Geoscience
Preliminary Exploration Database for Platinum Group Elements (PGE) in Manitoba
PGE Report Home
Introduction
Release Information
Viewing the Report
PGE Index Map
Analytical Data
Data Sources
Black Shales
References
Metal Prices
Rock Samples
Treatment of the Data
Acknowledgments
Analytical Data
All the newly acquired analytical data (indicated by ‘this study’ in the source column) were obtained from Activation Laboratories Ltd., Ancaster, Ontario. Major-element data were determined by ICP-OES. Trace-element analyses were acquired by fusion ICP-MS. The elements Au, Pt and Pd were determined by PbS fire assay with an ICP-OES finish. Complete PGE analyses (Table 3) were performed by NiS fire assay with both INAA and ICP-MS finishes (Activation Laboratories Ltd.).
Other laboratories that contributed data to this report include:
- The Geoscience Laboratories, Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Sudbury, Ontario (trace-element analyses by ICP-MS) and
- The Central Analytical Facility, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario (major- and trace-element analyses by XRF).
- A few of the Au-Pt-Pd analyses were performed by XRAL Laboratories (Don Mills, Ontario), also using a PbS fire assay and ICP-OES finish.
- The previously published black-shale analyses were undertaken by ALS Chemex Ltd. (Vancouver, British Columbia) for Open File OF98-2 (Fedikow et al., 1995).
- The Au-Pt-Pd analyses for the black shale samples were completed by Activation Laboratories Ltd. Complete records of lab precision and accuracy associated with the newly acquired analytical data will be included in the final report.
Average precision values, reported here as the relative standard deviation from the arithmetic mean, are as follows (Activation Laboratories data only):
- Major elements (Actlabs package 4Litho): +/- 0.6% to +/- 4.7% (not including K and P, which are below or near the detection limit for the standards used to monitor precision);
- Base metals and transition metals and S (Actlabs package 1F): +/- 3.7% to +/- 9.2%;
- Rare-earth elements (Actlabs package 4Litho "standard"): +/- 4.2% to 5.9% (+/- 7.8% for Ce);
- Pd, Pt and Au by PbS fire assay (Actlabs package 1C "Research"): +/- 9.9% for Pt, +/- 10.9% for Pd, +/- 26.4% for Au;
- Semi-metals by ICP-MS (Actlabs package 1l): +/- 22.5 (average for Ge, Se, Bi and Te);
- Total PGE using NiS fire assay (Table 3 data; Actlabs package 1B "combo"): +/- 10% for all PGE and Re, and +/- 15% for Au (< +/- 3% for Pd and Pt). Based on replicate analyses of International PGE Standard SARM-7, the accuracy for the PGE-rich samples in Table 1 is estimated to be < +/- 10% for both Pt and Pd (Actlabs package 1C).
The newly acquired data include approximately 400 samples selected from:
- Manitoba Geological Survey archives,
- an existing sample collection from selected Flin Flon Belt intrusions (J. Young and L. Ayers, University of Manitoba), and
- a sample collection for the Falcon Lake igneous complex (Tirschmann, 1992).
In selecting archival samples for PGE +/- major- and trace-element analysis, we attempted to provide information on background PGE abundances for as many of the intrusions in our database as possible. The samples, for the most part, did not contain visible sulphide minerals and are therefore intended to establish whether the host intrusion has low, moderate or high background values. For several intrusions, we have provided data for samples collected across one or more lithostratigraphic sections.
In the final version of this report, we intend to provide detailed sample-location data that can be used to plot the results against stratigraphic elevation, allowing the user to develop their own chemostratigraphic profiles for these intrusions. Detailed geological maps and type stratigraphic sections (unpublished) for selected intrusions will also be included in the final report. In addition to providing the first comprehensive PGE database for Manitoba (Tables 1, 3 and 4), this report also provides the first regional whole-rock lithogeochemical database (Table 2) for mafic and ultramafic intrusions in the Province. It is hoped that explorationists and academic researchers alike will find a wide range of applications for this new data.
Most of the pre-existing data contained in Tables 1 to 3 (indicated by the reference(s) given in the source column in the tables) is derived from unpublished studies of the metallogeny and petrogenesis of mafic and ultramafic intrusions in the Bird River Belt and the northwestern Superior Province undertaken by the Manitoba Geological Survey and researchers at the University of Manitoba.
With the following exceptions, all data presented herein are the property of the Manitoba Geological Survey, to the extent that sampling was completed by survey staff and the analyses were paid for by the survey. Exceptions include Au-Pt-Pd analyses for the Mayville intrusion, Bird River Belt (provided here with the permission of Exploratus Limited, Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Au-Pt-Pd analyses for the Cuthbert Lake dyke (1999 sampling only; provided here with the permission of E. Chaboyer, Thompson, Manitoba).
The geochemical data in Tables 1 and 2 are linked to the main project database by the location name (unique value) and the analyses numbers (see fields labelled ‘PGE Analyses Numbers’ and ‘Whole-rock Analyses Numbers,’ respectively). For example, analysis number 4 in Table 1 would be listed in the main project database under the ‘PGE Analyses Numbers’ field as ‘1.0001’ (5 digit reference number), whereas the same analysis number in Table 2 would be listed under the ‘Whole-rock Analyses Numbers’ field as ‘2.001’ (4 digit reference number).
The geochemical data contained in Tables 1 and 2 can be cross-referenced using the sample number as a unique identifier. For the most part, major- and trace-element data have been provided for the same samples that were analyzed for PGE. The data in Table 3 are not directly linked to the report, but can be indirectly linked using the ‘Name of Intrusion’ information. Data in Table 4 are linked to Figure 2 and the ‘Black Shales’ section of this file by the sample number.
