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Artigo 2 Prospec
Artigo 2 Prospec
Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Fig. 1) to determine if Mean annual precipitation at Myra Falls exceeds 2500 mm,
sufficient element contrasts are present and to determine the most of which falls during the autumn and winter months.
most applicable element or suite of analytes for groundwater Much of the winter precipitation at the highest elevation falls in
geochemical exploration. the form of snow, whereas July and August are dry with high
rates of evapotranspiration. Within an adjacent valley (360 m
SITE DESCRIPTION elevation), the daily temperature ranges from 12 C to 27 C
with a mean value of 8.7 C.
Location, physiography and climate
The Myra Falls mining operation is located within the central
Vancouver Island Mountain Ranges, British Columbia, Canada Geological setting
(4935’N, 12534’W). The mine operation is hosted within the The Sicker Group, exposed locally in the fault-bounded Buttle
Buttle Lake Palaeozoic inlier, one of the major Palaeozoic Lake uplift, comprises the oldest rocks on Vancouver Island
uplifts on Vancouver Island (Fig. 1); the study area is c. 3000 m and represents the known base of the allochthonous Wrangellia
by 3000 m. The topography is mountainous with tree-covered terrane (Jones et al. 1977). The lower three formations of the
slopes dissected by stream gulches. Surface drainage consists of Sicker Group – the Price, Myra and Thelwood Formations – are
permanent and intermittent streams that tend to follow bedrock accessed by surface drill holes and mine workings. The Price
structures. Within the study area the elevation ranges from 200 Formation, the oldest of the three, consists of massive basaltic
to 720 m above sea level. andesite flows, flow breccias and volcanoclastics. The Myra
Groundwater geochemistry and exploration methods 331
Formation is a volcanic and volcanoclastic unit, dominantly Price ore zone, but also in pyritiferous argillaceous sediments in
intermediate in composition but ranging from basaltic to this setting.
rhyolitic. Minor sedimentary units are present, consisting of
sandstones, siltstones, argillites and chert. The Thelwood
Formation consists of bedded siliceous tuffs, subaqueous Hydrogeology
pyroclastics and mafic sills (Juras 1987; Muller 1980). The Late-stage faults have the greatest lengths of structures in the
volcanogenic massive sulphides in the Myra Camp are camp and may be the most permeable component within the
Devonian in age (Juras 1987) and are hosted within the bottom Price area. These late extensional faults control stream positions
two of three felsic units in the Myra Formation. Fracture-filled overlying the Price ore-body (Hamilton 1993). Streams in the
veining within the camp is dominantly an assemblage of immediate vicinity of the exploration drifts have intermittent
quartz, chlorite and calcite. The Price, Myra and Thelwood flow at the valley elevation and many of the streams when
Formations have undergone greenschist metamorphism, are observed at various locations over their length appear to be
mildly to moderately deformed and have moderate to strong losing streams. Most recharge within the mountain core is likely
hydrothermal alteration with epidote and chlorite as common contributed directly from the streams. The steep topography
alteration minerals (Pearson 1993; Juras 1987). will lead to high groundwater gradients and groundwater flow
will primarily be vertical or subvertical within the mountain
ridge.
Mineralization A greater proportion of the water entering the exploration
Delineated ore bodies within the Myra Falls camp range in size drifts is observed within the carapace of the mountainside
from 10 000 to 10 000 000 tonne lenses. Sulphide minerals where a greater degree of fracturing and weathering is expected.
present in decreasing abundance are pyrite, sphalerite, chalco- Within the inner core of the mountain groundwater flow into
pyrite, galena, tennantite and bornite. Minor amounts of the Price drifts is characterized by sections of drift of varying
electrum, stromeyerite, chalcocite and argentite are also present. width containing water-bearing fractures or faults which typi-
Quartz, sericite and barite constitute gangue minerals (Pearson cally have low flows, separated by dry sections composed of
1993). competent rock. Similar heterogeneity within the rock overlying
The study area is centred around the Price ore-body which is the drifts would lead to discrete zones of groundwater flow.
