Geoscience
Geological Survey Activity TrackerNorthern Superior Province
Geology and mineral potential of the Bigstone Lake greenstone belt
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Project Information
Principal investigators:
Marc Rinne
Partnered with:
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Location:
NTS 53E11, 12, 13, 14
Project Description
Main objectives:
This project aims to document the rocks of the Bigstone Lake greenstone belt of the western Superior province. Prior to 2016, the area had not been systematically mapped by the MGS since 1939 or 1986 (depending on the location). The belt contains several known occurrences of minor VMS mineralization, ultramafic units (as in those hosting the Nickel Island prospect of the Island Lake greenstone belt) and shear-hosted quartz-carbonate-gold vein occurrences.
Methodology:
Shoreline mapping was carried out at Bigstone Lake (2016, 2017) and Knight Lake (2017, 2019) at a scale of 1:20k, supplemented by geochemical analyses of key samples. Some inland traverses were undertaken in the vicinity of known gold occurrences and topographic lineaments, including in areas exposed by recent wildfires.
Benefits:
New geological mapping of the Bigstone Lake greenstone belt, informed by new datasets and modern geological understanding, led to improved recognition of the mineral resource potential in a remote but highly prospective region. The results of this project can help to inform frontier mineral exploration as well as land use decisions of the Wasagamack, St. Theresa Point, Garden Hill, and possibly Red Sucker Lake First Nations communities.
Plans for fiscal year 2020–2021:
- Open File release of Bigstone project data (geological summary, geochemistry, field data, updated 1:20k maps)
Completed outputs:
2019–2020
Rinne, M.L. 2019: Results of bedrock mapping at Knight Lake, east-central Manitoba (parts of NTS 53E11, 12, 13, 14); in Report of Activities 2019, Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 1–9.
Rinne, M.L. 2020: Whole-rock geochemistry compilation of the Bigstone Lake greenstone belt, east-central Manitoba (parts of NTS 53E11–14); Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development, Manitoba Geological Survey, Data Repository Item DRI2020008, Microsoft® Excel® file.
2018–2019
Rinne, M.L. 2018: Gold occurrences in the Bigstone Lake greenstone belt, Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention 2018, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 22, 2018, poster presentation.
2017–2018
Rinne, M.L. 2017: Preliminary results of bedrock mapping at Bigstone Lake and Knight Lake, northwestern Superior province, Manitoba (parts of NTS 53E11, 12, 13, 14); in Report of Activities 2017, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 19–29.
Rinne, M.L. 2017: Survey findings from the Diamond Queen gold occurrence, Bigstone Lake, 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
Rinne, M.L. 2016: Preliminary bedrock mapping results, Bigstone Lake, northwestern Superior province, Manitoba; Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention 2016, Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 16–18, 2016, oral presentation.
Rinne, M.L., Anderson, S.D. and Reid, K.D. 2016: Bedrock geology of Bigstone Lake, Manitoba (parts of NTS 53E12,13); Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, Preliminary Map PMAP2016-4, scale 1:20 000.
Rinne, M.L., Anderson, S.D. and Reid, K.D. 2016: Preliminary results of bedrock mapping at Bigstone Lake, northwestern Superior province, Manitoba (parts of NTS 53E12, 13); in Report of Activities 2016, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 51–62.
