EXTECH IV ATHABASCA URANIUM DEPOSIT DATABASE
Geological Survey of Canada, Saskatchewan Industry and Resources, and Alberta Geological Survey


DEPNO COUNTRY LOCATION ALLNAMES COMMODITIES
40038 Canada (Nunavut) 64.26.43 N -- 097.37.55 W Kiggavik Centre Zone; Lone Gull Centre Zone U

Database name: Uranium Deposits, Athabasca Basin
Custodial agency: Geological Survey of Canada
Compilers: Sunil S. Gandhi
Release date: 2007-03-02
   
Deposit name(s): Kiggavik Centre Zone; Lone Gull Centre Zone
Political location(s): Canada; Province or state: Nunavut; Nearest community: Baker Lake settlement (79.25 km 280°)
NTS map data: 066A05 (Judge Sissons Lake)
Deposit clan (type): Unconformity-associated
Deposit (sub) types: Unconformity-associated - Proterozoic - fracture-bound; fracture-bound Proterozoic unconformity-related deposit in basement rocks uncovered by erosion of Thelon Formation and sub-Thelon regolith; graphite absent; clay alteration typical of the deposit type; Reference: Fuchs, H. D.; Hilger, W., 1989: Kiggavik (Lone Gull): An Unconformity Related Uranium Deposit in the Thelon Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada; In Uranium Resources and Geology of North America, Edited by Anonymous, TECDOC, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 500, 529 p., p. 429 - 454
Deposit status: advanced prospect; Size category: medium; Status comments: 0.56 Mt
Geologic province: Churchill - Rae Craton
Geologic subprovince: Amer Fold Belt
Geologic district: Eastern Thelon Basin
Deposit object located: drill hole
Commodities: U
Mineralization styles: foliation seams; vein(s); disseminated
Geological ages: Late Paleoproterozoic (host rocks)
Middle Mesoproterozoic (mineralization)
Tectonic setting: continental marginal deformation zone-fold belt; transpressive; Formal name: Amer Fold Belt (host rocks)
continental basin-paleoweathering; stable; Formal name: Thelon Paleosol (host rocks)
continental fault-controlled volcano-sedimentary basins-grabens; divergent; Formal name: Dubawnt Group (country rocks)
continental basin-intracratonic; stable; Formal name: Thelon Formation (country rocks)
Coincident features: fault(s) (located 500 m from the Main zone on continuation of the 065° fault zone, which dips 60-65° to the S); Coincident feature name: Kiggavik Fault
shear zone(s) (mineralization extends from intersection of the fault with the orthoquartzite dipping gently NW, and extends updip along sheared margins of the unit); Coincident feature name: Bedding parallel shears
unconformity (the Thelon Formation eroded in the deposit area; proximity to the unconformity indicated by effects of lateritic paleoweathering in its basement rocks); Coincident feature name: Sub-Thelon unconformity
Regional tectonic structure: linear feature (fault-controlled 20 km linear trend hosting 7 uranium deposits, striking NE and gently convex to the NW, between the Thelon and Sissons Lake faults) Tectonic structure name: Kiggavik Trend
fault (ENE-trending normal fault with downfaulted Thelon Formation on the north side against the basement on the southside; parallels the Sissons Lake fault ) Tectonic structure name: Thelon fault
fault (ENE-trending normal fault with downfaulted paleoweathered sub-Thelon Formation rocks on the north side against the basement on the north side; paralle) Tectonic structure name: Sissons Lake fault
Host rocks: (1) metamorphic; paragneiss (immature clastic sequence; dipping 10° to the NW); Depositional setting: shallow marine; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite - upper; Component: mineralization zone
External host rock forms:thin to thick bedded
Host rock protoliths:feldspathic wacke (probable equivalent of the Early Paleoproterozoic Lower Hurwitz Group to the south deposited on the Rae craton)
pelite
Internal host rock structures:foliation parallel to bedding
Individual lithologies:metagreywacke (host of the lower lens; contains quartz, feldspars, biotite, muscovite, minor garnet; chloritic in contrast with the sericitic host of the upper lens)
meta-arkose (host of the lower lens; contains quartz, feldspars, biotite, muscovite, minor garnet; chloritic in contrast with the sericitic host of the upper lens)
Host rock stratigraphy:Judge Sissons Lake Sequence

