2018 Yellowknife Geoscience Forum

Abstract and Summary Volume Cover photograph

Carcajou River, NWT; Viktor Terlaky, Senior Petroleum Geologist at the Northwest Territories Geological Survey

The picture was taken following a rainstorm along Carcajou River, NWT, which resulted in a spectacular rainbow across the river valley. In the background are outcrops of the Late Devonian Imperial Formation, interpreted to be submarine turbidite deposits. The light bands are sandstone bodies intercalated with the darker shale intervals, representing periodic activity in sedimentation.

Compiled by D. Irwin, S.D. Gervais, and V. Terlaky Recommended Citation: Irwin, D., Gervais, S.D., and Terlaky, V. (compilers), 2018. 46th Annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum Abstracts; Northwest Territories Geological Survey, Yellowknife, NT. YKGSF Abstracts Volume 2018.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES I Contents ordered by first author (presenting author in bold) Abstracts – Oral Presentations

IBAs – to Regulate or Not: What is the Rest of Canada Doing? Abouchar, J...... 1

Seabridge Discovers New Gold Zones at Courageous Lake Adam, M.A...... 1

Gold Mineralisation at the Fat Deposit, Courageous Lake, Northwest Territories Adam, M.A...... 2

Northwest Territories Surface Rights Board Azzolini, L.A., Wright, E., Vedic, M., Bayah, D., McCrea, I., and Christen, V...... 3

Liquefied Natural Gas for Powering Northern Communities and Industry Balaski, T...... 4

Archean and Proterozoic Age Distributions in Detrital Zircons Recovered from Pleistocene Esker Systems in the Acasta Gneiss Complex, NWT Bilak, G., Reyes, A., Reimink, J., Chacko, T., DuFrane, S.A., Niemetz, K., and Belosevic, M...... 5

2018 Introduction to Prospecting Courses Blain, J., Powell, L., and Jones, H...... 5

Long-Term Monitoring Finds No Effect of an Arctic Mine on Migratory Birds Bol, L., Curran, O., Ainsworth, L., Buchan, A., and Sharam, G...... 6

Socio-Economic Development: Applying the Gender Lens Brenton, K...... 7

Clustering Based Anomaly Detection for Exploration Geochemistry Cabral Pinto, F.A., Prades Koscina, C.F., Falck, H., and Deutsch, C.V...... 7

Gem-2 Glacial Synthesis Project: Highlights of 2018 Field Activities in the Healey Lake Area, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Campbell, J.E., Normandeau, P.X., Godbout, P-M., and McMartin, I...... 8

Comparing the Measurements of Airborne Particulate Matter around a Mine and an Ambient Site Within the Bathurst Caribou Summer Range Chen, W.J., Leblanc, S.G., White, H.P., Croft, B., Patenaude, A., Clark, K., Pellissey, J.S., Meinert, L., Hum, J., Gunn, A., and Boulanger, J...... 9

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES II Remobilization of Legacy Arsenic from Contaminated Sediment in Yellowknife Bay Chételat, J., Lines, W., Palmer, M.J., Pelletier, N., Amyot, M., Harris, R., Jamieson, H.E., and Vermaire, J.C...... 9

Update on the Exploration Program at Pine Point Clemmer, S.G., King, M., Lesnikov, K., and Adair, R...... 10

Enhancing the Environmental Impact Assessment Process – an Update from The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board Cliffe-Phillips, M.A. and Wheler, B...... 11

Mining Matters Indigenous Communities Education and Outreach Programs Clinton, L.A. and Paddley, M., Findley, A...... 11

Advancing Social Licence in a Complex Environment: Yellowknife City Gold Project Connelly, D.M...... 12

Increasingly Social License to Operate Requires Projects to Avoid Carbon Based Energy Connelly, D.M...... 12

The Utility of Clinopyroxene in Diamond Exploration Creighton, S. and Hunt, L...... 13

The University of Regina Geothurmal Project in Saskatchewan Dale, J.E., Brunskill, B., and Vigrass, L...... 14

Stream Sediment Geochemistry and Heavy Minerals, Southern Mackenzie, NT Day, S.J.A., Smith, I.R., Paulen, R.C., and King, R.D...... 15

Co-Management and Crown Consultation – Where Have We Gotten To? Donihee, J...... 16

Hybrid Energy Systems: Delivering Reliable Heat and Power in Remote Locations Dusseault, M.B.D., Mahbaz, S.B.M., Fraser, R.A.F., and Dehghani-sanij, A.D.S...... 16

Update on the Slave Province Geophysical, Surficial Materials and Permafrost Study Update – Revitalizing Mineral Exploration and Facilitating Sustainable Development in a Key Economic Region Elliott, B...... 17

Cantung Tungsten Mineralization: Long and Short Range Signature in Pelitic Rocks Elongo, V., Legros, H., Lecumberri-Sanchez, P., Falck, H., and Adlakha, E...... 17

Hydrothermal Regime of Stream Channels – Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands and Anderson Plain Ensom, T.P., Kokelj, S.V., and Marsh, P...... 18

NWT Mineral Exploration and Mining Overview 2018 Falck, H., Cairns, S., Elliott, B., and Powell, L...... 19

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES III Estimating the Cost of Closure and Reclamation: Guidelines for Mines in the Mackenzie Valley Fequet, R. and Ewaschuk, P...... 20

Conventional Resource Gas Mapping Project Fiess, K.M...... 20

2018-19 Activity Update – Petroleum Geosciences Group Fiess, K.M...... 21

Geothermal Energy Potential in Yukon: Results of Recent Studies by Yukon Geological Survey Fraser, T.A., Relf, C., Colpron, M., Witter, J.B., and Grasby, S.E...... 22

Update on Recent and Planned Activities of the Office of the Regulator of Oil and Gas Operations (OROGO) Fulford, J., de Jong, P., Heppelle, B., and Cameron, K...... 23

Energy Resilience and Independence for Canada's North Fung, E., Seguin, N., Abbatiello, L., and Rivard, P...... 23

Organic Matter Control on the Distribution of Arsenic in Lake Sediments Impacted by ~65 Years of Gold Ore Processing in Subarctic Canada Galloway, J.M., Swindles, G.T., Jamieson, H.E., Palmer, M.J., Parsons, M.B., Sanei, H., Macumber, A.L., Patterson, R.T., and Falck, H...... 24

Geothermal Energy Potential of Northwest Territories Grasby, S.E. and Majorowicz, J...... 25

The Thermochemical Conditions of the Diavik Lower Crust: A Kimberlite-Hosted Xenolith Study Gruber, B.H., Chacko, T., and Pearson, D.G...... 25

Phase Change and Water Movement in Shallow Permafrost Inferred from Borehole Observations of Liquid Water Content and Temperature near Yellowknife, Canada Gruber, S...... 26

The Mine We Want to See – a Perspective on Sustainable Mining in Canada's North Gustavson, K. and Rempel, J...... 27

Diavik Diamond Mine Update Haley, W...... 27

Activities of the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office 2018 Ham, L.J., Zhang, S., Basso, S., Gilbert, C., Steenkamp, H.M., and Tremblay, T...... 28

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES IV Northwest Territories Environmental Studies Research Fund: Funding Research in the NWT Related to the Petroleum Industry Hansen, K.F...... 29

A Sequence Stratigraphic Framework Based on High-Resolution Chemostratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Hare Indian Formation, Central Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories Harris, B.S., LaGrange Rao, M.T., Terlaky, V., Fiess, K.M., and Gingras, M.K...... 30

Enbridge Line 21 Segment Replacement Project Hestvik, P.H...... 30

Update on the Bioengineering Techniques for Revegetation of Riparian Areas at the Colomac Mine, NT: Seven Years Later Hewitt, M. and Richardson, A...... 31

Results of the Tundra Mine, NT Revegetation Trial Using Locally Harvested Pioneer Species Instead of Grass Seed and Fertilizer Hewitt, M., Stevens, K., Mediouni, S., Bannister, J., and Somers, M...... 31

Hydrothermal and Metamorphic Fluid-Rock Interactions Associated with Direct Shipping Iron Ore in the Mary River Group, North Baffin Island Hey, J., Iannelli, T.R., Duke, N.A., and Moser, D...... 32

Economic Factors and Their Implications for the Development of a Commercially Viable Geothermal Project Hickson, C...... 33

Osisko Metals – Exploring Two Significant Base Metal Camps Hussey, J...... 34

High-Grade Iron Ore Deposits at Mary River North Baffin Island, Nunavut Iannelli, T. and Hey, J...... 34

The Fury and Hecla Geoscience Project: Overview of the 2018 Regional Bedrock Mapping and Thematic Research Ielpi, A., Steenkamp, H.M., Halverson, G.P., Tinkham, D.K., Patzke, M., Greenman, J.W., Bovingdon, P., Dufour, F., and Généreux, C-A...... 35

Direct Discovery of Concealed Kimberlites with Microbial Community Fingerprinting Iulianella Phillips, B.P., Simister, R.L., Cayer, E.M., Winterburn, P.A., and Crowe, S.A...... 36

Arsenic from Legacy Roaster Emissions in Soils in the Yellowknife Area Jamieson, H.E., Oliver, J.T., Maitland, K.M., and Palmer, M.J...... 36

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES V The Northwest Territories “Line of Delimitation” a Product of Devolution – Designed Use vs. Interpreted Uses Johnston, S.K...... 37

Compilation of Northwest Territories Permafrost Data Karunaratne, K.C., Kokelj, S.V., and Ensom, T.P...... 38

Emerging Technologies and Future Commodities Kashyap, T...... 39

Northwest Territories Geological Survey Overview for 2018 Ketchum, J.W.F...... 39

Waste Rock Management at Pine Point Kingston, S., King, M., Dudley, J., and Hussey, J...... 40

Marian Watershed Stewardship Program Knapton-Pain, T.K.P. and Birlea, M.B...... 41

New Public Release of 1:50,000 Scale Surficial Mapping and a Deglaciation History of the Southern Slave Geological Province: A Major Data Donation Knight, J. and Normandeau, P.X...... 41

Bedrock Mapping in the Jolly Lake Area: A New Look at the >3.0 Ga Basement Granites and Their Relationships to the Central Slave Cover Group and the Northern-Most Beaulieu River Volcanic Belt Knox, B., Stone, S.D., Cairns, S.R., and Canam, R...... 43

Permafrost and Terrain Research for the Dempster and Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway Infrastructure Corridors Kokelj, S.V., Connon, R., Ensom, T., Fraser, R.H., Lantz, T.C., Morse, P., Rudy, A., van der Sluijs, J., and Woodley, W...... 44

Top 5 Developments in Indigenous, Environmental and Regulatory Law in the Northwest Territories in 2018 Kruger, T...... 45

Trusting the Land Again: Combining Western Science and Traditional Knowledge to Understand Lakes in the Area of the Former Rayrock Uranium Mine, NT Lafferty, G., Breadmore, R., and Richardson, A...... 45

Applying Chemostratigraphic Data to Establish a Sequence Stratigraphic Framework: An Example from the Devonian Canol Formation LaGrange Rao, M.T., Harris, B.S., Fiess, K.M., Terlaky, V., and Gingras, M.K...... 46

Twenty Years at the Ekati Diamond Mine: Corporate Social Responsibility in Action Lee, C. and Worsley-Brown, L...... 47

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES VI Application of Diurnal Phase Lag Analysis to Calculating Thermal Diffusivity Series and Early and Late Winter N-Factors MacDonald, S...... 48

2018 Kimberlite Discoveries at the Loki (Lac de Gras, NT) and Mel (Melville Peninsula, Nu) Diamond Projects MacMorran, M...... 49

The Transformation of De Beers Canada Madsen, E. and Truter, K...... 49

Sustainable Development for Northern Canada Based on Enhanced and Integrated Geothermal Systems Mahbaz, S.B.M., Dehghani-Sanij, A.D.S., and Dusseault, M.B.D...... 50

Sedimentology and Stratigraphy of the Husky Creek Formation, Nunavut, Canada Meek, R., Rainbird, R., and Ielpi, A...... 50

Large Scale Industry Collaboration to Evaluate the Status of Grizzly Bear Populations in the Slave Geological Province Milakovic, B., O'Keefe, H., Sinclair, S., Ainsworth, L., Zhao, J., Rock, C., and Sharam, G...... 51

Sustainably Advancing Resource Development Projects in Canada Miller, E.F...... 52

Arsenic Mobility in Lake Sediments during Late-Holocene Climate Warming: Implications for Geochemical Baselines and Contaminant Stability in a Changing Northern Climate Miller, C.B., Parsons, M.B., Jamieson, H.E., Galloway, J.M., and Patterson, R.T...... 54

Cobalt from the DRC: Potentials, Risks and Significance for the Global Markets and the Potential of an Increase in Canadian Cobalt Production Naeher, U. and Vetter, S...... 55

Preliminary Results of Reconnaissance-Scale Bedrock Mapping and U-Pb Geochronology in the Nonacho Lake Area (NTS 75F), South Rae Craton, Northwest Territories Neil, B., Martel, E., Heaman, L., Falck, H., Fischer, B., Chacko, T., and Canam, R...... 55

Transportation Corridors and Access to Resources in the Northwest Territories Neudorf, R. and Strand, P...... 56

Sparking the Interest of Young Northern Women for Northern Careers in Geology, Engineering and Mining Nokleby, K.J...... 57

Geochemical and Sm/Nd Isotopic Characterization of Post-Tectonic Granitoids of Boothia Peninsula, Nu: Implications for the Extent of the Hudson Granites Osinchuk, A., Regis, D., Sanborn-Barrie, M., Chacko, T., and Heaman, L.M...... 57

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES VII Inventory of Donated Historical Northwest Territories Exploration and Mining Records Palmer, E. and Cairns, S...... 58

The Mobility of Arsenic in the Watershed of a Small Subarctic Lake Impacted by Mining Pollution: What Does This Mean for the Long-Term Fate of Arsenic in the Yellowknife Area? Palmer, M.J., Lines, W., Chételat, J., Richardson, M., Jamieson, H.E., Spence, C., and Connon, R...... 59

Bridging the Gap Through Care and Collaboration: Before Closure and after Production Peters, M.H. and Henderson, J...... 60

Land Use Planning in Wek’èezhìi: An Update Phillpot, D. and Nevitt, Z...... 61

The Geothermal Potential of Remote Regions: A Case Study of Anticosti Island, Québec (Canada) Raymond, J., Gascuel, V., Bédard, K., Comeau, F-A., and Malo, M...... 62

Tracing the Formation and Abundance of Superdeep Diamonds Regier, M.E., Pearson, D.G., Stachel, T., Stern, R.A., and Harris, J...... 63

New Age Constraints on Crust Formation, Provenance and Timing of Sedimentation, Boothia Peninsula-Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada Regis, D. and Sanborn-Barrie, M...... 64

Ramping Up from Construction to Operations: Lessons Learned at Gahcho Kué Diamond Mine Rodel, A...... 65

Orphan and Elusive Glacial Dispersal Trains from Kimberlites in the Lac de Gras Area Ross, M., Kelley, S.E., Janzen, R., Stirling, R.A., Normandeau, P.X., and Elliott, B...... 65

Re-Thinking Diamond Exploration Tactics in the Slave Province: A Surficial Geology Perspective Sacco, D.A., White, D., and McKillop, R...... 66

Structural Setting of the Cantung W-Cu-Au Deposit: An Interaction Between Regional Deformation and Pluton Emplacement Salmabadi, E., Hickey, K.A., and Falck, H...... 67

A Different Approach Interpreting the Geological Structures Controlling Gold at the Cabin Lake Project, NWT, Canada Sanabria, R...... 68

Fortune Minerals Limited Nico Project Update Schryer, R., Goad, R., and Koropchuk, G...... 69

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES VIII Controls on the Spatial Distribution of Arsenic Concentration and Solid-Phase Speciation in Long Lake Sediments Schuh, C.E., Jamieson, H.E., Palmer, M.J., Martin, A.J., and Blais, J.M...... 70

Nunavut Mineral Exploration & Mining Overview 2018 Senkow, M...... 71

Terrax Minerals Inc. - Yellowknife City Gold Project - Update On Drilling Sexton, A., Hebert, E., McAllister, B., Studd, D., Findley, A., Overholt, C., Hyden, D., MacKay, D., Stokes, I., Chadwick, T., Bachinski, R., Gabriel, D., Wallace, S., Richardson, M., Shilson, J., Jordan, G., Harris, J., and Campbell, S...... 72

Passive Monitoring for Wildlife: Lessons Learned from 10 Years of Camera Monitoring Sharam, G., Bol, L., and Milakovic, B...... 73

Metal Earth Project: Progress to Date Sherlock, R.L...... 73

Contaminant Exposure History of Yellowknife Bay Fish from Otolith Microchemistry Analysis Sibbald, C. and Palace, V...... 74

Short Hold Time Parameters Simpson, L., Sinclair, S., and Loescher, B...... 74

The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan Sinclair, R.G...... 75

Key Aquatic Primary Producers Track the Impacts of Metal Pollution and Local Land-Use Changes in Climatically Sensitive Subarctic Lakes around the City of Yellowknife Sivarajah, B., Perrett, M., Stewart, E.M., Korosi, J.B., Cheney, C.L., Thienpont, J.R., Kimpe, L.E., Blais, J.M., and Smol, J.P...... 75

New Insights into Barren and Au-Mineralized Intrusions Using Whole Rock and Trace Element Geochemistry from the Yellowknife Greenstone Belt, NWT Speight, S.C., Lentz, D.R., and McFarlane, C.R.M...... 76

Hydrothermal Fluid Sources and Pathways in a World Class Mississippi Valley-Type Lead- Zinc District: Pine Point Steele-Macnnis, M., Szmihelsky, M., Clemmer, S., Falck, H., and Adair, R...... 77

Boots on the Ground – Caribou Monitoring Steinwand, T., Jacobsen, P., and Judas, J...... 77

Remediation Approaches at KwetįĮɁaà (Rayrock) Mine Steinwand, T., Kuntz, J., and Judas, J...... 78

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES IX T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Consultation and Engagement Guidelines Steinwand-Deschambeault, T., Mackenzie, G., Nevitt, Z., and Gibson, G...... 78

Crossing Great Slave Lake - Examining the Potential for Submarine Cables and HVDC Technology Stewart, A...... 79

Surface and Subsurface Till Characteristics in a Drumlin Field South of Lac de Gras, NT; Implications for Drift Prospecting Stirling, R.A., Kelley, S.E., Ross, M., Elliott, B., and Normandeau, P.X...... 80

Update on the Proposal for a Northwest Territories Mineral Resources Act Strand, P. and Faryna, L...... 80

The Application of Paleolimnological Methods and Geochemical Normalization to Establish Baseline Conditions for Metal Contaminants in Advance of Proposed Mining, Marian Watershed, Northwest Territories, Canada Telford, J.V., Wolfe, B.B., Hall, R.I., and Birlea, M...... 81

Shale Basin Evolution Project – Summary of Results of the 2016 and 2018 Field Seasons Terlaky, V., Fiess, K.M., and Rocheleau, J...... 82

“Made in the North”: Using Adaptive Approaches to Manage Remediation Projects in Dynamic Northern Environments at the Bullmoose-Ruth Remediation Project Testart, T. and Breadmore, R...... 83

Airborne MAG/EM Data Integration of Slave Province Kimberlites, NWT Ugalde, H., Milkereit, B., Lenauer, I., Morris, W.A., Mirza, A.M., and Elliott, B...... 84

Are Wildfires an Important Source of Metal Contamination of Boreal Lakes? Vermaire J.C...... 85

Evaluating the Hydrology of Northern Boreal Lakes near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Their Response to Varying Catchment and Climatic Conditions Viscek, J.A., Turner, K.T., Pisaric, M.F.J., and Kokelj, S.V...... 85

Indin Lake Gold Project – 2018 Colomac Update Waychison, W. and Byron, M...... 86

Update on the Clan Lake Gold Project: Exploration around a 250,000 Ounce Gold Resource Webb, D.R...... 87

Update on the Mon Gold Project: Exploration around a Past Producing Gold Mine Webb, D.R...... 88

Till Geochemistry and Lithogeochemical Exploration for a Concealed Kimberlite Wickham, A.P., Winterburn, P.A., and Elliott, B...... 88

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES X Samms: The Subarctic Metal Mobility Study Wolfe, B., Venkiteswaran, J., Schiff, S., Hall, R., Telford, J.V., Shultz, M., Jasiak, I., Leathers, J., Hickman, J., Connon, R., Coughlin, J., Elgood, R., Whitfield, C., Sharma, S., Couture, R., Leclerc, É., Blais, J., Cheney, C., English, M.C., McGeer, J., and Smith, S...... 89

Abstracts - Poster Presentations

Increased Recovery of Diamonds from Eclogite by Electrical Pulse Disaggregation Ali, H., Regier, M.E., and Pearson, D.G...... 91

Characterization of Porosity in Black Shales Using Nitrogen Adsorption Experiments and Scanning Electron Microscopy. An Example from the Middle to Late Devonian Horn River Group, Central Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories Atienza, N., Gingras, M.K., LaGrange Rao, M.T., and Harris, B.S...... 92

Seismic Data Resolve Deep Crustal Earthquakes and Crustal Velocity Structure beneath the Beaufort Sea, Western Canadian Arctic Audet, P., Schaeffer, A.J., and Ma, S...... 93

Lithostratigraphy of the Sunset Rhyolite, Cameron-Beaulieu Volcanic Belts, Slave Province Austin-Fafard, S.B., DeWolfe, Y.M., and Knox, B...... 93

Ichnological Expressions of Low Oxygen Settings: An Integrated Ichnological and Sedimentological Analysis of the Canol Formation, Northwest Territories, Canada Biddle, S.K., LaGrange Rao, M.T., Harris, B.S., Fiess, K.M., Terlaky, V., and Gingras, M.K...... 94

Post-Fire Ecosystem Resilience and Carbon Dynamics in the Northwestern Boreal Forest Bill, K.E., Turetsky, M.R., Baltzer, J.L., Day, N.J., Dieleman, C.M., Degré-Timmons, G., Walker, X.J., Mack, M.C., and Johnstone, J.F...... 95

New Trends in Gold Mineralization Investigated at the Yellowknife City Gold Project Using Synchrotron X-Ray Spectroscopy Botor, R.J., Cavallin, H.E., Flynn, T.J., Sexton, A., Campbell, J., Van Loon, L.L., and Banerjee, N.R...... 96

Contrasting Growth Conditions for Sulphide- and Garnet-Included Diamonds from the Victor Mine (Ontario) Bulbuc, K.M., Galarneau, M., Stachel, T., Stern, R.A., Kong, J., and Chinn, I...... 97

Bulk Organic Geochemistry and U-Pb Zircon Geochronology of the Wombat Sedimentary Fill Buryak, S., Reyes, A.V., Siver, P.A., Li, L., and DuFrane, S.A...... 98

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES XI Petrologic and Geochemical Characterization of a Carbonate-Bearing, Amphibole-Phyric Intrusion at Hjalmar Lake, South Rae Craton, Northwest Territories: Preliminary Results Canam, R., Scoates, J.S., Martel, E., and Falck, H...... 99

Isotopic Variation of Vanadium in Soil, Lake Sediment and Biota: An Investigation of a Novel Geochemical Tracer Chételat, J., Nielsen, S.G., Boutin, C., Carpenter, D., Cott, P., Mundy, L., and Thomas, P...... 100

Environmental Change around Northern Communities: From Boreal Forest to Arctic Tundra Coles, A.E., Kokelj, S.V., and Baltzer, J.L...... 101

Alteration of Mn-Ilmenite in Horton Area of Lena West Davies, R. and Davies, A.W...... 102

Feasibility Study of Enhanced Geothermal Energy Secondary Application for Agricultural Production in Canadian Northern Territories Dehghanisanij, A.D., Mahbaz, S.M., and Dusseault, M.D...... 103

All Creatures Great and Small: Wildlife Baseline at Pine Point Dudley, J. and Panayi, D...... 103

Diamond Potential of the Dehcho Region Elliott, B...... 104

Upper Mantle Structure Underlying the Diamondiferous Slave Craton from Teleseismic Body-Wave Tomography Esteve, C., Schaeffer, A.J., and Audet, P...... 104

2018 Geological Work in the Caribou Pass Area, NTS 105P Fischer, B.J...... 105

Community Focused Thermokarst Mapping to Inform Geohazard Assessments and Future Permafrost Thaw Risk Gibson, C., Coles, A., Baltzer, J., and Turetsky, M...... 106

Mineralogy, Scheelite Liberation and Scheelite Particle Size in Tailings from the Cantung Tungsten Mine Jamieson, H.E., Dobosz, A., and Falck, H...... 106

Tracking Legacy Pollution: Assessing Spatiotemporal Patterns of Arsenic and Other Metals in Sub-Arctic Lakes using Paleolimnology Jasiak, I., Schultz, M., Telford, J.V., Hall, R.I., Wolfe, B.B., Indorff, L., and McGeer, J...... 107

Factors Controlling Tungsten Mobility in Cantung Mine Tailings Kazamel, B.G., Jamieson, H.E., Leybourne, M.I., and Falck, H...... 108

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES XII Reconnaissance Surficial Geology, Rivière Grandin, Northwest Territories, NTS 86-D Kerr, D.E., O'Neill, H.B., Wolfe, S.A., and Morse, P.D...... 109

Determining Effects of Climate Change on Arsenic Mobility in Peatlands: An Experimental Approach Leathers, J.G., Venkiteswaran, J.J., English, M.C., Schiff, S.L., Hickman, J., and Schultz, M...... 109

Community Surficial Geology and Geohazards Map Series, Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, Canada McCuaig, S.J., Kors-Olthof, R.I., and Roujanski, V.E...... 110

A New Glacial Landscape Map of the Laurentide Ice Sheet in Central Nunavut and Eastern Northwest Territories McMartin, I., Campbell, J.E., Tremblay, T., Normandeau, P.X., and Godbout, P-M...... 110

Application of Passive Seismic Methodologies to the Determination of Overburden Thickness McPeak, S., Samson, C., Lamontagne, M., and Elliott, B...... 111

Northwest Territories Geological Survey Geophysical Activities, 2018-2019 Mirza, A.M., Fischer, B.J., and Kiss, F...... 112

Mapping Thaw Sensitive Terrain and Permafrost Dynamics, Dempster and Inuvik- Tuktoyaktuk Highway Corridor Region Morse, P.D., Kokelj, S.V., Sladen, W.E., Parker, R., Kokoszka, J., van der Sluijs, J., Rudy, A.C.A., Jardine, S., and Branson, A...... 113

Volcanic Stratigraphy and Alteration of the Sunrise Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Beaulieu Volcanic Belt, Northwest Territories Oberland, A.M., DeWolfe, Y.M., and Gibson, H.L...... 114

Choosing an Appropriate Digestion Protocol for Environmental Risk Assessments of Mineralized Earth Materials Parsons, M.B., Jamieson, H.E., Miller, C.B., and Galloway, J.M...... 115

Cosmogenic Surface Exposure Ages for Laurentide Ice Sheet Deglaciation in the Western Slave Craton Reyes, A.V., Carlson, A.E., Reimink, J.R., and Caffee, M...... 116

Structural Analysis and Characterization of Auriferous Quartz Veins of the Ptarmigan and Tom Gold Deposits, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Richardson, M. and Lentz, D...... 116

Characterization of Apatite Within the Mactung W (Cu, Au) Skarn Deposit, Northwest Territories Roy-Garand, A.R-G., Adlakha, E.A., Falck, H., and Lecumberri-Sanchez, P.L-S...... 117

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES XIII New Constraints on Crust and Mantle Structure Surrounding the Beaufort Sea, Western Canadian Arctic, from a New Broadband Seismic Array Schaeffer, A.J., Audet, P., Cairns, S., Elliott, B., Falck, H., Bostock, M., Darbyshire, F., Esteve, C., and Snyder, D...... 118

Characterizing Arsenic Deposition and Mobility in Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems of the 'Lake 10' Catchment, NWT Schultz, M., Leathers, J., Jasiak, I., Venkiteswaran, J.J., English, M.C., Wolfe, B.B., Hall, R.I., Schiff, S.L., Hickman, J., and Connon, R...... 119

Resorption Features of Macro and Micro Diamonds from Gahcho Kué Siva-Jothy, W., Chinn, I., Stachel, T., and Pearson, G.D...... 120

Winter Hydraulic Pressures Observed in Water Bodies and Riparian Settings, North Slave, Subarctic Canadian Shield Sladen, W.E., Morse, P.D., and Wolfe, S.A...... 120

Petrographic Analysis of Syn- to Post-Tectonic Granitic Dykes in the Yellowknife Greenstone Belt, NWT: Evidence for Late-Stage H2O-Rich Fluids Speight, S.C., Lentz, D.R., and McFarlane, C.R.M...... 121

Geoheritage of the Great Slave Lake Shear Zone in the Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation Traditional Territory – Northwest Territories Stern, F., King, L., and Griffith, F...... 122

Uranium-Lead Zircon Geochronology of Granitoids near Jolly Lake, Slave Craton, Northwest Territories Stone, S.D., Knox, B., and Chacko, T...... 123

Salt Deposits of the Northwest Territories Watson, D.M., Gervais, S.D., and Lambiv Dzemua, G...... 124

Geochemistry of the Lucky Lake W-Zn-Pb Skarn Deposit, NWT, Canada: Epithermal Overprinting of Magmatic Hydrothermal Systems Webb, G.S., Shelton, K.L., Schiffbauer, J.D., Smith, S., and Falck, H...... 125

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES XIV Abstracts - Oral Presentations Presenting Author denoted by *

IBAS - TO REGULATE OR NOT: considerations, and perhaps some guidance, WHAT IS THE REST OF on regulating IBAs and resource sharing. CANADA DOING? Topics of discussion will include: ABOUCHAR, J. • Current approaches of governments to IBAs WILLMS & SHIER ENVIRONMENTAL • The Current Revenue Sharing LAWYERS LLP, TORONTO, ON Structure in the Northwest Territories [email protected] • The Yukon's Land Claims The Government of the Northwest Territories Agreements: Opportunities and is developing a new Mineral Resources Act Challenges (“MRA”), which will reflect the unique • British Columbia's Benefit Sharing circumstances of its mineral sector. In 2017, Agreements: Opportunities and the Government of the Northwest Territories Challenges sought input from northerners through a • Ontario's Resource Revenue Sharing series of public engagement efforts, ranging Agreements: Opportunities and from community “drop-in” events to Challenges submissions via social media and telephone. • Potential Impacts of Standardizing IBAs and Other Key Considerations Many participants, including members of Indigenous governments and organizations, SEABRIDGE DISCOVERS NEW as well as the public, gave feedback that the MRA should explicitly include Impact GOLD ZONES AT Benefit Agreements (“IBAs”), the royalties COURAGEOUS LAKE structure of the MRA should be a clear status quo until a broader review can be completed, ADAM, M.A. and the MRA should increase transparency and accountability in IBAs. SEABRIDGE GOLD, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] This presentation discusses the plausibility Seabridge Gold's Courageous Lake Property for regulating and standardizing IBAs and the contains the entire Courageous Lake revenue-sharing component of IBAs in the Greenstone Belt 240 km Northeast of Northwest Territories, and the potential Yellowknife. The property consists of two impacts of this standardization. Specifically, past producing gold mines (the Salmita Mine this presentation draws on experiences in the and the Tundra Mine). Seabridge Gold have Yukon, British Columbia, and Ontario to defined the FAT deposit with proven and understand government approaches to IBAs, probable reserves of 91 million tonnes at revenue sharing, and transparency. The hope 2.20 g/T Au equaling 6.5 Moz of gold. is that this presentation may provide key (Lechner, 2012). The Walsh Lake deposit has an inferred resource of 4.62 million tonnes at

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 1 3.24 g/T Au equalling 482,000 oz of gold Lake signatures and explore for similar (Lechner, 2014). The belt is a bimodal targets. Seabridge completed a 7000 m volcanic succession with episodic 2600 Ma diamond drilling program on six of these Banting Group felsic and mafic volcanic targets in winter 2018. Of these six targets, rocks deposited on a granitoid basement. two have met the criteria for follow up. The Burwash formation turbidite facies Olsen target included intercepts of 40.4 m of sedimentary rocks overly the Banting 3.04 g/T Au and the Marsh Pond target formation volcanic rocks. Metamorphism to included intercepts of 24 meters of 2.13 g/T greenschist facies occurred at 2660 Ma tilting Au. Seabridge is currently evaluating the the strata to vertical. potential of these targets for drilling to a resource classification. The Banting Mineralisation in the FAT deposit are formation volcanic rock and Burwash stratabound domains contained entirely formation sedimentary rock contact exists for within the felsic volcanic rocks. Gold is 56 km along the entire greenstone belt. Gold hosted within three different morphologies of pathfinders identified in the Tundra-Salmita arsenopyrite crystals. The earliest of these drilling by Seabridge can be used to evaluate mineralisation phases is interpreted to form at and prioritise further targets along the belt. the same time as volcanism in a low sulphidation epithermal environment. Gold GOLD MINERALISATION AT in the FAT deposit is refractory. Seabridge's THE FAT DEPOSIT, current exploration target is the Tundra COURAGEOUS LAKE, Salmita trend, an 8 km prospective contact between the Banting Volcanic rock and NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Burwash Sedimentary rock. This contains the historic Salmita and Tundra mines. The ADAM, M.A. Walsh Lake Deposit is the Southern extension of the Tundra Mine and forms on SEABRIDGE GOLD, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] the contacts between felsic volcanic and sedimentary rock and between felsic volcanic The Courageous Lake Greenstone Belt and mafic volcanic rock. Average gold grade (CLGB) is hosted in the Yellowknife is higher at 3.24g/T and the gold is free Supergroup of the Central Slave Province, milling. NWT, Canada: a fertile gold district that includes the former Giant, Con and Lupin Seabridge completed a PFS on the FAT orogenic gold mines. The largest deposit in deposit in 2012. This identified several the CLGB is the FAT deposit, which has a potential improvements to the project to proven and probable reserve of 91 MT at 2.20 make it more capital efficient including the gpt gold owned by Seabridge Gold Inc. The discovery of near surface, free milling FAT deposit differs from other gold deposits satellite deposits. These are envisaged as in the Yellowknife Supergroup in that early mine life and will reduce payback time deformation and shear textures are on initial capital expenditure for intermittent, and where present, deformation development. Because of this, Seabridge does not correlate spatially with completed the delineation of the Walsh Lake mineralisation. The CLGB formed as a deposit from 2012 to 2013. In 2014, a VLF volcanic succession that was deposited on a and ground mag survey was completed over 3218 Ma sodic granitoid gneissic complex. the Tundra Salmita trend to identify Walsh Periodic volcanism commencing at 2660 Ma formed an extrusive cycle of mafic flows to

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 2 rhyolitic tuffs. The felsic units reach a NORTHWEST TERRITORIES maximum (post compression) thickness of SURFACE RIGHTS BOARD 1800 m proximal to the FAT deposit. Volcanic textures of the rocks hosting the AZZOLINI*, L.A., WRIGHT, E., FAT deposit are well preserved sub-aerial VEDIC, M., BAYAH, D., MCCREA, I., lapilli and lesser amounts of ash and bomb and CHRISTEN, V. tuff. There is periodic intercalation with aqeuously reworked beds. These are overlain NWT SURFACE RIGHTS BOARD, by greywacke turbiditic rocks. Three distinct YELLOWKNIFE, NT structural/metamorphic events have affected [email protected] the Courageous Lake Greenstone Belt: The NWT Surface Rights Board (SRB) is 1. compression and vertical tilting of mandated to resolve disputes over terms and stratigraphy and associated regional conditions and compensation, between dynamothermal metamorphism to mid- holders of surface or subsurface rights and greenschist facies commencing at 2592 Ma; the occupant of the surface when an 2. concurrent discreet thermal metamorphism agreement cannot be reached by the parties associated with local granitic intrusions; and through negotiation or mediation. 3. late retrograde hydrothermal alteration. The Northwest Territories (NWT) SRB is an Gold is refractory within acicular and institution of public government established rhombic arsenopyrite. Petrography, SIMS, by the Surface Rights Board Act of the NWT. EMP and LA-ICP-MS analysis have defined The SRB Act came into force generally on three arsenopyrite styles of distinct crystal April 1, 2014. However, the specific habit with distinct inclusion abundance, Au provisions governing SRB operations did not enrichment and zoning and trace element come into force until April 1, 2016. zoning. The greatest enrichment is in the earliest type of arsenopyrite, attributed to The purpose of the NWT SRB is to fairly hydrothermal events associated with resolve matters in dispute regarding access to volcanism. Later, heterogeneous, less lands in the NWT and waters overlying those enriched arsenopyrite is a result of lands in the Mackenzie Valley and the metamorphic recrystalisation. A strataform compensation to be paid for that access. quartz body with arsenopyrite and sulphate in These lands include Gwich'in Land Claim textural equilibrium has sulphur isotopes Settlement lands, Sahtu Land Claim indicative of an Archean ocean sinter. Settlement lands, T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Land Claim Settlement lands, as well as private, Terraspec and EMP analysis identify sericite Commissioner's and Crown lands. It also mineralogy to be dominantly end-member includes Inuvialuit Land Claim Settlement muscovite. Early sericite associated with syn- lands. To do so, the NWT SRB makes orders volcanic arsenopyrite is Mg-rich compared to setting out the terms and conditions on which late, metamorphic Al-rich sericite. a person (such as an individual, corporation, government, etc.) may access those lands and waters as well as the compensation to be paid for that access.

The NWT SRB Act meets Canada's obligations arising from the Gwich'in

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 3 Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement and LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive FOR POWERING NORTHERN Land Claims Agreement to establish surface COMMUNITIES AND INDUSTRY rights legislation in the NWT. BALASKI, T. All members and alternate members must be residents of the NWT. Further, at least one FERUS NATURAL GAS FUELS, CALGARY, AB member and one alternate member must be a [email protected] resident of Inuvik or the NWT portion of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, the Gwich'in Over the past 8 years, we have seen North Settlement Area, the Sahtu Settlement Area American oil/diesel commodity pricing and the Mowhì Gogha De Nįįtlèè separate from natural gas pricing due the vast discovery of natural gas resources in North The Board has all the power, rights and America. This has provided a price advantage privileges of a superior court with respect to for natural gas as an energy source to replace the attendance and examination of witnesses, traditional diesel fuel in all large industries, the production and inspection of documents including remote power, heating, and all and all other matters necessary or proper in forms of transportation (rail, marine, and relation to Applications for, Reviews of, or trucking). More particularly, gas can be Termination of Orders. liquefied in Canada into LNG form using local natural gas sources, and transported to Subject to sections 85 to 88 (Review and proximal end users to replace diesel fuel. Amendment of an Access Order), an order of This provides a price advantage, typically the Board and any decision made by the between 25-50%, as well as an environmental Board in respect of an application for, or a benefit because natural gas is a much cleaner review of, an order is final and binding and is burning fuel source. Natural gas reduces not subject to appeal to, or review by, any carbon dioxide emissions up to 30% versus court. diesel, and has significant advantages, 90%, when looking at SOx, NOx, and particulate The NWT SRB is pleased to report emissions. Ferus Natural Gas Fuels has been significant progress in all facets of its work. building a business in Northern Canada to Its operations are established with key offer this LNG service to remote management controls in place. Rules of communities and mining operations so that Procedure and SRB By-laws are in place. A they can realize the benefits of natural gas as professional development framework a fuel. supports member capacity to deliver on the SRB's mandate; and, all the SRB's work is consistent with its updated five-year strategic plan, supporting business and expenditure plan.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 4 ARCHEAN AND PROTEROZOIC were recovered from two discrete grain size AGE DISTRIBUTIONS IN fractions, 1 – 50 mm and less than 250 µm, to DETRITAL ZIRCONS assess the impact of grain size on sediment transport distance in esker systems. RECOVERED FROM PLEISTOCENE ESKER At each sampling site along the esker SYSTEMS IN THE ACASTA transect, the detrital zircon U-Pb dates for the GNEISS COMPLEX, NWT two grain size fractions yielded similar modes and abundances, with subtle BILAK*, G.1, REYES, A.1, differences related to grain size and source REIMINK, J.2, CHACKO, T.1, proximity. Prominent modes in age DUFRANE, S.A.1, NIEMETZ, K.1, and distributions from the samples coincide with BELOSEVIC, M.1 known ages of currently mapped bedrock in the AGC, Wopmay Orogen, and Slave (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, Craton. A mode of ~ 3.37 Ga is present in all EDMONTON, AB samples, and is the dominant mode in two of (2) CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF the three westernmost samples. Recent high- WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON, D.C. [email protected] resolution bedrock mapping of a small part of the AGC has identified km-sized plutonic Bedrock terranes in excess of 3.7 Ga are bodies of this age. The prominence of this age exceedingly rare and contain information population in the esker sediments strongly critical to further understanding the early suggests that 3.37 Ga plutonism is Earth during its initial stages of widespread in the region. The easternmost differentiation and crust formation. The AGC sample from the esker transect was collected (Acasta Gneiss Complex: 2.94 – 4.03 Ga) is outside of the mapped AGC boundary, yet one of only a handful of such contains an abundance of zircons from 2.94 - Hadean/Eoarchean bedrock terranes 3.95 Ga. Given west-trending esker flow worldwide. Despite its importance, the AGC directions, the AGC likely extends further is heavily under-mapped and under-explored. east than previously mapped, and We exploit a Pleistocene esker system that undiscovered outcrops in excess of 3.7 Ga traverses the AGC to efficiently sample fine- remain. grained sediments derived from this complex gneiss terrane. Zircons extracted from these 2018 INTRODUCTION TO sediments are used to assess the relative proportion of different age bedrock units PROSPECTING COURSES exposed at the surface. BLAIN*, J.1, POWELL, L.2, and 3 The esker systems are composed of locally JONES, H. sourced AGC and regional bedrock that have (1) MINERAL RESOURCE PLANNING, GNWT, been eroded, entrained, and deposited by the YELLOWKNIFE, NT Laurentide Ice Sheet during the last (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, glaciation. Detrital zircons, recovered from YELLOWKNIFE, NT the sediment and dated by laser-ablation (3) MINE TRAINING SOCIETY, inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectro- YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] metry, provide a mixed population of U-Pb ages representative of bedrock found up-ice- Two Introduction to Prospecting courses flow from the esker sampling sites. Zircons were held in 2018, both in Yellowknife. The

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 5 first course was attended by residents of monitoring data for upland breeding birds, communities across the Northwest waterfowl and raptors collected from 2004 – Territories, and the second by people from 2017 at the Hope Bay Project to determine if the Yellowknife area. The courses were held the construction and operation of the mine from June 21-24 and were organized by the has affected local bird populations. The long- Mine Training Society, and received term dataset was collected as part of the sponsorship from the GNWT Department of Project compliance program and based on a Industry, Tourism and Investment, in before-after, control-influenced (BACI) addition to technical and in-kind support design. Monitoring data was grouped into from Northwest Territories Geological periods with and without project activity Survey, Northwest Territories Mining during four time periods: 1) prior to Recorder's Office, the NWT Mine Training construction (2004-2006), 2) during Society, TerraX Minerals Inc., and Aurora construction (2007-2012), 3) a period of care College. and maintenance (2013-2014), and 4) continued construction and operations (2015- This presentation will discuss the 2018 2017). Upland birds were monitored used Introduction to Prospecting courses': goals point counts and the Program for Regional and objectives, outreach efforts, pre-course and International Shorebird Monitoring planning and organization, course (PRISM) protocols. Waterfowl were curriculum, outcomes, and attendance. We monitored using aerial transects and ground will also present the improvements made based surveys during nesting. Raptors were from previous Introduction to Prospecting monitored using nest surveys to determine courses, and improvements that can be occupancy and productivity. Generalized applied to future outreach programs. additive mixed models (GAMM) were used Additionally, we will preview the to explore changes in bird species relative Introduction to Prospecting course video. abundance and Shannon diversity indices. Results for upland birds indicated: 1) no LONG-TERM MONITORING effect on bird density beyond a localized area FINDS NO EFFECT OF AN (300-1,000 m), 2) a non-significant effect on ARCTIC MINE ON MIGRATORY bird diversity. Results for waterfowl indicated: 3) no effect on the density of birds BIRDS with distance from the project using several distance thresholds (300 m, 500 m, 1,000 m 1 2 BOL*, L. , CURRAN, O. , and 1,800 m). Results for raptors indicated: 1 3 AINSWORTH, L. , BUCHAN, A. , and 4) no effect on raptor occupancy or breeding 1 SHARAM, G. success using a continuous analysis, 5) a small effect on breeding using a categorical (1) ERM, VANCOUVER, BC value of 1,500 m to separate test from control (2) TMAC RESOURCES INC., TORONTO, ON (3) TMAC RESOURCES INC., nests. These results indicate that the effects of CAMBRIDGE BAY, NU mining activity on birds is either non- [email protected] existent, or localized to the immediate project The Hope Bay Project, an underground gold area. mine, is located on the Arctic coast of Nunavut, approximately 100 km southwest of the township of Cambridge Bay and 50 km east of Bathurst Inlet. We analyzed long-term

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 6 SOCIO-ECONOMIC for mineral exploration purposes, where it is DEVELOPMENT: APPLYING commonly not known the location of nearby THE GENDER LENS deposits, and therefore, there is no reliable response variable to train a supervised learning algorithm. One of the most BRENTON, K. important areas of unsupervised learning is DE BEERS GROUP, YELLOWKNIFE, NT cluster analysis. It is defined as the process of [email protected] classifying data instances into groups based on their similarities. De Beers Group efforts in the Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) space both inside and In addition to straightforward univariate outside the company have been gaining anomalies, three cluster-based methods for momentum as we continue to foster our multivariate anomaly detection were partnership with UN Women. Current I&D developed and applied on stream silt samples programs across De Beers Canada are from the Mackenzie Mountains: (1) small focusing on gender equality, making the anomalous clusters, (2) Lack of Uniform company more inclusive and empowerment Clustering Classification (LUCC) anomalies, of women and girls. and (3) spatial anomalies. The first method uses combinations of clustering and data The presentation will highlight actions transformations for finding small anomalous implemented within De Beers Canada Inc. to clusters; the second uses different clustering promote socio-economic development methods on different data transformations for applying the female lens, specifically the: UN identifying samples that do not clearly belong Women Partnership, STEM & Other to any cluster; the third recognizes samples Scholarships, STEM Impact Camp, Women that are different from the surrounding in Mining Luncheon. samples in the geographic space.

