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Volcanic Reconstruction of the Archean North Rhyolite, Kidd Creek Mine, Timmins, Ontario, Canada

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Volcanic Reconstruction of the Archean North Rhyolite, Kidd Creek Mine, Timmins, Ontario, Canada January 2004 Issue 80 Volcanic Reconstruction of the Archean North Rhyolite, Kidd Creek Mine, Timmins, Ontario, Canada Michelle DeWolfe Harold L. Gibson Mineral Exploration Research Centre Laurentian University Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6B5, Email: [email protected] David Richardson Falconbridge Limited Kidd Mining Division, PO Box 2002, Hwy 655, Timmins, Ontario, P4N 7K1 John Ayer Ontario Geological Survey Willet Green Miller Centre, Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 6B5 Fig. 1. General geology map showing the Abitibi greenstone belt and Introduction the location of the Kidd Creek mine approximately 24 km north of A succession of volcanic rocks collectively known as the Timmins (modified from Bleeker and Hester, 1999). North Rhyolite (NR) is located directly northeast of the giant Kidd Creek Cu-Zn-Ag volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) thermal alteration away from the deposit. Understanding the deposit, within the Abitibi greenstone belt of the Superior prov- large-scale volcanic environment, which hosts the NR and the ince (Figs. 1 and 2). The NR has been interpreted as a lateral Kidd Creek orebodies, will allow a better comparison between extension of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy (Hannington et the environment in which the Kidd Creek deposit formed and the al., 1999a). However, detailed work on the stratigraphy and environment of formation for other VMS deposits. This may structure of the NR, and its relationship to the mine stratigraphy, also help to create a better understanding of the environments is not available in existing literature. and processes that favor the generation of giant VMS deposits. It The objectives of this study are to 1) establish the structural is also anticipated that an understanding of the volcanic environ- and stratigraphic relationship between the NR and the Kidd ment, and knowledge of the distribution of volcanic rocks and Creek mine rhyolite, and 2) reconstruct the volcanic environ- hydrothermal alteration, will aid in the exploration for new VMS ment of the NR, post-rhyolite volcanism to better constrain the deposits in the Kidd Creek area. volcanic setting and environment of the Kidd Creek massive sulfide deposit. Geological Setting and Stratigraphy of the North Rhyolite In this study, a The NR has been interpreted to represent a lateral extension Inside this issue: reconstruction of of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy. A U-Pb zircon age of the NR is used, 2716.0 ± 0.5 Ma for the massive aphyric rhyolite of the NR, Letter from the Editor 3 for the first time, similar to the U-Pb zircon age of 2716.0± 0.6 Ma for the massive to constrain the Timmins Field Conference 10 aphyric rhyolite of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy supports large-scale vol- this interpretation (Bleeker et al., 1999). Bleeker (1999) pro- Book Review 12 canic environment, posed that faults that slice through the Kidd Creek mine fold, which hosts the CIM AGM Edmonton 16 and display a net sinistral movement, have displaced the north- Kidd Creek de- ern limb of the Kidd Creek mine fold up to 2 km to the north- posit and to assess Calendar of Events 18 (Continued on page 4) the scale of hydro- 2003-2004 MINERAL DEPOSITS DIVISION EXECUTIVE LIST MDD Goals and Objectives Chairperson: Moira Smith The Gangue is published quarterly by the Min- TECK COMINCO Limited, #600 - 200 Burrard Street eral Deposits Division of GAC and is distrib- Vancouver, BC V6C 3L9; Tel: (604) 640-5373; Fax: (604) 685-3069 uted to its members. The Mineral Deposits Divi- sion of the Geological Association of Canada is email: [email protected] Canada’s foremost society for promoting the study of mineral deposits by supporting local Past Chairperson: Frank Santaguida and national meetings, symposia, short courses Falconbridge Ltd., Exploration office, Kidd Creek Minesite, P.O. Box 1140, and field trips. We sponsor the publication of Timmins, ON P4N 7B5; Tel: (705) 264-5200 ext. 8231; Fax: (705) 267- research relating to ore deposits and metallog- 8874; email: [email protected] eny, and recognize the contributions of out- standing Canadian economic geologists by annually awarding the Duncan Derry and Wil- Vice Chairperson: Hendrik Falck liam Harvey Gross medals and the Julian Boldy C.S. Lord Northern Geoscience Centre, Box 1500, 4601-B, 52 Avenue, Certificate. Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2R3; Tel: (867) 669-2636; Fax: (867) 669-2725; email: [email protected] Publication Schedule: SUBMISSION DATE Secretary: Lyn Anglin December 15 January Geological Survey of Canada, 101 - 605 Robson Street, Rm. 1401, Van- March 15 April couver, BC V6B 5J3; Tel: (604) 666-2562; Fax: (604) 666-1124; email: June 15 July [email protected] September 15 October Treasurer: Jason Dunning Information for contributors: Expatriate Resources, Suite 475, 701 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC V6C The objective of this newsletter is primarily to provide a forum for members and other profes- 2B3; Tel: (604) 682-5474, ext. 225; Fax (604) 682-5404; email: jasondun- sionals to voice new ideas, describe interesting [email protected] mineral occurrences or expound on deposit models. 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Contributions may Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian be edited for clarity or brevity. University, Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6; Tel: (705) 675- 1151 ext. 2364; Fax: (705) 675-4898; For Information & Submissions: email: [email protected] Medals Committee and Website Manager: Dan Marshall Kay Thorne—THE GANGUE Dept. of Earth Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC NB DNR-Minerals Tel: (604) 291-5474; Fax: (604) 291-4198; email: [email protected] PO Box 6000, Room 150 Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1 Email: [email protected] Tel: (506) 444-2309 Fax: (506) 453-3671 Check out the updated MDD Website: http://mdd.harbour.com/ January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 2 MDD DIRECTORS Editor’s Message • John Thompson (2001-2004) TECK COMINCO Limited #600 - 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L9 Dear MDD Members, Tel: (604) 687-1117; Fax: (604) 640-5381 Email: [email protected] I hope you all are doing well and are enjoying the winter. 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In order for this to happen, a number of the older issues Bathurst, NB; (506) 547-2070; Fax (506) 547- that are only available in hard copy will have to be scanned. These 7694 will be combined with those issues that are available as digital files Email: [email protected] and they will be put onto a new server housed at Simon Fraser Uni- • Gema Olivo (2003-2006) versity.
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