AndreaBozzo/ceres-open-data-index huggingface dataset:
Taiga property: A stratiform Ni-Zn-PGE target in north-central Yukon

The Taiga property consists of 1043 claims located 95 km northeast of Dawson and 6 km east of the Dempster Highway. Ordovician to Silurian Road River Group dolomite and black calcareous shales overlain by Devono-Mississippian Earn group siliceous shales, chert and conglomerate underlie the property, and comprise the Taiga Basin, an off-shelf outlier on the Mackenzie Platform.

The area was explored by UMEX in 1976 and 1977 with a large silt and soil sampling program to evaluate shale-hosted lead-zinc-barite potential. In 1994 Blackstone Resources Inc. acquired the database, and discovered a thin pyrite-vaesite horizon which assayed 2.06% Ni with elevated Mo, Au and PGE. Geological mapping in 1996 resolved thrust faults and distinguished three members in the Lower Earn Group. The lowest member is a rhythmic, carbonate-rich section of argillite, shale, siltstone, limestone, with a distinctive siliceous shale containing limestone balls at the top. The middle member, of lower Middle Devonian age, contains thick bedded barite, baritic and carbonaceous shale and the nickel-sulphide mineralization. The upper member comprises chert, cherty argillite and minor barite. In addition to the discovery (TB) showing, mineralization is located 450 m south at the DM showing, and 4 km east (MM showing).

In 1997, 12 holes tested the lateral and down-dip extent of nickel-sulphide mineralization at the DM and TB showings, as well as the MM grid area. Significant results from drilling at the MM grid include 25.5 m of 0.51% Ni and 0.41% Zn within which a 5.3 m interval graded 1.42% Ni and 0.70% Zn.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
A Pliensbachian submarine slope and conglomeratic gully-fill succession: Richthofen to conglomerate formation transition (Laberge Group), Brute Mountain, Yukon

The diachronous Richthofen-Conglomerate Formation transition separates lithostratigraphic subunits of the Jurassic Laberge Group, Whitehorse Trough. The contact is superbly exposed on the west flank of Brute Mountain, south-central Yukon. This succession of Pliensbachian marine shales, sandstones and conglomerates records submarine gully and slope apron progradation. Distal prodelta shales and sandstones, conglomeratic chute-gully fill sequences, slope shales and slope conglomerates were deposited from the Middle Pliensbachian to the Early Toarcian.

Submarine chutes fed coarse clastic detritus past the shelf-break and across the slope. Ponding of coarse-grained mass flows built an onlap wedge against the slope, followed by deposition of mud turbidites and pelagic sediments. A rise in relative sea level continued during the deposition of the entire succession, suggesting the intercalated sequence formed as a result of variations in the rate of clastic input. The Brute Mountain succession is entirely of deep marine origin, typical of Laberge Group exposures elsewhere in the Whitehorse Trough.

Collision between the allochthonous Lewes River Arc and the cratonic margin of North America occurred during the Late Triassic. The final stages of convergence led to closure of the Whitehorse Trough seaway in the Middle Jurassic. Laberge Group strata record this closure. Brute Mountain exposures of late Early Jurassic age indicate that deep basin conditions existed at least into the Toarcian. Slope turbidite and pelagic sedimentary rocks place additional constraints on the timing of arc-continent collision. Significant shoaling of the Whitehorse Trough seaway apparently did not occur until after deposition of the Brute Mountain sequences.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Petrographic and geochemical evidence for a hydrothermal origin of the Rusty Springs Pb-Zn-Ag prospect

The Rusty Springs prospect is a carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn-Ag deposit in the northern Ogilvie Mountains. It is hosted in medium to coarsely crystalline grey dolostone and dolostone breccia of the Devonian Ogilvie Formation.