a small (185 000 tonne), Zn-rich deposit within the middle felsic Oxidizing conditions in groundwaters circulating through
unit of the Myra Formation, in the Lynx–Myra–Price (L-M-P) mineral deposits will mobilize soluble elements from the ore
horizon (Juras 1987). The deposit is located within the Myra- and alteration lithologies. Increased fracturing, shearing and
–Price mountain ridge at an elevation of c. 625 m. Hydrothermal foliation in zones affected by hydrothermal alteration will act as
alteration coeval with massive sulphide mineralization exists conduits for groundwater flow and increase the contact surfaces
both as discrete cross-cutting zones in the footwall and as for water to react in these zones. The resulting water–rock
haloes around the ore body and has modified the mineralogical, interaction should impart a distinctive chemistry to the waters.
textural and chemical composition of the host rock (Juras 1987).
A small feeder/stringer pyrite zone is present beneath the Price
deposit composed of assemblages of quartz, sericite, pyrite and METHODOLOGY
chlorite. Chlorite-bearing rocks appear on the less intensely
altered fringes (Juras & Pearson 1990; Pearson 1993). Field methods, sample collection and analytical
Throughout the mining camp, sulphide clasts of varying sizes techniques
occur within a heterolithic ore clast breccia (OCB) unit. Surface waters were collected from permanent and temporal
Although the term OCB is used to describe this unit within the streams (n = 24) and from seeps and springs (n = 13).
camp, the prefix ‘ore’ is a misnomer because the OCB is not Groundwaters (n = 188) were sampled from flowing drill holes,
ore-grade, but it does aptly describe the incorporation and and wet fractures and faults accessed by four exploration drifts
dilution of previous ore deposit sulphides in a proximal slump originating on the valley side at 238 m, 416 m, 580 m and 626 m
or explosive breccia. The OCB consists of volcanoclastic elevations (Price 13, 9, 5 and 4 levels, respectively). Most drill
submarine debris flows and minor submarine pyroclastics. Clast holes were arranged in a fan-style orientation that radiated out
compositions span a wide range of lithologies and include chert, in a vertical array from drilling stations located at c.15 m
argillite, rhyolite, dacite, andesite and mafic compositions, spacing. Drill holes intersecting the Price ore-body were
together with massive-sulphide clasts, which are dominantly accessed from the 4 and 5 levels. Drill holes intersecting the
pyritic composition. Rhyolite olistoliths are typically mineralized OCB unit were accessed from 9 level.
with disseminated pyrite and occasionally massive sulphides. On-site measurements consisted of water temperature, pH,
The OCB unit contains little or no phyllosilicate minerals, and platinum electrode oxidation–reduction potential (Eh), dis-
lacks the alteration halo normally present around the volcanic solved oxygen (DO) and electrical conductance (EC). Waters
hosted primary ore. It also lacks massive barite, although barite were pressure filtered at 0.45 µm at the time of sampling.
may be present with the sulphide clasts (Pearson 1993; Juras High-density polyethylene sample containers were pre-leached
1987). for a minimum of one month with de-ionized water and then
The presence of the OCB presents a major problem in rinsed with a sample aliquot which was disposed prior to filling
developing groundwater geochemical exploration methods in the container. A sample for major cation and trace element
this mining camp. The differentiation of groundwater geo- analyses was preserved with ultra-pure nitric acid (2% by sample
chemical anomalies related to economic massive sulphide as volume). Samples were refrigerated until analysed at the Geo-
compared to those related to the OCB is considered paramount logical Survey of Canada Laboratory. Total alkalinity was
in developing a groundwater geochemical exploration method. measured by titration; anions were determined by ion chroma-
Whole-rock analyses of the mine sequence rock units are tography. The following techniques were used: ICP-OES for Si,
presented in Table 1. Potential indicator elements include Zn, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Sr, Sc, Ti, Mo; ICP-MS for Rb, Cs, Be, Mo, Ag,
Cu and Pb, with potential pathfinder elements Ba, U, Se and Sb As, Sb, Se, U, Ga, Tl, In, Hg, Bi; and, both ICP-OES and
enriched in the ore zone. Arsenic is enriched not only in the ICP-MS for Al, Ba, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd.