CLUSTERING BASED The analyses were performed on pathfinder ANOMALY DETECTION FOR elements for tungsten/intrusion deposits. The EXPLORATION goal is to identify samples that are anomalous GEOCHEMISTRY in the multivariate space. The proposed methods are capable of identifying several CABRAL PINTO*, F.A.1, showings, that is, known mineral deposits in PRADES KOSCINA, C.F.1, FALCK, H.2, advanced exploration or production stage in and DEUTSCH, C.V.1 the Mackenzie Mountains. Some of these showings are not detected from traditional (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, univariate methods, which supports and EDMONTON, AB motivates the use of multivariate anomaly (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, detection methods for mineral deposit YELLOWKNIFE, NT exploration. Although further validation is [email protected] required, the multivariate methods appear Unsupervised learning is the field of machine promising to complement conventional learning (ML) where there are no response analyses. variables to train the algorithm, the purpose is to examine the input data for associations and patterns. This characteristic of unsupervised learning makes it a suitable tool

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 7 GEM-2 GLACIAL SYNTHESIS non-erosive, cold-based ice conditions. Small PROJECT: HIGHLIGHTS OF patches of warm-based ice terrains with 2018 FIELD ACTIVITIES IN THE glacially moulded and polished outcrops recording an older southwest flow, and HEALEY LAKE AREA, thicker till deposits are interspersed NORTHWEST TERRITORIES throughout this area. Surrounding the central AND NUNAVUT region, streamlined and thick drift terrains dominate. In the southeast, both crosscutting CAMPBELL*, J.E.1, streamlined landforms (palimpsest) and NORMANDEAU, P.X.2, landforms with diverging orientations (relict) GODBOUT, P-M.3, and MCMARTIN, I.1 indicate preserved terrains related to older ice-flow directions. In the east-northeast, (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, streamlined landforms overprint the OTTAWA, ON southwest flow and suggest the late-deglacial (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Dubawnt Lake Ice Stream extended further (3) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL, west/northwest than previously mapped. A MONTRÉAL, QC series of ice marginal glacial lakes, ice- [email protected] contact glaciofluvial deposits and minor Targeted surficial geological studies were moraines record the retreat of the ice margin conducted this past summer in an area across the study area. The most prominent ice between Aylmer Lake, Northwest Territories margin feature is a large N-S trending (NWT) and the western edge of the Thelon hummocky ice-contact glaciofluvial complex Wildlife Sanctuary in the NWT and Nunavut. along the western border of the Thelon Game Fieldwork focused on questions related to the Sanctuary. This major ice retreat still-stand nature of the glacial landscape, landforms position is interpreted as a southwestern and associated surficial materials, the extension of the McAlpine Moraine System. chronology of glacial and deglacial events, and glacial transport – dispersal The variability in till composition is related characteristics in this largely unmapped west- to net glacial erosion and transport and central region of the Keewatin Sector of the provenance. Future till geochemical, Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS). indicator mineral and lithological analytical results will be used to evaluate glacial Field observations, till sampling and striation transport characteristics under shifting mapping indicate the landscape mirrors the glacial dynamics and basal ice conditions complex nature of its glacial history. Spatial over time. Geochronological samples were variability in geomorphology, surface collected to constrain ice margin retreat material composition, thickness and degree history (absolute ice-free dates), and to test of weathering results from changes in for degree of inheritance/glacial erosion substrate lithology, basal thermal conditions (relative age dates). This work is intended to (warm-based to cold-based) and paleo-ice improve the geoscience framework for flow dynamics. The landscape of the central mineral exploration. This GEM-2 project is a region around Healey Lake is bedrock- collaboration between the Geological Survey controlled; dominated by low relief, of Canada, the Northwest Territories weathered and frost-shattered outcrops, block Geological Survey and Canada-Nunavut fields, with thin veneers of till and boulders Geoscience Office. reminiscent of relict terrains preserved under

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 8 COMPARING THE because they are highly variable temporally MEASUREMENTS OF and spatially, affected by local sources at a AIRBORNE PARTICULATE mine and/or far away sources (e.g., forest fire smokes), and dependent on weather MATTER AROUND A MINE AND conditions (e.g., time since the last rain event, AN AMBIENT SITE WITHIN wind direction, and wind speed). To address THE BATHURST CARIBOU this challenge, we conducted measurements SUMMER RANGE of PM2.5 and TSP at locations around the Ekati Diamond Mine during the summers of CHEN*, W.J.1, LEBLANC, S.G.1, 2016 and 2017, and at an ambient location WHITE, H.P.1, CROFT, B.2, near the Daring Lake Tundra Ecosystem PATENAUDE, A.2, CLARK, K.2, Research Station during the summer of 2018. PELLISSEY, J.S.3, MEINERT, L.3, HUM, J.4, GUNN, A.5, and In this presentation, we will compare results BOULANGER, J.6 between measurements at the Ekati mine and the ambient location. Specifically, we (1) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, attempt to address the following questions. OTTAWA, ON Were the concentrations of TSP and PM2.5 (2) NWT ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL measured near the mine significantly higher RESOURCES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT (3) WEKWEÈTÌ RENEWABLE RESOURCES than those measured at the ambient site? How BOARD, YELLOWKNIFE, NT did the increases in the concentration of TSP (4) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT and PM2.5 happen? What were the difference (5) CIRCUMARCTIC RANGIFER MONITORING and similarities in terms of impacts of AND ASSESSMENT NETWORK, weather conditions and source locations SALT SPRING ISLAND, BC (6) INTEGRATED ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH between the mine and the ambient site? LTD., NELSON, BC [email protected] REMOBILIZATION OF LEGACY Many community members and decision ARSENIC FROM makers in governments and industries have a CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT IN keen interest in understanding the YELLOWKNIFE BAY mechanisms of the zone of influence on caribou by mining operations. This CHÉTELAT*, J.1, LINES, W.2, understanding is fundamental to design and PALMER, M.J.3, PELLETIER, N.3, implement mitigation measures effectively. AMYOT, M.4, HARRIS, R.5, Caribou might alter their behaviour when JAMIESON, H.E.6, and they hear a noise from a mining operation, VERMAIRE, J.C.3 see a mining operation, taste a difference in forage due to dustfall, or smell a difference in (1) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE the concentration of airborne particulates CANADA, OTTAWA, ON matter (e.g., fine particulates matter less than (2) YELLOWKNIVES DENE FIRST NATION, YELLOWKNIFE, NT 2.5 micrometer PM2.5, or the total suspended (3) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON particulates TSP). How far can these mining- (4) UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTRÉAL, generation disturbances reach? At what MONTRÉAL, QC temporal frequency do these disturbances (5) REED HARRIS ENVIRONMENTAL LTD., occur? Answering these questions is BURLINGTON, ON (6) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON especially challenging for PM2.5 and TSP JOHN.CHÉ[email protected]

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 9 A two year study (2018 to 2020) is µg/m2/day. The sediment flux of arsenic from investigating the present-day and future a core collected at the tailings beach at the stability of legacy arsenic contamination in north end of Yellowknife Bay was minimal Yellowknife Bay sediments that originated (45 µg/m2/day), possibly due to the low from local gold mining activities. Using a porosity of the tailings. combination of quantitative methods (field and laboratory experiments, paleolimnology, Another mining contaminant, antimony, was and mass balance modelling), we will also measured to determine sediment fluxes estimate the diffusion of arsenic from for comparison with arsenic. In five of the sediments to overlying water in the bay, cores, there was no detectable change in investigate environmental factors that control antimony concentration in overlying water. this process, and develop predictions of how In the remaining seven cores, a small flux of long-term environmental change from antimony was observed between sediment climate warming during the 21st century and overlying water (37±34 µg/m2/day). could impact arsenic cycling and levels of water arsenic in Yellowknife Bay. This Sediment flux measurements of arsenic will information will inform stakeholders and be discussed in relation to sediment decision makers who are involved in the characteristics, sediment porewater profiles, environmental management of this important and site location. Next steps in the study will waterbody for residents of Ndilǫ, Detah, and also be outlined. Preliminary results showed Yellowknife. there was substantial short-term flux of arsenic from contaminated sediment to This presentation will focus on initial field overlying water during summer near the incubation experiments that were conducted Giant Mine site. Sediments of Yellowknife in Yellowknife Bay in August of 2018. Bay are a leaky reservoir of legacy arsenic. Twelve sediment cores were collected at sites of varying water depth and distance from the UPDATE ON THE Giant Mine site. The cores were incubated in EXPLORATION PROGRAM AT holders near shore or at the lake bottom for PINE POINT six days to maintain in situ temperature and light conditions. Overlying water in each of CLEMMER*, S.G.1, KING, M.1, the cores was sampled on days 0, 2, 4 (or 5) LESNIKOV, K.1, and ADAIR, R.2 and 6 to measure short-term fluxes of arsenic from contaminated sediment. (1) PINE POINT MINING LIMITED, HAY RIVER, NT Both positive and negative exchange of (2) OSISKO METALS, MONTRÉAL, QC arsenic was observed between overlying [email protected] water and sediment in the cores. Three cores Pine Point Mining Limited, a wholly-owned from shallow water sites (depth of 1-3 m) subsidiary of Osisko Metals Incorporated, is showed a small loss of arsenic from the undertaking definition drilling at the formerly 2 overlying water at a rate of -49±3 µg/m /day. producing Pine Point Mining Camp. The Pine In contrast, offshore cores collected in deeper Point lead and zinc deposits are Mississippi water (depth of 7.5-19 m) showed an increase Valley Type (MVT) hosted in carbonate of arsenic in overlying core water, with a rocks and formed within a Devonian age wide range in sediment flux of 30-1520 barrier reef. The original mine was operated 2 µg/m /day and a mean of 525±522 by Cominco Ltd. and produced high-quality

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 10 zinc and lead concentrates for over 25 years. improvement and responding to evolving The Mine closed in 1988 although significant legislation and best practices, the Review supporting infrastructure remains. Past Board has undertaken numerous initiatives production was 65 Mt of 10% combined Lead aimed at enhancing the EIA process in the and Zinc and at shutdown there was 50 Mackenzie Valley. We will provide an million tonnes of “unclassified historical overview of the organization's current policy resources” calculated by Cominco Ltd (not and process improvement initiatives, with NI-43-101 compliant) that remained in the highlights including: new environmental ground. The focus of the 2018 program is to assessment initiation guidelines, updated upgrade these historical mineral resources rules of procedure, transboundary into a NI43-101 compliant, Inferred Mineral cooperation, as well as discussing the Resource Estimates. To accomplish this goal, evolving role of the Board in the Crown a 700 drill hole program is underway to consultation process and the assessment of confirm the Cominco drill hole database that impacts on aboriginal rights. Pine Point Mining Limited has in hand and, where needed, define these resources further MINING MATTERS to an Indicated Mineral Resource in 2019. INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES That Resource base will then be used for EDUCATION AND OUTREACH economic studies as the company continues to de-risk the project. PROGRAMS

1 2 ENHANCING THE PADDLEY*, M. , FINDLEY*, A. , and CLINTON, L.A.1 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS – AN (1) MINING MATTERS, TORONTO, ON UPDATE FROM THE (2) TERRAX MINERALS INC., MACKENZIE VALLEY YELLOWKNIFE, NT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT [email protected] REVIEW BOARD Mining Matters Indigenous Communities Education and Outreach Programs (ICEOP) CLIFFE-PHILLIPS*, M.A. and recently celebrated a significant 15-year WHELER, B. milestone. In May of 2002, the inaugural program was delivered in Cambridge Bay, MACKENZIE VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL Nunavut. Today, ICEOP has expanded to IMPACT REVIEW BOARD, YELLOWKNIFE, NT include more than 35 community-based [email protected] initiatives. With sensitivity to the importance The Mackenzie Valley Review Board is the Indigenous communities play in resources organization responsible for the stewardship, management and development, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) ICEOP offers customized Earth science process in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest programming for youth; delivering school Territories. This EIA process is designed to programs, summer camps and community prevent significant adverse impacts to people events that educate participants about and the environment, and to ensure the views Canada's geology and mineral resources, of Indigenous people and the public are mineral exploration, mining, sustainability, meaningfully considered. With an careers and the relevance of mining to quality organizational goal of continual of life. ICEOP includes professional development workshops and teacher resource

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 11 kits to deliver effective Earth science and infrastructure; tourism, harvesting, mineral resources curricula, using hands-on residential and agriculture lands; recreational educational resources, created by educators trails and lakes, permitted and unpermitted and Earth science experts to meet curriculum cabins and mine reclamation projects. expectations. Mining Matters also connects to and engages with Indigenous communities While 90% of the population impacted by the through participation in conferences, YCGP live in the City of Yellowknife, the community gatherings and festivals across YCGP is in Chief Drygeese Territory within Canada. Since 2016 Mining Matters has the unsettled Akaitcho Land Claim and is delivered programs in the Northwest overlapped by the Môwhì Gogha area of the Territories in collaboration with community, settled Tłı̨chǫ Land Claim and the asserted industry, education and government partners. North Slave Métis Claim. Programs have been delivered in Yellowknife, Behchokǫ̀, Ndilǫ, Detah, Fort Together with next generation projects in the Good Hope, D é l ı̨ n ę , Norman Wells, Colville North, YCGP faces an emerging and perhaps Lake, Tulita, Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and largest challenge to social licence: the risk of Fort Providence. A recent educational increasing international opposition to high- partnership utilized Mining Matters carbon projects that rely on diesel or LNG. It resources to engage children in Inuvik, is simply smarter and safer for mining Tuktoyuktuk and Aklavik. In addition, companies to avoid risking their global social teachers from Hay River, Gamètì, Wekweètì licence and invest in places with competitive and Whatì have participated in the carbon-free energy. organization's professional development workshops. INCREASINGLY SOCIAL LICENSE TO OPERATE ADVANCING SOCIAL LICENCE REQUIRES PROJECTS TO IN A COMPLEX AVOID CARBON BASED ENVIRONMENT: ENERGY YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD PROJECT CONNELLY, D.M.

CONNELLY, D.M. ILE ROYALE ENTERPRISES LTD., YELLOWKNIFE, NT TERRAX MINERALS INC., YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] [email protected] Global investors and resource companies The Yellowknife City Gold Project (YCGP) increasingly seek to avoid the risks of using which directly benefits and impacts over half carbon based energy. Today, investment the NWT's population is unique among decisions on mineral development are not Northern projects. driven by economics alone. Issues that affect social licence - climate change chief among YCGP's 780 sq. km. span crown, them - are equally prominent. commissioner and municipal lands surrounding the City of Yellowknife and Globally, there is a growing intolerance YKDFN Communities of Ndilǫ and Detah. It among financial institutions, investors, shares multiple land uses including: hydro, mining companies and the public for road, airport and communications materials that have large carbon footprints.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 12 The risk of growing international opposition diopside clinopyroxene xenocrysts. to high-carbon projects, that rely on diesel or Demonstrating equilibration with garnet, LNG increasingly flashes red in the however, is a major obstacle for boardrooms of global resource companies. It clinopyroxene-based thermobarometry. The is simply smarter and safer for them to avoid most commonly used method for risking their global social licence and invest clinopyroxene discrimination is an Al2O3- in places with competitive carbon-free Cr2O3 diagram proposed by Ramsay and energy. Thompkins in 1994 supplemented with an additional MgO-Al2O3 from Nimis (1998) The North must address the risks of carbon and an additional 1-dimensional filter based based energy if it wants to attract major on chemical composition. Despite the mining companies with the capacity to aggressiveness of the filtering method, develop multi-generational projects. single-clinopyroxene pressure-temperature results have large scatter that can obscure the If the NWT and Nunavut are to continue to true paleogeothermal gradient. This is open their geology to mineral exploration and especially true of areas where the lithospheric development they must bring alternatives mantle has undergone chemical modification such as hydro and tidal power to their by melt/fluid influx. Using a database of territories. clinopyroxenes derived from kimberlite- borne mantle-derived lherzolites, we have THE UTILITY OF developed a simple and effective CLINOPYROXENE IN discrimination plot that identifies DIAMOND EXPLORATION clinopyroxene from garnet lherzolites and simultaneously removes clinopyroxene from metaosomatised peridotites. CREIGHTON*, S. and HUNT, L. Calculated paleogeothermal gradients from SASKATCHEWAN RESEARCH COUNCIL, SASKATOON, SK clinopyroxene xenocrysts cut across model [email protected] conductive geotherms which can complicate Clinopyroxene single-crystal thermo- the interpretation of thermobarometry data. barometry is an essential tool in the Grütter (2009) presented a solution to the identification and evaluation of prospective problem by way of relative reference kimberlites. The paleogeothermal gradient geotherms. He used xenocryst data from preserved by clinopyroxene xenocrysts three Canadian locations with different elucidates the thermal structure of the thermal structures as references in underlying lithospheric mantle; indicates the comparison to the dataset under depth to and thickness of the “diamond investigation. Taking a cue from this earlier window”. work, we have developed a new set of relative reference geotherms that are based The widely used clinopyroxene on single-clinopyroxene thermobarometry thermometer-barometer of Nimis and Taylor data for xenoliths from well-characterized (2000) requires that clinopyroxene regions – Somerset Island, Kaapvaal on- equilibrated with both garnet and craton, and the Central Slave. A simple linear orthopyroxene. With the rare exception of fit through the data produces sub-parallel wehrlites, equilibration with orthopyroxene clinopyroxene reference geotherms that are is nearly a given for the majority of chrome- simpler to use and easier to visualize

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 13 compared to the xenocrysts reference integrate into existing heating infrastructure, geotherms. and be immediately operational. To complete this project, two 2200 m deep wells will be Using these two new and simple tools will drilled to the Deadwood aquifer beneath the greatly help maximize the utility of University campus. Hot water from this clinopyroxene data in large exploration aquifer will be pumped to the surface via the databases. source well, where the heat will be extracted in a heat exchanger located in the heating THE UNIVERSITY OF REGINA plant on campus. The cooled water will be re- GEOTH MAL PROJECT IN injected back into the same aquifer using the UR second well for disposal. The resulting heated SASKATCHEWAN surface fluid is then distributed using the district heating system to provide base-load 1 2 DALE*, J.E. , BRUNSKILL, B. , and heating for space and domestic water at Kisik 3 VIGRASS, L. Towers (300,000 ft2 area), domestic water at two other residence towers, the university (1) UNIVERSITY OF REGINA, REGINA, SK pool and combustion pre-heating at the (2) HELIX GEOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS, REGINA, SK Central Heating Plant. This load represents (3) UNIVERSITY OF REGINA, REGINA, SK approximately 60% of the capacity of this [email protected] geothermal-doublet system which has a total In 2014, a research team at the University of capacity to provide base load heating for ~1.2 2 Regina initiated a proposal to construct a mill ft . The economic value of the system is deep geothermal energy demonstration based upon the avoided cost of purchasing project on the university campus, using heat natural gas. Our forecasting suggests that for from the Williston Sedimentary Basin. This the first five years there is sufficient cost work is a continuation of research completed recovery; however, due to chronically low by the University when an exploratory natural gas prices, these savings become less geothermal test well was constructed in 1979. predictable further out. This risk is mitigated Hydrogeology of the site was investigated to when the federal carbon tax is added to the demonstrate the potential of sedimentary purchase price of natural gas, slated to begin basin geothermal energy and documented in in 2019. By including the value of the over 40 publications and reports. The second anticipated carbon-tax-avoided by 2023, the well required to complete the project was university could save between $90 and never drilled and the project was abandoned. 100,000 per year with the geothermal system Current interest in reducing our carbon foot operating at roughly 60% capacity. This print and exploring alternative energy value will increase as the carbon tax-rate sources has resulted in renewed interest in the increases and if new buildings still in the use of geothermal energy on campus. planning stage, utilize a larger portion of the Geothermal energy can provide reliable, system capacity. Innovation and operational base-load heating, which is available on experience applied in a Canadian social, demand, has no storage requirements and no geological and engineering context are direct emission of greenhouse gases. This required to effectively utilize this resource. renewed project will showcase clean, green The university location provides energy technology and infrastructure, with opportunities for research aiding the scientific, social and engineering research commercialization and acceptance of components. This energy source will geothermal energy, along with the training of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 14 highly qualified personnel. This technology substantiated the presence of chalcopyrite has widespread application throughout while revealing additional significantly southern Saskatchewan and extensive areas elevated sphalerite and galena grain counts in of Canada possessing geothermal several locations where there are no known development potential. subcropping mineral occurrences. Past producer, Pine Point lead-zinc Mine, lies ~75 STREAM SEDIMENT km to the east-northeast of the nearest stream GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEAVY sediment site with elevated sphalerite and MINERALS, SOUTHERN galena grain counts, and is not likely the source as samples between these sites have MACKENZIE, NT only background-level grain counts.

1 2 DAY*, S.J.A. , SMITH, I.R. , The 2018 stream sediment sampling strategy 2 3 PAULEN, R.C. , and KING, R.D. was designed to augment existing samples, resample a few of the 2017 sites with elevated (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, grain counts, and target a number of OTTAWA, ON (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, coincident till and stream sediment sites in CALGARY, AB proximity to those with elevated grain counts. (3) MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF A total of eight bulk stream sediment and NEWFOUNDLAND, ST. JOHN'S, NL water samples were collected northeast and [email protected] southwest of Fort Providence. Planned 2018 Stream sediments have long been used as a stream sediment sampling in the Hay River mineral prospecting tool and is an effective area was not feasible as a consequence of method to quickly evaluate the prospectivity high water levels. of an area. Government stream sediment and water surveys date back to the early 1970s Stream sediment and water samples were and have been carried out in all ten provinces collected in accordance to the Geological and three territories. Under the Southern Survey of Canada's former National Mackenzie Surficial Mapping Activity of Geochemical Reconnaissance (NGR) Geological Survey of Canada's GEM-2 methodology. At every site possible, three Program (Mackenzie Project), a multi-year samples were collected: bulk stream stream sediment and water study was sediment for the heavy mineral fraction, silt- initiated in 2017 and continued in 2018. size sediment and a water sample. The bulk sediment was processed to obtain indicator Past mineral resource assessments carried out mineral grain counts, while the silts and by the Northwest Territories Geological waters underwent geochemical analyses. Survey, as part of the Protected Areas Diligent NGR QA/QC practices facilitate Strategy (PAS) in the Trout Lake and Kakisa data compatibility and compilation, whether areas, revealed the presence of elevated it be from the early NGR surveys or recent levels of chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), sphalerite GEM drainage geochemical studies. After ((Zn,Fe)S) and galena (PbS) in the heavy publication, all data will be uploaded into the mineral concentrate (HMC) fraction of till GSC's Canadian Database of Geochemical samples. Preliminary isotopic analysis of Surveys. these base metal indicator minerals (GSC OF 8449) has shown that those PAS sulphide grains are not derived from Pine Point. Stream sediment samples collected in 2017

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 15 CO-MANAGEMENT AND other sources can sustain supplies for CROWN CONSULTATION – extended periods (winter months) when WHERE HAVE WE GOTTEN renewable sources are weak or absent. We consider that a combination of deep TO? geothermal heat sources combined with a shallow ground-source heat pump storage DONIHEE, J. facility can serve as the year-round reliable energy source, and other sources can be used WILLMS & SHIER ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS LLP, TORONTO, ON when available. Different sources available [email protected] seasonally lead to the concept of an integrated Hybrid Energy System (HES), a Recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions more complex analogy of the hybrid electric in Chippewas of the Thames and Clyde River vehicle that balances the use of stored indicate that the Crown's Duty to Consult (battery) energy and actively generated may be satisfied by the proceedings (gasoline-sourced) energy. conducted by co-management (administrative) tribunals. Governments have We will show a series of options involving begun notifying Aboriginal rights holders various energy sources, and we will factor in that they will rely on these proceedings to the additional component of energy storage satisfy their consultation obligations. Is it as of various types (mechanical, thermal, simple as that? This presentation will review chemical). Energy storage increases HES the law on consultation and provide a realistic flexibility: e.g., waste heat from one assessment of the role of co-managers in technology (compression of air for Crown consultation. mechanical storage of energy) can be stored using another technology (a heat HYBRID ENERGY SYSTEMS: georepository), or used (a greenhouse or DELIVERING RELIABLE HEAT habitat) to displace other sources (deep AND POWER IN REMOTE geothermal heat). These options all reduce LOCATIONS overall dependence on a single source (e.g. diesel engines), reduce the amount of energy DUSSEAULT*, M.B.D., needed overall, and overcome issues such as MAHBAZ, S.B.M., FRASER, R.A.F., and fragile fuel supply lines. Although the DEHGHANI-SANIJ, A.D.S. extreme cold of the north is viewed as a severe penalty, which it certainly is, it also UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO, ON allows for potential value input. Two [email protected] examples: Organic Rankine Cycle engines Remote reliable energy provision (heat and can operate more efficiently when the power) is extremely costly, and in northern ambient temperature is extremely cold; and, Canada, with the exception of a few the extended summer sun availability at high communities, the default technology is diesel latitudes means that collecting heat from the fuel. Climate conditions and the long period sun (far more efficient than photovoltaic of little or no sun generally eliminate wind, energy) could help in creating a heat solar, tidal, biomass and hydro as reliable repository on a seasonal basis. sources of renewable energy. Yet, at certain times of the year, some of these can Finally, we note that some systems are more contribute to energy systems, providing that effective if hybridization is viable. In the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 16 north, ground-source heat pumps continue this study and provide an update on cooling the ground as the years go by, forthcoming scientific publications from the reducing the effectiveness of such systems. NTGS and our project partners. Preliminary However, deep geothermal heat or local plans for future geophysical and bedrock and waste heat can replenish the ground surficial geology work in the SGP will also temperature, sustaining the seasonal be presented. efficiency of the heat pump system. CANTUNG TUNGSTEN UPDATE ON THE SLAVE MINERALIZATION: LONG AND PROVINCE GEOPHYSICAL, SHORT RANGE SIGNATURE IN SURFICIAL MATERIALS AND PELITIC ROCKS PERMAFROST STUDY UPDATE – REVITALIZING MINERAL ELONGO, V.1, LEGROS, H.1, EXPLORATION AND LECUMBERRI-SANCHEZ*, P.1, 2 3 FACILITATING SUSTAINABLE FALCK, H. , and ADLAKHA, E. DEVELOPMENT IN A KEY (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, ECONOMIC REGION EDMONTON, AB (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT ELLIOTT, B. (3) SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX, NS [email protected] NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT The Tungsten belt, located along the [email protected] Northwest Territories/Yukon border in the In 2016 and 2017, the Northwest Territories Mackenzie Mountains, represents one of the Geological Survey (NTGS) implemented the largest tungsten metallogenic regions in Slave Province Geophysical, Surficial North America. Tungsten deposits along the Materials and Permafrost Study to generate belt are carbonate-replacement skarn new baseline geophysics datasets, new deposits associated with peraluminous surficial mapping products and new mineral Cretaceous magmatism and are commonly exploration methodologies to assist the next spatially associated with gold showings. Of round of diamond discoveries in the Slave the known tungsten deposits, Cantung has the Geologic Province (SGP). Associated highest grade (reserve grades well above 0.7 permafrost studies will develop WO3 %) and coarsest scheelite. However, methodologies for permafrost monitoring other showings such as Mactung and Lened which will inform infrastructure and land-use may be volumetricly larger or have been planning. The research was focused in NTS explored to a lesser extent. The relationship map sheets 75M and 75N, with targeted work between intrusions and tungsten deposits is in 76C and 76D. This project was funded well established. Therefore, exploration through the Strategic Investments in efforts have recently focused on identifying Northern Economic Development of the the "right plutons". Plutons of age and Canadian Northern Economic Development geochemical signature similar to those Agency. This presentation will highlight new outcropping at Cantung have been widely surficial geology mapping products, surficial recognized in the Tungsten belt but deposits geological models and exploration have been more elusive. Comparable methodologies generated over the course of tungsten metallogenic provinces elsewhere in

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 17 the world are characterized by the occurrence the carbonate and the metapelites associated of regionally extensive crustal-derived with well-known tungsten resources in the batholiths that generate numerous deposits at Tungsten belt. The objective is to define the spatial scales of hundreds of kilometers. characteristics and spatial scale of Therefore, Cantung and Mactung may only geochemical anomalies generated in the represent a portion of the mineral endowment argillites below the skarn and within the with additional resources yet to be discovered carbonate by the mineralizing fluid and, and characterized. additionally, by the spent fluid in the argillite above the skarn. Both Cantung and Mactung are hosted in Cambrian sequences consisting of folded HYDROTHERMAL REGIME OF Precambrian to Silurian argillite and STREAM CHANNELS – carbonate units. The ore occurs in the TUKTOYAKTUK COASTLANDS carbonates. The high buffering capability of carbonates makes them an unlikely candidate AND ANDERSON PLAIN to generate long range geochemical 1 2 anomalies. However, fluid-rock interaction ENSOM*, T.P. , KOKELJ, S.V. , and 3 in metapelites can cause trace element MARSH, P. anomalies extending kilometers away from the main system. Regionally extensive (1) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Precambrian metapelites underlying and (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, surrounding skarns in Cantung and Mactung YELLOWKNIFE, NT provide a unique opportunity to test whether (3) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, tungsten deposits generate distal WATERLOO, ON geochemical signatures in the underlying and [email protected] surrounding metapelites that could be used to In permafrost regions, the movement of water identify additional non-exposed tungsten and extent of winter freezing in streams have anomalies. important implications for hydrology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, land use, and Skarns are characterized by the occurrence of infrastructure. Although the hydrology and alteration zonation with marked fronts. thermal characteristics of large Arctic Geochemical changes in the different streams and rivers have been investigated, alteration zones provide information on how knowledge of contemporary winter major and trace elements are buffered from hydrothermal dynamics in smaller, more proximal to distal in the mineralized extensive tundra stream networks is limited. lithologic unit. They also provide Climate warming, changing precipitation information on which elements are least regimes and increases in tundra vegetation likely to be buffered locally and therefore height and coverage may combine to delay most likely to be good distal indicators. active layer freeze-back, increasing the Therefore, local geochemical changes can potential for winter water movement. This provide a first order clue of potential distal could influence stream hydrothermal regime, indicators. with significant hydrological and ecological consequences. In this study we aim to define the local (decimeter scale) and regional (100s of meter The primary goal of this research is to scale) effects of fluid rock interaction in both improve our understanding of the hydrothermal regime of small stream

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 18 channels in continuous permafrost in the hydrological systems in winter. The results Tuktoyaktuk Coastlands and Anderson Plain, will inform hydrological modeling, NWT, and to explore the implications of a understanding the evolution of stream changing climate. It is hypothesized that chemistry and will help inform the design, insulation from snow cover in combination operation and mitigation of hydrological with adequate watershed storage capacity can issues associated with linear infrastructure in permit flow to continue through winter in permafrost. small stream channels. To test this hypothesis, water and ground temperature in, NWT MINERAL EXPLORATION beneath, and adjacent to streams of varying AND MINING OVERVIEW 2018 catchment size across treeline is being monitored. Morphological and ecological FALCK*, H., CAIRNS, S., ELLIOTT, B., parameters of contributing watersheds are and POWELL, L. being compared, and the hydrological activity, thermal conditions and the NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, distribution, timing, and magnitude of stream YELLOWKNIFE, NWT icings indicative of winter water movement [email protected] are being described for several streams Turbulent political times at the national level intersected by the 130-km Inuvik to with trade negotiations, rising interest rate Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH). and newly implemented tariffs have made it difficult to gain an impression of the mood of The ITH has likely increased the surface the mineral industry in the NWT. However, expression of winter water movement in one of the most reliable indicators of regional streams, and has facilitated logistics exploration health, claim staking vs lapsing, and field observations. An additional continues to trend on an upswing that started research objective is to describe the causes of in 2017. In 2017, the total number of claims the icings and ground injection ice occurring staked increased over previous years, at stream crossings along the highway. It is however 2017 cancelled claims still resulted hypothesized that changes to the stream in a net loss of area with mineral tenure. In thermal regime caused by bridge structures or the first three quarters of 2018, claims culverts contribute to the upstream covering 178,868 Ha were added and only development of icings. Concurrent 51,058 Ha released; a significant increase in continuous monitoring of streambed area covered by mineral claims. New staking temperatures, hydrostatic water level included large areas in the Mackenzie upstream and downstream of highway Mountains, complimented by a re-staking of crossings, snow accumulation and icing size claims in the Lac de Gras region and an is intended to aid the investigation of causes expansion of claims in the Yellowknife area. and processes of formation. The development of icings is a concern because of the potential Although diamonds remain the only for unsafe road conditions, highway commodity currently mined in the NWT, blockages, or highway damage. several new commodities targeting green energy alternatives and battery technologies This research provides new insight on winter emerged or advanced this year. Lithium and hydrology in permafrost areas, and cobalt were much discussed in the press, and demonstrates that significant mass and heat vanadium was also represented by new continues to move through small projects.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 19 At the Diavik mine, the opening of the A21 exploration investment of over $2.5 million, project was celebrated ahead of schedule in and led to many encouraging advancements August. The first ore was uncovered in in the funded projects. March and the new pit is scheduled to reach full production capacity during the fourth ESTIMATING THE COST OF quarter of 2018. In the first half of 2018, the CLOSURE AND Gahcho Kué diamond mine recovered over RECLAMATION: GUIDELINES 3,570,000 carats of diamond with grades of the ore and value of the stones outperforming FOR MINES IN THE expectations. Positive results from the MACKENZIE VALLEY production were augmented by mine-site exploration success and identifying FEQUET*, R.1 and EWASCHUK, P.2 additional tonnage in the Hearne pipe as well as the discovery of the Currie kimberlite (1) WEK’ÈEZHÌI LAND AND WATER BOARD, within the shell of the Tuzo pit. At the Ekati YELLOWKNIFE, NT (2) WEK’ÈEZHÌI LAND AND WATER BOARD, mine, current surface operations include the WEKWEÈTÌ, NT Pigeon, Sable and Lynx open pits. [email protected] Underground operations at the Koala pit will In November 2017, the Land and Water be concluded by the end of 2018. The Misery Boards of the Mackenzie Valley, in Underground Project is now underway and collaboration with the Government of the the expansion of Misery Camp is slated for Northwest Territories and Indigenous and early 2019. Northern Affairs Canada, released the Guidelines for Closure and Reclamation Cost The Territory saw activity at several Estimates for Mines (the Closure Cost diamond, gold, base metal and lithium Guidelines). The Closure Cost Guidelines exploration projects. Pine Point Mining outline the expectations of proponents when expanded their exploration efforts with an submitting closure cost estimates for mining aggressive drill program to define new projects. These expectations include resources in the Pine Point Zinc district. collaboration with authorities, use of the Nighthawk continued exploring the Indin GNWT's RECLAIM model, development of Lake volcanic belt and improved the supporting documentation, and more. The continuity of the resources at Colomac. Guidelines also explain the Boards' process Closer to Yellowknife, TerraX continued for setting security during a water license drilling gold targets including the Crestaurum proceeding (e.g., for a new water license) and Shear and the extension of the Sam Otto zone during the term of a water license. This on their enlarged Yellowknife Gold Project presentation will be an overview of the with good results. Far Resources was able to Guidelines. intersect high grade lithium concentrations at Hidden Lake. CONVENTIONAL RESOURCE 2017-2018 saw the Mining Incentive GAS MAPPING PROJECT Program (MIP) budget increased from $400,000 to $1 million; this funding was FIESS, K.M. dispersed to 13 exploration projects (seven companies, and six prospectors). 2017-2018 NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT MIP support resulted in additional [email protected]

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 20 The Conventional Gas Resource Mapping year project initiated in 2014. Dr. Murray Project was initiated last year to support an Gingras of the University of Alberta joined Northwest Territories Geological Survey the research team in 2016 to help achieve the (NTGS) strategic plan objective, “…to project goals and provide enhanced provide geoscience knowledge as required to objectives. This project will provide an support community initiatives to develop assessment of the reservoir quality of Middle local natural gas supplies for electricity to Upper Devonian age shale of the Central generation.” To this end, a scoping level Mackenzie Valley, using sedimentological, geoSCOUT project was completed to show ichnological, and geochemical parameters. the distribution of known natural gas Chemostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, and resource volumes with respect to sedimentological data will be used to communities and existing pipeline and road establish a basin-wide sequence stratigraphic infrastructure. A more comprehensive second framework for the Horn River Group shales. phase of this project will be initiated in Fiscal These shales include the Bluefish and Bell 2018-19 to create publication quality maps, Creek members of the Hare Indian shale and shapefiles, and metadata in an ArcGIS the Canol Formation. Basin-wide outcrop, project. The results of the ArcGIS project core, chip samples, and well log data will be made available as an NTGS Open collection and analysis are incorporated into Report by fiscal year-end. This presentation the project work. Petroleum systems analysis will review the scoping results of the 2017- software will also be used to conduct basin 18 Conventional Gas Resource Mapping modeling studies using multiple Horn River Project. Group shale datasets. Potential hydrocarbon generation history, migration models, 2018-19 ACTIVITY UPDATE – resource volumes, and prospective trends PETROLEUM GEOSCIENCES will be evaluated. The team also conducted GROUP fieldwork along the western and southern edges of the Mackenzie Plain and Peel Plateau, respectively during Fiscal 2016-17 FIESS, K.M. and 2018-19. The 2018-19 project work focuses on industry core and chip sample data NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT from five recently drilled wells in the Central [email protected] Mackenzie Valley and on recently acquired During Fiscal 2017-18, the Petroleum outcrop samples. Geosciences Group at the Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) Petroleum Play Summaries are a hybrid advanced work on four projects. These product designed to provide petroleum include the Shale Basin Evolution Project in industry explorationists with a summary of the Central Northwest Territories (NWT), key technical parameters and basic mapping Petroleum Play Summaries, Conventional for known conventional or unconventional Marketable Gas Resource Mapping, and hydrocarbon plays in the NWT. The Petroleum Legislation Review. The purpose summaries are printed as pamphlets and of this presentation is to review the work primarily distributed at technical completed during Fiscal 2017-18 and the conferences. The Liard Unconventional Play Petroleum Group 2018-19 work objectives. Summary is nearly complete, and pamphlets should be available for distribution before the The Shale Basin Evolution Project is a multi- end of November 2018.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 21 The Conventional Gas Resource Mapping Yukon to help determine the viability of Project was initiated last year to support an developing these resources. Renewable NTGS Strategic Plan objective … to provide power is not a top-of-mind issue for geoscience knowledge as required to support Yukoners, as the bulk of our power is community initiatives to develop local generated from renewable sources (mainly natural gas supplies for electricity hydro, with increasing components of solar generation.” To this end, a scoping level and wind). However, projected power geoSCOUT project was completed to show demands for potential new mine the distribution of known natural gas developments over the next ten to twenty resource volumes with respect to years will exceed Yukon’s current power communities and existing pipeline and road capacity, and consultations around new infrastructure. A more comprehensive second hydro developments have met strong public phase of this project will be initiated in Fiscal opposition. Additionally, although our power 2018-19 to create publication quality maps, grid is currently over 90% renewable, four shapefiles, and metadata in an ArcGIS communities are off-grid, and the majority of project. The results of the ArcGIS project Yukon homes and businesses are heated with will be made available as an NTGS Open hydrocarbons. All hydrocarbons used in the Report by fiscal year-end. territory are trucked from the south.

A workgroup was formed in the fall of 2016 Previous geothermal investigations in Yukon to review the Petroleum Resource Act and the include numerous regional and site-specific Oil and Gas Operations Act and identify studies by the Geological Survey of Canada areas of the legislation in need of updating. (Grasby et al., 2012. GSC Open File 6913), The manager of the Petroleum Geosciences Yukon Energy Corporation (unpublished Group served as a subject matter expert on studies) and the Canadian Geothermal the team until February 2018. Energy Association (CanGEA, 2016). Our current research builds on these studies and GEOTHERMAL ENERGY has three components: POTENTIAL IN YUKON: RESULTS OF RECENT STUDIES • Modeling regional heat flow in the mid to shallow crust; BY YUKON GEOLOGICAL • Calculating potential heat production SURVEY from young granites; and • Direct measurement of thermal 1 1 FRASER*, T.A. , RELF, C. , gradient in two ground temperature 1 2 COLPRON, M. , WITTER, J.B. , and monitoring wells. GRASBY, S.E.3

(1) YUKON GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, Heat flow was modeled by Witter and Miller WHITEHORSE, YT (2017) by calculating Curie Point depths (2) INNOVATE GEOTHERMAL, (CPD) using public domain regional VANCOUVER, BC aeromagnetic data from NRCAN. CPD (3) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, CALGARY, AB estimates were subsequently improved upon [email protected] by Li et al. (2017. YGS Open File 2017-3) using a global EMAG2 magnetic dataset as Yukon Geological Survey (YGS) is discussed in Witter et al. (2018. 43rd evaluating the geothermal energy potential of Workshop on Geothermal Reservoir

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 22 Engineering). The Curie Point, defined as the obtained to date and assess interest in temperature above which a magnetic carrying out further research. substance loses its magnetic properties, corresponds to a temperature of roughly UPDATE ON RECENT AND 580°C for the commonly occurring mineral PLANNED ACTIVITIES OF THE magnetite. CPDs calculated for Yukon OFFICE OF THE REGULATOR correspond well with the heat flow map of Grasby et al. (2012. GSC Open File 6913), OF OIL AND GAS OPERATIONS with the shallower CPDs occurring across (OROGO) southern Yukon. FULFORD*, J., DE JONG, P., Additional, shallow sources of potential heat HEPPELLE, B., and CAMERON, K. were identified by calculating the heat generated from the natural radiogenic decay OROGO, YELLOWKNIFE, NT of U, Th and K in granites. Using the [email protected] technique of Rybach (1981. in Geothermal OROGO holds regulatory responsibility for Systems: Principles and Case Histories), oil and gas operations in the onshore heat-production values were calculated from Northwest Territories outside of the existing whole rock geochemical data. Inuvialuit Settlement Region and federal Granites in southern Yukon locally have areas. This presentation will provide a brief significantly higher heat production values update on OROGO's activities over the past than “average” granites (over 10µW/m3 vs. year and its plans for the coming year. Areas 2.45µW/m3 for an average granite). Notable of focus will include the anticipated are Cretaceous granites which have higher reduction in on-the-land liability as a result of heat generation values compared to younger OROGO's Well Suspension and Paleogene ones. Abandonment Guidelines, the electronic availability of well history and seismic Direct ground temperature data were program information, new Guidelines under collected from two 500 metre-deep wells development in 2018-19 and OROGO's Well drilled between November 2017 and March Watch Program. 2018. One well is located midway between Takhini hot spring (46°C surface water ENERGY RESILIENCE AND temperature) and a granite pluton that yielded 3 INDEPENDENCE FOR a heat-production value of 5.96µW/m . The CANADA'S NORTH granite is thought to provide a heat source to infiltrating meteoric waters, possibly in FUNG, E., SEGUIN, N., permeable carbonate rocks. The second well ABBATIELLO, L., and RIVARD*, P. targeted the Tintina trench, a major dextral fault that transects Yukon. This location was TUGLIQ ENERGY CORP., MONTRÉAL, QC selected to assess whether enhanced [email protected] permeability in the fault creates a locally This talk will present an overview of diesel elevated geothermal gradient. consumption in Canada's North and will discuss highlights and conclusions from As results of this work are written up over the KPMG's recent study “Assessment of next few months, YGS is taking some time to Potential Diesel Demand in Mines and engage communities regarding results Remote Communities in Northern Canada.”

