January
2004
Issue 80
Volcanic Reconstruction of the Archean North
Rhyolite, Kidd Creek Mine, Timmins, Ontario, Canada
Michelle DeWolfe
Harold L. Gibson
Mineral Exploration Research Centre
Laurentian University Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario,
P3E 6B5,
Email: ladyofthelava@hotmail.com
David Richardson
Falconbridge Limited
Kidd Mining Division, PO Box 2002, Hwy 655, Timmins,
Ontario, P4N 7K1
John Ayer
Ontario Geological Survey
Willet Green Miller Centre, Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury,
Ontario, P3E 6B5
Fig. 1. General geology map showing the Abitibi greenstone belt and
Introduction the location of the Kidd Creek mine approximately 24 km north of
A succession of volcanic rocks collectively known as the Timmins (modified from Bleeker and Hester, 1999).
North Rhyolite (NR) is located directly northeast of the giant
Kidd Creek Cu-Zn-Ag volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) thermal alteration away from the deposit. Understanding the
deposit, within the Abitibi greenstone belt of the Superior prov- large-scale volcanic environment, which hosts the NR and the
ince (Figs. 1 and 2). The NR has been interpreted as a lateral Kidd Creek orebodies, will allow a better comparison between
extension of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy (Hannington et the environment in which the Kidd Creek deposit formed and the
al., 1999a). However, detailed work on the stratigraphy and environment of formation for other VMS deposits. This may
structure of the NR, and its relationship to the mine stratigraphy, also help to create a better understanding of the environments
is not available in existing literature. and processes that favor the generation of giant VMS deposits. It
The objectives of this study are to 1) establish the structural is also anticipated that an understanding of the volcanic environ-
and stratigraphic relationship between the NR and the Kidd ment, and knowledge of the distribution of volcanic rocks and
Creek mine rhyolite, and 2) reconstruct the volcanic environ- hydrothermal alteration, will aid in the exploration for new VMS
ment of the NR, post-rhyolite volcanism to better constrain the deposits in the Kidd Creek area.
volcanic setting and environment of the Kidd Creek massive
sulfide deposit. Geological Setting and Stratigraphy of the North Rhyolite
In this study, a The NR has been interpreted to represent a lateral extension
Inside this issue: reconstruction of of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy. A U-Pb zircon age of
the NR is used, 2716.0 ± 0.5 Ma for the massive aphyric rhyolite of the NR,
Letter from the Editor 3 for the first time, similar to the U-Pb zircon age of 2716.0± 0.6 Ma for the massive
to constrain the aphyric rhyolite of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy supports
Timmins Field Conference 10 large-scale vol- this interpretation (Bleeker et al., 1999). Bleeker (1999) pro-
Book Review 12 canic environment, posed that faults that slice through the Kidd Creek mine fold,
which hosts the and display a net sinistral movement, have displaced the north-
CIM AGM Edmonton 16 Kidd Creek de- ern limb of the Kidd Creek mine fold up to 2 km to the north-
Calendar of Events 18 posit and to assess (Continued on page 4)
the scale of hydro-
2003-2004 MINERAL DEPOSITS DIVISION EXECUTIVE LIST
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MDD DIRECTORS Editor’s Message
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January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 3
(Continued from page 1) cal, are interpreted to be time-stratigraphic equivalents, and are
therefore able to be correlated.
Discussion and Summary
Volcanic reconstruction of the NR has allowed a larger-scale
examination of the Kidd Creek volcanic and ore-forming envi-
ronment. Aphyric and QP rhyolite domes of the NR have the
same orientation as the aphyric and QP rhyolite domes at the
Kidd Creek mine (Figs. 4 and 5), and the Kidd Creek orebodies
are elongate parallel to the underlying aphyric rhyolite dome
that extends the entire length of the deposit (Prior, 1996). This
implies a strong structural control on the emplacement of the
rhyolite domes, and therefore mineralization, hence there is a
spatial correlation between the rhyolite domes and VMS ore-
bodies, and they have the same orientation. Thus, the volcanic
environment in which the Kidd Creek mine formed, including
synvolcanic structures through which the rhyolite domes were
emplaced, extended at least 7 km to the north and 3 km to the
west of the Kidd Creek deposit.
