Till Nunavut 1970

Till sampling survey, Kaminak Lake area, Nunavut, 1970-1975.  


Geological Survey of Canada, Terrain Sciences Division

Survey Description

More than 2000 samples were collected in the Kaminak Lake-area, Nunavut between 1970 and 1975. Data are published in GSC Open File 146 and new geochemical data (gold, platinum-group elements, trace elements) for these samples were published in GSC Open File 2132.

Data Description: Paper report; data files on diskette (OF 2132).

Quantities Analysed: <0.063 mm fraction by ICP-AES after nitric-aqua regia (3HCl:1HNO3) digestion for 21 elements;, by dry fusion fire assay for Au; by ICP-atomic fluorescence after HNO3 digestion for platinum group elements. <0.002 mm fraction by AAS after hot HNO3-HCl digestion for 14 elements. Non-ferromagnetic heavy mineral fraction (0.125-0.250 mm pulverized to 0.063 mm) for suite of elements (OF 2132).

Geochem Plots Available: Proportional symbol maps show dispersal of most elements (OF 2132).



Publication History

Ridler, R.H., Shilts, W.W. (1973). Exploration for Archean polymetallic sulfide deposits in permafrost terrains: an integrated geological/geochemical technique; Kaminak lake area, District of Keewatin. Geological Survey of Canada Open File 146, 45 pages.

Shilts, W.W., Wyatt, P.H. (1989). Gold and base metal exploration using drift as a sample medium, Kaminak Lake-Turquetil Lake Area, District of Keewatin. Geological Survey of Canada Open File 2132, 168 pages.


Project History

1970-1976 Keewatin drift sampling project, 1970-1976
  During the early seventies, the Geological Survey of Canada undertook a major study of surficial deposits in the District of Keewatin (now Nunavut) to examine the geochemical properties of till within perennially frozen, glaciated terrain and to establish a Quaternary geological basis for mineral exploration by drift prospecting. Initially the project focused on the Kaminak Lake area (1970-1975), but was later expanded to include much of the eastern District of Keewatin from latitude 60o (Manitoba border) to north of Baker Lake (1975-1976) (latitude 66o). The Kaminak Lake data are published in GSC Open File 146. The Baker Lake data are published in GSC Open File 1335 and GSC Bulletin 485.

1988-1989 Kaminak Lake, Nunavut reanalysis project, 1988.
  Till geochemistry analyses of the early seventies focused primarily on uranium and several base metals. New multi-element techniques and renewed interest in the Rankin Inlet-Ennadai Belt warranted reanalysis of the till samples collected in the Kaminak Lake area (1970-1975) for gold, platinum-group elements and trace elements. In addition, 200 new samples were collected during 1988 in the Turquetil Lake area, Nunavut, a region of known gold showings. Data for these new samples and the reanalyses are published in GSC Open File 2132.



Minimum Latitude Maximum Latitude Minimum Longitude Maximum Longitude

61.17º

62.5º -97.7º -94.25º