REGIONAL STREAM SEDIMENT AND WATER GEOCHEMICAL DATA
GOLDEN, BRAZEAU LAKE, CANOE RIVER AND MOUNT ROBSON, SOUTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA (NTS 82N, 83C, 83D and 83E)
Geoscience BC Contribution Number GBC018
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Mining and Minerals Division Report 2006-5 GeoFile 2006-12
July 2006
Regional Stream Sediment and Water Geochemical Data
REGIONAL STREAM SEDIMENT AND WATER GEOCHEMICAL DATA
GOLDEN, BRAZEAU LAKE, CANOE RIVER AND MOUNT ROBSON, SOUTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA (NTS 82N, 83C, 83D and 83E)
Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 3 2.0 SURVEY AREA ...... 2 3.0 REGIONAL SETTING ...... 3 3.1 Physiography ...... 3 3.2 Geology ...... 3 3.3 Mineralization ...... 7 4.0 2005 RGS PROGRAM ...... 7 4.1 Field Operations ...... 7 4.2 Analytical Procedures ...... 10 5.0 DATA PRESENTATION ...... 11 6.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...... 12 7.0 REFERENCES ...... 12
DATA LISTINGS ...... APPENDIX A SUMMARY STATISTICS...... APPENDIX B MAPS ...... APPENDIX C
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1.0 INTRODUCTION north to south consist of the Cariboo, This report summarizes the results Monashee, Selkirk and Purcell of the 2005 regional geochemical survey Mountains. (“RGS”) conducted by CME Managing Both the Rocky and Columbia Consultants Inc. (“CME”) in southeastern Mountains are glaciated and consist of British Columbia, Canada at the request extremely rugged terrain. Massive and of Geoscience BC. bold sharp peaks are separated by deep The 2005 RGS program was carried and narrow valleys. Peaks and ridges are out between August 26 and October 25, predominantly exposed bedrock and 2005. Samples were collected from a typically range between 2,500 to 3,000 total of 1,409 sites from a survey area of metres in elevation. The steeply sloping approximately 21,560 square kilometers. valley sides are covered with talus and colluvium and the valley bottoms with Included within this report are alluvium and till. sample collection, preparation and 3.2 GEOLOGY analysis protocols, presentation of results in digital and hardcopy format. The survey area includes parts of two of the five structurally and 2.0 SURVEY AREA physiographically distinct belts that The area surveyed covers southeastern constitute the Canadian segment of the British Columbia from 51° to 53° north North American Cordillera. These are the latitude and 116° to 120° west longitude Foreland Belt to the east and the (Figure 1). Sampling was not undertaken Omineca Belt to the west. in National or Provincial Parks. Several gneissic bodies crop out The stream sediment and water survey adjacent to and along the Rocky was undertaken within map sheets 82N Mountain Trench. To the east of the (Golden), 83C (Brazeau Lake), 83D Rocky Mountain Trench, lithologies of (Canoe River) and 83E (Mount Robson). the Main Ranges form an imbricate thrust Base camps were established in package of Hadrynian to Triassic Valemount, Golden, Mica Creek, Blue metasediments and sediments of the River and Revelstoke. The sample Ancestral North American Craton preparation laboratory was established in (Mountjoy, 1993). Valemount for the entire survey. To the west of the Rocky Mountain Trench in the Canoe River and Mount 3.0 REGIONAL SETTING Robson map-areas are the Kootenay and 3.1 PHYSIOGRAPHY Cassiar/Cariboo terranes of the Omineca From east to west, the study area Belt (Figure 2). Lithologies of the consists of the Rocky Mountains, the Kootenay Terrane include Hadrynian Rocky Mountain Trench, Columbia Horsethief Creek Group and the Mountains and the Quesnel and Shuswap overlying Kaza and Cariboo groups Highlands (Holland, 1976). The Quesnel (Mountjoy, 1993). The Cassiar/Cariboo and Shuswap Highlands make up a small Terranes include Upper Proterozoic to portion of the study area as they occur in Upper Triassic passive continental the southwestern corner of map sheet margin sediments displaced along the 83D. The Columbia Mountains, from Rocky Mountain Trench transcurrent