Silica, sericite, and chlorite alteration occur in the aphyric
rhyolite at the Kidd Creek mine and throughout the NR. Altera-
tion is most intense proximal to rhyolite domes of the NR indi-
cating that, like at the Kidd Creek mine, the same volcanic
structures responsible for the extrusion of the rhyolite also fo-
cused ascending hydrothermal fluids responsible for alteration
and the formation of the orebodies (Figs. 6 and 7). As at the
Kidd Creek mine, the QP rhyolite of the NR shows minor seric-
Fig. 2. Geological map of the Kidd Creek area showing the NR in ite and chlorite alteration proving that the hydrothermal system
relation to the Kidd deposit (after Bleeker, 1999). The dashed white was strong and still active during the extrusion of the QP rhyo-
line represents the continuation of the Kidd Creek mine fold anticlinal lite, kilometres away from the Kidd Creek deposit. Thus, the
axis as defined during this study through drill hole data and projected Kidd Creek deposit is part of a much larger hydrothermal sys-
to surface from 3200 foot level. tem of unknown extent.
Bleeker (1999) proposed that subsidence occurred along a
west. This implies that the NR connects the Kidd Creek deposit
on the south side of the Kidd Creek mine fold to the equivalent
strata on the north limb of the NR fold, but has been displaced
through faulting.
Detailed underground mapping and re-logging of 30 drill
holes and an evaluation of previous drilling totaling 50 holes,
indicate that the NR succession is a continuation of the Kidd
Creek mine stratigraphy. From oldest to youngest, both the NR
and the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy include the following
units: ultramafic flows with interflow rhyolite, massive aphyric
rhyolite, brecciated aphyric rhyolite, aphyric rhyolitic volcani-
clastics, massive quartz porphyritic (QP) rhyolite, brecciated
QP rhyolite, and basaltic flows. Descriptions of the NR units
are similar to those of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy (see
DeWolfe, 2004, Bleeker et al., 1999, and Prior et al., 1999a for
detailed descriptions) and the order of units and their contact
relationships are identical. The QP rhyolite and the aphyric
rhyolite are compositionally identical to the QP rhyolite and
aphyric rhyolite of the mine stratigraphy and the basalts of the
NR can also be divided on the basis of TiO2 into high and low Fig. 3. Generalized stratigraphy of (a) Kidd Creek mine (Prior et al.,
TiO2 units as has been done at the Kidd Creek mine (Bleeker, 1999) and (b) North Rhyolite showing the U-Pb zircon ages of differ-
1994, 1999; Prior et al., 1999a, b). Thus, as illustrated in Figure ent units (Bleeker et al., 1999) and the subdivision of basaltic flows
3, the stratigraphy of the NR and Kidd Creek mine are identi- according to Bleeker (1999) and Wyman et al. (1999).
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 4
Fig. 4. Isopach map showing the distribution of massive and brecci- Fig. 6. Isopach maps showing the distribution of massive and brecci-
ated facies of the aphyric rhyolite unit. C.I.=contour interval; ated facies of the aphyric rhyolite unit with sericite alteration super-
DDH=diamond drill hole. Elevations with respect to surface. imposed. C.I.=contour interval; DDH=diamond drill hole. Elevations
synvolcanic extensional fault on the northern margin of the lowermost low TiO2 basalt flows. The continuation of the NR-
North orebody and that this fault now corresponds with the fold Kidd Creek aphyric and QP rhyolites across the NR fold axis,
axis of the NR anticline. The linear zone is identified by and the lack of any substantial changes in thickness or facies of
Bleeker (1999) as a point of 1) a dramatic thickness change in aphyric and QP rhyolite in the vicinity of this fold axis suggests
rhyolite and epiclastic rocks that underlie and host the orebod- that a large restrictive structure, such as a caldera or graben
ies, 2) rapid facies changes, 3) the margin of the > 2100 m wall, does not exist in this locality. Although there are only 7
principal chalcopyrite stringer zone, and 4) a well-defined edge drill holes that penetrate the entire lower low TiO2 basaltic
to massive sulfide mineralization (Bleeker, 1999). Massive sul- flows of the NR, all data indicate that there is no major break in
fide lenses are stacked away from this zone and all of these the basaltic flows that would indicate a major caldera or graben
features suggest a paleoslope that was dipping away from a wall, suggesting the NR formed in the same subsidence struc-
synvolcanic fault or caldera wall (Bleeker, 1999). ture as the Kidd Creek mine. It is more likely, based on the dis-