(2) metamorphic; metasedimentary schist (unit 40 m thick; dip 20° to NNW; sheared boundary with units above and below may indicate thrusting); Depositional setting: shallow marine; Metamorphic grade: greenschist - upper
External host rock forms:massive bed
Host rock protoliths:quartz arenite (supermature sandstone; possibly unconformable with the feldspathic wacke below; mineralization wraps around the unit where the 065° fault truncates it)
Internal host rock structures:medium grained, uniform
Individual lithologies:orthoquartzite (essentially monomineralic; unmineralized but its competent nature led to development of schistocity in the adjacent units that favoured mineralization)

(3) intrusive; granite suite (a vertical dyke 7 m thick, mineralized and altered at the deposit); Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed; Component: mineralization zone
External host rock forms:dyke
Internal host rock structures:porphyritic
Individual lithologies:granite (probably a younger phase of the fluorite granite pluton located at the Kiggavik Main zone or related to the syenitic dykes in the area)
quartz-feldspar porphyry

(4) intrusive; gabbro suite (a NNW-trending dyke in the altered zone east of the deposit); Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed; Component: wall rock
External host rock forms:dyke
Host rock protoliths:gabbroic magma (medium to coarse grained gabbro-quartz gabbro; chilled at dyke margins; unaltered or little altered); Host rock protolith name: Mackenzie Diabase Dyke
Internal host rock structures:medium to coarse grained
Individual lithologies:diabase (the post-ore dyke is little altered; it may have caused some redistribution of the uranium)
Country rocks: (1) paragneiss-orthogneiss; (older paragneisses; SW of the Kiggavik zones); Country rock name: Archean Basement Complex; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite
Country rock protoliths:platform-shelf sediments (highly deformed and metamorphosed Archean supracrustal sequence of the Rae craton, associated with mafic and felsic orthogneisses)
Individual lithologies:quartzofeldspathic and mafic gneiss (foliated and schistose biotite and/or hornblende bearing felsic gneisses, may include metavolanic rocks; in part migmatized)

(2) metasedimentary schist; (Paleoproterozoic sedimentary sequence; informal name); Country rock name: Judge Sissons Lake sequence; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite - lower
Country rock protoliths:feldspathic wackes, pelites (probably equivalent of the Lower Hurwitz Group to the south deposited on the Rae craton before intrusion of gabbro sills at 2110 Ma )
Individual lithologies:meta-arkose (mainly drab green sulphide-bearing biotite-muscovite feldspathic wackes; metapelites and metasemipelites with minor lean oxide facies iron formation)
feldspathic wacke
metapelite
metasemipelite

(3) orthoquartzite; (overlies the feldspathic wacke strata); Country rock name: Amer Group equivalent; Metamorphic grade: greenschist (upper) - amphibolite (lower)
Country rock protoliths:supermature sandstone (similar to the basal orthoquartzite of the late Paleoproterozoic Amer Group to the north and northeast; possible unconformity with feldspathic wackes )
Individual lithologies:orthoquartzite (a remnant of this extensive unit occurs in the deposit; other remnants occur in the region around the deposit; affected by sub-Thelon paleoweathering)

(4) unclassified granitoid rocks; (intrusions in the metasedimentary strata); Country rock name: Hudsonian Granites; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Country rock protoliths:granite-granodiorite (intrusive into the deformed and metamorphosed Paleoproterozoic strata of the Rae craton; probably equivalents of the 1.86-1.76 Ga Hudsonian granites)
Individual lithologies:granite (massive to gneissic; includes some diorite, syenite and porphyries of uncertain age)
granodiorite
monzonite

(5) redbeds; (alluvial-fluviatile); Country rock name: Dubawnt Group; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Individual lithologies:red sandstone (deposited 1.84-1.75 Ga; alluvial fan-braided stream sediments)
conglomerate (red, basal conglomerate)
arkose
siltstone

(6) bimodal volcanic rocks - mainly mafic; (subaerial); Country rock name: Dubawnt Group; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Individual lithologies:basalt (trachytic, potassic)
andesite (trachytic, potassic)
trachyte
rhyolite
dacite (minor)