The Rusty Springs prospect has the basic characteristics of a Mississippi Valley-type deposit. It is hosted in dolostone, which is locally brecciated. The ore occurs at shallow depths and there are no associated igneous rocks. Also, hydrocarbon, which is a common feature in these deposits, is present at Rusty Springs in the form of pyrobitumen. However, several features are at variance with the Mississippi Valley-type classification. The abundant, exceptionally coarse, crystalline quartz and high silver values are evidence for a hydrothermal origin.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic stratigraphy of the Faro Peak formation, southern Tay River map area, central Yukon (NTS 105K)

The lower and upper members of the Faro Peak formation comprise Upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic successions, respectively, that are assigned to the Yukon-Tanana terrane in the southern Tay River map area (NTS 105K). The lower member is ~650 m-thick and contains a basal conglomerate overlain by argillite, limestone, basalt, and lithic feldspathic wacke to arenite that represents part of an overlap assemblage and regionally covers Paleozoic rocks of the Yukon-Tanana terrane, Slide Mountain terrane, and ancestral Cordilleran margin. The upper member has >800 m of massive conglomerate and sandstone that overlies different stratigraphic levels of the lower member and locally sits on Yukon-Tanana basement. The upper member is coeval with Whitehorse trough strata of central Yukon and similarly records Early Jurassic exhumation of the northern Intermontane terranes. The two members are lithologically distinct, of mappable extent, and have unconformable contacts, and therefore should be separated into two new formations.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
A note on preliminary bedrock mapping in the Fire Lake area

New geological mapping around the Fyre Lake Cu-Co-Au deposit in Yukon-Tanana Terrane, southeastern Yukon, has established the continuity of stratigraphic units from nearby Grass Lakes map area and affirmed the stratigraphic context of the deposit. The deposit is located near the top of a regionally persistent chlorite schist and phyllite unit that is spatially associated with voluminous mafic and ultramafic intrusive rocks. As in Grass Lakes map area, chloritic schist and associated mafic and ultramafic meta-intrusive rocks in the Fire Lake area overlie a regionally persistent quartz-rich metaclastic and carbonate unit and underlie a thick carbonaceous phyllite unit with lesser marble and felsic meta-volcanic rocks.

Yukon-Tanana Terrane rocks are truncated to the east by a shear zone of mylonitic Mississippian granite that lies at the base of the Money Klippe. The klippe is composed of undeformed (except in the shear zone) Mississippian granite and granodiorite of the Simpson Range Plutonic Suite and their wall rocks and roof pendants. Wall rocks and pendants include meta-sedimentary, meta-volcanic and meta-intrusive rocks. Layered wall rocks include a lower quartz-rich metaclastic and carbonate unit and a chlorite-actinolite-epidote phyllite unit with mafic breccia, ?augite porphyry, bands of green chert, and variably thick and laterally persistent accumulations of white marble. Rocks of intrusive protolith include ca. 361 Ma quartz porphyry, gabbro and ultramafic rock. Most contacts are observed or inferred to be intrusive or stratigraphic and are not everywhere faulted as previously mapped. With the exception of the chert and marble in the mafic phyllite, the wall rocks bear a strong resemblance to Yukon-Tanana Terrane rocks beneath the shear zone and are tentatively correlated with them. Indeed, as the wall rock sequence is intruded by granite and granodiorite of the Simpson Range Plutonic Suite, a fundamental component of Yukon-Tanana Terrane, such a correlation seems required. Such a correlation would suggest that the basal shear zone of the klippe is a minor intra-terrane structure and not a major structure or terrane boundary as previously inferred.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Rock-Eval 6/TOC analyses from outcrop samples in northern Mackenzie Mountains, eastern Richardson Mountains, and southern Peel Plateau and Plain, Northwest Territories and Yukon, Canada.

