Geoscience
Geological Survey Activity TrackerNorthern Manitoba
Geology, lithogeochemistry and metallogeny of the Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba
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Project Information
Principal investigators:
X.M. (Eric) Yang, Chris Beaumont-Smith
Partnered with:
Dr. Chris Lawley, Geological Survey of Canada; Dr. David R. Lentz, University of New Brunswick; Alamos Gold Inc.
Location:
NTS 64C10 to 64C16
Project Description
Main objectives:
This project is to update 1:50,000 geological maps of the Lynn Lake greenstone belt, to investigate its geological and geodynamic evolution, and to study metallogeny and key factors controlling formation of various types of mineral deposits (e.g., gold, VMS, nickel-copper-PGE) via bedrock mapping, lithogeochemical characterization, radiogenic isotopes, and GIS analysis.
Methodology:
Methods include geological mapping, petrographic analysis, mineral chemistry, lithogeochemistry, Nd isotopes, geochronology (zircon U-Pb using ID TIMS), GIS compilation and analysis. The magmatic nature of supracrustal mafic to felsic metavolcanic assemblages as well as mafic intrusive suites can be constrained by chemical composition of spinel group minerals in conjunction with lithogeochemical and radiogenic isotopic characterization. Field relationships supported by U-Pb geochronology provide key constraints on temporal evolution of the volcanic assemblages and mafic intrusions, which are used together with the information from mineral chemistry and lithogeochemistry to investigate their tectonic setting(s), petrogenesis and metallogeny. Petrogenetic types of granitoids can be constrained by field relations, magnetic susceptibility, mineral assemblages, mineral chemistry, and geochemical compositions. Geochemical processes of granitoid magmas and their sources will be investigated by using lithogeochemistry and Nd isotopes supported by precise U-Pb zircon age determination. Geodynamic settings, evolution and related mineralization are investigated by multidisciplinary approaches using all available geoscientific data.
Benefits:
The project provides insights into geodynamic evolution and metallogeny of the Lynn Lake belt, and into fundamental factors controlling diverse ore-forming systems and geological expressions used for exploration targeting. A set of updated maps and related geoscientific dataset will improve understanding tectonic settings, geological evolution, and metallogeny of the belt.
Plans for fiscal year 2023–2024:
- Undertake field work in the summer, focusing on mapping and sampling gabbroic intrusions
- Report of Activities and poster session, November
- Organize processing of and tabulate chemical analyses, and produce various element plots, December/January
- U-Pb (TIMS) and LA-ICPMS dating and Sm-Nd isotope analysis in winter
- Schematic study of Ni-Cu-PGE metallogeny in the Lynn Lake greenstone belt
Completed outputs:
2021-2022
Yang, X.M. 2022: Bedrock geological mapping in the Fox mine-Snake Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba: preliminary results and geological implications; Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 14–15, 2022, poster presentation.
Yang, X.M. 2022: Bedrock geology of the Fox mine–Snake Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (part of NTS64C12); Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2022-2, scale 1:10 000.
Yang, X.M. 2022: Preliminary results of bedrock geological mapping in the Fox mine−Snake Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (part of NTS 64C12); in Report of Activities 2022, Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 71–86.
2020-2021
Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development 2021: Lynn Lake bedrock compilation map database; Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, 9 maps at 1:50 000 scale.
Yang, X.M. 2021: Bedrock geology of the Ralph Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C14); Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2021-2, scale 1:10 000.
Yang, X.M. 2021: Bedrock mapping at Ralph Lake, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (part of NTS 64C14): preliminary results and geological implications; in Report of Activities 2021, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 40–58.
2019–2020
Lawley, C.J.M, Davis, W.J., Jackson, S.E., Petts, D.C., Yang, E., Zhang, S. Selby, D., O’Connor, A.R. and Schneider, D.A. 2019: Paleoproterozoic gold and its tectonic triggers and traps; in Targeted Geoscience Initiative: 2018 report of activities, N. Rogers (ed.), Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 8549, p. 71–75, URL <https://doi.org/10.4095/313641>.
Lawley, C.J.M., Yang, X.M., Selby, D., Davis, W., Zhang, S., Petts, D.C. and Jackson, S.E. 2020: Sedimentary basin controls on orogenic gold deposits: new constraints from U-Pb detrital zircon and Re-Os sulphide geochronology, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, Canada; Ore Geology Reviews, v. 126, art. 103790, URL <https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103790>.
Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade 2019: Lynn Lake bedrock compilation map database; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey [June 2020].
Note: This database has been superseded.
Yang, X M. 2019: Bedrock geology of the Gemmell Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C11, 14); Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2019-2, scale 1:20 000.
Yang, X.M. 2019: Preliminary results of bedrock mapping in the Gemmell Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C11, 14); in Report of Activities 2019, Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 10–29.
Yang, X.M. 2019: Results of bedrock mapping in the Gemmell Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (Parts of NTS 64C11, 14): implications for Au exploration; Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, Geoscientific Presentation PRES2019-9, Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–19, 2019, poster presentation.
2018–2019
Lawley, C.J.M., Schneider, D., Yang, E., Davis, W.J., Jackson, S.E., Yang, Z., Zhang, S. and Selby, D. 2018: Age relationships and preliminary U-Pb zircon geochronology results from the Lynn Lake greenstone belt; in Targeted Geoscience Initiative: 2017 report of activities, volume 1, N. Rogers (ed.), Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 8358, p. 133–137, URL <http://doi.org/10.4095/306459>.
Yang, X.M. and Lawley, C.J.M. 2018: Tectonic setting of the Gordon gold deposit, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C16): evidence from lithogeochemistry, Nd isotopes and U-Pb geochronology; in Report of Activities 2018, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 89–109.
2017–2018
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2017: Geological investigations of the Wasekwan Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C10, 15); in Report of Activities 2017, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 117–132.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2017: Bedrock geology of the Wasekwan Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C10, 15); Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2017-3, scale 1:20 000.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2017: Geology of the Wasekwan Lake area of the Lynn Lake Greenstone belt, Manitoba: implications for gold mineralization (abstract); Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2017, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 15–16, 2017, Program.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2017: Preliminary results of bedrock mapping in the Wasekwan Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2017, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 15–16, 2017, poster presentation.
2016–2017
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2016: Geological investigations in the Farley Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (part of NTS 64C16); in Report of Activities 2016, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 99–114.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2016: Bedrock geology of the Farley Lake area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (part of NTS 64C16); Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2016-5, scale 1:20 000.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2016: Preliminary results of bedrock mapping in the paleoproterozoic Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba: new insights into the banded iron formation-hosted Farley Lake gold deposit; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 16–18, 2016, program with abstracts, p. 44.
2015–2016
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2015: Bedrock geology of the Keewatin River area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C14, 15); Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2015-3, scale 1:20 000.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2015: Geological investigations of the Keewatin River area, Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 64C14, 15); in Report of Activities 2015, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 52–67.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2015: Granitoid rocks in the Lynn Lake region, northwestern Manitoba: preliminary results of reconnaissance mapping and sampling; in Report of Activities 2015, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 68–78.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2015: Petrogenetic types, tectonic settings, and mineral potential of granitoids in the Lynn Lake region, northwestern Manitoba: evidence from reconnaissance mapping, geological sampling and lithogeochemistry; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–20, 2015, poster presentation.
Yang, X.M. and Beaumont-Smith, C.J. 2015: Preliminary results of bedrock mapping in the Keewatin River area, the Lynn Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Manitoba; Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2015, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 18–20, 2015, oral presentation.