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 23 It will also feature a case study relating to resource extraction and climate warming will TUGLIQ Energy's renewable energy impact ecosystems. Gold mines near experience at Glencore's RAGLAN Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, the Canadian Arctic, and suggest frontier subarctic Canada, operated from 1938 to demonstrations, experiments and 2004 and released more than 20,000 tonnes deployments that should be undertaken to of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) to the effect a timely and orderly energy transition environment through stack emissions. This in Canada's North. Emphasis will be given to release resulted in elevated arsenic the current energy situation in Canada's concentrations in lake surface waters and North, evolving trends, and practitioners' sediments relative to Canadian drinking views on reliability, operating and water standards and guidelines for the maintenance, smart grid stability, resilience protection of aquatic life. A meta-analytical and energy independence. approach is used to better understand controls on As distribution in lake sediments within a ORGANIC MATTER CONTROL 30-km radius of historic mineral processing activities. Arsenic concentrations in the near- ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF -1 ARSENIC IN LAKE SEDIMENTS surface sediments range from 5 mg.kg to over 10,000 mg.kg-1 (median 81 mg.kg-1; 5- IMPACTED BY ~65 YEARS OF >10,000 mg.kg-1; n=105). Distance and GOLD ORE PROCESSING IN direction from the historic roaster stack are SUBARCTIC CANADA significantly (p<0.05) related to sedimentary As concentration, with highest As GALLOWAY*, J.M.1, concentrations in sediments within 11 km SWINDLES, G.T.2, JAMIESON, H.E.3, and lakes located downwind. Synchrotron- PALMER, M.J.4, PARSONS, M.B.5, based µXRF and µXRD confirm the 6 7 SANEI, H. , MACUMBER, A.L. , persistence of As2O3 in near surface PATTERSON, R.T.8, and FALCK, H.9 sediments of two lakes. Labile organic matter (S1) is significantly (p<0.05) related to As (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, and S concentrations in sediments and this CALGARY, AB relationship is greatest in lakes within 11 km (2) UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, LEEDS, UK from the mine. These relations are interpreted (3) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON (4) CARLETON UNIVERSITY AND to reflect labile organic matter acting as a CUMULATIVE IMPACT MONITORING substrate for microbial growth and mediation PROGRAM, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT of authigenic precipitation of As-sulphides in (5) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, lakes close to the historic mine where As DARTMOUTH, NS concentrations are highest. Continued (6) AARHUS UNIVERSITY, AARHUS, DK (7) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST, UK climate warming is expected to lead to (8) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON increased biological productivity and (9) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEVY, GNWT, changes in organic geochemistry of lake YELLOWKNIFE, NT sediments that are likely to play an important [email protected] role in the mobility and fate of As in aquatic Climate change is profoundly affecting ecosystems. seasonality, biological productivity, and hydrology in high northern latitudes. In sensitive subarctic environments exploitation of mineral resources led to contamination and it is not known how cumulative effects of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 24 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY net power at surface along with associated POTENTIAL OF NORTHWEST direct heat use. Potential issues with scaling TERRITORIES associated with brines from these levels could cause some technical challenges however. Further research on potential hot GRASBY*, S.E.1 and sedimentary aquifers could help focus MAJOROWICZ, J.2 potential exploration targets for geothermal (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, systems. CALGARY, AB (2) NORTHERN GEOTHERMAL, THE THERMOCHEMICAL EDMONTON, AB [email protected] CONDITIONS OF THE DIAVIK LOWER CRUST: A Northern Canada faces unique challenges of numerous remote communities largely KIMBERLITE-HOSTED separated from electrical grid systems. XENOLITH STUDY Thermal and power needs are typically met by truck transported hydrocarbons, which in GRUBER*, B.H., CHACKO, T., and some cases is subject to winter roads and/or PEARSON, D.G. seasonal freeze and break up of ice bridges that limits shipments to narrow windows UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB [email protected] through the year. Potential to develop local energy resources can provide communities Thermochemical variables such as lower with energy sovereignty along with greater crustal heat production and Moho energy security. We examined the broad temperatures in cratonic regions offer critical geothermal energy potential of the NWT with insight in constraining the thermal and particular respect to communities with higher geodynamic evolution of the lithosphere. In potential. The broad area of eastern NWT this study, 15 lower crustal granulite underlain by the Canadian Shield has low xenoliths erupted via the A154N kimberlite heat flow and geothermal gradients limiting at the Diavik mine in the NWT, Canada were resources potential largely to potential heat studied to quantify the thermal properties of pump systems, or potentially Enhanced the local Moho and the effects of different Geothermal Systems that is still in a heat production models on geotherm models. technology development stage. Some notable We quantitatively constrain the thermal exceptions are geothermal potential of properties of the local Moho and the effects abandoned mines where large water filled of different heat production models on mine tunnels allow high volume production ancient Moho temperatures, the effects of and heat extraction. Sedimentary basins of crustal thickness on Moho temperatures, and the western NWT have inherently low potential lower crustal compositions. We thermal conductivity and act as thermal evaluate the effect of these parameters on blankets trapping radiogenic heat. These total lithospheric thickness estimates. regions also have higher heat generation. Drilling by the petroleum industry define In order to test the accuracy of deep crust regions of high temperature geothermal thermal calculations, we estimated the resources at depths associated with known ambient temperature of the lower crust at the aquifer units, suggesting potential for time of kimberlite eruption through garnet- sufficient fluids production rates to produce biotite Fe-Mg exchange geothermometry (Ferry & Spear, 1978). Rim compositions

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 25 from touching garnet-biotite pairs were used al. 2001; Mareschal et al. 2004) and crustal in the calculations and yielded temperatures thickness estimates (Mareschal et al. 2004) in of 524 ± 77°C (n=20). These represent a conjunction with these HPE determinations, maximum estimate of the ambient lower the Moho temperature underlying A-154N crustal temperature as the closure can be calculated to be 502 ± 10°C. Using temperature of garnet-biotite Fe-Mg these values along with available mantle exchange between garnet and biotite may be xenolith thermobaromtetry (Hasterok & higher than the ambient temperature. Chapman, 2011) the geotherm is extrapolated to present a mantle potential temperature of The primary objective of this study is to 1365°C, at 200 km (FITPLOT, Mather et al, quantify lower crustal heat production and its 2011). effects on the thermal architecture of cratons. The concentrations of the main heat- PHASE CHANGE AND WATER producing elements (HPEs) U, Th, and K MOVEMENT IN SHALLOW were quantified via LA-ICP-MS and EPMA PERMAFROST INFERRED in multiple mineral phases per xenolith. By combining these measurements with mineral FROM BOREHOLE modes, we derived reconstructed bulk-rock OBSERVATIONS OF LIQUID HPE concentrations that were utilized to WATER CONTENT AND calculate a range of lower crustal heat TEMPERATURE NEAR production values. This method is preferred YELLOWKNIFE, CANADA over whole-rock analyses as 1) kimberlite is generally enriched in HPEs (Tappe et al. GRUBER, S. 2013) and can bias trace-element data for their xenoliths and 2) data on individual CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON minerals allows for theoretical lower crustal [email protected] compositions to be calculated on an idealized Three experimental installations for basis. A lower crust comprising exclusively measuring temperature and liquid water mafic granulite (garnet, plagioclase, content as well as surface heave/subsidence clinopyroxene ± orthopyroxene) provides a were made in summer 2017 near lower bound to heat production (0.07 ± 0.04 3 Yellowknife. All three quantities are W/m ) whereas a lower crust made measured with hourly resolution. The exclusively of high-grade metasedimentary measured depths for temperature and liquid rocks yields an upper bound (0.42 ± 0.08 3 water content extend from 0.1 to around 2 W/m ). Both endmembers are present as metres. Temperature is calibrated to +/- 0.02 xenoliths in the A154N kimberlite but mafic ºC except for one borehole that is accurate to granulites predominate following the only +/- 0.1 ºC. Water content is measured worldwide trend (Rudnick, 1992). We model with a repeatability of a fraction of a percent, the lower crust comprising 20% but absolute calibration is a work in progress. metasedimentary granulites and 80 % Surface heave/subsidence is measured with depleted mafic granulites, in accordance with an accuracy of +/- 0.5 mm. This contribution the present xenolith collection. Using this will show results based on data from July preferred crustal model, we calculate an 3 2017 to June 2018, possibly to November average heat production of 0.12 ± 0.05 W/m ) 2018. for the lower crust beneath Lac de Gras. Utilizing heat flow measurements (Russell et

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 26 The derived freezing characteristic curves, minimize environmental impact, enhance although limited by the temperature range community benefits for mutual success, experienced at each depth, are of high quality encourage innovation, and maximize and predominantly show clear hysteretic shareholder value. behaviour. Water movement in the frozen soil can be inferred during periods when the This presentation will analyze the growing experimental freezing curves (volumetric influence of sustainable mining, and look at liquid water content as a function of five pillars that support its practice from an temperature) deviate from their otherwise environmental, health, safety and social smooth exponential shape. Additionally, (EHSS) lens. These key pillars include: 1) short episodes of increasing liquid water building operational excellence; 2) fostering content occur in cooling permafrost. This holistic water management; 3) driving social contribution will present the major performance; 4) engaging across the project phenomena observable from the combined lifecycle; and 5) managing closure from the data set of temperature, liquid water content start. We will examine how sustainable and subsidence. Inferred water content in mining applies and what it looks like for the freezing soil will be discussed in more detail. Northwest Territories and elsewhere in the North. We will identify the drivers of change This work contributes to better understanding in society and the economy that, in turn, drive the behaviour of near-isothermal permafrost. changing expectations and requirements for This is important because permafrost in many project performance. The drivers include locations is subject to thaw i.e., the gradual positive forces that are changing market loss of ground ice. Here the relevant changes demand, and the disruptors – both of which of material properties are incompletely require companies to build a new narrative understood based on temperature observation and revise their approach. The mining sector alone. can accomplish this by investing in their people, transforming their processes, THE MINE WE WANT TO SEE – improving their stakeholder relationships, A PERSPECTIVE ON and optimizing their supply chain, resulting SUSTAINABLE MINING IN in an integration of business, community and environmental objectives. It requires a CANADA'S NORTH holistic view of what you were, what you are now, and the legacy you want to build for the 1 2 GUSTAVSON*, K. and REMPEL, J. future. The presentation concludes with highlighting the work required to define the (1) ERM CONSULTANTS CANADA LTD., strategy and objectives to achieve ‘the mine VICTORIA, BC (2) ERM CONSULTANTS CANADA LTD., we want to see'. VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE The mining sector is enjoying a resurgence. UPDATE Yet long-term success in today's dynamic landscape demands a re-orientation of the HALEY, W. approach to the business of mining. Implementing sustainable practices across DIAVIK DIAMOND MINES INC., the lifecycle is key to achieving the both the YELLOWKNIFE, NT stability and agility required to reduce risk, [email protected]

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 27 Over the past year, the Diavik Diamond Mine detailed research (e.g., Paleozoic continued to make significant contributions stratigraphy) to understand Nunavut's through its mining operation on Lac de Gras, geology. Research for infrastructure needs NWT. The mine is the second largest includes permafrost and aggregate studies diamond mine in the NWT (and in Canada), and energy-related research involves but the largest producer of Canadian rough petroleum and uranium studies. Data diamonds. Production has been augmented in dissemination – publication of maps, reports 2018 with the official opening and start of and datasets through publicly accessible mining from a new ore body called A-21. websites – and community communication efforts ensure the timely release of research ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADA- results. The CNGO disseminates its NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE geoscience data through many avenues, OFFICE 2018 including the annual Summary of Activities initiated in 2012. HAM*, L.J., ZHANG, S., BASSO, S., A new project over a large area of GILBERT, C., STEENKAMP, H.M., and northwestern Baffin region is a multi-faceted TREMBLAY, T. collaborative research project involving CNGO and several Canadian universities CANADA-NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE OFFICE, IQALUIT, NU (Laurentian, UQAM, McGill). The project's [email protected] mandate is to fill in some of the remaining The Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office gaps in geoscience knowledge. In 2018, (CNGO), established in 1999, operates as a bedrock and surficial geology mapping on tripartite government office being co-funded the southern part of the study area followed and co-managed by three partners – Natural on a geophysical survey; the northern part Resources Canada, Crown-Indigenous will be studied in 2019. A Strategic Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Partnership Grant from the Natural Science the Government of Nunavut. The CNGO is and Engineering Research Council of Canada Nunavut's de-facto geological survey with allowed collaborative research projects for the mandate to provide accessible geoscience graduate students. These thematic research information and expertise to support projects were focused on the tectonic history sustainable and responsible development of of the area; the possible record of Earth's Nunavut's natural resources (mineral and early lifeforms in old sedimentary rocks; the energy resources), and to develop and thickness of beds and presence of fossils in promote geoscience education, training, and younger sedimentary rocks; and the glacial capacity building. history of the region.

Most of CNGO's research involves Bedrock mapping focused on the Wager collaboration with university and shear zone on the northwestern coast of government partners. Recent work has Hudson Bay is currently the subject of a concentrated on 1) geological research M.Sc. thesis. The Western Hudson Bay (mapping) for responsible natural resource compilation project along the western coast development; 2) mapping for climate change of Hudson Bay from the Manitoba border to and permafrost; 3) mapping for Rankin Inlet is compiling all existing infrastructure; and 4) data dissemination and aggregate, mineral potential, surficial capacity building. Thematic studies include geology, land cover, and permafrost data for

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 28 this area. The western Kitikmeot region costs of the NT-ESRF. Companies holding contains several areas with well-exposed Exploration, Production and Significant sedimentary rocks. These rocks were part of Discovery Licenses in the NWT are assessed a collaborative study between Laurentian and an annual levy based on acreage held within the CNGO to understand better the the Territory. geological history of the land, and to explore for economic commodities such as uranium The NT-ESRF Management Board and carving stone. (“Board”) oversees operation and management of the fund. The Board is Understanding ice-flow direction and composed of representatives from important geomorphological processes is government, industry and the public. Board critical for interpreting the geochemistry and Members are appointed by and serve at the mineralogy of surficial sediments. Surficial pleasure of the Minister of Department of interpretation studies continued over Industry, Tourism and Investment, Southampton Island and Foxe Peninsula. Government of the Northwest Territories. Lake sediment data from Baffin Island is The Board supports high-calibre research being reanalysed, using updated analytical related to the petroleum industry and will techniques. A continuing project using the continue developing cost-effective strategies RV Nuliaiuk is gathering information to for maintaining baseline monitoring support infrastructure development in the city programs across those areas of the NWT of Iqaluit by characterizing the seabed likely to see oil and natural gas development morphology, sediments, and marine in the future. While wildlife and groundwater geohazards. research are the current priority, funding has also been provided for innovative projects NORTHWEST TERRITORIES such as the Aurora Research Institute native ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES seed initiative. Maintaining research RESEARCH FUND: FUNDING programs that support fact based decision- making related to energy development, is an RESEARCH IN THE NWT excellent investment in the future of the RELATED TO THE petroleum industry in the NWT. PETROLEUM INDUSTRY

HANSEN, K.F.

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES RESEARCH FUND, CALGARY, AB [email protected] The Northwest Territories Environmental Studies Research Fund (“NT-ESRF”) is now into its fourth year of operation. Authorized under the Petroleum Resources Act, the NT- ESRF provides financial support for environmental and social studies pertaining to exploration, development and production activities on petroleum lands. The petroleum industry provides the funding required to support this research and the administration

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 29 A SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC Loon Creek O-06 and Mirror Lake N-20 FRAMEWORK BASED ON cores. Outcrop data are from the Mountain HIGH-RESOLUTION River (65° 14’ 21.7” N, 128° 35’ 40.6” W), the West Powell Creek (65° 16' 37.20" N, CHEMOSTRATIGRAPHY AND 128° 46' 26.40" W), and the Dodo Canyon SEDIMENTOLOGY OF THE (65° 0' 7.20" N, 127° 20' 45.60" W) outcrops. HARE INDIAN FORMATION, Data are interpreted in a transgressive- CENTRAL MACKENZIE regressive (T-R) sequence stratigraphic VALLEY, NORTHWEST framework using elements associated with TERRITORIES detrital origin (Al, K, Fe, Ti; together referred to as terrigenous indicators) as geochemical proxies to infer maximum flooding and HARRIS*, B.S.1, maximum regressive surfaces. Regression is LAGRANGE RAO, M.T.1, interpreted where terrigenous indicators TERLAKY, V.2, FIESS, K.M.2, and increase; conversely transgression is inferred GINGRAS, M.K.1 when indicators decrease. In addition, (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, proxies including molybdenum, nickel, and EDMONTON, AB vanadium enrichment are used as paleoredox (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, indicators, and the ratio of silicon to YELLOWKNIFE, NT zirconium is used to infer silica source [email protected] (terrigenous vs. biogenic). Early results The Givetian age Hare Indian Formation, part suggest regression throughout the Hare of the Middle to Late Devonian Horn River Indian Formation, with two parasequences Group and located in the Mackenzie within this overall trend. Data also indicate a Mountains and Central Mackenzie Valley of primarily terrigenous source of silica, and the Northwest Territories, is a mudstone euxinic conditions during deposition. The comprising a lower organic-rich shale named sequence stratigraphic framework formed the Bluefish Member, and an upper grey from these data will assist in the mapping and shale named the Bell Creek Member. characterization of unconventional reservoirs Previous studies of the Hare Indian in the Hare Indian Formation, and assist in Formation have assessed geochemistry at a the understanding of the sequence fairly coarse sampling rate, 0.5 metre or stratigraphy and depositional environment of coarser, and focused on the lithostratigraphy the Horn River Group. of the Horn River Group. This study uses high-resolution data collected using a ENBRIDGE LINE 21 SEGMENT portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) REPLACEMENT PROJECT instrument and attempts to integrate these geochemical data with sedimentological data HESTVIK, P.H. in order to produce a sequence stratigraphic framework. Sample spacing ranges from 10 ENBRIDGE PIPELINES, EDMONTON, AB centimetres to 1 metre for both core and [email protected] outcrop samples, with additional sampling The Enbridge Line 21 Segment Replacement around features of interest. Cores analysed in Project replaced 2.5 kilometers of pipeline this study include the MGM Shell East below the Mackenzie River using intersect Mackay I-78 core, the Husky Little Bear N- horizontal directional drill technology. 09 and H-64 cores, and the Conoco Phillips Through a partnership with local Indigenous

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 30 communities, a joint environmental Yellowknife, NT. The revegetation plan management committee was formed to focus focused on establishing pioneer species and on protecting the land and water, and support facilitating natural recovery and succession. local training and employment. On A “rough and loose” technique was used to September 27, 2018, the Norman Wells allow the soil to capture and retain moisture, Pipeline was restarted successfully. trap windborne seed, promote easy root penetration and prevent erosion. Harvesting Successful execution of this Project required and planting local willow cuttings (Salix sp.), creativity to overcome logistical challenges. alder (Alnus viridis) seeds, and sedge plugs The replacement pipeline was installed over ensured that the vegetation planted at these 140 metres below the river, significantly sites was adapted to local climate and soils. deeper than the replaced pipeline. The Monitoring included vegetation counts, intersect drill spanned over 2100 metres. Due percent vegetation cover and photographic to the remote location and sensitive documentation. After seven years, vegetation environment, equipment was barged to one of cover was 80% to 100% where the worksites and over 14,000 wooden mats bioengineering techniques were used, and were used to construct an 11 kilometre road. there was no further loss of the plants and The construction window was short and the cuttings that had survived during the first two intersect drill was highly technical. years. Dense thickets of alder were growing in drier areas. Fifty five plant species not This presentation will focus on the planted have germinated. The bioengineering construction aspects of the Project. techniques implemented provided a successful, cost effective, and local approach UPDATE ON THE to revegetation. BIOENGINEERING TECHNIQUES FOR RESULTS OF THE TUNDRA REVEGETATION OF RIPARIAN MINE, NT REVEGETATION AREAS AT THE COLOMAC TRIAL USING LOCALLY MINE, NT: SEVEN YEARS HARVESTED PIONEER LATER SPECIES INSTEAD OF GRASS SEED AND FERTILIZER HEWITT*, M.1 and RICHARDSON, A.2 HEWITT*, M.1, STEVENS, K.2, (1) FLAT RIVER CONSULTING, SUDBURY, ON MEDIOUNI, S.2, BANNISTER, J.2, and (2) CONTAMINENTS AND REMEDIATION SOMERS, M.3 DIVISION, CIRNAC, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] (1) FLAT RIVER CONSULTING, SUDBURY, ON Factors such as nutrient poor soils, harsh (2) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, climate, remote locations, and high costs WATERLOO, ON (3) CONTAMINENTS AND REMEDIATION make revegetating disturbed areas in northern DIVISION, CIRNAC, YELLOWKNIFE, NT environments a challenge. A case study is [email protected] presented where innovative bioengineering The abandoned Tundra Gold Mine, 240 km and project planning techniques were northeast of Yellowknife, NT, is located in employed to revegetate and remediate three the transition zone between the boreal forest riparian areas at Colomac Mine, an and the tundra. The shorter growing season, abandoned gold mine 220 km north of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 31 extreme cold, low precipitation, shallow Group (MRG) on Northern Baffin Island. depth of nutrient poor rocky soils, desiccating The MRG forms the northern extension of the winds and the presence of permafrost make central Rae Committee Bay Belt. On north revegetation efforts challenging. The 2015 Baffin the MRG is characterized by lower trial focused on establishing locally harvested metagreywacke overlain by a BIF-komatiite- pioneer species to facilitate natural recovery quartzite cover sequence. Regionally, the BIF and succession as an alternative to using member hosts high-grade magnetite ores, native and non-grass seed and fertilizer. The with grades averaging 65 wt % Fe. soils were mechanically loosened creating a 30 m by 70 m plot of offset holes on the side Baffinland Iron Mines' direct shipping ore of the former tailings pond leaving six control deposits and prospects cover a vast extent of plots (4 m by 4 m) within the trial to compare Northern Baffin Island, covering variable growth on loosened soils to compacted soils. metamorphic and structural terranes. This No soil amendments were added. After one study uses Deposit No. 1, Baffinland's year 81% of the 93 1.2 m long live dormant flagship deposit, as a type-section for MRG willow (Salix athabascensis) cuttings stratigraphy and a comparative benchmark produced shoots. 90 transplant plugs each of for fluid-rock interactions in the DSO Juncus stygius, Juncus drummondii, forming processes. Detailed petrography, Equisetum arvense and Carex aquatilis were bulk rock geochemistry and microprobe planted in 30 groups, half in the control plots mineral analyses have been employed to and half in the adjacent rough and loose, with determine the protoliths of the host-rock units an 83% and 86% survival rate, respectively. to try to correlate them to traditional MRG Significant plant growth was observed in the stratigraphy. second year over the first year when plants were diverting resources to root growth at the LA-ICP-MS analysis has been used to expense of shoot growth. determine that least-altered BIFs across the study areas in the MRG have very similar HYDROTHERMAL AND major oxide, trace element and rare earth METAMORPHIC FLUID-ROCK element (REE) patterns, typical of Algoma- INTERACTIONS ASSOCIATED type BIFs found in the Prince Albert and Woodburn Lake groups on mainland WITH DIRECT SHIPPING IRON Nunavut as well as other districts globally. ORE IN THE MARY RIVER As there is no global standard for Algoma- GROUP, NORTH BAFFIN type BIFs, Deposit No. 1 serves as the ISLAND baseline for regional comparisons. At the mineral scale, enrichment and depletion HEY*, J.1,2, IANNELLI, T.R.1, trends of major oxides are typical of DSOs DUKE, N.A.2, and MOSER, D.2 globally, however significant regional variation is observed in trace elements and (1) BAFFINLAND IRON MINES, OAKVILLE, ON REEs. These variations are attributed to fluid (2) UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN ONTARIO, source and country rock differences as well LONDON, ON as disparate metamorphic grade. Fluid [email protected] chemistry, metamorphic grade and structural Originally discovered in the mid 1960s, preparation/control are seen to have an effect regional geological mapping has identified on the physical characteristics of the ore. direct shipping iron ore (DSO) within high- grade gneisses correlated to the Mary River

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 32 Timing of the metamorphic events that led to brine is used to heat a secondary fluid that run the natural beneficiation of the DSO is the generator. Several companies are congruent across the MRG. Metamorphic working on turbines and heat-engines that zircon, monazite and titanite dating has tied produce electrical energy from waters as low the ore forming event to the Transhudson as 70°C. It is project specific whether these Orogen at ~1.83 Ga. LA-ICP-MS techniques low-temperature systems are efficient were used for in-situ dating of monazites in enough to be economical because they DSO, as well as a novel new approach of require large pumped water flows. Pumping directly dating hematite itself. Dates from requires significant energy called “parasite rocks hangingwall and footwall to the load”. Geothermal Power plants that use orebodies have been used to correlate MRG pumped wells typically expend 50% of their stratigraphy across North Baffin, decipher energy needs on parasite load. Pumping costs regional metamorphic events and to help become an important consideration for the shape deposit formation models. OPEX of these plants; ultimately determining if the plant can be economic. As an example, ECONOMIC FACTORS AND to generate 1 MWe from water with THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR temperatures between 110°C and 120°C, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A requires between 60 and 70 kg/sec of mass flow. COMMERCIALLY VIABLE GEOTHERMAL PROJECT Some authors have suggested that existing gas and oil wells can be used to produce HICKSON, C. geothermal power. Typical gas and oil wells have a diameter of 4 ½ or 5 ½ inches. GEOTHERMAL CANADA, VANCOUVER, BC Volumetrically, a one-foot section of pipe [email protected] holds 3 to 4.5 liters of brine at these pipe Geothermal energy requires accessing warm diameters. Geothermal wells use larger to hot brines useful for electrical generation diameter pipe (9 ⅝ to 13 ⅜) which can hold or direct-use. The development pathway can between 10.5 and 31 liters of fluid in a one- be an up-hill battle; both time consuming and foot section. This volume difference means costly. Although geothermal energy provides that the potential mass flux of larger diameter developers with significant long-term wells is significant and can result in the useful stability, low operating costs (OPEX), and production of brines to power electrical high energy availability (above 90%); getting generation. It is also why oil and gas wells are into production is the challenge. Currently, unlikely to be useful for electrical generation. brine temperatures above 170°C are best Oil and gas wells might flow enough fluid for suited for electrical generation with greater direct-use purposes, but the value of the efficiencies the higher the brine energy may not be enough to offset the temperatures. Systems generating electricity pumping costs. from dry steam (for example the Geysers in California) offer the greatest efficiencies. In the context of the Northwest Territories Electricity can also be generated from brines (NWT), the most likely geothermal with temperatures between 120°C and development area is within the northern parts 170°C. These systems generally use an of the Western Canada Sedimentary basin Organic Rankin Cycle system. Wells must be extending northward from Alberta. pumped as they do not spontaneously flow Currently, information is limited as to the like those at higher temperatures and the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 33 potential brine flows that could be produced historical resources and performing from purpose drilled geothermal wells in brownfield exploration in the 3rd largest NWT. Although transmission is available in Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide camp in the some area, building infrastructure is costly. world. Osisko Metals also owns a portfolio of For direct-use applications the load grassroot exploration projects in Québec. (consumers) must be relatively close to the source. But given the mean monthly HIGH-GRADE IRON ORE temperatures in NWT are below 0°C for 7 DEPOSITS AT MARY RIVER months of the year, the heat value from even NORTH BAFFIN ISLAND, a low-temperature geothermal resource could be of significant value even for small NUNAVUT communities. IANNELLI*, T. and HEY, J.

OSISKO METALS – EXPLORING BAFFINLAND IRON MINES CORPORATION, TWO SIGNIFICANT BASE OAKVILLE, ON METAL CAMPS [email protected] The Mary River area on northern Baffin HUSSEY, J. Island is emerging as a major high-grade iron ore camp with several variably delineated OSISKO METALS INC., MONTRÉAL, QC deposits, the largest in excess of 600 mt of [email protected] 66% Fe. Hosted within a prominent Algoma- Jeff Hussey is President, CEO and director of type banded iron formation (BIF), the Osisko Metals. Osisko Metals is a Canadian deposits are preserved and thickened within exploration and development company fold belts of variable scale. The direct creating value in the base metal space. The shipping ores (DSO) are characterized by Company has secured significant positions in exceptionally high Fe grades, low deleterious Canada's two premier historical zinc mining element content, and a high lump potential. camps, namely the Pine Point Camp The ore requires no processing, only crushing (“PPMC”) located in the Northwest and screening. Territories and the Bathurst Mining Camp (“BMC”), located in northern New First production occurred in August 2014 at Brunswick. At Pine Point, the objective is to Deposit No. 1. Delineation drilling continues, upgrade 50 Mt of near surface historical zinc and exploration drilling has resumed at resources that Cominco outlined between Deposits 2 and 3. The ores are being shipped 1964-1988. Pine Point is unique as it is the to the European and Japanese steel industries only pure play, open pit zinc development and are marketed as Lump (DSP) and Fine project globally. Following the conversion of (SSF) products. During 2017, 2.9 mt of DSP the historical resources to NI43-101 (68.1% Fe) and 1.2 mt of SSF (67.1% Fe) categorization, the next step is to proceed were shipped. Production in 2018 is with an innovative brownfield exploration anticipated to be ~6 mt of DSO. program in 2019. The plan is to utilize updated geological interpretations and modern tools including LIDAR and airborne gravity geophysical surveys that were not available to previous operators. In the BMC, Osisko Metals is also focused on upgrading

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 34 THE FURY AND HECLA for economic mineral and carving stone GEOSCIENCE PROJECT: deposits in the study area. OVERVIEW OF THE 2018 Here we highlight the field observations and REGIONAL BEDROCK preliminary interpretations from the 2018 MAPPING AND THEMATIC field season. Most basement rocks comprise RESEARCH variably deformed granodioritic– monzogranitic orthogneiss with pods and IELPI*, A.1, STEENKAMP, H.M.2, lenses of ultramafic, mafic and supracrustal HALVERSON, G.P.3, TINKHAM, D.K.1, rocks at amphibolite facies, which are cut by PATZKE, M.1, GREENMAN, J.W.3, monzo- to syenogranite dykes, sills and small BOVINGDON, P.1, DUFOUR, F.4, and plutons. Foliated K-feldspar-phyric GÉNÉREUX, C-A.1 monzodiorite predominates in the east, while mafic, ultramafic, siliciclastic and iron-rich (1) LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, SUDBURY, ON supracrustal rocks (possibly correlative with (2) CANADA-NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE OFFICE, the 2.72 Ga Mary River Group) were found IQALUIT, NU (3) MCGILL UNIVERSITY, MONTREAL, QC in the western part of the study area. Large, (4) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL, deformed mafic–ultramafic intrusions are MONTRÉAL, QC associated with magnetic anomalies; their [email protected] potential for mineralization is being The multi-disciplinary Fury and Hecla evaluated. Geoscience Project is led by the Canada- Nunavut Geoscience Office in partnership Sedimentologic and stratigraphic work in the with McGill University, Laurentian Fury and Hecla Group focused on University, and the Université du Québec à sandstones, shales, and minor carbonates Montréal. Through 2017–2020, the project found in the Nyeboe, Sikosak Bay, Agu Bay, aims to generate new geoscience knowledge Whyte Inlet, and Autridge formations. The in the under-explored areas of northern Nyeboe Formation preserves evidence of a Baffin Island and Melville Peninsula around remarkable variety of sub-aerial to shallow- the Fury and Hecla Strait. These areas are marine depositional environments. Black underlain by Archean to Paleoproterozoic shale samples from the Agu Bay and rocks of the Rae Craton basement, Meso- to Autridge formations represent prospective Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the targets for Rhenium-Osmium geochronology Fury and Hecla Group, and (sub-)volcanic and host well-preserved assemblages of products tentatively related to 1.27 Ga microfossils. Basaltic flows and gabbro Mackenzie and 723 Ma Franklin igneous dykes and sills across the study area were events. Specifically, the project aims to systematically sampled to constrain their age improve the mapping resolution and tectono- and paleomagnetic records, and test thermal history of the basement rocks; correlations with the Mackenzie and Franklin provide a solid framework for the igneous events through geochemistry. The sedimentology, stratigraphy, micro- Hansen Formation, previously interpreted as paleontology, and sedimentary provenance of a set of sub-aerial lava flows in the Fury and the hitherto poorly detailed Fury and Hecla Hecla Group, has been tentatively Group; constrain the timing, duration and reappraised as a sill that cuts the basin paleomagnetic signature of (sub-)volcanic stratigraphy. Potential for uranium magmatic events; and explore the potential mineralization is demonstrated where the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 35 nonconformity between the Rae Craton Soils over porphyry, kimberlite, and VMS basement and Fury and Hecla Group is deposits have undergone microbial displaced by fault zones that are cored by community profiling. These community- quartz stock-work. genome derived datasets have been integrated with trace metal chemistry, DIRECT DISCOVERY OF mineralogy, surface geology and other CONCEALED KIMBERLITES environmental variables including Eh and WITH MICROBIAL pH. Analyses of two kimberlites in the Northwest Territories show significant COMMUNITY microbial community shifts that are FINGERPRINTING correlated with subsurface mineralization, with distinctive microbial community IULIANELLA PHILLIPS*, B.P., profiles present directly above the kimberlite. SIMISTER, R.L., CAYER, E.M., The relationship between microbial profiles WINTERBURN, P.A., and CROWE, S.A. and mineralization leads to the use of microbial fingerprinting as a method for UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, more accurately delineating ore deposits in VANCOUVER, BC glacially covered terrain. As databases are [email protected] developed, there is potential for application Mineral exploration in Canada is becoming as a field based technique, as sequencing increasingly complex as the majority of technology is progressively developed into undiscovered commodities are likely deeply portable platforms. buried beneath significant glacial overburden and bedrock, reducing the effectiveness of ARSENIC FROM LEGACY many existing tools. The development of innovative exploration protocols and ROASTER EMISSIONS IN SOILS techniques is imperative to the continuation IN THE YELLOWKNIFE AREA of discovery success. Preliminary 1 1 experimentation has demonstrated the JAMIESON*, H.E. , OLIVER, J.T. , 1 potential viability of microbial fingerprinting MAITLAND, K.M. , and 2 through genetic sequencing to directly PALMER, M.J. identify the projected subcrop of mineralization in addition to the more distal (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON (2) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON entrained geochemical signatures in till. With [email protected] the advent of inexpensive modern sequencing technology and big-data techniques, The objective of this research was to microbiological approaches to exploration investigate concentrations and speciation of are becoming more quantitative, cost arsenic in soils within 30 km of Yellowknife effective, and efficient. The integration of to identify whether arsenic in soils is from a microbial community information with soil natural geologic source or is derived from chemistry, mineralogy and landscape past industrial activities. Over 400 samples development coupled with geology and were collected as soil cores from locations geophysics propagates the development of an not on mine property and undisturbed by improved decision process in mineral buildings, roads, mining or other visible exploration. human activities. This was done to minimize the influence of recent post-mining activities and examine the effect of natural processes

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 36 and the legacy of airborne emissions from that exposure would be limited by the cold former ore roasting. Most of the analyses climate. These new results indicate many have been conducted on the Public Health areas within and near Yellowknife where soil Layer (top 5 cm). The concentration of concentrations in the most accessible part of arsenic in these near-surface soils measured the soil profile are much higher than current up to 4700 mg/kg with some of the highest guidelines and that arsenic is hosted concentrations found near the new Giant primarily as arsenic trioxide, which is Mine bypass road west of the former Giant considered one of the most bioaccessible Mine roaster. Forty soil samples collected forms of solid phase arsenic. In light of this from below the Public Health Layer new information, it is suggested that the (approximately 10 cm to 40 cm below the remediation criteria for soils in the surface) were analysed and are lower in total Yellowknife area be revisited to reflect concentration of arsenic than the potential increased public exposure to high corresponding samples from the Public arsenic soil in the region. Health Layer, with the exception of two samples. THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES “LINE OF Mineralogical analysis was conducted on DELIMITATION” A PRODUCT almost 100 soil samples and, of these, 80% contained arsenic trioxide, indicative of OF DEVOLUTION – DESIGNED roaster stack emissions. The common USE VS. INTERPRETED USES occurrence of arsenic hosted as arsenic trioxide also explains why arsenic JOHNSTON, S.K. concentrations are highly variable at the local scale, and even between field duplicates, MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES, likely because of the uneven distribution of GNWT, INUVIK, NT [email protected] very arsenic-rich compounds in the soil samples. Another roaster-generated The line of delimitation is a boundary line compound, iron oxide, was also recognized which splits oil and gas licences in the in the soils. Arsenic content in iron oxides Beaufort Delta between onshore (territorial) from samples collected near Con Mine was and offshore (federal) jurisdiction. The line significantly less than arsenic content in iron of delimitation for the Northwest Territories oxides from Giant Mine, offering a potential was created during and as a result of the avenue for distinguishing contamination devolution process between the Government between the two mine sites. of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous governments. One Remediation guidelines for arsenic in of the main purposes was to define the limits Yellowknife area soils were established of federal and territorial responsibilities; based on an estimated natural background another was to define the limits of the concentration of 150 mg/kg with a reasonable resources for governance. upper limit (90th percentile) of 300 mg/kg. The current guidelines of 160 mg/kg The line of delimitation is ideal for splitting (residential) and 340 mg/kg (industrial) were oil and gas licences between the two largely based on this background estimate jurisdictions, however it does not split and the assumptions that: 1) there was limited discovery areas between the jurisdictions. public access to arsenic-bearing soils; and 2) The line also is not a complete line from the Yukon border to the Nunavut border. There

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 37 are many possible reasons for this, but in any publications. Regulatory monitoring data event this needs to be addressed as the accompanies reporting to the responsible intended use was splitting licences, but authorities. Geotechnical information without a complete line from border to border collected for development purposes is usually there is a great deal of ambiguity in the summarized in infrastructure design and eastern portion of the coastline of the maintenance reports. Northwest Territories, even though the original intent of the line was not to continue Although ground temperatures are regularly across to the Nunavut border, it has been used measured in the Northwest Territories by various groups as a means to delimit other (NWT), the data usually reside with the resource jurisdictions. research institute, government agency, or private industry consultant that collected There is no other provincial area in Canada them. Data are typically not retained by with the unique combinations of resources institutions that are best suited to manage and straddling the coastline with three different archive temperature data and records, such as levels of government; federal, territorial and the Northwest Territories Geological Survey indigenous governments. As part of Arctic (NTGS), or the Geological Survey of Canada policy and governance advancement, there (GSC). As geotechnical and ground should be a concerted effort to create a line of temperature data are expensive to collect, delimitation for all three territories and the especially in remote areas, it is beneficial for federal governments' offshore jurisdiction. the Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) to house this information and make COMPILATION OF it publicly accessible for use in research, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES monitoring, and future development projects. PERMAFROST DATA Permafrost data collected in the NWT are being compiled by the NTGS and KARUNARATNE*, K.C.1, collaborators at Carleton University, Wilfrid KOKELJ, S.V.1, and ENSOM, T.P.2 Laurier University, GSC, and Tetra Tech Canada Inc. Metadata templates have been (1) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT developed for ground temperature records (2) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, and geotechnical data so that information is WATERLOO, ON described in a common and standardized [email protected] way. The metadata templates include Knowledge of permafrost conditions is an information on project details, site location essential component of environmental and conditions, instrument installation, research and monitoring, resource ground temperature record, permafrost development projects, and infrastructure conditions, and related publications and data. design and performance monitoring. In the Metadata helps with understanding the north, various needs drive the collection of conditions in which the permafrost data were permafrost geotechnical and ground collected and with the interpretation of those temperature data including government and data. industry infrastructure projects, academic research, and regulatory monitoring. A significant amount of permafrost data has Research programs typically summarize the been collected along the Inuvik to permafrost conditions in academic Tuktoyaktuk Highway (ITH) corridor. The

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 38 ITH geotechnical legacy represents a focal NORTHWEST TERRITORIES point for developing a data management GEOLOGICAL SURVEY system because of the volume and quality of OVERVIEW FOR 2018 the data, the relevance to a major infrastructure investment, and the national KETCHUM, J.W.F. and international research interest in the region. The GNWT is working to find NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, resources to develop and sustain an ITH YELLOWKNIFE, NT permafrost data management system, which [email protected] can act as a model for data collected across With a territorial election scheduled for late the territory. The collection and management 2019, there is an ongoing effort by the of NWT permafrost data is becoming Government of Northwest Territories increasingly important because climate (GNWT) to complete priority actions and change is influencing environmental systems, initiatives mandated by the 18th Legislative transportation and community infrastructure, Assembly. The Northwest Territories and the frequency and severity of geohazards. Geological Survey (NTGS) is active on Capacity investment is required to preserve several of these initiatives. NTGS staff are permafrost data so they can inform decisions helping to implement the Climate Change on mitigation, climate change adaptation, and Strategic Framework, the Knowledge responsible development. Agenda, and an initiative currently termed the Knowledge Economy. We also EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES participate in a multi-departmental AND FUTURE COMMODITIES committee that focuses on Yellowknife-area legacy contamination. NTGS collaborates KASHYAP, T. extensively with other divisions of the Department of Industry, Tourism and MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES, Investment and with the departments of GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Infrastructure, Lands, and Environment and [email protected] Natural Resources. Our primary goal is to be With the rise in demand for minerals used in a reliable source of impartial advice and emerging technologies (including electric research-based information – in other words, cars, high-speed rail, renewable energy, and to fulfill the “honest broker” role that advanced weapon systems), Northwest geological surveys across Canada strive for. Territories mining projects focused on tungsten, cobalt, lithium, zinc, beryllium, and In terms of more traditional work objectives, others commodities are advancing to address the NTGS remains focused on projects that the anticipated demand. Recent mergers and address important geoscience knowledge acquisitions in the Northwest Territories gaps. Most of these projects also anticipate mining space, along with current mining future needs associated with resource operations, focusing on the diamond mines exploration, land use decisions, and and operations in Northwest Territories will understanding the effects of climate change. also be discussed. For example, bedrock mapping continues in the Archean Slave Province in the region of a proposed all-weather road. Although several greenstone belts in this region are withdrawn from mineral claim staking, others remain

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 39 open and have been prioritized for detailed NTGS. The Mining Incentive Program, remapping. Similarly, the undeveloped geoscience education and outreach, NTGS Mactung tungsten deposit has seen renewed publications, map production, web services, mapping and NTGS-supported graduate and other activities delivered by these groups student work in order to update the both underpin and complement the research- geoscience knowledge of this world-class related work conducted by most other NTGS resource. The Cantung mine area is also staff. being studied to better understand the bedrock geology of the deposit and the area WASTE ROCK MANAGEMENT and the potential for recovery of tungsten AT PINE POINT mineralization from mine tailings. KINGSTON, S.1, KING, M.2, Permafrost research at the NTGS has a DUDLEY, J.3, and HUSSEY*, J.4 current northern focus as thaw slump and landslide activity increases and the Dempster (1) TETRATECH, VANCOUVER, BC and Inuvik-to-Tuktoyaktuk highways (2) PINE POINT MINING LIMITED, experience permafrost-related change. There HAY RIVER, NT is a need for additional permafrost research (3) JLD LLC, BELLINGHAM, WA capacity within the GNWT to address (4) OSISKO METALS, MONTRÉAL, QC [email protected] fundamental goals of the Climate Change Strategic Framework. The NTGS appreciates Development of a Waste Rock Management the efforts of senior managers and other Plan for the Pine Point development project departments and research groups in is underway. Various rock formations from recognizing and addressing this need. former open pits are being evaluated by sampling pit walls and waste rock stockpiles. Petroleum geoscience research continues to Historical and current tests from different target basin evolution, thermal modelling, formations are being used for the analysis. and petroleum potential of the Central Future studies will qualify waste rock types Mackenzie Valley region with a focus on the and quantify volumes of potential waste rock Devonian Horn River Group shales. Another from mining activities. Preliminary results project has gathered information on indicate that future waste rock management conventional discovered natural gas at Pine Point is expected to be relatively resources that are relatively shallow and straightforward as the majority of the waste close to infrastructure. Some of these rock will be dolomitic limestone that has a resources may be amenable for additional high neutralization potential. A small study and possible development. The component of the waste rock may need to be Petroleum Geosciences Group is also seeking segregated and contained due to sulphide funds for geothermal research and is co- content. It is expected this rock can be easily hosting a one-day geothermal workshop distinguished for classification and immediately following this Geoscience appropriate disposal. Existing dry and wet Forum. open pits at Pine Point are currently being considered as potential sites for disposal of Geoscience information, geomatics, and waste rock. information technology services and client- focused projects continue to be capably addressed by two working groups within the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 40 MARIAN WATERSHED investigate the concerns of the elders and STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM community members.

