Testate Lobose Amoebae (TLA, Arcellinina) have been developed as a cost- NEUDORF, R. effective and reliable tool for assessing environmental and paleolimnological levels DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, of As and other contaminants in lacustrine GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT environments. Their utility is enhanced by [email protected] their high reproductive turn-over rate, great abundance in the substrate, and excellent In a largely greenfields region like the preservation potential. Assessment as a NWT, there are opportunities to plan new proxy for As levels was based on analysis of infrastructure projects with resource samples from 59 lakes sampled by potential firmly in mind. Under the GNWT's helicopter in August 2012, within a radius of Department of Transportation's (DOT) ~30 km of the GM. TLA analysis revealed a Transportation Strategy, DOT is advancing strong correlation between high levels of As the planning for three transportation and stress-tolerant TLA taxa, thus providing corridors: the Slave Geological Province new insight into the sensitivity of the entire (SGP) transportation corridor, the Tlicho all- spectrum of the group to varying levels of weather road and the Mackenzie Valley As in lacustrine environments. Highway.

The spatial survey was further expanded The SGP is a region of high mineral through the addition of a new set of surface potential and is host to the NWT's diamond samples from 32 lakes in the same area mines and most of the NWT's past during the 2014 field season. Multivariate producing gold mines. The SGP has the (e.g. ordination) and geospatial (e.g. spatial potential to sustain the NWT mineral interpolation) analyses will be performed on development cycle for decades to come. The all proxies to quantify the spatial route currently advanced uses mineral relationship between TLA, As and other potential mapping to guide the planning to possible controls and determine the maximize the potential for future resource distribution of As in the region at a high projects. This talk presents an overview of spatial resolution. This additional coverage the current infrastructure initiatives and will specifically aid in: 1) improving the priorities underway and planned by the spatial coverage of the 2012 survey, which GNWT, highlighting the role of mineral will be critical for mapping As potential mapping in scoping of the SGP concentrations in lakes throughout the route.

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REDUCING ENERGY COSTS as well as to LNG from other liquefaction FOR REMOTE MINES AND technologies presently in use. The COMMUNITIES THROUGH technology does not require the use of cryogenic rotating equipment which reduces IMPROVED LIQUEFACTION capital costs and shortens project execution TECHNOLOGY FOR LNG timelines.

1 2 NIKIFORUK*, C.F. and MILLER, P.E. Sonoma plans to construct its first full scale LNG facility using the DPLCTM technology (1) CRNG ENERGY INC., CALGARY, AB at the existing Talbot Lake brownfield site (2) SONOMA RESOURCES LTD., CALGARY, AB in Northern Alberta, with an anticipated [email protected] completion date of late 2017. Initially, the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is increasingly plant will be capable of producing 80,000 becoming the fuel of choice for power US gallons per day (7,000 GJ/d), which can generation and space heating requirements be readily expanded to 250,000 gallons per for mining and other industrial uses. Besides day (22,000 GJ/d). the environmental benefits of reduced CO2 emissions and particulate matter, economics The location of the Sonoma Talbot Lake is a major driver. On an energy equivalent LNG plant (900 km south of Yellowknife, basis, natural gas is selling at roughly NT) establishes a secure and geographically $2.50/GJ (AECO based) compared to diesel close LNG supply point for the Northwest at $1.00/litre which is equivalent to $25/GJ. Territories mining industry. Feed gas supply Displacement of diesel fuel with natural gas for the Talbot Lake facility is provided by a has sufficient energy price spread to build direct connection to TransCanada's out the regional LNG supply chain in intercontinental pipeline grid, providing Northern Canada for the benefit of the flexible fuel contracting strategies and a mining industry. guaranteed source of supply.

Sonoma Resources Ltd. of Calgary has REGIONAL AND LOCALIZED recently funded the development, fabrication, and successful testing of a small DISTRIBUTION OF ARSENIC IN pilot LNG plant using new and innovative SOILS IN THE YELLOWKNIFE liquefaction technology developed by REGION CRNG Energy Inc. This pilot plant, situated southeast of Calgary, produced its first LNG OLIVER*, J.T.1, MAITLAND, K.1, on June 14, 2016, at rates between 400 and JAMIESON, H.E.1, and PALMER, M.J2 500 US gallons per day, depending on ambient temperature. It is economically (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON scalable making it suitable for both large (2) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON [email protected] and small scale commercial applications. The roasting of gold-bearing arsenopyrite The patent pending technology is known as (FeAsS) ore at legacy mines in the the “Dense Phase Liquefaction Cycle” Yellowknife area resulted in the release of TM (DPLC ) and is designed to significantly arsenic trioxide (As2O3) to the surrounding reduce both capital and operating costs environment via airborne emissions. Recent allowing very competitive pricing to diesel studies have highlighted a persistent legacy

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in local lake sediments and surface waters distinctive arsenic-bearing iron-oxides 50 years after the bulk of these emissions derived from roaster stack emissions. Using were released. Questions still remain about these analytical methods to identify the the amount and nature of arsenic residing in mineralogy of arsenic is important because soils. The objectives of this research are to: speciation influences the bioaccessibility of 1) characterize the regional distribution of arsenic, which is important to consider for arsenic in Yellowknife area soils; 2) identify risk assessment. factors that explain regional patterns of distribution; 3) identify factors affecting This regional soil sampling initiative local variation in the distribution of arsenic complements previous lake, sediment, and within small defined areas. soil geochemical surveys undertaken throughout the area. This research will work A total of 415 soil cores were collected towards understanding the connections within a 30 km radius of Yellowknife during between terrestrial and aquatic systems in the summers of 2015 and 2016 to explore the region by filling knowledge gaps in soil the regional variation in soil arsenic geochemistry, mineralogy, and mobility. concentrations. Sampling targeted four This research will also supply important data distinct terrain units, including: outcrop that can support future assessment of risk to soils, forest canopy soils, forest canopy human and ecological health from arsenic outcrop soils, and peatland soils. In order to derived stack emissions. investigate local scale variation in soil geochemistry, 119 samples were collected GAHCHO KUÉ MINE – A within two grids, measuring 0.07 km2 and 2 WELCOME NEW ADDITION TO 0.01 km , respectively. THE NWT AND CANADIAN

ECONOMIES Total element analyses have been completed on the Public Health Layer for 232 of the ORMSBY, T.O. 415 samples collected. The Public Health Layer is defined as the top 5 cm of material. DE BEERS CANADA, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] Peatland soils ranged from 4.1 to 4,900 mg/kg with a median of 150 mg/kg. Outcrop The Gahcho Kué Mine, located 280 kms soils ranged from 10 to 3,000 mg/kg with a northeast of Yellowknife, is the largest new median of 150 mg/kg. Forest canopy diamond mine under construction and outcrop soils ranged from 6.1 to 550 mg/kg commissioning the world, with full with a median of 115 mg/kg. Finally, forest production anticipated by Q1 2017. This canopy soils ranged from 1.5 to 460 mg/kg mine was constructed and commissioned with a median value of 32 mg/kg. Digital ahead of scheduled and under budget. The elevation models (DEMs) will be used to second mine for De Beers in the NWT and explore transport of arsenic along terrestrial third for DeBeers in Canada in the last eight drainage pathways. Select cores will be used years, it aligns with De Beers transformation to identify the solid species of arsenic of the business in Canada, which includes a present within the soil units using a relocation of De Beers head office from combination of micro-analytical techniques. Toronto to Calgary in July 2016, where a Anthropogenic sources of arsenic will be new Operational Support Centre opened closer to our mines in the NWT. characterized by the presence of As2O3 and

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The industry and socio-economic impacts of A recent survey of 98 lakes within a 30 km this new NWT mine and company radius of Yellowknife was used to transformation in Canada has garnered investigate the distribution of arsenic in positive headlines around the world. surface waters across the landscape. Regionally, the concentration of arsenic in THE RECOVERY OF surface waters decreased with distance from YELLOWKNIFE AREA LAKES the historical ore roasting operations, and FROM 50 YEARS OF MINING concentrations were highest in lakes downwind and proximal to the historical EMISSIONS: THE INFLUENCE stacks. However, substantial variation in OF LANDSCAPE SCALE AND surface water arsenic existed within this WITHIN-LAKE PROCESSES hotspot area. An evaluation of the hydrological and physical properties of these PALMER*, M.J.1, CHÉTELAT, J.2, lakes demonstrated that large lakes, well RICHARDSON, M.1, JAMIESON, H.E.3, connected to lake network chains had lower VAN DEN BERGHE, M.3, and arsenic concentrations than smaller GALLOWAY, J.M.4 headwater lakes, likely due to the higher flushing rate of the well-connected lakes. (1) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON (2) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE Four lakes within this hotspot area CANADA, OTTAWA, ON representing a range of physical and (3) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON (4) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, hydrological properties were sampled GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, regularly for one year to investigate seasonal CALGARY, AB variation in the concentration and speciation [email protected] of arsenic in surface waters. Arsenic Lakes are a dominant feature of the concentrations increased considerably (93 to landscape in the Yellowknife area and are an 182%) under ice throughout the winter for important part of the cultural and three of the four study lakes. Peak under ice recreational fabric of the community. The concentrations of arsenic were accompanied early years of historical mining activities in by large increases in iron and manganese the region resulted in the release of large concentrations and were observed under low amounts of arsenic, antimony, and metals to oxygen or completely anoxic conditions the surrounding area. Fifty years after the suggesting diffusion of metals from bulk of these emissions were deposited, sediment porewaters to lake waters. surface waters of many local lakes continue Arsenate, the less toxic inorganic species of to exhibit elevated concentrations of arsenic, dominated in well-oxygenated contaminants, particularly arsenic. It is surface waters, whereas the proportion of important to identify the processes that total inorganic arsenic as arsenite increased influence the recovery of lakes across a substantially (from < 1% to > 90%) under range of scales for on-going mitigation and ice as aquatic environments transitioned monitoring of legacy pollution. This talk from oxic to anoxic conditions over the will highlight recent research investigating duration of winter. Evidence of the influence of landscape features and cryoconcentration by solute exclusion was within-lake processes on the chemical observed in all four study lakes, as recovery of Yellowknife area lakes.

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conductivity and major ion concentrations transparent well-documented methods to increased under ice between 13 and 360%. quantify GHG emissions.

These results demonstrate that impacts to Life cycle GHG emissions from the Yellowknife area lakes from legacy mining production of nuclear power (in g pollution vary across the region and CO2e/kWh) are uncertain due partly to a highlight the importance of understanding paucity of data on emissions from individual both landscape level and within-lake phases of the nuclear fuel cycle. Here, we processes. It is particularly important that present the first comprehensive life cycle regulators and land managers consider the assessment of GHG emissions produced importance of winter processes in a region from the mining and milling of uranium in where lakes are ice covered for two-thirds of Canada. The study includes data from 2006- the year. These data enhance our 2013 for two uranium mine-mill operations understanding of the processes that control in northern Saskatchewan (SK) and data surface water concentrations of arsenic in from 1995-2010 for a third SK mine-mill Yellowknife area lakes and will be useful operation. The mine-mill operations were for land managers in the development of determined to have GHG emissions remediation and discharge criteria that intensities of 81, 64, and 34 kg CO2e/kg reflect current baseline conditions. U3O8 at average ore grades of 0.74%, 1.54%, and 4.53% U3O8, respectively. The LIFE CYCLE GREENHOUSE production-weighted average GHG emission GAS EMISSIONS FROM intensity is 42 kg CO2e/kg U3O8 at an URANIUM MINING AND average ore grade of 3.81% U3O8. The production-weighted average GHG emission MILLING IN CANADA intensity drops to 24 kg CO2e/kg U3O8 when the local hydroelectric GHG emission factor PARKER, D.J.1, MCNAUGHTON*, 2 3 (7.2 g CO2e/kWh) is substituted for the SK C.S. , and SPARKS, G.A. grid-average electricity GHG emission factor (768 g CO2e/kWh). This results in (1) SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH COUNCIL, Canadian uranium mining-milling SASKATOON, SK (2) GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., SASKATOON, contributing only 1.1 g CO2e/kWh to total SK life cycle GHG emissions from the nuclear (3) UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, fuel cycle (0.7 g CO2e/kWh using the local COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, SASKATOON, SK hydroelectric emission factor). [email protected] To reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the production of electricity, the world economy needs to shift from primarily consuming GHG-intensive energy sources, such as coal and natural gas, to consuming primarily low-GHG energy sources such as solar, nuclear, wind, and hydroelectric. To accomplish the transition from high- to low- GHG energy sources, it is necessary to understand the GHG emission intensity from energy sources and their fuel cycles using

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QUANTIFYING multiple stressors and their cumulative ANTHROPOGENIC VERSUS environmental impacts. This research NATURAL IMPACTS ON requires sample collection over large scales and varied landscapes/environments, sample NORTHERN LAKES: NEW analysis at high resolution, and in various TOOLS FOR HIGH QUALITY, materials (water, sediments, biological). To RAPID COLLECTION AND meet these criteria, a well-designed COST-EFFECTIVE (QRC) DATA environmental research initiative should ACQUISITION comprise three key elements: 1) high quality, and high-resolution sample/data PATTERSON*, R.T.1, GREGORY, acquisition; 2) rapid collection and analysis B.R.B.1, NASSER, N.A.1, MACUMBER, for both spatial and temporal data; and 3) A.L.1, MENARD, E.1, HUTCHINSON, cost-effective approaches to maximize S.1, GALLOWAY, J.M.2, ROE, H.M.3, results upon which to derive solid evidence and FALCK, H.4 based conclusions (QRC) in support of societal initiatives. Examples of initiatives (1) OTTAWA-CARLETON GEOSCIENCE where we are striving to develop new CENTRE AND DEPARTMENT OF EARTH comprehensive methods for QRC data SCIENCES, CARLETON UNIVERSITY, acquisition in the NT include: 1) integrated OTTAWA, ON use of side-scan sonar/sub-bottom profiling, (2) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, coupled with bioindicator assessment, ICP- GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, CALGARY, AB MS analysis and kriging techniques, (3) DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND collected using our novel freeze core (FC)- PLANNING, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST, freeze core mictrome (FCM) methodology NIR to quantify the volume and ecologic impact (4) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL of contaminated sediments in Frame Lake, SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] within the Yellowknife city limits.

Understanding the link between climate This QRC approach provides detailed, cost- variability and metal loading is complex due effective, basin-wide information on to the lack of long-term data, and the spatial temporal changes in arsenic and other metals complexity of Canada's vast northern region. of contamination, which is critical for the The ways in which climate regimes are determination of remediation targets and changing differ among regions across the mitigation strategies; 2) development of north, making it challenging to determine novel new QRC technologies and techniques broad trends of climate change impacts on to reliably pair FC and ITRAX-XRF to lake ecosystems from single lake studies. analyze Subarctic lake sediments at high Paleolimnological research by our group is (0.2 mm, subdecadal) resolution. This being carried at the landscape scale approach permits the accurate determination (multiple study lakes and cores from of baseline depositional conditions as well multiple basins) and at high temporal as accurate assessment of anthropogenic resolution (sub-decadal) from lakes in the influences, permitting us to better Yellowknife area and 200 km to the NE, understand the impact of climate cycles on adjacent at the former Tundra Mine site, to subarctic systems and how these cycles may quantify regional trends in aquatic alter "natural" concentrations of key ecosystem change and to distinguish contaminants (i.e. arsenic). This approach is

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also being used to study the response of (LPS) and are deformed by several contaminants to climate change in lakes generations of folding and foliation above and below the treeline to see if there development between with widely spaced are major differences in hydroecological thrusts. The geometry and kinematic history response; and 3) utilization of QRC of LPS in much of the Selwyn Basin is not geospatial methods to produce statistically well understood, and the kinematic robust inter- and intra-lake spatial surveys to relationship of this LPS to non-penetrative, quantify the relationships between brittle shortening in the Mackenzie foreland bioindicators, arsenic and other FAT belt is also poorly constrained. This contaminants of concern using our new study aims to address these deficiencies via ITRAX-XRF sequential sample reservoir a detailed structural analysis of penetrative technology and conventional ICP-MS LPS in the Nahanni area of the southeast analysis. Selwyn Basin.

PRELIMINARY STRUCTURAL Preliminary results are presented for one of CONSTRAINTS ON THE three structural domains defined via GEOMETRY OF SELWYN mapping during 2015-2016 fieldwork: a 16km section trending northeast from BASIN FROM SUMMIT LAKE Summit Lake to the Howards' Pass district. TO HOWARD'S PASS, NAHANNI The section traverses the Narchilla, Gull MAP SHEET (NTS 105I), NWT Lake, Rabbitkettle, Duo Lake, Steel, Portrait Lake, and Prevost formations. Kilometer- PENNER*, B.1, HICKEY, K.1, scale folding is constrained via stratigraphic KENNEDY, L.1, MARTEL, E.2, and repetition and mesoscopic parasitic fold FALCK, H.2 vergence. Folds have a near-Class 2 geometry and axes plunge shallowly and (1) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, trend variably northwest-southeast. A VANCOUVER, BC regionally consistent, steeply-dipping, (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL penetrative foliation (S2) is axial-planar to SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] folding at all scales. S1 is visible only in thin section and is not associated with meso- or Mesozoic crustal shortening related to macroscopic folding within the Summit continental collision during the Cordilleran Lake to Howard's Pass section. Bedding, Orogeny is well documented throughout preserved in all lithologies, is rotated near- Yukon and Northwest Territories. The parallel to S2 in high-strain fold limbs. Mackenzie foreland fold and thrust (FAT) Locally, S2 is strongly refracted between belt is characterized by thrust systems bedding layers. S2 is overprinted by a having long flats, discrete zones of imbricate variably and widely spaced, steeply dipping, fans, and box shaped detachment antiforms. asymmetric kinks (S3) that have not The metamorphic grade is sub-greenschist significantly altered F2 geometry. The S2 and internal deformation of thrust sheets is foliation and F2 folds are equally developed limited to localized cleavage development across all lithologies. Chlorite-zone and minor parasitic folding. Towards the metamorphism and phyllitic texture is hinterland to the southwest, rocks of the consistent across this section. Poorly Selwyn fold belt have undergone constrained discontinuities in the fold train penetrative, ductile, layer-parallel shortening are interpreted as late, high-angle normal

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faults with minor offset. Mapping across the Project was created in 2005, between INAC March Fault, a regional west-northwest- and the Government of the Northwest striking thrust, has not revealed structural or Territories, with the overall goal to protect stratigraphic evidence for significant human health and safety, and the thrusting. environment.