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Regional Stream Sediment and Water Geochemical Data faults (Wheeler et al, 1988). East of the Horsethief Creek Group (Mountjoy, Rocky Mountain Trench is the Foreland 1993). Belt represented by the Rocky Several small alkaline ultramafic Mountains. In this area the Foreland Belt diatremes, intruding Upper Cambrian consists primarily of a sequence of carbonate strata, have been discovered quartzites, carbonates and pelites from and explored in the Bush River area for the Hadrynian Miette Group through the microdiamonds (Mountjoy, 1993). A Lower Cambrian Gog Group to the number of carbonatite and nepheline Middle Cambrian Chancellor Group syenite layers occur within the (MINFILE 083D001). Semipelite- Amphibolite unit of the Hadrynian rocks on both sides of Horsethief Creek Group in the Monashee the Rocky Mountain Trench have been Mountains. These have been examined intensely deformed by at least three for their vermiculite, uranium, niobium folding events and have been affected by and tantalum potential. Barrovian metamorphism (~160 Ma-60 The documented occurrences in the Ma, Crowley et al, 2000) ranging in Golden map-area are evenly distributed grade from biotite to sillimanite zones on both sides of the Rocky Mountain (Mountjoy, 1993). Trench. Approximately two-thirds of the In the Golden area, west of the total occurrences are comprised of lead- trench is the Purcell Anticlinorium. silver-zinc-(copper-gold) replacement- Within the Purcell Anticlinorium, a thick type deposits hosted primarily in succession of Proterozoic (i.e. Horsethief carbonate rocks, and lead-silver-zinc- Creek and Miette groups) and Paleozoic (gold-copper-tungsten) quartz veins in (Hamill, Lardeau and Gog groups; Eager, metasediments, chiefly slates, graphitic Badshot, Mohican, Donald, Reno, Laib, slates, schists and argillites Industrial Quartzite Range formations) mineral occurrences comprise the miogeoclinal rocks has been deformed by remaining one-third of the total imbricate thrust faults, normal faults, occurrences in the Golden map-area. complex folds, and widespread (Owsiacki, 1993). penetrative deformation (Owsiacki, 1993). 4.0 2005 RGS PROGRAM 3.3 MINERALIZATION 4.1 FIELD OPERATIONS In the Canoe River and Brazeau 4.1.1 Sample Collection Lake map-areas, the majority of known Field operations were conducted mineral occurrences are located adjacent from base camps established in to or west of the Rocky Mountain Trench Valemount, Golden, Mica Creek, Blue and consist primarily of industrial River and Revelstoke. Sample collection, mineral occurrences (Figure 3). Precious data recording, drying, packing and and base metal occurrences are not shipping were in accordance with abundant throughout the area. Industrial standards set by Geoscience BC. mineral occurrences of mica and kyanite In general, sample sites were with lesser garnet and beryllium are restricted to primary and secondary generally hosted in the Semipelite- drainages having catchment basins of less Amphibolite unit of the Hadrynian than 10 square kilometres. Contaminated
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Regional Stream Sediment and Water Geochemical Data or poor-quality sample sites were avoided • 152 sites within the Mount Robson by choosing an alternative stream or map-area - 83E (Figure 7). sampling a minimum of 50 metres A total of 33 sites had no flowing upstream from the identified problem. water so only stream sediment material Sediment samples were placed in was collected. labelled 8” x 14” 6 mil polyethylene The surveys covered approximately (“PE”) bags. Sample tags were place in 21,560 square kilometres at an average each PE bag prior to tie-locking the bag density