14th Biennial Meeting

Québec City, Canada

August 20-23, 2017

MINERAL RESOURCES
TO DISCOVER
EXCURSION GUIDEBOOK FT-01

Geology, Physical Volcanology and Ni-Cu-PGE Deposits of the Raglan Area,

Cape Smith Belt, Nunavik, Québec, Canada

C. Michael Lesher and Michel G. Houlé (eds.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 FIELD TRIPS COMMITTEE

Chair
Michel Houlé

Co-chair
Anne-Aurélie Sappin

Guidebook Publication
Anne-Aurélie Sappin
Michel Houlé
Claude Dion
André Tremblay

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook

Cover photo: View overlooking the Raglan mine site with the Katinniq accommodation complex in the
background, Nunavik, Québec, Canada.

Photo: M. Landry (Glencore Canada Corporation)

Geology, physical volcanology, and Ni-Cu-(PGE)
deposits of the Raglan area, Cape Smith Belt,
Nunavik, Québec, Canada:
A Field Trip to the 14th Biennial SGA Meeting

C.M. Lesher and M.G. Houlé (eds.)

2017
SOCIETY OF GEOLOGY APPLIED TO MINERAL DEPOSITS (SGA)
FIELD TRIP GUIDEBOOK FT-01

Geology, physical volcanology, and Ni-Cu-(PGE)

deposits of the Raglan area, Cape Smith Belt,
Nunavik, Québec, Canada

Field Trip Leaders: C.M. Lesher1, M.G. Houlé2

Field Trip Organizers: M.G. Houlé2, C.M. Lesher1, M. Landry3, A. White3,

and D. Patry3

1
Mineral Exploration Research Centre, Harquail School of Earth Sciences, Goodman School
of Mines, Laurentian University, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
2
Geological Survey of Canada, Lands and Minerals Sector, Natural Resources Canada, 490,
rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC G1K 9A9
3
Glencore, Mine Raglan, 120, avenue de l’Aéroport, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9Y 0G1

Field Trip held 10-17 August 2017

Recommended Citation:

Lesher, C.M. and Houlé, M.G. (Editors), 2017. Geology, physical volcanology, and Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits of the Raglan
area, Cape Smith Belt, Nunavik, Québec, Canada: A Field Trip to the 14th Biennial SGA Meeting; Geological Survey of
Canada, Open File, 110 p.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................................................i
Foreword .......................................................................................................................................................................... iv
Programme ........................................................................................................................................................................ v
Safety and Access............................................................................................................................................................. vii
Acknowledgements .........................................................................................................................................................viii
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 2: Geologic setting ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.1 Cape Smith Belt ................................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2 Stratigraphy....................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 Povungnituk Group ................................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.2 Chukotat Group....................................................................................................................................... 13
2.3 Deformation .................................................................................................................................................... 16
2.4 Metamorphism ................................................................................................................................................ 16
2.5 Geochronology ................................................................................................................................................ 17
Chapter 3: Raglan Formation ............................................................................................................................................ 18
3.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
3.2 Lithological descriptions.................................................................................................................................. 18
3.2.1 Nomenclature.......................................................................................................................................... 18
3.2.2 Rock types .............................................................................................................................................. 18
3.3 Physical volcanology ....................................................................................................................................... 24
3.3.1 Cross Lake Member: channelized sheet flows .......................................................................................... 24
3.3.2 Katinniq Member: lava channel complexes .............................................................................................. 28
3.3.3 Volcanic features ..................................................................................................................................... 28
3.4 Volcanic evolution ........................................................................................................................................... 29
3.4.1 Cross Lake Member ................................................................................................................................ 29
3.4.2 Katinniq Member .................................................................................................................................... 31
3.4.3 Relationship to the Expo Intrusive Suite .................................................................................................. 31
3.4.4 Chukotat basalts ...................................................................................................................................... 31
3.4.5 Environment of emplacement .................................................................................................................. 31
3.5 Implications for exploration ............................................................................................................................. 31
Chapter 4: Mineralization ................................................................................................................................................. 33
4.1 Geology .......................................................................................................................................................... 33
4.2 Ore mineralogy and textures ............................................................................................................................ 37
4.3 Ore chemistry .................................................................................................................................................. 39
4.4 Re-Os isotope geochemistry............................................................................................................................. 41
4.5 S isotope geochemistry .................................................................................................................................... 44
4.6 Ore genesis...................................................................................................................................................... 44
Chapter 5: Cross Lake area ............................................................................................................................................... 47
5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 47
5.2 Geology .......................................................................................................................................................... 47
5.3 Structural geology ........................................................................................................................................... 48
5.4 Mineralization ................................................................................................................................................. 48
5.5 Interpretation ................................................................................................................................................... 50
Chapter 6: East Lake area ................................................................................................................................................. 51
6.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 51
6.2 Geology .......................................................................................................................................................... 51
6.2.1 East Sill .................................................................................................................................................. 51
6.2.2 Main Sill ................................................................................................................................................. 52
6.2.3 South Sill ................................................................................................................................................ 52
6.2.4 Southeast Sill .......................................................................................................................................... 53
6.2.5 West Sill ................................................................................................................................................. 53
6.3 Mineralization ................................................................................................................................................. 53
6.3.1 East Sill .................................................................................................................................................. 53
6.3.2 Main Sill ................................................................................................................................................. 53
6.3.3 South Sill ................................................................................................................................................ 53

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook i

 6.3.4 Southeast Sill .......................................................................................................................................... 53
6.3.5 West Sill ................................................................................................................................................. 53
6.4 Interpretation ................................................................................................................................................... 54
6.5 Field trip stops ................................................................................................................................................. 54
Chapter 7: Northern Permit sills ....................................................................................................................................... 56
7.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 56
7.2 Field trip stops ................................................................................................................................................. 56
Chapter 8: Zone 3 – Zone 2 area ....................................................................................................................................... 58
8.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 58
8.2 Geology .......................................................................................................................................................... 58
8.2.1 Zone 3 .................................................................................................................................................... 58
8.2.2 Zone 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 58
8.3 Mineralization ................................................................................................................................................. 61
8.3.1 Zone 3 .................................................................................................................................................... 61
8.3.2 Zone 2 .................................................................................................................................................... 62
8.4 Interpretation ................................................................................................................................................... 62
8.5 Field trip stops ................................................................................................................................................. 63
8.5.1 Mine 3 footwall rocks.............................................................................................................................. 63
8.5.2 Thick well-differentiated flows ................................................................................................................ 63
8.5.3 Mine 2 area ............................................................................................................................................. 64
Chapter 9: Katinniq area ................................................................................................................................................... 65
9.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 65
9.1.1 Katinniq Gabbro...................................................................................................................................... 66
9.1.2 Footwall gabbro-Metasediment sequence................................................................................................. 66
9.2 Katinniq Ultramafic Complex .......................................................................................................................... 66
9.3 Structural geology ........................................................................................................................................... 69
9.4 Mineralization ................................................................................................................................................. 76
9.5 Geological interpretation ................................................................................................................................. 76
9.6 Field trip stops ................................................................................................................................................. 76
9.6.1 Katinniq Gabbro...................................................................................................................................... 77
9.6.2 Basal part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex ........................................................................................ 77
9.6.3 Lower contact of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex ................................................................................. 78
9.6.4 Middle and upper parts of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex .................................................................... 78
9.6.5 Chukotat Group....................................................................................................................................... 79
Chapter 10: Zone 5-8 area ................................................................................................................................................ 80
10.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 80
10.2 Geology ............................................................................................................................................................... 80
10.3 Mineralization ...................................................................................................................................................... 80
10.3.1 Small tonnage and high grade .................................................................................................................. 80
10.3.2 Larger tonnage and lower grade ............................................................................................................... 83
10.4 Interpretation ....................................................................................................................................................... 83
10.5 Field trip stops ..................................................................................................................................................... 84
10.5.1 Western part of the 5-8 Zone ......................................................................................................................... 84
10.5.2 Western part of 5-8 Zone Ultramafic Unit...................................................................................................... 84
10.5.3 Underground tour at Qakimajurq Mine (Zone 7)............................................................................................ 86
10.5.4 Central part of the 5-8 Zone .......................................................................................................................... 86
10.5.5 Eastern part of the 5-8 Zone .......................................................................................................................... 86
Chapter 11: Zone 13-14 area ............................................................................................................................................. 87
11.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 87
11.2 Field trip stops ..................................................................................................................................................... 88
11.3 Field trip stops ..................................................................................................................................................... 88
Chapter 12: West Boundary area ....................................................................................................................................... 90
12.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 90
12.2 Previous work and discoveries.............................................................................................................................. 90
12.3 Geology ............................................................................................................................................................... 91
12.4 Stratigraphy ......................................................................................................................................................... 91
12.4.1 Nuvilik Formation ........................................................................................................................................ 91
12.4.2 West Boundary ultramafic complex ............................................................................................................... 92
12.5 Chukotat Group basalts ........................................................................................................................................ 92

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook ii

 12.6 Geophysical signature .......................................................................................................................................... 93
12.7 Mineralization ...................................................................................................................................................... 93
12.8 Ore lenses ............................................................................................................................................................ 93
12.9 Interpretation ....................................................................................................................................................... 94
12.10 Field trip stops ................................................................................................................................................... 94
Chapter 13: Boundary area ............................................................................................................................................... 96
13.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 96
13.2 Geology ............................................................................................................................................................... 96
13.2.1 Country rocks ............................................................................................................................................... 98
13.2.2 Boundary Complex ....................................................................................................................................... 98
13.2.3 Mafic dikes................................................................................................................................................... 99
13.3 Structure .............................................................................................................................................................. 99
13.4 Mineralization ...................................................................................................................................................... 99
13.5 Geological interpretation ...................................................................................................................................... 99
13.6 Field trip stops ................................................................................................................................................... 101
Chapter 14: Donaldson area ............................................................................................................................................ 102
Chapter 15: Bibliography and references ........................................................................................................................ 103