Preliminary results indicate that there is no The site lies within the Mackenzie Valley geometric requirement for significant watershed, and is regulated by the displacement along thrust faults within the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Summit Lake to Howard's Pass section. Act (MVRMA). The MVRMA is federal Development of penetrative foliations, legislation aimed at protecting the lands and consistent metamorphic grade, continuity of waters within the Mackenzie Valley near-Class 2 folds, and lack of evidence for watershed. Since the site is under the care thrust or detachment shortening along the and custodianship of INAC, it is also subject section indicates that rocks of the Nahanni to other federal acts, such as the Canadian region in Selwyn Basin were deformed at Environmental Protection Act, the Fisheries greater depth than rocks of the Mackenzie Act and the Migratory Birds Convention foreland FAT belt. It is unclear whether LPS Act, among others. in Selwyn Basin rocks is related to deformation internal to a large imbricate Giant Mine lies within the Akaitcho Dene thrust sheet, or whether it represents a asserted territory and is in the near vicinity transition from foreland-domain detachment of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation folding and thrusting to hinterland-domain (YKDFN) communities of N'dilo and pervasive ductile shortening. Dettah. Giant Mine is also within the traditional land use area of the Tlicho, THE BIG PICTURE: ENGAGING known as Mowhi Gogha De Niitlee, and it ON THE GIANT MINE falls within the provisions of the Tlicho REMEDIATION PROJECT Agreement (2003).

It is also situated within the municipal PLATO*, N.A.1 and WELLS, C.2 boundaries of the City of Yellowknife, and so is impacted by the City's bylaws and (1) INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA, YELLOWKNIFE, NT permitting requirements. (2) INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA, OTTAWA, ON The site has always had a high profile within [email protected] the community, with special interest groups, Following the discovery of gold in the and with the local media for both positive Yellowknife, Northwest Territories area, and negative reasons. This interest, along Giant Mine officially opened in 1948. After with specific requirements established the mine closed in 2004 the care and control through the MVRMA and other acts, of the mine fell to the Department of agreements, and by-laws make it incumbent Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada on the project team to engage with (INAC), and attention focused on the community members and other stakeholders environmental issues left behind, including when determining and implementing the the arsenic trioxide stored in underground final remediation plan for the site. chambers. The Giant Mine Remediation

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The objectives of this presentation are to (www.olivut.ca) does not match with that describe the methods the project team is obtained during regional till and river taking to fulfill the consultation and sampling by the Geologic Survey of Canada engagement requirements of the regulatory (GSC) and Northwest Territories Geologic process and other commitments, discuss the Survey (NTGS) in 2003, 2005, and 2008. challenges this can present, and the lessons We present new geochemical data on the learned for delivering a successful project to regional indicator minerals with the aim of remediate the Giant Mine site. obtaining geotherm and depth of mantle sampling constraints on those indicator THE GEOCHEMISTRY OF minerals discovered to date. A statistical DIAMOND INDICATOR evaluation of the data will compare the MINERALS FROM THE HORN indicator mineral chemistry with each other, and with other parts of the Slave craton to PLATEAU AND TROUT LAKE evaluate the source region for the CMV REGIONS OF THE NWT indicators. INTERIOR PLATFORM In total, ~3600 and ~640 kimberlite POITRAS*, S.P.1, PEARSON, D.G.1, indicator mineral grains were picked from STACHEL, T.1, and CAIRNS, S.2 the 0.25-2.0 mm size fractions for the Horn Plateau and Trout Lake, respectively. For (1) DEPARTMENT OF EARTH & ATMOSPHERIC the Horn Plateau, peridotitic garnet grains SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, dominate (46%), followed by magnesium EDMONTON, AB ilmenite (26%), with decreasing individual (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT proportions <15% of chromite, low-chrome [email protected] diopside, olivine, chrome-diopside and The Horn Plateau and Trout Lake Candidate eclogitic garnet. Trout Lake is characterized Protected Areas are located in the Central by peridotitic garnet grains (45%), followed Mackenzie Valley (CMV) of the Northwest by chromite (22%), chrome-diopside (21%), Territories. This region, between the western olivine (10%), and 1% of both ilmenite and margin of the Slave craton and the eclogitic garnet. A sub-sample of ~3100 Cordillera, is occupied by a major Horn Plateau and ~500 Trout Lake grains Phanerozoic sedimentary basin. Although were analyzed by EPMA. From this, a the region is considerably outside the further split of ~700 - Horn Plateau and bounds of the exposed Slave craton, both ~170 - Trout Lake peridotitic garnet grains LITHOPROBE and more recent regional- were selected for LA-ICP-MS trace element scale surface wave seismic studies indicate analysis. Nickel concentrations from these the likely presence of lithospheric mantle grains yield TNi (Canil, 1999) values extending into the diamond stability field ranging from ~800-1350°C with the (e.g., Priestley and McKenzie, 2006; majority between ~1000-1200°C. Using a Schaefer and Lebedev, 2014). central Slave craton geothermal gradient (Hasterok and Chapman, 2011), Since Olivut Resources Ltd.'s equilibration pressures for these garnet commencement of their HOAM Project in grains were determined to provide a mantle 1993, they have discovered 29 kimberlites in sampling profile. For the Horn Plateau, 581 the CMV. However, the indicator mineral (81%) of the erupted peridotitic garnet chemistry of the discovered kimberlites grains were derived from within the - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 58

diamond stability field (Kennedy and STRUCTURALLY- Kennedy, 1976). CONTROLLED MESOTHERMAL-STYLE GOLD Application of a new Al-in-olivine geothermometer (Bussweiler et al., in press) MINERALIZATION IN THE to olivine LA-ICP-MS trace element data of UPTOWN GOLD PROSPECT, compositionally screened mantle garnet YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST peridotites from both regions will be used to TERRITORIES, CANADA compare the mantle sampling profiles of olivines with the garnets from the two POWER, M.A.1, VIVIAN, G.2, and regions. RODRIGUEZ MADRID*, A.L.3

Analysis and compositional screening of (1) SILVER RANGE RESOURCES, clinopyroxene grains from both regions VANCOUVER, BC yields variable proportions of garnet (2) AURORA GEOSCIENCES LTD., peridotite source lithologies. YELLOWKNIFE, NT (3) ROVER METALS CORP., VANCOUVER, BC Thermobarometry of these grains, assuming [email protected] they were all derived from the same mantle section, yields P-T arrays consistent with The Up Town Gold Project is a high grade garnet and olivine geothermometry results. Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest A sub-set of kimberlitic Mg-ilmenite grains Territories. It is located approximately 6 km (1.0-2.0 mm size fraction) were analyzed by North of downtown Yellowknife. It consists MC-ICP-MS for Hf-isotopic compositions of 6 mining claims covering 3227 hectares. to constrain source kimberlite emplacement The project is located on the western ages. The Hf compositions suggest multiple boundary of the Yellowknife Greenstone eruption ages, from potentially undiscovered Belt in the southern Slave Province (Slave sources. These results are encouraging for Craton) consisting of basement granitoids, diamond exploration. associated with the Neo Archean Defeat group, dated as old as 4.05 Ga and younger (2.73 – 2.63 Ga) overlying in-folded greenstone belts. These belts consist of mafic through felsic volcanics, overlying terrigenous clastics, and turbidites and are associated with the Neo Archean Kam group in the study area. Both the underlying basement rocks and overlying greenstone belts are intruded by younger Archean granitic rocks and finally by several generations of Proterozoic diabase dyke swarms.

Mineralization exhibits strong structural control associated with NNE to NE structures hosted in foliated granitoids of the Defeat Group. Ten gold showings have been

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identified, collectively defining two AHEAD OF THE HERD: A corridors of structurally hosted high-grade SUMMARY OF RECENT gold mineralization sub-parallel to the shear RESULTS FROM VARIOUS zone hosting the Giant Mine Deposit (8.1 M oz Au). The eastern Fox South Shear is GOLD PROJECTS IN NUNAVUT 1,100 m west of the Brock Shaft at the Giant AND NWT Mine and consists of a reverse shear zone 10 to 70 m wide mapped over a strike length of POWER, M.A. 400 m. Further west, eight showings define a 4.5 km long, 500 m wide corridor of SILVER RANGE RESOURCES LTD., structurally hosted gold occurrences which VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] includes the Rod Vein, a laminated quartz vein carrying disseminated pyrite, galena, Silver Range Resources is a prospect- chalcopyrite and free gold hosted in a NNE generator working in the Northwest striking, moderately SSE dipping reverse Territories, Nunavut and Nevada. In April shear. The Rod vein is 100 m long at 2016 the company purchased a portfolio of surface, up to 3.0 m wide has returned grab exploration properties in NWT and Nunavut samples assaying to 318 g/t Au and core and expanded this by acquisition during the assays of 2.22 m at 27.47 g/t Au. summer. In the Kitikmeot region, the company is working in the Contwoyto Lake The recent prospecting program identified – Back River area on five properties (Itchen, two mineralized veins (exhibiting grades Gold Bugs, Esker Lake, Bling and Uist) and from grab samples of 5.1 g/ton Au and 3.1 on two projects near the proposed Grays g/ton Au). Furthermore, a vein described by Bay Road (Happy Thought and Grumpy). In the Geological Survey of Canada to be gold Kivalliq region, work this summer was bearing with no values reported (11S Vein) completed on properties at Ennadai and was relocated. Sampling along the Quartzite Lakes. At Hard Cash near Ennadai previously mapped 300 m strike length Lake, results were particularly promising returned highest grab sample results of 19.1 and greatly expanded the highest grade zone g/t Au. Additional vein mineralization was of known mineralization at the Swamp identified another 100 m along strike, Showing. Other projects in the NWT and returning best grab sample assays of 145.5 Nunavut are briefly described. The company g/t Au. These discoveries along with is also actively exploring and acquiring new previous findings makes the Up Town Gold projects in Nevada during the winter off project a promising area adjunct to the season. greenstone belt mineralization trend.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF A develop policy that recognizes and supports FEDERAL/TERRITORIAL the role of Northern Air Carriers in the NORTHERN AVIATION northern economy and in Canada's air transportation network, and; Other Federal INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT and Territorial northern stakeholders, STRATEGY including Territorial Departments of Tourism and Economic Development, PRIESTLEY, G.K. AANDC and CanNor also reference the Canadian Transportation Agency Report and NORTHERN AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION, develop travel and other policies that YELLOWKNIFE, NT recognize and support the role of Northern [email protected] Air Carriers in the northern economy. Resolution Number 2016-2 Northern Air Carrier Economic Issues Passed at the 40th Annual General Meeting in Whitehorse, April 28, 2016P.O. Box Whereas Northern Air Carriers are an 20102, Yellowknife, NT X1A 3X8 integral component in the northern P:867.446.6282 F:866.977.6282 economy, accounting for a substantial proportion of territorial gross domestic MAPPING AND REGIONAL product and of private sector territorial employment, and; Whereas Northern Air CORRELATIONS OF THE HORN Carriers provide important investment and RIVER AND EXSHAW career opportunities for Aboriginal people, FORMATIONS IN THE LIARD and; Whereas all of the aforementioned BASIN, NORTHWEST attributes of Northern Air Carriers are TERRITORIES, CANADA consistent with the established mandates of public sector northern stakeholders ROCHELEAU*, J. and FIESS, K.M. including the Territorial Departments of Economic Development and Tourism, the NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT and Northern Development (AANDC), the [email protected] Canadian Northern Economic Development The Liard Basin straddles the Northwest Agency (CanNor), and Transport Canada, Territories (NWT), British Columbia (BC) and; Whereas Federal and Territorial travel and Yukon (YT) borders, covers an area of represents a significant proportion of 8400 km2 and is an area of significant shale northern route network traffic and thus could gas exploration and production in northern be used effectively to support the established BC. In the past five years, two stratigraphic mandates of the aforementioned public intervals within this basin have sector northern stakeholders by providing demonstrated good to excellent shale gas Northern Air Carriers with valuable core productivity. These include the Devonian revenues. age, Lower Besa River Formation (Horn River equivalent) and the Mississippian age, Therefore be it resolved that: Upper Besa River Formation (Exshaw Transport Canada work with NATA to equivalent). A resource assessment of the review the Emerson report on the Canadian Horn River and Exshaw Formations was Transportation System and CTA Review to initiated in 2015 by the National Energy

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Board (NEB), in collaboration with the NWT, YT and BC geological surveys, to Well control in the NWT and YT is sparse further understand possible gas resource with only 81 and 13 wells in each territory, distributions associated with these respectively. The wells also tend to cluster formations in the Liard Basin. in small areas of formerly productive gas pools. Furthermore, no seismic data were The geological surveys' role in the resource incorporated into regional mapping. For assessment was to gather territorial and these reasons, it should be understood that provincial data pertinent to the NEB's the current resource volume estimates are volumetric resource calculations. These data qualitative in nature and subject to change as included well bottom hole temperatures and more data becomes available and is temperature gradients, pressure gradients, incorporated into the assessment. gross and net shale isopach mapping, depth to formation maps, and weight % total LONG TERM LANDSCAPE AND organic carbon (TOC). FOREST RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE Analysis of the compiled data shows the following described trends. The Horn River CENTRAL NORTHWEST Formation shallows from over 5000 m deep TERRITORIES: INSIGHTS in BC to 470 m at the northern edge of the FROM BIOLOGICAL PROXY Liard Basin in NWT. Its gross shale isopach DATA ranges from 450 m at Pointed Mountain, NWT to as little as 5 m along the ROE*, H.M.1, PATTERSON, R.S.1, northeastern margin of the basin. The net TRAINOR, P.G.1, VERMAIRE, J.C.2, pay thickness ranges from 0 m on the PATTERSON, R.T.2, and WOLFE, S.A.3 eastern edge of the Liard Basin to 344 m at Pointed Mountain. The depth of the Exshaw (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST, BELFAST, Formation has a similar regional trend as the NIR Horn River Formation, ranging from 4500 m (2) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON at the BC-NWT border to outcropping at the (3) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON surface near the South Nahanni River. The [email protected] gross shale thickness ranges from 25 m at the north and eastern edges of the basin to Palaeolimnological studies from sites above 275 m thick at 60 °N. The net pay isopach the modern treeline in the Northwest ranges from 250 m to less than 25 m at the Territories have revealed the dynamic nature northern and eastern basin margins. Bottom of the response of the boreal ecozone to hole temperatures in the Liard Basin inferred climate warming during the mid- increase from north to south, ranging from Holocene. However, limited 90 °C to 170 °C. The average pressure and palaeoecological data exist from the Great temperature gradients are 8.81 kPa/m and Slave Lowlands and few records extend 4.11 °C/100 m, respectively. In the NWT, back to the first few millennia after the Horn River and Exshaw formations are deglaciation. Knowledge of the timing and considered to be good source rock with character of landscape evolution in the early average TOC values of 3.65 wt. % and 3.36 Holocene in particular remains poorly wt. %, respectively. understood. This period was characterised by complex environmental changes as

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glacial meltwaters drained from the region show how representative data can be and boreal forest communities migrated collected. Testing/monitoring methods for northwards in response to climate sub-permafrost systems, such as using amelioration. This paper will draw upon multilevel monitoring systems filled with peatland and lake sediment records from a antifreeze for pressure and fluid monitoring, transect of sites (n=9) that extends from the hydraulic packer testing in brine filled holes, central Great Slave Lowlands into the tundra and deep grouted VWP installations will be ecozone ca. 200 km to the northeast to presented. The presentation will focus on the provide new insights into rates of peatland challenges of doing hydrogeological work in initiation, vegetation colonisation and permafrost regions (especially deep sub- treeline mobility in the early to mid permafrost work), why testing and water Holocene and will appraise the utility of a chemistry characterisation is more range of proxies (pollen, plant macrofossils, problematic, and why this needs to be taken stomata, diatoms, chironomids and charcoal) into account when assessing data (i.e.: for understanding climate-environment problems with zone development, etc.). interactions during this time. Such insights have the potential to provide important The aim of this review is to help inform our context for understanding the impacts of discussion on how we should plan our work future climate change in the region. in permafrost environments, what Quantitative temperature reconstructions testing/monitoring techniques/methods are will be presented that are derived from fossil successful, the recognized limitations, and chironomid (non-biting midge) assemblages what can be expected for reasonable site preserved in sediment cores from three lakes assessments and compliance/performance (Matthews Lake, Horseshoe Lake and Frame monitoring objectives. A better Lake). Together these records span >7000 understanding of what can be achieved can 14C years and provide a basis for further re- then be used to assess potential risks due to assessment of the character and timing of incomplete understanding of these complex regional climate fluctuations. and difficult to access sub-permafrost systems in order to provide a more robust HYDROGEOLOGY - WORKING hydrogeological understanding to protect the ON AND BELOW DEEP environment and reduce impacts. PERMAFROST

ROYLE, M.D.R.