A significant caldera or graben structure would not only re- tribution and extent of the rhyolite as determined in this study,
strict the distribution of the underlying rhyolite, as Bleeker that the Kidd Creek -NR complex occurs within a much larger
(1999) has suggested, but also the basaltic flows, especially the subsidence structure than suggested by Bleeker (1999) and
Hannington et al. (1999b), and that a significant caldera or gra-
Fig. 5. Isopach maps showing the distribution of massive and brecci- Fig. 7. Isopach maps showing the distribution of massive and brecci-
ated facies of the quartz porphyritic rhyolite unit. C.I.=contour inter- ated facies of the aphyric rhyolite unit with chlorite alteration superim-
val; DDH=diamond drill hole. Elevations with respect to surface. posed; C.I.=contour interval. DDH=diamond drill hole. Elevations
with respect to surface. (Continued on page 6)
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 5
(Continued from page 5)
TABLE 1. Estimated minimum high-silica rhyolite volumes for modern extensional environments similar to those interpreted
for the Kidd Creek area. References: 1= Bonnichsen and Kauffman, 1987; 2= Gunnarsson et al., 1998; 3= Bailey et al., 1983; 4=
Binns and Scott, 1993; 5= Jonasson, 1994; 6= Huemann et al., 2002
Location SiO2 (wt %) Thickness (m) Volume (km3) Reference
Bruneau-Jarbridge Eruptive Center Idaho, USA 70.1-73.9 100-200 10-200 1
Torfajokull central volcano, south-central Ice- 67.0-74.0 20-35 225 2
land
Mono Craters, Long Valley, California, USA 75.0-76.0 ~400 75.0 50 6
ben wall does not occur along what is now the NR fold axis. The NR contains a large volume of rhyolite, geochemically
The volumes of massive aphyric rhyolite and massive QP and petrographically identical to that of the Kidd Creek mine
rhyolite in the NR stratigraphy are comparable to other mineral- rhyolite, with the same alteration types that are found in the
ized and unmineralized felsic volcanic complexes. For example Kidd Creek mine rhyolite. This combined with copper values
Table 1 contains estimated minimum volumes for high silica between 0.30 and 0.60 percent, and zinc values between 0.60
rhyolite domes of Bruneau-Jarbridge Eruptive Center Idaho, and 6.01 percent in the NR indicates the potential for signifi-
USA; Torfajokull central volcano, south-central Iceland; Kra- cant mineralization within rhyolite domes on the northern limb
fla, Iceland; and Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. In all cases, of the NR anticline that have not been well defined and warrant
these high silica rhyolites are interpreted to have formed in a further exploration.
rift environment similar to that in which the NR-Kidd Creek The NR and Kidd Creek deposit are interpreted to occur
stratigraphy is interpreted to have formed. Volumes of rhyolite within a larger subsidence structure or caldera, on the order of
range from <1 km3 to 225 km3 and seem large when compared 10’s of kilometres in diameter and whose limits are unknown.
to the 0.28 km3 of aphyric and QP rhyolite of the NR and Kidd Because of similarities in age, geochemistry, alteration, and
Creek mine. The relatively small volume of the QP and aphyric type of mineralization, the Chance rhyolite is interpreted to be
rhyolite, coupled with the fact that the extent of the NR and part of the NR and Kidd Creek mine rhyolite field. This inter-
Kidd Creek rhyolites is unknown, implies that the rhyolite of pretation implies that the Kidd Creek mine rhyolite is part of a
the NR and Kidd Creek mine may only be a portion of a larger much larger rhyolite field and hydrothermal system than was
high silica rhyolite field comparable in volume to those men- previously thought, and is comparable in volume to the high
tioned in Table 1. If the Chance rhyolite (Fig. 2), which is lo- silica rhyolites of the Bruneau-Jarbridge eruptive center, Torfa-
cated 2 km northwest of the Kidd Creek mine and is identical in jokull, Long Valley Caldera, and Manus Basin.
age and geochemistry to the aphyric NR and Kidd Creek mine
rhyolites, is included, the minimum total volume of rhyolite Acknowledgements
would be approximately 2 km3. The Chance rhyolite is at least This work was supported by Falconbridge Limited, Kidd
5 km from the NR as measured around the folds, increasing the Creek Division, a NSERC post-graduate scholarship, and the
size of the rhyolite field towards the northwest from 3 km (from Ontario Geological Survey. This article stems from a Master’s
the Kidd Creek mine to the NR) to at least 8 km. of Science thesis by M. DeWolfe.