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook iii

Foreword
This volume was written as a guidebook for a 7-day field alternative locations have been selected in certain
trip to the Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits, as part of a field occasions. New access roads also provide an opportunity
trip in conjunction of the 14th Biennial SGA conference to visit areas not possible in 1999 (e.g., NC20C Sill). There
held in Québec City (Québec) in August 2017. The last will also be underground tours at the Kikialik and
field trip conducted in the Raglan Nickel belt was for Qakimajurq mines.
International Geological Correlation Program Project 427 This field excursion is part of recent research
“Dynamic Processes in Ore-Forming Magmatic Systems” undertaken and currently in progress by the Geological
held in Rouyn (Québec) in July 1999. Survey of Canada under the Targeted Geosciences
Nickel production in the Raglan belt began in 1997. Initiative (TGI) on the critical parameters that could
After 20 years of intense mineral exploration and mining control the Ni-Cu-(PGE) mineralization at the ore system-
in the Raglan area, many exposures have been degraded by to the deposit-scale along cratonic margins.
development activities, but it is still one of the best- Because most of the recent work in the area has
exposed and least-metamorphosed komatiitic-associated involved mining and not research, and because there have
Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide deposits in the world and one of the therefore been only a few written developments in the
finest examples of dynamic processes in ore-forming geological background since the 1999 field trip or the 2007
volcanic systems. review paper by CML, many of the deposit descriptions
Some of the field exposures targeted to be visit during have been adapted from the previous guidebook, but this
this field excursion are the same and many are similar to volume updates the regional setting, includes new maps
the ones visited in 1999. However, because of distance with deposit locations, and contains several new excursion
(e.g., Cross Lake) and development in some of these areas, stops.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook iv

Programme
Note that everything stops planned is subject to change 08:00-[Link] Live core viewing session to examine the
depending on weather and logistics. current drill core (surface/underground) at 5-8 and 13-14
deposits with Glencore staff.
Wednesday August 9th
09:00-[Link] Group 1 visits at one mine (TBD), including
Late Afternoon: Participants arrive in Montréal for early geological overview, discussion of 3D mine model, and
departure the next morning. Overnight in Montréal. underground tour; Group 2 tours Katinniq area, including
upper part of Katinniq Ultramafic Complex along middle
Day 1 - Thursday August 10th and western side of main complex, overlying Chukotat
basalts, and thick differentiated flows.
7:30-[Link] Check in at Shell Aerocentre in Montréal. No
check in will be accepted after 08:00. 12:00-[Link] Lunch in Katinniq cafeteria (both groups)

9:00-[Link] Fly from Montréal to Donaldson on Glencore 13:00-[Link] Group 1 visits Kikialik Mine, including
Boeing 737-200C; a light lunch will be served on the geological overview, discussion of 3D mine model, and
flight; participants need to recover their luggage to go underground tour; Group 2 tours Katinniq mill and
through airport security before departure for Donaldson. concentrator, and views stratigraphic core through the
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex in DDH 718-3485 and 718-
14:00-[Link] Bus ride to the Glencore’s Katinniq 3486 (both located on east side of the Deception Bay road,
Complex. NE of Katinniq Complex)

14:30-[Link] Check in and on site orientation. 17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria

17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria 18:30-[Link] Geological context and ore textures at the
Kikialik (JD Pelletier – Glencore).
18:30-[Link] Lectures on “History of the Raglan Nickel
Belt and World Perspective” (20 mins: M.G. Houlé – Day 4 - Sunday August 13th
Geological Survey of Canada) and “Physical Volcanology
and Ni-Cu-(PGE) Deposits in the Raglan Area” (90 mins: 07:00-[Link] Breakfast
C.M. Lesher – Laurentian University)
08:00-[Link] Live core viewing session to examine the
Day 2 - Friday August 11th current drill core (surface/underground) at 5-8 and 13-14
deposits with Glencore staff.
07:00-[Link] Breakfast, pack-your-own field lunch.
09:00-[Link] Group 1 visits Katinniq area, including upper
08:00-[Link] Live core viewing session to examine the part of Katinniq Ultramafic Complex along middle and
current drill core (surface/underground) at 5-8 and 13-14 western side of main complex, overlying Chukotat basalts,
deposits with Glencore staff. and thick differentiated flows. Group 2 visits at one mine
(TBD), including geological overview, discussion of 3D
9:00-[Link] Tour lower part of Katinniq Complex, mine model, and underground tour.
including underlying Katinniq Gabbro and metasediments,
basal contact, discovery showing, and section through 12:00-[Link] Lunch at the Katinniq cafeteria (both groups)
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (lunch in the field).
13:00-[Link] Group 1 tours Katinniq concentrator and
17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria views stratigraphic core through the Katinniq Ultramafic
Complex in DDH 718-3485 and 718-3486 (as above).
18:30-[Link] Lecture on “Grassroots Exploration to Group 2 visits Kikialik Mine including geological
Production: Kikialik and Qakimajurq Case Studies” (M. overview, discussion of 3D mine model, and underground
Landry – Glencore) tour

Day 3 - Saturday August 12th 17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria

07:00-[Link] Breakfast 18:30-[Link] TBD

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook v

Day 5 - Monday August 14th 18:30-[Link] TBD

07:00-[Link] Breakfast and pack your own field lunch. Day 7 - Wednesday August 16th

08:00-[Link] Live core viewing session to examine the 07:00-[Link] Breakfast

current drill core (surface/underground) at 5-8 and 13-14
deposits with Glencore staff. 08:00-[Link] Live core viewing session to examine the
current drill core (surface/underground) at 5-8 and 13-14
09:00-[Link] Geological transect across ultramafic host deposits with Glencore staff.
unit at Mine 3 (east of pit), including view from overlook
of Open pit with presentation of the geology supported by 09:00-[Link] Visit West Boundary and Boundary areas
geological map of the Pit; view from overlook of the (focusing on lower contacts and internal dikes), South
Kikialik of the SW Pit with presentation of the geology Claim differentiated sill south of Zone 13-14 along
supported by geological map of the Pit, and - if time Canadian Royalities road, other TBD
permits - a short stop on the ramp to the Mine 2 portal to
see columnar jointing in Katinniq gabbro. 12:00-[Link] Lunch in cafeteria

12:00-[Link] Lunch in the field. 13:00-[Link] View ore profiles from several deposits along
the belt, including 718-2705, which shows typical ore
12:30-[Link] Geological transect across the ultramafic textures at Katinniq
host unit at Zone 5-8 (west and central).
17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria.
17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria.
Day 8 - Thursday August 17th
18:30-[Link] TBD
07:00-[Link] Breakfast
Day 6 - Tuesday August 15th
08:00-[Link] Group discussion at Exploration office;
07:00-[Link] Breakfast, pack-your-own field lunch. Luggage drop-off before noon.

08:00-[Link] Live core viewing session to examine the 12:00-[Link] Lunch in cafeteria (room key drop-off
current drill core (surface/underground) at 5-8 and 13-14 around 12:30).
deposits with Glencore staff.
13:00-[Link] Bus ride to Donaldson airport.
09:00-[Link] Visit to NC20C differentiated sill, which will
involve a long hike (~2 km each way) over rocky terrane 14:00-[Link] Fly to Montréal
(lunch in the field).
18:00-[Link] Bus ride to Québec City (drop-offs at
17:00-[Link] Dinner at the Katinniq cafeteria. selected hotels, TBD)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook vi

Safety and Access
Field trip participants should be aware that any geological Leaders and Mine Raglan Glencore Staff will take
field activity, including field trips, can present significant every possible precaution for ensuring the safety of the
safety hazards. Foreseeable hazards of a general nature participants, but cannot assume any liability for accidents.
include inclement weather, slips and falls on uneven Each participant must sign a RELEASE OF LIABILITY
terrain, falling or rolling rock, insect bites or stings, animal form in order to participate to the fieldtrip.
encounters, and flying rock from hammering. Standard fieldwork safety practices must be followed,
This trip will involve walking over very rough, very including wearing appropriate clothing and footwear,
unforgiving (angular and sometimes sharp), and often travelling with a group or in pairs, advising others of the
slippery (lichen-covered) rocks, likely in foggy/misty/rainy departure/return times and itinerary, being prepared for
conditions, so a considerable degree of agility is required sudden changes in the weather, and carrying sufficient
to be able to safely participate in this excursion. water and appropriate emergency and safety gear. A sun
The Leaders have prepared for the field trip and will hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent containing at least 25%
take all reasonable care to provide the safety of the DEET are also strongly recommended.
participants on its field trips. However, field trip Most of the trip routes are on Crown land, but access is
participants are responsible for acting in a manner that is provided by a private road network on Glencore’s mining
safe for themselves and their co-participants. This claims. In such situations, please respect the property
responsibility includes using the appropriate personal rights of others, so that future access for other geologists is
protective equipment (PPE) such as rain gear, not adversely affected.
sunscreen, insect repellent, safety glasses, work gloves, Several of the outcrops to be visited exhibit exceptional
hardhat, and sturdy steel-toed boots when necessary or textural preservation and have already been damaged by
when recommended by field trip leader or Glencore unnecessary hammering and sampling. Please ask the trip
staff, or upon personal identification of a hazard requiring leader if sampling is permitted before hammering.
PPE use.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook vii

Acknowledgements

The Editors are greatly indebted to Mine Raglan and Geological resources and field operations:
Glencore Ltd. for their enthusiastic support of this Pierre St-Antoine, George Nemcsok, Emmanuel Sakoma,
endeavour and for permission to publish this volume. We André-Philippe Turcotte, Rita Livingston, Jimmy Uqaituk,
are very grateful to many Glencore staff members for Eldon Roul
logistical and technical assistance, for contributions of
information and figures for the Guidebook: Technical underground field support:
Ken Germain, Patrick Turgeon, Rémi Morin, Mario Fluet
Exploration Department
Geological logistics: We would like also to express our appreciation to the
Mathieu Landry, Adam White, François Baillargeon, Targeted Geoscience Initiative management team and
François Gagnon Wouter Bleeker who fully supported these research
activities under the Ni-Cu-Cr-PGE project. Annick Morin,
Geological field operations: Pierre Brouillete, Francis Aucoin, Gabriel Huot-Vézina,
Stéphanie Ouimet, Benoit Soucy-de-Jocas, Neil Bradbury, Étienne Girad, Marco Boutin, Dylan McKevitt, and
Daryl Ball, Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, Benoit Massé, Jeremy Alexandra Paré are gratefully acknowledged for thorough
Kilner, Marilyn Rousseau, Maria-Jose Comeau GIS support in the course of this research activity, and who
also to help prepare some of the figures, maps, and
GIS support: logistics for this field trip.
Frederic Hyde
We also acknowledge the contribution of the many
Technical core and field support: authors of the 1999 Guidebook whose chapters we have
Martin Proulx, Sylvain Boulianne, Raymond Bélanger, relied on extensively when preparing this version of this
Claude Côté, Maata Irniq, Makusi Jaaka, William Rinfret, guidebook.
Pierre Amesse (Major Drilling)

Mine Geology Department:

Geological logistics:
Daniel Patry, Julius Csabai, Denis Gervais, Christina
Snow, Jean-David Pelletier

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook viii

Chapter 1: Introduction

The Raglan Property is located approximately 1,800 km as Wakeham Bay, 750 residents) 60 km southeast on the
north of Montreal in the Nunavik (formerly New Québec) western coast of the Ungava Bay, Salluit (1483 residents)
Region of the Province of Québec (Fig. 1.1). Nunavik 130 km northwest on the Hudson Strait, and Akulivik (633
encompasses around 500 000 km2 and has a population of residents) 275 km WSW at the other end of the Cape
roughly 11,000 residents, the majority of whom are Inuits Smith belt on the east coast of the Hudson Bay. The
who are grouped into 14 communities of which Kuujjuaq Glencore and Canadian Royalties warehouses and seaport
is the largest with 2754 residents. The closest communities infrastructures are located approximately 50 km east of
to the Raglan Property are Kangiqsujuaq (formerly known Salluit in Deception Bay.