(7) paleo-regolith; (lateritic weathering); Country rock name: Thelon Paleosol; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Country rock protoliths:gneisses, granites and supracrustal strata (profile up to 50 m thick; deeper along faults; weathering effects vary on different rock types); Country rock protolith name: sub-Thelon basement
Individual lithologies:laterite (hematization in the upper part of weathered zone; locally bleached; kaolinite is abundant in the zone and occurs as clay-clasts in the sandstone above)

(8) conglomerate-sandstone; (siliciclastic sediments; undeformed; present area 85000 sq km and thickness 1.3 km); Country rock name: Thelon Formation; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Country rock protoliths:conglomerate-pebbly sandstone-siltstone (basal conglomerate unit with pebbly sandstone and siltstone beds; succeeded by mature sandstone, quartz arenite and lithic subarenite-siltstone units); Country rock protolith name: Thelon Formation
Individual lithologies:conglomerate (basal unit with matrix of quartz, authigenic clay, diagenetic illite and fluorapatite; overall fining upward sequence; fluvial transport west to east)
sandstone
siltstone

(9) diabase dykes; (northwest-trending, vertical or very steep dykes); Country rock name: Mackenzie diabase dyke swarm; Metamorphic grade: unmetamorphosed
Individual lithologies:diabase (medium to coarse grained gabbro-quartz gabbro; chilled at dyke margins; unaltered or little altered)
Metallogenic signatures: U
Alteration signatures: illite alteration: illite; strong chalk white; density reduced to 2.3; What was altered: metagreywacke
sericitization: sericite; with illite; density reduced 2.7 to 2.3; What was altered: metagreywacke
chlorite alteration: chlorite; pale greenish colouration; What was altered: mafic silicates in host rocks
hematization: hematite, limonite (goethite); mark solution front; What was altered: mafic minerals in host rocks and Thelon paleosol
desilication: removal of silica by mineralizing solution; What was altered: metagreywacke
secondary uranium alteration: uranophane near surface; rare at depth; What was altered: pitchblende and coffinite
Mineralogy: (alteration): chlorite, illite, uranophane, hematite, limonite (goethite)
(veins and disseminations): pitchblende, coffinite, pyrite, marcasite
Deposit shape: two parallel lenses connected down dip; Component: mineralization
Deposit dimensions:length: 150 metre
width: 100 metre
thickness: 80 metre
Qualified comments: (Applies to: discovery and development) The Kiggavik deposit, formerly known as the Long Gull deposit, was discovered in 1974 by helicopter-borne radiometric survey of the eastern Thelon basin soon after early discoveries of the Unconformity-associated uranium deposits in geologically comparable Athabasca basin in Saskatchewan. The survey revealed a strong anomaly due to a number of highly radioactive frost boils in the overburden covered area. Drilling done in 1977 located the Kiggavik Main zone, and in the following year the Centre (this deposit) and East zones, located about 600 m and 1200 m to the ENE, respectively. A total of 25500 m in 199 holes were drilled to outline the deposit during this early stage. Further drill holes were added by 1989 to bring the spacing at 15 m along lines 30 m apart. Geological resource (drill-indicated) estimate for the Main zone as of 1989 is 2.425 Mt averaging 0.492 % U to a depth of less than 200 m and that for the Centre zone is 0.560 Mt averaging 0.661 % U. Their combined resources are 15632.6 t U in 2.985 Mt of ore averaging 0.5237 % U. A preliminary mining plan proposed in February 1988 recommended open pits on the Main and Centre zones with mine able reserves including external dilution estimated 37.2 million lbs of U3O8 at a diluted grade of 0.5 % U3O8 viz., 14307 t U in 0.424 % in 3.374 Mt of diluted ore. Proposed mill capacity was 1000 tonnes per day. Planned production was first from the higher grade Centre zone pit up to 100 m depth, which could later be used for tailings. The Main zone pit would be approximately 162 m deep. An airstrip for jets and a camp for 250 persons were visualized near the open pits. The mine life was projected at 10 years. No development work has been carried out on the deposits. Two other deposits were discovered within 20 km to the southwest, namely the End Grid and Andrew Lake in 1987 and 1988, respectively. Further drilling on them has outlined resources in each that are in the same order of magnitude as the Kiggavik resources.

(Applies to: mineralization) Most of the mineralization is in two lenses along sheared feldspathic quartzite above, and metagreywacke below the competent 20 m thick orthoquartzite; occurs mainly as disseminations along foliation.