332
Table 1. Median whole rock composition for rock units of the Sicker Group in the Price area.
Description Massive H-W H-W H-W H-W Ore-clast Lower Upper L-M-P Massive L-M-P G-flow Upper Upper
sulphide rhyo- argilllite QFP hanging- breccia mixed dacite (rhyo/qtz- sulphide hanging- unit mixed mafic
(H-W) dacite wall (OCB) volcano- sericite- (Price) wall volcano- unit
andesite clastics schist) clastics
No. analyses 8 17 3 2 22 43 10 20 5 7 12 2 15 7
wt %
SiO2 1.4 68.3 78.5 69.8 50.2 58.1 55.6 58.0 60.4 12.2 60.6 43.8 53.4 49.1
Al2O3 0.3 14.2 5.8 13.2 16.7 14.7 16.5 16.3 16.2 3.3 14.6 12.1 16.6 15.2
Fe2O3 54.6 5.1 3.4 3.0 9.9 6.7 8.3 7.2 6.1 43.3 5.9 9.5 8.0 10.0
MnO 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.16 0.11 0.12 0.12 0.04 0.02 0.08 0.2 0.1 0.2
MgO 0.06 1.48 1.53 1.14 4.77 2.67 3.56 3.11 1.05 0.5 2.12 12.2 3.12 3.35
CaO 0.185 2.89 2.33 3.66 7.94 5.19 5.255 4.56 2.69 0.8 4.64 10.5 5.9 6.81
Na2O 0.075 0.9 0.3 3 2.55 2.1 2.5 3.85 0.37 0.145 2.7 1.5 3.4 0.8
K2O 0.05 3 1.42 2.015 0.43 1.34 1.99 1.04 3.96 0.87 1.6 0.0525 1.14 1.69
CO2 0.4 1.8 3 2.75 2.35 1.9 3.65 2.2 2.1 1.4 2.6 4.7 1.9 2
P2O5 0.02 0.1 0.1 0.09 0.155 0.15 0.285 0.2 0.21 0.02 0.14 0.155 0.22 0.12
S 46.05 0.09 0.37 0.06 0.02 0.35 0.37 0.02 3.36 37.1 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.01
ppm
Ba 3650 1700 1500 1200 335 940 665 590 1700 8600 820 270 730 700
Co 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.8 23.0 13.0 14.5 11.0 9.0 10.0 9.5 43.5 14.0 28.0
G.C. Phipps et al.
Cr 5.0 5.0 40.0 7.5 38.0 12.0 30.5 8.0 17.0 5.0 19.5 1300 23.0 140
Cu 69000 33 42 30 47 60 54 22 26 27000 5 83 54 30
Ni 29 5 55 5 16 5 5 5 5 32 30 275 13 61
Sr 29 150 61 195 370 250 205 370 86 71 380 210 320 180
V 36 45 200 46 230 130 125 94 52 46 59 210 140 190
Zn 7000 82 240 74 8 200 92 95 160 6200 74 82 110 98
Mo 155 1.6 13.0 0.35 0.5 1.6 0.9 0.55 2.3 64.0 0.35 0.3 0.65 0.3
Pb 240 13.0 21.0 29.0 4.0 30.0 7.5 5.5 37.0 520 4.0 2.5 6.0 5.0
Rb 0.9 53.0 29.0 35.0 7.2 21.0 40.5 18.5 60.0 12.0 37.0 0.8 20.0 41.0
U 1.4 1.3 3.9 1.2 0.4 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.3 4.7 1.0 0.4 1.3 0.3
No. analyses
8 6 3 2 8 13 3 6 4 2 6 2 7 4
(B, As, Se, Sb)
B <10 18 15 14 <10 <10 13 <10 30 13 <10 <10 <10 <10
As 245 16 150 6 3.5 20 9 2 20 350 <2 3 3 4
Se 17 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 <5 30 <5 <5 <5 <5
Sb 18.0 0.75 1.7 0.9 1.05 3 0.6 1 3.4 28.0 0.65 0.55 0.7 0.7
Groundwater geochemistry and exploration methods 333
Table 2. Detection limits, recode (below detection values) and values, and summary statistics for surface and ground water chemical parameters. Concentrations are in µg/l except where
noted. See text for methods used in determining recode values for <D.L. and values.