SRK CONSULTING CANADA, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] Establishing the natural hydrogeological conditions at mine sites in areas of deep permafrost and how these will change due to the influences of mining can be challenging. A review of the methods and techniques used in discontinuous and sub-permafrost hydrogeological systems over the last decade on sites in the arctic is presented to - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 63

BASELINE HYDROLOGIC exploration from the Canol Formation, a ASSESSMENT OF REMOTE Devonian petroliferous shale, with one area NORTHERN CANADIAN being located along the Mackenzie River between Tulita and Norman Wells. Due TERRAIN IN ADVANCE OF primarily to economic drivers, the SHALE OIL AND GAS exploration activities within the SSA have DEVELOPMENT been significantly reduced over the last few years and the GNWT has proposed the idea RUDOLPH*, D.L.1, LOTIMER, A.R.2, of expanding the baseline understanding of BARKER, J.F.3, HANNA, B.4, and the Sahtu region during this brief hiatus in APPLEJOHN, A.4 oil and gas exploration. In this presentation, a summary of the initial baseline monitoring (1) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO, efforts in this region will be presented with a ON specific focus on the utility of different data (2) ARL GROUNDWATER RESOURCES LTD., streams to inform potential environmental AYR, ON (3) WATERLOO HYDROGEOLOGY ADVISORS impacts in the long term. Potential INC., BRIGHT, ON remaining gaps in hydrologic data and (4) GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST understanding will be discussed relative to TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT the main challenges involved in expanding [email protected] the baseline knowledge. Field investigation The development of hydrocarbon resources can be exceptionally challenging and costly in northern Canada has been evolving for due to access limitations and difficult many decades. Much of the terrain of climatic conditions in this area. A interest is ecologically pristine and particularly unique aspect of the SSA region potentially sensitive to any type of industrial is the presence and influence of activity as well as being vital First Nations discontinuous permafrost that varies and Métis lands. One proposed approach to considerably in spatial occurrence and detect and quantify environmental impacts thickness and which significantly impacts from hydrocarbon development in these the dynamics of the hydrologic cycle within areas has been to document the natural, pre- the surface and subsurface environments. In development state through the collection of consideration of the challenges and baseline hydrologic data. These data limitations, several emerging opportunities represent reference values that can be used and technologies have been identified to to assess the potential occurrence and extend the baseline knowledge that do not magnitude of any changes in the local depend on costly field activities and limit hydrologic conditions associated with future the need for extensive site access over the development of the hydrocarbon reserves. course of the year. Several of these Over the last several years, oil and gas approaches will be briefly presented and companies working in collaboration with the discussed relative to their potential to cost- Government of the Northwest Territories effectively fill critical data gaps within this (GNWT) and their consultants have initiated type of remote landscape setting. a series of baseline monitoring programs in the Sahtu Settlement Area (SSA) of the Central Mackenzie Valley (CMV) in the Northwest Territories (NWT). This region has been the focus of shale oil and gas

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REVEALING THE HIDDEN We illustrate our approaches using examples MESSAGE IN SURFICIAL from various data sets in both glaciated and EXPLORATION DATA USING unglaciated landscapes. We demonstrate the use of property-scale surficial mapping and SETTING-SPECIFIC DATA data levelling techniques to refine the limits STANDARDIZATION AND of kimberlite indicator mineral dispersal EVALUATION TECHNIQUES: patterns near Lac de Gras, NWT. We show PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS FROM how mitigation of sampling and analytical CANADA AND BEYOND variability in combination with multi-variate analysis of geochemical data defined a SACCO, D.A. and MCKILLOP*, R.J. dispersal pattern and refined a gold exploration target near Norman Wells, PALMER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING NWT. We outline the application of GROUP INC., VANCOUVER, BC transport modelling in target identification [email protected] in regional till and lake sediment data sets in Surface sediment mineralogical and central British Columbia. We demonstrate geochemical data are fundamental the value of surficial mapping in creating components of many exploration programs. subpopulations of soil geochemistry data, So often, however, the full interpretive based on spatial differences in geochemical potential of surficial exploration data is not dilution, in Yukon's unglaciated White Gold realized due to the limitations of as- District. We highlight techniques for data delivered data sets, an incomplete standardization and multi-variate analysis of understanding of the surficial environment soil samples to increase the resolution of and its influence on data, or unresolved drill targets in Paraguay. The effectiveness internal variation in data sets compiled from of these data standardization and evaluation multiple sampling programs. It is essential techniques for exploration for different that exploration programs extract the commodities in different surficial maximum amount of information from data environments underscores the importance of sets, and recognize and avoid erroneous their role in exploration programs. evaluations that could otherwise mislead exploration efforts. Through a series of THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, exploration projects across contrasting SOLID-PHASE SPECIATION, landscapes, we have adapted a method of AND POST-DEPOSITIONAL data standardization and evaluation that can MOBILITY OF ARSENIC IN be tailored to specific data sets and surficial environments. This presentation will convey LONG LAKE SEDIMENTS the fundamental approaches used to identify SCHUH*, C.E.1, JAMIESON, H.E.1, and mitigate internal variability in the data 2 3 set related to sampling and analytical PALMER, M.J. , and MARTIN, A.J. procedures, standardize the data such that (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON mathematical and statistical procedures can (2) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON be appropriately applied, and apply a (3) LORAX ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, surficial context to these approaches that VANCOUVER, BC improves the efficacy of data evaluation. [email protected]

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Arsenic (As) concentrations in lake The sediment survey indicates that As sediments in the Yellowknife area may be concentrations in the top 0-5 cm of Long elevated as a result of the natural weathering Lake sediments are elevated relative to both of mineralized bedrock or as a result of the the Canadian Interim Sediment Quality roasting of gold-bearing arsenopyrite Guideline of 5.9 mg kg-1 and the site- (FeAsS) ore at historical gold mines in the specific guideline of 150 mg kg-1 for lake region, which resulted in the release of more sediments at the Yellowknife boat launch. than 20,000 tonnes of arsenic trioxide Arsenic concentrations are highest in deep- -1 (As2O3) to the atmosphere as stack water sediments (>1000 mg kg ) and are emissions. Arsenic trioxide, which is more lower in shallow-water areas (<50 mg kg-1); bioaccessible than naturally occurring sediment As concentrations and water depth arsenopyrite, has potentially accumulated in are highly correlated (r = 0.8103). This the sediments of Long Lake, which is used spatial variation is interpreted to be a result for swimming and recreation by of sediment focusing processes. In the Yellowknife residents. Therefore, shallow-water core, the maximum sediment understanding the spatial distribution, solid- As concentration (90 mg kg-1) occurs in a phase speciation, and post-depositional thin layer beneath the sediment-water mobility of As in Long Lake sediments is interface (SWI), where the dominant host of important and will provide valuable As is Fe-oxyhydroxide (mean As content of information to support risk assessment. 4 wt.%). Congruent porewater profiles for As and Fe indicate that the post-depositional A sediment survey was conducted to mobilization of As is governed by the determine how As concentrations, total reductive dissolution of As-bearing Fe- organic carbon, and grain size in the top 0-5 oxyhydroxide. In the deep-water core, the cm of sediments vary spatially with changes maximum sediment As concentration (1500 in water depth. Two sediment cores were mg kg-1) occurs 17.5 cm below the SWI. also collected from shallow- and deep-water The sediments from this interval are sites to understand how solid-phase enriched in As2O3 (as identified by SEM- concentrations of As and other redox- MLA) likely originating from stack sensitive elements potentially involved in emissions; 210Pb dating indicates that this the release and sequestration of As by horizon corresponds to the period of sediments (Sb, Fe, Mn, and S) vary with maximum emissions from the Giant roaster. depth in the sediment column. Select The presence of As-bearing sulfides, sediment samples were analyzed using however, suggests that the dissolution of scanning electron microscopy coupled with As2O3 leads to the formation of less mineral liberation analysis (SEM-MLA), bioaccessible phases where reduced sulfur is electron microprobe analysis (EMPA), and available. synchrotron-based microanalyses to characterize the solid-phase hosts of As. The deep-water core was age-dated using 210Pb methods. The post-depositional mobility of As in sediments from the shallow-water site was also assessed by sampling sediment porewaters using dialysis arrays (peepers).

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OVER 10,000 YEARS OF across the mining life cycle. Archaeologists PROSPECTING – are increasingly turning to innovative uses ARCHAEOLOGY NORTH OF 60 of technologies such as 3-D modelling, GIS, side scan sonar, remotely operated vehicles, photogrammetry, predictive modeling, SEIP, L.P. drones and LiDAR. This is improving the quality of the data collected, the speed at ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS CANADA which it is collected, processed and LTD., VANCOUVER, BC ultimately how heritage resources are [email protected] managed early on in the mining life cycle. As long as people have lived in the North they have relied on the extraction of NUNAVUT EXPLORATION materials from the earth to advance OVERVIEW 2016 technology. Now those advances in technology are helping archaeologists SENKOW, M.D. collect baseline data to assist modern day exploration projects move through the INDIGENOUS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS project life cycle, from exploration through CANADA, NUNAVUT REGIONAL OFFICE, closure and reclamation. This paper focuses IQALUIT, NU [email protected] challenges specific to mining projects related to heritage baseline assessment The Territory of Nunavut is well positioned across the North and how advances in in terms of mineral production, with two technology are used to address the operating mines and a third mine poised for challenges. start-up in 2017. There has, however, been a decrease in overall mineral exploration with One of the challenges that archaeologists spending intentions down to $110 million face in collecting baseline data for mining from estimated expenditures of $215 million projects is that modern geologists are for 2015. continuing in a long tradition, of over 10,000 years, of extracting resources. These Gold remains the primary target for modern geologists are often targeting the explorers in Nunavut, accounting for more same areas that were utilized in the past by than 80 percent of mineral exploration people seeking materials to make tools. If expenditures. The approval of the proposed heritage studies are not conducted in Vault pit expansion has extended the mine advance of modern ground disturbance life at Agnico Eagle's Meadowbank gold archaeological sites may be accidentally mine into 2018. The company also increased disturbed. Having studies conducted early in the inferred resource at its Amaruq project, a the mining life cycle can help with obtaining proposed satellite operation for and maintaining social license to operate, Meadowbank, and established further increase the value of projects, and preserve underground development and surface the heritage of the North. infrastructure at its Meliadine project.

New technology is driving emerging TMAC Resources' Doris North deposit, part approaches of the collection of baseline data of the Hope Bay project, is planned for and redefining the outcomes of managing production start-up in early 2017. This year heritage resources research with applications the company completed upgrades to its - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 67

airstrip and is assembling the processing Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. released a plant for commissioning in December. favourable preliminary economic TMAC also continued exploration on the assessment for its Chidliak diamond project. “Below the Dyke” zone at Doris North, and The report outlines a 10 year mine life conducted regional exploration at the producing 1.67 carats per tonne. Madrid trend and at the Elu Belt east of Hope Bay. Aston Bay Holdings signed an option agreement with BHP Billiton, followed by a The Nunavut Impact Review Board program of drilling, geophysical surveys and determined that Sabina Gold & Silver's soil sampling at its copper and zinc Storm Back River gold project should not proceed project. to licensing and permitting at this time. The Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs' Despite the downturn in mineral response to this determination is pending. expenditures affecting industry worldwide, exploration for all major commodities has Several earlier stage gold projects also saw continued in Nunavut, indicating continued activity. Auryn Resources expanded the land interest in the territory's mineral potential. package at its Committee Bay project, completed drilling to expand known gold TERRAX MINERALS INC. - mineralization at the Three Bluffs deposit YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD and conducted property-wide PROJECT - UPDATE ON reconnaissance surveys. Northquest Ltd. released a maiden inferred resource for the DRILLING Vickers deposit, part of the Pistol Bay project. Silver Range Resources is a new SEXTON, A.S. entrant to the territory that has acquired a portfolio of six gold projects in the Kivalliq TERRAX MINERALS INC., VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] and Kitikmeot regions. During 2016 TerraX completed 17,352 Operations have continued at the Mary metres of diamond drilling in 91 NQ drill River iron mine, owned by Baffinland Iron holes. Five new targets (Mispickel, Sam Mines Corporation. This year, 2.75 million Otto, Pinto, AES and VSB) and three tonnes of ore are projected to be shipped previously drilled targets (Homer, Barney from the mine. Shear Zone and Hebert-Brent) were tested. Gold mineralization was intersected in all Kivalliq Energy announced plans for a $500 targets except VSB and Pinto. The most thousand program at the Yat prospect at its significant gold mineralization was Angilak uranium project. No results have intersected at the Mispickel and Sam Otto been released at time of writing. AREVA targets. Resources has suspended its Kiggavik uranium project indefinitely following the The Mispickel target consists of gold Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister's bearing quartz veins hosted within decision to uphold the Nunavut Impact interbedded greywacke, mudstone, siltstone, Review Board's determination that the argillite and intermediate to mafic ash tuff of project not proceed. the Walsh Formation. Three zones of gold mineralization veins have been intersected.

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The main zone consists of 1 to 3 metre wide ENVIRONMENTAL shear zones with 3 to 5%, 1 to 10 cm, MONITORING AT GAHCHO boudinaged, quartz-chlorite-pyrrhotite veins. KUÉ These veins are sub-parallel to the main schistosity, cutting it at low-angle. Visible SLACK, T. gold occurs as pinpoint (<1 mm) to match head-sized (1 – 4 mm) grains within these NI HADI XA, YELLOWKNIFE, NT veins. Hanging and footwall zones to the [email protected] main zone consist of 3 to 10 metre wide shear zones with, 25-30%, 3-10 cm grey The Ni Hadi Xa agreement was signed in quartz veins with associated sericite December of 2014, providing for the alteration and medium to coarse-grained establishment of a cooperative monitoring arsenopyrite. Some of the more significant approach for the Gahcho Kué Mine. intersections are: Oversight is not uncommon in our territory, but Ni Hadi Xa is designed to differently  60.60 g/t Au over 8.00 m including than other boards and agencies. Though 212.48 g/t over 2.25 m in hole there is some overlap in mandates, Ni Hadi TWL16-016 Xa uses a fundamentally different approach  12.47 g/t Au over 5.85 m including – Traditional Knowledge Monitoring – as 67.00 g/t over 1.00 m in hole the primary means of monitoring for effects TWL16-019 as a result of the mine. Ni Hadi Xa's central  9.37 g/t Au over 2.00 m in hole purpose is to aide in minimizing the effects TWL16-022 of the mine in order to allow the Dene and The Sam Otto target consists of quartz veins Métis people to successfully exercise their hosted in intermediate and felsic tuffs of the rights and customs in the area around the Banting Group. The main mineralized zone mine. is a 10 to 20 metre wide strongly developed shear zone with strong sericite alteration, The cooperation agreement made resources cross-cut by pyrite and arsenopyrite available to undertake three types of mineralized quartz veins. Fine-grained, <1- monitoring to support the overarching goal: 2% pyrite and <1-3% arsenopyrite needles observational, technical, and traditional occur throughout the altered wallrock to the knowledge. Traditional knowledge quartz veins in the main zone. Moderate monitoring uses Northern people's history developed matrix chlorite and silica define and experience to evaluate how the land and 3-10 metre wide hanging wall and footwall water are responding to changes in the local zones with <1-2%, fine grained pyrite. environment around Kennady Lake. The program uses specialist staff and families  1.00 g/t Au over 49.70 m including from the communities travelling to the area 2.54 g/t over 10.35 m in hole adjacent to the mine, to live in the area, and TWL16-011 provide their observations of the land and  1.33 g/t Au over 30.70 m including wildlife. 2.02 g/t over 15.00 m in hole TWL16-013 The other monitoring methods are more conventional - the second monitoring stream is observational, where a Ni Hadi Xa staff member is at site, embedded within the De

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Beers environment team. Their purpose is to central Victoria Island, Darnley Bay, and provide eyes and ears for the Governance mainland NWT (north and east of Great Committee on site, reporting back and Bear Lake). The GSC's Geo-mapping for ensuring that any incidents are being Energy and Minerals (GEM) Program study appropriately relayed. The final monitoring was devised to re-examine industry-reported stream is through technical review of the data using a new model of glaciation, and to environmental management plans and is assess the potential for hosting diamond- similar to other oversight efforts in the bearing kimberlites on Banks Island. territory. Sediment samples were collected over two summer field seasons, and were designed to This presentation will focus on how Ni Hadi test different terrains and specific glacial Xa achieves the monitoring described here, deposits for KIM contents, and assess the how it was designed to be different, and potential for down-flow glacial dispersal what results it will provide to the Dene and using the new ice flow model in areas where Métis signatories of the agreement. industry had previously recovered KIMs. Fieldwork as part of this study identified ORIGINS OF KIMBERLITE numerous scattered outliers of Beaufort INDICATOR MINERALS ON Formation gravelly-sands on upper pediment BANKS ISLAND, NWT: surfaces on northeastern Banks Island. Previously, Beaufort Formation strata were EVIDENCE FOR UNKNOWN only reported from central and western ARCTIC KIMBERLITE(S) AND Banks Island. Many of the catchments THE POTENTIAL OF BEDROCK where industry had recovered KIMs on INHERITANCE northeast Banks Island were recognized to contain these Beaufort Formation outliers. SMITH, I.R. Because the Beaufort Formation is a Pliocene fluvial deposit, known to contain GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, rare granitic material (hence have a potential CALGARY, AB Shield-derived component), it was targeted [email protected] for KIM sampling. Results indicate that the Since 1996, exploration for diamond- Beaufort Formation deposits represent a bearing kimberlite by Monopros, Diamonds potential bedrock-inherited KIM source. The North and Rio Tinto has occurred on Banks Upper Cretaceous Isachsen Formation is Island, NWT. There have been 3 another fluvial unit on Banks Island, also aeromagnetic survey programs, and 2 field- known to contain rare granites, and was the based exploration activities. The subject of field sampling this past summer. aeromagnetic surveys have yielded only Geochemically distinguishing KIMs from weak-moderate anomalies. The stream and either of these two bedrock units from surface sediment sample collections have local/distally glacier transported KIMs is yielded generally low abundances (n<20), important to resolving the kimberlite story but nonetheless diverse kimberlite indicator on Banks Island. mineral (KIM) assemblages (predominantly chromites), and include rare G10 and G10D Hafnium isotope dating of non-crustal garnets. To date, no kimberlite body has ilmenites was used to discriminate potential been identified on Banks Island although KIM sources. If the ilmenite hafnium ratios many are known regionally from east- matched those of known regional