Figure 1.1. Location map showing the location of the Raglan Property (yellow) with respect to nearby communities (Salluit and
Kangiqsujuaq), Douglas Harbour, the Donaldson and Purtuniq airstrips, and the Glencore road network (provided by Glencore).

The Raglan Property is at 600 metres above sea level free days during the short summer. Annual precipitation is
on a barren and gently rolling plateau, within a subarctic 650 mm, of which 77% occurs as snow. The area hosts
climate zone that is 800 km north of the treeline. sparse wildlife (e.g., caribou, foxes, birds) and little
Continuous permafrost extends up to 540m below surface vegetation.
(Taylor and Judge, 1979). Summers are generally short The Raglan Property stretches approximately 65 km
and cool, and winters are long and cold. The average east to west (Fig. 1.2) and consists of Map Designated
annual temperature is –10°C with an average of 23 frost- Claims, Mining Leases, and Surface Leases. It is covered
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 1
by several agreements covering different parcels of land These are 21-year leases and are renewable for 3 further
and water rights. In addition to the main Property, there terms of 10 years. The areas currently covered by the
are two agreements covering the road from Katinniq to Mining Leases are East Lake (Kikilalik – BM 861), Zone
Deception Bay as well as a patent and water lot covering 3 (BM 837, 853, and 867), Zone 2 (BM 838, 844, and
the port area of Deception Bay. 866), Katinniq (BM 839), Zone 5-8 (Qakimajurq, Agnyiuk
The bulk of the Raglan Property is covered by 1,237 – BM 859), West Boundary (BM 860), and Donaldson
Map Designated Claims covering 488 km2. The Mining (BM 836).
Areas are covered by 14 Mining Leases covering 17 km 2.

Figure 1.2. Map showing exploration permits (diagonal green), Raglan property (orange outline), named exploration areas (red outlines),
mining constructions (pink), area of the Raglan Agreement (light green), and road network. Provided by Glencore Ltd.

The exploration and early development history of the whom come from local Inuit communities.
Raglan belt was summarized by Dupras and Green (1999) Mining began in 1997 and continues today (Fig. 1.3).
and will not be repeated here. Since then the rate of Approximately 1.3 million tonnes of ore are treated yearly
development has increased considerably and the site at the concentrator, which produces more than 37,000
presently includes several inactive open-pit mines (Fig. tonnes of Fe-Ni-Cu sulfide concentrate annually. The
1.3), four active underground mines (Katinniq, Mine 2, concentrate is trucked 100 km to the Deception Bay
Kikialik, Qakimarjurq), a mill and concentrator, and seaport facilities, where it is kept in a domed warehouse
administrative and accommodation facilities. The until it is shipped to Québec City on the 27,000-metric
infrastructure includes a fresh water supply reservoir, fuel tonne capacity ice breaker MV Arctic. From there is
tanks, a water treatment plant, and a power plant with shipped by train to Glencore’s facilities in Sudbury where
diesel generators and an 80m-high 3 megawatt wind the concentrate is smelted and cast into matte, which is
turbine. A 150-km road network links the mining complex sent back to Québec City via rail, then shipped to
to an airport at Donaldson, and to warehouses and seaport Glencore's refinery facilities in Kristiansand, Norway,
facilities at Deception Bay. Mine Raglan presently where the matte is refined into pure metals. Mineral
employs approximately 950 full-time workers, many of resources as of 31 December 2016 are listed in Table 1.1.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 2

 1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Zone 2 pit
Katinniq underground
Zone 3 pit
Mine 3 underground
Mine 3 Champagne pit
Katinniq I pit
Zone 2 underground
East Lake 1 pit
Mine 2 Blimp pit
West Boundary Spoon pit
Katinniq G pit
East Lake 2 pit
Donaldson A pit
Donaldson OP42 pit
Kikialik underground
Qakimajurq underground

Figure 1.3. Operation dates for open-pit (orange) and underground (red) mines at Raglan (modified from SNC-Lavelin, 2017)

Table 1.1. Measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resources for Mine Raglan as of 31 December 2016

Measured Indicated Measured + Indicated Inferred

Mass (Mt) 6.22 12.72 18.94 16.52

Ni (%) 3.75 3.32 3.46 3.03

Cu (%) 0.95 0.98 0.97 0.90

Co (%) 0.08 0.07 0.08 0.07

Pt (g/t) 1.01 0.97 0.98 0.94

Pd (g/t) 2.45 2.39 2.41 2.30

Ni/Cu 3.95 3.39 3.57 3.37

Pt/Pd 0.41 0.41 0.41 0.41

Cu/(Ni+Cu) 0.20 0.23 0.22 0.23

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 3

Chapter 2: Geologic setting

2.1 Cape Smith Belt rocks of the Spartan Group, which are interpreted as fore-
The early Proterozoic Cape Smith Belt extends east-west arc basinal deposits (St-Onge and Lucas, 1993), and mafic-
for 375 km across the Ungava Peninsula of northern ultramafic metavolcanic and intrusive rocks of the Watts
Quebec, between the Archean Superior Province in the Group, which are interpreted as an ophiolite complex
south and several Proterozoic “suspect” terrains to the (Scott et al., 1989). The Cape Smith Belt has been
north (Fig. 2.1). It is bound to the south, east, and northeast interpreted to represent a thin-skinned thrust belt preserved
by high-grade gneisses and plutonic rocks of the Superior as a stack of klippen (Hoffman, 1985) in a doubly plunging
Province and to the northwest by metavolcanic rocks of the synclinorium, and as the preserved part of the foreland
Parent Group, which are interpreted as a volcanic arc thrust belt to the Ungava Orogen, an arc-continental
(Picard et al., 1990), fine-grained clastic metasedimentary collision zone (St-Onge and Lucas, 1993).

Narsajuaq arc
(1.86-1.83 Ga)
Cape Smith Belt
Parent/Spartan groups
(ca. 1.86 Ga )
C a na
da
Povungnituk and
Chukotat groups USA
(>2.04-1.92 Ga)
Watts Group (ca. 2.00 Ga) Baffin
Superior Province Island
(ca. 2.80 Ga) Hu
ds
on
St
rai
t
Ungava orogen

100 km

New Quebec orogen

60
78 74 70
Figure 2.1. Map of the Ungava Peninsula north of 60ºN, showing the major geological elements of the Ungava Orogen (after St-Onge
and Lucas, 1993). Area of Figure 2.2 is outlined.

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2.2 Stratigraphy Raglan Formation at the base of the Chukotat Group, and
The rocks in the Cape Smith Belt have been subdivided the thick gabbroic flows/sills in the lower part of the
into two stratigraphic groups (Bergeron, 1959): the Chukotat Group, and to add the geochronological data of
Povungnituk Group and the Chukotat Group (Figs. 2.2- Bleeker and Kamo (2017). The major lithological units in
2.4). this part of the Cape Smith Belt are described below, from
The stratigraphy in the east-central part of the Cape stratigraphic base (south) to stratigraphic top (north). The
Smith Belt is summarized in Figure 2.4, which has been peridotites are pervasively altered to serpentine and
modified from Mungall (2004) to highlight the locations of magnetite, so are well defined on magnetic (Figs. 2.5 and
the differentiated gabbro-peridotite sills in the upper part 2.6) and hyperspectral maps (Fig. 2.7).
of the Nuvilik Group, the ultramafic complexes in the

ARCHEAN EARLY PROTEROZOIC

Domain 1 Domain 2 Domain 3
oblique - slip fault Superior Province Chukotat Group
tonalite, granite, amphibolite dominantly plagioclase-phyric tonalite
reverse fault basalt, gabbro, peridotite

normal fault
dominantly pyroxene-phyric
basalt, gabbro, peridotite Spartan Group
graphitic pelite,
dominantly olivine-phyric basalt, semipelite, quartzite
thrust fault gabbro, peridotite
Watts Group
geological boundary Upper Povungnituk Group basalt, gabbro sills
basalt, gabbro, peridotite and sheeted dykes
pyroxenite
Lower Povungnituk Group
micaceous quartzite layered gabbro
Rivière
CC Déception semipelite, quartzite, ironstone, layered peridotite
basalt, volcaniclastic sedimentary
T rock, gabbro, peridotite
BB ironstone
Z
Y X U arkosic quartzite, ironstone,
V
conglomerate
AA W
Lac Watts
Wakeham Bay
Q
S R B
O
P N M P K
L O
L
K
K

J C Joy
Bay
J Lac B
Vicenza
I I Q
H G
F C C B
B
Lac E
D
B A
St - Germain
Burgoyne
74o 30' W

B
Bay
0 10 km A B A
A

61o 10' N

Figure 2.2. Geological compilation map of the eastern part of the Cape Smith Belt (redrafted from St-Onge and Lucas, 1993). Area of
Figure 2.3 is outlined. Letters identify stratigraphically distinct blocks.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 5

 0 10 km
N PS

5-8 13-14
K NP S
WB
NPS SPS B D
3-2

EL

CL

SPS EU

74o30' W
o
61 30' N
ARCHEAN EARLY PROTEROZOIC EARLY PROTEROZOIC

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook

Domain 1 Domain 2 Domain 3
Superior Province Chukotat Group Spartan Group
tonalite, granite, amphibolite dominantly plagioclase-phyric basalt graphitic pelite, semipelite, quartzite
dominantly pyroxene-phyric basalt
dominantly olivine-phyric basalt Watts Group
basalt, gabbro sills, and sheeted dykes
gabbro peridotite
Deposits/Showings Povungnituk Group
CL = Cross Lake B = Boundary
semipelite (NPS/SPS: North/South Permit Sills)
EL = East Lake D = Donaldson
plagioclase-phyric basalt faults
K = Katinniq EU = Expo Ungava
semipelite, quartzite, ironstone, basalt geological boundary
WB = West Boundary M = Méquillon volcaniclastic sed. rock, gabbro, peridotite

Figure 2.3. Geological compilation map of the Raglan area (modified from St-Onge and Lucas, 1993), showing the locations of the Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits in the area.