Data for NO3, NO2, F, Br, Cs, Be, Sc, Ti, Ag, Ga, In, Hg and Tl not included.
aa
For samples below detection.
bb
Box & Cox (1964) power transformation (Ln transformation for =0)
Groundwater chemistry
The major cation composition of most groundwater is domi-
nated by Ca2+ with only a minor contribution from Mg2+.
Waters trend toward Na+ with a smaller cluster of waters
characterized by Na+ as the dominant cation (Fig. 3). Anion
composition is primarily dominated by HCO3 with a trend
towards SO42 dominant waters in a minority of waters. The
chemistry of many groundwaters reflects little interaction with
rocks other than contact with quartz–chlorite–calcite lined
fractures. These waters are dominated by Ca2+ – HCO3
chemistry and have very similar chemistry to surface (recharge)
waters, but with a slight increase in Ca2+ and HCO3
concentrations and EC. The proportion of Na+ increases in
groundwaters towards the central core of the mountain where
Fig. 3. Trilinear diagram of major ions showing major chemical groundwaters have travelled through a greater thickness of
proportions (% milli-equivalence) of groundwater and surface water rock, have a greater residence time, and where evidence
samples. Greater proportions of Na indicate Ca ⇒ 2Na exchange. suggests Ca2+ Na+ exchange has occurred. Sources of dissolved
Dominant anions in groundwaters trend from HCO3 to SO42 as sulphate include SO42 in recharge waters and oxidation of
recharge waters react with sulphides. disseminated and massive sulphides. Sodium-dominated
groundwaters have a higher proportion of anions as SO42.
interquartile range is relatively low for a mineralized environ- Nine groundwaters have estimated TDS greater than
ment and ranges from 150 to 200 mg/l, which is considered 300 mg/l: all of these are sulphate or sodium sulphate
well within the range of ‘fresh’ groundwater. dominated groundwaters. The remainder have estimated TDS
The pH values range from 6.1 to 9.6, with near-similar less than 300 mg/l, which illustrates the low mineral content of
median values of 7.3 and 7.5 for surface water and ground- groundwater in this setting.
waters, respectively. The pH in most waters spans a very narrow The concentrations of ore-forming metals (Zn, Cu and Pb) in
range with the central 50th percentile values spanning 6.4 to 7.8 groundwaters show large concentration contrasts. Zinc concen-
standard units. The log PCO2 in groundwater from Price 4 and trations span over three orders of magnitude with a maximum
5 levels averages 2.5, and these waters are near saturation with concentration of 1400 µg/l (Table 2), even though the median
respect to calcite. The prime controls on the pH of these waters groundwater Zn concentration of 5 µg/l is only slightly greater
is likely the elevated CO2 in the recharge which is then buffered than the median concentration in surface waters. Copper and
by reacting with the ubiquitous calcite-lined fractures and to a Pb concentrations in groundwater have median values of 0.96
lesser extent the consumption of H+ during weathering of and 0.34 µg/l, but maximum concentrations of 40 and 34 µg/l
silicate minerals. for Cu and Pb, respectively.
Concentrations of trace elements associated with the Price
Surface water chemistry ore such as Cd and Se are moderately to heavily censored by
Surface water chemistry is dominated by Ca2+ and HCO3 values below the detection limit (Table 2). Cadmium levels tend
(Fig. 3), and has low dissolved solids as indicated by the EC. to be above detection level only when Zn concentrations are
Median values for all major ions are lower in surface waters than greater than 50 µg/l, although not all waters with high Zn
in groundwaters (Table 2). The maximum concentration of rigidly conform to this observation. Arsenic and Sb concen-
SO42 is 15 mg/l, which is only slightly greater than the trations in groundwater have fewer censored values than the
median groundwater concentration of 12 mg/l. The median other trace metals and Ba is present in all groundwaters. Metals
SO42 concentration of surface waters (0.94 mg/l) closely associated with mafic units including V, Cr, Ni and Co, are
reflects the local rainfall concentration (0.91 mg/l), indicating highly censored in the groundwater environment. Maximum
little interaction between most surface waters and sulphur- concentrations of these elements are quite low and range from
containing minerals or contribution of SO42 from base-flow 1.4 to 7.6 µg/l.