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kimberlites, then it would support glacial dominantly underlain by Archean dispersal of distally-sourced KIMs onto granodiorite to tonalite orthogneiss that Banks Island. Analytical results to be contains panels of supracrustal rock presented identify an ilmenite age that is not packages of unconstrained age. Other in accordance with any of the known mapped lithologies include weakly to regional kimberlites. They do, however, undeformed monzogranite bodies (likely match other kimberlites situated far south of associated with the 1845-1795 Ma Hudson Banks Island, but is incongruous with our suite), plug-style intrusions of ultrapotassic understanding of glacial dispersal were that rocks (possibly related to the the mechanism by which they were Paleoproterozoic Christopher Island transported onto Banks Island. Evidence Formation), and dominantly undeformed thus exists of unknown kimberlite(s) on or monzogranite to monzodiorite bodies proximal to Banks Island. spatially associated with the Wager shear zone. The main highlights from our mapping 2016 BEDROCK GEOLOGY and field observations include the 1) MAPPING IN THE TEHERY- recognition of a previously unknown, large WAGER GEOSCIENCE granulite-facies metamorphic domain in the southern part of the study area; 2) possibility PROJECT AREA, of two different supracrustal rock sequences; NORTHWESTERN HUDSON 3) better delineation of the northeastern and BAY, NUNAVUT western continuations of the Chesterfield fault and Wager shear zones, respectively; STEENKAMP*, H.M.1, WODICKA, N.2, and 4) documentation of generally high, WELLER, O.M.2, and KENDRICK, J.3 locally variable peak-metamorphic grades across the study area. Further analytical (1) CANADA-NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE OFFICE, work is required to fully characterize rock IQALUIT, NU units, compare and correlate them with other (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, well-studied lithologies, and determine the OTTAWA, ON (3) MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY, ST. JOHN'S, NL geological history and economic potential of [email protected] the Tehery Lake–Wager Bay region. A second field season of regional bedrock- geology mapping was conducted in the WHAT IS A REGIONAL summer of 2016 in the Tehery Lake–Wager MINERAL DEVELOPMENT Bay area on the northwestern coast of STRATEGY? EXAMPLES AND Hudson Bay, Nunavut. This work is part of a CASE HISTORIES multi-year, multidisciplinary mapping campaign led by the Geological Survey of STRAND, P.D. Canada's Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals program and the Canada-Nunavut MINERAL RESOURCES DIVISION, Geoscience Office. Field work resulted in GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST the identification and spatial constraint of TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT rock units in the western and northern parts [email protected] of the study area which were sampled for A more regional-driven natural resource geochemical, geochronological, and development approach has been evolving in petrographic analysis, as well as to assess the NWT. Since the signing of the their economic potential. The study area is Devolution Agreement, working together - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 71

with Aboriginal Governments has increased 2015 NWT REGIONAL opportunities for regional benefits from ABORIGINAL MINERAL resource development. Direct benefits DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY include creation of local jobs and business opportunities and the sharing of resource WORKSHOP - COMMUNITY royalties and other tax revenues. In LEARNINGS November 2015, the GNWT held a one-day workshop on key characteristics of a mineral STUBBS, T.E. strategy, offering examples of other national, provincial and Aboriginal HEADWATER GROUP, CALGARY, AB strategies already in use. Representatives [email protected] from all regions of the NWT attended. In At the 2015 NWT Geoscience Forum, July 2016, the GNWT held the first ever Aboriginal leaders from Quebec, Nunavut regional workshop in the Dehcho with more and the NWT came together to discuss the than 40 participants from all Dehcho benefits of and lessons learned from regions, including elders and youth. Interest Aboriginal-led regional mineral strategies. in mineral development has been identified This presentation provides a summary of the through the Tli Cho Kwe Beh Working presentations made by community members Group, the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, the on their learnings from and strategic Sahtu and the Dehcho Areas. approaches to Aboriginal-led regional mineral development. The presentation will The NWT Mineral Development Strategy include a review of the Cree Nation Mining (MDS) was created in 2013 and includes as Policy, the Tli Cho's Kwe Beh Working one of its goals the support of mineral Group, and the Nunavuk Inuit Mining development strategies with regions. Pillar Policy. An overall summary of approaches Three is entitled Enhancing Aboriginal to a Regional Aboriginal Mineral Engagement and Capacity and identifies the Development Strategy will be provided for need to ensure effective engagement and discussion. participation with Aboriginal governments and communities in decisions about the use OUTCROP DESCRIPTION OF of land and resources as a core principle. THE HORN RIVER GROUP AT This talk will provide an overview of what ARCTIC RED RIVER EAST AND composes a mineral strategy contains, examples of mineral strategies developed FLYAWAY CREEK, PEEL elsewhere and offers a close-up look at the PLATEAU AREA, NWT NWT Mineral Development Strategy, including lessons learned, the making of the TERLAKY*, V., FIESS, K.M., and MDS, examples of what worked and what ROCHELEAU, J. didn't. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected]

Bluefish and Canol shales of the Middle and Upper Devonian Horn River Group in the Mackenzie Plain (NWT) are good to excellent source rocks for hydrocarbons and

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are thermally mature over large areas, and in Flyaway Creek. The sections were addition may be self-sourcing photographed and described with a focus on unconventional reservoirs with excellent lithostratigraphic divisions. Samples for economic potential. Both stratal units are geochemical and mineralogical analysis and present across the Mackenzie Plain, Peel spectrometer data were collected at one Plain and Peel Plateau areas of the metre intervals. At both localities nodular Northwest Territories; their thermal maturity carbonate strata of the Hume Formation is and hydrocarbon potential has, however, not gradationally and conformably overlain by been adequately studied in the latter regions. the siliciclastic Bluefish Member of the Hare From 2009 to 2014, the Northwest Indian Formation. The Bluefish Member is a Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) few metres thick, and comprises fissile black Petroleum Geosciences Group conducted shale with few carbonate beds and regional geoscience studies of the Bluefish concretions in its lower half. The upper part and Canol shales in the Mackenzie Plain to of the Hare Indian Formation, informally determine their hydrocarbon potential. The termed the Bell Creek member, is composed purpose of these studies were to assess of friable shale up to several tens of metres vertical and lateral variation in thick, but is typically heavily weathered and lithogeochemistry, thermal maturity and poorly exposed at both localities. The Canol source rock characteristics as well as Formation is several tens of metres thick and provide detailed lithological and stratal comprises fissile, dark grey siliciclastic descriptions of analyzed outcrops. There is shale locally interbedded with carbonate and evidence that both the Bluefish and the sandstone beds. The top of the Canol Canol shales are present and are of Formation is not exposed, but observations significant thickness toward the west in the during fly-bys at both localities indicate that Peel Plateau and Peel Plain areas, and may it is directly overlain by the Imperial be either locally or regionally thermally Formation. The results of this study will mature for hydrocarbons. To better enhance our knowledge of the thermal understand the thermal maturity and maturity and hydrocarbon potential of hydrocarbon potential of the Bluefish and Devonian shales in the Peel Plateau, and Canol shales in the Peel Plateau, a guide future investigations in the region. subsurface Rock–Eval/TOC sampling program was initiated by the NTGS in 2015. In the summer of 2016 two outcrops were investigated and sampled to infill data gaps in Bluefish and Canol source rock and thermal maturity data for the Peel Plateau area. These outcrops are termed Arctic Red River East and Flyaway Creek. This talk highlights preliminary results of the field work.

At both localities the top of the underlying Hume Formation and a near-complete section of the Horn River Group is exposed. In total 70 m of section was measured at the Arctic Red River East locality, and 52 m at

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THE WHOLDAIA LAKE SHEAR 1.9 Ga high-pressure belt in the southern ZONE; UNRAVELING THE Rae craton, Northwest Territories, has NATURE OF uncovered a 300 km long, 5-20 km wide crustal scale shear zone, the Wholdaia Lake PALEOPROTEROZOIC shear zone (WLsz). This northeast trending TECTONOMETAMORPHISM IN structure dips steeply to the southeast and THE SOUTH RAE, NORTHWEST parallels the STZ, which separates the Rae TERRITORIES, THROUGH and Hearne cratons to the east. To the west STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS, of the WLsz, the Firedrake domain consists PETROCHRONOLOGY AND of polydeformed ca. 2.7 Ga orthogneiss intruded by voluminous 1.83 Ga magnetite- METAMORPHIC PETROLOGY bearing granodiorite migmatite. East of the OF A ~1.9 GA CRUSTAL-SCALE WLsz the Snowbird domain contains FAULT polydeformed, infolded, ortho- and paragneiss metamorphosed at ca. 2.5 and 1.9 THIESSEN*, E.J.1, GIBSON, H.D.1, Ga respectively. The total field magnetic PEHRSSON, S.J.2, and REGIS, D.2 signature of the WLsz displays both the Firedrake and Snowbird domain map (1) SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, BURNABY, patterns being transposed into the WLsz BC with dextral sense of shear. (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON [email protected] Metamorphism in the WLsz is recorded by episodic monazite and zircon growth. High- Pervasive high-pressure metamorphism at Y prograde monazite included in garnet 2.5 and 1.9 Ga is documented along the yields ages of ca. 1.93-1.92 Ga at conditions eastern margin of the Rae craton from of 9 kbar and 850°C using conventional Baffin Island to beneath the Athabasca thermobarometry. Additional syn-kinematic Basin. The >2000 km extent of this high- low-Y monazite growth at ca. 1.93-1.90 Ga pressure belt is analogous to the footprint of indicate continued high-metamorphic Phanerozoic large orogens such as the conditions in the garnet stability field. Himalayas, yet conditions of its formation Metasedimentary rocks of the Snowbird and exhumation are controversial and are the domain to the east were deposited at ca. 2.0 subject of this study. In the southern Rae of Ga on orthogneiss metamorphosed at ca. 2.5 Saskatchewan and Northwest Territories, Ga. These metasediments also record high-Y this high-pressure belt is postulated to have prograde monazite growth at ca. 1.93-1.92 formed at 1.9 Ga during burial and crustal Ga and additional low-Y monazite growth at thickening related to continental collision ca. 1.93-1.90 Ga. These metasediments also with the Hearne craton. Others have contain 1.91 Ga metamorphic zircon growth. interpreted this high-pressure belt to have Dextral normal-oblique shearing in lower formed at 2.5 Ga and exhumed along an grade amphibolite facies mylonites within intracratonic fault, the Snowbird Tectonic the WLsz has a minimum age of 1.86 Ga Zone (STZ), at 1.9 Ga by a series of constrained by late crosscutting granite intracontinental thrust and strike-slip shear dikes. These results imply the WLsz zones. accommodated exhumation from lower to mid-crustal levels between 1.93 and 1.86 Ga New mapping in this poorly understood ca.

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with at least some component of normal- SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL sense extension. CHANGES IN SEASONAL RANGE ATTRIBUTES IN A Further refinement of the Pressure- Temperature-time-deformation details for DECLINING BARREN-GROUND the WLsz, in conjunction with other detailed CARIBOU POPULATION studies of adjacent lithotectonic domains 1 2 and structures, will be used elucidate the VIRGL, J. , RETTIE, J. , and 3 nature and exhumation history of ~1.9 Ga COULTON*, D. tectonometamorphism in the south Rae craton. (1) GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., SASKATOON, SK (2) PARAGON WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND SIGNS OF LIFE? THE STATE OF ANALYSIS LTD., WINNIPEG, MB THE CANADIAN (3) GOLDER ASSOCIATES LTD., YELLOWKNIFE, NT EXPLORATION INDUSTRY [email protected] During the last two decades the Bathurst THOMAS, R. caribou herd has declined from 400,000 to PROSPECTORS & DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION 16,000 animals. Traditional Knowledge OF CANADA, TORONTO, ON (TK) has recently observed the later arrival [email protected] of the herd below the treeline, an attribute of PDAC past-President Rodney N. Thomas the autumn range. Science also predicts that will provide an update on the state of seasonal range attributes (e.g., area, mineral finance in Canada and globally. He location) likely vary with population size, will also comment on the factors affecting and perhaps climate. We used TK and whether that capital is deployed in Canada, science to identify several seasonal range assessing why Canada has lost its status as attributes that were examined for changes the best place in the world to explore - through time (decreasing population officially conceding first place to Australia abundance). Attributes of seasonal ranges in 2015 (as measured by SNL Metals & for female Bathurst caribou were calculated Mining). He will also outline what PDAC is using satellite collar data from January 1996 doing to help companies access capital and through October 2013. Climate data from land, and explore responsibly in the CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Canadian context. Assessment Network were analyzed for trends from 1979 to 2009. Analyses showed a significant decrease in area of post-calving and autumn ranges, but no changes in winter and spring ranges. Results supported TK that female caribou have shifted the autumn range farther from the treeline and moved into the forest later in the year. Analysis of climate variables found no trends at the spatio-temporal scales of the ranges. This analysis demonstrates how including TK can lead to stronger connections and results,

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with potential to provide new and different one of the world's largest gold deposits and insights for further investigations. lies within the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia with production in excess INDIN LAKE GOLD PROJECT - of 50 million ounces of gold to date. EXPLORATION UPDATE Compositionally the Colomac sill displays a WAYCHISON*, W. and BYRON, M. fine to medium-grained, felsic to intermediate (quartz diorite) upper portion NIGHTHAWK GOLD CORP, TORONTO, ON and a medium to coarse-grained (gabbroic) [email protected] mafic base. Gold is concentrated within the Nighthawk Gold Corp. is a Canadian based sodic and silica-rich upper portion of the sill, mineral exploration company currently which behaved in a brittle manner during focused on advancing its Indin Lake Gold regional structural deformation providing Property, a 222,203 acre land package depositional sites for gold. This is in contrast located 200 kilometres north of to the ductile behavior of the (gabbroic) Yellowknife, Northwest Territories within lower portion of the sill and the surrounding the Indin Lake Gold Camp. mafic volcanic rocks. The identification of hydrothermal breccias within the quartz An Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of diorite is consistent with Nighthawk 2.101 million oz gold at a 1.64 g/t gold observations at other Colomac Zones, and is average grade (0.6 g/t gold cut-off) is further visual evidence of hydro-fracturing defined at its Colomac property. Only a and the (precursor to) mineralization small portion of the mineralized Colomac proposed by Nighthawk for Colomac. intrusion is captured by this 2013 estimate, leaving an underexplored and highly Highlights of the Nighthawk's 2016 drill prospective deposit that hosts several newly program to date have established the near discovered extensive, high-grade gold zones, surface dimensions of the recently and broad domains of lower grade discovered high-grade Zone 1.5 to be mineralization. upwards of 125 metres long, 30 to 50 metres in true width, extending from surface to 260 Nighthawk Gold Corp's model for gold metres, and open to depth. Better 2016 mineralization at Colomac (and Goldcrest), results from the Zone 1.5 include hole C16- as confirmed by extensive geochemistry 03, which intersected 52.07 metres (40 conducted during 2012 and 2014, is after metres true width) of 7.72 g/t gold, that of The Golden Mile, Kalgoorlie, including 25.47 metres of 14.25 g/t gold, Western Australia; both contain a and including 12.35 metres of 9.58 g/t gold, differentiated mafic sill of similar age with a and hole C16-03B, which cut 72.65 metres more sodic, siliceous, and brittle, host upper (50 metres true width) of 5.58 g/t gold, (quartz diorite) portion that is amenable to including 17.80 metres of 17.72 g/t gold, clean fracturing, fluid transport, and mineral 100 metres below the C16-03 intersection. deposition, and within which gold is preferentially concentrated. The Company has identified similar bodies at Zone 3.5 and Zone 2.0, while three other Differentiated intrusions are known to possibilities were drilled over the course of contain large gold deposits. Kalgoorlie is this summer's program. Results for those holes are pending.