of approximately one sample site for security. In areas of low silt, two bags per 15 square kilometres. Sampling was of sediment were collected. Water not undertaken in National or Provincial samples were collected in labelled 250 ml parks. Approximately 7% of the survey HDPE bottles provided by Eco Tech area is covered by glaciers and icefields. Laboratory Ltd. (“Eco Tech Labs”) of Kamloops, BC. Field observations 4.1.2 Sample Preparation regarding sample media, sample site and The sample preparation facility location were recorded on waterproof (“preplab”) was established in sheets in the field and later entered into a Valemount. During the sampling of 83D master database back in the office. GPS and 83E area, water and sediment readings were also taken at each sample samples were delivered daily at the site whenever possible using a Garmin preplab. When the sampling crew stayed GPS 60 handheld receiver. in Golden, BC to sample the 82N and Sample collection commenced on 83C areas, sample shipments were August 28 and ended on October 23, delivered once every 4 - 6 days. 2005. The first day was reserved for The water samples, collected in 250 orientation and security protocols lead by ml HDPE bottles, were sorted and kept in the Project Manger. the motel room and each week’s A Hughes 500D helicopter operated accumulation of samples were forwarded, by Prism Helicopters of Pit Meadows, complete with QC samples, to Eco Tech BC, was used for the entire helicopter Labs. sampling portion of the program. Field samples (sediments) - Helicopter sampling was undertaken weighing from 1.5 to 3.5 kg, mostly from September 9 to October 10 and between 2.5 and 3.0 kg (after drying) – again on October 18 and 19. were delivered in PE bags (8” x 14”, 6 A total of 1,409 sample sites were mil) and sealed with a tie lock (cable tie), sampled. A breakdown of the number of and transferred to aluminum pans sample sites by mapsheet is as follows: (cake/baking pans 20x20x5cm and 30x23x5cm). Sometimes, when the • 612 sites within the Golden map-area - sampler deemed it necessary, two field 82N (Figure 4); samples (bag 1/2 and 2/2) were collected • 42 sites within the Brazeau Lake map- at a sample site to assure sufficient silt (- area - 83C (Figure 5); 80 mesh). All samples were placed in the dryer and rotated according to the rate at • 603 sites within the Canoe River map- which they dried (about 40 samples a area - 83D (Figure 6); and, day.) Almost all field samples were soaking wet.
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After drying, the samples were that group of 20 would become the blind sifted through -10 mesh (1.70 mm) and - duplicate. 80 mesh (0.18 mm) 8” stainless steel T.S. A standard reference sample (SRM) Tyler sieves. The sifters discarded the was inserted in each set of 20 continuous +10 mesh, returned the +80 –10 mesh to series of samples. The SRM consisted of the original PE bags in which the field two bottles 2 kg each - Red Dog #28 and samples were delivered and labelled #62 - supplied by Ray Lett of BCEMPR. “oversize fraction”, and packaged the -80 The random positioning of the reference mesh in 4” x 7” kraft tin-tie bags. (The sample within each series of 20 was pre- oversize fraction has been stored in 49 selected by the Project Manager. rice sacks ~ 1000 kg.) The sifter(s) always aimed to sieve > 50 g silt material The SRM Red Dog #28, after the (- 80 mesh). The sieves were cleaned contents was rolled on paper for 15 between each sample with an air minutes, covered the sample series compressor (125 psi). Aluminum drying 83D051, 83D052, 83C051, and pans were cleaned with damp terry cloths 82N051001–1088. SRM Red Dog #62 (clean towels), supplied by the hotel. covered 82N051089–1531, 83E051, 82N052 and 83D053. The quantity of the The silt samples were weighed and SRM of each bottle made it impractical recorded each day. If a silt sample to roll