KNAPTON-PAIN*, T.K.P. and A workshop was organized by the BIRLEA, M.B. Department of Culture and Lands Protection (DCLP) in the spring of 2018 to bring back TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT the results from the 2017 samples season [email protected] (K'eagoti - Hislop Lake) and to develop a The Tłı̨chǫ Government is working together long term monitoring plan that truly with Wek’èezhìi Land and Water Board addresses the concerns of the elders and (WLWB) and additional partners to develop communities. the Marian Watershed Stewardship Program (Community-Based Aquatic Effects We identified important field sites along the Monitoring Program). This is a community- Marian River from Hislop Lake to Marian based monitoring program that is being Lake, which will be visited on a four-year developed based on the questions and needs cycle. The DCLP organized the fifth field of the Tłı̨chǫ people. program this fall on Hislop Lake, where the Environmental Monitors worked with the Tłı̨chǫ Lands have been under Moratorium scientist to investigate the concerns from the since the signing of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement in elders and communities. 2005 and on June 1, 2013, the Moratorium was lifted as the Tłı̨chǫ Wenek'e or Land Use The ongoing program will facilitate enhanced Plan came into force. With the potential for understanding of fish health and water future development of Tłı̨chǫ Lands, the chemistry each year, ensure active Tłı̨chǫ people have expressed concern about monitoring of Tłı̨chǫ waters by Tłı̨chǫ impacts on the water and wildlife they are so people, and prioritize meaningful dependent upon. The objective of the Marian communication back to community Watershed Monitoring Program is to begin members. collecting baseline information about the water and fish on Tłı̨chǫ lands and in NEW PUBLIC RELEASE OF locations the Tłı̨chǫ feel are the most 1:50,000 SCALE SURFICIAL important, prior to any major development MAPPING AND A pressure (such as the NICO mine by DEGLACIATION HISTORY OF Fortune), and to continue collecting this data THE SOUTHERN SLAVE over time. Community members are being trained to collect samples, analyze the GEOLOGICAL PROVINCE: A samples, and report findings back to the rest MAJOR DATA DONATION of the community members. KNIGHT, J.1 and A pilot project was conducted at K'eagoti NORMANDEAU*, P.X.2 (Hislop Lake), upstream of the planned NICO Mine site, in the fall of 2013. This (1) RETIRED, SMITHERS, BC (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, project included the training of eight YELLOWKNIFE, NT community members and a field program [email protected] where the newly trained Environmental Surficial geology maps at 1:50,000 scale Monitors worked with scientists to covering 84 NTS sheets in the southern Slave

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 41 Geological Province (SGP) and that the area can be divided into three distinct interpretation of the area's deglaciation was elevation zones representing different recently received and published by the deglaciation processes. A washed bedrock Northwest Territories Geological Survey zone below approximately 380 meters above (NTGS). The mapping and interpretations sea level (a.s.l.) includes vestiges of both were completed by the first author and owned esker complexes and till. A transition zone by GGL Resources Corp. (GGL) who have between approximately 380 meters a.s.l. and now donated the compilation to the public. 420 meters a.s.l. includes disrupted esker The compilation of the database, editing, complexes that are mostly hosted by formatting, and publication was facilitated moderately reworked till. An esker complex through a collaboration between John zone, present above approximately 420 Knight, GGL, Aurora Geosciences, and the meters a.s.l., includes esker complexes NTGS. This presentation describes the displaying varying degrees of order and publicly available digital database and fluvial reworking. outlines the publication's main scientific results. The differences between the surficial features in the three elevation zones are thought to be The mapping of surficial materials was related to the coherence of the seal between completed from the air between 1995 and ice and bedrock, ice and bedrock topography 2012 using ground truthing. It emphasized and the presence of glacial lake McConnell. the reworking of surficial materials by In the washed bedrock zone, disorganized meltwater. The 1:50,000 maps were bedrock-controlled wasting of the ice sheet, compiled into five overview maps at from west to east, took place under the 1:200,000, each of which covered a region influence of glacial lake McConnell. In the containing distinctive mixes of deglaciation esker complex zone, self-organized features. Overview map A (south-west), channeled wasting of the stagnant ice sheet centered over Gordon Lake, displays took place. The degree of ordering and the extensive areas of fluvially washed bedrock, active length of the complexes are strongly an extensive boulder field and small yet influenced by ice and bedrock topography. widespread areas of reworked till and The transition zone joins the two. glaciofluvial sediments. Overview map B (north), from Mackay Lake to Point Lake, This compilation offers the first publicly displays continuous till cover broken by well- documented large-scale evaluation of till ordered esker complexes within well-defined preservation state over the Slave Geological melt-water erosion corridors hosted by till. Province. It is a valuable new tool to assess Overview map C (center), centered over till sampling suitability for the design of drift Mackay Lake, display less ordered esker exploration programs. complexes hosted by a mix of till and moderately reworked till. Overview map D (south-east), from Courageous Lake to Walmsley Lake, displays a mix of all of these features. Overview map E, that covers the Desert Lake area to the south-west of Yellowknife, displays a large drumlin field.

The interpretation of maps A to D indicates

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 42 BEDROCK MAPPING IN THE events both prior to and subsequent to JOLLY LAKE AREA: A NEW volcanic belt deposition, 4) provide a more LOOK AT THE >3.0 GA detailed understanding of the architecture of the Slave craton with which to place regional BASEMENT GRANITES AND Au and VMS mineralizing events, 5) and to THEIR RELATIONSHIPS TO gain a better understanding of the geological THE CENTRAL SLAVE COVER history and crustal architecture of this area in GROUP AND THE NORTHERN- advance of the proposed All-Season Slave MOST BEAULIEU RIVER Geological Province access corridor. VOLCANIC BELT Local geology in the Jolly Lake area is dominated by granitoid rocks of various ages, KNOX*, B.1, STONE, S.D.2, both as part of the Central Slave Basement CAIRNS, S.R.1, and CANAM, R.3 Complex and of younger supracrustal origin. (1) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, The oldest rocks are a mix of polydeformed YELLOWKNIFE, NT granitic to tonalitic plutons that are gneissic (2) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, and/or migmatitic. In the southwest part of EDMONTON, AB the map area basement granites are overlain (3) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, by the ca. 2.9 Ga Central Slave Cover Group VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] and ca. 2.7 Ga volcanic rocks of the northern- most Beaulieu River Volcanic Belt. These In 2018 the Northwest Territories Geological volcanic rocks are dominated by massive and Survey conducted the first year of a multi- pillowed basaltic flows with minor amounts year bedrock mapping initiative in the Jolly, of rhyolite, basaltic pillow breccia, and mafic Mohawk, and “Dragon” lakes area. The study and felsic volcanoclastic deposits. In area is approximately 230 km north-northeast addition, the area has been intruded by post- of Yellowknife and west of Courageous volcanic belt granites and mafic Lac de Gras Lake. Previously mapped at 1:250 000 scale, (?) dykes. The nature and timing of this area has been revisited as it sits adjacent thermotectonic events both prior and to the proposed all-season Slave Geological subsequent to volcanic belt deposition was Province access corridor. Mapping within the studied. A protracted history of regional northern-most Beaulieu River Volcanic Belt folding and shearing along the N-S Beniah was conducted at 1:10 000: the surrounding Fault Zone is preserved in the various aged granitoid complex warranting mapping at rock in the study area. 1:50 000 scale.

The objectives of the project were to: 1) increase the detail of mapping of an area of granites comprising Central Slave Basement Complex rocks and post-tectonic granitic plutons to establish their relative age, 2) to study the relationships of the pre-, syn-, and, post-volcanic belt aged plutonic bodies with the 2.9-2.8 Ga Central Slave Cover Group and the ca. 2.7 Ga volcanic rocks of the Beaulieu River Volcanic Belt, 3) elucidate the nature and timing of thermotectonic

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 43 PERMAFROST AND TERRAIN facilitate research on permafrost variability RESEARCH FOR THE and Arctic change, while at the same time DEMPSTER AND INUVIK- presenting challenges to developing and maintaining northern infrastructure. The TUKTOYAKTUK HIGHWAY objective of this presentation is to summarize INFRASTRUCTURE recent scientific research results conducted CORRIDORS along the Dempster-ITH corridor with focus on: A) Spatial heterogeneity in ground KOKELJ*, S.V.1, CONNON, R.2, temperatures in natural settings and along ENSOM, T.2, FRASER, R.H.3, infrastructure; B) Terrain mapping and LANTZ, T.C.4, MORSE, P.5, RUDY, A.6, ground ice distribution, and; C) Integrating VAN DER SLUIJS, J.7, and field observations with new remote sensing WOODLEY, W.7 and modeling techniques to document permafrost dynamics in natural and built (1) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, environments. These summaries provide YELLOWKNIFE, NT context for part two of the presentation which (2) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, YELLOWKNIFE, NT pertains to the need for a regional research (3) CANADA CENTRE FOR MAPPING AND strategy related to terrain, permafrost, and EARTH OBSERVATION, OTTAWA, ON infrastructure. (4) UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA, VICTORIA, BC (5) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, The Dempster-ITH road corridor provides a YELLOWKNIFE, NT (6) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, unique opportunity to develop a societally- WATERLOO, ON relevant, northern-driven permafrost research (7) NWT CENTRE FOR GEOMATICS, network to support planning and maintenance YELLOWKNIFE, NT of infrastructure, regulation, monitoring of [email protected] climate change impacts, and informed Permafrost thaw and climate change are adaptation. A network with a corridor focal major stressors on northern infrastructure. point encourages collaboration and pure and Societal consequences of permafrost thaw in applied studies that engage stakeholders, the rapidly warming Beaufort Delta region community participation, and support are significant because the area hosts the northern interests. Successful greatest density of Arctic communities, implementation requires leadership and historic northern oil and gas exploration institutional support from the Government of infrastructure, and the longest road network the Northwest Territories and Inuvialuit and constructed on ice-rich permafrost in Canada. Gwich’in landowners, and coordination The Dempster and Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk between research organizations including Highways (ITH) connect the Beaufort Delta NWT Geological Survey, Aurora Research region with southern Canada and comprise a Institute, Geological Survey of Canada, and 400 km-long corridor within NWT. This universities to define key research priorities, corridor transitions from warm (0 to -2 °C) to human and financial resources to undertake cold (<-4 °C) permafrost, traverses glaciated studies, and protocols to manage data and unglaciated terrain with varying ice collection and reporting. The development of contents, and intersects a range of resilient researcher-stakeholder-community hydrological and ecological environments. relationships is also necessary for the The diverse range of geologic, climatic, and scientific and research initiatives to reach ecologic conditions yield gradients that their potential. Ongoing efforts along the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 44 Dempster-ITH corridor include: A) Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project, Tsleil- Consolidation and dissemination of existing Waututh Nation v. Canada datasets; B) Monitoring conditions at disturbances including quarries; C) 3. Amendments to the federal Metal and Monitoring thermal evolution of permafrost Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations across climate and ecological gradients and testing effects of snow manipulation to 4. The Return of the HADD: Restoring the inform infrastructure management; D) Study express prohibitions against the harmful of permafrost hydrology and road alteration, disruption or destruction of fish interactions, and; E) Monitoring terrain and habitat, Canada's Proposed Amendments to roadbed stability and interaction with the Fisheries Act geohazards across different permafrost environments. The GNWT is working with 5. The North Slave Métis Alliance and partners to implement these studies. consultation on the Northwest Territory However, as the effects of climate change on Métis Nation Land and Resources the northern environment rapidly increase, a Agreement-in-Principle, Enge v. Canada deficit in northern scientific capacity to support informed decision making, climate TRUSTING THE LAND AGAIN: change adaptation, and risk management COMBINING WESTERN becomes more apparent. SCIENCE AND TRADITIONAL TOP 5 DEVELOPMENTS IN KNOWLEDGE TO INDIGENOUS, UNDERSTAND LAKES IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND AREA OF THE FORMER RAYROCK URANIUM MINE, NT REGULATORY LAW IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES IN LAFFERTY*, G., BREADMORE, R., 2018 and RICHARDSON, A.

KRUGER, T. CROWN-INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA, LAWSON LUNDELL LLP, YELLOWKNIFE, NT YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] [email protected] This session will highlight some of the Top 5 The former Rayrock Uranium Mine site is Developments in Indigenous, Environmental located approximately 145 kilometres and Regulatory law in the Northwest northwest of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in 2018. Territories, on the western edge of the Marian River fault. The site is located within Tłı̨chǫ 1. Implementation of Modern Treaties: The lands as per the Tłı̨chǫ Land Claim Supreme Court of Canada's decision in the Agreement. During operation of the mine, Peel River case, First Nation of Nacho Nyak 207,754 kilograms of Uranium yellowcake Dun v. Yukon was produced from the mine. This produced 70,903 tonnes of un-neutralized (pH 2.5-3.0) 2. Remember Species at Risk: The Federal tailings that were discharged across two areas Court of Appeal's decision on the Trans that are now referred to as the north and south tailing piles.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 45 Around the time of mining operations, the In summary, community involvement was Tłı̨chǫ noted that materials in the tailing piles essential to begin concrete discussions on the were contaminating the surrounding area. health of the land around the former Rayrock They observed how these tailings killed the Uranium Site. Tests conducted onsite drew trees and fish. Consequently, the Tłı̨chǫ on Traditional Knowledge as well as Western avoided the Rayrock area, adding it to an science. Both frameworks demonstrated that exclusion zone that delineates areas that are the fish sampled were not affected by former not safe for harvesting. Furthermore, they mining operations. This will go a long way to believed that dead animals and plants down- establish trust in the land and in remediation stream from Rayrock were caused by the activities conducted by the Government of spread of the “poison” spilled into the water Canada. at Rayrock. APPLYING The tailings piles at the Rayrock Uranium CHEMOSTRATIGRAPHIC DATA Site were covered in 1996 as part of a TO ESTABLISH A SEQUENCE remediation program and were then monitored for several years. Nonetheless, the STRATIGRAPHIC Tłı̨chǫ continued to be concerned with the FRAMEWORK: AN EXAMPLE lakes and waterways in the area. Crown- FROM THE DEVONIAN CANOL Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs FORMATION Canada (CIRNAC) subsequently commissioned assessments to address these LAGRANGE RAO*, M.T.1, HARRIS, concerns. The results determined that all but B.S.1, FIESS, K.M.2, TERLAKY, V.2, and one lake on site were safe for fish. GINGRAS, M.K.1

In order to address on-going Tłı̨chǫ concerns (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, with the site, CIRNAC organized a multiple EDMONTON, AB day tour of the area. Elders and youth from (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, T ł ı̨ c h ǫ , communities were invited to stay at YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] the site, where they observed the health of the wildlife and plants and complete a fish Sequence stratigraphy is a useful method for palatability test of fish from Sherman Lake. understanding lateral and vertical Characteristics considered were: physical heterogeneity in sedimentary successions. condition, colour and appearance of organs, Predicting this variability is essential to firmness of flesh, odours during cooking, and understanding organic-rich mudstone taste. Test results indicated no adverse effects resource plays, which have become on fish quality. increasingly important in recent years. However, making sequence stratigraphic Pieces of the fish flesh were also tested using interpretations in mudstone successions is a mobile X-Ray Fluorescence tester. This challenging, because sedimentological showed low concentrations of metals of variations are typically subtle, wireline logs concern in the flesh of the fish prior to can be ambiguous, and seismic or consumption. Laboratory analysis of the biostratigraphic datasets are commonly of flesh was also performed. limited use. As a result, researchers have started incorporating chemostratigraphic datasets to establish sequence stratigraphic frameworks in these intervals. The

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 46 chemostratigraphic proxies most commonly TWENTY YEARS AT THE used are elements that reflect abundance of EKATI DIAMOND MINE: continental input including Al, Fe, K, Ti, and CORPORATE SOCIAL Zr, and proxies that can be used to infer the proportion of biogenic silica relative to RESPONSIBILITY IN ACTION detrital silica such as Si/Al, Si/Zr and Si-Al cross plots. Paleoredox proxies (e.g. Mo, Ni, LEE*, C. and WORSLEY-BROWN, L. Th/U, V) that give information about basin DOMINION DIAMOND EKATI ULC, isolation and water column stratification can CALGARY, AB also be useful. However, the use of elemental [email protected] proxies can be limited by the possibility of element migration during diagenesis or from The Ekati Diamond Mine in the Northwest surface weathering. Furthermore, Territories is owned and operated by chemostratigraphic datasets are most suited Dominion Diamond Mines, the largest to the interpretation of trends which typically Canadian independent diamond producer. limits sequence stratigraphic inferences to The Ekati mine was the first diamond mine in longer term transgressive-regressive cycles Canada, and started production in October unless supported by sedimentological data. 1998. In 2018 the operation is celebrating its twenty year anniversary. In the presentation, This presentation reviews existing work on we will look back on some of the milestones the use of chemostratigraphy to establish a and achievements of the last two decades. We sequence stratigraphic framework, and will also discuss the commitment of the provides local context by using data from the company to make a positive difference in the resource-rich Middle to Late Devonian Canol North through Corporate Social Formation as a case study. High-resolution Responsibility initiatives, including support elemental data have been collected from the for education, training, community Canol Formation in the Mackenzie development, business opportunities and Mountains and the Central Mackenzie respect for the environment. Some examples Valley, Northwest Territories, using a include: portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer. Preliminary results suggest that it is possible Community: Whether mining in northern to identify transgressive-regressive Canada or sorting diamonds in India, we sequences and important sequence firmly believe that we can – and should – stratigraphic surfaces from these elemental contribute to the social and economic well- proxies. Upon completion, this project will being of the communities near our serve as a guide to the usefulness of operations. Dominion's Indigenous partners geochemical proxies for sequence and business operations are important stratigraphy, which will facilitate the stakeholders and we respect and value their development of sequence stratigraphic rights, Traditional Knowledge (TK), and frameworks to map variations in shale cultural heritage. reservoir quality. Hiring, Training and Development: Dominion Diamond Mines is committed to ensuring that the Ekati mine is a welcoming workplace for all employees and that we remain an employer of choice, particularly among northerners and northern Indigenous

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 47 communities. The company has a number of the soil's thermal properties) and can only initiatives and policies to encourage reflect the location's thermal diffusivity at northerners, representatives from Indigenous that particular snapshot in time. Given that groups, and women to enter the mining the harmonic solution to the heat equation industry. relates the thermal diffusivity directly to each of the amplitude damping and the phase lag Environment: Throughout the mining of the conduction wave as it travels between process, Dominion Diamond keeps the land temperature sensors (e.g., an air and a ground and water of the Ekati mine clean and safe for surface sensor), a phase lag or amplitude people, plants, and animals. We understand series can provide a means to generate a the importance of the Arctic tundra thermal diffusivity series over time. environment and we are committed to mining However, existing analysis methods often in the safest, most environmentally use only temperature magnitudes for analysis responsible way. (e.g., when calculating mean values or n- factors) or, if considering the phase lag and APPLICATION OF DIURNAL amplitude of the temperature sinusoid, will PHASE LAG ANALYSIS TO tend to look at the annual scale where there is CALCULATING THERMAL little variation from year to year compared to the diurnal scale. In contrast to using the heat DIFFUSIVITY SERIES AND equation, n-factors are a commonly used EARLY AND LATE WINTER N- technique for summarizing a seasonal air- FACTORS surface temperature relationship. However, previous work has shown that seasonal MACDONALD, S. winter n-factors are overestimates when considering only the early winter temperature CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON values, and underestimates if only [email protected] considering the later temperature values. Improvements to temperature logging Partitioning the winter n-factor may better instrumentation have facilitated an increase capture seasonal variability. in the collection of air and ground surface temperature series in permafrost areas. This presentation will demonstrate a means Analyzing these data improves our to calculate diurnal amplitude and phase lag understanding of how permafrost is affected series of a coupled air-surface temperature by increasing temperatures and other series and some results thereof. It will begin observed changes in climate conditions, with a brief discussion of the geographical especially in the Arctic. Essential to this context of heat transfer in permafrost areas understanding is transfer theory, particularly based on the surface energy balance along thermal diffusivity, which summarizes the with a description of the influences of snow, heat transfer rate directly in the heat equation. vegetation, and topography. A breakdown of how the diurnal phase lag and amplitude Since the thermal diffusivity is the ratio of the series are calculated will lead into a look at thermal conductivity to the specific heat the underlying mathematical relationships of capacity, a field measurement of the thermal phase lag and amplitude to thermal diffusivity requires both of these values. diffusivity calculations (and, transitively, to They are often taken from nearby soil pits (as one another) via the harmonic solution to the disturbing the ground near the logger changes heat equation.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 48 In the results section, diffusivity series will kimberlite, as well as other priority targets. be calculated from the amplitude and phase On April 5th, intersections of the first new lag series over the summer and winter kimberlite (465) discovered at Lac de Gras in seasons and compared to field values both in over five years were announced, along with terms of spatial and temporal variation. new drilling of kimberlite EG-05. Following this, an amplitude damping filter will be demonstrated that can separate early The Mel Diamond Project is located on the and late winter temperatures for partitioning Melville Peninsula (NU), approximately 140 freezing n-factors into early and late winter km south of the community of Hall Beach, n-factors to see if this can better capture and 210 km northeast of the community of seasonal variability. The presentation will Naujaat (formerly Repulse Bay). close with a summary and suggestions for future research. A prospecting program conducted in late 2017 focused on discovery of potential 2018 KIMBERLITE kimberlite bedrock sources to a well-defined DISCOVERIES AT THE LOKI kimberlite indicator mineral train in the north (LAC DE GRAS, NT) AND MEL part of the project area. Kimberlite float and subcrop was found in two areas, including a (MELVILLE PENINSULA, NU) surface exposure of the ML8 kimberlite. A DIAMOND PROJECTS 62.1 kg sample of ML8 yielded 23 diamonds larger than the 0.106 mm sieve size, MACMORRAN, M. including a single, colourless diamond larger than the 0.85 mm sieve size. NORTH ARROW MINERALS INC., VANCOUVER, BC The 2018 exploration program included 778 MMACMORRAN@NORTHARROWMINERALS. COM m of exploration drilling leading to the discovery of a new kimberlite (ML345) and Details will be provided on the recent defining the ML8 kimberlite over a 170 m kimberlite discoveries at North Arrow's Loki strike length. In addition, 447 till samples (NT) and Mel (NU) diamond projects. were collected to better define existing and new targets within the project area, 14 In April of this year, North Arrow announced magnetic ground survey grids were the discovery of a new kimberlite at its Loki completed, and over 200 kg of kimberlite was Diamond Project in the Northwest collected from surface at ML8 for further Territories. The Project is located in the Lac microdiamond analysis. de Gras region, approximately 30 km southwest, and 24 km west of the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines, respectively. The THE TRANSFORMATION OF Loki claims are contiguous to the south and DE BEERS CANADA east of the diamondiferous Monument kimberlite cluster. The project hosts several MADSEN*, E. and TRUTER, K. prospective exploration targets, as well as five known kimberlites: EG-01, EG-02, EG- DE BEERS CANADA, CALGARY, AB [email protected] 05 and EG-130. Over the past two years, De Beers Canada has At the beginning of March 2018, North undergone a transformation. This has Arrow commenced drilling to test the EG-05 included:

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 49 • opening the world's largest new development within the context of diamond mine (Gahcho Kué Mine); sustainability, meaning maintaining or re- • relocating its operational support establishing a critical level of natural capital centre to Calgary from Toronto, and that entails resources of various kinds such as refocusing the Calgary organization soil, water and air; minerals; natural products to ensure it provides support services (wood, fish…); and appropriate energy to our remote operations rather than sources. Providing energy and establishing acting as a “head office”; the sustainability of energy sources is a major • improving partnerships with local natural capital concept which needs to be communities; considered in Canada's northern territories • preparing to close the highly (NT, YK, NU, and northern parts of seven successful Victor Mine in Northern provinces) in order to achieve SD. Energy is Ontario; and, the engine of development; a reliable and • looking for opportunities to grow the robust operating engine consuming company in Canada. dominantly renewable energy is necessary for SD. This article revisits some statistical data of the northern territories to find the The De Beers Canada of 2018 is a current situation in the context of population, dramatically different company, one that has influx and industrial activity as indices of become a solid contributor to the De Beers development. Enhanced geothermal systems Group, is a national leader in safety and has (EGS) are introduced as part of a possible its focus on developing the first diamond solution to provide renewable, green and mine on Baffin Island. cheap (hopefully) power and heat for remote communities to meet energy needs to allow Our presentation will provide an update on an acceptable standard of living compared to the activities of De Beers Canada since 2016 other provinces in Canada. Energy price and and a look ahead at where our company is its delivery problems are already known to be going in the future. major basic obstacles to SD in the north, and investments in EGS in the north may help in SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT the progress toward implementation of FOR NORTHERN CANADA “power plant scale” systems in both the north BASED ON ENHANCED AND and the south of Canada. INTEGRATED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS SEDIMENTOLOGY AND STRATIGRAPHY OF THE MAHBAZ*, S.B.M., HUSKY CREEK FORMATION, DEHGHANI-SANIJ, A.D.S., NUNAVUT, CANADA and DUSSEAULT, M.B.D. MEEK*, R.1, RAINBIRD, R.2, UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO and IELPI, A.1 [email protected] Sustainability is a dynamic concept involving (1) LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, direct and non-direct relations among SUDBURY, ONTARIO humans, the ecology, the Earth's resources, (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ONTARIO seeking positive outcomes. “Sustainable [email protected] Development” (SD) entails society

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 50 The Mesoproterozoic Husky Creek possibly recycled from the Hornby Bay Formation lies within the gently, northward- Group, which underlies the Coppermine dipping Coppermine Homocline, 30-60 km River Group and is exposed to the south; and south of the hamlet of Kugluktuk, Nunuvut. (iii) >2700 Ma zircons attributed to the Across northwestern Canada, thick Archean Slave Province. An up-section Mesoproterozoic-Neoproterozoic decrease in ca. 1270 Ma zircon grains and a sedimentary and volcanic successions record relative increase in Paleoproterozoic and the amalgamation and break-up of Archean grains is interpreted to reflect supercontinent Rodinia. These rocks are expansion of the drainage basin as the Husky subdivided, from oldest to youngest, into Creek Formation was being deposited. three-unconformity bounded successions: A, Paleoflow patterns indicate dominant south- B, and C. The boundary between successions southwestward transport, which is from the A and B is exposed in the Coppermine direction of the interpreted focal point of the Homocline, where rocks of the Rae Group Mackenzie Igneous Event. We conclude that (Succession B; <1151 ± 13 Ma, U/Pb detrital the Husky Creek Formation was deposited in zircon) unconformably overlie the Husky the waning stages of the Mackenzie Igneous Creek Formation of the Coppermine River Event by rivers flowing in a geographically Group (Succession A; <1230 ± 15 Ma, U/Pb restricted, possibly endorheic basin, carved detrital zircon). Exceptional exposures of the into an extensive mafic volcanic plateau. Husky Creek Formation occur along steep- walled canyons of the Coppermine River and LARGE SCALE INDUSTRY its tributaries, which make it suitable for the COLLABORATION TO 3D depositional architectural analysis. It has EVALUATE THE STATUS OF a composite thickness of ca. 1900 m and is dominated by planar and cross-stratified red GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATIONS sandstone and siltstone that is interlayered IN THE SLAVE GEOLOGICAL with 20-100 m thick basalt flows. The Husky PROVINCE Creek Formation overlies the Copper Creek Formation, a ca. 2.5 km thick, regionally MILAKOVIC*, B.1, O'KEEFE, H.2, extensive basaltic plateau linked to the 1.27 SINCLAIR, S.3, AINSWORTH, L.1, Ga Mackenzie Igneous Event. Petrographic ZHAO, J.1, ROCK, C.2, analysis indicates that sandstones are and SHARAM, G.1 dominated by mafic lithic detritus, suggesting provenance mainly from the (1) ERM CANADA CONSULTANTS LTD., basalts. Planar and cross-bedded sandstones VANCOUVER, BC with abundant desiccation cracks, adhesion (2) DOMINION DIAMOND EKATI ULC, CALGARY, AB structures and pedogenic nodules indicate a (3) DIAVIK DIAMOND MINE (2012) INC., temperate to arid terrestrial paleo- YELLOWKNIFE, NT environment that includes fluvial channel [email protected] belts and floodplains subject to local eolian The Ekati Diamond Mine and Diavik winnowing. U/Pb dating of detrital zircon Diamond Mine are located in the Slave grains collected from four stratigraphic levels Geological Province (SGP) of the Northwest (base to top) of the Husky Creek Formation Territories, approximately 300 km northeast reveal three main age groupings: (i) a 1270 of Yellowknife. Potential impacts to grizzly Ma peak attributed to the Mackenzie Igneous bears in the SGP associated with mining Event; (ii) 1750 Ma -2700 Ma zircons, activities were predicted to be minimal

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 51 during the respective environmental (95% CI 1.4 to 2.7) in 2012 and 2.9/1,000 assessments for these mines, but without km2 (95% CI 2.2 to 3.7) in 2013. The 2017 detailed information about population status, density of both males (3/1,000 km2) and testing this prediction is difficult. Regulators, females (4.7/1,000 km2) continued to show monitoring agencies, and community an increasing trend in comparison to the members recommended that the mining previous monitoring years. The results of this industry collaborate on a large scale regional regional study indicate a stable to growing grizzly bear program to assess population population in the central barrens of the status and monitor trends over time. In Northwest Territories relative to estimates for response, the Ekati and Diavik Diamond the Slave Geological Province in the late Mines agreed to work together on a large 1990's. scale grizzly bear mark-recapture study surrounding their mine properties in the SUSTAINABLY ADVANCING central barrens of the Northwest Territories. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT Technical and community workshops PROJECTS IN CANADA concluded that an important objective for grizzly bear monitoring was to determine the MILLER, E.F. abundance and distribution of grizzly bears in a larger regional context and establish a SEABRIDGE GOLD INC., SMITHERS, BC baseline for long-term regional monitoring. [email protected] A DNA mark-recapture design was the best approach to meet this objective. The regional Seabridge Gold is a Canadian based resource DNA study area is centred on the Ekati and exploration company. The company has 100 Diavik Diamond Mines and contains 113 percent ownership of the Courageous Lake cells (12 km by 12 km) used for sampling Project in the Northwest Territories, as well grizzly bear hair in 2012, 2013, and 2017, for as the KSM and Iskut Projects located in a total study area of approximately 16,000 Northwest British Columbia. km2. In 2012, 112 grizzly bear individuals were identified through DNA hair analysis, The Courageous Lake Project is a gold including 42 males and 70 females. During exploration project located approximately the 2013 field program, a total of 136 grizzly 240 km northeast of Yellowknife, NWT. bears were identified (60 males and 76 Although the Project was not active for females), including 39 that had no previous several years, exploration activities to grow detections in the regional database (22 males the estimated resource base and improve the and 17 females). In 2017, 136 grizzly bears overall project economics have resumed at were identified (55 males and 81 females), the project site. including 62 with no previous detections in the regional database (33 males and 29 At its core, Seabridge believes in responsible females). resource development, with community engagement and environmental sustainability Based on Spatially Explicit Capture among the top priorities. Recapture (SECR) analysis of the individuals detected, female density was estimated as Some of the implemented and ongoing 3.6/1,000 km2 (95% CI 2.9 to 4.6) in 2012 initiatives by Seabridge at its KSM and Iskut and 4/1,000 km2 (95% CI 3.2 to 5) in 2013. Projects include: Male density was estimated as 2/1,000 km2 • Signed a Benefits Agreement with the Nisga'a Nation.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 52 • Signed an Environmental Agreement As responsible stewards of sustainable with the Gitanyow Nation. development, Seabridge is applying the • During the EA process, established a learnings and best practices gathered from its wildlife working group with the KSM and Iskut Projects at the Courageous Tahltan, Nisga'a and the Gitanyow Lake Project. Seabridge has already planned Nations, Seabridge, BC Forests Land and implemented various measures to ensure and Natural Resources Operations to environmental and wildlife protection at its collaboratively resolve wildlife Courageous Lake Project including: concerns. • Collaborated with T ł ı̨ c h ǫ to host a • Made significant design changes to week long on site traditional the KSM Project to accommodate knowledge workshop led by T ł ı̨ c h ǫ community needs, adding in excess of researcher and members that $500M to the overall project capital culminated in a TK report. costs. • Discussing opportunities with other • Building a workforce in northwest Indigenous groups for the BC through education and trades development of other TK studies. training. Seabridge participates in • Implemented a wildlife protection many events through sponsorships, plan that includes specific caribou donations and offers bi-annual protection measures when caribou are bursary programs to students; present in the area, such as donated approximately $550,000 to monitoring and operational protocols date. for helicopter and drilling activities. • Funds opportunities for local • Established a wildlife camera Indigenous community members to monitoring program to understand attend conferences and training wildlife use of the area, with over programs to encourage and enable seven years of data. meaningful participation. • Working with qualified local • Commits to the implementation of businesses that buy locally and hire rigorous scientific, environmental local workers. and social management practices and • Working with community liaisons to assessments to assure high standards identify a range of engagement during operations. activities in preparation for • Conducts comprehensive Seabridge's plans to submit a new environmental studies including fish land use permit application next fall. and aquatic resources, wildlife and • Initiating discussions with wildlife habitat, hydrology, development corporations to identify hydrogeology, geochemistry, possible business and job geohazards, atmospherics, terrestrial opportunities. ecology, wetlands, noise, country • Working with community members foods, archaeology, traditional use to build relationships. and knowledge, land use, social and economics. • Supports initiatives by Indigenous groups and local communities that seek to advance traditional ecological knowledge.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 53 ARSENIC MOBILITY IN LAKE activities. Arsenic geochemistry is combined SEDIMENTS DURING LATE- with multivariate analysis of paleoclimate HOLOCENE CLIMATE proxies (particle size, organic matter type and quantity) and radiometric dating (14C and WARMING: IMPLICATIONS 210Pb) to determine the influence of climate FOR GEOCHEMICAL warming on the distribution of As in lake BASELINES AND sediment. Sediment cores were collected CONTAMINANT STABILITY IN from four lakes in the Courageous Lake A CHANGING NORTHERN Greenstone Belt, central NT, in proximity to CLIMATE the former Tundra gold mine. Paleoclimate reconstructions of two of these lakes document increases in As concentrations in MILLER*, C.B.1, PARSONS, M.B.2, both sediments and porewater coincident JAMIESON, H.E.1, GALLOWAY, J.M.3, with known periods of regional climate and PATTERSON, R.T.4 warming. During the Medieval Warm Period (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON (ca. 5,000 to ca. 4,000 yrs BP; 110 yr/cm) (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, sediment As concentrations are significantly DARTMOUTH, NS (rs = 0.75, p < 0.05, n = 15) related to the (3) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, labile organic matter fraction (S2 as CALGARY, AB determined by Rock Eval® pyrolysis); (4) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON [email protected] conversely, a significant (p < 0.05) but negative (rs = - 0.8) relationship between Climate change is influencing the sedimentary As concentrations and labile biogeochemistry of high northern latitude organic matter is evident over the shorter lake systems. These changes may have duration warming event centred at ca. 2,040 implications for the mobility of naturally yrs BP (47 yrs/cm). These data suggest that occurring metal(loid)s and anthropogenic changes in primary productivity may affect contaminants. Arsenic (As) mobility is the remobilization and sequestration of As in highly susceptible to limnologic changes, lake sediment; however the effects on As seasonal fluctuations, and increases in mobility vary between lakes. The prevalence organic matter due to its redox behaviour. of both arsenopyrite and secondary, However, the influence of regional climate authigenic As-bearing pyrite (as determined change on long-term As stability in lake by SEM, EMPA and bulk XANES) during environments is poorly understood. Lake these regional climate warming intervals sediments provide archives of past climate provides evidence to support the changes and are widely used to reconstruct interpretation that active remobilization of biogeochemical responses to regional climate geogenic As occurred in lake sediments. trends. Through the examination of changes However, in mining-impacted sediment, the in sediment and porewater As speciation relationship between labile organic matter during mid- to late-Holocene (5,000 yr cal and sedimentary As is not consistent in the BP to present) regional warming cycles, this four lakes studied. This study demonstrates study provides insight as to how climate that past regional warming cycles have warming affects sedimentary As played a role in influencing As mobility in concentrations. This information is important sub-Arctic mineralized regions and thus for interpretation of metal(loid) provide a useful tool to better predict future concentrations in modern-day sediments, geochemical change. especially in areas disturbed by mining

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 54 COBALT FROM THE DRC: DRC were requested to step up their due POTENTIALS, RISKS AND diligence efforts in order to manage these SIGNIFICANCE FOR THE conditions. GLOBAL MARKETS AND THE This talk serves to illustrate relevant facts on POTENTIAL OF AN INCREASE cobalt production and trade in the DRC on the IN CANADIAN COBALT background of the global cobalt market with PRODUCTION a projection up to the year 2026. The possibility of an increased Canadian cobalt NAEHER*, U.1 and VETTER, S.2 production using the examples of several existing and new projects (NICO, Dumont, (1) GERMAN FEDERAL BUREAU FOR Raglan, Sudbury, Thompson and Voiseys GEOSCIENCES AND NATURAL RESSOURCES, Bay) is also discussed. KINSHASA, DRC (2) GERMAN FEDERAL BUREAU FOR GEOSCIENCES AND NATURAL RESSOURCES, PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF LUBUMBASHI, DRC RECONNAISSANCE-SCALE [email protected] BEDROCK MAPPING AND U-PB While cobalt demand and its relevance for GEOCHRONOLOGY IN THE emerging technologies and battery NONACHO LAKE AREA (NTS production are continuously increasing, mine supply is currently limited to few countries 75F), SOUTH RAE CRATON, with the DRC representing the main producer NORTHWEST TERRITORIES of cobalt ore and China the dominant producer of refined cobalt metal. This NEIL*, B.1, MARTEL, E.2, constellation implies increasing supply and HEAMAN, L.1, FALCK, H.2, price risks for cobalt. From 2010 to 2015 FISCHER, B.2, CHACKO, T.1, global cobalt demand increased from 65,000 and CANAM, R.3 t to more than 90,000 t per year. Over the same period the mean compound annual (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB growth rate for cobalt demand was 7.5 % (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, while the demand for cobalt-based chemicals YELLOWKNIFE, NT increased at an even steeper rate of 10.6. It is (3) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, estimated that by the year 2026 the demand VANCOUVER, BC will more than double to 226,000 t. [email protected] In the Nonacho Lake area, the ca. 1.91-1.82 Additionally, planning the future supply is Ga Nonacho Group (NG) consists of breccia, affected by the fact that the DRC's cobalt conglomerate, sandstone, mudstone and rare mine production partly originates from volcanic rocks deposited in a complex system artisanal and small scale mining (ASM) of braided stream, lacustrine, and alluvial fan sources, in addition to industrial mines. In environments. These rocks are polydeformed recent years, there has been repeated and unconformably overlie Archean to criticism of Child labor and unacceptable Paleoproterozoic gneisses and granitic rocks working conditions by civil society regarding of the Rae craton. The basal unconformity of the circumstances of ASM cobalt production the NG has been the target of significant and trade in the DRC. International cobalt uranium exploration. In addition to U and supply chain stakeholders sourcing from the REE, previous exploration discovered

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 55 several polymetallic (Cu-Au-Ag) showings likely distinct mineralizing systems has been hosted in both basement and NG rocks. The observed: (1) an unconformity-related stratigraphy and structural geology of the NG uranium mineralizing event with showings in has not been investigated in detail since the basement and NG rocks; and (2) polymetallic original mapping of Aspler (1985). Questions sulphide mineralization associated with remain regarding the depositional setting and carbonate-fluorite veins at numerous regional correlation of this Paleoproterozoic showings in basement and NG rocks. The basin. The basement rocks remain un- interpretation that most of the polymetallic mapped, although detrital zircon U-Pb dates showings are genetically related is based on from the NG suggest that the basement similarities in metal tenor, alteration and records a protracted Eoarchean to emplacement characteristics. Paleoproterozoic history. The Nonacho Lake region currently lacks the geological Future work will include: 1) U-Pb framework necessary to facilitate mineral geochronology to understand the major potential assessment and scientific work. episodes of magmatism and metamorphism Reconnaissance investigations conducted in in the basement; 2) Lu-Hf tracing of 2018 will be followed by detailed studies in magmatic rocks to constrain the age and 2019 and 2020, with the goal to resolve the isotopic character of their source, and to test tectonometamorphic history and assess the for their interaction with the ancient crust that economic potential of this underexplored contributed ca. 3.9-3.0 Ga detrital zircons to region. the NG; 3) Ar-Ar thermochronology to delineate crustal-scale boundaries and Basement rocks in the Sparrow Bay-Stewart constrain the timing of basement uplifts; 4) River area comprise foliated granodiorite, investigation into the source of mineralizing dioritic to granitic injection gneiss with fluids in polymetallic sulphide-carbonate- abundant ultramafic inclusions, local biotite- fluorite bearing veins; 5) geochemistry, sillimanite paragneiss, and cross-cutting geochronology and economic significance of weakly foliated to undeformed granites. the carbonate-bearing hornblendite; and 6) Preliminary U-Pb zircon geochronology detailed sequence stratigraphy and detrital reveals a spread of ages typical of the Rae zircon geochronology of the NG. craton, Queen Maud block, and Arrowsmith orogeny. Two foliated granodiorites yielded TRANSPORTATION ages of ca. 2.60 and 2.50 Ga, a dioritic CORRIDORS AND ACCESS TO component of the injection gneiss is ca. 2.43 RESOURCES IN THE Ga, and the cross-cutting granites are ca. 2.35 to 2.28 Ga. Mapping at Hjalmar Lake NORTHWEST TERRITORIES revealed a unique body of carbonate-bearing 1 2 hornblendite (carbonatite?) and NW-trending NEUDORF*, R. and STRAND, P. feldspar-phyric, calcite-amygdule-bearing dykes. The latter are undated but intrude the (1) DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT NG and were previously considered coeval (2) DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM with the 1.83 Ga Sparrow Dyke swarm. They AND INVESTMENT, GNWT, bear a resemblance to ultrapotassic rocks of YELLOWKNIFE, NT the ca. 1.83-1.75 Ga Baker Lake Group. [email protected] In a largely greenfields region like the NWT, Evidence of two regionally extensive and there are opportunities to plan new

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 56 infrastructure projects with resource potential traditionally male dominated field. firmly in mind. Under the GNWT Partnering with TerraX Minerals, Girl Department of Infrastructure's (INF) Guides of Canada, Mining Matters, and Transportation Strategy, INF is advancing hopefully others, we are looking for industry, the planning for three transportation government, indigenous and private sector corridors: the Tłı̨chǫ All-season Road, the support in achieving our goal of increasing Slave Geological Province (SGP) Access the presence of women in our northern Corridor, and the Mackenzie Valley workplaces. This talk will share the planning Highway. The SGP is a region of high and design phases of this evolving northern mineral potential and is host to the NWT's based program primarily lead by female diamond mines and most of the NWT's past professionals and executives living in the producing gold mines. The SGP has the North. potential to sustain the NWT mineral development cycle for decades to come. The GEOCHEMICAL AND SM/ND current route being advanced was based on ISOTOPIC mineral potential mapping to guide the CHARACTERIZATION OF planning to maximize the potential for future resource projects. This talk presents an POST-TECTONIC GRANITOIDS overview of the current infrastructure OF BOOTHIA PENINSULA, NU: initiatives and priorities underway and IMPLICATIONS FOR THE planned by the GNWT, highlighting the role EXTENT OF THE HUDSON of mineral potential mapping in scoping of GRANITES the SGP route. OSINCHUK*, A.1, REGIS, D.2, SPARKING THE INTEREST OF SANBORN-BARRIE, M.2, YOUNG NORTHERN WOMEN CHACKO, T.1, and HEAMAN, L.M.1 FOR NORTHERN CAREERS IN (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, GEOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND EDMONTON, AB MINING (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON NOKLEBY, K.J. [email protected] Bedrock mapping on Boothia Peninsula in WOOD ENVIRONMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE 2017 as part of Natural Resource Canada’s SOLUTIONS, YELLOWKNIFE, NT GEM-2 program, has revealed extensive [email protected] 2.50-2.56 Ga tonalite-granodiorite to garnet Research has shown young women have monzogranite basement rocks, which are decided against careers in Science, interfolded with widespread granulite-facies Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) metasedimentary rocks. In southeast Boothia related fields by age 14. It is our goal to Peninsula, these metasedimentary rocks are increase the number of northern women in cut by 1.84 -1.82 Ga weakly foliated to geology, engineering, and mining related massive biotite-orthopyroxene monzogranite fields by developing and offering programs (charnockite) and hornblende-biotite quartz specifically for northern girls age 12-17. By syenite to syenogranite. Although the weak engaging them at a younger age in the fabric in this younger granitoid suite industry that so shapes our lives we hope to coincides with the general SW-striking bring more diversity and innovation to this regional fabric seen in eastern Boothia

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 57 Peninsula, the low degree of strain implies across the mainland Rae and Hearne cratons. late-stage emplacement with respect to Elsewhere in the Rae craton, this 1.85-1.80 regional deformation. Ga magmatism has been linked to Au/Cu base metal and uranium mineralization1. If The 1.84-1.82 Ga granitoids have an A- and correlative, the 1.82-1.84 Ga granitoids of I-type major-element composition, which is Boothia Peninsula would mark the dominantly ferroan with variable SiO2 (55 – northernmost occurrence of Hudson 78%). The trace-element discrimination granitoids, highlighting a distribution over diagrams classify these rocks as transitional nearly 1000 km. Revealing the extent of the between within-plate and collisional granites. Hudson granites may have larger LREEs, however, are more enriched in the implications for understanding the tectonic syenogranites compared to the charnockites. settings behind the extensive reworking of This difference combined with a larger Rae and Hearne Cratons during the negative Eu anomaly suggests the Paleoproterozoic. syenogranites are more evolved than the charnockites. We have investigated the 1LeCheminant, A.N., Miller, A.R., Sm/Nd isotopic compositions of both suites LeCheminant, G.M. 1987. In Geochemistry on Boothia Peninsula to access the degree of and Mineralization of Proterozoic Volcanic interaction with Archean crust, therefore Suites, 33: 219-240. furthering our understanding of the granitoids origin and tectonic setting. INVENTORY OF DONATED HISTORICAL NORTHWEST The ɛNd1.83 Ga values (-7.0 to -8.0) TERRITORIES EXPLORATION obtained for 1.84-1.82 Ga granitoid rocks of Boothia Peninsula suggest two distinct AND MINING RECORDS crustal sources in their genesis: the hornblende-biotite syenogranite suite PALMER*, E. and CAIRNS, S. (ɛNd1.83 Ga = -7.0 to -7.1, τDM = ~ 2.5-2.6 Ga) and the charnockite suite (ɛNd1.83 Ga = NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT -7.3 to -8.0, τDM = ~ 2.8 Ga). The Nd data [email protected] for the charnockite suite can be explained by partial melting of late Mesoarchean to early The Northwest Territories Geological Survey Neoarchean basement rocks, which is typical (NTGS) has an inventory of donated of Rae craton. The less negative ɛNd1.83 Ga geological records from past exploration values and younger model ages of the projects and closed mines. This inventory syenogranite suite suggest either derivation represents millions of dollars of exploration from a comparatively younger late and mining information and contains original Neoarchean crustal source or is a result of data, such as field notes and maps, air photos, contributions from both typical Rae drill logs, assay results, onion skin drawings, Basement and a slightly more juvenile linen maps, photographs, annual reports, source. news clippings, and press releases. Although the majority of the records are from the 1970s Geochemically, the 1.84-1.82 Ga granitoids and 1980s, some information dates back to on Boothia Peninsula are broadly comparable the mid-1930s. Over the years the NTGS has to other 1.85-1.80 Ga post-tectonic granites, stored these donated hardcopy files in a the Hudson suite, which are widespread warehouse, which is not ideal for long-term preservation or client accessibility. In 2015,

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 58 the NTGS initiated the development of a THE MOBILITY OF ARSENIC IN database so that the information in the THE WATERSHED OF A SMALL exploration archives could be easily accessed SUBARCTIC LAKE IMPACTED to support future geoscience research and exploration in the Northwest Territories BY MINING POLLUTION: (NWT). Currently, the whole collection has WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR been scanned and catalogued within a THE LONG-TERM FATE OF spreadsheet. Plans include incorporating this ARSENIC IN THE database into the existing suite of NTGS Web YELLOWKNIFE AREA? applications. PALMER*, M.J.1, LINES, W.2, Donations to this collection have come from CHÉTELAT, J.3, RICHARDSON, M.1, many sources. However, some of the larger JAMIESON, H.E.4, SPENCE, C.5, portions of the collection consist of and CONNON, R.6 reasonably complete records from major NWT mining companies including Cominco, (1) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON Giant, Westmin, and Echo Bay. The donated (2) YELLOWKNIVES DENE FIRST NATION, materials from these companies include NDILǪ, NT detailed mapping of mine workings and (3) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA, OTTAWA, ON onsite brownfields exploration drilling. (4) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON Perhaps the most exciting is the inclusion of (5) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE exploration reports and evaluations from CANADA, SASKATOON, SK company geologists evaluating prospects and (6) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, properties presumably offered for option, or WATERLOO, ON under company exploration. The data consist [email protected] of all manner of exploration work including The early years of historical mining activities geophysics, geochemistry, prospecting, and in the Yellowknife region resulted in the mapping on a remarkable number of NWT release of large amounts of arsenic, prospects, some with familiar names, others antimony, and metals to the surrounding area. less so. Much of the work focuses on gold Sixty years after the bulk of these emissions (Au), lead-zinc (Pb-Zn), silver (Ag), and were deposited large amounts of arsenic and uranium (U), however, there are entries antimony remain in lake sediments and soils describing work done looking for nickel (Ni), in the region, and surface waters of many cobalt (Co), tantalum (Ta), beryllium (Be), small lakes continue to exhibit elevated lithium (Li) and many other commodities. concentrations of these metalloids. Most of this collection was never filed for Understanding the chemical recovery of assessment work, and this release constitutes small lakes from mining pollution in the the first time this data has been publicly region requires the consideration of processes accessible. For project generators, it is an occurring within lakes and their surrounding enormous archive of geological data and catchment. Studies that integrate these insights with the potential to provide a processes provide important information on historical leg up for a modern exploration the long-term fate of arsenic in impacted program. subarctic environments.