discharge. Median Cu and Pb concentrations in surface waters
are below detection and maximum values of these elements are
very low, 1.8 and 1.3 µg/l for Cu and Pb, respectively. Median Statistical analyses
concentrations for the remainder of the trace metals in the Statistical analyses allow for the formulation of robust methods
surface aqueous environment are below detection, with the in determining element distributions and correlations, and
exception of Zn and Mn. Zinc concentrations are somewhat where more than one population is present these methods allow
higher than Cu or Pb, and median Zn concentrations in surface for the disaggregation of data into separate populations. These
waters (3.8 µg/l) are only slightly less than in groundwaters techniques aid in the interpretation of anomalous populations
(5.0 µg/l). Two surface waters sampled on the upper Price and in developing threshold values.
hillside in close proximity to the Lynx–Myra–Price horizon Histograms and probability plots were prepared for each
have Zn concentrations of 13 and 17 µg/l and may indicate variable showing that all variables are skewed to some degree.
contact with mineralization. Variables were transformed into Gaussian distributions using
The surface water environment largely reflects element the generalized power transform methods of Box & Cox (1964)
chemistry derived from meteoric precipitation. A few waters in the form:
Groundwater geochemistry and exploration methods 335
Table 3. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients for transformed concentrations of analytes in groundwater (n=188) Zinc correlation coefficients are highlighted because Zn is the predominant ore metal and is the most mobile of the ore forming elements.
EC 0.21 0.30 0.26 0.56 0.38 0.22 0.67 0.54 0.17 0.13 0.43 0.72 0.65 0.18 0.35 0.50 0.25 0.48 0.01 0.00 0.19 0.02 0.23 0.56 0.11 0.11 0.29 0.13 0.40 0.32 0.06 0.22
pH 1.00 0.27 0.10 0.24 0.25 0.13 0.38 0.13 0.12 0.12 0.23 0.30 0.16 0.01 0.13 0.08 0.09 0.25 0.01 0.16 0.04 0.09 0.03 0.23 0.12 0.06 0.00 0.13 0.11 0.07 0.06 0.01
Eh 1.00 0.33 0.33 0.03 0.05 0.41 0.29 0.06 0.21 0.01 0.36 0.35 0.12 0.26 0.21 0.10 0.32 0.13 0.10 0.13 0.05 0.32 0.30 0.00 0.04 0.19 0.02 0.25 0.06 0.07 0.02
DO 1.00 0.27 0.28 0.08 0.22 0.22 0.21 0.23 0.35 0.15 0.26 0.16 0.04 0.21 0.29 0.01 0.03 0.05 0.31 0.07 0.22 0.22 0.15 0.11 0.30 0.17 0.31 0.22 0.21 0.29
SiO2 1.00 0.10 0.39 0.79 0.65 0.14 0.11 0.28 0.57 0.64 0.24 0.45 0.63 0.31 0.56 0.05 0.00 0.14 0.01 0.28 0.60 0.04 0.05 0.24 0.02 0.58 0.28 0.12 0.24