Rock-Eval 6 pyrolysis and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were performed on 144 samples collected from outcrop in the northern Mackenzie and eastern Richardson mountains, at the margin of Peel Plateau, as well as from Peel Plain (Figure 1). These samples were collected to evaluate the source rock potential and thermal maturation of specific formations ranging from Proterozoic to Cretaceous. The new data will augment previously reported data from well cuttings and outcrops (reported in Pyle et al., 2006a; 2006b). The data are reported in a Microsoft ® Excel spreadsheet, as well as a shapefile (in ESRI’s ArcView® .shp format) to enable their integration into existing data sets or mapping programs.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Assessment of thermo-hydraulic properties of rock samples near Takhini Hot Springs, Yukon

The Takhini Hot Springs area north of Whitehorse, Yukon overlies a geothermal heat source that manifests as a 46°C water seep at surface. Despite its long-term use as a tourist swimming facility, the origins and geological setting of the hot spring remains poorly understood. The objective of this study is to assess the thermo-hydraulic properties of rock samples from drill core and outcrops near Takhini Hot Springs to better explain the presence of this hydrothermal system. A moderate rock thermal conductivity (average of ~3 W m-1 K-1) and a low matrix hydraulic conductivity for consolidated rocks (on the order of 10-9 m s-1) corresponding to a linear geothermal gradient of 16°C km-1 in the upper part of the Takhini well indicate conductive heat transfer between 50 and 450 m depth. Hydraulic conductivity of fractured and brecciated rocks on the order of 10-5  m s-1, and topographic contrasts affecting the hydrostatic pressure driving groundwater flow in the area suggest that forced convective heat transfer in the bottom of the Takhini well is responsible for the strong geothermal gradient of 250°C km-1 observed between 450 and 500 m depth. Steep faults appear to be a key pathway for deep groundwater to seep to surface and can explain the geothermal context in the vicinity of the Takhini well. Such a framework is a typical geothermal play type in orogenic belts. This research, therefore, helps to characterize the subsurface and provides critical information needed for a successful exploration of geothermal energy resources.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
A preliminary geological interpretation of the Mount Grant–Evelyn Creek area, southern Yukon (parts of 105C/11, 12, 13, 14)

The Evelyn Creek–Mount Grant area includes a large region of igneous and meta-igneous rocks; here termed the Mount Grant batholith. The batholith comprises mostly deformed Mississippian metatonalite of the Simpson Range suite and variably, but mostly non-deformed Cretaceous granitic rocks of the Cassiar suite. The metatonalite has a sheet-like geometry and is in contact with contrasting metasedimentary successions. Overlying the metatonalite is the Slate Mountain succession, which includes quartzite, psammite, phyllite and limestone. The metatonalite overlies rocks of the Evelyn Creek succession (new), which has a tripartite stratigraphy; its lower part is dominated by chert and siliceous argillite, the middle unit comprises chlorite-muscovite schist and quartzite, while the upper unit is a prominent interval of pale coloured marble/calcsilicate. The contact between the Evelyn Creek succession and the overlying Mississippian metatonalite is interpreted to be structural rather than intrusive. Rocks of the Cassiar suite include large volumes of non-deformed granite and quartz monzonite and lesser amounts of foliated equivalents. Low pressure metamorphism is recorded by andalusite and/or sillimanite bearing schists that are restricted to the eastern part of the area. This metamorphism and deformation did not affect the remainder of the area, where latest penetrative structures are crosscut by Early Jurassic rocks of the Lokken suite.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Field notes on the Upper Devonian Imperial Formation (NTS map sheet 106L), Tetlit Creek, east Richardson Mountains, Yukon

Although the Upper Devonian Imperial Formation is widespread across northern Yukon and Northwest Territories, its geology is poorly understood in northern Yukon. The Imperial Formation is well exposed in outcrop along the eastern flank of the Richardson Mountains, notably on Tetlit Creek and Trail River (NTS map sheet 106L). During the summer of 2008, detailed partial stratigraphic sections were measured on Tetlit Creek to record lithologic variation within the formation. In addition, samples were collected to establish the age of the strata and its source rock potential by means of palynological, geochemical and vitrinite reflectance analyses.