Conclusions References
The NR occupies a F1 anticline and is the folded continuation Bailey, R.A., MacDonald, R.A., & Thomas, J.E., 1983. The
of the Kidd Creek mine stratigraphy. The basaltic flows of the Inyo-Mono Craters: Products of an actively differentiating
NR are divisible into low TiO2 and high TiO2 units comparable rhyolite magma chamber, eastern California. EOS Transac-
to the subdivision used by Bleeker (1994) and confirmed by tions, v. 64, p. 336.
Wyman et al. (1999), and the QP and aphyric rhyolite of the Barrie, T.C., 1999. Komatiite flows of the Kidd Creek footwall
NR can be separated using Al2O3 and TiO2 ratios in the same Abitibi subprovince, Canada. Economic Geology Mono-
way that Prior et al. (1999a, b) separated the Kidd Creek mine graph 10, p. 143-162.
rhyolites. Coarse-grained ultramafic rocks and fine-grained Binns, R.A. & Scott, S. D., 1993. Actively forming polymetal-
komatiitic flows of the NR are comparable petrographically and lic sulfide deposits associated with felsic volcanic rocks in
in major-element geochemistry, specifically MgO, to those de- the eastern Manus back-arc basin, Papua New Guinea. Eco-
scribed by Barrie (1999) in the footwall to the Kidd Creek de- nomic Geology, v. 88, p. 2226-2236.
posit. Bleeker, W., 1994. The giant Kidd Creek massive sulfide de-
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 6
posit: A new perspective: Timmins, Ontario. Falconbridge Creek Deposit: Part I. North, Central, and South Orebodies.
Ltd., unpublished company report, 88 p. Economic Geology Monograph 10, p. 163-224.
Bleeker, W., 1999. Structure, Stratigraphy, and Primary Setting Huemann, A., Davies, G., & Elliott, T., 2002. Crystallization
of the Kidd Creek Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit: A history of rhyolites at Long Valley, California, inferred from
Semiquantitative Reconstruction. Economic Geology Mono- combined U-series and Rb-Sr isotope systematics. Geo-
graph 10, p. 71-121. chemica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 66, p. 1821-1837.
Bleeker, W. & Hester, B., 1999. Discovery of the Kidd Creek Jonasson, K., 1994. Rhyolite volcanism in the Krafla central
massive sulfide orebody; a historical perspective: Economic volcano, north-east Iceland. Bulletin of Volcanology, v. 56,
Geology Monograph 10, p. 31-41. p. 516-528.
Bleeker, W., Parrish, R.R, & Sager-Kinsman, A., 1999. High- Prior, G.J., 1996. Volcanology and geochemistry of Archean
precision U-Pb geochronology of the late Archean Kidd rhyolites and related volcaniclastic rocks associated with the
Creek deposit and Kidd Volcanic Complex. Economic Geol- Kidd Creek volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Abitibi
ogy Monograph 10, p. 43-70. greenstone belt, Superior province, Canada. Unpublished
Bonnichsen, B. & Kauffman, D.F., 1987. Physical features of Ph.D. thesis, Ottawa, Canada, Carleton University, 302 p.
rhyolite lava flows in the Snake River Plain volcanic prov- Prior, G.J., Gibson, H.L., Watkinson, D.H., & Cook, R.,
ince, southwestern Idaho, in Fink, J.H., ed., The emplace- 1999a. Anatomy, lithogeochemistry and emplacement
ment of silicic domes and lava flows, Geological Society of mechanisms for the QP rhyolite, Kidd Creek Mine, Timmins,
America Special Paper 212, p. 119-145. Ontario. Economic Geology Monograph 10, p. 123-142.
DeWolfe, M., 2004. Volcanic Reconstruction of the Archean Prior, G.J., Gibson, H.L., Watkinson, D.H., Cook, R., & Han-
North Rhyolite, Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Unpublished nington, M., 1999b. Rare earth and high field strength ele-
M.Sc. thesis, Sudbury, Canada, Laurentian University, 149 p. ment geochemistry of the Kidd Creek rhyolites, Abitibi
Gunnarsson, B., Marsh, B.D., & Taylor, H.P. Jr., 1998. Gen- greenstone belt, Canada: Evidence for Archean felsic volcan-
eration of Icelandic rhyolites: silicic lavas from the Torfajo- ism and massive sulfide ore formation in an Iceland-style rift
kull central volcano. Journal of Volcanology and Geother- environment. Economic Geology Monograph 10, p. 471-
mal Research, v. 83, p. 1-45. 498.