and combine them. weighed < 50 g, additional sampling (“retake” of the insufficient sample site) The QC samples of the water was collected and combined (rolled on samples came from motel’s tap water Cute-rite wax paper) with the original (both blind duplicate and reference silt. This always resulted in sufficient silt sample). On the day before shipping the samples, i.e., > 50 g. samples to the lab the QCs were drawn from the tap and inserted. The date of Occasionally, large field samples filling the QC bottles for each shipment that had an abundance of silt were not (4) was noted on the CME’s sample sifted in their entirety, as this would have submission sheets, to detect possible brought about too much silt that would variation of Valemount tap water. not have fitted, > 400 g, into the 4x7” Valemount water comes directly from kraft bag. The sifter was able to estimate Swift Creek after filtering and that quite well. chlorination – no fluoridation, however. All silt samples were sorted and The last samples were sifted on kept in the Dry Manager’s room until the October 24. The Dry Manager dropped completion of the RGS program. Quality off the entire 1,667 sediment shipment at control (QC) samples were inserted after Eco Tech Labs on October 25. all the field samples were sifted to confirm completeness of sample number 4.1.3 Sample Re-Collection series. Blind duplicates, taken from A total of 28 samples were found to within each continuous sample series of contain less than 50 grams of –80 mesh 20 and positioned at the beginning of that material. These sample sites were series, were split from the first field revisited and additional material duplicate, or if < 100g, the second. collected. Collection was undertaken by Failing that, a silt sample > 100 g within truck on September 26 and 27 and by helicopter on October 18 and 19.
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4.2 ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES Table 1: Detection Limits, ICP-MS Analysis on sediments included 37 Element Detection Range elements by ICP-Mass Spectrometer Ag 2 ppb to 100 ppm Al 0.01% to 10% (“ICP-MS”), 35 elements by Insrumental As 0.1 ppm to 10,000 ppm Neutron Activation Analysis (“INAA”), Au 0.2 ppb to 100 ppm Fluorine, and loss-on-ignition (“LOI”). B 1 ppm to 2,000 ppm Ba 0.5 ppm to 10,000 ppm Water analysis included pH, Bi 0.02 ppm to 2,000 ppm Conductivity and Fluoride. Ca 0.01% to 40% Cd 0.01 ppm to 2,000 ppm Eco Tech Labs performed all water Co 0.1 ppm to 2,000 ppm analyses plus Fluorine and loss-on- Cr 0.5 ppm to 10,000 ppm ignition for sediments. Eco Tech Labs Cu 0.01 ppm to 10,000 ppm Fe 0.01% to 40% subcontracted the ICP-MS analysis to Ga 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm Acme Analytical Laboraties Ltd. of Hg 5 ppb to 100 ppm Vancouver, BC and the INAA analysis to K 0.01% to 10% Becquerel Laboratories of Mississauga, La 0.5 ppm to 10,000 ppm Mg 0.01% to 30% Ontario. Mn 1 ppm to 10,000 ppm A brief description of the various Mo 0.01 ppm to 2,000 ppm Na 0.001% to 10% analytical procedures is presented below. Ni 0.1 ppm to 10,000 ppm 4.2.1 pH P 0.001% to 5 % Pb 0.01 ppm to 10,000 ppm The pH of stream waters was S 0.02% to10% determined using an electronic pH meter Sb 0.02 ppm to 2,000 ppm Sc 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm with glass electrode and automatic Se 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm temperature compensator, with a Sr 0.5 ppm to 10,000 ppm resolution of 0.01 pH units. Meters were Te 0.02 ppm to 100 ppm Th 0.1 ppm to 2,000 ppm calibrated using NIST approved buffer Ti 0.001% to 10% solutions of 4, 7 and 10 pH. Tl 0.02 ppm to 100 ppm U 0.1 ppm to 2,000 ppm 4.2.2 Conductivity V 2 ppm to 10,000 ppm Conductivity of stream waters was W 0.1 ppm to 100 ppm determined using a YSI Model 31 Zn 0.1 ppm to 10,000 ppm Conductivity Bridge from Yellow 4.2.4 Loss-on-Ignition Springs