In the east Richardson Mountains, Imperial Formation strata can be informally subdivided into two parts. The lower is predominantly mudstone and siltstone while the upper part comprises sandstone and fine-grained siliciclastic rocks. Palynological analyses for this region have established that the Imperial Formation is late Frasnian to Famennian in age. Accompanying thermal alteration indices (T.A.I.), as well as vitrinite reflectance data, suggest that the strata are overmature with respect to hydrocarbon generation. Based on Rock Eval/TOC results from surface, most of the organic matter present within the strata are not favourable for source rock potential.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Investigations into Passive Wetlands Treatment of Mine Drainage to Remove Heavy Metals at Various Sites at United Keno Hill, Central Yukon

Wetlands have been used for decades in the treatment of municipal wastewater (sewage) in many parts of the world. Since the 1980s, wetlands have been used in the treatment of acid mine drainage, usually resulting from coal mining. Recently, natural and constructed wetlands have been researched and utilized for the removal of metals from mine drainage. Most of these wetland treatment systems have been designed and used in temperate climatic areas where permafrost, extreme minimum temperatures, and limited plant productivity is not a great concern. There is interest in northern regions on the possibility of the application of wetlands as a passive treatment system for metal contaminated mine drainage.

A research program investigating this possibility was initiated in the summer of 1995 in the vicinity of the United Keno Hill Mine property in central Yukon. A pilot wetland treatment system was constructed in May 1995 near the Galkeno 900 adit to determine whether it could improve the quality of its discharge. Sedges (Carex aquatilis) were obtained from a local natural wetland unaffected by any mine drainage and planted in the plot. After the plants were allowed to establish, untreated mine drainage was introduced to the wetland. Monitoring of the wetland continued for one season. Initial results showed that treatment within the wetland reduced concentrations of zinc, cadmium, manganese and nickel. Sulphate reduction in the sediments and formation of insoluble metal sulphides appeared to be the primary process responsible for their removal.

In 1999, further investigations were completed on this pilot project and on some of the natural wetlands which receive untreated mine drainage. Due to insufficient volumes of water flowing through the examined wetlands, they could not be fully evaluated as to their performance in the treatment of waste water. However, sediment analyses showed that metals had been attenuated. The colonization of the transplanted sedges (Carex aquatilis) in the constructed wetland was evaluated. Successful growth and propagation was apparent. These local sedges appear to be a hardy species capable of withstanding transplanting, and appear to thrive with a minimum of effort.

Metal uptake in plant tissues was also examined. Low levels were documented throughout the study area with the exception of high zinc concentration in sedges that were collected from the No Cash wetland. As Carex aquatilis, the dominant sedge found in the local wetlands, is generally unpalatable to herbivores, the low and incidental levels of metals found within the tissue of the sedges, poses little environmental concern. Overall, the preliminary results indicate that there is good potential for the use of wetlands to treat metal contaminated mine drainage.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Yukon hard rock mining, development and exploration overview 2019

Yukon mineral exploration activity dipped slightly in 2019. Exploration expenditures were approximately $105 million, compared to $120 million in 2018. Development expenditures are estimated at $240 million, primarily for the development of Victoria Gold Corp.’s Eagle mine ($183M), and, to a lesser extent the advancement of Newmont Goldcorp.’s Coffee gold project and the reopening of the Minto gold-copper-silver mine by Pembridge Resources. Production dollars are attributable to operations at Victoria Gold’s new Eagle mine and the newly reopened Minto mine of Pembridge Resources plc.

The number of active exploration projects dropped significantly from 155 projects in 2018 to 80 projects in 2019. To some degree, this reflects the continuing tight equity markets. Thirty-six of the 80 projects spent more than $1M, while 44 projects spent less than $500,000. The majority of smaller projects received Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP) grant funding. In terms of all Yukon projects, gold continues to be the most sought-after commodity, with 68% of the projects targeting it. The remainder of projects focused on exploring for lead-zinc, copper, silver, or nickel-PGEs, and to a lesser extent, tin, cobalt or vanadium.