Hannington, M.D., Barrie, C.T., & Bleeker, W., 1999a. The Wyman, D., Bleeker, W., & Kerrich, R., 1999. A 2.7 Ga ko-
Giant Kidd Creek Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, matiite, low Ti tholeiite, arc tholeiite transition, and inferred
Western Abitibi Subprovince, Canada: Preface and Introduc- proto-arc geodynamic setting of the Kidd Creek deposit: Evi-
tion. Economic Geology Monograph 10, p. 1-28. dence from precise trace element data. Economic Geology
Hannington, M.D., Bleeker, W., & Kjarsgaard, I., 1999b. Sul- Monograph 10, p. 525-542.
fide Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Ore Genesis of the Kidd
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 7
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 8
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 9
CIM Field Trip Conference - Timmins 2003
The 2003 CIM Geological Society Field Trip conference held in Timmins enti-
tled; “Ore Deposits at Depth – Challenges and Opportunities” was a resound-
ing success. The Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association (PPDA),
acting on behalf of the CIM Geological Society, pulled the meeting together
with a dedicated army of volunteers (LOC) (see photo). The meeting was
chaired by Damien Duff (Falconbridge), soon to be the CIM Geological Soci-
ety President (2005-2006), together with Reno Pressaco of the PPDA. The
two-day conference, held at the McIntyre Community Centre was book ended
by field trips to the Kidd Creek Zn-Cu deposit north of Timmins, the LaRonde
Au-Zn-Cu deposit located east of Rouyn-Noranda, and the Craig Ni-Cu mine,
located on the North Range of the Sudbury Basin. Kidd Creek and LaRonde Organizing committee: Back Row L to R: Brian
will soon be some of the deepest mines in the world and are presently facing Atkinson (Field Trips); Peter Harvey (Trade
the challenges of making that happen. Because the conference theme was fo- Show); Frank Santaguida (Technical Sessions);
Bill McRae (Accommodations); WayneReid (Social
cused on deep mining, there was a lot of interest in the geotechnical and eco-
Activities); Andrew Tims (Sponsorships); Ken
nomic issues related to exploration and mining below 2000 metre depth. The Tylee (Advertising); Bob Calhoun (Venue and fa-
trips were well attended and addressed everything from deposit genesis cilities) Front Row L to R: Patti Nakai-Lajoie
through to very pragmatic issues related to exploration techniques, geotechni- (Registration); Damien Duff (Chairman); Reno
cal assessment, resource and reserve estimation, and safety issues. Pressaco (Co-Chairman); Dean Rogers (budget).
There were numerous posters and an amazing Trade Show related to the confer-
ence theme. Pre-meeting remarks were given by the Mayor of Timmins (Jamie
Lim), the CIM Geological Society President (David Lentz), and the General
Chairperson (Damien Duff). Technical talks were presented by industry repre-
sentatives, the Ontario Geological Survey, and the Geological Survey of Canada
and covered a similar wide array of topics that the trips themselves covered.
Many thanks to all the presenters of those excellent presentations. Keynote talks
by Dr. Benoit Dube (GSC) et al. “The LaRonde deposit and its implications for
exploration”, Dr. Peter Lightfoot (INCO) “Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide ore formation
in Sudbury”, and Dr. Harold Gibson et al. (Laurentian University) “The Kidd
Creek Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposit; A Growing Giant” helped kick
off the various sessions, which included about 30 presentations.