Ca 1.00 0.43 0.10 0.12 0.34 0.19 0.86 0.11 0.23 0.09 0.11 0.28 0.52 0.35 0.03 0.26 0.26 0.13 0.09 0.03 0.30 0.27 0.30 0.26 0.19 0.37 0.16 0.31
Mg 1.00 0.17 0.60 0.37 0.13 0.60 0.21 0.38 0.08 0.46 0.74 0.50 0.08 0.06 0.17 0.19 0.03 0.32 0.29 0.22 0.18 0.27 0.20 0.45 0.51 0.18 0.63
Na 1.00 0.70 0.07 0.11 0.08 0.77 0.61 0.29 0.58 0.66 0.12 0.78 0.01 0.19 0.17 0.00 0.31 0.75 0.10 0.01 0.20 0.05 0.60 0.28 0.00 0.15
K 1.00 0.26 0.21 0.36 0.65 0.64 0.19 0.79 0.87 0.34 0.62 0.05 0.04 0.34 0.01 0.47 0.70 0.15 0.22 0.36 0.11 0.73 0.49 0.07 0.50
Al 1.00 0.18 0.38 0.10 0.29 0.23 0.17 0.34 0.36 0.08 0.01 0.21 0.08 0.04 0.04 0.11 0.05 0.01 0.04 0.06 0.22 0.29 0.10 0.30
Fe 1.00 0.23 0.20 0.21 0.13 0.11 0.22 0.24 0.07 0.16 0.10 0.13 0.21 0.41 0.15 0.16 0.20 0.42 0.21 0.26 0.19 0.12 0.19
HCO3 1.00 0.14 0.45 0.02 0.12 0.48 0.62 0.14 0.05 0.31 0.32 0.03 0.18 0.12 0.23 0.26 0.37 0.26 0.32 0.40 0.13 0.41
SO4 1.00 0.52 0.28 0.50 0.65 0.11 0.63 0.10 0.26 0.17 0.10 0.43 0.82 0.19 0.20 0.30 0.14 0.63 0.47 0.15 0.29
Cl 1.00 0.15 0.46 0.60 0.44 0.47 0.01 0.23 0.27 0.08 0.41 0.47 0.06 0.08 0.37 0.16 0.47 0.31 0.01 0.32
Li 1.00 0.18 0.21 0.11 0.37 0.20 0.10 0.02 0.22 0.18 0.31 0.01 0.07 0.19 0.00 0.20 0.05 0.02 0.04
Rb 1.00 0.68 0.06 0.63 0.07 0.06 0.24 0.04 0.36 0.56 0.07 0.07 0.15 0.07 0.56 0.26 0.07 0.33
Sr 1.00 0.47 0.52 0.03 0.01 0.26 0.01 0.47 0.71 0.13 0.19 0.34 0.10 0.75 0.63 0.12 0.58
Ba 1.00 0.18 0.02 0.44 0.30 0.09 0.37 0.13 0.21 0.30 0.40 0.27 0.36 0.48 0.20 0.43
B 1.00 0.03 0.25 0.11 0.11 0.28 0.64 0.13 0.14 0.07 0.17 0.45 0.07 0.16 0.01
G.C. Phipps et al.
V 1.00 0.04 0.17 0.25 0.11 0.05 0.01 0.00 0.06 0.02 0.02 0.07 0.10 0.11
Cr 1.00 0.23 0.02 0.01 0.25 0.05 0.11 0.08 0.14 0.07 0.03 0.02 0.12
Ni 1.00 0.30 0.26 0.18 0.27 0.31 0.24 0.26 0.26 0.22 0.06 0.23
Co 1.00 0.08 0.05 0.22 0.18 0.04 0.10 0.11 0.15 0.23 0.11
Mn 1.00 0.42 0.43 0.37 0.48 0.37 0.49 0.44 0.07 0.38
Mo 1.00 0.17 0.22 0.31 0.12 0.78 0.60 0.20 0.44
Zn 1.00 0.63 0.59 0.60 0.22 0.40 0.29 0.39
Cu 1.00 0.47 0.50 0.25 0.47 0.25 0.40
Pb 1.00 0.44 0.38 0.41 0.17 0.42
Cd 1.00 0.14 0.38 0.27 0.37
As 1.00 0.68 0.14 0.55
Sb 1.00 0.43 0.74
Se 1.00 0.43
U 1.00
Groundwater geochemistry and exploration methods 337
Table 4. Chemistry of groundwaters associated with the Price ore body environment for sections 51+50 and 50+00 E (mine coordinates). This data corresponds to sampling sites on Figure 5. Concentrations are in ppb except where noted (<D.L.=less
than detection).