6
 Raglan Formation gabbro flow/sill in Chukotat
ca.1883 (8) Katinniq Gabbro gabbro sill cut by Raglan Fm.
Katinniq Gabbro
South Permit Sills

ca.1882 (8)

(8)

Figure 2.4. Stratigraphic column and geochronology for the east-central Cape Smith Belt (modified from Mungall 2007). U-Pb ages
from: (1, 2) Machado et al. (1993); (3,5) Parrish (1989); (4) Randall (2005); (6) Wodicka et al. (2002); (7) St Onge et al. (1992); (8)
Bleeker and Kamo (2017).

Figure 2.5. Total field magnetic map for the majority of the Raglan Property (from just east of Cross Lake to Donaldson). Pinks and reds
are serpentinized peridotites, oranges are pyroxenites and gabbros, and greens and blues are basalts and metasediments. The mineralized
lava channel complexes of the Raglan Fm., North and South Permit peridotite-pyroxenite-gabbro sills in the Nuvilik Fm. (upper and
lower parts of permit area), and dikes and sills of the Expo Horizon (lower part of map) are well defined.
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 7
 Zone 13-14
Zone 5-8
West Boundary
Katinniq
Boundary

Zone 3-2
5 km

Figure 2.6. Total field magnetic map for the Raglan Belt between the Zone 3-2 and Boundary complexes (from Osmond and Watts,
1999), imaging the magnetite-rich serpentinized peridotite complexes (pink and red). The surface expressions of the complexes are
outlined in black and appear to be connected down-dip to the north beneath overlying Chukotat Group basalts. The magnetic bodies in the
upper part of the underlying Nuvilik Formation are sills.

Figure 2.7. Hyperspectral map for the area between Katinniq (left) and Zone 13-14 (right). Pinkish reds are serpentinized peridotites,
blues are gabbros and basalts, and greens are metasediments. The water reservoir (south of Katinniq), rivers, roads, waste dumps, tailing
ponds, and other infrastructure are also visible.

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2.2.1 Povungnituk Group They comprise simple and compound massive and
The Povungnituk Group comprises a lower sequence of pillowed flows of tholeiitic basalt. They are fine to very
primarily clastic sedimentary rocks (Dumas Formation), a fine-grained, light- to medium green in colour, and weather
middle sequence of primarily mafic volcanic and to greenish grey colour. They are composed primarily of
metasedimentary rocks intruded by gabbro, pyroxenite, albite-actinolite-chlorite with trace amounts of pyrite, and
and peridotite sills (Beauparlant Formation), and an commonly exhibit a recrystallized intersertal to ophitic
uppermost sequence of primarily metasedimentary rocks texture. The pillows are 0.1-1m long and often contain
(Nuvilik Formation) intruded by gabbro, pyroxenite, and multiple pillow shelves (Fig. 2.8), indicating that they are
peridotite sills (North and South Permit Sills) (Figs. 2.3 lava tubes that experienced multiple episodes of lava
and 2.4). The latter two are the footwall rocks to most of emplacement and drain age (see Sawyer et al., 1993). The
the deposits in the Raglan Property. contact with the overlying metapelites is poorly exposed
and has been mapped as a D1 regional thrust fault by
[Link] Beauparlant Formation Hynes and Francis (1979), Coats (1982a), and St-Onge and
Lucas (1993). However, the proposed fault weaves back
The mafic volcanic rocks of the Middle Povungnituk
and forth across the contact and the sills above and below
Group are exposed in the upper part of block L (Fig. 2.2).
the contact are very similar, suggesting that the
There are excellent outcrops of these rocks along the west
stratigraphic sequence is broadly conformable.
shore of Raglan Lake (Fig. 2.8), south of the Donaldson
Camp, and along the Deception River, south of Katinniq.

Figure 2.8. Pillow basalt with 17 shelves (drainage cavities) in upper part of Povungnituk Group, south side of Lac Raglan, Donaldson
area.

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[Link] Nuvilik Formation adjacent to overlying ultramafic flows and sills. The
The 1-2 km thick sequence of metapelites at the top of the contact with the overlying Raglan Formation is
Povungnituk Group is exposed in block M (Fig. 2.2), transgressive and locally sheared, but the uppermost
directly underlying the Raglan Formation. These rocks do sedimentary rocks are hornfelsed discontinuously along the
not outcrop well, but they are exposed discontinuously entire length of the Raglan Formation between Cross Lake
along the entire length of the Raglan Formation. They are and Donaldson (e.g., Figs. 9.2, 10.2-10.10.4, 13.2), and the
dominated by semi-pelite, fine-grained graphitic sulfidic degree and extent of hornfelsing are greater beneath the
slate (Fig. 2.9), and argillite with minor quartzite. The thick ultramafic complexes than beneath flanking facies
semi-pelites are composed primarily of fine-grained and greatest beneath transgressive, second-order
quartz, white mica, and chlorite, and may contain up to 5% embayments of the ultramafic complexes (e.g., Thacker,
sulfides and significant amounts of graphite. Sedimentary 1995; Stilson, 1999). This indicates that the contact is not
structures such as graded bedding are not evident in most tectonic, as suggested by St-Onge and Lucas (1993), but
outcrops and drill core, but are enhanced by hornfelsing unconformable (thermal erosional) (Lesher, 1999, 2007).

Figure 2.9. Photograph of north-dipping graphitic, sulfidic slates in the Nuvilik Formation along the Deception River south of the
Katinniq South Portal (outcrop now flooded).

[Link] Northern and Southern Permit Sills or lava channels.

The mafic-ultramafic sills that occur semi-continuously Excellent examples outcrop north of Katinniq (Fig.
within the Nuvilik Formation in blocks M and O (e.g., 9.1), south of Zone 13-14 (Fig. 11.1, lower left), and east
Figs. 2.2 and 2.3) were referred to by Falconbridge of Cross Lake (Romeo I and II: Figs. 5.1 and 5.2). Some
geologists as North Claim Sills and South Claim Sills, and are massive gabbro or pyroxenite, or less commonly
are now referred to by Glencore Geologists as Northern peridotite (e.g., T-Sill south of Katinniq: Fig. 2.7), and
Permit Sills and Southern Permit Sills. Thus far, no some are differentiated with relatively thin lower zones of
economic mineralization has been found in any of these columnar-jointed peridotite (Fig. 2.10) or oikocrystic
units, which is consistent with most of them appearing to olivine pyroxenite (Fig. 2.11), and thick upper zones of
be non-channelized sheet sills, not channelized sheet flows layered melanogabbro, mesogabbro, leucogabbro (Fig.
2.12), and ferrogabbro.
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 10
Figure 2.10. Photograph (looking east) of columnar-jointed olivine pyroxenite in the lower part of the Romeo I sill east-southeast of
Cross Lake.

Figure 2.11. Photograph of oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite in the lower part of the Romeo I sill east-southeast of Cross Lake.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 11

Figure 2.12. Photograph of layered leucogabbro in the upper part of the Romeo I sill east-southeast of Cross Lake.