This presentation will draw on results from year-round sampling in the watershed of a small shallow lake (1.2 km2; < 3 m maximum

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 59 depth) to discuss the various fluxes of arsenic continue to be transported from the terrestrial in a landscape impacted by 50 years of to aquatic environment. mining pollution. Hydrologic inputs and outputs of arsenic from the lake were These observations highlight the importance measured by combining bi-weekly chemical of considering environmental processes sampling and continuous flow measurements across seasons in evaluating the long-term at the lake inflow and outflow. The flux of fate of arsenic in shallow lakes in the region. arsenic between lake sediments and the The annual remobilization of sediment As overlying water column was measured using into overlying waters under ice may be a a combination of porewater extraction significant process inhibiting the long-term techniques and experimental field recovery of mine-impacted lakes since it does incubations of lake sediments. The not typically coincide with periods of high contribution of arsenic from surface runoff flow at lake outlets. Large winter increases in from the surrounding catchment was lake water arsenic also suggest that winter estimated in a small subcatchment by processes should be considered when measuring discharge volume and chemistry. evaluating exposure of aquatic life to arsenic. Contemporary atmospheric loading of arsenic to the watershed was measured by BRIDGING THE GAP THROUGH collecting rain and snow for chemical CARE AND COLLABORATION: analyses. BEFORE CLOSURE AND AFTER Seasonality is an important feature of PRODUCTION subarctic environments and early results from 1 2 this study show that the mobility of arsenic PETERS*, M.H. and HENDERSON, J. varies across landscape units and is seasonally dependent. Lake sediments were a (1) DE BEERS GROUP, SNAP LAKE MINE, YELLOWKNIFE, NT small source of arsenic to overlying water (2) DET'ON CHO CORPORATION, during the open-water season when lake YELLOWKNIFE, NT water is well-oxygenated. These sediments [email protected] became a substantial source of arsenic by Wikipedia defines “Care and Maintenance” mid-winter once anoxic conditions as a term used in the mining industry to developed at the sediment boundary, and describe processes and conditions on a closed water column arsenic concentrations mine site where there is potential to increased almost three-fold compared with recommence operations at a later date. late summer measurements (September: 50 During a care and maintenance phase, µg/L - April: 141 µg/L). In spring, lake water production is stopped but the site is managed arsenic concentrations decreased rapidly to to ensure it remains in a safe and stable less than 40 µg/L once snowmelt entered the condition. lake but prior to the loss of ice cover and peak freshet at the lake outlet. Terrestrial De Beers Canada Inc. - Snap Lake Mine contributions of arsenic to the lake via entered the Care and Maintenance phase after surface runoff were isolated to the snowmelt production ceased in December 2015. The period in early May and during record partnership with Det'on Cho Corporation precipitation periods in June and July. provides for a sustainable execution of care Loading estimates during these periods and maintenance activities, taking into indicate that substantial amounts of arsenic consideration approved work plans, mine

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 60 health and safety considerations and LAND USE PLANNING IN emergency response plans. The mine is WEK’ÈEZHÌI: AN UPDATE currently in its third year of care and maintenance. After exploring the potential PHILLPOT*, D.1 and NEVITT, Z.2 sale of the asset and assessing the possibility of reopening the mine, the decision to (1) DEPARTMENT OF LANDS, GNWT, proceed toward closure was taken in YELLOWKNIFE, NT December 2017, ushering Snap Lake into a (2) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, period of extended care and maintenance YELLOWKNIFE, NT (ECM) while a closure plan is developed and [email protected] finalized. Land use planning is a process of making informed decisions about the future use of Activities during ECM include monitoring of lands, waters, and other resources. Land use water quality and other environmental plans ensure better and more effective parameters, collecting/treating effluent and management of lands and resources, and making sure that water leaving the site meets create certainty for where and how water license compliance. Physical development can take place. infrastructure such as the airstrip, roads, buildings, processed kimberlite containment Regional land use planning is an ongoing facilities and associated surface water process in the Northwest Territories (NWT). infrastructure such as sumps, pumps and To date, land use planning in the Mackenzie channels need to be kept in a safe and Valley has occurred on a regional basis operable condition. Camp infrastructure such according to settlement region boundaries. as generators and machinery and equipment While a land use plan exists for Tłı̨chǫ lands, are also part of the Care and Maintenance no land use plan has been developed for program. Collaboration between the De public lands in Wek’èezhìi, an area in the Beers Canada owner's team and Det'on Cho Bear and Slave geological provinces of the Corporation resulted in the safe execution of NWT. The Government of the Northwest the 2018 work plan which included freshet Territories, Tłı̨chǫ Government and the operations, continued progressive Government of Canada are working reclamation work, monitoring and collaboratively towards a land use plan for maintenance activities. After a trial-run of public lands in the region. reduced camp occupancy in the winter of 2017, the site was fully winterized and This talk will review the status and next steps demobilized in September 2018 to allow for for land use planning in Wek’èezhìi. monthly site visits for the duration of the winter and planning for a spring 2019 start- up.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 61 THE GEOTHERMAL condition, while vertical side boundaries POTENTIAL OF REMOTE were considered adiabatic. Available bottom- REGIONS: A CASE STUDY OF hole temperature data were corrected for drilling disturbance and for paleoclimate ANTICOSTI ISLAND, QUÉBEC effects. Terrestrial heat flow and a heat (CANADA) generation of the Precambrian basement were calculated analytically at the location of the RAYMOND*, J.1, GASCUEL, V.2, 24 wells, according to 1D temperature BÉDARD, K.1, COMEAU, F-A.1, and profiles. Basement heat generation values MALO, M.1 were interpolated in 2D and included in the corresponding layers of 3D model. (1) INRS, QUÉBEC CITY, QC (2) ENSEGID, BORDEAU [email protected] The 3D heat conduction model was solved in steady state with the finite element method Anticosti Island is located in the Gulf of St. using FEFLOW. Results show that a Lawrence and, like most remote regions of temperature of 120 °C, which is considered Canada, relies entirely on fossil fuels for both the lower limit for efficient electricity electricity and heat production. As an effort production with a binary geothermal power to diversify energy sources and reduce plant, can be reached between 4 and 5.4 km greenhouse gas emissions, a geothermal depth in the Precambrian basement. The most resource assessment of this sedimentary promising temperature anomaly is located in basin was achieved, developing a 3D the southeast of the island, reaching 120 °C geological model that was used as a basis to at 4 km depth. However, the potential for the simulate conductive heat transfer and development of a geothermal plant in the near evaluate temperature distribution at depth. future is almost inexistent since the area is barely populated. The most populated area of The Anticosti sedimentary basin consists of a the island is the locality of Port-Menier, in the lower Ordovician to lower Silurian carbonate northwest, with a population of 218 platform, which unconformably overlies the inhabitants. A temperature of 120 °C is Precambrian basement. The 3D geological reached at a depth of about 5 km below this model of the basin, which integrates data locality. Direct geothermal energy use to heat from 24 oil and gas exploration wells and building appears more feasible, with public seismic lines, encloses eight distinct temperature of 57 °C reached at a depth of 2.1 geological units mainly composed of km. Dolostones of the Romaine Formation limestone and shale, with dolostone at the having a relatively high permeability, base of the sequence, and more sandstone in reaching more than 10 mD, are present at this the eastern part. The thermal conductivity depth at the base of the sedimentary and the internal heat generation rate of each sequence. Future work perspectives include geological unit were evaluated from laboratory analysis to measure thermal stratigraphic records and geophysical well properties of rock samples from all logs. The undisturbed ground temperature geological units to improve the numerical near surface, used as a first type boundary model defining geothermal resources and condition for the 3D numerical model, was reducing uncertainty in temperature calculated from meteorological data. A evaluation at depth. constant heat flow of 15 mW·m2 was imposed at the base of the model at 40.5 km (Moho depth) as a second type boundary

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 62 TRACING THE FORMATION (median: 10‰) that slightly decreases with AND ABUNDANCE OF increasing Cr2O3. We interpret this signal as SUPERDEEP DIAMONDS the reaction between a melted carbonate-rich oceanic slab and normal convecting asthenosphere3. In contrast, retrogressed, or REGIER*, M.E., PEARSON, D.G., former, bridgmanite has δ18O values similar STACHEL, T., STERN, R.A., to primitive mantle, suggesting little and HARRIS, J. involvement of slab melts. UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB [email protected] In contrast to the worldwide suite of lithospheric inclusions of eclogitic Super-deep diamonds from the transition paragenesis (median δ18O of 7.03‰)4,5, zone and lower mantle are valuable targets diamonds derived from ~250 to 500 km have for mining, as they are often large, gem- 1 2 inclusions with consistent, extremely high quality or ultra-valuable type IIb stones . oxygen isotopes (median: 9.32‰)6,7, due to Hence, in mine prospects, it may become the melting of extremely enriched carbonated important to determine the various oceanic crust. Diamonds from the lower populations of sub-lithospheric diamonds. mantle, however, have inclusions with Unambiguously identifying a diamond’s primitive mantle oxygen isotopes, suggesting depth of formation is difficult as some a different formation process. The clear minerals can be indicative of various depth distinction in inclusion δ18O between regimes (e.g., ferropericlase, Ca-walstromite, lithospheric, asthenospheric to transition enstatite, clinopyroxene, coesite). Here, we zone, and lower mantle diamond populations use the oxygen isotope compositions of is useful in informing the depth regime of a inclusions in Kankan diamonds from Guinea suite of stones, especially those with to distinguish between the various diamond- inclusions of ambiguous depths (e.g., forming processes that happen at clinopyroxene, coesite, Ca-walstromite, lithospheric, asthenospheric to transition enstatite, ferropericlase, etc.). For instance, zone, and lower mantle depths. In this way, we are currently searching for exotic oxygen we hope to establish a process by which isotopes in ferropericlase that indicate isotope geochemistry can better constrain the asthenospheric diamond growth, rather than populations of superdeep diamonds in the primitive mantle values expected for kimberlites, and can assist in estimating a lower mantle ferropericlase. In conclusion, pipe’s propensity for large, valuable stones. oxygen isotopic analyses of diamond inclusions can identify various Oxygen isotopic analysis by secondary ion sublithsopheric diamond populations, and mass spectrometry (SIMS) is a high- may benefit the assessment of a mine’s precision technique that can track potential for large gem-quality, or type IIb hydrothermal alteration that occurred at or diamonds. close below the ocean floor. Our analyses of inclusions from Kankan diamonds 1. Smith, E. M. et al., 2016, Science 354, demonstrate that garnets with 3-3.03 Si 18 1403–1405. cations (pfu) have δ O that are well- 2. Smith, E. M. et al., 2018 Nature 560, 84– constrained within the normal values 87. expected for peridotitic and eclogitic 3. Thomson, A. R. et al., 2016, Nature 529, inclusions, but that garnets with ≥3.04 Si 76–79. cations (pfu) have consistently high δ18O

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 63 4. Ickert, R.B. et al., 2014, EPSL, 364, 85-97. Metasedimentary rocks across Boothia 5. Zedgenizov, D. et al., 2016, Chemical Peninsula yield detrital zircon that indicate Geology, 422, 46-59. the presence of at least two distinct clastic 6. Ickert, R.B. et al., 2015, GPL, 1, 65-74. sequences. Widespread garnet-sillimanite 7. Burnham, A.D. et al., 2015, EPSL, 432, semipelite to inhomogeneous diatexite have a 374-380. maximum depositional age of ca. 2.50 Ga (Sequence I) with a prominent mode at ca. NEW AGE CONSTRAINTS ON 2.52 Ga and lack detrital zircon older than CRUST FORMATION, 2.55 Ga. Lesser garnet-bearing psammite, PROVENANCE AND TIMING OF quartzite and marble, exposed on northwestern Boothia Peninsula, have a SEDIMENTATION, BOOTHIA maximum depositional age of ca. 1.95 Ga PENINSULA-SOMERSET (Sequence II) with prominent modes at 1.963 ISLAND, NUNAVUT, CANADA Ga, 1.975 Ga, and 1.992 Ga with a minor mode at ca. 2.50 Ga, and no detritus older REGIS*, D. and than 2.53 Ga. The detrital zircon U-Pb data SANBORN-BARRIE, M. suggest Boothia basement rocks are a likely source for Sequence I, while a prominent GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, source for Sequence II appears to be the OTTAWA, ON Thelon magmatic arc, which, according to [email protected] the aeromagnetic data, may be 200 km west One of the major geological features of the of Boothia Peninsula. Sequence I is cut by a Canadian Arctic is the “˜Boothia Uplift', an voluminous intermediate to mafic plutonic outlier of Precambrian basement exposed for suite dominated by diorite and quartz diorite > 900 km from Taloyoak to northwestern with crystallization ages of ca. 2.49-2.48 Ga, Somerset Island. This under-explored establishing a minimum depositional age for frontier region was last mapped in 1962 this sedimentary package. (Blackadar, 1967, GSC Bulletin 151) and 1986-1992 (Frisch, 2011, OF 6051, Fieldwork in 2018 on Somerset Island https://doi.org/10.4095/287896). In order to revealed that high-grade tonalitic to improve the geoscience knowledge base of granodioritic rocks, associated with minor this region and assess its mineral potential, diorite, are more abundant than supracrustal detailed bedrock mapping supported by new rocks, the latter comprising clastic rocks high-resolution aeromagnetic data was often associated with tectonically thinned conducted in 2017 and 2018 as part of the metacarbonate. It is not yet known if the Geomapping for Energy and Minerals clastic sequence associated with (GEM2) program. metacarbonate rocks on Somerset Island is correlative with Sequence I or Sequence II. Preliminary results reveal that the oldest basement rocks of Boothia Peninsula are In summary, the new results indicate that (i) voluminous upper-amphibolite to granulite- felsic and intermediate plutonic basement facies biotite-garnet K-feldspar rocks of Boothia-Somerset formed between porphyroclastic quartz monzonite, and lesser 2.56-2.48 Ga, a period that historically is not tonalite-trondjhemite gneiss with represented in Rae craton evolution; (ii) crystallization ages of ca. 2.56 Ga and 2.53 Neoarchean-Early Paleoproterozoic clastic Ga, respectively. Sequence I is not sourced from 2.6-2.97 Ga

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 64 crust of the Rae craton, and (iii) Thelon of Commerce Workplace Safety Award and magmatic arc rocks are not exposed on others. Boothia Peninsula, as previously suggested, but may constitute Sequence II clastics. This presentation will provide insight into: Collectively, GEM2 data are revealing an absence of rocks typical of Rae craton • The ramp-up from construction into throughout the Boothia-Somerset region, operations; suggesting the “Boothia uplift” may be an • Lessons learned along the way; and, exotic terrane accreted to the Rae, or a ca. • The current status of the mine. 2.56-2.48 Ga magmatic arc complex built on thinned Rae crust. It also reveals that mineral ORPHAN AND ELUSIVE exploration strategies for Rae craton may not be applicable to the Boothia-Somerset GLACIAL DISPERSAL TRAINS region. FROM KIMBERLITES IN THE LAC DE GRAS AREA RAMPING UP FROM 1 1 CONSTRUCTION TO ROSS*, M. , KELLEY, S.E. , JANZEN, R.1, STIRLING, R.A.1, OPERATIONS: LESSONS NORMANDEAU, P.X.2, and LEARNED AT GAHCHO KUÉ ELLIOTT, B.2 DIAMOND MINE (1) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, RODEL, A. WATERLOO, ON (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT DE BEERS CANADA, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] [email protected] Numerous glacial dispersal trains, spatially Gahcho Kué Mine is a success story. and compositionally associated to Discovered in 1995, the mine's joint venture kimberlites, have been characterized and partners (De Beers Canada – 51%, the mapped in the Lac de Gras region, Northwest operator; Mountain Province Diamonds – Territories (NT). However, a small number 49%) successfully brought the world's largest of these trains have yet to be associated with new diamond mine into commercial a source. Additionally, a number of known production in early 2017. Located in the sub-cropping kimberlites do not have well- Northwest Territories, 280 km northeast of defined, spatially associated, trains of Yellowknife, the mine was built ahead of indicator minerals. These issues suggest that time and on budget. In its first year, the mine local factors may be important in controlling recovered 5.9 million carats of diamonds and the occurrence, shape, and strength of a is poised to do even better in 2018. The dispersal pattern and its spatial association mine's safety performance continues to with a kimberlite. Identifying these factors improve and is delivering on its socio- and understanding their effect on the economic commitments to the Northwest dispersion of indicator minerals could Territories. Along the way, Gahcho Kué has provide a road map for finding additional received numerous awards and recognition, diamondiferous kimberlites in the NT and including national and international awards elsewhere. for project management, the Hatch-CIM Project Safety Award, Yellowknife Chamber

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 65 Here we examine contrasting dispersal trains Canada. These fundamental drift prospecting from south and southwest of Lac de Gras, as strategies followed by geophysics and well as situations where the source of known drilling have been used to locate many dispersal trains (e.g., Coppermine Train) kimberlite occurrences over the years. continue to elude exploration geologists. Indicator minerals in surface sediments are Using both surface and subsurface datasets, still the primary datasets used to identify we find that the bedrock geology and kimberlite exploration targets; however, topography of the source area, as well as many of the kimberlite sources for the well- those of the dispersal area, are potential key defined indicator mineral dispersals have controls on the type and shape of dispersal been identified. Exploration must now focus patterns. Even across discontinuous drift and on regions with more complex surficial subdued shield relief we find that bedrock geology where primary dispersal patterns in topography and lithology modulated the till are obscured by post-depositional effect of glacial dynamics on till production modification. These patterns are largely and provenance. These 'bedrock factors' have defined using data from historical “˜till' interacted in various ways during Quaternary surveys that often failed to properly glaciations, in combinations unique to each scrutinize the sample media; reworked tills case, to generate complex dispersal patterns and other surficial materials were commonly in three dimensions. Accounting for these collected. The regional surficial geology factors, using both surface and subsurface maps (e.g., 1:50,000 to 1:250,000) typically data, could enhance the success of drift published by geological surveys to stimulate exploration programs and improve their reconnaissance exploration in new areas are outcome in the glaciated shield terrains of generally incapable of providing sufficient northern Canada. resolution to determine the genesis and post- glacial alteration of sample media or RE-THINKING DIAMOND reconcile complex dispersal patterns. EXPLORATION TACTICS IN Furthermore, advances in analytical methods THE SLAVE PROVINCE: A have yielded compiled datasets with results from multiple methods that are not always SURFICIAL GEOLOGY comparable. Without a new, more detailed PERSPECTIVE and systematic approach to evaluating surface sediment data, exploration in areas SACCO*, D.A.1, WHITE, D.2, and with complex glacial, deglacial and post- MCKILLOP, R.3 glacial histories will be challenged to discover kimberlite. (1) PALMER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING GROUP, VANCOUVER, BC The accessibility, quality and variety of high- (2) AURORA GEOSCIENCE, YELLOWKNIFE, NT resolution aerial or satellite imagery and (3) PALMER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING topographic data has improved significantly GROUP, TORONTO, ON over the years, affording a more detailed [email protected] interpretation of the surficial environment. It took several decades to develop the These detailed interpretations have allowed necessary understanding of glaciation, us to evaluate historical data with a new geochemistry and mineralogy to refine perspective and target the collection of new, exploration strategies and find the first high-quality data. Throughout the Slave kimberlite in the Northwest Territories, Province, we have tailored surficial

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 66 interpretations to distinguish in-situ till from The Cantung W-Cu-Au skarn hosts one of the reworked till and other materials, which have most significant sources of tungsten in the altered dispersion and indicator mineral world. Since 1962, ~7.68 Mt of ore has been concentrations. Using examples from the Lac extracted at a grade of ~1.4 % WO3. Cantung de Gras area, this presentation demonstrates is located within the Selwyn basin of the how a detailed surficial framework, Canadian Cordillera, in the southwest corner combined with an understanding of the of the NWT. The deposit is hosted in the varied analytical methods, is applied to folded sequence of carbonate units belonging historical datasets to refine indicator to the Cambrian Sekwi Formation and is dispersal patterns and identify new spatially and genetically associated with 94 exploration targets. By standardizing the data to 98 Ma monzogranite intrusions of the based on sediment genesis and transport Tungsten plutonic suite. The E-Zone mechanisms, the dataset becomes more underground orebody is developed along the suitable for statistical evaluation and lower, overturned, limb of a large near- anomaly threshold determinations that are recumbent antiform (the “Mine Fold”), unique to specific data subpopulations. As a which exerts a first-order control on the result, anomaly contrasts are improved, and distribution and grade of mineralization. This complex dispersals can be unravelled. In fold has a strongly curved hinge line, which addition, areas with insufficient data is largely oblique to the regional NW-SE coverage are identified and the necessary structural trend, suggesting a complex framework to complete informed, efficient deformation history. infill or new sampling is provided. The examples we share highlight that there is no Beyond the immediate surrounds of the replacement for project-scale understanding Cantung deposit and the Mine Stock, the of surficial geology and its varied effects on lithological units are macroscopically folded mineral dispersals in the development and as part of a regional NW-SE trending fold interpretation of a surface sediment dataset event thought to be related to the Cordilleran used to identify kimberlite exploration Orogeny. This regional set of upright F1 targets. folds and corresponding axial planar S1 foliation are a product of a major crustal STRUCTURAL SETTING OF shortening event, D1. Geological mapping in THE CANTUNG W-CU-AU the area around Cantung has not identified DEPOSIT: AN INTERACTION any correlative structures to the curvilinear, near-recumbent, Mine Fold antiform. An BETWEEN REGIONAL interpretation is that the Mine fold formed DEFORMATION AND PLUTON from sub-vertical shortening and northward EMPLACEMENT flow of Vampire and Sekwi Formation rocks during emplacement and upward SALMABADI*, E.1, HICKEY, K.A.1, and “ballooning” of the Mine Stock. This would FALCK, H.2 have allowed thermal weakening to localize shortening but only within the contact (1) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, metamorphic aureole. The presence of VANCOUVER, BC limestone units immediately above the Mine (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, Stock also favoured ductile flow. The YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] development of a gently dipping S2 crenulation cleavage suggests that shortening

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 67 may have been initiated by emplacement of oz/ton Au across 11.6 ft., including a 318 ft. the larger parent magma body prior to final strike length averaging 0.15 oz/ton across 5.8 emplacement of Mine Stock. ft. (based on trenching). The northern part of the Andrew Zone returned a strike length of The apparent lack of macroscopic F1 folds in 400 ft., averaging 0.15 oz/ton Au across an the zone above the Mine Stock at Cantung average width of 8.7 ft., at a drilled depth of indicates that emplacement of the intrusion 100 ft. Both these zones remained open to might have initiated during D1, with the depth and the northern zone was also open to region above the stock forming a D1 strain the south. In 1986 Aber Resources continued shadow. The switch to sub-vertical D2 geological mapping, and between1986 and shortening reflected a local change in the 1987 completed 3,174 m of diamond drilling strain field associated with pluton in the Bugow (Cabin Lake) leases. A new emplacement, and may not be associated with mineralized zone called the “Cabin Lake any change in the far-field kinematic Zone” was discovered with a strike length of reference frame. Similar sub-vertical 100 m and a depth of 70 m establishing a shortening appears to have occurred in the mineral inventory of 70,000 tons grading 0.3 thermal aureoles of other Cretaceous opt Au at the Cabin Lake zone. intrusions in the region. Post-D2 cooling of the aureole may have facilitated the The regional geology is mainly represented formation of steep brittle fractures and faults by two large areas or granitic intrusions of that focused the emplacement of late dykes Proterozoic age, one to the north of Russell and the upward flow of late magmatically- Lake and one southeast of Slemon Lake, and derived hydrothermal ore-fluids. Russell Lake Archean belt assigned to the Archean Yellowknife Group, narrows to a A DIFFERENT APPROACH 6.5 km width between these two granitic INTERPRETING THE batholiths and extends 70 km to the north and GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES 50 km to the east of the property. CONTROLLING GOLD AT THE The amphibolitic iron formations are the CABIN LAKE PROJECT, NWT, most reliable marker beds defining the CANADA contacts of the various metagreywacke units, and are also defining areas of potential SANABRIA, R. economic value. The Bugow Iron Formation is repeated several times across the property ROVER METALS CORP., VANCOUVER, BC as a result of isoclinal folding. It is found as a [email protected] massive unit of banded amphibolite, quartz, The Cabin Lake Project is located 110 km occasional garnet, hornblende and chlorite. NW of Yellowknife (NWT). In 1945-47, a Metallic minerals such as magnetite and total of seven mineralized zones were pyrite are common in the amphibolite, with discovered, 65 trenches excavated, a 340 ft. lesser amounts of pyrrhotite and open cut was excavated in the promising arsenopyrite. No.2 zone (later referred as the Andrew Zone) and 7,406 ft in a total of 38 diamond The structural interpretation done back in the drill holes, delineating a gold mineralized day shows evidence of three phases of zone in the northern part of the property. The Archean folding. In the past, geological southern portion of the zone averaged 0.09 thinking at Cabin Lake (Bugow) has been

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 68 severely limited by the lack of apparent removed. The 100% owned NICO Project is correlation between gold values and fold a development stage primary cobalt asset hinge structures. The Andrew and Cabin with significant gold and bismuth by- Lake gold zones within the property indicate products. Fortune engaged Dundee that none of them contain fold hinges. It is Sustainable Technologies Inc. to conduct a also demonstrated that the property shows metallurgical test work program to assess the half a dozen perfectly developed fold hinges, application of its “Pyrolysis Roast” and not one of which has responded positively to “Arsenic Stabilization” processes on metal definitive prospecting, trenching, or in some concentrates produced from the NICO cases, drilling. Clearly some other factors are Project. involved, and that is likely bound up with the source of the gold in the property. It is also The objective of this work was to described by the geologists that worked the demonstrate that Fortune can remove the area that the auriferous parts of the arsenic and create metal concentrates that are amphibolite usually contain hornblende as more attractive to the market and can be opposed to the more usual grunerite. processed in existing metal recovery circuits Magnetite is common in both mineralized operating around the world. Fortune is and unmineralized amphibolite, with or evaluating the merits and conducting cost- without gold values. benefit analysis of building a lower capital cost project that would produce concentrates FORTUNE MINERALS LIMITED vs. a higher capital cost project that would NICO PROJECT UPDATE produce value added cobalt chemicals in a purpose-built refinery. The Company will SCHRYER*, R., GOAD, R., and evaluate the best development option in KOROPCHUK, G. consultation with potential strategic partners and in consideration of their downstream FORTUNE MINERALS LIMITED, LONDON, product and commercial objectives. A ONTARIO technical report will be prepared to document [email protected] the most commercially attractive project. This presentation provides an overall update Fortune has more than 35 confidentiality on the Fortune Minerals (Fortune Minerals) agreements with companies interested in Limited NICO Cobalt-Gold-Bismuth-Copper strategic partnerships to build and operate the development (“NICO Project”) with NICO Project. emphasis on recent changes to project planning, development timelines and On the socio-economic front, Fortune is a co- company activities. Fortune Minerals has sponsor, together with the NWT government, received successful results of metallurgical and other industry, community and education test work verifying that it can produce an partners, in delivering the Prospectors and upgraded and essentially arsenic-free cobalt Developers Association of Canada Mining concentrate for the NICO Project. Gold can Matters program to elementary schools in the also be recovered by Fortune from its metal NWT. The Company is also announcing concentrates at the mine site allowing the funding for two educational awards for Company to control the gold revenue stream, T ł ı̨ c h ǫ students to participate in post- while producing separate cobalt and bismuth secondary studies in programs related to the concentrates for sale to third party processors resource industry. after arsenic that is typically penalized is

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 69 CONTROLS ON THE SPATIAL Arsenic concentrations and solid-phase DISTRIBUTION OF ARSENIC speciation in Long Lake sediments exhibit CONCENTRATION AND SOLID- considerable lateral and vertical variation. Two distinct types of sediment arsenic PHASE SPECIATION IN LONG concentration profiles were identified and are LAKE SEDIMENTS interpreted to represent areas of sediment erosion and deposition. Multiple linear SCHUH*, C.E.1, JAMIESON, H.E.1, regression indicates that water depth, as a PALMER, M.J.2, MARTIN, A.J.3, and proxy for sediment texture, is the best BLAIS, J.M.4 predictor of arsenic concentrations in near- surface sediments but is a weaker predictor of (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON arsenic concentrations in deeper sediment (2) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON (3) LORAX ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD., layers due to the existence of the two types of VANCOUVER, BC arsenic profiles identified in this study. Iron (4) UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON concentration, as an indicator of arsenic, iron, [email protected] and sulphur co-diagenesis, is a better Sediment arsenic concentrations in Long predictor of arsenic concentration at greater Lake, Yellowknife, Canada, which is used for sediment depths. recreational purposes, are elevated relative to Sediments are a source of arsenic to surface Canadian and regional guidelines and exceed waters through diffusion-controlled release 3000 mg/kg in selected samples. This degree to bottom water; rates of arsenic release into of arsenic enrichment can be largely the water column vary spatially with changes attributed to the aerial deposition of arsenic in sediment texture and porosity. In areas of trioxide from legacy stack emissions at Giant sediment accumulation, rates of solid-phase Mine and other former gold-mining As burial may exceed diffusion rates. The operations in the Yellowknife area. Arsenic observed variations in the distribution and has persisted in lake sediments as arsenic mobility of arsenic are interpreted to reflect trioxide for more than 60 years after peak the interplay between sediment-focusing mining emissions, but there is also evidence processes and redox reactions. that arsenic trioxide has geochemically transformed to less bioaccessible arsenic- The spatial heterogeneity of arsenic hosting phases such as arsenic sulphides. distribution observed in this study emphasizes the advantages of a multi-station Forty-seven sediment cores were collected in approach for capturing whole-lake July 2016 as part of a spatial survey to accumulation trends. Understanding the elucidate the physical and geochemical depositional patterns of atmospherically controls on the distribution of arsenic in Long deposited arsenic in sediments is also Lake sediments. High-resolution profiles of important in the context of risk assessment, dissolved arsenic in bottom water and as it highlights areas of lakes where humans porewater were also collected to determine may be exposed to high sediment arsenic arsenic remobilization and diffusion rates concentrations and more bioaccessible across the sediment-water interface. Linear arsenic-hosting solid phases. regression was used to explore the relationships between arsenic, other relevant geochemical variables, and water depth in all sediment depth intervals.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 70 NUNAVUT MINERAL Gold and Silver Corp.'s Back River gold EXPLORATION & MINING project in 2018. The company obtained its OVERVIEW 2018 Type B water license for completion of pre- construction infrastructure work and received a positive recommendation for issuance of its SENKOW, M. Type A license. The marine laydown area and CROWN-INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND landing were completed, paving the way for NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA, IQALUIT, NU re-supply through sealifts. Drilling identified [email protected] the new Nuvuak high-grade gold target. In 2018, Nunavut is continuing its shift from Sabina also finalized its Inuit Impact Benefit primarily exploration-stage projects to more Agreement and Long Term Land Tenure producing mines and advanced stage Agreement with the Kitikmeot Inuit projects. The territory has two operating gold Association. mines, Agnico Eagle's Meadowbank and TMAC Resources' Doris, as well as the Mary Several other gold projects were active in River iron mine owned by Baffinland Iron 2018: Auryn Resources Inc. continued Mines. Although production from exploring the Committee Bay project, Meadowbank is scheduled to cease in 2019, conducting diamond and rotary air-blast Agnico Eagle is bringing the Whale Tail drilling, as well as till sampling. Solstice satellite deposit online to replace it, and will Gold Corporation, spun off from Dunnedin also initiate production from Meliadine next Ventures Inc. in 2017 to explore the gold year. potential at its Kahuna diamond project, conducted prospecting, geological mapping, Spending intentions for mineral exploration and till sampling over high priority areas. and deposit appraisal have declined to $110 Silver Range Resources Ltd. conducted million in 2018, down from $169 million in exploration for Pilbara-style gold 2017, according to the statistics released by mineralization at its Tree River property. Natural Resources Canada. This places Nunavut sixth in Canada for mineral De Beers Canada Inc. purchased Peregrine exploration spending. Consistent with the last Diamonds Ltd., acquiring the Chidliak several years, exploration for gold accounts diamond project and several other projects in for most of that total, with lesser amount Nunavut and Northwest Territories. North spent on base metals, diamonds, iron, and Arrow Minerals Inc. discovered a second uranium. kimberlite, ML345, on its Mel property to follow-up the diamondiferous ML8 However, Nunavut saw an increase in the discovery in 2017. Dunnedin Ventures also total value of mineral production in 2017, discovered a new kimberlite at Kahuna. amounting to $844 million, of which $594 million was gold and $249 million was iron, Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. completed 3,100 placing the territory fifth in Canada. With metres of drilling at its Storm Copper and two new mines approaching production, Seal Zinc projects on Somerset Island. Nunavut has also seen an increase in mine complex development and capital assets Nunavut is continuing to draw interest in its spending. mineral potential and it is encouraging to see an increase in the metals produced and the Significant advances were made at Sabina number of producing mines.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 71 TERRAX MINERALS INC. - • 2.16 g/t Au over 27.16 m, including YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD 23.10 g/t Au over 1.0 m and 7.99 g/t PROJECT - UPDATE ON Au over 2.44 m in hole TSO18-035 • 1.92 g/t Au over 11.52 m, including DRILLING 2.89 g/t Au over 3.64 m in hole TSO18-037 SEXTON*, A., HEBERT, E., MCALLISTER, B., STUDD, D., FINDLEY, A., OVERHOLT, C., The Crestaurum Zone drilling was designed HYDEN, D., MACKAY, D., STOKES, I., to test the main mineralized shear/quartz vein CHADWICK, T., BACHINSKI, R., system to 300 metres depth. Previous drilling GABRIEL, D., WALLACE, S., had outlined discrete high-grade shoots to RICHARDSON, M., SHILSON, J., vertical depths of 100 – 150 metres. The four JORDAN, G., HARRIS, J., and holes totaling 1170 metre intersected the CAMPBELL, S. high-grade shoots to depths of 300 vertical metres. The most significant intersections TERRAX MINERALS INC., YELLOWKNIFE, NT were: [email protected] • 5.38 g/t Au over 0.63 m in hole During 2018 TerraX completed 6,118 metres TCR18-076 of diamond drilling in 16 NQ drill holes. The • 5.57 g/t Au over 2.06 m in hole majority of this drilling was completed on the TSO17-078 Mispickel, Sam Otto and Daves Pond targets • 4.41 g/t Au over 0.80 m in hole with 4,948 metres in twelve drill holes. The TSO17-079 remainder of the drilling was completed on the Crestaurum Zone with four drill holes In addition, all drill holes intersected a totaling 1170 metres. Gold mineralization hanging wall shear/quartz vein system to a was intersected in all targets. The most vertical depth of 50 to 75 metres. The most significant gold mineralization was significant intersections were: intersected at the Sam Otto, Sam Otto South • 8.84 g/t Au over 2.49 m in hole and Crestarum zones. TCR18-076 • 3.08 g/t Au over 2.80 m in hole The 1,315 metres in the three holes drilled on TSO17-077 the Sam Otto zone extended the depth of the • 13.30 g/t Au over 1.24 m in hole zone to 350 metres vertical. This zone TSO17-079 consists of quartz veins hosted in intermediate and felsic tuffs of the Banting Group. The best intersection was 0.85 Au g/t This hanging wall zone presents the over 62.24 metres, including 2.04 g/t over possibility of two ore bearing sub-parallel 13.95 metres in TSO18-032. Three holes structures at Crestaurum zone. totaling 1,118 that were drilled on the Sam Otto South zone were the most significant as these three holes extended Sam Otto style gold mineralization an additional 1500 metres, south. The most significant intersections were:

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 72 PASSIVE MONITORING FOR Research Centre, at Laurentian University. It WILDLIFE: LESSONS LEARNED is funded by the Canada First Research FROM 10 YEARS OF CAMERA Excellence Fund, Laurentian University and Federal, Provincial, Territorial, Academic MONITORING and Industry partners. Metal Earth is the largest mineral exploration research project SHARAM*, G., BOL, L., and ever conducted in Canada. It will focus on the MILAKOVIC, B. Archean era, which represents about 80% of Earth history, 30% of Canada's Far North ERM, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] rock exposure, and almost 50% of Canada's metal wealth. Metal Earth will image entire Collecting accurate wildlife data is important ore and non-ore systems at full crust-mantle for environmental monitoring and scale to determine the process responsible for environmental assessments. Some Earth's differential metal endowment. It will monitoring methods, such as low-level aerial transform our understanding if Earth's early surveys, can disturb wildlife. Passive history and how we explore for metals. monitoring using wildlife cameras offers a solution that provides good quality data with In Canada, and similar jurisdictions, mineral limited disturbance to wildlife. We report on resources are increasingly difficult and our use of wildlife cameras during the last 10 expensive to discover and develop. This is a years in NWT and Nunavut at seven mining function of established mining camps projects. We discuss best practices for becoming increasingly mature which pushes camera use and lessons learned. Key exploration and development activities into, challenges include: 1) identifying hypotheses remote and covered areas, or deep that can be tested using cameras, 2) exploration in mature camps. The end result appropriate experimental/monitoring design, of this global trend is fewer discoveries and 3) addressing low encounter rate, 4) increased discovery costs on a per ounce measuring effort, 5) the use of machine basis. To slow and reverse this trend, the learning, and 6) appropriate statistical tests to research community and the minerals evaluate the hypotheses. Used appropriately, industry need to collaboratively develop wildlife cameras can be a powerful tool for predictive tools to increase exploration monitoring wildlife populations, but due success both in mature mining camps and consideration of their limitations are required new districts. Inherent in this research will be well in advance of their deployment to make an improved understanding of the processes effective use of this monitoring technique. that result in Earth's differential metal endowment across geologic time and how we METAL EARTH PROJECT; explore for metals. PROGRESS TO DATE Metal Earth has completed its second full SHERLOCK*, R.L. field season with over 50 geoscientists conducting targeted mapping in 2018 and LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, completion of 1,000 km of reflection seismic, SUDBURY/ONTARIO magnetotelluric and gravity surveys across [email protected] variably endowed fault systems and volcanic Metal Earth is a seven-year, $104M research centers of the Abitibi and Wabigoon program led by the Mineral Exploration subprovinces. This presentation will focus on

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 73 progress to date and future plans for the SHORT HOLD TIME project. PARAMETERS

CONTAMINANT EXPOSURE SIMPSON*, L.1, SINCLAIR, S.2, and HISTORY OF YELLOWKNIFE LOESCHER, B.3 BAY FISH FROM OTOLITH (1) MAXXAM ANALYTICS, CALGARY, AB MICROCHEMISTRY ANALYSIS (2) RIO TINTO, DIAVIK DIAMOND MINES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT SIBBALD*, C.1 and PALACE, V.2 (3) MAXXAM ANALYTICS, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] (1) ROYAL ROADS UNIVERSITY, STANTEC It is well known that it is very difficult to CONSULTING LTD., WHITEHORSE, YT (2) INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR transport samples from remote locations to SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - the laboratory and allow sufficient time to EXPERIMENTAL LAKES AREA, commence analysis within the prescribed WINNIPEG, MB short hold times for certain parameters. Also, [email protected] the majority of published hold times are The talk will review results from a study on based on legacy as opposed to hard science. otolith microchemistry of slimy sculpin, burbot, and lake whitefish from Yellowknife In an attempt to determine the validity of Bay, Northwest Territories, in relation to the specific short hold times, a joint study Giant Mine Remediation Project. Otoliths are between Diavik and Maxxam was small “earbones” in fish that have been undertaken. The purpose was to determine gaining attention in recent years as they can the stability of short hold time parameters provide a detailed and permanent over time using real samples from Diavik chronological record of trace element sites. Data from two sites will be presented. exposure over the life of a fish. The objective The first from the Diavik mine water of the study was to assess pre-remediation treatment plant influent, which had relatively patterns of trace elements in the fish otoliths high levels of the target analytes. The second to evaluate if signatures of contaminant from a lake water sample with lower native exposure are present as a result of current and levels of the target analytes. The parameters historic operations at Giant Mine. Trace studied were ammonia (preserved and elements analyzed in the study included unpreserved), total nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, arsenic, the mine's primary contaminant of phosphate, total phosphorus and turbidity. concern, as well as antimony, copper, lead, All target parameters have a prescribed 3-day strontium, and zinc. hold time.1 pH was also monitored.