Instruments Inc with an error not Loss-on-ignition was determined exceeding 1% or 1 µmhos/cm, whichever using a 1 gram sample. The sample, was greater. Meters were calibrated using weighed into a combustion boat, was standard reference solutions of 447 and placed in a 1050°C Blue M muffle 2270 µmhos/cm. furnace for one hour. The boats were 4.2.3 Fluoride - Water removed from the furnace and cooled for 2 hours. The boats were re-weighed, and A 50 ml sample was placed into a the difference was the loss-on-ignition. beaker and a digital pH meter equipped with a fluoride specific ion electrode 4.2.5 Fluorine - Sediments inserted. A 50 ml Ioncal Buffer was A 0.25 gram sample was placed added and the solution retested. into a disposable test tube. Approximately 1 gram of Na2CO3/KNO3 was added to the test tube and mixed then
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Regional Stream Sediment and Water Geochemical Data placed into a muffle furnace at 700°C for survey results in three appendices that are 30 minutes. When cool, the sample melt described as follows: was placed into a Teflon beaker and had Appendix ‘A’: Complete listing of site 90ml R.O. water added and let sit for 1.5 location information, field observations hours. A 10 ml citric acid solution was and analytical results. Table preceding added prior to analysis. Analysis was run the data listings define codes used for using a digital pH meter equipped with a field observations. fluorine specific ion electrode. Appendix ‘B’: Summary statistics for 4.2.6 Induced Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) individual elements. A 15 gram sample was leached with Appendix ‘C’: Sample location and a 6 ml of a mixture of HCl, HNO3 and selection of element maps. distilled with demineralized water at Raw digital data files have been 95°C for one hour. The sample solution included in XLS and DBF formats. was diluted to 20ml with 5% HCl and analyzed by ICP-MS. Elements Table 2: Detection Limits, INAA determined by ICP-MS are listed in Table 1 along with their corresponding Element DL Unit Antimony 0.1 ppm detection limits. Samples returning Arsenic 0.5 ppm results lower than the detection limit are Barium 50 ppm prefixed with a ‘negative’ symbol. Bromine 0.5 ppm Calcium 1 % 4.2.7 Instrumental Neutron Activation Cerium 3 ppm Analysis (INAA) Cesium 1 ppm Chromium 5 ppm Weighed and encapsulated samples, Cobalt 1 ppm normally 10 to 15 grams, were packaged Europium 0.2 ppm for irradiation along with internal Gold 2 ppb Hafnium 1 ppm standards and international reference Iridium 5 ppb materials. Samples and standards were Iron 0.01 % irradiated together with neutron flux Lanthanum 0.5 ppm Lutetium 0.05 ppm monitors at the McMaster Nuclear Mercury 1 ppm Reactor. After a six day decay period, Molybdenum 1 ppm samples were measured with a high- Neodymium 5 ppm resolution coaxial germanium detector. Nickel 20 ppm Rubidium 15 ppm Typical counting times were 20 to 30 Samarium 0.1 ppm minutes. Elements determined by INAA Scandium 0.1 ppm are listed in Table 2 along with their Selenium 3 ppm corresponding detection limits. Samples Silver 5 ppm Sodium 0.01 % returning results lower than the detection Strontium 500 ppm limit are prefixed with a ‘negative’ Tantalum 0.5 ppm symbol. Terbium 0.5 ppm Thorium 0.2 ppm Tin 100 ppm 5.0 DATA PRESENTATION Tungsten 1 ppm This data package has been Uranium 0.5 ppm Ytterbium 0.2 ppm prepared as a PDF document and presents Zinc 50 ppm
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Mountjoy, K.J. (1993): Minfile Map NTS 083D 6.0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS and Part of 083C Canoe River and Brazeau, BC Ministry of Energy and Mines and The 2005 survey was fully funded Petroleum Resources, MINFILE digital data, by Geoscience BC1 (Contribution 47 occurrences, posted Nov 2004, Number GBC018). URL
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