Benoit Dubé (GSC-CGQ) and Patrick M. Lange-
The meeting was kicked off with a BBQ, which dispersed later to the many
vin (INRS) present the surface geology of the Au-
Zn-Cu VMS LaRonde Mine entertainment establishments in Timmins. The CIM-PPDA evening dinner was
entertained by members of the famous Timmins’ Symphony Orchestra, fol-
lowed by a Guest Speaker-Warren Holmes (President & CEO, Nuinsco Resources Limited)- who happens to be a native of the
region and is presently the CIM National Vice-President. His address, entitled,
“ Mining at Depth - Facing the Challenge - Seizing the Opportunity”, revealed
the true breadth and depth of this kind man’s experience. Far wonder the din-
ner was overbooked, with in excess of 200 people! The luncheon was ad-
dressed by Dan Gignac (Kidd Creek Mine General Manager) with his address
entitled “Underground Mining in Ontario - Challenges for the Future”. Again a
sell out crowd attended. Like most CIM meetings, no detail was overlooked,
and was definitely excellent value for the money. Considerable thanks is di-
rected toward the many sponsors, including the CIM Geological Society,
PPDA, FedNor Canada, the government of Ontario, the Timmins Economic
Development Corporation, Noranda/Falconbridge Limited, Agnico Eagle
Mines Limited, INCO Limited, Wallbridge Mining Company Limited, Barrick
Gold Corporation, Porcupine Joint Venture, Mustang Minerals Corp., Gold-
Corp Inc., JS Redpath Limited, Forage Garant & Frere Inc., All-Terrain Track Guy Gosselin (LaRonde Mine, AgnicoEagle)
Sales & Services Limited, National Car and Truck Rental, and The Timmins describes the geology of the 2150 m level of the
Tea Company Limited. LaRonde Au-Zn-Cu VMS mine
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 10
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 11
Book Review
Environmental Aspects of Mine Wastes
Edited by:
J.L. Jambor, D.W. Blowes and A.I.M. Ritchie
Mineralogical Association of Canada, Short Course Series, Volume 31
Reviewed by:
Dr. Tom Al
Department of Geology, University of New Brunswick,
P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, email: tal@unb.ca
This volume documents progress in research that has been achieved in the past nine years since the first MAC Short
Course on this subject, Environmental Geochemistry of Sulfide Mine-Wastes, was held in 1994. The secure disposal of
reactive, sulfide-rich mine-waste materials at mines that are currently in operation continues to present challenges to
mine operators and regulatory agencies. Currently, the restoration of older mine-waste sites where there was no previ-
ous planning to mitigate the effects of weathering reactions within the waste material is probably the most difficult
problem related to mine-waste disposal.
The MAC Short-Course Series Volume 31 includes papers that bring up to date most of the subject areas that were
covered in the previous short course (Volume 22), as well as papers that address several aspects of the science related to
mine-waste disposal that were not previously addressed. Papers in the former category include those on the subjects of
gas transport and sulfide oxidation (A.I.M. Ritchie), tailings hydrogeology and geochemistry (D.W. Blowes et al.), mi-
crobiology (W.D. Gould and A. Kapoor, and D.K. Nordstrom), mineralogy (J.L. Jambor) and various methods of mine-
waste remediation (K. Walton-Day; D.W. Blowes et al.; G.W. Wilson). These papers provide a current perspective on
important subjects that remain central to the study of sulfide-rich mine wastes.
The new volume has added subject areas that complement the content very well. There is a paper on geoenviron-
mental models for mineral deposits (R.R. Seal and J.M. Hammarstrom), which extends the longstanding practice by
economic geologists of classifying mineral deposits by geologic, geochemical and genetic features of the deposits, to
the classification of mineral deposits with respect to their environmental behavior. The idea is that a detailed under-
standing of the geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and engineering properties of the deposits, before and after mining,
will improve the ability to predict environmental behavior such as the quality of liquid effluent draining from the mine
waste. R.R. Seal contributes two papers to this volume. The second paper summarizes stable isotope sytematics for the
oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur and C-N in cyanide systems. The paper introduces the basics of isotope geochemistry and
then discusses the isotopic variations observed under conditions of sulfide oxidation, sulfate reduction, and various cya-
nide degradation processes.
Waste rock piles are a particularly difficult problem for hydrologists and geochemists who seek to understand the
water-rock interactions that occur in waste rock. The flow paths for water infiltrating the piles are poorly understood,
and this leads to great difficulty in quantitative interpretations of the geochemical processes that occur within the piles.
In a paper that addresses the hydrology and geochemistry of waste rock piles, L. Smith and R. Beckie have done a good
job in outlining the hydrologic issues, and they have presented a lot of useful information on the investigational meth-
ods that may be used to collect relevant data in waste rock systems.
There are two contributions that focus on methods of characterization of the secondary mineralogy in mine-waste
materials. Rietveld analysis, described by M. Raudsepp and E. Pani, is a quantitative powder x-ray diffraction crystal-
refinement and phase-analysis technique that is increasingly in use to investigate intimate mineral mixtures and the unit
cell properties. They provide sound practical advice on powder x-ray diffraction in general, as well as a useful set of
step-by step instructions for the novice. The second paper relating to mineralogical analysis is presented by C. Weisner
on the broad subject of spectroscopic techniques for characterization of mine waste. This is a topical paper in the con-
text of current low-temperature geochemical research and it gives a good introduction to a number of the available tech-
niques including x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), analytical transmission-electron microscopy (ATEM),
atomic-force and biological-force microscopy (AFM/BFM), time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-
SIMS) and various x-ray spectroscopy and diffraction methods (e.g., XANES, EXAFS).