Samples were collected by Diavik personnel in one-litre containers and extraordinary logistical measures were taken to get them to Maxxam's Burnaby laboratory as soon as possible. On receipt, they were immediately subsampled into appropriate containers. Each parameter (except pH and turbidity) was split into three containers: 1) as received; 2) low level spike added and 3) medium level spike added. All samples were analyzed within 3

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 74 days of sampling and subsequently analyzed KEY AQUATIC PRIMARY at approximately 3-day intervals thereafter PRODUCERS TRACK THE for a period of two weeks. IMPACTS OF METAL 1 Guidance Manual for Environmental Site POLLUTION AND LOCAL Characterization in Support of LAND-USE CHANGES IN Environmental and Human Health Risk CLIMATICALLY SENSITIVE Assessment – Volume 4 Analytical Methods. SUBARCTIC LAKES AROUND THE CITY OF YELLOWKNIFE THE CANADIAN MINERALS AND METALS PLAN SIVARAJAH*, B.1, PERRETT, M.1, STEWART, E.M.1, KOROSI, J.B.2, SINCLAIR, R.G. CHENEY, C.L.3, THIENPONT, J.R.3, KIMPE, L.E.3, BLAIS, J.M.3, NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, and SMOL, J.P.1 OTTAWA, ON [email protected] (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON The purpose of the Canadian Minerals and (2) YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, ON Metals Plan is to re-establish Canada as the (3) UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON [email protected] foremost mining nation in the world. The Energy and Mines Ministers Conference Very little long-term environmental launched this initiative in August 2017 and monitoring information is available on the federal, provincial and territorial ecological impacts of anthropogenic governments have led the development of the activities on climatically-sensitive northern Plan, including analytical work and extensive aquatic environments. Fortunately, lake engagement across all jurisdictions. sediments preserve the remains of many sensitive biological and geochemical This presentation will bring mining sector indicators that can be used to hindcast past players up-to-date following feedback from environmental conditions. We are using the federal, provincial and territorial mines paleolimnological approach to understand th ministers on the Plan outline presented to the long-term biological consequences of 20 them in August 2018. Discussion to date has century gold mining activities around the focused on six priority areas: Unlocking City of Yellowknife. Specifically, we aim to Canada's Resource Potential; Igniting 1) establish the pre-disturbance biological Innovation; Providing Regulatory Certainty; conditions (i.e. prior to mining activities), 2) Realizing Community Benefits and examine the response to metal pollution and Supporting a Diverse Workforce; Advancing local land-use changes, and 3) determine if the Participation of Indigenous Peoples; and biological recovery has occurred since the Capitalizing on Canadian Leadership in a cessation of gold mining activities. To Global Market. Engagement sessions with achieve these goals, we examined stakeholders will help validate the Plan sedimentary diatom (microscopic siliceous elements and inform their development. The algae) assemblages in radiometrically dated goal is to finalize the Plan in early 2019. sediment cores from a suite of lakes around Yellowknife. Our data provide strong evidence that the primary producers from lakes around Yellowknife have been altered

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 75 by mining operations, as well as local land- analyzing a larger data set from across the use changes, over the past ~100 years. YGB and using immobile elements to Despite the closure of the mining activities, characterize each lithology, complimenting the biota of these lakes have not returned to isotope work, age dating, and field pre-disturbance conditions, as the relationships. contaminant concentrations are still high at some sites. The timing and nature of the Representative samples from the lithologies biological changes in these lakes affected by of interest were pulverized and made in to multiple environmental stressors highlight pressed pellets for analysis by micro-X-Ray the interactive effects of industrial Fluorescence (µXRF) and fused in to glass contaminants, local land-use changes, and beads for Laser Ablation-Inductively climate warming on the algal assemblages in Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA- climatically-sensitive subarctic regions. ICP-MS). Quantitative µXRF data was gathered to use for internal standardization NEW INSIGHTS INTO BARREN during LA-ICP-MS. This combination of AND AU-MINERALIZED analytical techniques has allowed for the INTRUSIONS USING WHOLE complete geochemical characterization of the intrusions. Previous geochemistry studies of ROCK AND TRACE ELEMENT the Yellowknife region have focused on the GEOCHEMISTRY FROM THE Kam and Banting metavolcanic groups. YELLOWKNIFE GREENSTONE However, this work used classification BELT, NWT diagrams that compared elements, such as Fe, Mg, Na, Ca, and K, which are potentially SPEIGHT*, S.C., LENTZ, D.R., and mobile during even low degrees of MCFARLANE, C.R.M. hydrothermal alteration. This type of weak to intense alteration is nearly pervasive UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, throughout the YGB, therefore any FREDERICTON, NB classifications done using these elements [email protected] could give misleading results and warrants The Yellowknife greenstone belt (YGB) verification using more appropriate immobile consists of a homoclinal sequence of mafic high field strength elements, such as those and felsic metavolcanic rocks that young to involving alteration indices and immobile the southeast and are cross-cut by at least trace elements and applicable discrimination three generations of felsic to intermediate diagrams. By evaluating data in this manner, dykes. Early mappers identified these dykes we can assess mass elemental losses and as porphyritic quartz-feldspar and feldspar- gains, and which trends may relate to quartz intrusions and grouped together as the mineralization. #9 dykes, despite their relative timing and textural differences. Narrow aplitic and granitic dykes were also observed and appear to be the youngest dykes in the belt. There has been limited work regarding the whole-rock and trace-element geochemistry of the YGB, and no studies have focused on the cross- cutting porphyritic dykes. This study aims to shed light on the genesis of these dykes by

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 76 HYDROTHERMAL FLUID these two types give rise to the interpretation SOURCES AND PATHWAYS IN that mineralizing fluids derived from a A WORLD CLASS MISSISSIPPI common source variably made use of both stratabound karstic horizons and structurally VALLEY-TYPE LEAD-ZINC controlled breccia pipes along their flow DISTRICT: PINE POINT path. Nevertheless, questions remain as to whether regional fluid flux primarily STEELE-MACNNIS*, M.1, followed the host carbonate package, or SZMIHELSKY, M.1, CLEMMER, S.2, involved deeper circulation that may have FALCK, H.3, and ADAIR, R.4 accessed the carbonate section via discordant fluid pathways, perhaps represented in part (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, by the prismatics. Available data indicate EDMONTON, AB (2) PINE POINT MINING LIMITED, multiple fluid sources represented in different HAY RIVER, NT paragenetic stages, which may imply a role of (3) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, fluid mixing in sulfide deposition. In YELLOWKNIFE, NT addition, lead-zinc mineralization tends to be (4) OSISKO METALS INCORPORATED, spatially associated with marcasite, although MONTREAL, QC [email protected] questions remain as to the paragentic relationship between marcasite and lead-zinc Pine Point is a world class carbonate-hosted sulfides. lead-zinc district, comprising at least 100 known occurrences of lead-zinc This presentation will provide a summary of 2 mineralization, spanning over 1600 km . the geologic context and hydrothermal Lead-zinc mineralization at Pine Point is features of the Pine Point District, and an hosted in Devonian reefal carbonate rocks. overview of our ongoing geochemical studies The district constitutes a major fraction of of mineralizing fluid systems and paragenesis Canada's total lead and zinc potential, and in both tabular- and prismatic-style accounted for a significant proportion of the mineralization. The presentation will total lead and zinc produced in Canada during highlight some of the interesting its production years. The mineralizing system mineralogical and geochemical features of at Pine Point is thought to reflect regional- Pine Point and provide some preliminary scale flux of sedimentary-derived brines. hypotheses on the physical and chemical However, several key questions remain as to processes governing lead-zinc mineralization the ultimate sources of fluids, metals and here and in general. sulfur, and the fluid pathways that led to focusing at Pine Point. BOOTS ON THE GROUND – The Pine Point district contains two main CARIBOU MONITORING types of mineralization: "tabular" bodies, 2 1 which are stratabound and karstic, and JACOBSEN*, P. , STEINWAND*, T. , "prismatic" bodies, which are cross-cutting, and JUDAS*, J. chimney-like pipes with breccia features. The (1) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT spatial and genetic relationships between (2) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, these two types are not entirely clear, as some YELLOWKNIFE, NT of the prismatics are apparently rooted in [email protected] tabular karst, whereas others are not. The geometries and spatial relationships between

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 77 The Boots on the Ground traditional graduates is allowing the T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Government knowledge caribou monitoring program to attain a strong understanding of the health completed its third installment this summer at of the land in the region. The T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Kokètì (Contwoyto Lake), which sits on the Government led an environmental NWT/NU border. Two teams spend 3 weeks monitoring program that aims to collect each out on the land observing the Bathurst traditional knowledge about the safety of caribou in their natural habitat. T ł ı̨ c h ǫ /Inuit water, land and animals at the K w e t ı̨ ı̨ ɂ a à Elders, field guides, wildlife monitors and mine site. This information is designed to researchers make up a 5-6 person team. By better understand the safety of the mine site, staying small scale the team is able to easily priorities for remediation, and to move across the land or use a boat on the lake communicate to community members and the to follow the caribou. The program created T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Government the findings of the work. the “we watch everything” methodology; observations about vegetation, caribou TŁĮCHǪ CONSULTATION AND behavior, caribou health and migration routes ENGAGEMENT GUIDELINES are recorded along with information on predators, other wildlife and the weather. Of STEINWAND-DESCHAMBEAULT, T.1, note this year is how a changing climate is MACKENZIE, G.2, NEVITT*, Z.2, and bringing new predators to the area, which GIBSON, G.2 further increases pressures on caribou. The presentation will explain the program and (1) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT information gathered. (2) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] REMEDIATION APPROACHES M AT KWETĮĮɁAÀ (RAYROCK) The T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Government is preparing MINE guidelines to formalize the procedures for community engagement on proposals for STEINWAND*, T.1, KUNTZ, J.2, and 1 development in Mowhì Gogha De Nįįtlèè. JUDAS, J. The guidelines recognize that engagement and information requirements will vary (1) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT (2) THE FIRELIGHT GROUP, VANCOUVER, BC depending on the type and scale of [email protected] development. Our presentation will review enabling legislation, the guideline The T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Government has worked in applications, the goals, and guiding collaboration with the Crown-Indigenous principles. These guiding principles are set Relations and Northern Affairs Canada - based in T ł ı̨ c h ǫ way of life, such as respect, Contaminants and Remediation Division to coexistence, and inclusiveness. The draft remediate the Colomac and Rayrock mines. guidelines will be released at Geoscience, In 2017, T ł ı̨ c h ǫ Elders identified areas that and feedback and questions will be they avoid due to historic contamination. welcomed. Our intent is to build transparent Using western and indigenous science, the and coherent guidelines that align with other parties have worked to understand options for guidelines and policies the north. cleaning up the mine site, and prepared an action plan. On the ground monitoring by T ł ı̨ c h ǫ BEAHR (Building environmental aboriginal human resources) monitoring

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 78 CROSSING GREAT SLAVE high-load North Slave Region, where there is LAKE – EXAMINING THE heavy resource development. The idea of POTENTIAL FOR SUBMARINE connecting these two areas is not new. A Western Great Slave Lake Transmission Line CABLES AND HVDC and various AC submarine and overhead TECHNOLOGY cabling routes were studied in the past, but today, using HVDC could provide superior STEWART, A. performance and lower costs.

DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, GNWT, Most transmission lines are High Voltage YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] Alternating Current (AC), which is generally the lowest cost option. Although HVDC The Government of the Northwest Territories transmission has superior technical (GNWT) wants to expand the Taltson properties, it can be more expensive. To hydroelectric system in the territory's South interface with the AC grid, expensive Slave Region, and connect it to the North converter stations are needed to convert Slave Region's hydroelectric system. electricity from AC to Direct Current (DC) Connecting the two hydro systems would and back again. Historically, HVDC was create a secure, reliable, green power grid only economic for large power transfers over that could supply almost 75% of the NWT's a long distance, or used where a long community power demands. underwater cable was required. However, technological advances in recent years have This expanded and connected grid could also created new HVDC solutions targeting supply territorial resource development smaller installations, although many of these projects with clean energy. Despite a lack of installations are still in the hundreds-of- roads, electrical transmission lines and megawatts range. communication corridors to support it, the mining sector is the backbone of the NWT For this project, an HVDC connection would economy. Accessible hydroelectricity would reduce the overall cable size and the number dramatically reduce the mining industry's of submarine cables needed (two vs. three). carbon emissions as well as their operational Lighter cables, with a greater length per cable costs. reel means fewer cable joints. Cable joints are a potential point of failure in submarine The Taltson River system has the potential to cables, and represent a significant cost in support 200 Megawatts (MW) of electricity labour and materials. Other challenges this generation capacity. The existing 18 MW study will examine include how to get cable- hydro plant on the Taltson River could be laying equipment to the location (traditional accompanied by a new 60 MW plant utilizing cable-laying vessels are not able to travel existing water storage with no new flooding, down the Mackenzie River), and the limited and could deliver green energy to market installation period due to the annual ice-up on within five to ten years. Great Slave Lake.

The GNWT is currently undertaking a study Future work will include community to examine using High Voltage Direct engagement, environmental assessment, Current (HVDC) and submarine cables to commercial prospects, and technical link the South Slave Region - which is rich in elements such as bathymetric studies. If hydro resources - to the mineral-rich and

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 79 feasible, an HVDC submarine cable route with field-based surficial geology could enable connection to remote mine sites observations and analysis of additional that are dependent on diesel fuel for electrical surficial till samples across targeted generation, resulting in significant economic drumlins. The surficial samples were and greenhouse gas reduction benefits. collected at the top and on the sides of drumlins to test whether any glacial SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE stratigraphy is expressed, especially in areas TILL CHARACTERISTICS IN A where post-glacial erosion may have exposed DRUMLIN FIELD SOUTH OF internal drumlin stratigraphy. Based on the RC data and available maps drift thickness LAC DE GRAS, NT; within the drumlin field ranges from 1 meter IMPLICATIONS FOR DRIFT in the swales between drumlins to about 20 PROSPECTING meters on the top of the highest amplitude drumlins. Locally measured ice-flow STIRLING*, R.A.1, KELLEY, S.E.1, indicators (n=11) show three distinct ice-flow ROSS, M.1, ELLIOTT, B.2, and directions from older to youngest: 260, 290, NORMANDEAU, P.X.2 305 degrees. Preliminary analysis of textural and compositional data shows variations (1) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, within the till at depth as well as across the WATERLOO, ON drumlin field. Ongoing work focuses on (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, determining the relationship (or lack thereof) YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] between till characteristics, drumlins, and ice flow history (till provenance), as well as on Successful diamond exploration is becoming three-dimensional dispersal patterns of increasingly challenging as the best kimberlite indicator minerals and related expressed targets have been found. Areas of geochemical pathfinders. This work will variable drift thickness and heterogeneous highlight landform feature considerations by surficial deposits present several challenges using multiple parameters to analyze sample to exploration. One particular aspect that is data in areas with complex glacial geology poorly understood is the effect of well- and high diamond potential. developed drumlin fields on the surface expression of dispersal trains. Our study focuses on drumlin fields and their potential UPDATE ON THE PROPOSAL effects in the expression of a dispersal FOR A NORTHWEST pattern. Because drumlins are often stratified TERRITORIES MINERAL we hypothesize that multiple till layers of RESOURCES ACT contrasting provenance, representing multiple ice-flow directions, can occur at the STRAND, P. and FARYNA*, L. surface across drumlin fields due to erosional processes. This has the potential to affect DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND analysis and interpretation of surficial till INVESTMENT, GNWT, dispersion data. YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] To test this hypothesis, we examined data The Government of the Northwest Territories from a large RC drilling dataset donated by committed to developing a Northwest Dominion Diamond Ekati Corp. and North Territories Mineral Resources Act. In Arrow Minerals Inc. and complemented it accordance with strategic policy directives

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 80 and under the mandate of the 18th Legislative impacts of multiple potential stressors. In Assembly, the Department of Industry particular, the MWSP aims to develop Tourism and Investment (ITI) has taken the methods that will be effective for detecting lead in preparing this legislative project. potential pollution from the proposed cobalt- From August to December 2017, ITI gold-copper-bismuth NICO mine within conducted 120 days of public engagement Tłı̨chǫ Lands. In collaboration with the across the NWT guided by a discussion paper MWSP, we are using paleolimnological organized around nine broad topics. A high- methods and geochemical normalization to level summary of directions and establish pre-mine baselines of lake sediment recommendations received was published in metals concentrations across the Marian a What We Heard Report in January 2018. Watershed prior to mine development, which can be used to assess for pollution from This presentation will provide an overview of surficial sediment once the mine becomes this legislative initiative as it is now operational. Here we present stratigraphic completing the policy development phase sediment metal concentration results from and moving towards receiving direction to four lakes normalized to lithogenic and begin legislative drafting. biogenic elements (Al, Ti, OM, Corg). The application of normalizing techniques to THE APPLICATION OF metals within the stratigraphic record aims to PALEOLIMNOLOGICAL account for natural variation as a result of METHODS AND (bio) geophysical processes that may affect sediment metals concentrations. Our GEOCHEMICAL application of this method results in a set of NORMALIZATION TO lake and metal specific baselines established ESTABLISH BASELINE for the four lakes. Results show metal CONDITIONS FOR METAL concentrations are substantially higher in CONTAMINANTS IN ADVANCE lakes on or adjacent to the ore body compared OF PROPOSED MINING, to lakes located in the surrounding granitic bedrock terrane. Temporal variations in the MARIAN WATERSHED, concentrations of many metals of concern are NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, small, which provide values that can CANADA effectively serve as baselines for ongoing monitoring. An exception is arsenic, a TELFORD*, J.V.1, WOLFE, B.B.1, metalloid of major concern, which increases HALL, R.I.2, and BIRLEA, M.3 variably in the latter half of the 20th century. There are multiple possible explanations for (1) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, this trend, including far-field atmospheric WATERLOO, ON emissions, increase in erosion of arsenic- (2) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, bearing sources in the lake catchments, WATERLOO, ON (3) TŁĮCHǪ GOVERNMENT, BEHCHOKǪ̀ , NT and/or post-depositional diagenetic [email protected] mobilization in the lake sediment profile. The Marian Watershed Stewardship Program Notably, increases in arsenic concentrations (MWSP), a community-driven aquatic also occur in the early part of the past ecosystem monitoring program, was millennium likely indicating the potential for developed by the Tłı̨chǫ Government to variation in the catchment-derived supply of address concerns regarding the cumulative arsenic to these lakes. Additional studies are

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 81 required to further characterize processes that have been conducted annually since 2014. cause arsenic variations in these lake This talk focuses on the Middle to Late sediment records. Variation in sediment Devonian stratigraphy of the Horn River metals concentrations on both temporal and Group, and highlights the scientific results spatial scales in this region demonstrate the from the 2014 and 2016 field seasons in a need for lake-specific baselines for accurate regional context. Preliminary results from the interpretation of contemporary sediment 2018 season are also discussed. monitoring data. This paleolimnological approach may be may be expanded to other The Givetian-Frasnian aged Horn River lakes in the region for additional monitoring. Group comprises the Hare Indian (Bluefish This unique opportunity allows for the and Bell Creek members), Ramparts, and development of a well-informed and robust Canol formations. It overlies the regionally monitoring program which applies a extensive carbonates of the Hume Formation, scientific approach to meet the needs of a and is in turn overlain by shales and northern community initiative. sandstones of the Imperial Formation. The Hare Indian Formation and Canol Formation, SHALE BASIN EVOLUTION although variable in thickness, are present PROJECT – SUMMARY OF throughout the study area and comprise RESULTS OF THE 2016 AND organic poor to organic-rich shales. Conversely, the Ramparts Formation is 2018 FIELD SEASONS restricted to parts of the northern Mackenzie Plain and southern Peel Plain and Peel TERLAKY*, V., FIESS, K.M., and Plateau areas and comprises carbonate ROCHELEAU, J. lithologies. The Kee Scarp Member of the Ramparts Formation produces Canol NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, Formation sourced oil from a conventional YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] oil pool at Norman Wells.

The Shale Basin Evolution Project was The Bluefish Member of the Hare Indian initiated by the Northwest Territories Formation comprises organic-rich shales Geological Survey (NTGS) in 2014. The with generally good, but regionally variable primary purpose of the project was to extend TOC content, also indicated by consistently the recently completed NTGS source rock high uranium concentration. Silica content in characterization studies of the Devonian age the Bluefish Member is moderate and shales of the Bluefish Member of the Hare variable, resulting in lower brittleness of the Indian Formation and Canol Formation from rock, which was also observed in the field. the Mackenzie Plain toward the north and Terrestrial input, based on geochemical west into the Peel Plain and Plateau areas of indicators, is generally low, but increases the Northwest Territories, respectively. upward in stratigraphy. Palaeoredox NTGS expanded the scope of this study in indicators suggest deposition under at least 2016 to include a rigorous scientific partly anoxic conditions. The Bell Creek assessment of all of the shales of the Member has generally low TOC content and Devonian age Horn River Group, now low uranium concentration. Silica content is including the Bell Creek Member of the Hare also low with an elevated terrestrial input Indian Formation as well as the Bluefish and signature. Palaeoredox indicators suggest Canol shales into the study. Outcrop, sustained oxic conditions. The Canol subsurface core, and chip sample studies

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 82 Formation has a variable, but generally stakeholders with competing interests, and elevated TOC content. Silica content is the engineering undertaken in extreme climatic highest of these formations, resulting in conditions. This presentation will explain brittle fracturing noted in the field. how adaptive decision making was used to Terrigenous input is low through Canol create solutions to emerging problems that fit Formation deposition. Palaeoredox the structural constraints in the human and indicators suggest variable conditions during biophysical environment. deposition. Source-rock and vitrinite reflectance analyses indicate a regionally The seven sites within the Bullmoose-Ruth variable trend of rock maturity, with Remediation Project are all abandoned gold generally increasing maturity toward the mines or exploration sites; namely, western part of the study area. Available Bullmoose Mine, Ruth Mine, Spectrum conodont and stable isotope analysis results Mine, Beaulieu Mine, Joon Mine, and the aid in delineating the chronostratigraphy of Chipp and Storm exploration sites. These these strata. These results, in conjunction sites were active between the 1940s and with forthcoming results of the 2018 field 1980s and are located around 90 km northeast work, well sampling, and available seismic of Yellowknife, NT. Between March 2016 data, will be used in a regional basin and July 2018, the Bullmoose-Ruth modelling effort. Remediation Project covered, closed, or filled 13 mine openings, removed 11,618 m3 “MADE IN THE NORTH”: of metal-impacted soils, sediments, and tailings, treated 7,082 m3 of hydrocarbon- USING ADAPTIVE 3 APPROACHES TO MANAGE impacted soils, and removed 2,231.1 m of non-hazardous waste and 432.5 m3 of REMEDIATION PROJECTS IN hazardous waste. The project required the DYNAMIC NORTHERN construction of two landfills, reconstruction ENVIRONMENTS AT THE of a length of Bullmoose Creek (32.4 m2), BULLMOOSE-RUTH installation of monitoring infrastructure and REMEDIATION PROJECT instrumentation, and construction of engineered hydrological controls. Although TESTART*, T. and BREADMORE, R. the remediation phase of the project is complete, monitoring will be ongoing for the CROWN-INDIGENOUS RELATIONS AND foreseeable future. NORTHERN AFFAIRS CANADA, YELLOWKNIFE, NT By using adaptive decision making that [email protected] allowed for change and modification based Working in the Northwest Territories can on field conditions, available resources, and present challenges; both in the biophysical close collaboration with team members and aspects of remediation and in the necessary partners, the project team was able to find engagement with impacted communities. The both engineering solutions and design Bullmoose-Ruth Remediation Project was a optimization that allowed for the project to be complex undertaking. The project involved completed a full year sooner than the planned seven Indigenous partner communities, seven schedule. The benefit of this early finish is a abandoned mines in a remote part of the reduction in risk to people and the North Slave region, construction of around environment posed by the winter road, work 270 km of winter access roads, multiple activities, and human disturbance. These

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 83 benefits outweighed any risks associated with distinct domains based on kimberlite ages in major changes to planned activities. This the area. Central Slave is characterized by presentation will discuss these optimizations, Tertiary/Cretaceous age kimberlites, whereas and how the close collaboration with the southern part exhibits kimberlites of Indigenous partners allowed for a more Cambrian age. This have important efficient and successful Project completion. implications for the orientation of the remanent magnetization vector. AIRBORNE MAG/EM DATA INTEGRATION OF SLAVE The methodology involves the use of a PROVINCE KIMBERLITES, homogeneous half-space model to invert the data for dielectric permittivity, relative NWT magnetic permeability, apparent resistivity and magnetic susceptibility. Using this 1 2 UGALDE*, H. , MILKEREIT, B. , model, we calculated Conductivity-Depth- 3 4 LENAUER, I. , MORRIS, W.A. , Images (CDIs) for all the EM data. The 5 5 MIRZA, A.M. , and ELLIOTT, B. susceptibility distribution from the EM data (MagEM) is then plotted against an apparent (1) BROCK UNIVERSITY, ST. CATHARINES, ON susceptibility derived from the total field data (2) UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO, TORONTO, ON (3) GOLDER ASSOCIATES, MISSISSAUGA, ON for the main survey via standard FFT (4) MCMASTER UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON, ON calculation (MagTMI). Major differences (5) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, between both distributions are usually YELLOWKNIFE, NT associated to remanence. Once we identify [email protected] areas of potential remanent magnetization, As part of the Slave Province Geophysical, we use Helbig analysis to estimate the Surficial Materials and Permafrost Study, the direction of magnetization. The validity of Northwest Territories Geological Survey this model is verified by comparison of the (NTGS) commissioned high resolution computed remanence direction with the geophysical surveys in the Slave Geological appropriate Apparent Polar Wander Path Province (SGP). This work focuses on the (APWP). We find a good correlation of analysis of six horizontal gradient magnetic APWP directions with the estimated and frequency domain EM (FDEM) surveys remanence, however, a viscous remanence that were flown from February to March component subparallel to the present's day 2017 (Munn Lake, Margaret Lake, Zyena Earth field is sometimes required. Lake, Lac de Gras West, Big Blue and Mackay Lake). All surveys were acquired at Finally, we show the integration of these 75 m line spacing with nominal terrain results with a structural interpretation of the clearance of 60 m to maintain bird height of aeromagnetic data and potential alteration 25 m. They total 4,580 line-km. We use the zones derived from Aster imagery for all 6 FDEM data to locate areas of potential blocks. remanent magnetization, and thus additional areas that could be related to kimberlite bodies.

The area is part of the central Slave Craton, which is dominated by Archean granitoid rocks and Archean metasedimentary rocks. Heaman et al. (2013) identifies several

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 84 ARE WILDFIRES AN important increases in metal concentration. IMPORTANT SOURCE OF Correlations between charcoal accumulation METAL CONTAMINATION OF rates and metal concentrations in the sediments will be tested. Subsequent analysis BOREAL LAKES? will examine (1) if subtle changes on lake metal cycling, such as short-term increases in VERMAIRE J.C. metal accumulation rate, could be influenced by wildfires and (2) if there is a temporal CARLETON UNIVERSITY, OTTAWA, ON [email protected] trend in the relationship between wildfire and lake metal loading over the last century. Boreal forests accumulate metal contaminants in soils and biomass over time EVALUATING THE because of the strong association of these metals to organic matter. Wildfires contribute HYDROLOGY OF NORTHERN to the remobilization of previously deposited BOREAL LAKES NEAR local and long-range pollution. Strong YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST evidence suggests that the concentration of TERRITORIES AND THEIR some metals (e.g., Pb and Hg) has increased RESPONSE TO VARYING ubiquitously in the boreal forest over the CATCHMENT AND CLIMATIC Anthropocene in response to global pollution. The role of wildfires in metal CONDITIONS transport associated with catchment erosion VISCEK*, J.A.1, TURNER, K.T.1, is well documented. However, studies have 1 2 also demonstrated that wildfire ashes, PISARIC, M.F.J. , and KOKELJ, S.V. transported atmospherically, can be a (1) BROCK UNIVERSITY, ST. CATHARINES, ON pathway for the transport of metal(oids) such (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury. If YELLOWKNIFE, NT forest metal concentrations have increased in [email protected] the Anthropocene, is it possible that wildfires Freshwater lakes are prominent features have become an increasingly important throughout northern boreal regions which process for the deposition of metals across provide important habitat for wildlife and the landscape, including lakes? resources for local communities. Increasingly, there have been concerns We investigated metal accumulation in sub- regarding how these northern lakes respond Arctic boreal lakes located at close distances to fire disturbance and drought, which have (0.5 to 10 km) from fire scars of various age been associated with changes in climate in the Yellowknife area (NT, Canada). conditions during recent decades. Wildfires Charcoal particle accumulation rates were have been particularly intense in the examined in relation with observational fire Yellowknife, NT area over the past several records since 1965 to determine the years, and the influence on aquatic systems is occurrence of fire events in the sedimentary not fully understood. records. Preliminary results demonstrated good agreement between observational fire This research project integrates a number of records and fire history determined from analyses to identify the relative importance of charcoal accumulation in the lake sediments. climatic and catchment controls on the Our preliminary analysis revealed that hydrology of 20 study lakes in the wildfire events were not associated with

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 85 Yellowknife region. The study lakes reflect a during 2017 compared to 2018. The influence range of catchment characteristics, with lake of catchment properties including size, land surface areas ranging from 1.6 to 3,280 ha cover and burn area on water isotope and lake (median = 10.9 ha). Nine of the study lakes level data continue to be investigated. are situated within catchments that have experienced either full or partial burn since Lake sediment cores were obtained from 2012. The 2017 and 2018 years of study three lakes spanning identified hydrological reflect disparate, ice-free season (i.e., May to gradients. Historical records of hydrological September) precipitation conditions. The conditions are being reconstructed using 2017 ice-free season was indicative of cellulose-inferred oxygen isotope (d18O) relatively “dryer” conditions (i.e., total analyses of the sediment cores. These data precip. = 148 mm), slightly below the will be used to evaluate whether seasonal average. The 2018 ice-free season contemporary lake hydrological conditions reflected pronounced “wetter” conditions are within the range of natural variability. (i.e., total precip. = 259 mm), and the most The findings of this research program will seasonal rain experienced in Yellowknife enhance our knowledge of how warming since 1943 when climate records were first northern climate and associated landscape maintained. changes are influencing lake hydrology. The work is part of a collaborative effort Lake water isotope data, specifically d2H and supported by the Government of NWT d18O, were obtained twice (i.e., spring and Cumulative Impact Monitoring Program late summer) during each of the 2017 and (CIMP). 2018 ice-free seasons, respectively. Study lake catchments were modeled in ESRI INDIN LAKE GOLD PROJECT – ArcMap 10.5 software using available 5-m 2018 COLOMAC UPDATE and 10-m Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data, utilizing Spatial Analyst and ArcHydro WAYCHISON*, W. and BYRON, M. extensions. Preliminary isotope data and lake catchment analyses indicate that the lakes NIGHTHAWK GOLD CORP, TORONTO, ON exhibit strong hydrological variability. [email protected] Basins with higher lake area to catchment Nighthawk Gold Corp. (NHK) is a Canadian area ratios appear to be more susceptible to based mineral exploration company currently drying compared to lakes with larger focused on advancing its 100% owned, Indin catchments. In-situ lake level monitoring was Lake Gold Property, a 222,203-acre land employed for 19 of the 20 study lakes using package located 200 kilometres north of installed HOBO water level loggers, with Yellowknife, Northwest Territories within relative depth changes derived via air/water the Indin Lake Gold Camp. pressure calibration. Net-average lake level changes were determined to be A 43-101 Inferred Mineral Resource estimate approximately -0.22 m (max = +0.02 m, min of 2.6 million ounces of gold (50.3 million = -0.51 m) during the 2017 (i.e., dryer) ice- tonnes at an average grade of 1.62 grams per free season and +0.13 m (max = +0.42 m, min tonne gold) is defined at the Colomac Gold = -0.17 m) during the 2018 (i.e., wetter) ice- Project. Approximately 50% of the free season, respectively. Overall, lake level mineralized Colomac and Goldcrest drawdown during periods of drought during intrusions are captured by this 2018 estimate, summer months was more pronounced leaving an underexplored and highly

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 86 prospective deposit that hosts several newly exploration and drilling programs throughout discovered high-grade gold zones, and broad the underexplored yet fertile Indin Lake gold domains of lower grade mineralization. In camp. This included drilling 69 holes for 2018 Nighthawk completed 124 holes for 17,552 metres on the following prospects: 32,504 metres, of which 55 holes for 14,952 Leta Arm properties, Treasure Island (last metres were completed at Colomac. drilled in 2011), Damoti Lake (last drilled in 2010), and Swamp, a recent surface Information will be presented for discovery of extensive alteration and Nighthawk's model for gold mineralization mineralization. Available results are for the Colomac sill, confirming Colomac's highlighted by Diversified hole DV18-08, analogue to the Golden Mile Dolerite gold which returned a new high-grade discovery deposits, Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. 90 metres below surface that opened the Mineralization is hosted by a differentiated deposit to the north with 17.50 metres (14.00 mafic sill of similar age with a sodic, metre true width) of 5.81 gpt Au, including siliceous, and brittle upper portion amenable 9.25 metres of 9.65 gpt Au. to clean fracturing during regional structural deformation, fluid transport, and mineral UPDATE ON THE CLAN LAKE deposition, and the preferential host for gold GOLD PROJECT: mineralization. Kalgoorlie is one of the EXPLORATION AROUND A world's largest gold deposits, exceeding 60 million ounces of production since 1893. 250,000 OUNCE GOLD RESOURCE Nighthawk's 2018 drilling of Colomac was directed at high-grade Zones 1.5, and 3.5 as WEBB, D.R. well as Zones 2.5 and 3.0. At Zone 3.5, last drilled during in 2012, results have detailed DRW GEOLOGICAL CONSULTANTS LTD., and confirmed its steep northern plunge, VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] while recent drilling of high-grade Zone 1.5, discovered in 2014, has extended its Gold at Clan Lake was initiated by dimensions to upwards of 300 metres in discoveries by the Earl-Jack syndicate in strike, to a vertical depth of 660 metres, and 1964. In the late 1960s, a 1,035 tonne bulk a true width of 30 to 60 metres in the near sample was processed, grading 14.59 gpt surface, and upwards of 155 metres at depth. gold. Work by Noranda in the 1980's and by Drill results for Zones 2.5 and 3.0 remain to the Yellowknife Gold Syndicate in 1990's be reported. Eleven holes for 2,367 metres failed to materially expand the known were directed at the lesser known Grizzly showings. In 2008, Tyhee Gold Corp staked Bear zone, located SW of the Colomac sill, the property and quickly identified the Main following up on two maiden holes drilled in Zone as containing 2.5 million tonnes 2017. Results reveal significant near surface grading 3.12 gpt gold for 254,000 ounces of intercepts including (GB18-02) 6.25 metres gold as an Indicate Resources. Other of 4.04 gpt Au, and an undercut (GB18-02B) showings such as the Morel, Bear, Cub and 17.25 metres of 2.00 gpt Au, including 4.50 other gold zones saw only limited metres of 5.13 gpt Au. development. Recent examination has found the Morel Zone to be similar in size as the Nighthawk's 2018 campaign included the Main Zone, extending over 600 m in length continuation and expansion of its regional and up to 100 m in width. Other zones have been found to have substantial potential.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 87 UPDATE ON THE MON GOLD TILL GEOCHEMISTRY AND PROJECT: EXPLORATION LITHOGEOCHEMICAL AROUND A PAST PRODUCING EXPLORATION FOR A GOLD MINE CONCEALED KIMBERLITE

WEBB, D.R. WICKHAM*, A.P.1, WINTERBURN, P.A.1, and NEW DISCOVERY MINES LTD., ELLIOTT, B.2 VANCOUVER, BC [email protected] (1) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, The Mon Gold Property was discovered by VANCOUVER, BC Cominco in 1936. In 1937 and 38, trenching (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT and shaft sinking on a high-grade surface [email protected] showing failed to provide encouraging results, however similarities to the Discovery Research at the Kelvin kimberlite, NWT is Mine became apparent in 1948. In 1988 a defining surface exploration practices and structural solution to the high-grade showing developing new exploration tools based on was proposed, leading to the discovery of host rock lithogeochemical alteration, that extensions to the mineralization. Between will result in reduced costs and improved 1989 and 1997, small-scale mining discovery success. In regions where recent confirmed the continuity of grade and widths glaciation has buried kimberlites under of the A-Zone. Recently, property-wide glacial sediments, surface geochemical prospecting was completed and two major detection methods are best interpreted when gold-bearing trends referred to as the coupled with a comprehension of the Western Mafic Trend (WMT) and Eastern landscape formation processes. The glacial, Mafic Trend (EMT) were identified, post-glacial, and cryoturbation processes that containing virtually all gold showings. The have affected the landscape have, in turn, WMT and the EMT can be traced for 3,300 affected the dispersal of geochemical m and 3,800 m across the property signatures in the till that can be detected and respectively, each up to 700 m wide. Five exploited by detailed surface mapping, hundred and fifty grab and chip samples were sampling, and geochemical analysis. collected, identifying fourteen zones with Additionally, the application of geochemical consistent elevated gold values. Five gold and hyperspectral data to country rock zones were selected for trenching and alteration core can aid in the detection of systematic sampling, exposing well kimberlites during near-miss drilling mineralized chlorite + carbonate + quartz + campaigns. sulphide + biotite schists. Concurrent with this work, spruce bark sampling was The Kelvin kimberlite is located eight completed using ICP analysis on macerated kilometers from the Gahcho Kué diamond samples, confirming and extending the mine in the Northwest Territories. The known zones and identifying new trends. inclined pipe sub-crops beneath a lake and dips into gneiss country rock towards the northwest with a surface projection of more than 600 m long. Relative uniformity of surficial material (<6 m thick till veneer) allows for extensive b-horizon soil sampling

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 88 above the kimberlite, up-ice, and up to 1 km SAMMS: THE SUBARCTIC in the down-ice direction. Samples were METAL MOBILITY STUDY sieved to -180 microns and analyzed by four acid digest ICP-MS and aqua-regia digest WOLFE, B.1, VENKITESWARAN, J.1, ICP-MS. Results indicate the soils to be very SCHIFF, S.2, HALL, R.2, immature and identify the presence of a TELFORD, J.V.1, SHULTZ, M.1, subtle Ni-Cr-Mg-Nb train originating from JASIAK, I.2, LEATHERS, J.1, the lake side extending for >1km from source HICKMAN, J.3, CONNON, R.3, following the most recent ice direction to the COUGHLIN, J.3, ELGOOD, R.2, west. The material for the train was abraded WHITFIELD, C.4, SHARMA, S.4, by the ice from the kimberlite, now sub- COUTURE, R.5, LECLERC, É.5, cropping beneath a lake, and would have BLAIS, J.6, CHENEY, C.6, provided additional support to drill what was ENGLISH*, M.C.1, MCGEER, J.1, and initially targeted from geophysics. SMITH, S.1

Additional research is being carried out to (1) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, detect alteration signatures in the country WATERLOO, ON rock induced by the emplacement of the (2) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, kimberlite. Lithogeochemical data from four WATERLOO, ON (3) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, drill holes aims to identify and quantify the YELLOWKNIFE, NT metasomatic enrichment and depletion of (4) UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, elements sourced from the kimberlite while SASKATOON, SK accounting for country-rock lithology (5) UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL, QUÉBEC, QC variation. Hyperspectral imaging of the same (6) UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON drill core will aim to detect and quantify [email protected] secondary mineralogy and subtle changes in SAMMS, supported by the Global Water mineral composition that otherwise cannot be Futures program, is a new research initiative. detected visually. This data will be used to SAMMS aims to identify, quantify, and generate mineralogical and chemical vectors predict mobility of natural source and legacy beneficial in near-miss situations when mine-source metals in soil, wetlands, and drilling kimberlites and defining diatreme lake sediments that extend from former, geometries. present, and planned mine sites currently and as climate change alters the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) produced and exported from vast organic stores in subarctic NWT watersheds. Special focus is to quantify the current and future mobility of legacy atmospheric-source contaminants, above naturally occurring levels, from the Giant Mine. Six work plans have been developed. These are designed to comprehensively trace the transport and behaviour of DOM and metals through terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in headwater catchments between Giant Mine and Whatì. Work plans include: 1) terrestrial stores of historical metal deposition and

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 89 transport to aquatic ecosystems, 2) DOM intensive site to launch additional SAMMS quantity and quality, metal binding, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem research. toxicology, 3) modelling of DOM quantity and quality in cold regions, 4) metal depositional history, pathways, and processes in lake sediments, 5) paleo-ecotoxicology and ecosystem structure, and 6) climate change effects including permafrost thaw. Findings will inform improved decision- making by multiple stakeholders in the NWT, including Indigenous peoples, about the both legacy of mining activities and implications of new mining developments on water quality in a changing environment.

This presentation will provide an introduction to SAMMS and highlight summer 2018 fieldwork activities, early results and describe our planned research direction over the next 12 to 24 months. Current research includes: 1) sediment cores collected in June within the annual regional prevailing airshed from Giant Mine from lakes each 10 km along an 80km transect extending northwest. Analysis of these lake sediment cores will aid in systematic identification of the extent of far-field atmospheric emissions of arsenic from Giant Mine. Paleohydrological analyses will be used to explore the role of climate on metal deposition in the lakes. 2) Fieldwork was also conducted at lakes northwest of Yellowknife along Highway 3, and included collection of lake sediment cores as well as soil, snow and lake water samples. Metal concentration and radiometric dating results from a sediment core retrieved from “˜Lake 10', located 57 km northwest of Yellowknife, displays down- core enrichment in arsenic (and antimony) concentration, consistent with some of our prior lake sediment core results adding further evidence for far-field emissions from Giant Mine. “˜Lake 10' is readily accessible from Highway 3 and will serve as a key

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 90 Abstracts - Poster Presentations Presenting Author denoted by *

INCREASED RECOVERY OF kV electrical discharges that segregated the DIAMONDS FROM ECLOGITE sample into individual grains of similar sizes. BY ELECTRICAL PULSE The other half was jaw crushed, using a steel jaw crusher which produced non-uniform DISAGGREGATION composite grains and abundant fine material. The varying sizes and aggregate pieces made ALI*, H., REGIER, M.E., and it difficult to pick diamonds, and after no PEARSON, D.G. diamonds were found, the jaw-crushed portion underwent further disaggregation in UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB [email protected] the SELFRAG. It is well known that mechanical After exerting the same time and effort disaggregation, such as jaw crushing, can picking through both portions of the RV09 cause irreversible damage to valuable sample, ten diamonds were recovered from gemstones hosted in crystalline rocks. The the electronically disaggregated portion, SELFRAG Lab device uses electrical pulses while no diamonds were found in the at high voltages - typically between 150 and conventionally disaggregated sample. The 200 kV - to separate material into individual diamonds released from the SELFRAG were grains along natural boundaries. The purpose then imaged with a scanning electron of this research is to assess the viability of the microscope (SEM) to determine the extent to SELFRAG as a tool to disaggregate which the diamonds were damaged. Most of diamond-bearing eclogites, and to assess if the released diamonds showed no evidence of this method preserves grains that would breakage, but a few showed signs of damage otherwise be damaged through mechanical that may have occurred prior to kimberlite disaggregation. eruption.

In order to test the applicability of the The dramatic disparity between the number SELFRAG to diamond recovery from of diamonds recovered with the SELFRAG mechanically strong diamond-bearing and the lack of diamonds in the jaw crushed lithologies, we studied its effects on a portion indicates that electrical diamondiferous eclogite, RV09, from disaggregation is a superior method Roberts Victor mine. The Roberts Victor compared to the conventional mechanical mine is located in South Africa and is comminution technique. There are little to no renowned for its unusually high abundance of signs of breakage in the SELFRAG-liberated 1 mantle-derived eclogite xenoliths . Before diamonds, whereas, the damage caused by the eclogite was disaggregated, we bisected jaw crushing was extensive enough to the sample and used a CT scan to determine produce small fragments not readily visible its constituent minerals and the spatial via optical microscopy. The SELFRAG is a distribution of diamond. One half of the promising alternative to conventional sample was then placed into the SELFRAG, disaggregation and offers a practical solution where it was subjected to ~100 shots of 200

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 91 for lessening damage to valuable stones in these intervals, there is relatively few data rocks such as eclogites and kimberlites. gathered from the formations in the Horn River Group, and a detailed assessment of 1MacGregor, I.D., Carter, J.L., 1970. Physics porosity has not yet been conducted. of the Earth and Planetary Interiors 3, 391–397. For this project, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption- CHARACTERIZATION OF desorption experiments are used to POROSITY IN BLACK SHALES characterize pores and determine pore USING NITROGEN volume. The dataset consists of four samples taken from the Husky Little Bear N-09 well: ADSORPTION EXPERIMENTS two from the Canol Formation at depths of AND SCANNING ELECTRON 1727.05 m and 1718.95 m and two from the MICROSCOPY. AN EXAMPLE Hare Indian Formation at depths of 1810.0 m FROM THE MIDDLE TO LATE and 1825.0 m. Using the Barrett-Joyner- DEVONIAN HORN RIVER Halenda (BJH) model, nitrogen adsorption- GROUP, CENTRAL desorption experiments suggests that the pore sizes in these samples ranged from 10 nm to MACKENZIE VALLEY, 100 nm. The adsorption-desorption isotherms NORTHWEST TERRITORIES gathered from the same analysis also indicate that the pores are slit-shaped. The images ATIENZA*, N., GINGRAS, M.K., from the SEM analysis indicate that the pores LAGRANGE RAO, M.T., and in these samples can be found in several sites HARRIS, B.S. including pyrite framboids, grain boundaries, microfractures, inside grains and in organic UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB matter. [email protected] Recently, organic-rich shales have become The results of this study contribute to our important unconventional reservoirs due to knowledge of the hydrocarbon storage advances in technology that make it possible capacity of the Hare Indian and Canol to exploit hydrocarbons trapped in the pores formations and increase our understanding of of these successions. In order to achieve an their potential as shale reservoirs. accurate assessment of the quality of the reservoir, understanding the porosity in these intervals is essential, however, as pores observed in black shales are microscopic, micro-imaging techniques are required to determine pore size, shape, distribution, and total pore volume.