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IMPACTS OF MINING probably related to the tectonic movements OPERATIONS ON THE FORAGE of the Earth. The last deglaciation process AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY further marked the area with boulder fields and eskers. The values of soil pH are FOR THE BATHURST CARIBOU influenced by the parent materials and the accumulation of soil organic materials from WENJUN*, C.1, LEBLANC, S.G.1, 1 2 vegetation growth. WHITE, H.P. , MILAKOVIC, B. , ROCK, C.2, SHARAM, G.2, O'KEEFE, 3 3 4 Mining operations cause land use H. , COREY, L. , CROFT, B. , conversion from natural tundra ecosystems ADAMCZEWSK, J.Z.4, GUNN, A.5, VAN 6 6 into human-made features (e.g., buildings, DER WIELEN, S. , FOOTBALL, A. , open pits, roads, and waste piles). They may TRACZ, B.7, SNORTLAND 7 8 also affect soil pH. The dust from a mining PELLISSEY, J. , and BOULANGER, J. road usually has a pH value of higher than 9. The fine suspended particles (e.g., PM2.5), (1) CANADA CENTRE FOR REMOTE SENSING, which are originated mainly from diesel fuel OTTAWA, ON (2) ERM-RESCAN ENVIRONMENTAL combustion and living waste incineration, SERVICES LTD., VANCOUVER, BC often have a pH lower than 3. In (3) DOMINION DIAMOND EKATI comparison, the pH values of non-disturbed CORPORATION, YELLOWKNIFE, NT tundra ecosystems in this region are (4) ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL typically in the range of 4 to 6. The RESOURCES, GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT deposition of dust and PM2.5 thus could (5) CIRCUMARCTIC RANGIFER MONITORING potentially alter the soil pH and AND ASSESSMENT NETWORK, SALT SPRING consequently vegetation species ISLAND, BC composition and growth rate. Finally, the (6) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKO, NT deposition of dust and PM can also impact (7) WEK'ÈEZHÌI RENEWABLE RESOURCES 2.5 BOARD, YELLOWKNIFE, NT the quality of forage for caribou. (8) INTEGRATED ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH LTD., NELSON, BC To assess the impacts of mining operations [email protected] on the availability and quality of forage for How have mining operations inside the caribou, in this study we separated their Bathurst caribou habitat affected the effects from that of natural processes using a availability and quality of forage for two-step procedure. First, we stratified all caribou? In addition to mining operations, vegetation survey sites into land cover many natural factors may impact the classes (e.g., boulder field, esker, lichen- availability and the quality of forage for rock tundra, dwarf shrub, low-high shrub, caribou. For example, at a large spatial scale tussock, and graminoids wetland). Each of (e.g., global or continental), the species the land classes has similar topography composition and the growth rate of feature, disturbance history, and soil pH vegetation, and hence the forage availability values for natural areas. For areas affected to caribou, in the Arctic are largely by dust and PM2.5 from mining operations, controlled by the climate. At the local scale, their soil pH values, and thus caribou however, topography, disturbance history, availability and quality could be changed. and soil pH play the dominant roles (Gould Second, nearly all sites have different and Walker, 1999). The rolling landscape of percentages of the area covered by boulders. small hills with gentle slopes over the area is Vegetation cannot grow on these boulders,

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and their cover percentage should be and develop a preliminary understanding of excluded in the analyses of mining operation its potential impacts on the environment. impacts. We quantified these changes using Such understanding will support vegetation field survey data collected during effectiveness and efficiency during EA August 14-23 in 2015 and August 15-29 in scoping, assessment of potential impacts and 2016. Land cover class, percentage mitigations, information requests, and the vegetation cover, mean plant height, soil pH, entire EA process. and dust on leaves were surveyed at more than 300 sites over dozens of transects ADVANCING A DEHCHO around the Ekati Diamond Mine. To REGIONAL MINERAL accurately determine the topography along DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY these transects, we also collected more than 100,000 GPS positions using two WIEBE, H. differential GPS units that have a theoretical accuracy of centimeters. In this presentation, STANTEC CONSULTING LTD., YELLOWKNIFE, we will report the initial results from our NT field survey and analyses. [email protected] The Government of the Northwest ENVIRONMENTAL Territories (GNWT) developed a Mineral ASSESSMENT INITIATION Development Strategy (the Strategy) “to GUIDELINES - GETTING OFF realize, responsibly and sustainably, the full ON THE RIGHT FOOT! potential of the NWT's rich mineral resources and use it to ensure lasting WHELER, B.A. prosperity for NWT residents and communities.” The Strategy's third pillar, MACKENZIE VALLEY REVIEW BOARD, “Enhancing Aboriginal Engagement and YELLOWKNIFE, NT Community Capacity Building” sets the [email protected] goal: “Aboriginal governments are better The Mackenzie Valley Review Board is positioned to effectively participate in all responsible for the Environmental stages of the mineral development process in Assessment process in the Mackenzie the NWT.” At the 2015 Yellowknife Valley, Northwest Territories. I will briefly Geoscience Forum, the GNWT held a summarize the Review Board's current workshop with Aboriginal governments to policy initiatives, focussing on the explore the idea of developing regional development of draft Environmental mineral development strategies as a means Assessment Initiation Guidelines. The goal of advancing this goal. In April 2016, the of these draft Guidelines is to ensure that Dehcho First Nations requested GNWT clear and complete information is provided support for a workshop to begin this process. to the Review Board at the outset of the EA Stantec was contracted to work with the process. This includes a comprehensive Department of Industry, Tourism and project description and supporting Investment (ITI) and the Dehcho First information. This information will allow the Nations, to coordinate, facilitate and report Review Board, Aboriginal organizations, on this workshop, which was held July 6-7, government departments, and the public to 2016 in Fort Simpson. thoroughly understand the project proposal

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For the first day of the workshop, guest ground ice retained today within permafrost. speakers provided participants with a In addition, most near-surface permafrost comprehensive overview of the mineral has been environmentally-conditioned by exploration and development industry in the processes occurring within the last 14,000 NWT, with aspects tailored to the Dehcho years, though in unglaciated regions this region as applicable, including how the may be considerably longer. industry works, the phases of exploration and development, geology and mineral We review the present-day thermal and potential, the regulatory environment, physical state of permafrost in relation to industry economics, training, employment, modern, late Glacial, and Holocene and economic opportunities. The second day environmental conditions in North America. involved facilitated discussions with We examine the distribution of modern participants to begin building the biomes and the relation to present-day foundations for their regional strategy, distribution and thermal state of permafrost. including a vision for what they wanted to We then review past biome distributions in achieve, obstacles, strategic directions, key northern Canada, to examine major climate- actions and next steps. The presentation will driven environmental shifts that have focus on the results of this workshop, and affected permafrost regimes. Within this lessons learned for carrying out similar work context, we discuss the distribution of in other regions of the NWT. various ground ice types. This includes the potential distribution of i) buried ice of THE PRESENT STATE AND glaciogenic origin in relation to glacial FUTURE FATE OF moraines and hummocky terrain and to PERMAFROST: A glaciofluvial sediments (eskers, kames, and ice-contact deltas), ii) intra-sedimental ice PALEOENVIRONMENTAL (ice wedges and segregated ice) in relation PERSPECTIVE to maximum (glacial) lake and marine limits. We highlight examples of how post- 1 2 WOLFE*, S.A. and KOKELJ, S.V. glacial landscapes and climatically-driven biome changes interact to influence the (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, present-day sensitivity of permafrost to OTTAWA, ON future changes. These include, i) (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT preservation of glacigenic sediments and [email protected] ground ice within continuous permafrost; ii) The geologic, geomorphic, biologic and climate-driven ground-ice accumulation climatic history of a landscape combines to and/or degradation in relation to past biome dictate present-day thermal and physical changes; iii) chronosequences within state of permafrost. The timing and extent of lacustrine and marine sediments containing these past environmental conditions intra-sedimental ground ice in permafrost provides a foundation for understanding regions. present-day terrain conditions and prediction of future fate of permafrost. Much of Canada's northern landscape reflects a glacial legacy, with the resulting suite of glacial and post-glacial deposits having implications for the amount and type of - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 79

SUMMARY OF COMPLETION organic-rich sediments (carbonates, shales, OPERATIONS AND TESTING OF mudstones) were deposited. The Duvernay, THE CANOL SHALE IN THE Muskwa and Canol formations in Alberta and the NWT, were deposited in relatively CENTRAL MACKENZIE protected shallow shelf areas surrounded by VALLEY active carbonate reefs and platforms within a back-arc subduction system (volcanic WOO, G. deposits in certain areas) relatively close to the equator under subtropical climate NATIONAL ENERGY BOARD, CALGARY, AB conditions. Strongly stratified oceans with [email protected] anoxic bottom waters and normal to slightly Between 2011 and 2014 seven wells were elevated bioproductivity in the warm surface drilled and completed in the Canol Shale in waters resulted in black shale deposits where the Central Mackenzie Valley by high amounts of organic matter were ConocoPhillips Canada Limited, Husky Oil preserved. These deposits have received Operations Limited and MGM Energy Corp. much attention over the last 6 years as they The Canol Shale is a low permeability proven to be favorable targets for formation which requires hydraulic unconventional gas/liquid production plays. fracturing in order to flow oil and gas. An overview of the completion operations and This presentation draws comparisons testing conducted on the seven wells will be between various parameters and settings of presented. both the Alberta Duvernay Formation and the NWT Canol Formation. Rock GEOLOGICAL AND compositions, organic content and GEOCHEMICAL geochemical profiles are presented and COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE discussed in the context of the deposits. Both deposits have regional mineralogical DUVERNAY FORMATION IN and geochemical variability on both a ALBERTA AND THE CANOL vertical and horizontal scale and hence show FORMATION IN NWT WITH a high degree of variability in reservoir SOME INSIGHTS INTO characteristics. Such regional changes have EXPLORATION AND marked implications for porosity, PRODUCTION OF THE permeability and ultimately rock frackability. In addition, the original DUVERNAY FORMATION biological and mineral compositions have undergone major transformations and WUST*, R.A.J.1, FIESS, K.M.2, and 1 neoformations during burial and basin uplift NASSICHUK, B. and examples of these will be shown and implications discussed. (1) TRICAN GEOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS, CALGARY, AB (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL An overview of the development of the SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Duvernay play will be presented together [email protected] with a summary of well completions and During the mid to late Devonian, the production data. Investigations and early western Canadian shelf hosted a number of exploration of the Duvernay play started in different “basins” within which unique 2008 but landsale activity did not peak until - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 80

2010/2011. In 2010, Trican Geological Solution released a basin-wide source rock TŁĮCHǪ MINERAL POLICY maturity map based on cuttings and selected cores. A large number of companies have ZOE*, H. and MACKENZIE, G. taken advantage of the dataset and developed the play based on the TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT geochemical mapping along with sparse [email protected] archived analytical information. Since then, The Chief Executive Council of the Tłı̨chǫ ongoing production of >200 wells is Government has mandated the development providing details of the hydrocarbon of a Mineral Policy under 7.4.2 of the Tłı̨chǫ composition which can be utilized to Agreement, and as it relates to 23.2.1 of the “verify” original “maturity” maps and trends Agreement. One of the biggest assets the from various government and private Tłı̨chǫ have is the land, and therefore clear enterprises. rules need to be in place on how the land will be managed and used by different users. SELWYN ZN - PB PROJECT: AN A Mineral Policy will provide clear UPDATE ON RECENT guidance to Tłı̨chǫ people, the Tłı̨chǫ EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES Government, potential developers, AND GEOLOGICAL FINDINGS regulators and others on how the Tłı̨chǫ want mineral development to occur on Tłı̨chǫ Lands. In this session, the Tłı̨chǫ XUE, GX. Government will review paths forward SELWYN CHINGHONG MINING LTD, towards the Mineral Policy. VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] The presentation covers recent drilling campaigns that mostly occurred in 2014 and 2105, current structural models derived from drilling outcomes, lithological interpretation based on geophysical survey both airborne and ground, geological mapping, collaboration with academic organizations and PFS progress.

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Abstracts - Poster Presentations Presenting Author denoted by *

CHARACTERIZATION OF generation has been observed in the past. ARSENIC-HOSTING SOLID These samples have been sieved to <63m PHASES IN TAILINGS AND to isolate the finest fraction for analysis. From May to July a Met One E-Sampler and TAILINGS DUST FROM GIANT a total suspended particulate (TSP) high MINE, YELLOWKNIFE, NT volume air sampler were set up at the south end of the south-most tailings pond to BAILEY*, A.S. and JAMIESON, H.E. collect samples of the airborne material that was transported from the mine property to QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON N'Dilo – a community of Yellowknives [email protected] Dene First Nations (YKDFN) located Mining and ore processing at Giant Mine directly south of Giant Mine. A 47mm occurred for over 50 years (1948 – 1999). Teflon filter was collected from the E- Roasting the arsenopyrite-bearing gold ore sampler every 7 days, and a quartz filter was generated As-bearing maghemite, As- collected from the TSP high volume sampler bearing hematite, and arsenic trioxide every 3 days. For all of the surface tailings (As2O3) which were co-deposited with and dust samples we are using inductively flotation tailings. Arsenic trioxide is coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP- considered the most bioaccessible arsenic MS) to determine the total concentration of compound. After spring thaw in May the arsenic in the samples, coupled with temperature is too low to apply any scanning electron microscopy-mineral chemical surfactant to the Giant Mine liberation analysis (SEM-MLA) and tailings, thus there is a window of time when synchrontron-based micro X-ray diffraction the tailings are exposed to surface (XRD), micro X-ray fluorescence (XRF), conditions. This window coincides with and X-ray absorption near edge structure north-northwesterly high velocity wind (XANES) work to speciate the arsenic in the events (> 8.0 m/s) in May and June. There surface tailings and tailings dust. By these has been growing concern regarding the methods we are compiling data that may be potential arsenic concentration and arsenic used in an assessment of the relative risk speciation of the dust from Giant Mine. The posed by the Giant Mine tailings dust. objective of this research is to characterize the mineralogy of the fine fraction of the tailings (particles <20m in diameter) to determine what arsenic-hosting solid phases are present, and to identify the arsenic- hosting species. Eighteen samples of surface tailings (0-10cm) were taken from locations within the tailings ponds where dust - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 82

A PRELIMINARY TELESEISMIC Canada Basin. The problem is therefore to INVESTIGATION OF THE reconcile mantle structure typical of the CRUST AND MANTLE Canadian Shield with crust typical of a rifted passive margin. Furthermore, seismicity LITHOSPHERE OBTAINED located within the Mackenize River Delta FROM BISN IN THE WESTERN and offshore in the Beaufort Sea has been CANADIAN ARCTIC previously observed, however its origin is currently unknown, though may potentially CAIRNS*, S.1, ELLIOTT, B.1, be related to incipient subduction of oceanic SCHAEFFER, A.2, AUDET, P.2, lithosphere beneath the North American ESTEVE, C.2, MURRAY-BERGQUIST, craton. L.2, FALCK, H.1, and SNYDER, D.3 Resolving these questions requires high- (1) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL resolution seismic models obtained from an SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT array of broadband seismograph stations. (2) DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND Here we present preliminary results on the ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON structure of the crust and uppermost mantle (3) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, underlying the western Canadian Arctic. OTTAWA, ON These results are generated using new data [email protected] from the Banks Island Seismograph The tectonic evolution of the Beaufort Sea Network (BISN), an array of 3 stations continental margin has contributed to installed over the summer of 2015; these are establish this region as a major petroleum augmented with several USArray reservoir. Recent shallow off-shore data Transportable Array stations and older suggest that Banks Island represents the POLARIS and CNSN stations on western edge of the rifted margin established neighbouring Arctic Islands. during the opening of the Arctic Ocean. In this case, rifting of the western margin TROPICAL WEATHERING IN caused Banks Island to subside and AREA OF MELVILLE HILLS, accumulate sediments rich in petroleum NORTHWEST TERRITORIES source material. The cooling and further subsidence of these sediments is important DAVIES*, R. and DAVIES, A.W. for understanding the thermal maturation of petroleum products. Recently published TALMORA DIAMOND INC., TORONTO, ON surface-wave velocity models of North [email protected] America indicate seismic velocity at 100- Laterite and its effect on kimberlite indicator 150 km depths is similar to those beneath minerals is not expected in Canada's glacial Canada's diamond mines in the central Slave terrane and its presence if not recognized craton north of Yellowknife. These results can have serious consequences for diamond suggest that Banks Island is part of the exploration. There is considerable evidence Canadian Shield and any kimberlites found of deep weathering in northern latitudes thereon would be promising candidates to during the Eocene thermal maximum (55 contain diamonds. However, the high Ma). Evidence of laterite in Talmora velocities are inconsistent with this being a Diamond Inc.'s Horton River exploration tectonically disrupted and thinned area is presented and the effect of laterite on lithosphere along the Arctic margin of the

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kimberlite indicator minerals (KIMs) and sink holes. Two anomalies were tested with magnetic anomalies is discussed. a small packsack drill that penetrated through ~10 vertical meters of glacial till Talmora's Horton River project is located on into dark brown compact clay with small an upland plateau of flat lying Ordovician dolomite fragments. A small section dolomite on the west flank of the (~25mm) of weathered clay was recovered unglaciated Melville Hills about 100 that has chemistry similar to tropically kilometers south of Paulatuk on the Arctic weathered kimberlites. Drilling cuttings coast. The dolomite shows up as a brown from one hole contained chromites, with area on Google Earth and is partly compositions that lie on a very narrow surrounded on three sides by areas of green Fe/Mg crystallization trend line indicating a coloured mudstones of the Cretaceous basin single population and nearby source. to the west. A fan of diminishing Mg+Ca values down- Till samples taken in the Cretaceous basin ice of the Talmora dolomite area is contain the normal suite of kimberlite accompanied by high Fe values at its down- indicator minerals and many have been ice end supporting the idea that an extensive shown to be derived from sediments at the iron-rich laterite surface was removed first base of the basin. However, those from the by the advancing ice. Laterite boulders near Horton area outside the basin are deficient in magnetic anomalies represent small areas of silicates and the garnets that are recovered deeper laterite not completely removed by show diagenetic alteration (etch pits, colour the ice. Sanatana explained magnetic leaching and weakening of grains), picro- anomalies west of Talmora as remnants of ilmenite shows diagenetic rutile coatings paleo-weathered “laterite” just beneath the and Mn-ilmenites alteration to till cover. ferropseudobrookite. The background mineralogy of the Horton area tills is rich in The standard Canadian diamond exploration goethite or “laterite” and laterite cobbles are model of following pyropes (chrome common especially down-ice of magnetic diopsides) to magnetic anomalies with targets. KIMs (mostly chromite and strong remnant magnetism does not apply if ilmenite) show a close relation to magnetic earlier deep weathering has not been anomalies. removed by glaciation.

The Talmora magnetic anomalies have low LOCAL STRATIGRAPHY OF amplitudes like the kimberlites at Darnley THE DUO LAKE FORMATION Bay, but as expected in deeply weathered AT HOWARDS PASS IN THE kimberlite show little evidence of early remnant magnetism. In deeply weathered SELWYN BASIN REGION bedrock primary magnetite alters to FLOWER*, A.F.1, FISCHER, B.J.2, and secondary hematite and iron-hydroxides 1 with a reduction in magnetic susceptibility. MELCHIN, M.