(Applies to: diamond drill hole assays) Resource estimate of 1989 based on drill holes at 15 m interval on lines 30 m apart; : Drill indicated 560000 t averaging 0.661 % U occur at the Centre zone located about 500 m NE of the Main zone. The combined resources of the two Kiggavik zones total 2.985 Mt averaging 0.509 % U

(Applies to: location and access) The Centre zone located about 500 m NE of the Kiggavik Main zone. This overburden covered deposit extends to 100 m depth.
Links to other databases: GSC U-Th File (Prasad); Key value: 1604
NUMIN; Key value: 066ASW0016
Geophysical-chemical signature: Signature type: Geochemistry Soil / Till; Response type: positive (moderate)
Signature type: Ground Radiometrics; Response type: positive (moderate)
References:
Bundrock, G., 1981
From Armchair Geology to a Deposit in a New Uranium Province
In Uranium Exploration Case Histories: Proceedings of an Advisory Group Meeting, Vienna, 26-29 November 1979, Edited by Anonymous, Proceedings Series (STI/PUB), International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 584, 407 p., p. 243 - 277

Cecile, M. P., 1973
Lithofacies Analysis of the Proterozoic Thelon Formation, Northwest Territories (including Computer Analysis of
M. Sc. Thesis, M. Sc. Thesis (unpublished), Carleton University, Ottawa, 119 p..

Donaldson, J. A., 1969
Descriptive Notes (with Particular Reference to the Late Proterozoic Dubawnt Group) to Accompany a Geological Map of Central Thelon Plain, Districts of Keewatin and Mackenzie (65 M, N W1/2, 66 B, C, D, 75 P E1/2, 76 E1/2)
Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, Publication code 68-49

Fraser, J. A.; Donaldson, J. A.; Fahrig, W. A.; Tremblay, L. P., 1970
Helikian Basins and Geosynclines of the Northwestern Canadian Shield
In Symposium on the Basins and Geosynclines of the Canadian Shield, Edited by Baer, A. J., Paper, Geological Survey of Canada, 70-40, 265 p., p. 213 - 238

Fuchs, H.; Hilger, W.; Prosser, E., 1986
Geology and Exploration History of the Lone Gull Property
5, Section Other Helikian Unconformity-associated and Sedimentary-hosted Deposits, In Uranium Deposits of Canada, Edited by Evans, E. L., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 33, 323 p., p. 286 - 292

Fuchs, H. D.; Hilger, W., 1989
Kiggavik (Lone Gull): An Unconformity Related Uranium Deposit in the Thelon Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada
In Uranium Resources and Geology of North America, Edited by Anonymous, TECDOC, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 500, 529 p., p. 429 - 454

Gall, Q., 1994
The Proterozoic Thelon Paleosol, Northwest Territories, Canada
Precambrian Research, Volume 68, p. 115 - 137

Gandhi, S. S., 1989
Geology and Uranium Potential of the Thelon Basin and Adjacent Basement in Comparison with the Athabasca Basin Region
In Uranium Resources and Geology of North America, Edited by Anonymous, TECDOC, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 500, 529 p., p. 411 - 428

Gandhi, S. S., 1995
An Overview of the Exploration History and Genesis of Proterozoic Uranium Deposits in the Canadian Shield
Exploration and Research for Atomic Minerals, Department of Atomic Energy, India, Volume 8, p. 1 - 48

Goff, S. P. Editor(s)), 1994
Exploration Overview 1994
Annual Exploration Overview, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Yellowknife, Canada

Hasegawa, K.; Davidson, G. I.; Wallenberg, P.; Iida, Y., 1990
Geophysical Exploration for Unconformity-related Uranium Deposits in the Northeastern Part of Thelon Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada
Mining Geology, Volume 40, p. 83 - 95

Kyser, K.; Hiatt, E.; Renac, C.; Durocher, K.; Holk, G; Deckart, K., 2000
Diagenetic Fluids in Paleo- and Meso-Proterozoic Sedimentary Basins and Their Implications for Long Protracted Fluid Histories
10, In Fluids and Basin Evolution, Edited by Kyser, K., Short Course Series Volume, The Mineralogical Association of Canada, The Mineralogical Association of Canada, 28, 262 p., p. 225 - 262

LeCheminant, A. N.; Heaman, L. M., 1989
Mackenzie Igneous Events, Canada: Middle Proterozoic Hotspot Magmatism Associated with Ocean Opening
Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Volume 96, p. 38

