Database name: |
Canadian Iron Formation |
Custodial agency: |
Geological Survey of Canada |
Compilers: |
G. A. Gross and E. M. Hillary |
Release date: |
2014-10-01 |
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Deposit name(s): |
Borealis - 4 (occurrence); West Melville Iron Deposits (occurrence) |
Political location(s): |
Canada; Province or state: Nunavut; Subprovince or locality: Melville Peninsula |
NTS map data: |
047B07 (Mackar Inlet) |
Deposit clan (type): |
iron formation |
Deposit (sub) types: |
Algoma type; Reference: Underhill, D. H., 1970: Report on the 1970 Mineral Exploration Program, Melville Peninsula (060744); Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd; UnderhillDH (Norman H. Ursel Associates Ltd) (operator), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 060744 |
Deposit status: |
advanced project; Size category: significant; Status comments: Indicated resources based on surface areas determined by planimeter - 579 million long tons (Ref ID 2688) |
Geologic province: |
Canadian Shield |
Geologic subprovince: |
Rae craton |
Deposit object located: |
centre of mineralized zone |
Commodities: |
Fe |
Mineralization styles: |
stratiform (mineralization zone) |
Geological ages: |
Archean (mineralization) Archean (host rocks) |
Tectonic setting: |
greenstone belt (host rocks) |
Host rocks: |
(1) sedimentary; iron formation; Depositional setting: shallow marine; Metamorphic grade: amphibolite - lower; Component: mineralization zoneExternal host rock forms: | tabular sedimentary body | Internal host rock structures: | massive | Individual lithologies: | iron formation - oxide | Host rock stratigraphy: | Prince Albert group |
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Related igneous rocks: |
(1) intrusive; granite suite; Component: wall rockIndividual lithologies: | granite |
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Metallogenic signatures: |
Fe |
Mineralogy: |
(mineralization - massive / mineralization zone): magnetite |
Deposit shape: |
lensoid; Component: mineralization zoneDeposit dimensions: | width: 275 metres length: 1,175 metres |
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Qualified comments: |
(Applies to: location ) The location of the deposit was taken from AR 060744 Figure 12 (Geologic map of the Borealis 4 iron formation occurrence).
(Applies to: mineralization) Western Melville Peninsula hosts metamorphosed Algoma-type iron formation deposits within the Archean Prince Albert Group greenstone belt. The orebodies occur within a zone that extends for approx 15 miles in length. Five deposits, Numbers 1 to 5, (plus subdivisions) have been outlined.
Magnetite, with minor specularite and quartz, are the main minerals in the iron formation of Deposits 1, 2, 4, and 5.
The deposits contain an estimated combined tonnage of 3.3 billion long tons, based on surface sampling (not drilling).
The Borealis 4 deposit forms the west flank and summit of a mountain with local relief of 800 feet. The deposit consists of a vertically dipping band of iron formation which has been folded into a large, steeply plunging fold. The deposit averages 900 feet in width and has an overall length of 3,850 feet.
(Applies to: reserve/resource assays) Borealis 4 has potential tonnage of 579 million long tons.
(Applies to: rock analysis and sample assays) A 183 m long channel sample collected at the centre of the lens shaped orebody gave an average grade 36.6 % magnetic Fe.
(Applies to: property geology) The deposit occurs as a large 'S' shaped fold and the rocks have been extensively recrystallized as a result of metamorphism. Euhedral garnet crystals were observed along the contact of the I.F. near the southern end of the deposit. |
Links to other databases: |
NUMIN; Key value: 047BSE0004 NMI; Key value: 47 B 02 Fe 1 |
Geophysical-chemical signature: |
Signature type: Airborne Magnetometer; Response type: positive (very strong) |
Samples data: |
(1) Sample type: channel; Sample description: 183 m long across central part of deposit; average magnetic Fe grade; Collector: AnonymousCommodities and grades in order of importance: | Fe: 36.6 percent | Reference number: Anonymous, 1982: Preliminary Feasibility Study, Borealis Roche Bay Magnetite Project (062133); Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd; Scott-Ortech Mining Ltd (operator), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 062133 (2) Sample type: channel; Sample description: Soluble and magnetic Fe fractions of samples; Collector: ScruggsCommodities and grades in order of importance: | Fe (magnetic): 36.6 percent Fe (soluble): 38 percent | Reference number: Scruggs, G. G., 1977: Geology and Research of all Borealis Claims, Melville Peninsula (080645); Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 080645 |
References: |
Anonymous, 1982 |
Preliminary Feasibility Study, Borealis Roche Bay Magnetite Project (062133) |
Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd; Scott-Ortech Mining Ltd (operator), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 062133 |
Scruggs, G. G., 1977 |
Geology and Research of all Borealis Claims, Melville Peninsula (080645) |
Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 080645 |
Underhill, D. H., 1970 |
Report on the 1970 Mineral Exploration Program, Melville Peninsula (060744) |
Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd; UnderhillDH (Norman H. Ursel Associates Ltd) (operator), Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 060744 |
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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: 1977; Component: mineralization zone; 579 million long tons ore; Combined with production?: no; Provisional entry?: yes; Resource category: geological resource Reference: Scruggs, G. G., 1977: Geology and Research of all Borealis Claims, Melville Peninsula (080645); Mineral Assessment Report, Borealis Exploration Ltd, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Publication code 080645 Percent weights allocated to deposit: 100.0% |
Associated group(s): |
West Melville Iron Deposits (31) |