Figure 2.13. Photograph of rusty sulfide-bearing zone along contact between gabbro (above, not visible) and olivine pyroxenite in the
NC20C Northern Permit Sill north of Kikialik (photo by D. McKevitt).
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 12
 Some of the poorly differentiated ultramafic bodies 3-2 areas, though many of those in the Katinniq and Zone
contain basal accumulations of marginally economic Ni- 3-2 areas have been disrupted by mining activities. The
Cu-(PGE) sulfides (e.g., Expo Ungava, Bravo) and some Raglan Formation is described in detail in Chapter 3.
of the differentiated mafic-ultramafic sills (e.g., Delta, Although not formally recognized as being part of the
Romeo I, NC20C: Fig. 2.13) reached sulfide saturation Raglan Formation, the ultramafic complexes are often
during crystallization and contain narrow PGE-rich overlain by thick differentiated flows (Hynes and Francis,
disseminated sulfide zones (e.g., Giovenazzo et al., 1989; 1982; St-Onge and Lucas, 1993) with thinner wehrlitic or
Thibert, 1993; D. McKevitt, pers. comm., 2017). Where pyroxenitic lower zones and thicker upper gabbroic zones
exposed, the sills have contact metamorphosed both (Fig. 2.14). As discussed in the next chapter, they represent
underlying and overlying metasedimentary rocks and intermediate thick non-cumulate facies between the thick
sometimes contain rafts of overlying metasedimentary and strongly cumulate ultramafic and thick variably
rocks (Thibert, 1993; St-Onge and Lucas, 1993). cumulate mafic-ultramafic units of the Raglan Formation
These sills have been previously interpreted as feeders and the thin non-cumulate basalts of the overlying
to overlying Chukotat volcanic rocks (e.g., Hynes and Chukotat Group.
Francis, 1979; Francis et al., 1981; 1983; Bédard et al.,
1983; Giovenazzo et al., 1989; Mungall, 2007), but they [Link] Olivine-phyric Member
have weighted average compositions similar to their The lower part of the Chukotat Group is dominated by
chilled margins (e.g., Thibert, 1993, 1996), are less olivine-phyric basalts that form simple and compound
magnesian than the most-Mg rich olivine phyric basalts in flows with massive, polygonized, pillowed, or brecciated
the Chukotat Group, and only weakly hornfels surrounding facies. Ropy surfaces and polyhedral jointing, very fine-
rocks, indicating that they did not accumulate significant grained margins, and fine- to medium-grained central parts
amounts of olivine, that they are more evolved, and that characterize massive lavas. Pillows exhibit indistinct rims
they probably represent consanguineous sheet sills rather (Fig. 2.15) and are commonly larger and longer (1-2m
than subvolcanic feeders. long, 3:1 to 5:1 aspect ratios) in the lower parts of pillowed
zones, and smaller and shorter (0.4-0.6m long, 1:1 to 2:1
2.2.2 Chukotat Group aspect ratios) in the central and upper parts of pillowed
The Chukotat Group comprises a lower unit of thick zones. Interpillow spaces are filled with a mixture of basalt
mafic-ultramafic units and interflow metasediments breccia, hyaloclastite, metasediment, and quartz ± calcite.
(Raglan Formation) overlain by komatiitic olivine-phyric, Pillow shelves, representing horizontal drainage cavities
komatiitic pyroxene-phyric, and MORB-like plagioclase- (Sawyer et al., 1983) are commonly filled with quartz ±
phyric basalts (Figs. 2.2 and 2.3). The Chukotat basalts are calcite and are excellent paleohorizon indicators. Olivine-
interpreted to represent the final transition from initial phyric basalts are composed of actinolite-chlorite-
rifting (lower Povungnituk Group) and continental basalt serpentine and contain light green pseudomorphs after
volcanism (middle Povungnituk Group) to opening of an olivine phenocrysts (Fig. 2.16) and fine disseminated
ocean basin (Chukotat Group) (Hynes and Francis, 1979; pyrrhotite. Olivine-phyric basalts and differentiated flows
Francis and Hynes, 1982; Francis et al., 1981, 1983; Picard are exposed in block N and in the lower part of block P
et al., 1990; St-Onge and Lucas, 1993). Although there is (Fig. 2.2). There are excellent outcrops in the core of the
some cyclicity (Francis and Hynes, 1982), they can be Cross Lake syncline, north of Kikialik (to be visited), and
subdivided into several formations/members (Figs. 2.2, along the Deception River north of Katinniq (to be visited).
2.3, and 3.1).
[Link] Pyroxene-phyric Member
[Link] Raglan Formation Pyroxene-phyric basalts that form simple and compound
The thick ultramafic and mafic-ultramafic complexes that flows with massive, pillowed, or brecciated facies
host the ores in the Raglan Horizon (lower part of block N: dominate the middle part of the Chukotat Group. Red-
Fig. 2.2) define a stratigraphically distinct, regionally weathering selvages and tabular pillow morphologies
mappable lowermost unit of the Chukotat Group, defined characterize the pyroxene-phyric basalts (St-Onge and
as the Raglan Formation. It extends 85 km from Cross Lucas, 1993). They are composed of actinolite-chlorite-
Lake in the west, where it is terminated by a D2 syncline plagioclase and contain dark green pseudomorphs after
and D2 thrust fault (Fig. 2.3), across a D4 antiform pyroxene phenocrysts and fine disseminated pyrrhotite.
centered between the 5-8 and 13-14 areas, to Wakeham Pyroxene-phyric basalts are abundant in the upper part of
Lake in the east, where it is terminated by the same thrust block P and the lower part of block S, but there are some
fault (see St-Onge and Lucas, 1994). Although all mafic pyroxene-phyric basalts in the central part of block N (Fig.
and ultramafic complexes form pronounced topographic 2.2). There are excellent outcrops along the river northeast
highs and locally contain good outcrops, especially along of Cross Lake and along the Deception River north of
their southern and northern margins, most of the rocks are Katinniq.
frost-heaved and/or covered by glacial rubble. The best
outcrops occurred in the Cross Lake, Katinniq, and Zone

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 KB DF2 DF1 MG FTB KUC KG

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook

Figure 2.14. Photograph (looking east) of Chukotat Group komatiitic basalts (KB), a thin differentiate gabbro-pyroxenite flow (DF2), a thick differentiated gabbro olivine
pyroxenite flow (DF1), a massive microgabbro flow (MG), the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex and its flow-top breccia (KUC and FTB – on a dip slope so thickness is exaggerated
considerably), and the Katinniq Gabbro (KG). Interflow sediments occupy the valleys between the KG and KUC, KUC and MG, and DF1 and DF2. Peridotites are brown and other
rocks are grey.

14
Figure 2.15. Photograph of olivine-phyric pillow basalt in the lower part of the Chukotat Group, Katinniq area.

Figure 2.16. Photomicrograph of olivine-phyric basalt in the lower part of the Chukotat Group, Katinniq area (width of photo is 2.5mm).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 15

[Link] Plagioclase-phyric Member more intact than previously assumed.
Plagioclase-phyric basalts that form simple and compound For example, Gillies (1993), Thacker (1995), Stilson
flows with massive, pillowed, and brecciated facies (1999), Chisholm et al. (1999), Lesher (1999, 2007),
dominate the upper part of the Chukotat Group. They are Chisholm (2002) have shown that the contact between the
composed of albite-chlorite-actinolite and contain white Katinniq and Cross Lake Members of the Raglan
phenocrysts of plagioclase and fine disseminated Formation and the underlying Nuvilik Formation
pyrrhotite. This unit is not exposed in block N, but occurs metapelites is often sheared, but is locally undeformed
in the upper part of block S (Fig. 2.2). There are excellent (e.g., Fig. 9.9), normally thermal erosional (e.g., Fig. 9.9),
outcrops along the river northeast of Cross Lake and along and is normally contact metamorphosed (e.g., Figs. 9.6-
the Deception River north of Katinniq. 9.8), indicating that it is not a tectonic contact and is
simply locally deformed where sheared.
2.3 Deformation Similarly, the contact between Beauparlant Formation
tholeiitic basalts in block L and overlying Nuvilik
Lucas (1989), Lucas and St-Onge (1989), and St-Onge and Formation metapelites in block M (Fig. 2.2) was mapped
Lucas (1993) identified four major deformation events in as a regional thrust fault by Hynes and Francis (1979),
the eastern Cape Smith Belt: D1 (<1.87-1.92 Ga) involved Coats (1982), and St-Onge and Lucas (1993). However,
southward-directed piggy-back (break backward) thrusting the proposed fault weaves back and forth across the
and folding of the Povungnituk and Chukotat Groups onto contact and the sills above and below the contact are very
the Superior Craton, increasing the thickness of the similar, suggesting that the stratigraphic sequence is
Povungnituk Group from a minimum of 7 km (maximum broadly conformable.
stratigraphic thickness in thrust sheet K: Fig. 2.2 and 2.3) The contact between the Chukotat Basalts and the
to a maximum of 20 km (Lucas, 1989). D1 faults produced underlying thick flows and the Raglan Formation (Fig.
a locally pronounced S1 foliation that pre-dates peak 2.2), which was also mapped as regional thrust by St-Onge
metamorphism. They are most abundant in the southern and Lucas (1993), is also only locally faulted and is clearly
part of the belt (e.g., thrust sheets A-N and P: Fig. 2.2). conformable in many areas, including the east side of the
This deformation also produced a penetrative shear fabric river at Katinniq (Fig. 9.2).
adjacent to the basal décollement and retrograde However, regional-scale thrusting has beheaded the
metamorphism of underlying granulite facies rocks of the upper part of the Chukotat Group at the top of block N,
Superior Province. D2 (1.83-1.80 Ga) involved southward- repeating the Nuvilik Formation, folded the western end of
directed out-of-sequence (break forward) thrusting and block N into an east-plunging synform in the Cross Lake
folding of the Povungnituk and Chukotat Groups. D2 area, and faulted out that entire block in the eastern end
structures cross-cut D1 structures and cut down section in east of Donaldson (Fig. 2.2). The contacts in many of the
the transport direction (e.g., thrust sheets O and Q-V: Fig. deposits (see Chapters 5-14) are offset by faults of various
2.2). They also cross-cut metamorphic isograds and orientations, but the displacements are always negligible to
therefore post-date or are synchronous with peak small, as indicated by limited offsets on the contact and ore
metamorphism (Bégin, 1992; St-Onge and Lucas, 1990; lenses.
St-Onge and Lucas, 1993). This deformation also produced
basement imbrications, penetrative shear fabrics, and
2.4 Metamorphism
continued retrograde metamorphism of underlying rocks of
the Superior Province. D3 (ca. 1.76 Ga) involved folding The rocks in the Cape Smith Belt have experienced a
of the allochthonous Cape Smith Belt and the underlying complex tectonothermal history involving interaction
autochthonous Superior Province basement about E-W between i) deformation, ii) uplift and erosion, and iii)
trending fold axes (St-Onge and Lucas, 1993). D4 (<1.74- thermal equilibration of the thickened crust (St-Onge and
1.76 Ga) involved E-W compression and folding of the Lucas, 1993). The rocks in the southern part of the belt
thrust belt and basement about moderate-steeply northward (mainly Povungnituk Group, referred to as an External
plunging fold axes, which is most pronounced in the Domain by St-Onge and Lucas, 1993) are characterized by
southern part of the belt (Fig. 2.2). a higher metamorphic gradient and higher metamorphic
Thus, most of contacts between the lithological blocks grades (hornblende-oligoclase and garnet-oligoclase
of the Cape Smith Belt (Fig. 2.2) were interpreted by assemblages), whereas the rocks in the northern part of the
Lucas (1989), Lucas and St-Onge (1989), and St-Onge and belt (mainly Chukotat Group, referred to as an Internal
Lucas (1993) to be mainly tectonic, a consequence of Domain by St-Onge and Lucas, 1993) are characterized by
thrusting during emplacement of the belt onto the Superior a lower metamorphic gradient and lower metamorphic
Province. However, mapping by and Bleeker and Kamo grades (hornblende-albite and garnet-albite mineral
(2017) suggests that the deformation may be much more assemblages) (Bégin, 1992).
localized than previously assumed, that many contacts The rocks in the east-central part of the Cape Smith
(e.g., between blocks O and N, between blocks N and M, Belt have been metamorphosed to lower greenschist facies
and between blocks P and O: Fig. 2.2) are largely (actinolite-albite zone: St-Onge and Lucas, 1993) and the
conformable, not tectonic, and that the sequence may be mafic-ultramafic rocks now comprise variable proportions
of serpentine (predominantly antigorite), clinoamphibole
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 16
(tremolite in ultramafic lithologies, actinolite in mafic
lithologies), chlorite, albite, magnetite, ilmenite, and
sulfides. Some of the ultramafic rocks at Donaldson, West
Boundary, the western part of Zone 2, and the eastern part
of Zone 3 are altered to talc-magnesite-chlorite
assemblages, but steatization and carbonation are rare in
most areas. Rock structures (pillows, pillow shelves,
columnar joints, breccias, sedimentary layering),
palimpsest textures (cumulus, porphyritic, skeletal), and
relict minerals (clinopyroxene, plagioclase, chromite, and
rare olivine) are commonly preserved, so igneous
nomenclature is normally used.