This study focuses on the Middle to late Devonian Canol and Hare Indian formations, black shales of the Horn River Group located in Central Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories that have been identified as prospective unconventional resource candidates. Due to the remote location of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 92 SEISMIC DATA RESOLVE DEEP LITHOSTRATIGRAPHY OF THE CRUSTAL EARTHQUAKES AND SUNSET RHYOLITE, CRUSTAL VELOCITY CAMERON-BEAULIEU STRUCTURE BENEATH THE VOLCANIC BELTS, SLAVE BEAUFORT SEA, WESTERN PROVINCE CANADIAN ARCTIC AUSTIN-FAFARD*, S.B.1, AUDET*, P.1, SCHAEFFER, A.J.2, and DEWOLFE, Y.M.1, and KNOX, B.2 MA, S.1 (1) MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY, (1) UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON CALGARY, AB (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, SIDNEY, BC YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] [email protected] The formation and evolution of the The Sunset Lake area contains Neoarchean lithosphere in the western Canadian Arctic volcanic rocks of the Beaulieu belt, which represent a long-standing tectonic puzzle. occurs at the northeast margin of the ca. 2.8 The eastern Beaufort Sea margin juxtaposes Ga Sleepy Dragon Complex. The exact age young (<150 Ma) Arctic Ocean lithosphere and the stratigraphy of these volcanic rocks is with Paleo-Proterozoic continental not fully understood. As a result, volcanic lithosphere of the Canadian Shield rocks within the Beaulieu belt cannot be underlying Banks Island, over <200 km. The easily correlated. The focus of this study is southern Beaufort Sea Mackenzie Delta the Sunset Rhyolite, a large rhyolitic body at margin represents a well-developed fold and the south end of Sunset Lake that was thrust belt of Cretaceous to present age, but originally mapped as a single, coherent has only been recently recognized as likely rhyolite dome, and to correlate it with a active. A concentration of poorly constrained rhyolite dome and associated rhyolite earthquakes within the Beaufort Sea are fragmental rocks that host the Sunrise interpreted as due to flexure of the oceanic volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit crust in response to margin thrusting or some 6 km to the north. loading of thick Mackenzie Delta sediments. We use data from new land broadband The objective of this study is to document the seismic networks to investigate crustal litho- and chemo-stratigraphy of the Sunset structure and seismicity around the Beaufort Rhyolite and compare it to that of the Sunrise Sea. Preliminary results from ambient deposit. During 2014, the Sunset Lake area seismic noise and receiver function analyses experienced forest fires resulting in great indicate a ~30 km deep Moho beneath the outcrop exposure. Detailed mapping Beaufort Sea and Banks Island. We examine completed this past summer (2018) indicates focal depths of selected Beaufort Sea the Sunset Rhyolite is not a single, coherent earthquakes using teleseismic P-pP times and rhyolite body, but instead represents a much find focal depths of ~35 km. These results more complicated rhyolite flow/dome suggest that earthquakes occur on reactivated complex. The south Sunset Lake area is passive margin structures, possibly triggered composed of basalt, andesite and rhyolite by flexural loading. lavas with varying compositions of volcaniclastic rocks. The lithologies from oldest to youngest are as follow: 1) massive

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 93 to pillow flows that are basaltic to andesitic ICHNOLOGICAL EXPRESSIONS in composition (>200 m); 2) a dominantly OF LOW OXYGEN SETTINGS: coherent rhyolite that is weakly quartz- AN INTEGRATED plagioclase porphyritic with local lobes and areas of in-situ breccia (50 – 100 m); 3) ICHNOLOGICAL AND heterolithic volcaniclastic rocks (50 – 100 m) SEDIMENTOLOGICAL consisting of lapilli- to tuff-sized felsic (30 – ANALYSIS OF THE CANOL 40%), mafic (10 – 15%), and andesite clasts FORMATION, NORTHWEST (20 – 30%); 4) felsic volcaniclastic rocks TERRITORIES, CANADA ranging from tuff breccia to lapilli tuff with some tuff forming massive beds ~10-20 m BIDDLE*, S.K.1, thick with felsic volcaniclastic packages ~50- LAGRANGE RAO, M.T.1, 100 m thick. Felsic clasts share a similar HARRIS, B.S.1, FIESS, K.M.2, composition to the coherent rhyolite. TERLAKY, V.2, and GINGRAS, M.K.1

The stratigraphy of the south Sunset Lake (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, area is much more complicated than EDMONTON, AB originally thought and does not represent a (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, single coherent rhyolite lithofacies but YELLOWKNIFE, NT instead is comprised of several different [email protected] lithofacies. Detailed mapping of the area The Canol Formation, part of the Horn River shows that volcaniclastic rocks make up 60- Group in the Northwest Territories, primarily 70% of the rhyolite in the area, the rest being consists of black shales deposited during the massive. This has economic implications as late Givetian to early Frasnian ages of the the occurrence of a rhyolite dome indicates Middle and Late Devonian epochs. The vent proximity and, along with the Canol Formation is considered to represent occurrence of volcaniclastic rocks, defining a distal basin fill accumulated in an anoxic to topographic low that was filled with porous euxinic depositional setting, owing to the volcaniclastic debris, are key features needed shale's organic-rich character, pyrite content, for the formation of a VMS deposit. These and lack of obvious biogenic reworking. The lithofacies are also very similar to those sediment transport processes resulting in the observed at the Sunrise Deposit indicating deposition of these shales have yet to be they might represent the same stratigraphic identified. This study aims to identify horizon as that which hosts the VMS deposit. depositional processes and paleo-redox fluctuations within the Canol Formation via comprehensive integrated ichnological and sedimentological analyses and some integration with geochemical paleo-redox proxies.

Detailed ichnological and sedimentological petrographic analyses are carried out on thin sections taken from several cored Canol Formation intervals (MGM Shell East Mackay I-78, Husky Little Bear N-09 and H- 64, and ConocoPhillips Mirror Lake N-20 and Loon Creek O-06) and outcrop localities

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 94 (Mountain River, Carcajou River, Dodo POST-FIRE ECOSYSTEM Canyon, Powell Creek, and Rumbly Creek). RESILIENCE AND CARBON Initial investigation has led to the DYNAMICS IN THE identification of biogenic-sedimentary structures (i.e., ichnofossils) throughout the NORTHWESTERN BOREAL Canol intervals. Identified traces are grouped FOREST into a morphological classification scheme based on characteristics such as orientation, BILL*, K.E.1, TURETSKY, M.R.1, structure fill and fill organization, and burrow BALTZER, J.L.2, DAY, N.J.2, linings. Six morphologically separate DIELEMAN, C.M.1, ichnofossils have been documented. Three DEGRÉ-TIMMONS, G.2, morphotypes are classified as vertical WALKER, X.J.3, MACK, M.C.3, and burrows, and include relatively small sinuous JOHNSTONE, J.F.4 vertical traces, inclined-to-vertical unlined meniscate-backfilled traces, and fugichnia. (1) UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, GUELPH, ON (2) WILFRED LAURIER UNIVERSITY, Three morphotypes display horizontal WATERLOO, ON orientations, and include tubular lined traces (3) NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY, with organized fill, tubular unlined traces FLAGSTAFF, AZ with homogenized fill, and relatively small (4) UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN, sinuous horizontal burrows. Bioturbation SASKATOON, SK intensities range from unburrowed to heavily [email protected] bioturbated, with sinuous vertical traces In northern boreal ecosystems, wildfire is the being the most commonly documented. most important natural disturbance in controlling ecosystem structure and function. Primary sedimentary structures being With recent increases in both the extent and evaluated include, but are not limited to, severity of wildfires in some regions of evidence of small-scale features such as boreal North America, the regional response bedding and lamination, and diagenetic of carbon pools to increased wildfire features such as pyrite abundance and habit. disturbance remains poorly understood. Integration of geochemical data collected for Here, we quantify the initial response and paleo-redox analyses, such as molybdenum long-term recovery of aboveground and enrichment to indicate euxinic deposition, belowground carbon pools to wildfire in will help to define a link between the three distinct regions of the Northwest sedimentological and ichnological textural Territories, Canada, including the taiga plains features and basin-wide depositional (n=356), taiga shield (n=190), and Sahtu (n= conditions. The data collected from this study 10) regions. We measured and analyzed will result in the identification of small-scale carbon pools using a space-for-time physio-chemical fluctuations within the basin substitution approach across approximately during deposition of the Canol shales. This 1,270 km2. Stand age ranged from 1 – 275 will ultimately lead to a deeper understanding years since last fire, and stands were of the large-scale geochemical and sequence dominated either by black spruce (Picea stratigraphic trends occurring throughout the mariana) or jack pine (Pinus banksiana). Our formation. results show that mature stands in the shield on average have shallower organic soil depths (13.7±2.3 cm) compared to the plains (26.0±1.9 cm). In the plains ecoregion, fire reduced soil organic layer depths by 84% in

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 95 dry stands, 44% in intermediate stands, and the mineralized shear zones and quartz veins 9% in wet stands. While wet stands lose less associated with the past-producing, high- soil organic matter during combustion, they grade Con (6.1 Moz @ 16.1 g/t Au) and Giant also recovered more quickly. By working (8.1 Moz @ 16.0 g/t Au) gold mines. Gold across large environmental gradients of fire grades in core and surface rock samples history, forest hydrology, and vegetation related to this study range from 0.1 - ~200 g/t, dominance, our field measurements will be with higher gold grades associated with helpful in validating remote sensing products mafic volcanic and greywacke hosts. Gold is related to wildfire as well as process-based associated with quartz veins and modelling of both the short- and long-term disseminated sulphides, including pyrite- consequences of wildfire for ecosystem arsenopyrite or sphalerite-galena in As-poor carbon behaviour. mineralization, and within sericite-chlorite.

NEW TRENDS IN GOLD Synchrotron analyses applied to mineral MINERALIZATION exploration can address industry-relevant INVESTIGATED AT THE questions and provide rapid solutions that add significant value using innovative, high- YELLOWKNIFE CITY GOLD resolution analytical techniques. Synchrotron PROJECT USING X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) spectroscopy SYNCHROTRON X-RAY is a nondestructive technique providing in- SPECTROSCOPY situ trace element analysis for ore mineral mapping and zonation. X-ray absorption near BOTOR*, R.J.1, CAVALLIN, H.E.1, edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy can FLYNN, T.J.1, SEXTON, A.2, determine speciation of gold, arsenic and CAMPBELL, J.2, VAN LOON, L.L.3, and other trace elements, useful for BANERJEE, N.R.1 geometallurgy and deleterious element characterization. Synchrotron X-ray (1) WESTERN UNIVERSITY, LONDON, ON diffraction (SR-XRD) is a rapid technique for (2) TERRAX MINERALS, INC., VANCOUVER, mineralogical analysis, providing critical BC mineralogical information on altered and (3) LISA CAN ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS, mineralized samples. Such methods can be SASKATOON, SK [email protected] performed on many types of materials without specialized sample preparation. We The Yellowknife City Gold Project (YCGP) 2 have developed novel, non-destructive SR- encompasses 780 km of contiguous land XRF techniques that can be performed north, south and east of the city of directly on half-core samples or surface Yellowknife. It lies in the prolific Archean sample slabs and produce trace element maps north-south trending Yellowknife >10 cm long by up to 5 cm wide. The Greenstone Belt, a suite of mafic and felsic technique provides critical trace-element volcanics, and greywacke turbidites associations in gold-bearing sulphide overlying a gneissic basement. Host rock minerals that provide integral information alteration include chloritization, regarding the nature of mineralizing fluids. sericitization, and carbonatization, plus biotite alteration in wall rock. TerraX Synchrotron X-ray diffraction of 71 Minerals Inc. focuses its exploration and powdered samples, and X-ray fluorescence drilling efforts along 70 km of strike length maps of 73 slabs and half cores reveal on the southern and northern extensions of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 96 similarities in mineralization styles between CONTRASTING GROWTH the Northbelt Property (i.e., Sam Otto, CONDITIONS FOR SULPHIDE- Crestaurum, Barney, Mispickel, and Homer AND GARNET-INCLUDED Lake Zones) and the Con-Giant Mines, such as early pyrite-arsenopyrite mineralization DIAMONDS FROM THE overprinted by later sericite, quartz- VICTOR MINE (ONTARIO) carbonate, and sphalerite-galena, hinting that both locations are likely derived from a single BULBUC*, K.M.1, GALARNEAU, M.1, mineralizing system. Our results suggest the STACHEL, T.1, STERN, R.A.1, timing of mineralization is similar throughout KONG, J.2, and CHINN, I.3 the Yellowknife City Gold Project. Overprinting relationships confirm findings (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB (2) DE BEERS CANADA, TORONTO, ON from earlier studies that propose high-As (3) DE BEERS EXPLORATION, sulphides formed first, followed by sericite- JOHANNESBURG, RSA quartz-carbonate-chlorite alteration [email protected] assemblages, and later low-As sulphides. The The Victor Diamond Mine, located in the Yellowknife River Fault Zone and its splays Attawapiskat kimberlite field (Superior likely act as conduits for fluid percolation and Craton), is known for its exceptional mineralization during metamorphism. Three diamond quality. Here we study the chemical main gold associations are present across the environment of formation of Victor YCGP – gold+sulphide, gold+quartz- diamonds. We imaged eight sulphide- carbonate, and sericite-hosted gold, with the included diamond plates from Victor using two latter due to later remobilization during cathodoluminescence (CL). Then, along syn-mineralization metamorphic processes. core-rim transects, we measured nitrogen XANES analyses of samples where gold was content and aggregation state utilizing identified by SR-XRF reveal the presence of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) only metallic Au within sulphides and quartz spectroscopy, and the stable isotope veins. No refractory gold associated with compositions of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen elevated arsenic levels has been observed (δ15N), using a multi-collector ion suggesting gold may be easier to recover than microprobe (MC-SIMS). We compare the previously thought. internal growth features and chemical characteristics of these sulphide inclusion- bearing diamonds with similar data on garnet inclusion-bearing diamonds from Victor (BSc thesis Galarneau).

Using this information, possible fractionation processes during diamond precipitation are considered and inferences on the speciation of the diamond forming fluid(s) are explored. Sulphide inclusion-bearing diamonds show much greater overall complexity in their internal growth features than garnet inclusion-bearing diamonds. Two of the sulphide-included samples have cores that represent an older generation of diamond

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 97 growth. Compared to garnet inclusion- BULK ORGANIC bearing diamonds, the sulphide-included GEOCHEMISTRY AND U-PB diamonds show very little intra-sample ZIRCON GEOCHRONOLOGY variation in both carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition; the inter-sample variations in OF THE WOMBAT carbon isotopic composition, however, are SEDIMENTARY FILL higher than in garnet included diamonds. For sulphide-included diamonds, δ13C ranges BURYAK*, S.1, REYES, A.V.1, from -3.4 to -17.5 and δ15N ranges from -0.2 SIVER, P.A.2, LI, L.1, and to -9.2. Garnet inclusion-bearing diamonds DUFRANE, S.A.1 showed δ13C values ranging from -4.6 to -6.0 and δ15N ranging from -2.8 to -10.8. The (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, 13 EDMONTON, AB observation of some C depleted samples (2) CONNECTICUT COLLEGE, indicates that, unlike the lherzolitic garnet NEW LONDON, CT inclusion-bearing diamonds, the sulphide [email protected] inclusion-bearing diamonds are likely both The Wombat locality (64.73°N, 110.59°W) is peridotitic and eclogitic in origin. The total a diamondiferous kimberlite in the Lac de range in N content across sulphide inclusion- Gras kimberlite field of Northwest bearing diamonds was 2 to 981 at ppm, Territories. Two drill cores, CH 93-29 and similar to the garnet-included samples with a DDH 0-005, intersect the Wombat crater range of 5 to 944 at ppm. facies and include 195 m of well preserved, undisturbed lake sediment fill. Bulk sediment The very limited variations in carbon and elemental analysis, C isotope composition, nitrogen isotopic signatures across growth and Rock-Eval pyrolysis, together with layers indicate that sulphide-included Victor inferences from microfossils, are used to diamonds grew at comparatively high characterize conditions of sedimentation and fluid:rock ratios. This is contrasted by the paleoenvironment in the maar lake. Bulk garnet inclusion-bearing diamonds that sediment C/N, hydrogen index (HI), and δ13C commonly show the effects of Rayleigh indicate material derived from C3 land plants fractionation and hence grew under fluid- dominates the sedimentary organic matter, limited conditions. with a minor algal contribution. The δ13C values range from -25.3 ‰ to -30.2 ‰ (average -26.6 ‰) and are typical for C3 land plants, with fluctuations in δ13C likely related to shifts in the proportions of land-derived material and algal organic matter. An overall trend of higher δ13C towards the top of the core suggests increasing autochthonous organic matter production. 18 samples analyzed by Rock-Eval pyrolysis all plot in the Type III kerogen field for HI vs. Tmax, with average Tmax values ~425 °C indicative of the low thermal maturity of organic matter. Total organic carbon (TOC) averages 3.6 wt.% and average total carbonate content is 14.1 wt.%, indicating bottom water anoxia

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 98 and substantial carbonate input from The Nonacho lake area consists of Archean weathering of overlying carbonate cover to Paleoproterozoic granites and gneisses rocks, respectively. Together with well- unconformably overlain by the ca. 1.91-1.82 preserved freshwater microfossils (e.g. Ga alluvial-fluvial sequence of the Nonacho diatoms, chrysophytes, synurophytes), the Group. The area was the site of extensive results indicate deposition in a non-marine mineral exploration in the 1950-80s focused setting. The age of the Wombat maar lake on unconformity associated uranium ± rare sediments is determined using MC-LA-ICP- earth elements (REE) and polymetallic (Cu- MS U-Pb zircon geochronology from two Au-Ag) showings. Although previous distal rhyolitic tephra beds found in the core research in the area has been largely directed DDH 0-005, yielding a date of 82.97±0.60 towards the stratigraphy of the Nonacho Ma (MSWD = 1.7, n=18 of 33 grains Group, the geology of the basement rocks analyzed). This minimum age suggests that and mineralization potential of the area Wombat kimberlite pipe emplacement remain relatively understudied. occurred during the Late Cretaceous, with sedimentation in the maar beginning shortly Reconnaissance mapping of the Nonacho thereafter. Though our geochronology is Lake area in 2018 included an investigation preliminary at this point, our findings from of the Nonacho Group and basement rocks at the Wombat pipe post-eruptive lake sediment Hjalmar Lake. The basal breccia and fill provide direct evidence for a non-marine conglomerate member of the Hjalmar environment in the Lac De Gras area during Formation, including a distinct cream-white, the Late Cretaceous. Furthermore, fine-grained, fluorite-bearing rhyolite, is microfossils in the Wombat pipe sediment fill well-exposed in unconformable contact with likely include the oldest-known occurrence granitic basement. Mapping of the basement of freshwater diatoms. revealed an approximately 500 m by 1500 m, carbonate-bearing, amphibole-phyric PETROLOGIC AND intrusive body and associated dykes. The GEOCHEMICAL rock contains very coarse (up to 3 cm CHARACTERIZATION OF A diameter), dark green to black, euhedral to subhedral amphibole crystals in a CARBONATE-BEARING, groundmass that varies from vitreous fine- AMPHIBOLE-PHYRIC grained greyish green (clinopyroxene) to INTRUSION AT HJALMAR leucocratic pink (feldspar) to white LAKE, SOUTH RAE CRATON, (carbonate) crystalline material. This body NORTHWEST TERRITORIES: intrudes strongly foliated hornblende diorite PRELIMINARY RESULTS and pink, highly altered, granite with amphibolite xenoliths. The intrusion is crosscut by a feldspar megacrystic granite CANAM*, R.1, SCOATES, J.S.1, and younger pegmatitic phases. Fluorite- MARTEL, E.2, and FALCK, H.2 calcite-sulphide bearing veins were observed in fine-grained mafic basement rocks ~100 m (1) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, VANCOUVER, BC from the intrusion. The mineral assemblage (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, in these veins is similar to that found in other YELLOWKNIFE, NT veins in the region including those associated [email protected] with the Crest (Cu-Ag-F) showing ~35 km to the northwest.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 99 The spatial association between the metal contamination in the environment. carbonate-bearing intrusive rocks, the Coal, bitumen and crude oil are enriched in fluorite-bearing rhyolite, and fluorite-calcite- vanadium, and anthropogenic activities sulphide veins in the basement rocks raises associated with fossil fuel production and use questions regarding the intrusion's nature and can release vanadium to the atmosphere, soil, relationship to hydrothermal mineralization and water. The objective of this study was to in the region. The presence of interstitial investigate vanadium as a potential isotopic carbonate in a mafic intrusive body suggests tracer of metal contamination associated with this intrusion may have a carbonatitic fossil fuels. The first measurements of affinity. Carbonatites have a high potential vanadium isotope ratios in geological for hosting multi-commodity mineralization materials by multi-collector inductively and they are the main global sources of coupled mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) niobium and REE, critical metals used as were published less than a decade ago, and alloys and catalysts in key economic sectors environmental variation of vanadium isotope such as manufacturing. ratios remains poorly characterized.

Ongoing work includes: (1) petrological and Vanadium isotope ratios were measured in geochemical analysis of amphibole and environmental samples from the Oil Sands carbonate using microscopy, SEM, and Region in northern Alberta and from Great electron microprobe to determine the origin Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories. of the minerals; and (2) U-Pb geochronology Samples of soil, plant roots, lichen, and of potential U-Th-Pb-bearing accessory American marten liver (Martes Americana) phases to determine the age of crystallization were selected from monitoring programs in and provide insights on the tectonic northern Alberta to cover a gradient in environment during magmatism. vanadium contamination (with varying distance from Oil Sands developments). A ISOTOPIC VARIATION OF sediment core from a nearfield lake was VANADIUM IN SOIL, LAKE examined for variation of vanadium isotope SEDIMENT AND BIOTA: AN ratios among layers in the sediment depth profile. Additionally, samples of lake INVESTIGATION OF A NOVEL sediment and aquatic biota (benthic algae, GEOCHEMICAL TRACER plankton, and fish) were selected from a monitoring study in Great Slave Lake to track CHÉTELAT*, J.1, NIELSEN, S.G.2, isotopic fractionation of vanadium associated BOUTIN, C.1, CARPENTER, D.1, COTT, with dietary transfer through an aquatic food P.3, MUNDY, L.1, and THOMAS, P.1 web. Vanadium isotope ratios were measured on over 50 environmental samples following (1) ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE chemical isolation of vanadium and detection CANADA, OTTAWA, ON on a MC-ICP-MS at the Woods Hole (2) WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE, WOODS HOLE, MA Oceanographic Institute (Massachusetts, (3) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, USA) using published methods. EDMONTON, AB JOHN.CHÉ[email protected] Distinct vanadium isotope ratios (δ51V, With recent analytical advances, metal stable reported relative to an Alfa Aesar standard) isotopes are increasingly being used as tools were measured in lichen (-0.89±0.12‰), lake to trace the sources, transport and cycling of sediment (-0.50±0.22), soil (-0.68±0.11‰),

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 100 and martin liver (-1.73±0.17‰) from of the global average – is driving significant northern Alberta. The vanadium isotope environmental change, such as widespread ratios of lichen, soil, and marten liver did not permafrost thaw, shorter winters and longer vary with their concentrations of vanadium or summers, tundra shrubification, biome and proximity to Oil Sands emissions. The δ51V wildfire regime shifts, and changes in water profile in the lake sediment core was quality and aquatic health. Yet, the nature and relatively homogenous (-0.52 to -0.69‰) magnitude of environmental changes between sediment layers of 2 to 14.5 cm affecting communities are not ubiquitous. depth. However, the surface layer (0-1 cm) This is because while these environmental had an enriched δ51V value of -0.12‰. Plant changes are a response to climate warming, roots showed heavier δ51V values than the the different climate, geology, permafrost, sediment they were growing in at four sites. and land cover settings dictate the types and The results of food web samples from Great trajectories of changes. However, currently Slave Lake (currently in progress) will also we have either site-specific examples or be presented. These observations indicate broad-brush generalisations about the considerable variation of vanadium isotopes consequences of climate change, and ratios in soil, lake sediment, and biota (δ51V therefore little understanding of how climate spanning ~2‰) that reflect complex change-related stressors vary by setting. processes of stable isotope fractionation in Here, we focus on the environmental changes the environment. affecting the Northwest Territories' 33 communities. Through a systematic review ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE and meta-analysis of environmental studies AROUND NORTHERN conducted in or around each community, we COMMUNITIES: FROM investigate the environmental changes affecting each community. Then, using BOREAL FOREST TO ARCTIC gridded climate data and remote sensing- TUNDRA derived indices of surface changes that are supplemented with site-specific data, we COLES*, A.E.1, KOKELJ, S.V.2, and determine how different settings (geology, BALTZER, J.L.3 land cover, etc.) influence the nature and magnitude of those environmental changes (1) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, and the occurrence of climate-related YELLOWKNIFE, NT phenomena. We aim to determine the (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT different factors that make a community (3) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, vulnerable to environmental changes. This WATERLOO, ON broad-scale and holistic approach is valuable [email protected] for exploring interactions and feedbacks The communities of the Northwest between climate forcing, landscape setting, Territories cover a huge range of climate, and environmental responses. Ultimately, geology, permafrost, and land cover settings: this study will provide insight on the they extend from Boreal forest to Arctic variation in stressors and responses affecting tundra, span 12 degrees of latitude, and communities across a wide range of climate transition all of the permafrost zones and and landscape settings encountered in the geological settings from Precambrian Shield North. The outputs will be useful in the to Cordillera. Rapid climate warming in the implementation of effective, community- Northwest Territories – at four times the rate specific climate change adaptation measures,

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 101 and can also be used to inform the total weight percent when Fe is calculated as development of broader climate change ferrous iron. A range of values approximating policies. “ferropseudobrookite” with totals close to 100 wt.% is another alteration product of ALTERATION OF MN- ilmenite with a loss of iron but without its ILMENITE IN HORTON AREA oxidation to ferric iron. OF LENA WEST The Horton area consists of a cluster of magnetic anomalies averaging ~ 200 m DAVIES*, R. and DAVIES, A.W. diameter east of a very large magnetic anomaly beneath Seahorse Lake. The TALMORA DIAMOND INC, TORONTO, ON [email protected] Seahorse anomaly is at the focus of a train of kimberlite pathfinder elements coincident Mn-ilmenite was recognized as a kimberlite with a NNW trending KIM train indicator mineral (KIM) in the Lena West characterised by Mn-ilmenite, picro-ilmenite diamond region of the Northwest Territories and chromite. A parallel train of similar by Darnley Bay, Talmora and Sanatana. It KIMs is focused on the cluster of smaller includes compositions that match those found anomalies to the east. as inclusions in type IIa diamonds from Brazil and Venezuela that formed in the “Pseudorutile” is found over the cluster of lower mantle. The recent determination that anomalies that lie within the Horton River large, high value type IIa diamonds like the drainage and in the area north towards Cullinan, Koh-I-Nor, etc. also formed in the Darnley Bay. It was especially abundant with lower mantle increases the importance of some unaltered Mn-ilmenite grains in the Mn-ilmenites not only as a KIM resistant to cuttings of a Packsack drill hole that tropical weathering but as a possible penetrated a few feet of rusty coloured clay indicator of large high value stones. The Mn- coincident with one of the anomalies. It does ilmenite alteration products, pseudorutile not appear to travel far. (Fe2Ti3O9) and ferropseudobrookite (FeTi2O5) may also be used as KIMs and “Ferropseudobrookite” is found mostly west provide useful additional information. of the Horton River drainage, about 100 kilometers down-ice in the trains coming off Mn-ilmenites found as inclusions in the Seahorse anomaly and the cluster of diamonds range from 51 wt.% TiO2 (total smaller anomalies respectively. It represents wt.% 100) to 56 wt.% TiO2 (total wt.% 95). the weathering of Mn-ilmenite in the upper The shortfall in wt.% of the high TiO2 grains part of anomalies that was carried furthest by was ascribed by Kaminsky and Belasouva glaciation indicating a resistance to (2009) to some element not included in the mechanical wear. analysis. The shortfall may also occur when some ferric iron is calculated as ferrous iron? Mn-ilmenite is a useful KIM in areas of tropical weathering and is also an indicator of As most Lena West Mn-ilmenite analyses rare large high value diamonds. The have high totals those with totals less than 96 distribution of pseudorutile and wt.% have been considered an alteration ferropseudobrookite suggests that the initial product (“pseudorutile”). “Pseudorutile” is alteration of Mn-ilmenite is to pseudorutile produced by the oxidation of FeO in ilmenite and then ferropseudobrookite. The presence to Fe2O3 which results in an apparent loss of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 102 of one or the other is therefore a measure of buildings; hence, geothermal energy systems the distance to the source. (both shallow and deep) can supply the required water at the proper temperature FEASIBILITY STUDY OF range from the output water of systems. ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL Providing the required water of the ENERGY SECONDARY greenhouses in northern Canada using EGS has several advantages such as reduction of APPLICATION FOR electrical energy use, eliminating AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION transportation costs, creating job, increasing IN CANADIAN NORTHERN living standard which all leads the society TERRITORIES toward a sustainable development.

DEHGHANISANIJ*, A.D., ALL CREATURES GREAT AND MAHBAZ, S.M., and SMALL: WILDLIFE BASELINE DUSSEAULT, M.D. AT PINE POINT

UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO/ON 1 2 [email protected] DUDLEY, J. and PANAYI*, D.

In today's world, the role of energy in social (1) JLD LLC, BELLINGHAM, WA welfare, economic growth, and sustainable (2) GOLDER ASSOCIATES, YELLOWKNIFE, NT development is crucial. In addition, reducing [email protected] the fossil fuels consumption and using more Many of the residents of the South Slave area green and renewable energy sources, have a strong interest in the region's wildlife. combined with energy saving and energy This interest was re-stated in listening conversion are mandatory in sustainable sessions hosted by Pine Point Mining context. Geothermal energy, as a sustainable Limited in Hay River and Fort Resolution in and renewable energy source, has certain late 2017. The Pine Point area is a popular advantages such as consistency, a massive hunting destination because it is readily amount of untapped potential, availability, accessible from the highway and has a and an extensive range of possible network of on-site roads and cut-lines that applications, which make it an interesting and make travel within the site fairly easy for practical solution for meeting the world's humans and wildlife. The Pine Point area has energy needs, particularly in cold weather a variety of land cover types ranging from regions such as northern Canada. relatively undisturbed swamps and Simultaneously, the use of geothermal forestlands to mine pits with constructed energy diminishes greenhouse gas (GHG) drainage ditches and cleared land that emissions and environmental pollution supported both an industrial park and (especially CO2 emissions). In this paper, the townsite. These distinct areas are all used by feasibility of using enhanced geothermal wildlife in some way. Several different energy (EGS) for production of agricultural studies have been completed in recent years products as a secondary application in to measure wildlife species richness at Pine Canada northern territories is investigated. Point. The methods used to conduct these The necessary water temperature to prepare studies have included: ground surveys along the frosted soil for agricultural production is transects, traditional knowledge studies, very lower than the temperature needed for aerial surveys, continuous audio-recording at electricity generation or heating/cooling of fixed locations, continuous monitoring with

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 103 wildlife cameras at fixed locations, and possibility of the presence of diamond incidental observations. Results from the deposits. different studies have been compiled. They indicate that the different habitats at Pine UPPER MANTLE STRUCTURE Point support a fairly diverse assemblage of UNDERLYING THE both migratory and resident animals. DIAMONDIFEROUS SLAVE DIAMOND POTENTIAL OF THE CRATON FROM TELESEISMIC DEHCHO REGION BODY-WAVE TOMOGRAPHY ESTEVE*, C., SCHAEFFER, A.J., and ELLIOTT, B. AUDET, P. NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON [email protected] [email protected] Our knowledge of the diamond potential in Cratons are, by definition, the most the Dehcho region has progressed tectonically stable and oldest parts of the significantly in the past decade. We now continental lithosphere on Earth. The recognize that the central Dehcho represents Archean Slave craton is located in the a world class diamond exploration district. northwestern part of the Canadian Shield. Continued scientific and industry work in the The propensity of diamondiferous kimberlite area have clearly shown that the diamond pipes in the central Slave craton raises many potential of this area may be of the same questions regarding their structural magnitude as the Lac de Gras region, which environment and source. Here, we provide hosts active diamond mines. the most robust teleseismic P and S body wave tomography models over the Slave The evidence for high diamond potential in craton region based on 20,547 P-wave delay the Dehcho, includes abundant Kimberlite times, 6,140 direct S-wave delay times and Indicator Minerals (KIM) from stream 3,381 SKS delay times. The P-wave model sediment sampling work, a diamond found in reveals an alternating pattern of relative a stream sediment sample, 39 drilled positive and negative anomalies over a fine kimberlites, some of which are broad scale region within the central Slave diamondiferous, and numerous untested craton. Furthermore, the P-wave model kimberlite-like geophysical anomalies from revealed two fine structures located in the both government and industry data. Recent lithosphere beneath the Lac de Gras work at the University of Alberta has shown kimberlite cluster, with relatively slow that deep Earth conditions in the area of the anomalies (B - C) that extend from 75 km to Horn Plateau may be as favorable for 350 km depths with an apparent dip to the diamond generation and preservation as the north. These relatively slow P- and S-wave Lac de Gras region and that there that there anomalies are associated with metasomatised may be multiple generations of kimberlites regions within the lithosphere. The S-wave present in the region. Given the relative model displays a slow S-wave anomaly lying paucity of exploration work and geoscience from 300 km depth to the transition zone data in the Dehcho region, the available beneath the central Slave craton. This evidence is strongly suggestive of the anomaly is located beneath the Lac de Gras kimberlite cluster. We suggest that this anomaly is not the cause of the actual

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 104 kimberlites at the surface since last eruption Selwyn Basin from the Cambrian until the occurred 75-45 Ma ago but may be related to Middle Devonian; (2) adjacent parts of the a potential kimberlite magma ascent in the Mackenzie carbonate platform that asthenosphere. encroached on the embayment beginning in the late Silurian; and (3) a widespread, 2018 GEOLOGICAL WORK IN unnamed basin in which mainly clastic strata THE CARIBOU PASS AREA, were deposited from the Middle Devonian NTS 105P until the Mississippian. These three stratigraphic packages were folded, thrust eastward, and intruded by felsic plutons FISCHER, B.J. during a Cretaceous orogeny. Existing maps do not subdivide large areas of Cambrian to NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT Devonian basinal strata. [email protected] The western border of the Northwest Field mapping by the NTGS in 2018 was Territories (NWT), within NTS map sheet partially successful in subdividing the 105P, both north and south of the Canol Cambrian to Devonian package of strata. A Heritage Trail, was mapped at 1:250,000 previously unidentified sandstone unit, scale in the 1970's. Parts of northwestern probably volcanogenic, is exposed at the base 105P were re-visited as a part of the of the Middle Cambrian Hess River Northwest Territories Geological Survey Formation in two places. If this unit is in (NTGS) Sekwi Project in 2006-2008. stratigraphic position, it may refine our However, the geology of the region remains understanding of magmatism within the poorly understood, in part due to the Embayment. The Ordovician Rabbitkettle predominance of shaley units with no marker Formation is thin and poorly developed, in horizons and the presence of extensive many places providing no clear demarcation covered areas. Maps created by the Yukon between the shaley strata of Hess River Geological Survey west of the border provide Formation below and Duo Lake Formation a level of detail that is not matched on the above. The Early Devonian Hailstone NWT side. The Caribou Pass region has the Formation was identified above Duo Lake potential to host intrusion-related mineral Formation in the heart of the Caribou deposits including skarn (W, Au, Mo, and syncline, whereas the platformal Silurian Cu) and Carlin-type gold, sedimentary- Cloudy and Devonian Tsetso formations related phosphate and barite, and shale- were tentatively identified above Duo Lake dominated base metals deposits. Stream silt Formation on the east limb of the syncline. A collected during geochemical reconnaissance succession of dolostone reefs on the west in the early 2000s included 23 samples limb of the syncline, including a thrombolite containing 13 to 93 ppb gold. reef, are similar to Silurian reefs in Mount Kindle Formation to the north. The recent Rocks in the region were deposited as work also hints at structural complexities not sediments in the Selwyn Basin on the western shown on existing maps. A focus of future margin of Laurentia beginning in the work will be determining which aspects of Proterozoic. Paleozoic rocks record the the stratigraphy and structure are related to development of: (1) the Misty Creek prospectivity for Carlin-type gold. This will Embayment, an extensional sub-basin that be addressed by mapping at 1:50,000 scale developed along the eastern edge of the and detailed stratigraphic work.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 105 COMMUNITY FOCUSED as surficial geology, ground ice content, land THERMOKARST MAPPING TO cover and slope – and use spatial multi- INFORM GEOHAZARD variate correlation analysis to determine the hierarchy of landscape controls on ASSESSMENTS AND FUTURE thermokarst formation. Overall, the PERMAFROST THAW RISK objectives and outputs of this work seek to advance our ability to map permafrost GIBSON*, C.1, COLES, A.2, geohazards and to help inform where and BALTZER, J.2, and TURETSKY, M.1 when to apply management and adaption efforts. (1) UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH, GUELPH, ON (2) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, WATERLOO, ON MINERALOGY, SCHEELITE [email protected] LIBERATION AND SCHEELITE The future impact of climate warming on PARTICLE SIZE IN TAILINGS communities and infrastructure is one of the FROM THE CANTUNG most pressing issues facing northern Canada. TUNGSTEN MINE Large areas of permafrost in Canada show signs of degradation and, with the Northwest JAMIESON*, H.E.1, DOBOSZ, A.1, and Territories (NWT) warming ~4 times the rate FALCK, H.2 of the global average, rates of permafrost thaw are expected to accelerate. Increasingly (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON there is a need to consider the potential for (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, thermokarst formation in community and YELLOWKNIFE, NT land use planning. Current products that [email protected] assess the distribution of thermokarst The objective of this study is to characterize landscapes do so at the large, circumpolar the Cantung tailings using automated scale, which is too coarse a scale to be useful mineralogy to determine their potential for community or regional planning efforts. economic value and environmental liability. We aim to identify and predict – for a 50 km The results will help to assess the feasibility radius around six communities of the of reprocessing the tailings to extract Northwest Territories – areas of the additional tungsten. Fifty samples were landscape that are susceptible to thermokarst collected from surface to 30 m depth in four formation. We identify and delineate tailings ponds, and one bulk sample from the thermokarst features in these focus areas Flat River tailings, which had been released using Sentinel remotely sensed imagery. during the early stages of mining. These These fine-scale community-focused datasets samples varied in tungsten content from 0.11 are then used to validate the current large- to 0.65% W. The higher values are scale thermokarst probability maps (Olefeldt comparable to ore grades at proposed or et al., 2016) and determine whether they can operating tungsten mines. be downscaled for use in community land use planning and hazard assessment. Finally, our We characterized the tungsten ore mineral, work seeks to understand the hierarchy of scheelite, with respect to concentration, grain importance of landscape characteristics in size and liberation, evaluated the modal determining a region's sensitivity to mineralogy, and calculated the relative thermokarst formation. We will develop amounts minerals that could generate acid maps of subsurface predictor variables – such

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 106 and those that could provide neutralization This project shows that automated (e.g., acid-base accounting). mineralogy using SEM-MLA software can provide several kinds of quantitative Scheelite was found to be the only tungsten information that is useful for assessing the mineral and was in concentrations up to 1% potential for reprocessing the Cantung in the samples examined. Automated tailings, and redesigning the eventual storage mineralogy provides the opportunity to of tailings (e.g., dry stack configuration). In determine grain size of a single mineral. To particular, the concentration, grain size date, our results indicate that scheelite has a distribution and liberation of scheelite can be roughly bimodal distribution in size – about measured. Mineralogical variation can be half the samples contain scheelite that is assessed, and the potential for acid predominately 1-10 µm in size, and the other generation, based on static acid-base half of the samples have a wide range of accounting, can be evaluated. Precious coarser grains, up to 400 µm in size. The metals and bismuth particles, though rare, degree of liberation varies, most grains are can be recognized and quantified using this partially liberated. Acid-base accounting method. (ABA) is a static test used to predict whether a sample will produce acidic drainage if the TRACKING LEGACY sulphide portion is exposed to oxygen and POLLUTION: ASSESSING water. Conventionally, this is done using SPATIOTEMPORAL PATTERNS chemical tests but we have used a mineralogical method. The potential to OF ARSENIC AND OTHER produce acid was calculated from modal METALS IN SUB-ARCTIC mineralogy by calculating the sulfur content LAKES USING of acid-generating minerals (Fe sulphides). PALEOLIMNOLOGY Neutralization potential was calculated based on the abundance of carbonate minerals, JASIAK*, I.1, SCHULTZ, M.2, while correcting for the presence of Fe and TELFORD, J.V.2, HALL, R.I.1, Mn carbonates which do not provide WOLFE, B.B.2, MINDORFF, L.2, neutralization. Results to date indicate that and MCGEER, J.2 most of the tailings are potentially acid- generated, consistent with chemical testing (1) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, WATERLOO, ON done on similar samples. However, these (2) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, WATERLOO, tests provide no information on the kinetic ON barriers to sulphide oxidation. Field [email protected] observations indicate limited oxidation in the Concerns persist about elevated tailings ponds in contrast to extensive concentrations of arsenic and other metals in oxidation in the Flat River tails which have the Northwest Territories due to legacy been exposed to weathering for decades. The pollution from Giant Mine. While roasting Flat River tailings sample differs from the operations ceased in the late 1990s, the others in that weathering has oxidised almost possibility remains that lakes, wetlands, and all the pyrrhotite and replaced it with iron soils have served as repositories, trapping oxides and elemental sulfur. In contrast, much of the arsenic released in the 1950s via pyrrhotite in samples from the impoundments atmospheric deposition. Paleolimnological exhibit limited weathering. studies from far-field locations have shown evidence of arsenic enrichment that coincides with peak mine emissions, but systematic

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 107 studies are needed to determine the spatial about tungsten's potential toxicity have only extent of emissions from Giant Mine. As part recently emerged, there is an absence of of the Sub-Arctic Metal Mobility Study, literature on its fate and transport in the temporal patterns of contaminant deposition environment. In particular, few studies have and hydrological conditions will be addressed tungsten's mobility in mine reconstructed from sediment cores collected tailings, which could act as a large point from eight lakes along an 80-km transect source of metal leaching. northwest of Yellowknife. Study lakes are located at 10-km increments following the In July 2018, eleven surface water samples, prevailing wind direction. Lake sediment nine pore-water samples, and seventeen cores will be dated using radiometric tailings samples were collected from the methods (210Pb, 137Cs) and analyzed for metal Cantung Mine's tailings. The tailings pore- concentrations and a suite of water ranged from being acidic and oxidized paleohydrological parameters. Objectives (pH = 1.92, Eh = 0.83), to slightly alkaline include to 1) define pre-industrial baselines and reducing (pH = 7.61, Eh = 0.17), and of metal concentrations, 2) identify periods were sampled using suction lysimeters and and extent of pollution from Giant Mine and by centrifuging tailings samples. Tailings other sources, and 3) discern if climate samples were also collected from holes that change affects metal transport to aquatic were augered during lysimeter installation. ecosystems. Samples were transported to Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where the FACTORS CONTROLLING water samples have undergone elemental TUNGSTEN MOBILITY IN analysis by high resolution inductively CANTUNG MINE TAILINGS coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP- MS), and their anionic composition determined via ion chromatography (IC). KAZAMEL*, B.G.1, JAMIESON, H.E.1, Further analyses are planned, including O, H, LEYBOURNE, M.I.1, and FALCK, H.2 S, and C stable isotopes, to address specific aspects of tungsten's behavior in the Cantung (1) QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, tailings. Tailings samples will have their YELLOWKNIFE, NT modal mineralogy determined by SEM- [email protected] MLA, and synchrotron micro-XRD analysis The Cantung Mine in the western Northwest is planned to investigate phase specific Territories was a leading global producer of adsorption. In addition, solid tailings and tungsten intermittently during the period of their co-existing pore-waters will be used to 1962 to 2015, and is currently owned by model water-mineral interactions by running Crown Indigenous and Northern Affairs simulations using PHREEQC. Canada (CINAC). The mine hosts five tailings ponds (~6.5 Mt total), as well as ~172,000 t of tailings that were deposited directly on the Flat River floodplain during its first three years of production. The tailings vary in terms of their mineralogy and degree of oxidation, which provides an excellent setting to study factors controlling low temperature tungsten mobility. As concerns

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 108 RECONNAISSANCE SURFICIAL DETERMINING EFFECTS OF GEOLOGY, RIVIÈRE GRANDIN, CLIMATE CHANGE ON NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, ARSENIC MOBILITY IN NTS 86-D PEATLANDS: AN EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH KERR, D.E., O'NEILL, H.B., WOLFE, S.A., and MORSE*, P.D. LEATHERS*, J.G.1, VENKITESWARAN, J.J.1, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, ENGLISH, M.C.1, SCHIFF, S.L.2, OTTAWA, ON 1 1 [email protected] HICKMAN, J. , and SCHULTZ, M.