Miller, A. R.; Blackwell, J. D.; Curtis, L.; Hilger, W.; McMillan, R. H.; Nutter, E., 1984
Geology and Discovery of Proterozoic Uranium Deposits, Central District of Keewatin, Northwest Territories, Canada
Section Unconformity-related Types, In Proterozoic Unconformity and Stratabound Uranium Deposits, Edited by Ferguson, J., TECDOC, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 315, 338 p., p. 285 - 312

Miller, A. R.; LeCheminant, A. N., 1985
Geology and Uranium Metallogeny of Proterozoic Supracrustal Successions, Central District of Keewatin, N.W. T. with Comparisons to Northern Saskatchewan
Chapter 3, Section Other Canadian Deposits, In Geology of Uranium Deposits, Edited by Sibbald, T. I. I.; Petruk, W., Special Volume, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 32, 268 p., p. 167 - 185

Miller, A. R.; Cumming, G. L.; Krstic, D., 1989
U-Pb, Pb-Pb, and K-Ar Isotopic Study and Petrography of Uraniferous Phosphate-bearing Rocks in the Thelon Formation, Dubawnt Group, Northwest Territories, Canada
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume 26, p. 867 - 880

Overton, A., 1979
Seismic Reconnaissance Survey of the Dubawnt Group, Districts of Keewatin and Mackenzie
Current Research - Geological Survey of Canada, Volume 79-1B, p. 397

Patterson, J. G., 1986
The Amer Belt: Remnant of an Aphebian Foreland Fold and Thrust Belt
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Volume 23, p. 2012 - 2023

Rainbird, R. H.; Hadlari, T., 2000
Revised Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Paleoproterozoic Dubawnt Supergroup at the Northern Margin of the Baker Lake Basin, Nunavut
Current Research - Geological Survey of Canada, Volume 00-1C, p. 1 - 9

Ross, G. M., 2000
Tectonics of Sedimentary Basins: A Prelude to Fluid Evolution
3, In Fluids and Basin Evolution, Edited by Kyser, K., Short Course Series Volume, The Mineralogical Association of Canada, The Mineralogical Association of Canada, 28, 262 p., p. 39 - 62

Ross, G. M., 2000
Proterozoic Stratigraphy of Western Canada: A Short Review
9, In Fluids and Basin Evolution, Edited by Kyser, K., Short Course Series Volume, The Mineralogical Association of Canada, The Mineralogical Association of Canada, 28, 262 p., p. 211 - 224

Tella, S., 1984
Geology of the Amer Lake (NTS 66H), Deep Rose Lake (NTS 66G), and Parts of the Pelly Lake (NTS 66F) Map Areas, District of Keewatin, NWT
Open File, Geological Survey of Canada, Publication code 1043, 1 maps.

Wallenberg, P., 1994
Update on the Uranium Exploration in the Thelon Basin
In Exploration Overview 1994, Edited by Goff, S. P., Annual Exploration Overview, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada, Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Yellowknife, Canada, p. 154 - 155

Wright, G. M., 1967
Geology of the Southeastern Barren Grounds (350)
Memoir, Geological Survey of Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Publication code 350, 91 p., 1 maps.

Resource data:
Disclaimer - Reserves/Resource Data

Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan) does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of Reserve and Resource information (Data) contained in this database, including whether the Data is compliant with any securities regulations or standards, and NRCan does not assume any liability with respect to any damage or loss incurred as a result of the use made of the Data.

Resource and reserve figures are historical in nature. The Data source provided with each set of figures should be cited if the Data are re-reported.

Estimate date: 1986; 0.56 million metric tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: no; Resource category: proven + probable
Grade-commodity information:U: 0.661 percent
Cutoff grade-commodity:U: 0.05 percent
weight-commodity information:U: 3,702 metric ton
Reference: Fuchs, H. D.; Hilger, W., 1989: Kiggavik (Lone Gull): An Unconformity Related Uranium Deposit in the Thelon Basin, Northwest Territories, Canada; In Uranium Resources and Geology of North America, Edited by Anonymous, TECDOC, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 500, 529 p., p. 429 - 454
Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0%

Generated 2007-03-02 2:35:41 PM with GQuery -- 3.7 ADO (3.19/3.20/3.21 -- 2006-02-24)
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