2.5 Geochronology
Available geochronological data are summarized in Figure
2.4. The Raglan Formation has not yet been dated directly,
but it cuts the Katinniq Gabbro, which has been dated at
ca. 1883 Ma by Beeker and Kamo (2017), and is overlain
by a gabbro “sill” (presumably one of the thick flows
overlying the Raglan Formation) that was dated at 1870
Ma by St-Onge et al. (1992). These ages are similar to the
1882.7 ± 1.3 Ma age of the Expo Intrusive Suite
determined by Randall (2005), and supports the
interpretation that the Expo Intrusive Suite (Mungall,
2007) is part of the magma system that produced the
Raglan Formation.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 17

Chapter 3: Raglan Formation

3.1 Introduction refer to rocks with appropriate mineralogy and textures,

The mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Raglan Formation but without any genetic implication regarding volcanic or
have been described by Shepherd (1960), Kilburn et al. subvolcanic setting.
(1969), Wilson et al. (1969), Miller (1977), Barnes et al.
(1982), Coats (1982), Hynes and Francis (1982), Albino 3.2.2 Rock types
(1984), Dillon-Leitch et al. (1986), Giovenazzo et al. The Raglan Formation is composed of multiple units of
(1989), Gillies (1993), St-Onge and Lucas (1993), Thacker peridotite and gabbro with lesser dunite, olivine
(1995), Stilson (1999), and Lesher (2007). The following is pyroxenite, pyroxenite, and basalt. Most also contain thin
taken from Lesher (1999) and Lesher (2007). internal units of metasediment and basaltic breccia. Each
Early workers interpreted the ultramafic units of the of these rock types is described below and summarized in
Raglan Formation as very high-level sills that fed Table 3.1.
overlying komatiitic basalts (e.g., Hynes and Francis, Dunites are adcumulate rocks that originally contained
1979; Barnes et al., 1982; Francis et al., 1981, 1983; >90% cumulus olivine and chromite and <10%
Bédard et al., 1983; Giovenazzo et al., 1989) or as flows intercumulus glass and pyroxene. Fresh olivine (Figs. 3.2
that evolved into sills during the evolution of the volcanic and 3.3) is rare and so far found only in dunites where the
pile (Albino, 1984). Since then they have been adcumulate-heteradcumulate texture made it less
reinterpreted as lava ponds (Barnes and Barnes, 1990) or susceptible to alteration. Almost all of the peridotites
lava channels (Lesher et al., 1991; Gillies, 1993; Thacker, (including other rare dunites) in the Raglan Belt are
1995; Stilson, 1999; Lesher, 2007). Field relationships pervasively metamorphosed to antigorite-magnetite-
summarized below and in the other parts of this volume chlorite ± pyroxene ± sulfide assemblages. They are
suggest that they represent the lowermost part of the normally strongly magnetic, exhibit a well-developed
Chukotat volcanic sequence and that they are channelized conchoidal fracture, and weather to a light tan colour. They
sheet flows (Cross Lake Member) or lava channel have volatile-free MgO contents of 35-40% and have been
complexes (Katinniq Member). identified only in the Katinniq and East Lake areas.
Peridotites (wehrlites) are mesocumulate to
3.2 Lithological descriptions orthocumulate rocks that originally contained 75-90%
cumulus olivine and 25-10% intercumulus glass and
pyroxene (Figs. 3.4 and 3.5). They are pervasively
3.2.1 Nomenclature
metamorphosed to antigorite-magnetite-chlorite ±
The IUGS terminology for mafic and ultramafic igneous pyroxene ± sulfide assemblages, but cumulus textures are
rocks defines all coarse-grained rocks (e.g. gabbro, well preserved. Some contain intercumulus skeletal
pyroxenite, olivine pyroxenite, peridotite, and dunite) as pyroxene and altered glass, indicating very rapid cooling.
plutonic and all fine-grained rocks (e.g. basalt, komatiite) They are moderately magnetic, exhibit a subconchoidal
as volcanic. No terminology is provided for fine-grained fracture, and weather to a light brown colour. They have
intrusive rocks or coarse-grained extrusive rocks even volatile-free MgO contents of 30-35% and account for the
though the mineralogy and textures of extrusive, majority of the rocks in the Katinniq Member of the
subvolcanic, and plutonic rocks may be otherwise Raglan Formation.
identical. Olivine Pyroxenites (clinopyroxene wehrlites) are
This problem is compounded by the fact that the orthocumulate to oikocrystic orthocumulate rocks that
interpretations of the rocks in the Raglan area vary from originally contained 10-25% olivine and up to 50%
being entirely subvolcanic, to being primarily volcanic, to poikilitic pyroxene (Figs. 3.6 and 3.7). They are
being deeply erosive. Although people working on metamorphosed to pyroxene-antigorite-tremolite-chlorite-
volcanic and subvolcanic cumulate rocks often avoid using magnetite ± sulfide assemblages, and commonly contain
IUGS terminology and simply refer to the ultramafic relict pyroxene oikocrysts. They are slightly magnetic,
extrusive/subvolcanic cumulate rocks as olivine exhibit an uneven fracture, and weather to a reddish brown
orthocumulate (50-75% olivine), mesocumulate (75-95% to grey colour. They have volatile-free MgO contents of ca.
olivine), and adcumulate (>95% olivine) rocks, this still 25-30% and are common in the Katinniq Member,
leaves the problem of what to call the fine-grained particularly in the upper parts and in mineralized zones,
pyroxene-rich chilled margins of subvolcanic magma and in the lower parts of the Cross Lake Member, but they
conduits or the medium- to coarse-grained pyroxene- are also common in the lower parts of thick differentiated
plagioclase-rich rocks in thick massive and differentiated sills and flows.
flows. Because the IUGS-type rock names are so firmly
entrenched at Raglan, they will be used in this paper to
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 18
 Deception River

mE
6840
0 00m

00
N N

5650
Katinniq Area
5-8 Area
KM
CLM KM
2-3 Area CLM KM CLM
CLM KM
0mE
0

E
Deception River
5750

00m
5700

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook

Chukotat Group Povungnituk Group 0 1 2
Komatiitic Basalt Slate km
Gabbro Tholeiitic Basalt
Pyroxenite Layered
Flows Gabbro
Wehrlite Pyroxenite Sills
Katinniq Wehrlite/Peridotite
Peridotite Member KM
Gabbro Cross L.
Pyroxenite Member CLM

Figure 3.1. Geological compilation map of the Zone 3 – Zone 2 – Katinniq – Zone 5-8 area, showing the stratigraphic relationships between the Cross Lake Member (gabbro at
the base of the Chukotat Group that is semi-continuous, except for structural disruptions) across the area) and the Katinniq Member (peridotite complexes at Zone 3, Zone 3,
Katinniq, and Zone 5-8) of the Raglan Formation.

19
 Table 3.1. Ultramafic and mafic lithologies in the Raglan area, showing local rock names, igneous textures and mineralogy, metamorphic assemblages, field
characteristics, and MgO contents (volatile-free).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook

20
Figure 3.2. Photograph of relict dunite in DDH 718-100 at Katinniq. Olivine is light green but weathers greenish tan; serpentine-
magnetite veins are dark grey. BQ (36.5 mm) core diameter.

Figure 3.3. Photomicrograph of a rare fresh dunite composed of olivine and oikocrystic clinopyroxene with almost no interstitial material,
forming a heteradcumulate texture. Width of photo is 7.5 mm. Doubly-polarized light.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 21

Figure 3.4. Photomicrograph of typical tan lichen-covered peridotite in the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex.

Figure 3.5. Photomicrograph of serpentinized mesocumulate peridotite in the lower part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (width of
photo is 2.5 mm). Cumulus olivine has been replaced by serpentine (white) and magnetite (black – in fractures). Matrix contains relict
cumulus chromite (black) and altered glass and quench pyroxene (brownish grey). Plane-polarized light.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 22

Figure 3.6. Photograph of oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite in the upper part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (coin is 24 mm in
diameter).

Figure 3.7. Photomicrograph of an olivine pyroxenite in the upper part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (width of photo is 2.5 mm).
Yellow, blue, and pink grains are clinopyroxene oikocrysts; bluish grey mottled grains are serpentinized olivine. Doubly-polarized light.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 23