The oxidation of sulfide minerals and generation of contaminated pore waters would receive less attention than is
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 12
the case if there was no danger of contaminated water escaping from the waste containment impoundments and impact-
ing the surrounding environment. In this context, the paper by Kimball et al. is an important contribution to the volume
because it documents some of the extensive work that these authors have done on the hydrological and geochemical
processes operating in stream systems that receive contaminated mine effluent. The paper discusses the use of field
experiments and reactive-transport modeling in stream systems as tools to evaluate remediation alternatives. Reactive-
transport modeling, the combination of hydrological flow and solute-transport simulation with simulations of geo-
chemical reactions, has been an area of strong research interest. The paper by Kimball et al. is a good lead in to a paper
by Mayer et al. that discusses the state-of-the-art in reactive-transport modeling in mine groundwater systems, including
a summary of existing models and case studies. The subject of reactive transport modeling from sulfide oxidation in
the unsaturated zone of mine waste, through transport of contaminants in the saturated zone and transport of contami-
nants released to stream systems in the surrounding environment, is well represented in these two papers.
The 1994 Short Course (Volume 22) and the newest edition (Volume 31) represent a comprehensive coverage of
research in the hydrological, geochemical, mineralogical and microbiological sciences as they relate to sulfide-rich
mine wastes. The newest volume covers some of the more recent developments in the field and representatives from
industry and the government regulatory communities, as well as academic researchers, will benefit from the broad cov-
erage that is contained in this single volume.
NOW AVAILABLE!!
Sediment-hosted Lead-Zinc Sulphide Deposits
Editors: M. Deb. And W.D. Goodfellow
1. Proterozoic stratiform sediment-hosted zinc-lead-silver deposits of Northern Australia
Ross Large, Peter McGoldrick, Stuart Bull, and David Cooke
2. Geology, genesis and exploration of SEDEX deposits, with emphasis on the Selwyn Basin,
Canada
Wayne D. Goodfellow
3. Geology of the Belt-Purcell Basin and the Sullivan Deposit
John W. Lydon
4. Genetic models for Sullivan and other SEDEX deposits
John W. Lydon
5. Geoenvironmental models for massive sulphide deposits with an emphasis on sedimen-
tary-exhalative lead-zinc deposits
Robert R. Seal II
6. Precambrian terranes of Rajasthan, India and their linkages with plate tectonics-controlled
mineralization types and metallogeny
S. Sinha-Roy
7. Geochronological constraints in the Precambrian Geology of Rajasthan and their metallogenic implications
M. Deb and R.I. Thorpe
8. Grade and tonnage relationships in sediment-hosted lead-zinc sulphide deposits of Rajasthan, India
S.K. Haldar
9. Tectonostratigraphy of the lead-zinc-bearing metasedimentary rocks of the Rampura-Agucha Mine and its neighbourhood,
District Bhilwara, Rajasthan: Implications on Metallogeny
A.B. Roy, Sanjay Kumar, Vivek Laul and N.K. Chauhan
10. Rampura-Agucha, a remobilized SEDEX deposit, southeastern Rajasthan, India
Nalin Shah
11. Geology and genesis of the base metal sulphide deposits in the Dariba-Rajpura-Bethumni Belt, India, in the light of basin evo-
lution
M. Deb and T. Pal
12. Carbonate-hosted lead-zinc deposits of Zawar, Rajasthan, in the Context of the World scenario
S.C. Sarkar and S. Banerjee
13. Analysis of the sedimentary succession hosting the Paleoproterozoic Zawar zinc-lead sulphide ore deposit, Rajasthan, India
H.N. Bhattacharya
For more information, check out:
http://www.narosa.com/books_display.asp?catgcode=81-7319-520-X
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 13
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 14
Mineralogical Association of Canada
Association Minéralogique du Canada
P.O. Box 78087
Meriline Postal Outlet
1460 Merivale Road
Ottawa, ON Canada
K2E 1B1
Tel & Fax: (613) 226-4651
canmin.mac.ottawa@sympatico.ca
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 15
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 16
The Canadian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (CIM)
Annual General Meeting - MINING NORTH - What's Happening
Edmonton, Alberta (May 9th to 12th, 2004)
CIM Geological Society Program
www.cim.org
Developments in diamond exploration & research
This session highlights recent developments in the expanding field of diamond exploration, development, and re-
search. As production ramps up in Canada and we become a major player, so has exploration in this sector with sig-
nificant impacts to the economies of the north.