Most of the Talmora anomalies coincide (1) ST. FRANCIS XAVIER UNIVERSITY, ANTIGONISH, NS with marshy areas or shallow ponds. They (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL are unlikely to represent sinkholes as some SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT ponds on high ground drain downhill into [email protected]

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Late Proterozoic rifting of the northwestern DETERMINING THE IMPACT margin of ancestral North America OF WILDFIRE ON STREAM (Laurentia) created the Selwyn Basin, which SYSTEMS IN THE DEHCHO was a depocenter for off-shelf sediments throughout the Early Paleozoic. The district AND SOUTH SLAVE REGIONS of Howards Pass comprises 15 stratabound (NWT) USING WATER shale-hosted Zn-Pb deposits within the CHEMISTRY AND BENTHIC stratigraphic succession of the Selwyn MACROINVERTEBRATE Basin, and is located along the border of the ASSEMBLAGES Yukon and Northwest Territories. Mineralization consists of sphalerite and GARNER*, C.S.1, PISARIC, M.F.J.1, galena with minor pyrite in fine laminations CHIN, K.S.2, and SPEAKMAN, J.E.2 and cross-cutting veinlets within Ordovician and Silurian graptolitic, variably calcareous (1) ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY and siliceous mudstone of the Duo Lake RESEARCH CENTRE, BROCK UNIVERSITY, ST. Formation. The most widely accepted CATHARINES, ON published structural model for Howards Pass (2) CUMULATIVE IMPACT MONITORING holds that mineralization was syngenetic PROGRAM, GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT with the deposition of sediments, followed [email protected] by two deformation events. An alternative structural interpretation suggests that Changing climatic conditions, including mineralization was formed diagenetically, increasing temperatures and modified and that imbricated thrusts created a duplex precipitation regimes, are impacting the structure that now hosts the Howards Pass functioning of natural ecosystems district. The Duo Lake Fm. will be analyzed throughout the world. In high latitude for graptolites and C-isotope regions, climatic change is occurring at rates chemostratigraphy and the results will be that exceed those in the mid- and lower applied to the development of a robust latitudes. Temperatures in northern regions framework for the internal stratigraphy of for example, have increased nearly 2X faster the formation, as well as to testing the than mid-latitude regions during the past few imbricate-thrusting structural model for the decades. The impact of these changing district. Two drillholes were logged and one climatic conditions on the boreal forest are outcrop section measured from different numerous, including increasing frequency parts of the Howards Pass trend, with each and severity of natural disturbance events section described and sampled in detail. The such as wildfire and changes in species graphic stratigraphic logs show correlations composition (e.g., deciduous tree species within the Duo Lake Fm. These new increasing at the expense of coniferous detailed stratigraphic sections through the species). Disturbances can reduce the ore-hosting unit at Howards Pass will help availability and quality of important determine a specific timeframe of deposition resources, therefore, monitoring these events and the structural controls on the distribution and their impacts is essential. of ore. Freshwater environments, such as lakes and streams, generate economic, environmental and culturally important goods and services. Despite this, the majority of wildfire studies

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focus on impacts to terrestrial ecosystems. Arctic Canada is first divided into the The Dehcho and South Slave regions of the cratons or granitic and metamorphic roots of Northwest Territories contain a large the Canadian shield which contain much of network of freshwater streams and lake the gold, copper, nickel, iron, uranium, rare systems, many of which were impacted by earth elements and diamonds. Second are the numerous forest fires that occurred the bounding Mesoproterozoic to during the 2014, 2015 and 2016 fire seasons. Phanerozoic platforms, basins and accreted terrains of the Interior Platform and In 2015, we commenced a monitoring Canadian Cordillera which extend into the program with the aim of studying the High Arctic and contain much of the zinc, impacts of these recent forest fires on stream lead, gold, silver, copper, molybdenum and systems in the Dehcho and South Slave tungsten. regions. Select streams from the Dehcho and South Slave regions were sampled for water Basement nuclei in the Canadian shield are chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate the Archean cratons of which four are analyses. Benthic macroinvertebrates are present. Oldest of these is the Slave craton small aquatic organisms that live within or (4030-2550 Ma) on the west side of the on the substrate of streams and lakes and shield. It is bound by Paleoproterozoic have been proven to be good indicators of orogens: Thelon-Taltson to the east and changing water quality. Water chemistry Wopmay to the west. The Slave craton is parameters that were analysed included trace associated with orogenic gold, volcanogenic metals, major ions, nutrients, and general massive sulphides (VMS), diamond-rich physical measures. Multivariate statistical kimberlites and a large rare earth mineral analyses were used to compare spatial deposit. differences in chemical parameters across the landscape, while benthic Lying to the east and underlying most of the macroinvertebrate indices were calculated to remaining parts of the Canadian shield determine general ecological characteristics across the Canadian Arctic are the Rae for the sample sites. Based on generalized (3250–2580 Ma) and Hearne (2740–2540 stream classifications, conclusions about the Ma) cratons. Significant in the Neoarchean potential impact of forest fires on water Rae craton are supracrustal rocks containing chemistry and benthic macroinvertebrate important resources of iron, orogenic gold of assemblages will be made. Paleoproterozoic age, uranium associated with a sub-Paleoproterozoic unconformity, MINERAL DEPOSITS OF nickel and commercially significant ARCTIC CANADA: EXCERPTS diamond-rich kimberlites. Deposits in the FROM A CHAPTER IN Hearne craton include nickel, copper, platinum group elements (PGE), uranium "MINERAL RESOURCES IN and VMS. THE ARCTIC" The fourth craton is represented by the HARRISON*, J.C. and CHORLTON, Superior craton, mostly located south of L.B. latitude 60 but also exposed in the northern extremity of Quebec. It is bound to the north GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, by the Paleoproterozoic Cape Smith belt OTTAWA, ON (1870–1800 Ma), part of the circum- [email protected] - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 86

Superior Trans-Hudson orogen. This belt is INTERSECTING FOLD BELTS noted for its important resources of nickel, IN THE BATHURST ISLAND copper and platinum group minerals. The REGION, NUNAVUT other significant Paleoproterozoic belt is represented by the Wopmay orogen (1890- HARRISON, J.C. 1840 Ma) which lies west of the Slave Craton. This features an eastern sedimentary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, belt and, to the west, the plutonic and OTTAWA, ON volcanic rocks of the Great Bear batholith. [email protected] Noteworthy resources include iron oxide Mostly situated above latitude 75o North in copper gold (IOCG), polymetallic veins and the central part of the Canadian Arctic vein uranium. Islands, the Bathurst Island archipelago includes Bathurst Island proper and six other The Precambrian cratons and significant islands to north and west. The Paleoproterozoic basins are fringed to north area is known for its former oil production and west by widespread shelf carbonate from the Bent Horn oil field (1985-1996) deposition that begins in the and mining of the Polaris zinc deposit on Mesoproterozoic and continues through the nearby Little Cornwallis Island (1981-2002). upper Paleozoic. These rocks have Qausuittuq National Park has recently been carbonate-hosted (MVT) zinc-lead deposits. created for northern Bathurst Island and the Also present in this realm are iron deposits, Governor General Islands to the west. notably the very large Crest deposit in Neoproterozoic strata. Southwestward the Significant components of the report area shelf succession gives way to Cambrian to include Precambrian seismic basement, the Devonian deep water sediments of Selwyn Franklinian shelf (Cambrian to Devonian), Basin. Important resources are represented the Ellesmerian foreland clastic wedge by shale-hosted zinc-lead mineralization of (Middle- Upper Devonian), and outliers of which there are three large deposits in the the Sverdrup Basin (Carboniferous- Yukon. Also present in Selwyn Basin are Cretaceous). Total thickness of the VMS copper-zinc deposits of which there Cambrian to Devonian succession is 7.6 to are two significant ore bodies. 8.8 km in the island group but is locally more than 14 km on adjacent islands. Oldest The western part of the Yukon is dominated identified strata are evaporites of the Middle by Jurassic and Cretaceous accreted terranes Ordovician Bay Fiord Formation. These and by associated granitoid intrusive rocks. form a ductile detachment that at a depth of This is a key realm for gold, polymetallic 4100 to 5500 m everywhere underlies thrust- silver-lead-zinc veins and nickel-copper- folds. Above this are shelf carbonates, deep PGE. Also associated with Mesozoic water mudrocks, and shallow to deep water intrusives are tungsten and copper skarns, strata associated with Silurian to Lower and copper-molybdenum porphyrys. Devonian Boothia Uplift and Cornwallis Rounding out the resources of the Yukon are Fold Belt. eleven gold placer districts of which the Klondike is most significant. Westward facies changes are numerous and readily identified on air photographs. These include lower Bathurst Island beds (Ludlow to Lochkovian turbidites) grading to Devon - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 87

Island Formation, Goose Fiord Formation Structures include northerly- and southerly- (Lochkovian to Pragian carbonates) grading transported thrusts, zig-zag structures, pop- to medial Bathurst Island beds, Stuart Bay up and pop-down structures. beds (Pragian-Emsian turbidites) grading to upper Bathurst Island beds, Prince Alfred TILL COMPOSITIONAL DATA Formation (Pragian-Emsian conglomerate FROM A REGIONAL RC and redbeds) grading to Stuart Bay beds, and DRILLING PROGRAM IN THE Disappointment Bay Formation (carbonates; Emsian) grading to upper Stuart Bay Beds. LAC DE GRAS REGION, NT; The end of deformation through Cornwallis INSIGHTS INTO THE NET Fold Belt is marked by widespread EFFECT OF ICE FLOW SHIFTS deposition of shelf carbonates (Blue Fiord ON 3-D PATTERNS OF beds) that grade westward to clinoformed INDICATOR MINERALS AND mudrocks of the Eids beds (late Emsian- PATHFINDER ELEMENTS early Eifelian). The Blue Fiord beds are the reservoir for oil at Bent Horn in subsurface JANZEN*, R.J.D.1, KELLEY, S.E.1, Cameron Island and the lower Eids is a ROSS, M.1, NORMANDEAU, P.X.2, and potential source rock. Uplift-related ELLIOTT, B.2 deposition is succeeded in the later Devonian by shelf-deltaic and fluvial (1) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO, sandstones and other clastic rocks. ON (2) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL Named structures of Cornwallis Fold belt SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT include the Driftwood Bay structure which [email protected] is an eastward transported thrust panel Drift prospecting is an integral part of featuring evidence of unroofing during mineral exploration in the Northwest deposition of Bathurst Island and Stuart Bay Territories (NT). This technique looks for beds and Prince Alfred Formation. To the indicator minerals and geochemical west are the northerly-trending Queens pathfinder elements within glacial sediments Channel and Scoresby Hills anticlines with a that have been dispersed by glacial similar structural style and unroofing processes over an area much larger than the history. Prominent on Scoresby Hills bedrock targets. The area southwest of Lac Anticline is an angular unconformity below de Gras, NT, contains a surficial spatial off-lapping Pragian and Emsian strata. Also signature of two kimberlite indicator mineral included with Cornwallis Fold belt are (KIM) trains. The Monument indicator train, westerly-transported thrust panels imaged which has a known source, and the and inferred on seismic profile 1497 through Coppermine indicator train, which is more central Bathurst Island. In plan view these enigmatic as it is lacking a known source. A are kinematically linked to presumed new approach is needed in order to gain easterly- and northeasterly-striking wrench additional knowledge from previous studies. faults that are reactivated as thrusts during Typically, drift prospecting uses ice flow the development of Parry Islands Fold Belt. indicators (e.g. landforms, striae) and Deformation in Parry Islands Fold Belt surface samples to identify the dispersion features upright surface folds, subsurface vectors and the compositional footprint thrusts, ductile deformation and detachment resulting from a buried source, information in Ordovician salt and Devonian shale. is then compiled to map the surficial 2-D

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pattern. This approach has been successful, based on independent data; the full 3-D especially in areas of thin drift; however, it compositional patterns reveal a complexity does not capture the full 3-D dispersal that is not captured by the surficial data, and pattern, which may be important in areas of this style of exploration may have complex ice flow history and till production. implications for ongoing and future This research utilizes shallow subsurface exploration in the Lac de Gras area. data (0 to 28 m, 2.1 m mean, and 1.1 m median depth) from a regional RC drilling COMPILATION OF GROUND program designed to investigate the TEMPERATURE RECORDS IN potential effect of older ice flow phases on THE NORTHWEST sediment dispersion and how it may (or may not) relate to the surficial patterns. This TERRITORIES, CANADA work will give new insights into locating KARUNARATNE*, K.C.1, KOKELJ, source areas for dispersal trains that have yet 1 2 2 to be related to a buried source. Our S.V. , MORSE, P.D. , SMITH, S.L. , WOLFE, S.A.2, GRUBER, S.3, PALMER, methodology uses field work observations, 4 5 combined with KIM data and geochemical M.J. , and HOEVE, E. data from 156 samples of a regional RC drilling program (52 boreholes at ~0.13 (1) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL 2 SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT boreholes/km ), as well as available legacy (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, data, GIS spatial analysis, and 3D OTTAWA, ON visualization. Results so far show that there (3) DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND is a clear record of ice flow shifts in the ice ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, CARLETON flow indicator dataset displaying three main UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON (4) CUMULATIVE IMPACT MONITORING regional ice flow directions that are PROGRAM, GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST progressively younger in a clockwise TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT direction from SW to NW. The KIM dataset (5) TETRA TECH EBA INC., YELLOWKNIFE, NT and the geochemical pathfinder background [email protected] and anomalous values are being analyzed Knowledge of the ground thermal regime is due to the distinction between the elevated an essential component of permafrost values in the lower portion of the till column research, environmental monitoring, relative to shallower data. The deeper till planning resource development projects, as may be a different stratigraphic unit in well as infrastructure design. In the places, or it may have a higher Canadian North, various needs drive the compositional inheritance from older ice collection of ground temperature data flow phases. Preliminary results suggest that including government and academic there is good evidence for complex three- monitoring and research, regulatory dimensional dispersal patterns that match monitoring, and industry-supported with the ice flow history. The challenges are infrastructure projects. Research and related to the distribution and low density of monitoring programs typically summarize subsurface data, and other complicating the ground thermal regime in academic factors, such as potential local bedrock publications. Regulatory monitoring data topographic effects on till deposition and typically accompanies obligatory reporting dispersal patterns. Overall, the dispersal to the responsible authorities. Ground patterns appear to be discontinuous, but in temperatures collected for infrastructure agreement with the glacial reconstructions

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purposes may also be summarized in design collaborators are being compiled so that the or maintenance reports. data can be published as NWT Open Reports. The next step is to identify all Although ground temperatures are measured historical and ongoing ground temperature every year in the Northwest Territories data collections and archive the metadata for (NWT), the actual data usually reside with these records. Ultimately, the project team the research institute, government agency or will work with other departments in the private industry consultant that collected the Government of the Northwest Territories, data, and are typically not retained by and northern regulatory and research institutions that are best suited to manage agencies to develop strategies that leverage and archive temperature data and records, ground temperature data and make it such as the Northwest Territories Geological accessible through a data management Survey (NTGS), or Geological Survey of system. Canada (GSC). As ground temperature data are expensive to collect, and because access The compilation of ground temperature to historical ground temperature data is of records in the NWT will have multiple great value, it is beneficial to organize and benefits. As ground temperature data will be host these data so that it can be efficiently readily available, evidence-based decision- accessed for use in future projects for the making in the territory will be better Government of the Northwest Territories, supported. Future permafrost monitoring the wider research community, industry and initiatives will benefit from information on other users. the nature of the ground temperature data and where it has been measured. The first step towards compiling this International permafrost research will be information has been to establish a metadata enhanced as scientists will have access to reporting template so that ground NWT ground temperature data. Finally, temperature measurements are described in other jurisdictions, such as Nunavut, who a common format. The metadata standard are interested in managing ground developed for the NWT was revised based temperature data can adapt this approach to on feedback received from permafrost meet their needs. researchers, thermal modellers, geotechnical engineers, public and private sector GEOCHEMISTRY, geologists, and civil servants involved with SEDIMENTOLOGY, AND infrastructure performance monitoring. Our ICHNOLOGY OF THE HARE team has produced a metadata template that is divided into seven sections: (1) Project INDIAN FORMATION AT details; (2) Location of ground temperature MOUNTAIN RIVER, measurements; (3) Installation of ground MACKENZIE MOUNTAINS, N.T. temperature cable; (4) Ground temperature record; (5) Site conditions; (6) Permafrost LAGRANGE*, M., GINGRAS, M.K., and conditions; and (7) Related publications and HERBERS, D.H. data. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB The metadata template is now finalized and [email protected] existing ground temperature datasets The middle to late Devonian Hare Indian collected by the NTGS, GSC, and Formation within the Central Mackenzie

