Lakehead University geology researchers are investigating the Shebandowan greenstone belt
Lakehead University geology researchers are receiving $315,000 in total from NSERC, Mitacs, and Goldshore Resources Inc. to investigate a portion of the Shebandowan greenstone belt.
Dr. Pete Hollings, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation Industrial Research Chair in Mineral Exploration, and Dr. Noah Phillips, Assistant Professor in Geology, are receiving $160,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, $75,000 from Mitacs, and $80,000 from Goldshore Resources Inc.
Dr. Hollings and his team will study the volcanic and structural architecture, petrography, and chemical alteration of a section of the Shebandowan greenstone belt in order to better understand the mineralization in the area.
The principal methods employed in this research will be fundamental geological mapping and logging, combined with traditional and state-of-the-art analytical techniques, which will characterize the structures, mineralization, and alteration system associated with minerals on Goldshore Resources’ Moss Lake property.
“We are really looking forward to working closely with the team from Goldshore over the next two years to develop a better understanding of this part of Shebandowan’s greenstone belt,” Dr. Hollings said.
“The ability to embed our students within the Goldshore operations thanks to the support from Mitacs and NSERC will be a great opportunity for the students and postdoc researchers to contribute to the ongoing exploration in the region.”
Although Canada is a world leader in mineral exploration and mining technology, the discovery of new mineral resources is declining despite increasing exploration expenditures.
The development of geochemical, mineralogical, and structural vectors that guide exploration towards new targets and are accessible, economic, and scalable are becoming increasingly important.
Dr. Hollings will lead the research team with help from Dr. Phillips. They will work with three highly qualified personnel including two master's students and one postdoctoral fellow, who will learn to use modern digital field methods and high-quality microanalytical instruments, making them highly skilled assets for industry, academia, or government surveys.
“Congratulations to Dr. Hollings and his team on obtaining these research grants,” said Dr. Andrew P. Dean, Lakehead’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
“Exploration is of course at the beginning of successful mining operations. This research will bring new exciting tools and techniques to this part of the process.”
Overall, this project will help improve exploration confidence and success in the search for new discoveries of metal resources in Canada. This research has the potential to lead to new discoveries by developing enhanced deposit models that can be applied elsewhere within Canada and by Canadian companies working overseas.
At a broader scale, the tools generated within this project will help Canadian mining companies enhance exploration efficiency and reduce both the time and capital cost for the discovery of mineral resources.
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