Geoscience
Geological Survey Activity TrackerFlin Flon Belt and Kisseynew
Investigation of "kimberlite-like" rocks from the south Wekusko Lake area, north-central Manitoba |
Project Information
Principal investigators:
Kyle Reid
Partnered with:
Anton Chakhmouradian, University of Manitoba
Location:
Parts of NTS 63J12
Project Description
Main objectives:
Determine the nature and timing of dolomite–phlogopite-bearing intrusions in the area directly south of Wekusko Lake.
Methodology:
During the 2016 and 2017 field seasons, two occurrences of dolomite–phlogopite-bearing intrusive rocks were identified by the MGS during re-logging of historical exploration drillcore. Detailed petrography coupled with compositional data obtained from electron microprobe and laser ablation ICPMS analyses of select minerals will be used to establish the petrogenesis of these rocks, which have characteristics common to kimberlite or carbonatite.
Benefits:
Determining whether these intrusions are carbonatite or kimberlite is key to understanding their significance with respect to mineral potential. For example, some carbonatites host economic concentrations of rare-earth elements, niobium, and zirconium, as well as more common metals such as copper, iron and molybdenum. In contrast, kimberlites are the most common host of economic diamond deposits.
Plans for fiscal year 2020–2021:
Carbonatite dikelets were discovered in outcrop on Wekusko Lake in 2019. Petrographic characterization is being conducted at the University of Manitoba in 2020–2021 for comparison to previously analyzed samples from drillcore. All unpublished petrography, whole rock and mineral chemistry is going to be compiled into an Open File report.
Completed outputs:
2017–2018
Chakhmouradian, A.R. and Reid, K.D. 2017: New occurrences of kimberlite-like intrusive rocks in drillcore from south of Wekusko Lake, eastern Flin Flon belt, north-central Manitoba (NTS 63J12); in Report of Activities 2017, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 78–90.