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Valley of the Northwest Territories has been TILL COMPOSITION AND interpreted to record distal basin-fill GLACIAL DISPERSAL sedimentation (Muir et al., 1984; Pyle et al., PATTERNS IN SOUTH RAE 2014). This shale succession is subdivided into a lower organic-rich Bluefish Member CRATON, NORTHWEST and the overlying clay-rich Bell Creek TERRITORIES Member (Pyle and Gal, 2016). Previous 1 2 work has established the Bluefish Member LAUZON*, G. , CAMPBELL, J.E. , 2 2 as a source rock with increasing attention as DYKE, A.S. , and PEHRSSON, S.J. an unconventional play opportunity. (1) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC DE MONTRÉAL, This study assesses the sedimentological, MONTRÉAL, QC (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, geochemical, and ichnological OTTAWA, ON characteristics of the Hare Indian Formation [email protected] at the Mountain River outcrop located in the Surficial geology mapping at a 1:100 000 northwest Mackenzie Mountains. The scale and a reconnaissance-scale till outcrop was logged to document lithologies, sampling survey within the 75A and 75B contacts, and bioturbation. Samples were NTS map sheets were started in 2015 during collected at 10-50 cm intervals throughout the first year of the South Rae activity of the the formation for high-resolution analysis Geo-Mapping for Energy Program (GEM-2) with x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and thin- of the Geological Survey of Canada. The section petrography. Trace- and major- area lies in the southern part of the Rae element data obtained by XRF is used as Craton and is in large parts covered with proxy for terrigenous detrital input, paleo- glacial sediments. The mapping and anoxia, and basin isolation (Rowe et al., geochemical interpretation of the glacial 2012; Tribovillard et al., 2006). Plant and sediments will inform bedrock mapping and animal fossils were collected in order to gain mineral exploration programs, and assist paleo-environmental information. Future with land resource management decisions in work will incorporate data from other this region. outcrops and core in order to develop an integrated depositional and sequence Ground observations were recorded at 157 stratigraphic model for the Hare Indian sites and 94 till samples were collected for Formation. An enhanced understanding of compositional analyses including this poorly understood unit will aid in paleo- geochemical and heavy minerals. Erosional environmental interpretations and ice-flow indicators (striations, grooves, subsurface mapping efforts. roches moutonnées) and streamlined features (crag-and-tail, drumlins) were measured across the two map sheets. Four phases of ice flow have been identified. At a few sites, an old flow of unknown sense (SSE/NNW) and temporal relationship is deduced from poorly defined striations. In contrast, well defined indicators reveal a regional clockwise rotation in ice-flow directions evolving from a southward to a

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southwestward flow. A late westward flow HIGHLIGHTS OF REGIONAL is recorded only in the north of the map area. GEOLOGY AND MINERAL The dominant flow is to the southwest. POTENTIAL FROM 2016 Bedrock exposure varies from 0 to 40%. The sediment cover consists mostly of till (till MAPPING IN SOUTH RAE veneer, till blanket, hummocky till) PROVINCE, NWT intersected by NE-SW trending eskers 1 2 systems and meltwater corridors. These MARTEL*, E. , PERCIVAL, J. , 2 corridors are eroded into the landscape and PEHRSSON, S.J. , ACOSTA- 2 2 contain a mixture of glacial and glaciofluvial GÓNGORA, P. , REGIS, D. , 3 4 landforms, and bedrock exposures. The THIESSEN, E. , JAMISON, D. , NEIL, 3 1 sediment accumulation varies from 1 to 15m B. , and KNOX, B. and is less abundant in the southern part of the map area. (1) NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, A study of till composition and ice flow OTTAWA, ON reconstruction is underway to delineate and (3) SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, interpret glacial dispersal patterns. To VANCOUVER, BC investigate the U+REE signature in till, a (4) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO, small orientation survey was conducted at ON [email protected] the Hoidas Lake REE deposit in Northern Saskatchewan. Samples were taken up-ice The South Rae Province in the Northwest and down-ice from known mineralization. Territories has seen little research since it Future comparisons will be made to see if was first mapped by canoe and float plane at the U+REE mineralization signatures in till reconnaissance scale in the 1950-1960s. can be found in the same kind of geological Under the GEM2 program, the collaborative context along the continuation of the Black GSC-NTGS South Rae 1:250,000-scale Bay fault zone in the Northwest Territories. bedrock mapping project is improving The poster will present preliminary results understanding of the evolution, economic focusing on the ice flow reconstruction, till potential and role of this region in assembly composition and the spatial distribution of of the Canadian Shield. major and trace elements of the till matrix geochemistry, gold grains and selected Field work in 2016 was focused in NTS 75G and the western half of 75H and covered indicator minerals. 2 over 17,500 km of previously unmapped ground. This mapping provides insights on six new, informally-named, geophysically and isotopically defined domains, each with a distinct record of magmatic and tectono- metamorphic events and metallogenic potential. The domains have boundaries that strike roughly northeast-southwest and are described from southeast to northwest. The Firedrake domain comprises ca. 2.66 Ga felsic to intermediate orthogneiss, mafic to ultramafic rocks and rare paragneiss, all

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injected by widespread migmatitic The boundaries between the various granitoids. This domain shows evidence for domains are generally characterized by early 1.89 Ga granulite metamorphism at 8- ductile high strain and appear to be the locus 11 kbar and subsequent decompression to 4- of multiple movements. 6 kbar amphibolite conditions around 1.84 to 1.80 Ga. The McCann domain consists Preliminary mapping suggests a widely mainly of biotite +/-garnet+/-orthopyroxene distributed alkali magmatic event along the tonalite, granodiorite and granite, with Firedrake-McCann boundary where some sparse mafic-ultramafic rocks, paragneiss newly mapped syenite bodies exhibit a and iron formation enclaves, cut by ca. 2.15 similar mineralization style to that Ga Orpheous gabbro dykes. It records the responsible for Hoidas deposit (REE, U and medium pressure and high temperature Au) in northern Saskatchewan. Various Arrowsmith orogeny at ca. 2.45-2.32 Ga and young and poorly constrained (2.20-1.74 ca. 1.88 Ga metamorphism at minimum 8 Ga?) clastic sequences have been mapped kbar. The Penylan domain includes and may be correlative with the Nonacho, hornblende-clinopyroxene +/- garnet Amer and Wharton groups. The presence of anorthositic gabbro, massive to variably Proterozoic Nonacho Group sedimentary foliated monzogranite and quartz diorite rocks unconformably overlying the Porter which all yield crystallization ages between domain highlights the potential for U and 2.03-2.05 Ga. The anorthosite-gabbro Au deposits in this poorly explored area of complex is much larger than previously the NWT. mapped extending over 100 km northeast- southwest. The Howard Lake domain is SURFICIAL GEOLOGY defined by an intense magnetic low and STUDIES ACROSS THE includes distinct rocks such as andalusite- KEEWATIN ICE DIVIDE, bearing wacke, muscovite schist, biotite schist, and calc-silicate, as well as foliated to TEHERY-WAGER GEOSCIENCE gneiss granodiorite, anorthositic PROJECT AREA, NUNAVUT orthopyroxene gabbro, and granite. 1 1 Preliminary synthesis suggests the newly MCMARTIN, I. , DAY, S.J.A. , 2 2 mapped surpracrustal rocks are a RANDOUR, I. , ROY, M. , 3 continuation of the sequence that hosts the STEENKAMP*, H.M. , and WODICKA, 1 Boomerang U deposit to the north. The N. Lynx Lake domain is comprised of granodiorite to tonalite with abundant (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, enclaves of surpracrustal origin, including OTTAWA, ON (2) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC basaltic schist, plagioclase-phyric andesite, DE MONTRÉAL, MONTRÉAL, QC sillimanite-garnet-biotite paragneiss and iron (3) CANADA-NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE formation. The Porter domain consists OFFICE, IQALUIT, NU mainly of hornblende-biotite and [email protected] orthopyroxene-clinopyroxene bearing Targeted surficial geology studies as well as granodiorite with gabbroic enclaves and glacial and stream sediment sampling dykes. Broad zones of cataclastic and brittle- continued during the summer of 2016 in the ductile greenschist-facies deformation and central and western parts of the Tehery- associated chlorite-hematite-epidote Wager GEM-2 Rae Project area, mainland alteration are widespread. Nunavut. This work provided an opportunity

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to gather data on the nature, distribution, and have formed bouldery beaches, wave- patterns of surficial sediments and washed surfaces, terraces, glaciomarine landforms, chronology of potential relict deltas, and wave-cut notches in till. Below weathered terrain, and changes in ice flow the marine limit, silty sandy marine veneers trends during the last glaciation and ice and blankets are scattered in low areas; retreat phases. Till, stream sediment and bouldery beaches skirt some esker ridges or water samples were collected for fill in embayments between bedrock provenance and evaluation of mineral outcrops along the coastal areas. potential. Till samples were collected at 40 sites to The uplands south of Wager Bay and Brown provide more detail on geochemical Lake, which coincide with the Keewatin Ice anomalies identified in 2015 and along two Divide (KID) zone, are dominated by a 200 km-long transects roughly parallel to mixture of till blankets and veneers, ice-flow and across the KID to characterize bouldery till with orthogonal, giant ice- the regional glacial transport. Vertical wedge polygons, weathered bedrock, and profile samples in frost boils were collected felsenmeer. The ice divide zone itself is at two selected sites above and below the relatively narrow and characterized by either marine limit to evaluate the effects of the absence of ice-flow indicators or the marine reworking on till texture and presence of opposing ice-flow directions. geochemical composition. Stream sediment South of the divide, the predominant and water samples were collected at 67 sites, regional trend of streamlined till features predominantly from the headwaters of the indicates ice flow to the SE and ESE, Lorillard River, as well as along a transect parallel to main striation directions. Late across a Paleoproterozoic supracrustal SSE striae, parallel to a later, more SSE package with several gossanous horizons in esker trend, locally cross-cut the the western part of the study area. predominant streamlined terrain. Along the Preliminary results from the till and stream southwestern shores of Wager Bay, early surveys will be presented as they have northward and late ice flows into the bay are implications for mineral exploration. observed in the landform and striation record as far east as Masivak Creek and suggest that the KID lay in a narrow zone inland southwest of the bay and then continued into Wager Bay. A complex system of sub-glacial meltwater corridors and proglacial meltwater channels are interspersed between the streamlined, thin and thick till that extend outward from the KID. North of the KID, very few eskers are present and meltwater corridors are absent. The post-glacial limit of marine inundation increases from ~118 m asl south of Wager Bay to 140 m west of Roes Welcome Sound and stays relatively constant at 140-150 m towards Tehery Lake. At the marine limit, erosion and reworking of glacial sediments

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GEOCHEMICAL BASELINES elements that are naturally enriched in sub- AND METAL(LOID) MOBILITY arctic mineralized regions (e.g. arsenic, IN A CHANGING NORTHERN antimony, zinc) is not well established. This study examines the mobility of arsenic near CLIMATE a former gold mine in the Slave Geological Province, NWT, and the effects of Holocene MILLER*, C.B.1, PARSONS, M.B.2, 3 4 climate variation on the baseline values and JAMIESON, H.E. , GALLOWAY, J.M. , speciation of arsenic in local lake sediments. and PATTERSON, R.T.5

(1) QUEEN'S UNIVERISTY, KINGSTON, ON GEOPHYSICAL DATA (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, PROJECTS 2016-2017 HALIFAX, NS (3) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON MIRZA, A.M. (4) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, CALGARY, AB NORTHWEST TERRITORIES GEOLOGICAL (5) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON SURVEY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] [email protected] Geochemical baselines provide guidance for The Northwest Territories Geological mineral exploration and facilitate the Survey holds a large collection of industry development of remediation objectives upon and government geophysical data. New mine site closure. Presently, most high-quality geophysical data are being environmental assessments and mine site acquired by NTGS over areas for which remediation projects rely on national such data have been lacking. Industry environmental quality guidelines based on continues to submit new data to the Canada-wide average metal(loid) collection in accordance with the NWT concentrations in soils, sediments, and Mining Regulations. However, while the surface waters (e.g., Canadian Council of NTGS's online data access systems are the Ministers of the Environment Interim being upgraded, there is no single place Sediment Quality Guidelines). Within where clients can discover what exists in naturally mineralized regions, however, the this collection. Therefore, all the naturally occurring concentrations of aeromagnetic data available for the NWT metal(loid)s often exceed these national has been summarized in an ArcGIS project, baseline values. Metal(loid) concentrations which will be available by mid-November in lacustrine systems reflect local variations (NWT Open Report 2016-XX). Shapefiles in the concentration of elements in the show the footprints of all aeromagnetic environment and are influenced by many surveys in the NWT conducted by federal variables, including the underlying bedrock and territorial governments and by industry. composition, the degree of weathering, and Survey metadata include the year of biological processes. In northern regions, collection, line spacing, survey platform and accelerated climate change has also been height, and a reference to download the shown to impact the mobility of certain survey data. metal(loid)s, such as mercury, and influence lacustrine geochemical baselines in sub- The geophysical data submitted by industry arctic regions. However, the influence of in assessment reports is being checked for climate change on the mobility of other errors, and enhanced by the addition of new interpretive grids such as vertical - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 95

derivatives, analytical signal and magnetic UPPER JURASSIC-LOWER susceptibility. Industry-standard geosoft CRETACEOUS formats are used, and in addition, new and PALYNOSTRATIGRAPHY IN original grids have been converted into georeferenced tiff images for the user's THE AKLAVIK RANGE, convenience. This project is ongoing. NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

1 2 Early in 2016 NTGS conducted a high- NGUYEN*, A.V. , GALLOWAY, J.M. , 1 sensitivity aeromagnetic survey over the and BEAUCHAMP, B. Chan Lake area, approximately 110 km west of Yellowknife (NWT Open File 2016-03). (1) UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY, CALGARY, AB NTGS has performed a geophysical (2) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, interpretation (NWT Open File 2016-07) CALGARY, AB whose objective was the identification and [email protected] mapping of structures that might be related The Mackenzie Delta area of northern to mineralization as well as the definition of Canada has been a focal point for petroleum targets for future follow-up. A number of exploration since the discovery of computer-based methods were used, namely hydrocarbons in the 1950's. Understanding Keating correlation coefficients, Euler the subsurface stratigraphy and relationships deconvolution, and source parameter between various rock formations of this area imaging techniques. will contribute to accurately estimating and evaluating hydrocarbon resources. In this Two types of geophysical survey were study, we are particularly interested in carried out for the Slave Province Surficial Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous strata that Materials and Permafrost Study. The main have potential as petroleum source rocks. objective of both surveys was to detect the However, regional correlation of these top of the bedrock beneath overburden, to Mesozoic rocks using detailed aid future exploration for kimberlite. The chronostratigraphy is limited by the test area is located approximately 25 km SE undefined age of the Jurassic-Cretaceous of Lac de Gras. A capacitively-coupled boundary. The Jurassic-Cretaceous resistivity (CCR) survey was performed boundary is difficult to define for many with 5m dipole length and ground reasons; they include: i) a lack of a penetrating radar (GPR) survey was significant change in fauna and flora across performed with a 50 MHz RTA antenna. In the lower boundary of the Berriasian Stage; the area tested, the CCR data provides more ii) biogeographical provincialism of Tethyan reliable results around lakes (water) and and Boreal biota; and iii) the paucity of near-surface frozen material, whereas the index fossils, such as ammonites and GPR data does a better job of imaging bivalves, in high-latitude regions. changes in lithology, has greater depth of Palynological analyses can be used to penetration, and is more useful in areas improve biostratigraphy in these rocks as where the top of the bedrock is too deep for highly resistant palynomorphs, such as the CCR method. A combination of the two spores and pollen, are widespread and methods works best to provide greatest abundant, allowing for a relatively accurate confidence in the interpretation of reconstruction of the Boreal overburden thickness. paleoenvironment and improved

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chronostratigraphy. We use quantitative and help define the Jurassic-Cretaceous statistical palynological analyses to observe boundary. changes in the palynological signature across the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary. THE INFLUENCE OF FOREST FIRES ON METAL LOADING TO Palynological samples were collected in two NORTHERN LAKES localities in the Aklavik Range of the northern Richardson Mountains, Northwest PELLETIER*, N.1, VERMAIRE, J.C.2, Territories; this is a major area from which CHÉTELAT, J.3, PALMER, M.J.4, most of our knowledge of Jurassic-Lower PELLISEY, J.5, TRACZ, B.5, BLACK, Cretaceous geology is based. This study is J.6, and VAN DER WIELEN, S.7 primarily focused on the Husky Formation and its four members; in descending order, (1) DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND they are the Upper, Red-Weathering, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, CARLETON Arenaceous, and Lower members. The UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON Husky Formation, predominantly composed (2) DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL of dark-coloured shales and siltstones, is SCIENCES, CARLETON UNIVERSITY, thought to encompass the Jurassic- OTTAWA, ON (3) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE Cretaceous boundary at, or near, the contact CANADA, OTTAWA, ON between its Red-weathering and Arenaceous (4) CUMULATIVE IMPACT MONITORING members. This is inferred from the presence PROGRAM, GOVERNMENT OF NORTHWEST of Buchia okensis, a bivalve considered TERRITORIES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT diagnostic of the basal Cretaceous, within (5) WEK’ÈEZHÌI RENEWABLE RESOURCES BOARD, YELLOWKNIFE, NT the first few meters above the contact (6) YELLOWKNIVES DENE FIRST NATION, between the Red-weathering and YELLOWKNIFE, NT Arenaceous members. (7) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT This research project aims to provide insight [email protected] on the paleoenvironments represented by In recent years, intense and extended Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous strata in wildfires affected the North Slave Region high-latitude regions by using quantitative and the impacts to water quality of and statistical analyses of surrounding freshwater systems are unclear. palynoassemblages, create new knowledge Wildfires may remobilize heavy metals on terrestrial paleoecology and its dynamics previously accumulated in plant biomass in high-latitude Jurassic-Cretaceous and in soils, and deposit a portion of these ecosystems, and improve regional metals in freshwater systems. correlation of Mesozoic strata in the Remobilisation can occur via the Mackenzie Delta area. In support of the volatilisation of mercury to gaseous form or Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals the transport of metals by ash fall, or on a (GEM) Mackenzie Project, the research is longer time scale by increasing the drainage expected to expand on the stratigraphic and of metals from catchments. depositional history of northern Canada, and the tectonic evolution of Mesozoic source In the summer of 2016, lake sediment cores rocks. This work will also be in support of were collected from 10 lakes in the North the International Commission of Slave region along a gradient of recent Stratigraphy – Berriasian Working Group to wildfire exposure to evaluate the co-

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variability of charcoal deposition (a proxy THE EFFECTS OF for historical wildfire events) and metal MINERALOGICAL loading over the last few centuries. Eight COMPOSITION AND TEXTURE peat cores were also collected near the sample lakes, which provide a purely ON INDUCED POLARIZATION atmospheric signal of metal deposition from (IP) EFFECTS IN GOLD- forest fires. Preliminary results indicate BEARING ROCKS FROM THE increased charcoal in the upper portions of a HERBERT-BRENT GOLD sediment core, suggesting greater wildfire SHOWING, YELLOWKNIFE activity in recent times compared to the GREENSTONE BELT historical record. Radioisotope dating and metal analyses of the sediment records are RICHARDSON, M.W., BUTLER, K., currently underway. and LENTZ*, D.R.