The Rivière Grandin map area is (1) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, characterized by three glacial terrains WATERLOO, ON identified by different surficial sediments and (2) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, landforms. In the northeast along and inland WATERLOO, ON [email protected] from the shores of Hottah Lake, glacial Lake McConnell deltas, beaches and offshore Giant Mine, located in Yellowknife NWT, sediments occur between 180-350 m released a large amount of arsenic and other elevation. Farther west, in the Ortona Lake metals during the initial phase of its area and westward, terrain near or above 500- operation. These contaminants were then 600 m elevation is defined by hummocky deposited on the landscape. Recent glaciofluvial sediments, a few morainal paleolimnological evidence has suggested ridges, abundant radial meltwater channels, that the pollution dispersed more than 100 km and an absence of ice-flow indicators, which from the source. The landscape surrounding may indicate local cold-based ice regimes. Yellowknife, like many subarctic systems, is On the eastern edge of these highlands, rare dominated by peatlands with large quantities drumlins trend northwestward, perpendicular of organic matter that has built up over to the flutings at lower elevations to the north millennia. Peat and other forms of organic and south. The remaining and most extensive carbon can play important roles in the map areas are generally covered by sequestration and mobility of arsenic, yet streamlined till with interspersed ridged till little is known about what controls these (minor moraines). Drumlins, crag-and-tails processes. Understanding these controls is and drumlinoids record northwestward and important to anticipate the consequences of southwestward topographically-deflected climate change on the release of pollutants to divergent and convergent ice flows. The area downstream ecosystems. Based on current north, west and south of Rome Lake has a paleolimnological research along an 80-km greater concentration of ridged till. Late transect northwest of Yellowknife (see poster during deglaciation, various minor ice-flow by Jasiak et al.), peat cores will be collected shifts occurred in the southwest map area, from locations of known arsenic pollution. indicated by small, superimposed The objectives of this project are to: (1) streamlined landforms. measure the concentration of metals in peat core samples and characterize the role of peat as a repository of metals, and (2) perform experimental manipulations that mimic wet- dry cycles and fire events to determine if these processes influence metal mobility

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 109 within peat profiles. This research will • Provide a baseline reference for provide insight into the potential hazard that monitoring potential future thaw or remobilized metals pose to ecosystems. large-scale changes in the permafrost and/or slope stability, resulting from COMMUNITY SURFICIAL climate change and/or development. GEOLOGY AND GEOHAZARDS MAP SERIES, FORT A NEW GLACIAL LANDSCAPE MCPHERSON, NORTHWEST MAP OF THE LAURENTIDE ICE TERRITORIES, CANADA SHEET IN CENTRAL NUNAVUT AND EASTERN NORTHWEST MCCUAIG, S.J.1, TERRITORIES KORS-OLTHOF*, R.I.2, and ROUJANSKI, V.E.1 MCMARTIN, I.1, CAMPBELL*, J.E.1, TREMBLAY, T.2, (1) TETRA TECH CANADA INC., NORMANDEAU, P.X.3, EDMONTON, AB and GODBOUT, P-M.4 (2) TETRA TECH CANADA INC., YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON In many northern Canadian communities, (2) CANADA-NUNAVUT GEOSCIENCE OFFICE, buildings are supported in or on permafrost. IQALUIT, NU Permafrost degradation due to climate (3) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT warming can impact these building (4) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL, foundations, as well as nearby slopes whose MONTRÉAL, QC stability depends on remaining frozen. [email protected] A new glacial geomorphology map and The community surficial geology and database is in progress for the core region of geohazards map series were compiled by the Keewatin Sector of the Laurentide Ice Tetra Tech with the assistance and support of Sheet (LIS) in central mainland Nunavut and Ecology North, the Hamlet of Fort parts of eastern Northwest Territories. McPherson, and the Rat River Development Keewatin is considered one of the last Corporation Ltd., as one of several proposed frontiers of the LIS where insufficient adaptations to climate change in Fort synthesized glacial histories restrict McPherson that required geotechnical paleoglaciological reconstructions and engineering and permafrost expertise. The glacial transport models, therefore hampering map series were intended to be desktop-level the effectiveness of surface mineral maps that would accomplish the following exploration methods. The new compilation tasks: will permit the identification and grouping of • Help the community better glacial features into coherent patterns, understand the soils, rock and provide an update of the glacial history, and permafrost around them; help evaluate glacial transport in areas of • Provide a tool to assist land managers complex ice flow dynamics and changing with land use and development: to basal ice thermal regimes. The map determine the preferred areas for incorporates previous mapping (largely building; and derived from air-photo interpretation with scattered fieldwork), recent field-based

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 110 mapping compilations, and new APPLICATION OF PASSIVE interpretation using ArcticDEM and SEISMIC METHODOLOGIES TO LANDSAT8 imagery. To constrain the THE DETERMINATION OF chronology of glacial and deglacial events, and document the nature and composition of OVERBURDEN THICKNESS glacial sediments in selected glacial terrains, 1 2 targeted fieldwork was completed in 2017 MCPEAK*, S. , SAMSON, C. , 3 and 2018. The final product will consist of a LAMONTAGNE, M. , and 4 map (scalable) and GIS database of glacial ELLIOTT, B. features and landforms (individually (1) CARLETON UNIVERSITY, mapped), an interpretation of glacial OTTAWA, ON landscapes (georeferenced overlays), a (2) ÉCOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPÉRIEUR, bibliography of all published sources, and a MONTRÉAL, QC nomenclature of the map features. (3) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON A preliminary map for the eastern sector of (4) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, 2 YELLOWKNIFE, NT the project area covering ~400,000 km in [email protected] Nunavut is presented. The map comprises 43 complete/partial 1:250K scale NTS map Diamond mining is central to the economic sheets. Selected polygons, lines and point development of the Canadian North. features of interest were extracted from a Innovative methods are needed to identify combined map geodatabase. The features new prospective targets, as many of them are were grouped into simplified shapefiles by hidden beneath a thick overburden of glacial theme. Information (metadata) is stored in sediments. attribute tables for each feature/field observation type regarding timing, mapper Passive seismics is an emerging method used and nature of interpretation (e.g., error, to map the thickness of near-surface duplication, shift, addition), and original data geological layers. Vibrations from distant source. In total, 115,658 line features, 16,145 earthquakes are used as a source of signal and point features and 13,362 polygons are now data is processed to estimate the depth of the included in the database, in addition to 5,753 interface between the overburden and the ground and remote stations with field underlying bedrock. observations, ice-flow measurements and/or glacial sediment samples. This work is part of In July 2018, four Tromino seismographs the Synthesis of Glacial History and were taken to a study site located Dynamics Rae Activity under the GEM-2 approximately ten minutes driving north of Program and is a collaboration between the Yellowknife. A total of 146 Tromino Geological Survey of Canada, the Canada- measurements and associated GPS elevation Nunavut Geoscience Office and the measurements were taken at 6 m intervals Northwest Territories Geological Survey. along a dirt road. Elevation measurements were averaged over the course of four days and the survey line was approximately 740 m long. Results indicated that depth to bedrock decreases near outcrops and increases in valleys however; another geophysical dataset is needed to validate the passive seismic data.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 111 In addition, 36 repeatability measurements NORTHWEST TERRITORIES were taken at a borehole location to validate GEOLOGICAL SURVEY the Tromino's functionality and stability. GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, Measurements were taken with 4 Trominos at the same location for 9 consecutive days to 2018-2019 determine if data remains consistent even if 1 1 the source signal changes each day. Each MIRZA*, A.M. , FISCHER, B.J. , and 2 measurement yields a peak resonant KISS, F. frequency in (Hz). Key results from this (1) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, study were that the average standard YELLOWKNIFE, NT deviation of the peak resonant frequency (2) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, associated with using the same instrument at OTTAWA, ON the same location on different days was 0.07 [email protected] Hz. This indicated that even if the source The Northwest Territories Geological Survey signal is different each day the standard (NTGS) holds a large collection of deviation is very stable. Also, the average government and industry geophysical data standard deviation of the peak resonant and has the mandate to make these data frequency associated with using different available to the public. However, while the instruments at the same location on the same NTGS's online data access systems are being day was 0.05 Hz, which indicated that all upgraded, there is no single place where instruments were performing well in terms of clients can discover what data exist in this instrumental error. collection. To aid users in finding available geophysical data, all publically available A borehole study was conducted using two airborne magnetic, electromagnetic, borehole locations. One was located at the radiometric, and gravity data conducted in repeatability study site and the other was the NWT by federal and territorial approximately 65 m off the road, near a lake. governments, and industry are represented To estimate the depth of the overburden- here on compilation maps, these finding aids bedrock interface (Z) requires knowledge of will be published as an NTGS Open Report the peak resonant frequency (F0) and shear in the near future. wave velocity (Vs) in the near subsurface: Z = Vs/4*F0. Depth to bedrock was calculated The Banks Island aeromagnetic data using varying Vs values ranging from 200- submitted and donated by industry is being 500 m/s in steps of 25 m/s. The RMS error checked for errors, and enhanced by the was calculated between borehole depths and addition of new interpretive grids such as calculated depths. The Vs value vertical derivatives, analytical signal and corresponding to the minimum RMS error magnetic susceptibility. Industry-standard value was 300 m/s, which was used to geosoft formats are used, and in addition, calculate depth to bedrock. new and original grids have been converted into georeferenced tiff images for the user's convenience. Geophysical interpretation of the Banks Island dataset is underway, and will be published as an NTGS Open File.

Areas of interest for new high-quality airborne geophysical projects are proposed

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 112 for information and discussion. The new Knowledge of ground ice conditions and airborne geophysical datasets are expected to landscape thaw susceptibility provide the stimulate private sector activity and foundation to support resilient infrastructure investment by providing insight into possible in the north. Ground ice distribution, locations of intrusions and fault structures combined with terrain and climate factors, that could be related to mineralization of dictates landscape sensitivity of permafrost interest, especially kimberlite. regions. Terrain, ground ice, and climate conditions across the 875 km Dempster and The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk highway corridor vary completed a fixed wing aeromagnetic to produce a natural laboratory where the reconnaissance in the NWT Mackenzie factors that influence thaw sensitivity can be Mountains, NTS 95M, 105P, 106A and parts assessed. The Geological Surveys of Canada of NTS 95N, 96D, 105I, O and 106B, C. The and the Northwest Territories are working survey is designed with 800 metre line and together to develop robust methodology to 2400 metre tie line spacing. The nominal identify, classify, and map permafrost, mass- aircraft terrain clearance is 250 metres with wasting, and thermokarst features to provide drape flying. The results of this project will baseline spatial information to support terrain be published in a joint publication of the studies and risk assessment along the NTGS and GSC. Previous to this study, there corridor. Using a 3-D mapping approach that was no aeromagnetic data available for this combines high-resolution satellite imagery area, and these new reconnaissance and elevation data, geomorphological aeromagnetic data can be used by multiple features related to periglacial, hydrological, stakeholders to enhance geoscience and mass movement processes are identified knowledge, promote mineral exploration, and mapped within a 10 km-swath centred and inform land use planning decisions. along the highway corridor. To ensure reproducibility and reliability of the results MAPPING THAW SENSITIVE among mappers, the methods are tested by a TERRAIN AND PERMAFROST number of technicians and include quality DYNAMICS, DEMPSTER AND control/quality assurance measures. In addition to generating critical geoscience INUVIK-TUKTOYAKTUK data for this region, the methods have been HIGHWAY CORRIDOR REGION transferred to a stand-alone protocol, which can be applied in other fine-scale permafrost MORSE*, P.D.1, KOKELJ, S.V.2, terrain or hazard mapping projects. Our SLADEN, W.E.1, PARKER, R.1, overarching goal is to use the map data in KOKOSZKA, J.2, VAN DER SLUIJS, J.3, conjunction with available geoscience data to RUDY, A.C.A.4, JARDINE, S.1, and develop better landscape system models. BRANSON, A.1 However, the maps also support other research projects such as the interpretation of (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, local surface deformation patterns using OTTAWA, ON satellite radar methods (DInSAR), provision (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT of fine-scale data used to upscale terrain (3) NWT CENTRE FOR GEOMATICS, mapping efforts, and risk assessment along YELLOWKNIFE, NT northern highways. (4) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, WATERLOO, ON [email protected]

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 113 VOLCANIC STRATIGRAPHY has been pervasively, strongly sericitized and AND ALTERATION OF THE silicified (predominantly composed of SUNRISE VOLCANOGENIC recrystallized K-feldspar and quartz, with lesser amounts of sericite and trace epidote in MASSIVE SULFIDE DEPOSIT, fractures). Ore is not exposed at surface, but BEAULIEU VOLCANIC BELT, the rhyolite lapilli tuff is pervasively Fe- NORTHWEST TERRITORIES stained from the weathering of disseminated pyrite, and locally contains sphalerite (<1 OBERLAND*, A.M.1, mm, <1%) and chalcopyrite (<1 mm). The DEWOLFE, Y.M.2, and GIBSON, H.L.1 lower contact of the rhyolite lapilli tuff is not exposed. The upper contact with pillow (1) LAURENTIAN UNIVERSITY, SUDBURY, ON basalt of the hanging wall is marked by an ~1 (2) MOUNT ROYAL UNIVERSITY, CALGARY, m wide shear zone of intensely foliated AB [email protected] basalt. Moderate carbonate and chlorite alteration and trace amount of pyrite and The Sunrise deposit is a volcanogenic sphalerite (<1 mm, <1%, in pillow selvages) massive sulfide (VMS) deposit located were observed in the basalt. within the Beaulieu volcanic belt (ca. 2.6 Ga) in the Slave craton, about 110 km east The Sunrise VMS deposit of the Beaulieu northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest volcanic belt is hosted by a strongly silicified Territories. The Beaulieu belt is part of the and sericitized rhyolite lapilli tuff with a Yellowknife Supergroup, and is underlain by maximum thickness of 40 m and strike length the ca. 2.8 Ga Sleepy Dragon Complex of the of 350 m as exposed at surface. The Central Slave Basement Complex. The belt is immediate hanging wall is composed of comprised of mafic volcanic flows with moderately carbonate and chlorite altered minor felsic volcanic rocks. The Sunrise basalt that also contains trace pyrite and deposit has a historic indicated resource of sphalerite, indicating the hydrothermal 1.52 Mt at 5.99% Zn, 2.39% Pb, 0.08% Cu, system was still active post-basalt eruption. 262 g/t Ag, and 0.67 g/t Au. While the deposit Future work using whole rock geochemistry, has been explored since the late 1980s, the and detailed mineralogy (X-ray diffraction) detailed volcanic stratigraphy and the nature will allow us to quantify alteration zones of alteration associated with it remains poorly within and petrogenesis of the rocks that host characterized. the Sunrise deposit; this new information will potentially aid in exploration for other VMS The aim of this study is to characterize the deposits in the Beaulieu belt. rhyolite lapilli tuff hosting the VMS deposit, and the alteration associated with mineralisation, through detailed mapping (completed summer 2018), petrography, and lithogeochemistry (to be completed winter 2019). The deposit is spatially associated with a rhyolite flow-dome complex and associated felsic volcaniclastic rocks; however, the majority of the footwall stratigraphy consists of andesite and basalt pillow lavas. The ore is banded massive sulfide, hosted in a rhyolitic lapilli tuff that

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 114 CHOOSING AN APPROPRIATE analysis of geological materials and provide DIGESTION PROTOCOL FOR recommendations on the most appropriate ENVIRONMENTAL RISK techniques for use in environmental risk assessments. We analyzed samples of lake ASSESSMENTS OF sediments, soils, and mine tailings collected MINERALIZED EARTH at metal mine sites across Canada following MATERIALS digestion using two of the most commonly employed procedures in exploration and PARSONS*, M.B.1, JAMIESON, H.E.2, environmental geochemistry: modified aqua 2 3 MILLER, C.B. , and GALLOWAY, J.M. regia digestion (equal parts HNO3:HCl:H2O at 95°C for one hour) and a 4-acid digestion (1) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, (HF-HClO4-HNO3 heated to fuming and DARTMOUTH, NS taken to dryness; residue dissolved in HCl). (2) QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, KINGSTON, ON (3) GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, All solutions were analyzed using ICP- CALGARY, AB ES/MS, and certified reference materials [email protected] (CRMs) and duplicate samples were used to Ecological and human health risk monitor analytical accuracy and precision. assessments at active and abandoned metal The concentration of elements (e.g., Cr) mines require accurate geochemical data for hosted in relatively insoluble mineral phases earth materials, including soils, sediments, are consistently higher following 4-acid dusts, and mine wastes. Reliable data on digestions as compared to digestions using metal(loid) concentrations are also important aqua regia, but generally lower than total for establishing geochemical baselines and to values in CRMs. In contrast, the support environmental monitoring activities. concentrations of As are consistently higher However, the reported concentration for an in all samples following aqua regia digestions element in a given sample can be affected by and in good agreement with certified values. many factors, including mineralogy, grain The behaviour of other elements (e.g., Sb, size, laboratory digestion conditions copper (Cu), lead (Pb), S, zinc (Zn)) was (reagents, temperature, time), and the more variable and for many samples, the instrument(s) used for elemental analysis. In results following 4-acid and aqua regia particular, aggressive multi-acid digestion digestions were statistically methods used to provide “near-total” data for indistinguishable. Variations in the some metals of environmental interest (e.g., mineralogy of different samples play a key chromium (Cr)) may result in the loss of other role in determining the fraction of different elements (e.g., antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), metal(loid)s released by these digestion sulfur (S)) through volatilization prior to techniques. This presentation will highlight analysis. When comparing data from some of the advantages and disadvantages of different studies or sampling periods, it is using each of these digestion protocols for crucial to ensure that the analytical protocols risk assessment and environmental used are consistent and that changes in monitoring purposes, and provide element concentrations over time are not recommendations for using geochemical data simply due to variations in sample processing to help guide environmental decision-making or laboratory procedures. at both active and abandoned metal mines.

The purpose of this study is to compare common digestion protocols used in the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 115 COSMOGENIC SURFACE retreated through this western part of the EXPOSURE AGES FOR Slave Craton ~13.7-12.8 ka, or ~1000 years LAURENTIDE ICE SHEET earlier than inferred from the canonical compilation of minimum-limiting 14C dates DEGLACIATION IN THE for deglaciation. Additional exposure ages on WESTERN SLAVE CRATON glacial erratics across the Slave Craton will allow comprehensive testing of hypotheses REYES*, A.V.1, CARLSON, A.E.2, related to northwest Laurentide ice-sheet REIMINK, J.R.3, and CAFFEE, M.4 retreat and its potential forcing of abrupt deglacial sea-level rise and climate change (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, events. EDMONTON, AB (2) OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY, CORVALLIS, OR STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND (3) CARNEGIE INSTITUTE, WASHINGTON, DC CHARACTERIZATION OF (4) PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE, IN AURIFEROUS QUARTZ VEINS [email protected] OF THE PTARMIGAN AND TOM The timing of northwest Laurentide ice sheet GOLD DEPOSITS, deglaciation is important for understanding YELLOWKNIFE, NORTHWEST how ice-sheet retreat, and associated TERRITORIES, CANADA meltwater discharge, may have been involved in abrupt climate change and rapid RICHARDSON*, M. and LENTZ, D. sea-level rise at the end of the last glaciation. However, the deglacial chronology across the UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, western Canadian Shield is poorly FREDERICTON, NB understood, with only a handful of minimum- [email protected] 14 limiting C dates constraining the timing and The Ptarmigan and Tom deposits comprise a pattern of northwest Laurentide ice-sheet series of echelon vein-type gold deposits 10 retreat. We use cosmogenic Be surface hosted within deformed turbiditic rocks of exposure dating of glacial erratics, sampled the Archean Burwash Formation of the Slave opportunistically during bedrock mapping Structural Province and are located campaigns in the western Slave Craton, to approximately 10 km east of the Giant directly date the timing of northwest Deposit, which produced over 7 million oz. Laurentide ice-sheet retreat during the last of gold. The Ptarmigan and Tom deposits are deglaciation. Five erratics sampled near the located within a 4 km wide metamorphic Acasta Gneiss “Discovery Site” have aureole of the Prosperous Granite to the west. exposure ages between 12.8±0.6 and The host rocks contain corderite 12.2±0.6 thousand years ago (ka), with a porphyroblasts and several pegmatitic dykes. weighted mean of 12.4±0.2 ka. Five erratics were also sampled 115 km to the east at Point Groundwork assessment of the structural Lake; four exposure ages are currently in- controls of gold-bearing quartz veins of the process, but one erratic from this site yielded Ptarmigan and Tom deposits was completed an exposure age of 11.6±0.5 ka. When over the course of 15 days in the summer of corrected for decreased atmospheric depth 2018. Three generations of structures were due to isostatic uplift since deglaciation, the identified, (D1) a bedding-parallel, weak data indicate that the Laurentide ice-sheet spaced cleavage interpreted as S1, (D2) a

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 116 dominant foliation with variable intensity CHARACTERIZATION OF which ranges from spaced cleavage in APATITE WITHIN THE greywacke to a schistosity within slate MACTUNG W (CU, AU) SKARN horizons, (D3) crenulation cleavage. In addition to the recognized structural DEPOSIT, NORTHWEST generations, a sequence in style of quartz TERRITORIES veins was observed. The sequence displays progressive deformation as follows; (A) ROY-GARAND*, A.R-G.1, Bedding parallel veins, ptygmatically folded ADLAKHA, E.A.1, FALCK, H.2, and and overprinted by porphyroblasts and LECUMBERRI-SANCHEZ, P.L-S.3 refolded by outcrop-scale asymmetric folding. (B) Stratabound echelon veins (1) SAINT MARY’S UNIVERSITY, HALIFAX, NS (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, folded by asymmetric F2 folds. (C) YELLOWKNIFE, NT Ptarmigan style veins, sub-parallel to (3) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, cleavage that locally cross-cut bedding, EDMONTON, AB locally boudinaged, asymmetrically folded [email protected] and crosscut by straight shear veins. (C*) Flat The Mactung W (Cu, Au) deposit, Northwest veins (extensional veins) that occur on both Territories, is a scheelite-rich, calc-silicate sides of the Ptarmigan and Tom Veins skarn (17 Mt total mineral resources grading locally. (D) Cleavage parallel straight shear 0.97% WO3 and 0.078% Cu for a cutoff grade veins. of 0.5%WO3) hosted in two distinct packages of Cambrian to Silurian aged limestone with Based on field observations, a preliminary pelite, referred to as the upper (units 3D-F) model involving oblique sinistral shearing and lower (unit 2B) ore zones, separated by a along a high strain zone is proposed in order thick unit of hornfelsed pelite (unit 3C). to explain relative timing of auriferous vein Recent studies on the nearby Cantung deposit emplacement. (1) A syn-D2 emplacement of show that apatite in skarn record petrogenetic a series of echelon shear veins (preferentially processes. In order to understand the along F2 fold axis); (2) Continued oblique- evolution of the Mactung deposit, and sinistral transpression generating curved- constrain chemical signatures of mineralizing shaped geometry of the echelon veins. fluids, multiple generations of apatite were characterized using classical petrographic techniques, hot cathodoluminescence (CL), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).

Representative skarn samples were collected from each stratigraphic unit of the deposit and examined for apatite. Apatite was observed in skarn from all stratigraphic units, including the upper and lower ore zones and unit 3C. However, apatite was most commonly observed in skarn replaced, hornfelsed, phosphatic (collophane-rich) pelite, intercalated with limestone, in unit 3D. Apatite occurred in all skarn types studied,

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 117 including pyroxene-pyrrhotite, garnet- influenced the HREE abundance of green pyroxene, pyroxene, pyrrhotite and apatite in unit 3D. As more data is collected, amphibole skarn. Textural evidence suggests apatite compositions will be used to describe that at least some apatite formed through the the evolution of skarn fluids. recrystallization of detrital collophane, as apatite were commonly distributed around NEW CONSTRAINTS ON CRUST partially dissolved phosphate nodules. AND MANTLE STRUCTURE Apatite was the earliest skarn phase within all SURROUNDING THE skarn types, with the exception of some garnet-pyroxene and pyrrhotite skarn, where BEAUFORT SEA, WESTERN apatite and pyroxene appeared coeval. CANADIAN ARCTIC, FROM A Scheelite and titanite (a minor skarn phase), NEW BROADBAND SEISMIC likely formed coeval or immediately after ARRAY apatite based on textural relationships. SCHAEFFER, A.J.1, AUDET*, P.2, Apatite exhibits five distinct fluorescence CAIRNS, S.3, ELLIOTT, B.3, colours under CL, also distinguished by FALCK, H.3, BOSTOCK, M.4, texture: i) irregular masses at the cores of DARBYSHIRE, F.5, ESTEVE, C.2, oscillatory zoned apatite fluoresced light to and SNYDER, D.6 dark grey, ii) the interior of oscillatory zoned apatite fluoresced blue, iii) the interior and/or (1) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, rims of oscillatory zoned apatite fluoresced SIDNEY, BC green (becoming lighter towards the rim), iv) (2) UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA, OTTAWA, ON the rims of oscillatory zoned apatite and (3) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT entire unzoned crystals fluoresced yellow, (4) UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, and v) small patches of altered apatite rims VANCOUVER, BC fluoresced orange. Preliminary LA-ICP-MS (5) UNIVERSITÉ DU QUÉBEC À MONTRÉAL, data show that the different coloured MONTRÉAL,, QC florescent apatite have distinct rare earth (6) NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA, OTTAWA, ON element (REE) abundances. Dark grey [email protected] apatite showed relatively low total REE contents (~590 ppm ΣREE, La-Lu), with The formation and evolution of the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago represents a relatively high LaN/YbN = 33 and negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.4; where Eu* = long-standing tectonic puzzle. The eastern Beaufort Sea rifted margin juxtaposes young √SmN*GdN). Green apatite contained moderate REE contents (average 1170 ± 180 (<150 Ma) Arctic Ocean lithosphere with Paleo-Proterozoic continental lithosphere of ppm, 1σ; n = 14), with LaN/YbN = 7 (± 3, 1σ) and Eu/Eu* = 0.6 ± 0.1. Yellow apatite the Canadian Shield underlying Banks contained high REE contents (average 2130 Island. Controlled source off-shore seismic data suggest that Banks Island represents the ± 640, 1σ; n = 23), with LaN/YbN = 4 (± 2, 1σ) and Eu/Eu* = 0.4 ± 0.1. Orange apatite western edge of the rifted margin established showed the highest concentration of REE during the opening of the Arctic Ocean. In (average 4040 ± 130 ppm, 1σ; n = 2), with this scenario rifting caused Banks Island to subside and accumulate sediments rich in LaN/YbN = 1.83 (± 1, 1σ) and Eu/Eu* = 0.1 ± 0.0. These preliminary results indicate that petroleum source material. Conversely, the breakdown of collophane likely surface-wave based velocity models of North America indicate velocities at 100-150 km

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 118 depths similar to those beneath Canada's CHARACTERIZING ARSENIC diamond mines in the central Slave craton. DEPOSITION AND MOBILITY These results suggest Banks Island basement IN TERRESTRIAL AND is part of the Canadian Shield and any kimberlites found thereon are promising AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS OF diamond candidates. Furthermore, the THE 'LAKE 10' CATCHMENT, southern Beaufort Sea Mackenzie Delta NWT margin represents a well-developed fold and thrust belt of Cretaceous to present age but SCHULTZ*, M.1, LEATHERS, J.1, has only been recently recognized as likely JASIAK, I.2, VENKITESWARAN, J.J.1, active. This belt accommodates either slow ENGLISH, M.C.1, WOLFE, B.B.1, thrusting of continental crust over the oceanic HALL, R.I.2, SCHIFF, S.L.2, crust, or underthrusting of the oceanic crust HICKMAN, J.1, and CONNON, R.1 beneath the margin. (1) WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY, We exploit data from new land broadband WATERLOO, ON (2) UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO, seismic networks to investigate crustal WATERLOO, ON structure and seismicity around the Beaufort [email protected] Sea. One of the key questions is how one can reconcile mantle structure typical of the Abandoned mine sites in Canada's Northwest Canadian Shield with crust typical of a rifted Territories prompt uncertainty regarding the passive margin. Specifically, the inference of extent of legacy metal pollution. thick cratonic-like lithosphere underlying Additionally, warming of subarctic regions is Banks Island is incompatible with this being leading to changes in hydrology and a tectonically disrupted and thinned margin dissolved organic matter (DOM), which can of the Canada Basin. Preliminary results of affect the fate, mobility, and toxicity of crust and mantle structure from dispersion legacy mining pollutants. Here we focus on analysis (ambient noise and teleseismic possible far-field arsenic pollution from earthquakes), 1D inversion, and receiver Giant Mine. Laboratory analyses on a function analyses, indicate a ~30 km deep sediment core from “Lake 10”, located 57 km Moho beneath the Beaufort Sea and Banks northwest of Yellowknife, has identified evidence of arsenic enrichment in the latter Island, with slight thinning northwards th towards Prince Patrick and Melville Islands. part of the 20 century consistent with the Mantle velocities remain elevated, indicative emission history of Giant Mine. These results of cooler lithosphere. Anisotropy orientations provide the foundation to assess potential from SKS splitting indicate margin parallel mechanisms that may mobilize arsenic from fabrics, perpendicular to those expected for a the landscape to the aquatic ecosystem. To tectonically extended margin; however, the characterize linkages of metal mobility source depth of these fabrics remains elusive. between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, we will: (1) identify stores of metals in multiple terrain units and the aquatic ecosystems, (2) investigate the hydrological and biogeochemical pathways for metal mobility, and (3) probe for how climate change may alter these stores and processes.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 119 RESORPTION FEATURES OF variable formation conditions for the two MACRO AND MICRO different diamond size fractions studied from DIAMONDS FROM Gahcho Kué. Among microdiamonds, surface textures associated with fluid-related GAHCHO KUÉ etching are markedly more variable, with truncated trigons, tetragons, and both positive SIVA-JOTHY*, W., CHINN, I., and negative trigons being observed. STACHEL, T., and PEARSON, G.D. However, these often occur in combination with features showing a large variability in UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB their depth to size ratio between samples, [email protected] which is typically caused by mantle-related Studies into the relationship between oxygen etching. These observations suggest repeated fugacity of mantle fluids/melts and etch interaction of fluids/melts with the Gahcho features on diamond surfaces have shown Kué diamond population, with at least some specific fluid/melt compositions correspond of the fluids affecting the microdiamonds to associated etch features. A classification being more CO2-rich than those that etched scheme has been proposed to determine the the macrodiamond fraction. fluid composition within a kimberlite by examining etch features associated with WINTER HYDRAULIC diamond surfaces as a proxy for fluid PRESSURES OBSERVED IN composition in an ascending diamondiferous WATER BODIES AND kimberlite. A suite of 388 microdiamonds RIPARIAN SETTINGS, NORTH (defined as diamonds which pass through a 0.5 mm square mesh screen) and 88 SLAVE, SUBARCTIC CANADIAN macrodiamonds taken from various drill hole SHIELD depths in the Hearne kimberlite and 88 inclusion-bearing macrodiamonds from the SLADEN, W.E., MORSE*, P.D., and Gahcho Kué mine (NWT) were viewed under WOLFE, S.A. a secondary electron microscope for their surface features in accordance with this GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA, OTTAWA, ON scheme. Two hundred and thirty specimens [email protected] show shallow-depth etch features that can be easily classified: the main features observed Ice and all-weather roads are critical lifelines were trigons and truncated trigons on the for northern communities and resource {111} faces and/or tetragons on the {100} development activities. Icings are sheet-like faces (indicating etching by fluids of variable masses of layered ice that form on the surface CO2:H2O ratios). Thirty-four specimens during the winter by freezing of successive show deeper etched features that represent overflows of water. Icing development over either extreme degrees of regular etching ice and all-weather roads negatively impacts (such as deeply-etched tetragons), or their performance, and there can be adverse corrosion type etching, wherein the diamond effects on bridges and culverts. lattice is etched in a fluid-free melt. Consequently, icings are an ongoing Variability between crystal habits exists maintenance and safety problem in northern between the size fractions studied, with cubic regions. The mechanism controlling habits only being observed in the overflow timing and behaviour is poorly microdiamond population. This implies understood. Overflow timing and stream bed water pressures have been linked to air

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 120 temperature fluctuations in several regions, sites, hydraulic pressure increased by up to but the relation between these two signals is 2.2 kPa over a two-week period that followed not well defined and the mechanism is freezing onset. Hydraulic pressures gradually unknown. The Shield region contains the tapered off from peak values until freezing highest density of resource development occurred at depth. infrastructure in the Northwest Territories, much of which is supported by the Tibbitt to The static water level observed at the lake and Contwoyto Winter Road (TCWR). The main outlet suggests that the lake is either an operational difficulty faced by operators on entirely open system with water entering and the overland portions of the TCWR is exiting the lake at the same rate over the overflow and icing. The objective of this winter, or alternatively, that the lake is work is to provide much needed geoscientific entirely closed with respect to water flow. insight on the icing process, in order to The latter is supported by our observation of reduce risks for land-based transportation decreasing hydraulic pressures at the infrastructure. downstream site. The initial increase in hydraulic pressures observed at the Overflows in the subarctic Canadian Shield downstream site indicate the semi-confined may be controlled by periodic increases in nature of the freezing riparian area. Further hydraulic head during open-system freezing. signal analysis is being undertaken to Local observations at the TCWR Portage 23 investigate the effects of freezing front (P23) overland section have shown that progression on hydraulic pressure at the overflow occurs during the period of active- downstream site. layer freezeback when it is likely hydrologically connected to the upstream PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF lake. Based on our previous work at P23, we SYN- TO POST-TECTONIC installed vertical series of pressure GRANITIC DYKES IN THE transducers and temperature data loggers to determine the relations between barometric YELLOWKNIFE GREENSTONE pressure, air temperature, water/ice BELT, NWT: EVIDENCE FOR temperatures, and water/ice pressures during LATE-STAGE H2O-RICH the freezing season. To examine variation in FLUIDS hydrological setting, replicate apparatus were installed in a shallow lake, the lake outlet, and SPEIGHT*, S.C., LENTZ, D.R., and in the riparian zone downstream of the outlet MCFARLANE, C.R.M. where icing has been observed. UNIVERSITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK, Initial results suggest that during the FREDERICTON, NB freezing-season, high frequency fluctuation [email protected] of absolute pressure in the lake is driven The Yellowknife greenstone belt (YGB) is entirely by barometric pressure, with no located in the Archean Slave Province, in the detectable increase with snow loading. At the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is host to outlet, hydraulic pressures behaved similarly the historic Con and Giant mines which have to lake pressures. Absolute pressures at the produced a total of 14.2 Moz gold at an downstream sensors also fluctuated at high average grade of 16 g/t. Historic and recent frequency with barometric pressure. field work has documented narrow granitic However, in contrast to the lake and outlet dykes that were previously not the subject of

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 121 an academic study. To date these dykes have GEOHERITAGE OF THE GREAT only been observed proximal to the Western SLAVE LAKE SHEAR ZONE IN Plutonic Suite in the amphibolite grade Chan THE ŁUTSEL K’E DENE FIRST Formation of the Kam Group, and not in the overlying greenschist grade Crestaurum, NATION TRADITIONAL Townsite, or Yellowknife Bay formations. TERRITORY – NORTHWEST The granitic dykes are typically = 30 cm wide TERRITORIES and up to 1 m, and often have a dark pink-red, earthy hematized colouring. The dykes have STERN*, F.1, KING, L.2, and sharp contacts with no observable chill GRIFFITH, F.3 margins and an overall aplitic texture with occasional fine- to medium-grained white (1) SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY, feldspars. The granitic dykes often have cm- VANCOUVER, BC (2) WILDLIFE, LANDS AND ENVIRONMENT scale quartz cores that are typically DEPARTMENT - ŁUTSEL K’E DENE FIRST continuous along the length of the dyke, or NATION, ŁUTSEL K’E, NT occasionally occurring as discontinuous (3) CONSULTANT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT pods. The granitic dykes were found to cross- [email protected] cut all lithologies in the map area, including Geoheritage is a descriptive term applied to feldspar-quartz porphyries, tonalites, areas of geologic features with significant granodiorites, and mafic flows, making them scientific, educational, cultural, or aesthetic the youngest dykes based on relative timing value. Culturally significant geoheritage sites relationships. are places where geologic features played a role in cultural or historical events. Petrographic analysis compliments field data by allowing for a more detailed study of The Great Slave Shear Zone (also known as microstructures. Microtextural analysis of McDonald Fault or Tthe Lare´ in Dene Yati granitic rocks has shown that there is a language) is a world-class scenic and correlation between microstructures and geological wonder. It extends for more than metamorphic grade. Therefore, the 400 kilometers along the East Arm of the examination of the various quartz and Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories feldspar textures may lead to a better and has been proposed as a continental understanding of the relative timing of these transform fault which accommodated syn- to post-tectonic dykes as they developed eastward motion of the Slave Craton as it overprinting prograde to retrograde impacted the western margin of the Churchill metamorphic and deformation textures. Province during the Lower Proterozoic. These relative timing relationships will be combined with U-Pb geochronology to Spectacular cliffs drop 100 meters into the establish the age of discrete deformation Lake, making it one of the most clearly events. visible faults on the earth's crust. The prominence of the shear zone has resulted in numerous landforms in the East Arm, including islands, rivers, lakes, rocks and waterfalls coming to be regarded as sacred sites of the Łutsel K’e Dene First Nation, thereby adding the necessary cultural dimension to its visually appealing

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 122 geological landscape. For example, the eight- granitoids themselves are of little economic meter-high Parry Falls, on the Lockhart River interest, a better understanding of these rocks (Tsa'kui Theda Deze´) at the east end of East could lead to more meaningful exploration of Arm, is a sacred site. There, it is said that the proximal volcanic belts and associated metal Old Lady of the Falls (Tsa'kui theda) can be deposits. In addition, the granitoids can serve found, a medicine woman who has healing as probes of the Slave Craton lower crust and powers and sits in the waterfall. Every underlying lithospheric mantle from which summer, the people of Łutsel K’e host an the granitoid magmas were derived. Given annual spiritual gathering, paying their the proximity of the study area to the Lac de respects, healing, and making offerings. Gras kimberlite field (~ 50 km to the NE), additional information on the nature and Tsa'kui Theda and other sacred places on the evolution of the Slave lithosphere through East Arm of Great Slave Lake are part of the time may be useful in further diamond rich cultural history of the Łutsel K’e Dene exploration. First Nation, who consider the area to be the “heart of their homeland”. The sacred places Previous workers have subdivided the and cultural significance of this region is granitoids of the Jolly Lake area into greatly enhanced by the fascinating geology younger, older, and undivided suites. The of the Great Slave Lake Shear Zone. The older suite comprises primarily granitoid proposed Thaidene Nëné National Park and gneisses and migmatites. There is uncertainty Reserve will serve an important function of surrounding whether some of the rocks of this protecting this geoheritage site for the future. suite have granitoid or supracrustal protoliths. The younger suite of granitoids URANIUM-LEAD ZIRCON consists of little deformed to undeformed GEOCHRONOLOGY OF syenogranites, monzogranites and GRANITOIDS NEAR JOLLY granodiorites. The undivided granitoid suite is characterized by deformational LAKE, SLAVE CRATON, characteristics and emplacement ages NORTHWEST TERRITORIES intermediate between the older and younger suites. Monzogranites near Winter Lake and STONE*, S.D.1, KNOX, B.2, and syenogranites near Courageous Lake have CHACKO, T.1 been dated at 2796-2855 Ma and 2613 Ma respectively, while the granites surrounding (1) UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA, EDMONTON, AB Jolly Lake remain undated. (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT [email protected] Observations made during the 2018 field season generally agreed with the As part of a Northwest Territories Geological interpretations of earlier geologists in the Survey 1:50 000-scale mapping program, we context of unit age relationships. However, have undertaken a study of major granitoid the finer scale of the present mapping bodies in the Jolly Lake area of the Slave allowed for more detailed and comprehensive Craton (~ 220 km NE of Yellowknife). lithological descriptions. In particular, we Earlier work in this area has focused on the subdivided the basement complex in this area volcanic belts surrounding the granitoid into at least four distinct types of gneisses, bodies and consequently, relatively little classified on the basis of their mafic mineral information is available about the age and content and metamorphic texture. nature of plutonic units. Whereas the

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 123 The granitoid samples collected in the areas. The Saline River occurrence has the fieldwork are currently being processed for potential for a large-scale solution mining. uranium-lead zircon geochronology. The isotopic analyses of zircon will be done in- Surface occurrences of salts in NWT include situ in standard petrographic thin section by salt springs, which are widely distributed in laser ablation, multi-collector, inductively the territory including the Salt Plains of the coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC- Wood Buffalo Park and the Fort Smith area. ICPMS). The goal of the geochronological Historic annual production of about four study is to firmly establish a sequence of tonnes of salts have been reported from these emplacement for the various granitoid suites springs although the exact locations are and clarify the origin of the older gneisses unknown. Other surface occurrences include and foliated granites. seawater along the Arctic Ocean coastline.

SALT DEPOSITS OF THE In May 2015, six water samples were NORTHWEST TERRITORIES collected from the Salt River in the Fort Smith area and analysed for sodium (Na), WATSON, D.M., GERVAIS, S.D., and potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and chloride LAMBIV DZEMUA*, G. (Cl) among other elements. The samples returned up to 4120 mg/L Na and 7240 mg/L NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, Cl. The concentration of Na and Cl in these YELLOWKNIFE, NT samples has probably been diluted by an [email protected] unknown quantity of fresh surface water. The Salt (sodium chloride; NaCl) is one of the salt concentration in the springs and water basic raw materials for various chemical sources varies systematically during the year processes and has been used to flavour and with spring runoff, rain, and snowfall preserve food since Neolithic time. contributing to lower levels and summer dry Worldwide salt production is over 200 spells causing higher salt concentrations. million tonnes. Most of the production comes from sedimentary deposits that are either Although there is no current production of mined as rock salt or brines. Salt is also salt in the territory, there is potential for low produced by evaporation of seawater in volume, high value “artisanal or cottage” traditional solar ponds or using other heat production in some areas. Any such sources including fire and waste heat from production could take advantage of natural power generation. variations in weather to lower production costs and, leverage the territory's booming Salt occurs in several areas of the Northwest tourism sector to reach the wider national and Territories (NWT). These include subsurface international clientele. and surface occurrences. Subsurface deposits occur in Cambrian to Devonian formations including the Saline River Formation, which is widely distributed in the Mackenzie and Franklin mountains as well as in the northern Interior Plains and has been encountered in wells drilled for petroleum exploration in the Fort Liard, Fort Smith, and Norman Wells

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 124 GEOCHEMISTRY OF THE Reflected light and cathodoluminescence LUCKY LAKE W-ZN-PB SKARN (CL) microscopy indicate that pyrite (FeS2) DEPOSIT, NWT, CANADA: and scheelite (CaWO4) were deposited first, followed by pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS) ± EPITHERMAL OVERPRINTING chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), and ultimately by OF MAGMATIC sphalerite (ZnS) ± galena (PbS). Pyrite grain HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS boundaries have ~ 120° interfacial angles characteristic of annealing during WEBB, G.S.1, SHELTON, K.L.1, metamorphism driven by the adjacent SCHIFFBAUER, J.D.1, SMITH, S.1, and granite. The early ore minerals (pyrite, FALCK*, H.2 scheelite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite) are associated with iron-rich carbonate gangue (1) UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, that exhibits a dull red-brown color in CL. In COLUMBIA, MO contrast, later sulfides (sphalerite and galena) (2) NWT GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, GNWT, YELLOWKNIFE, NT are associated with bright yellow-orange CL, [email protected] open-space-filling calcite cements, suggesting that Pb-Zn mineralization Lucky Lake is a granite-related tungsten- represents a distinct hydrothermal event from zinc-lead skarn deposit located ~ 60 km that which deposited tungsten and copper southeast of Cantung, one of the largest mineralization. tungsten deposits in the world. Lucky Lake is unusual due to its base-metal enrichment The tungsten ± copper mineralization was relative to other tungsten deposits of the deposited from magmatic-related fluids region. There is also the potential for gold similar to those at Cantung (~ 430 to 590°C). and silver in its ores, as can be suspected by Fluid inclusions in later quartz (Th = 337 to the deposit’s location adjacent to the Hyland 185°C) and sphalerite (Th = 153 to 155°C) gold camp and the overlap of the Cretaceous suggest that zinc mineralization (followed tungsten belt and the Tintina gold-silver- closely by lead sulfide deposition) was the bismuth province, which stretches across result of a later event(s) at lower Alaska into northwestern Canada. temperatures, from fluids with salinities between 0.6 and 7.4 wt. % equivalent NaCl. The goal of this research is to document the relative timing and pressure-temperature- The Lucky Lake deposit’s zinc and lead geochemical conditions of tungsten and base- enrichments appear to be related to a later metal deposition. This study employs a hydrothermal overprint not described in the variety of geochemical techniques to world-class Cantung mine’s ores. decipher the nature of the ores, including: Recognition of this late-stage epithermal petrographic, cathodoluminescent and ore event may have implications for microscopy of thin and polished sections; understanding the emplacement conditions of SEM analysis of ore and gangue mineralogy; the tungsten skarns and regional exploration and fluid inclusion microthermometry of ore- for zinc-lead ores elsewhere in the related minerals. Detailed SEM analysis of Mackenzie Mountains. the ore minerals document the trace and minor element character of the Zn-Pb event and will permit us to test the idea of involvement of gold-bearing fluids in the hydrothermal system.

- TECHNICAL PROGRAM - 2018 YELLOWKNIFE GEOSCIENCE FORUM ABSTRACTS AND SUMMARIES 125