 Pyroxenites (clinopyroxenites) are metamorphosed to Complex (see Fig. 3.13). However, because of their
tremolite-chlorite ± pyroxene ± sulfide assemblages and fragmental nature they do not outcrop and have probably
are normally recrystallized with felted to decussate not been recognized in the other areas, as they have not
textures. Where relict igneous textures are preserved, three been drilled as extensively. They are composed of angular
types can be distinguished (Barnes et al., 1982; Gillies, fragments of hornfelsed sediment and hornfelsed basalt in
1993; Thacker, 1995, Stilson, 1999): 1) cumulate an unhornfelsed volcaniclastic-sedimentary matrix (Gillies,
pyroxenites, 2) pyroxene-phyric komatiitic basalts (Fig. 1993).
3.8), and 3) acicular pyroxene spinifex-textured Sediment-Basalt Peperites also occur along the lateral
pyroxenites (Figs. 3.9 and 3.10). The lattter are non- margins of the ultramafic complex and are distinguished
magnetic, exhibit a rough fracture, and weather to a from flow-top breccias by their fluidal textures and the
greyish tan colour. They have volatile-free MgO contents presence of a sedimentary matrix (Fig. 3.14).
of ca. 20-25% and are common along both margins and Interflow Metasediments occur between all of the thick
less commonly in the internal parts of the Katinniq flow units in the lower part of the Chukotat Group, above
Member, in the lower parts of the Cross Lake Member, and the Cross Lake Member except where it is channelized,
in the lower parts of unmineralized sills and layered flows. above the Katinniq Member in most areas (e.g., Zone 3:
Gabbros range from fine-grained (transitional with Fig. 8.1; Zone 2: Fig. 8.3 Katinniq: Fig. 9.2, Zone 5-8: Fig.
massive basalt) to coarse-grained, and range in 10.2, and Boundary: Fig. 13.2), and between thick
composition from melanogabbro (pyroxene-plagioclase) differentiated flows in the overlying lower part of the
through mesogabbro (plagioclase-pyroxene) to Chukotat Group. They are similar to Nuvilik Formation
leucogabbro (quartz-plagioclase-pyroxene) and metasediments (e.g., Fig. 2.9), but those overlying and
ferrogabbro (quartz-plagioclase-amphibole). They are adjacent to the ultramafic complexes are often very
normally very hard, non-magnetic, and jointed, exhibit a sulfide-rich (Fig. 3.13 top), possibly due to devolatilization
rough fracture, and weather to a grey to dark grey colour. of and reprecipitation of sulfides during thermomechanical
In contrast to some of the gabbros in the differentiated sills erosion of underlying sediments by the lava channels.
in the Nuvilik Formation, the gabbros in the Raglan
Formation are normally massive and are only rarely 3.3 Physical volcanology
rhythmically layered. They are most common in the Cross
Lake Member and in the upper parts of differentiated sills
3.3.1 Cross Lake Member: channelized sheet
and flows, but occur locally in the Katinniq Member. flows
Flow-top breccias (Figs. 3.11, 3.12, and 9.13) weather
easily, but have been mapped along the upper margins of Channelized sheet flows in the Cross Lake Member of the
almost all of the ultramafic complexes in the Katinniq Raglan Formation (Fig. 3.16) are composed olivine
Member of the Raglan Formation, including internal pyroxenite, pyroxenite, and/or gabbro. They range up to
subunits. They are distinguished from sediment-basalt 100m in true thickness and up to 10 km or more in strike
breccias and sediment-basalt peperites (see below) by the length (e.g., Cross Lake North – Cross Lake West – and
absence of a sedimentary matrix. Cross Lake East: Fig. 5.2, Zone 3 – Zone 2 – Katinniq –
Basalts are metamorphosed to albite-actinolite-chlorite Zone 5 – Zone 7 lower gabbro: Fig. 3.1). They comprise
± serpentine ± pyroxene ± sulfide assemblages. Some relatively narrow central lava channel facies composed of
basalts exhibit fine- to medium grained microspinifex multiple overlapping units of peridotite (e.g., Cross Lake
textures (Barnes and Barnes, 1990; Gillies, 1993; Thacker, West and Cross Lake East: Fig. 5.2, Zone 5 and Zone 7:
1995). Olivine-phyric basalts contain light-green Figs. 10.2-10.4) and more extensive flanking sheet flow
pseudomorphs after microphenocrysts of olivine (Fig. facies composed of differentiated olivine pyroxenite-
2.15); pyroxene-phyric basalts contain dark-green gabbro (e.g., Cross Lake North and East flanks: Fig. 5.2, 5-
pseudomorphs after microphenocrysts of pyroxene. Most 8 Lower Gabbro: Figs. 10.2-10.4, Boundary Lower
Chukotat basalts are recrystallized with felted textures. Gabbro) or massive gabbro (e.g., Zone 2-3 Gabbro: Fig.
They are non-magnetic, exhibit an uneven fracture, and 3.1, Katinniq Gabbro: Fig. 9.2). Although some of these
weather to a greenish grey colour. They may be massive, units contain flow-top breccias (e.g., Cross Lake West and
pillowed, or brecciated. East), some are capped by massive basalt (e.g., Katinniq:
Sediment-Basalt Breccias have thus far only been Figs. 9.2 and 9.3) and many appear to have been beheaded
identified in drill core in the Katinniq area, where they by the overlying Katinniq Member (e.g., Boundary: Fig.
form a lateral levee facies to the Katinniq Ultramafic 13.2).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 24

Figure 3.8. Photomicrograph of pyroxene-phyric komatiitic basalt along lower contact of Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (see Fig. 9.9 for
outcrop photo), containing small equant pyroxene phenocrysts (intermediate interference colours) in a matrix of recrystallized sprays of
pyroxene (yellow interference colours) and altered interstitial ‘glass’ (light colours). Width of photo is 8 mm. Doubly polarized light.

Figure 3.9. Photograph of columnar-jointed pyroxenite in the uppermost part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (card is 9 cm across).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 25

Figure 3.10. Photomicrograph of pyroxenite in the uppermost part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. White crystals are pyroxene
(augite cores are chloritized) in various orientations; black interstitial material is chloritized glass. Width of photo is 2.5 mm. Plane-
polarized light.

Figure 3.11. Flow-top breccia overlying columnar-jointed pyroxene-phyric komatiitic basalt along the upper margin of a subunit within
the upper ultramafic unit in the Zone 3 Ultramafic Complex.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 26

Figure 3.12. Photograph of upper margin of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex exposed in DDH K-167, showing (from top to bottom)
upper flow-top breccia, chilled basaltic upper margin, and spinifex-textured basalt grading down into pyroxenite. BQ (36.5 mm) core
diameter.

Figure 3.13. Photographs of sulfidic sedimentary breccia (top) and hornfelsed sedimentary breccia (bottom) from the lateral margin of the
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (Gillies, 1993).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 27

Figure 3.14. Photographs of fluidal peperites from the Zone 2 complex (top and middle) and Katinniq Complex (bottom) (photos by M.
Lévesque).

3.3.2 Katinniq Member: lava channel complexes location near the eastern end of the Raglan Formation,
Lava channel complexes of the Katinniq Member of the where two D1 thrust faults converge (Figs. 2.2 and 2.3).
Raglan Formation (Fig. 3.16) are composed of peridotite In the Zone 5-8 area, the lava channel facies of the
with lesser dunite, pyroxenite, gabbro, and basalt. They Katinniq Member (Zone 5 and Zone 7) is superimposed on
range up to 200m or more in true thickness and up to 2 km the lava channel facies of the Cross Lake Member (Zone 6
in exposed strike length. Many parts are composed almost and Zone 8) (Fig. 10.5), implying that the Katinniq
entirely of peridotite, apparently representing multiple Member may have reactivated the same channels used by
overlapping beheaded lava channels, but they normally the Cross Lake Member or that the emplacement of the
have pyroxenitic margins, commonly contain internal Katinniq Member in that area was controlled by a
reversals to other compositions (e.g., Figs. 9.11 and 9.12) deflationary low related to the Cross Lake Member.
or layers of gabbro, basalt, and/or metasediment (Figs. 8.1,
8.4, 9.2, 10.2, and 13.2), and are commonly capped by 3.3.3 Volcanic features
brecciated basalts (e.g., Gillies, 1993; Thacker, 1995; Several features suggest that the ultramafic complexes in
Stilson, 1999). the Raglan Formation is extrusive (Table 3.2):
There are systematic differences in the Katinniq
1) They occupy a specific stratigraphic horizon at the
Member along the Raglan Formation. The ultramafic
complexes in the East Lake area contain more dunite and base of the Chukotat volcanic sequence for 55 km
some occur deep in the Povungnituk metasediment between Cross Lake and Raglan Lake. They are
sequence, leading Petch (1999) to suggest that it may be texturally and compositionally gradational with
differentiated peridotite-gabbro and pyroxenite-basalt
partly intrusive and that the East Lake area may therefore
represent an eruptive site. The at Zone 2-3, Katinniq, Zone flows in the overlying Chukotat volcanic sequence.
5-8, Zone 13-14, and West Boundary ultramafic complexes 2) They are conformable with and grade laterally and
are composed primarily of peridotite with only minor upwards into Chukotat olivine- and pyroxene-phyric
amounts of interfingering gabbro, basalt, and/or basalts. The ultramafic units at the Cross Lake, Zone
metasediment. The Boundary and Donaldson ultramafic 3, Zone 2, Katinniq, Zone 6, Zone 8, and Boundary
complexes contain larger amounts of gabbro, basalt, and complexes are locally capped by fractured/brecciated
metasediment than the other areas, but they are also more basaltic flow tops.
penetratively deformed than the other areas, owing to their

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 28

3) They contain stratigraphically-conformable horizons channels. Contact mineralization is normally localized
of metasediment, basaltic breccias, and/or pyroxenite within second-order embayments, representing sub-
that correlate along strike and down dip with the channels within the peridotites.
stratigraphy in flanking units.
6) Underlying rocks (slates/basalts/gabbros) are
4) They sometimes contain narrow discordant dikes (e.g., hornfelsed (bleached, spotted, and/or recrystallized)
Katinniq, Boundary), interpreted as syn-volcanic within several metres of the contacts of the peridotite,
segregation dikes, but no dikes have been observed especially beneath second-order embayments.
feeding into or extending from any of the peridotites, Overlying metasedimentary units are almost always
unlike the many dikes in the Expo-Ungava area unhornfelsed.
(Mungall, 2004).
7) Laterally adjacent heterolithic (basalt and
5) They exhibit transgressive (thermal erosional) contacts metasediment) breccias comprise a mixture of
with underlying metasediment, basalt, or gabbro. They hornfelsed and unhornfelsed basalt and
define and occupy pronounced first-order footwall metasedimentary fragments (Fig. 3.13).
embayments, interpreted as major thermal erosion

Table 3.2. Summary of features consistent with various models for the mineralized ultramafic complexes in the Raglan Formation
(modified from Lesher, 2007).