Measurements of total mercury and other DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES, metal concentrations in the sediment cores, UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, along with the charcoal history will allow us FREDERICTON, NB to evaluate if forest fires have been a [email protected] significant source of metal loading to lakes In June 2015, geological mapping in the North Slave region. We will also discovered significant concentrations of gold examine the influence of wildfire on lake in Hebert-Brent (HB) situated within an 11 mercury deposition in relation to distance m-wide highly sulphidized sericite-ankerite from the fire and compare the relative schist shear zone, hosted in a 10-15 m-wide, impact of direct deposition versus quartz-feldspar porphyry. On July 29th, subsequent catchment erosion on mercury 2016, two 400 m long IP/resistivity survey deposition following a fire. This research lines, with 5/10 m electrode spacing using a will provide important new insights into the multi gradient array, were completed over role of wildfire on metal accumulation in TerraX Minerals Inc. HB gold showing. The northern lakes, information that is essential HB gold showing is located within the for the adaptation of northern communities Barney Deformation Corridor of the to global climate change. Yellowknife Greenstone Belt (YGB), Northwest Territories. Thirty-three samples were collected from all the mineralized and non-mineralized rock types from across the main mineralized gold zone at 0.45 m increments using a rock saw.

The methodology for determining the resistivity and chargeability values for each sample will involve use of a two-electrode lab apparatus capable of measuring voltage drops produced by applying small, controlled currents across samples with constant cross-sectional area. The apparatus will measure:

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1) IP effect in the frequency domain, by PORPHYRY OR measuring resistivity as a function of PYROCLASTIC? A frequency; and PETROGRAPHIC COMPARISON 2) IP effect in in the time domain, by determining chargeability from the OF LITHOLOGIES FROM THE voltage decay that follows a step HEBERT-BRENT SHOWING IN change in current across each THE YELLOWKNIFE sample. GREENSTONE BELT, NWT In addition, reflected light petrography and microXRF EDS mapping will be used for SPEIGHT, S.C., LENTZ*, D.R., and point analysis of polished thin sections in MCFARLANE, C.R.M. order to identify: DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES, 1) All various mineral phases and their UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, textural variations FREDERICTON, NB 2) Any significant non-sulphide IP [email protected] sources The Yellowknife Greenstone Belt (YGB) is 3) The dependence of IP effects on located within the western part of the sulphide type, concentration, texture, Archean Slave craton, Northwest Territories, grain shape and grain size Canada. This study is focused on the local geology of the Hebert-Brent gold showing, The results of the resistivity and which is part of the Barney Deformation chargeability analyses will be used to assist Corridor. The showing consists of with interpretation of the IP/resistivity replacement-style gold mineralization pseudo-sections and to define lithological hosted in massive to pillowed, bleached and mineralized units associated with the mafic volcanic flows that are intruded by HB gold mineralization. variably altered feldspar-quartz and quartz- feldspar porphyries. Due to the complicated The main goal of this study is to define and metamorphic and deformation history of the compare the chargeability and resistivity YGB, questions remain as to the origin of signatures of gold mineralized, non- these units. To shed some light on these mineralized sulphide-bearing zones and non- porphyries, eight drill core samples were sulphide bearing zones. This will help examined petrographically. determine the viability of using induced polarization and resistivity as an exploration Transmitted and reflected light petrography method for HB style gold mineralization in was used in conjunction with micro-X-Ray the YGB. Fluorescence to characterize the overall mineralogy, alteration and textural variations of each thin section. The original description of the eight porphyry samples had seven identified as feldspar-quartz porphyries and one as a quartz-feldspar porphyry. The overall mineralogy consists of phenocrysts of quartz, minor relict amphibole and sericitized twinned plagioclase set in a crypto- to

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microcrystalline groundmass of muscovite, MICRON TO MINE: quartz, calcite, pyrite, and Ti-oxides; SYNCHROTRON SCIENCE FOR samples are variably mineralized with MINERAL EXPLORATION, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. The samples were all evaluated for possible PRODUCTION, AND plutonic or pyroclastic textures to indicate REMEDIATION the origin of the porphyries. 1 1 Recrystallization textures were most often VAN LOON*, L.L. , FLYNN, T. , LU, 2 2 2 observed, including muscovite L. , BAJWA, C. , and BANERJEE, N.R. pseudomorphed after prismatic feldspar, quartz subgrain development along quartz (1) CANADIAN LIGHT SOURCE, SASKATOON, grain boundaries, and quartz with undulose SK (2) WESTERN UNIVERSITY, LONDON, ON extinction. Variably sized (fine to coarse) [email protected] spherical and amoeboid-shaped quartz grains, typically with embayed and Synchrotron science for mineral exploration, scalloped margins, were found in most production, and remediation studies is a samples, as well as broken/dislocated quartz novel niche presently under-utilized. grains. It is possible that these textures Synchrotron light for micron-scale analysis represent fragmentation of the quartz grains is a powerful tool that provides industry due to changes in pressure; gases that with relevant geochemical information. became trapped during one level of Synchrotron micro X-ray fluorescence (SR- emplacement may have burst during a µXRF) offers a direct, high-resolution, decompression event. Of particular interest rapid, and cost-effective chemical analysis were the spherulites observed in one while preserving the context of the sample feldspar-quartz porphyry sample, a by mapping ore minerals with ppm detection devitrification texture that is indicative of a limits. Speciation of trace and deleterious volcanic rather than plutonic origin. The elements can then be probed using X-ray microanalytical techniques and textural absorption near-edge structure (XANES) observations will hopefully clarify the spectroscopy. discussion regarding the various porphyries at the Hebert-Brent showing. The focus of Large-scale (tens of cm) µXRF mapping and this study was mineral and textural XANES analysis of samples collected at identification, although limited at this stage various locations in the Yellowknife due to the microcrystalline nature of the Greenstone Belt from the Geological Survey groundmass/matrix. Future work will be of Canada Yellowknife EXTECH collection, aimed at identifying growth patterns in including the historic Con and Giant mines, quartz phenocrysts and the identification of has been undertaken to address questions very fine-grained silicates, sulfides and regarding mineralization history to develop oxides that were observed. novel trace element exploration vectors. This information provides integral insights into trace element associations with ore minerals, local redox conditions responsible for mineralization, and mineralizing mechanisms.

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Gold is commonly intimately associated with sulphide mineralization (e.g., pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, etc.) and is present both as inclusions and filling fractures in sulphide grains. Gold may also occur as nanoparticles and/or in the sulphide mineral crystal lattice, known as “invisible gold”. Understanding the nature and distribution of invisible gold in ore is integral to processing efficiency. Lattice bound refractory gold cannot be liberated by conventional cyanide and carbon absorption processes, and can exist in concentrations up to the weight percent level in arsenian pyrites. The high flux and energy of a synchrotron light source allows for the detection of invisible gold by µXRF, and can probe its nature (metallic Au0 vs. lattice bound Au1+) using XANES spectroscopy.

The long-term containment and management of arsenic is necessary to protect the health of both humans and the environment. Understanding the relationship of arsenic mineralization to gold deposits in the YGB can lead to more sophisticated planning for mineral processing and the eventual storage of gangue materials. µXANES spectroscopy is an excellent tool for determining arsenic speciation within the context of the sample. Mineral phases such as arsenopyrite, scorodite, and arsenic trioxide can be accurately identified as well as relative amounts determined. With this information the oxidation-reduction of arsenic-bearing compounds can be monitored to optimize management practices for the long-term capture of arsenic contaminants.

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Index * Search by authors last name

CHIN, K.S. · 85 A CHORLTON, L.B. · 86 CHOUINARD, R. · 12 ACOSTA-GÓNGORA, P. · 92 CLIFFE-PHILLIPS, M.A. · 12 ADAMCZEWSK, J.Z. · 77 COCHAND, M. · 47 AMYOT, M. · 10 CONNELLY, D. · 13 ANABLAKS, S. · 19 COREY, L. · 77 APPLEJOHN, A. · 64 CORMIER, Y. · 13 ARMSTRONG, K.A. · 1 COTT, P. · 10 AUDET, P. · 83 COULTON, D. · 14, 75 COX, D. · 14 COX, T. · 15 B CREASON, C.G. · 32 CROFT, B. · 77 BAILEY, A.S. · 82 BAJWA, C. · 2, 100 BANERJEE, N.R. · 2, 100 D BARKER, J.F. · 64 BARTH, J.A.C. · 47 DAGENAIS, S. · 47 BASSO, S. · 30 DANOCZI, J. · 16 BEAUCHAMP, B. · 96 DAVIES, A.W. · 16, 83 BECK, D. · 3 DAVIES, R. · 16, 83 BERTELSEN, C.B. · 3 DAWE, K. · 14 BEZZOLA, M. · 3 DAY, S.J.A. · 93 BIRLEA, M.B. · 4 DE GRANDPRÉ, I. · 17 BLACK, J. · 10, 97 DE JONG, P. · 24 BLACKLOCK, S. · 5 DEBASTIEN, L. · 12 BOULANGER, J. · 77 DIXON, P. · 12 BROWN, N. · 29 DONIHEE, J. · 19 BURKE, J. · 6 DOUBROVINA, G. · 34 BUTLER, K. · 98 DUXBURY, P. · 19 BYRON, M. · 76 DYKE, A.S. · 8, 91

C E

CAIRNS, S. · 6, 58, 83 ELLIOTT, B. · 6, 9, 20, 83, 88 CAMERON, K. · 24 ESTEVE, C. · 83 CAMPBELL, J.E. · 8, 91 EVALIK, C. · 19 CAMPBELL, J. · 2 EVANS, M. · 10 CARPENTER, R. · 2 CAYER, E. M. · 9 CHÉTELAT, J. · 10, 53, 97 - TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2016 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 102

F HOEVE, E. · 89 HRKAC, C. · 3 FALCK, H. · 6, 21, 28, 49, 55, 56, 83 HUTCHINSON, S. · 55 FEDORTCHOUK, Y. · 46 HUTCHISON, M. · 34 FEQUET, R. · 12 FERRI, F. · 34 I FIESS, K.M. · 22, 23, 34, 61, 72, 80 FISCHER, B.J. · 21, 84 IELPI, A. · 32 FITZGERALD, J. · 24 FLOWER, A.F. · 84 FLYNN, T. · 2, 100 J FOOTBALL, A. · 77 FORTIER, D. · 17 JACOBSEN, P. · 33 FORTIER, R. · 47 JAMIESON, H.E. · 65 FORTIN, J. · 47 JAMIESON, H.E. · 51, 53, 65, 95 FRASER, R.H. · 38 JAMISON, D. · 92 FRASER, T.L. · 34 JANZEN, R.J.D. · 88 FULFORD, J. · 24 JOHNSON, M. · 34 FULOP, A. · 46 JOHNSON, J. · 34

G K

GALLOWAY, J.M. · 25, 28, 49, 53, 55, 95, 96 KANIGAN, J. · 24, 35 GARNER, C.S. · 85 KARRAS, A. · 14 GEBRU, A.L. · 26 KARUNARATNE, K.C. · 29, 89 GIBSON, H.D. · 74 KELLEY, S.E. · 88 GILBERT, C. · 30 KENDRICK, J. · 71 GINGRAS, M.K. · 27, 31, 90 KENNEDY, L. · 56 GOAD, R. · 27 KETCHUM, J.W.F. · 35, 36 GODIN, E. · 17 KIRKHAM, G. · 21 GORDON, S. · 2 KNOTSCH, C. · 37 GREENMAN, J.W. · 32 KNOX, B. · 37, 92 GREGORY, B.R.B. · 28, 49, 55 KOKELJ, S.V. · 29, 38, 79, 89 GRUBER, S. · 29, 89 KOUHI, D.W. · 39 GUNN, A. · 77 KURYLYK, B.L. · 40

H L

HAIBLEN, A.M. · 8 LAGRANGE, M. · 90 HAM, L.J. · 30 LANTZ, T.C. · 38 HAMILTON, G.J. · 31 LAUZON, G. · 8, 91 HANLEY, J. · 6 LEBLANC, S.G. · 77 HANNA, B. · 64 LEMIEUX, J.M. · 47 HARRISON, J.C. · 86, 87 LENNIE, J.L. · 40 HAYASHI, M. · 40 LENTZ, D.R. · 26, 98, 99 HAYES, M. · 34 LOTIMER, A.R. · 64 HEPPELLE, B. · 24 LU, L. · 2, 100 HERBERS, D.H. · 31, 90 HICKEY, K. · 56

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M P

MACDONALD, G. · 41 PAILLE, J. · 19 MACDONALD, S. · 41 PALMER, M.J. · 51, 53, 65, 89, 97 MACKENZIE, G. · 81 PAQUETTE, M. · 17 MACUMBER, A.L. · 28, 49, 55 PARHIZKAR, M. · 47 MAITLAND, K. · 51 PARKER, D.J. · 54 MARSHALL, B.M. · 42 PARSONS, M.B. · 95 MARTEL, E. · 21, 56, 92 PATTERSON, R.S. · 62 MARTIN, J.P. · 43 PATTERSON, R.T. · 25, 28, 49, 55, 62, 95 MARTIN, A.J. · 65 PEARSON, D.G. · 58 MCFARLANE, C.R.M. · 99 PEHRSSON, S.J. · 74, 91, 92 MCKENZIE, J.M. · 40, 44 PELLETIER, N. · 97 MCKILLOP, R.J. · 65 PELLISEY, J. · 97 MCKILLOP, R.M. · 45 PENNER, B. · 56 MCLEOD, W. · 13 PERCIVAL, J. · 92 MCMARTIN, I. · 93 PIRAUX, O. · 13 MCNAUGHTON, C.S. · 54 PISARIC, M.F.J. · 43, 85 MELCHIN, M. · 84 PLATO, N.A. · 57 MENARD, E. · 55 PLAUTZ, A. · 12 MILAKOVIC, B. · 77 POITRAS, S.P. · 58 MILLER, C.B. · 95 POWELL, L. · 6 MILLER, P.E. · 51 POWER, M.A. · 59, 60 MILLIGAN, R. · 46 PRIESTLEY, G.K. · 61 MIRZA, A.M. · 95 MOLSON, J.W. · 47 Q MORSE, P.D. · 48, 89 MUIR, D. · 10 QUINTON, W.L. · 40 MURRAY-BERGQUIST, L. · 83

R N RABESCA, M.L. · 33 NASSER, N.A. · 28, 49, 55 RAINBIRD, R.H. · 32 NASSICHUK, B. · 80 RANDOUR, I. · 93 NEIL, B. · 92 REGIS, D. · 74, 92 NEUDORF, R. · 50 RETTIE, J. · 75 NGUYEN, A.V. · 96 RICHARDSON, M. · 10, 53 NIKIFORUK, C.F. · 51 RICHARDSON, M.W. · 98 NORMANDEAU, P.X. · 46, 88 RIDDICK, J. · 29 NORTHEY, S. · 19 ROCHELEAU, J. · 34, 61, 72 ROCK, C. · 77 O RODRIGUEZ MADRID, A.L. · 59 ROE, H.M. · 55, 62 O'KEEFE, H. · 77 ROSS, M. · 88 OLIVER, J.T. · 51 ROY, L.P. · 45 OOTES, L. · 6 ROY, M. · 93 ORMSBY, T.O. · 52 ROYLE, M.D.R. · 63 OUELLET, M. · 47 RUDOLPH, D.L. · 64

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S V

SACCO, D.A. · 45, 65 VAN DEN BERGHE, M. · 53 SCHAEFFER, A. · 83 VAN DER SLUIJS, J. · 38 SCHUH, C. E. · 65 VAN DER WIELEN, S. · 77, 97 SEIP, L.P. · 67 VAN GELDERN, R. · 47 SENKOW, M.D. · 67 VAN LOON, L.L. · 2, 100 SETTERFIELD, T. · 2 VERMAIRE, J. · 62, 97 SEXTON, A. · 2, 28, 68 VIRGL, J. · 14, 75 SHARAM, G. · 77 VIVIAN, G. · 3, 59 SLACK, T. · 69 VOSS, C.I. · 40, 44 SLIGER, M. · 17 SMITH, I.R. · 70 W SMITH, S.L. · 89 SNORTLAND PELLISSEY, J. · 77 WAYCHISON, W. · 76 SNYDER, D. · 83 WELLER, O.M. · 71 SPARKS, G.A. · 54 WELLS, C. · 57 SPEAKMAN, J.E. · 85 WENJUN, C. · 77 SPEIGHT, S.C. · 99 WHITE, D. · 14 STACHEL, T. · 58 WHELER, B.A. · 78 STEENKAMP, H.M. · 30, 71, 93 WHITE, H.P. · 77 STEVENS, J. · 19 WIEBE, H. · 78 STRAND, P.D. · 71 WINTERBURN, P. A. · 9 STUBBS, T.E. · 72 WODICKA, N. · 71, 93 WOLFE, S.A. · 62, 79, 89 T WOO, G. · 80 WUST, R.A.J. · 80 TERLAKY, V. · 72 THERRIEN, R. · 47 THIESSEN, E.J. · 74 X THIESSEN, E. · 92 THOMAS, R. · 75 XUE, GX. · 81 TIAMPO, K.F. · 39 TRACZ, B. · 77, 97 Z TRAINOR, P.G. · 62 TREMBLAY, T. · 30 ZHANG, S. · 30 ZOE, H. · 81

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