Intrusion related Cu-Mo-Au systems
Intrusion-related Cu-Mo-Au-W-bearing (porphyry) systems are key exploration targets, especially in South America.
The new models for gold associated with these environments has expanded exploration elsewhere into frontier re-
gions like Tibet and even the Appalachians for exocontact Carlin-like deposits.
Gold exploration developments in the North
This session will be examining ongoing gold exploration projects and the major mines in the North, including some
results from the EXTECH III research. The North has many opportunities, of which several key developments are
highlighted.
Proterozoic gold deposit systems
Gold deposits are hosted in various environments in the Proterozoic, including the Trans-Hudson Orogen of Mani-
toba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Nunavut. Proterozoic sequences elsewhere around the world are also known to
host significant gold deposits. This session explores the relationships they have to other geologic periods.
Exploration and Mining Geology
CIM’s quarterly journal
Issue numbers 3&4 for volume 10 (EMG) are now available; the
table of contents and abstracts for this volume can be viewed at the
EMG web site.
http://www.cim.org/geosoc/indexEmg.cfm
One Special Issue is NOW available free for downloading as a pdf file.
Subscriptions to volume 10 are available to members of MDD at a spe-
cial affiliated rate of $CDN 75/ $US 55.
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 17
MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, & FIELDTRIPS
2004
• April 12-22 - Modular Course in Exploration for Magmatic Ore Deposits,
Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Lauren-
tian University, Sudbury, Ontario; http://www.merc.laurentian.ca/
coursework_msc.htm; contact: DES@laurentian.ca
• April 15-17 - Advanced Research Workshop on Ni-Cu PGE Deposits, Min-
eral Exploration Research Centre and SEG Student Chapter, Department of
Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario; http://
www.merc.laurentian.ca/events.htm; contact: MERC@laurentian.ca
• May 9-12 - Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Annual Meeting
2004, Edmonton, Alberta; http://www.cim2004.ca/
• May 10-11 - Rare-Element Geochemistry and Ore Deposits Short Course,
GAC-MAC 2004, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario; http://
www.stcatharines2004.ca
• May 12-15 - GAC/MAC Annual Meeting, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario; http://www.stcatharines2004.ca
• May 17-21 - AGU-CGU Joint Assembly, Montreal, Quebec; http://www.agu.org/meetings
• June 5-11 - Goldschmidt 2004, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; http://www.goldschmidt2004.dk
• August 20-28 - IGC Italia 2004 - 32nd International Geological Congress, Florence, Italy; http://www.32igc.org/
home.htm
• August 22-25 - COM 2004 - The Conference for Metallurgists, Hamilton, Ontario; http://www.metsoc.org
• September 19-24 - International Congress on Applied Mineralogy (ICAM), Águas de Lindóia, Brazil; http://
www.icam2004.org
• September 20-30 - Modular Course in Mineral Exploration in Volcanic Terrains, Mineral Exploration Research
Centre, Department of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario; http://www.merc.laurentian.ca/
coursework_msc.htm; contact: DES@laurentian.ca
• September 27 - October 1 - SEG 2004 Conference, Perth, Australia; http://www.cgm.uwa.edu.au/geoconferences/
seg2004/
• October 18-21 - 2nd International Symposium on Narrow-Vein Deposits, CIM National Office and CANMET, Val
d’Or, Quebec; www.cim.org/mce/nvds2003/; contact: smajor@cim.org
• November 8-9 - New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Annual Review of Activities, Fredericton, New
Brunswick
• November 22-25 - Quebec Exploration 2004, Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Quebec; http://
www.quebecexploration.qc.ca
• December 6-16 - Modular Course in Exploration Geochemistry, Sudbury, Ontario; http://
earthsciences.laurentian.ca; contact: spiercey@laurentian.ca
2005
• January 24-27 - Mineral Exploration Roundup 2005, Vancouver, British Columbia; http://
www.chamberofmines.bc.ca
• March 6-9 - Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) International Convention Trade Show
and Investors Exchange, Toronto, Ontario; http://www.pdac.ca
• April 24-27 - Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Annual Meeting 2005, Toronto, Ontario
• May 15-18 - GAC/MAC Annual Meeting 2005, Halifax, Nova Scotia,
• August 20-23 - 8th Biennial SGA Meeting, Beijing, China; http://www.sga2005.com
• September 19-23 - 22nd International Geochemical Exploration Symposium 2005, Perth Australia; http://
www.aeg.org
January 2004 – Gangue No. 80 18