Claim staking in 2019 was down significantly over the previous year to 2212 claims. The number of claims in good standing is 173,161, down from an all-time high of 252,902 in 2012. Drilling numbers were down slightly. Total drilling in 2019 was 221,596 m, compared to 246,282 m in 2018.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Surficial geochemical setting of the southern Carmacks-Minto copper belt

Preliminary surficial geological investigations of the southern Carmacks-Minto copper belt (NTS 115I/7) include material thicknesses, distribution and observations of thermal conditions. The Quaternary setting is discussed in relationship to material genesis and geomorphological processes operating on the landscape. Surficial material distribution is controlled by ice flow direction, prevailing wind direction and aspect-related differences in gravity and thermal-driven surficial processes.
Valley bottoms and north-facing slopes have moderate to thick surficial cover that include far travelled sediments such as till, loess and glaciolacustrine sand. Drainage can be poor in these
landscapes and permafrost is present in many areas. Valley bottoms contain thick Quaternary fill and are unsuitable for traditional soil surveys. North-facing slopes may provide good geochemical results if sampled carefully for first-order bedrock derivatives. Upland and south-facing slopes have thin to moderate surficial cover and can provide good conditions for traditional C-horizon soil sampling surveys. Windblown sand, silt and volcanic ash are deposited thickly, but unevenly, across the landscape. These sediments dilute surficial geochemical samples and are often incorporated into other materials through cryoturbation, and fluvial and gravitational reworking. Geochemical dilution by eolian materials is more significant near the Yukon River floodplain and in the central Carmacks-Minto copper belt.
Future surficial geochemical surveys should use a variety of methods suited to landscape characteristics and well-described surficial material characterizations. Applying surficial landscape models to existing soils data may also improve their utility for exploration. High quality surficial mapping is a critical part of surficial geochemical surveys and new products in this area will benefit from the use of airborne lidar.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Shaded Magnetic First Vertical Derivative, Yukon Territory/Northwest Territories, 116P/SW-SE

This map was compiled from data obtained as a result of an aeromagnetic survey carried out by Fugro Airborne Surveys using a Cessna Caravan aircraft. A 0.005 nT sensitivity split-beam cesium vapour magnetometer was mounted in the tail boom of the survey aircraft. 
The survey operations were carried out from March 7 to May1, 2003. The nominal traverse line spacing was 800 m with control lies at 2.4 km spacing at a nominal terrain clearance of 200 m. A preplanned flight surface was calculated for this survey to minimize the control line and traverse line altitude differences. Flight path was recovered using a post flight differential Globa Positioning System, combined with a vertically mounted video camera.
After editing the survey data, the intersections of the control and traverse lines were established and differences in the magnetic values were computer analysed and manually checked to obtain the level network. The levelled total field values were then interpolated to a 200 m grid. The International Geomagnetic Reference Field has not been removed from the magnetic total field.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon
Yukon Exploration and Geology 2002

Yukon Exploration and Geology (YEG) is the main publication of the Yukon Geology Program (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and Yukon Government). This is the 25th volume of the YEG series, and marks a special year, since this is the tenth anniversary of the Yukon Geology Program. The volume contains up-to-date information on mining and mineral exploration activity, studies by industry, and results of recent geological field studies. Information in this volume comes from prospectors, exploration and government geologists, mining companies and students who are willing to collectively benefit the Yukon's mineral industry. Their assistance and patience is sincerely appreciated.

The 2002 volume has four parts. The first Mineral Industry includes overviews of mining and exploration in the Territory, as well as prospecting activity documented as part of the Yukon Mining Incentives Program. The second part Government outlines the activities and organization of the Yukon Geology Program, and includes announcements of the fourth Mining Land Use Reclamation Awards, the Robert E. Leckie Awards. The third part Geological Fieldwork contains reports describing regional mapping, and more detailed geoscience studies. The last part Property Descriptions is a collection of geological reports of mineral occurrences with recent exploration advances or detailed studies, and is authored by industry and government geologists, as well as university students.

Organization: Government of Yukon | Gouvernement du Yukon