Two-year postdoctoral fellowship available in base metal sulfide deposit geology and
geochemistry with the Geological Survey of Canada
The Geological Survey of Canada’s Deep Search and Abitibi projects of the Targeted Geoscience
Initiative III program require a post-doctoral fellow to: develop new methodologies for
volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit targeting in a prospective package of rocks termed
the “Kidd Munro Assemblage” that extends from Timmins, Ontario eastward to the Quebec border
within the Abitibi subprovince. These methodologies will then be transferred to stakeholders for
direct application to base metal exploration in the Abitibi, and elsewhere.
Sulfide-bearing, carbonaceous (graphitic), argillaceous sedimentary rock horizons are a minor but
ubiquitous feature of marine VMS deposit-forming environments. The metallic and carbonaceous
components of these sediments are, in large part, a product of hydrothermal and microbial
processes active at a regional scale during the development of the host volcanic complexes and
sedimentary basins. Sulfide-bearing, carbonaceous sediments are also a primary target for base
metals mineral exploration as they constitute major electromagnetic anomalies that are readily
mapped and are drilled on a regular basis as potential exploration targets. Recent reconnaissance
case studies have shown the effectiveness of utilizing the geochemistry and mineralogy of shaley
sedimentary rocks in vectoring toward VMS mineralization. However, reliable tools for evaluating
the metallogenic significance of these sedimentary horizons (barren versus mineralized), and for
vectoring towards mineralization are presently lacking.
The Kidd-Munro assemblage is comprised of argillaceous sedimentary rocks that are intercalated
with the VMS prospective volcanic centres and horizons. Indeed, these rocks are host to the
supergiant Kidd Creek mine currently owned and operated by XStrata Copper Canada. Despite
over 40 years of intensive exploration efforts, there has not been the discovery of another
economically significant base metal deposit in the area. Recent scoping studies within the area
have shown that the base metal mineralizing events likely imparted a hydrothermal component to
the background detrital and hemipelagic sedimentary record.
The study seeks to develop new field and laboratory criteria for the classification and recognition
of productive versus non-productive (with respect to VMS mineralization) sedimentary horizons
using mineralogy, trace element geochemistry and stable isotopes. The purpose is to identify
chemical and isotopic signatures of large-scale hydrothermal systems recorded in the sediments.
The emphasis will be on regional-scale signatures, extending well beyond known mineral
deposits. The aim is to significantly increase the target size of mineralized areas by isolating
chemical and isotopic signatures carried into the overlying water column at the time of ore
formation and recorded in contemporaneous sediments.
Field work will involve detailed regional- and property-scale logging and sampling of shale
(argillaceous) host rocks, many of which contain pyrite±pyrrhotite nodules, concretions, and
laminae. Ground surveys and in-situ analysis of drill cores and outcrops will be conducted using a
short wavelength-infrared spectroradiometer and xrf portable analyzers during logging and
sampling to delineate and characterize the along-strike mineralogic and bulk compositional
variations of the sedimentary rocks at the hand-sample and cm-scale.
Both conventional (e.g., SEM, EMP, XRD, bulk compositional analyses, etc.) and state-of-the-art
analytical methods (e.g., laser ablation-quadrupole mass spectrometer to determine trace element
abundance distributions in pyrite±pyrrhotite nodules, concretions, and laminae; Micro-Isotopic
Laser Extraction System—to measure sulfur isotope variations ; and Nd-Sm, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mo, Re-Os
isotopic analyses using a multicollector ICP-MS) will be used to unravel the complex bulk
compositional and isotopic variations. These both will be used to investigate along-strike
variations and their potential to serve as vectors toward mineralization.
The work is being done in close collaboration with workers from the Ontario Geological Survey,
University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, and the University of Tasmania.
Applications should include a CV, references, list of publications, and details of the candidate's
relevant qualifications and experience, and should be submitted via email (see address below).
The position will be under the auspices of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
of Canada (NSERC) Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories program. The
successful applicant will start as soon as possible. Salary is at least $43,724 per year, for 2 years.
For further information, please contact
Jan M. Peter, Ph.D.
Geological Survey of Canada
601 Booth Street,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0E8
Email : [log in to unmask]
Tel. (613) 992-2376; fax (613) 996-3726
http://gsc.nrcan.gc.ca/dir/index_e.php?id=7400&_h=jan%20peter
Targeted Geoscience Initiative III Program
http://ess.nrcan.gc.ca/tgi/index_e.php
Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government
http://www.nserc.gc.ca/sf_e.asp?nav=sfnav&lbi=3d
Visiting Fellows Award Holder's Guide
http://www.nserc.gc.ca/sf_e.asp?nav=vfaward&lbi=award_toc
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Geo-mineralisation is administered by the Mineral Deposits Studies Group (UK)
(www.mdsg.or.uk)
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