Sr 920 1200 1100 1400 340 1150 450 520 1000 130 269 980 950 950 1100
Ba 87 61 64 63 220 80 150 110 130 300 160 210 230 150 130
B 74.0 140 33 105 <DL 29 <DL <DL 17 <DL <DL <DL <DL <DL <DL
V 0.30 <DL <DL 0.10 0.30 0.25 0.40 <DL <DL <DL <DL 0.90 1.00 <DL <DL
Cr <DL 0.35 0.23 0.45 0.40 0.20 0.21 1.20 <DL 0.33 0.27 0.21 0.40 0.30 0.30
Ni <DL 2.1 1.1 5.0 <DL 2.2 1.1 7.6 1.7 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.0 <DL 1.5
Co <DL <DL <DL 0.30 <DL 0.41 0.07 <DL <DL <DL <DL <DL 0.30 <DL <DL
Mn 0.4 2.4 1.6 0.6 2.3 66 22 16 2.6 4.4 2.7 11 11 1.2 2.5
Mo 6.4 5.7 6.7 4.0 1.0 10 2.7 4.7 1.1 <DL <DL 1.6 1.4 2.0 5.1
Zn 5.0 6.1 3.5 3.5 22 1400 240 680 <DL 12 14 970 1100 240 810
Cu 0.5 2.0 <DL 0.7 1.1 7.6 3.2 18 1.1 1.6 2.2 19 20 6.5 28
Pb 0.4 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.4 34 6.5 12 0.3 1.5 0.8 19 20 1.6 24
Cd <DL 4.1 <DL <DL <DL 3.2 0.97 12 <DL 0.55 <DL 4.5 5.0 1.4 3.2
As 4.0 9.0 51 12 3.0 17 15 15 2.1 <DL 1.5 8.6 8.0 7.1 8.1
Sb 1.3 1.0 1.5 0.5 1.0 25 3.3 11 0.7 0.2 0.2 6.1 5.8 4.0 18
Se 5.0 <DL <DL <DL 5.0 2.0 2.2 <DL <DL <DL <DL <DL <DL <DL 5.9
U 0.70 0.27 6.7 <DL 1.0 3.8 2.1 5.8 0.59 <DL <DL 0.49 0.50 1.6 3.1
Groundwater geochemistry and exploration methods 339
Table 5. Summary statistics for groundwaters with Zn d20 µg/l associated with the Price ore-body (Price 4 and 5levels) and the ore clast breccia unit (OCB). Recode values from Table
1 are used for concentrations less than detection. Concentrations are in µg/l except where noted.
Mean U concentrations are also significantly different for tration in groundwaters related to Price ore is greater than the
these two environments. Uranium is slightly elevated in the maximum value from the OCB groundwaters.
massive sulphides (Table 1), and is present in specific fault Because the OCB unit contains little or no phyllosilicate
zones as determined by geophysical logging on the property minerals and lacks the alteration halo present around the
(J. Mwenifumbo, personal communication). Median U concen- volcanic-hosted primary ore, a distinct groundwater chemistry
340 G.C. Phipps et al.
results. The groundwater in contact with the OCB is character- gramme. This tool effectively increases the rock volume
ized by lower concentrations of elements associated with these being sampled at minimal incremental cost to the exploration
lithologies as compared to water contacting the massive- programme.
sulphide mineralization. For example K, Rb, Ba, Cd, Sb and U,
which are related to primary depositional processes and host This research was supported with funding from the Industrial
rock alteration, provide an effective tool in discriminating Partners Project by the Geological Survey of Canada and Westmin
between the Price ore-body and the OCB unit after initial Resources Ltd. Lithochemical sampling was conducted by J.V.
Hamilton. Technical field assistance from G. Dirom and R. Pearson
delineation of anomalous groundwaters using Zn. Elements is gratefully acknowledged along with support from the geology staff
elevated in G-flow unit that overlies the Price deposit (i.e. Cr, at the Myra Falls Operation. The authors also express gratitude to the
Sr, Mn and Mg) are useful in delineating proximity to the Price reviewers for their constructive comments.
massive sulphide.
REFERENCES
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
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effective in discriminating chemical suites of analytes associated Survey.
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with the type of rock that the water has been in contact with. Royal Statistical Society, Series B, 26, 211–252.
For example, mafic units contribute elements such as Ni, Cr, BOYLE, R.W. 1974. Elemental associations in mineral deposits and indicator elements of
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