3D Geomodeling of the Alces Lake Rare Earth Element Project (SK, Canada)

Kateryna Poliakovska and Irvine R Annesley and James Sykes and Krisztina Pandur. ( 2019 )
in: 2019 Ring Meeting, ASGA

Abstract

3D geological modeling allows us to better understand a given prospective mineralized area and to develop advective geo-metallurgical delineation plans for future exploitation. In this research study, a 3D geological-geophysical model of the Alces Lake property (SK, Canada) was constructed. Alces Lake is a high-grade rare earth element ("REE")-Th-U deposit of critical REEs for modern technology. The deposit is located within the Beaverlodge Domain, about 28 km north of the Athabasca Basin margin. To date, seven high-grade zones, not including REE showings and prospects, have been identified, including Dylan, which consists of up to 31.8 wt% TREO. The REE mineralized system is composed of Proterozoic late-orogenic to metasomatic massive braided biotite schist, quartzofeldspathic pegmatite augen, and monazite accumulations. All the REEs are fully hosted within monazites and can be found in both the biotite schists and pegmatite augens. Rocks comprising the Alces Lake property have been subjected to upper amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism and have undergone four phases of folding and deformation. Alces Lake monazites yielded a crystallization age of 1927.1 +/- 1.2 Ma, which places mineralization within the Taltson-Thelon Orogeny. During this geomodeling exercise, three-dimensional structures, surfaces, and mineralization objects were built based on geological maps, cross-sections, airborne and ground geophysics, whole-rock geochemistry, metal assays, and drill hole data. The current model, supported by geostatistical analysis of the given geochemical data, shows the distribution of REEs within the property and allows the targeting of new prospective mineralization.

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BibTeX Reference

@inproceedings{PoliakovskaRM2019,
 abstract = { 3D geological modeling allows us to better understand a given prospective mineralized area and to develop advective geo-metallurgical delineation plans for future exploitation. In this research study, a 3D geological-geophysical model of the Alces Lake property (SK, Canada) was constructed. Alces Lake is a high-grade rare earth element ("REE")-Th-U deposit of critical REEs for modern technology. The deposit is located within the Beaverlodge Domain, about 28 km north of the Athabasca Basin margin. To date, seven high-grade zones, not including REE showings and prospects, have been identified, including Dylan, which consists of up to 31.8 wt% TREO. The REE mineralized system is composed of Proterozoic late-orogenic to metasomatic massive braided biotite schist, quartzofeldspathic pegmatite augen, and monazite accumulations. All the REEs are fully hosted within monazites and can be found in both the biotite schists and pegmatite augens. Rocks comprising the Alces Lake property have been subjected to upper amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism and have undergone four phases of folding and deformation. Alces Lake monazites yielded a crystallization age of 1927.1 +/- 1.2 Ma, which places mineralization within the Taltson-Thelon Orogeny. During this geomodeling exercise, three-dimensional structures, surfaces, and mineralization objects were built based on geological maps, cross-sections, airborne and ground geophysics, whole-rock geochemistry, metal assays, and drill hole data. The current model, supported by geostatistical analysis of the given geochemical data, shows the distribution of REEs within the property and allows the targeting of new prospective mineralization. },
 author = { Poliakovska, Kateryna AND Annesley, Irvine R AND Sykes, James AND Pandur, Krisztina },
 booktitle = { 2019 Ring Meeting },
 publisher = { ASGA },
 title = { 3D Geomodeling of the Alces Lake Rare Earth Element Project (SK, Canada) },
 year = { 2019 }
}