Timothy J. Twomey HBSc thesis abstract

Metallogeny and Soil Geochemistry of the Lakehead Gold Mines Property, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Timothy J. Twomey - April 1983

Exploration for gold deposits utilizing applied geochemistry is becoming more popular in glaciated Archean terranes at the present time.  This has brought about the need for a greater awareness and understanding of the dispersal of gold in the environment in relation to its source rock.  In light of this, the Lakehead Gold Mines property is studied, which is located just north of Thunder Bay, Ontario.  The gold response in the altered wallrock, soil and humus of the study area is related to the mineralized quartz vein.  The accumulation of gold in the soil horizons, due to the mineralization beneath them, is controlled by the tenor and dimensions of the deposit, by subsequent glaciation, and subsequent to that by processes of drainage, soil formation and contamination from trenching.  Thus planning, implementing and interpreting an exploration survey is based on many parameters.  All of these parameters must be investigated in an orientation study in order for the survey to be effective.  The soil geochemistry technique used in the study area is considered to be effective in locating auriferous quartz veins beneath a meter of till.  Finally, the thesis briefly discusses the present theories on the origin of gold deposits as related to the study area.  This has importance on how exploration geochemistry surveys can be used and suggests a specific model for further exploration in the area.