Lava Deeply Erosive Invasive High-Level

Observed Feature Pond Lava Conduit Flow Intrusive
Columnar joints in upper and lower parts + + + +
Peperites and intrusive upper contacts in lateral parts – + + +
Rapidly-cooled mesostases and high-Ca olivine + + ~ ~
Mainly conformable upper contacts + + ~ ~
Flow-top breccias and polyhedral joints + + ~ –
Asymmetric erosion and V-shaped embayments ~ + ~ –
Asymmetric contact metamorphism + + – –
Linear geometry of host units (subregional scale) – + + ~
Linear tends of ore shoots (local scale) – + + –
Consistent location at the base of Chukotat Group + + + ~
+ consistent, ~ possible, – inconsistent

Because the rocks in the Raglan Formation exhibit no Raglan Block conformably or unconformably (thermal
intrusive forms or features (e.g., dikes, roof pendants, erosional) overlie the metapelites in the upper part of the
xenoliths of hanging-wall rocks), because contact Povungnituk Group, that they are conformably overlain by
metamorphism is normally asymmetric, and because Chukotat Group basalts, and that they are petrogenetically-
volcanic features (e.g., columnar joints, polyhedral joints, related to Chukotat Group basalts. As such, they are
volcanic breccias, pillow lavas, interflow metasedimentary interpreted to represent the initial phase of komatiitic
rocks, textures indicative of rapid cooling) are so common, volcanism of the Chukotat Group (Fig. 3.16).
all of the mafic/ultramafic lithologies are considered to
have been extrusive. The basalts, gabbros, pyroxenites, 3.4.1 Cross Lake Member
olivine pyroxenites, peridotites, and dunites in the Raglan The first phase of Chukotat volcanism (Cross Lake
Formation appear to be derived from a parental magma of Member) appears to have formed channelized sheet flows
komatiitic basalt composition, which has produced a wide in the Cross Lake (Fig. 5.2), Zone 3-Zone 2-Katinniq-Zone
range of different rock types depending on the degrees of 5-Zone 7 (Figs. 3.1, 8.2, 8.4, 10.2-10.4), and Boundary
in situ differentiation and olivine accumulation (Fig. 3.15). (Fig. 13.2) areas. Where present, mineralization appears to
The complex cross-cutting relationships and deep incision be restricted to the thickest and most magnesian parts of
into the footwall rocks in some areas (e.g., East Lake, parts the units, which represent a channel-flow facies (e.g.,
of Zone 2) are interpreted to reflect thermomechanical Cross Lake Main and East Zones, Zone 5, Zone 7). The
erosion. channel-flow facies are flanked by thinner, less magnesian
zones of differentiated peridotite-gabbro, representing a
3.4 Volcanic evolution sheet-flow facies (e.g., Cross Lake Main north and east
Although some of the contacts between the ultramafic flanks, Cross Lake East flanks, Zone 5 west flank, Zone 7
complexes are faulted, detailed mapping has shown that east flank, Boundary west flank).
the mineralized peridotite-pyroxenite ± gabbro units in the
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 29
 10a

Increasing Olivine Accumulation

10b

9a

Increasing Flow Rate

10c 10b

9a
9a
10d
10c
10b

6a 9b
9a
9a
6a 10d
10c
10c

Decreasing Cooling Rate

Increasing Differentiation

Figure 3.15. Volcanic facies of rocks in the Chukotat Group as a function of degree of differentiation and degree of olivine accumulation
(adapted from Lesher et al., 1984). Widths of profiles are proportional to MgO content (6 basalt, 9b leucogabbro, 9a mesogabbro, 10d
pyroxenite, 10c orthocumulate olivine pyroxenite, 10b mesocumulate peridotite, 10a adcumulate dunite.

Figure 3.16. Schematic section through channelized sheet flows and lava channel complexes in the Raglan Belt.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 30

 The presence of a thin layer of sediments above the exhibits the strongest degree of thermal erosion of footwall
sheet flow facies of the Cross Lake Member and the rocks, and does not exhibit any evidence of being depleted
absence of any sediments above the channel-flow facies in PGEs, so it must have formed from the most
indicates that 1) the magma was not able to intrude up voluminous eruptions and could not have been fed by any
through the uppermost, least-consolidated (and therefore of the underlying dikes and sills. They are likely part of the
low-density) parts of the sedimentary package but broke same system, but the exposed part of the Raglan Formation
through in the areas that were channelized, or 2) was likely fed from another part of the system, consistent
emplacement of the Cross Lake Member was followed by with it being 25-30 km horizontally (based on the average
a volcanic hiatus, during which graphitic, sulfidic 30° dip of the rock units in this part of the belt) away from
sediments and basalts were deposited. These rocks are well Expo Ungava and Mequillon.
preserved in the Katinniq and Boundary areas, but appear
to have been extensively thermally eroded by the second 3.4.4 Chukotat basalts
phase of volcanism. They are indistinguishable from those Subsequent volcanic episodes become progressively less
in the upper part of the underlying Povungnituk Group, voluminous, grading from relatively massive peridotite-
providing a spatial and temporal link between the upper pyroxenite units through thick olivine pyroxenite-gabbro
Povungnituk and lower Chukotat Groups in this part of the flows, thin pyroxenite-basalt flows, and thick medium-
Cape Smith Belt. grained (“gabbroic”) komatiitic basalt flows to thin
massive and pillowed komatiitic basalt lava lobes. This
3.4.2 Katinniq Member sequence of deposition, in which the early phases of
The second phase of Chukotat volcanism (Katinniq volcanism are very voluminous, but discontinuous, and
Member) formed lava channels in the East Lake (Fig. 6.2), later phases of volcanism are more continuous, but less
Zone 3 (Fig. 8.2), Zone 2 (Fig. 8.4), Katinniq (Fig. 9.2), voluminous, appears to be typical of most areas of
Zones 6 and 8 (Fig. 10.2), West Boundary (Fig. 12.1), and komatiitic volcanism (see discussion by Lesher, 1989).
Boundary (Fig. 13.2) areas. The peridotite zones in both
types of units are composed of multiple, overlapping lava 3.4.5 Environment of emplacement
channels (see below) that grade laterally and upwards into The presence of fine-grained graphitic, sulfidic clastic
komatiitic basalts. They are capped by flow-top breccias, metasedimentary rocks underlying the mineralized
rarely pillowed, in the Cross Lake, Zone 3, Zone 3, peridotite units, the presence of pillow basalts overlying
Katinniq, Zone 5-8, and Boundary areas. The upper parts the mineralized peridotites, and the virtual absence vesicles
of the Katinniq ultramafic complex grade laterally into in any of the volcanic rocks, indicates that the volcanic
Chukotat Group basalts and sedimentary breccias (Fig. sequence was erupted into relatively deep water (greater
9.4), are capped by basaltic breccias in the west-central and than the sulfide compensation depth and the carbonate
central parts, and are conformably overlain by massive and compensation depth), probably on a continental margin.
polygonized basalt flows, massive gabbro flows, l (Figs.
12.1 and 12.2)ayered peridotite-gabbro and pyroxenite- 3.5 Implications for exploration
basalt flows, and pillowed basalt flows. The
metasedimentary rocks adjacent to the Katinniq Ultramafic The 3D magnetic model (Fig. 2.6) and the mapped plunges
Complex (Fig. 3.13 and 3.14) are intraformational breccias of the ultramafic complexes suggest that some are
or peperites, comprising angular fragments and blocks of connected in the subsurface and might be part of a single
slate, graphitic slate, spotted hornfelsed slate, and ‘meandering’ system with an overall east-west trend (Fig.
komatiitic basalt. Further from the peridotite, the 3.17).
metasedimentary rocks are less brecciated and some parts Parts of the model are clearly more complicated (e.g.,
are very rich in pyrite and pyrrhotite. The matrix of the the trend of the eastern limb of Zone 5-8 trends more NE
breccias adjacent to the complex is only weakly than the model suggests), but deep stratigraphic drilling
hornfelsed, whereas the clasts (metasediment and basalt) between Katinniq and 5-8, between Zone 5-8 and Zone 13-
are more strongly hornfelsed, indicating that thermal 14, and between Zone 13-14 and West Boundary (Fig.
metamorphism was syn-sedimentary and syn-volcanic 3.17) in 1997- 1998 confirmed the validity of the
(Gillies, 1993). subsurface interpretations in the model (Green and Dupras,
1999).
3.4.3 Relationship to the Expo Intrusive Suite The origin of the meandering pattern in the magnetic
data is not completely clear. Folding is unlikely, except
The peridotites and gabbros dikes and sills in the Nuvilik perhaps in the 5-8 area where a footwall sill appears folded
Group appear to be related to the Raglan Formation and (Fig. 3.1), because there is no evidence of folding in the
may represent part of the same subvolcanic-volcanic footwall or hanging wall rocks in most areas, although
system. They have been considered to have been by many intrafolial folding cannot be completely excluded. Green
authors to be “feeders” to the Raglan Formation and and Dupras (1999) interpreted the pattern as a single
overlying Chukotat basalts, but the Raglan Formation meandering lava conduit (Fig. 3.17). If this interpretation
contains the most cumulate rocks in the entire system, is correct, then parts of the system have been eroded (e.g.

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between Zones 3 and 2, in the middle of Katinniq, in the might occur in parallel conduits down dip. As noted by
middle of Zone 5-8, and in the middle of Zone 13-14: Fig. Green and Dupras (1999), the most important aspect of this
3.17). An alternative interpretation is that one or more exploration model is that it predicts the amount of
conduits have been variably dislocated by north-northwest- prospective host rock that exists in the slice that has been
trending thrust faults (lateral ramps) like those observed at modelled from surface to 1000m. Of course, if the model is
Katinniq, between West Boundary and Boundary, between valid, there is no reason that there might not be other
Boundary and Donaldson, and at Donaldson. Both channels subparallel and down-dip, as in other komatiite-
alternatives are consistent with the presence of two parallel associated Ni-Cu-(PGE) systems (Lesher, 1989; Lesher
trends of ore lenses at Katinniq and Zone 2 (Mallinson, and Keays, 2002; Barnes, 2006; Lesher and Barnes, 2009).
1999b), and both suggest that additional mineralization

Lac
N Rinfret

DEEP

Zone 5-8 DEEP

DEEP

Katinniq ERODED DEEP

Zone West
ERODED 13-14 Boundary ERODED

Zones 3-2 ERODED

Boundary
DEEP 0 5 km
ERODED

Major surface showing Fault

Channel heading up plunge Deep drill holes that confirm magnetic model
Channel heading down plunge Exposed portions of mineralized ultramafic complexes
Channel in plan projection (interpreted from magnetic model) Road
Eroded parts of channel (interpreted)

Figure 3.17. Meandering lava channel exploration model for the ores in the Raglan Belt (from Green and Dupras, 1999).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 32

Chapter 4: Mineralization

4.1 Geology disseminated mineralization. In some cases, these occur on

The Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits in the Raglan Formation or appear to correlate with internal stratigraphic horizons
typically contain multiple distinct ore zones, which can be (e.g., Figs. 5.2, 8.4, 9.2-9.4, 10.2-10.4, and 13.2) and
subdivided into several types on the basis of location and correspond to the Type II mineralization of Lesher and
geometry. Most occur at or near the footwall contact of the Keays (2002), but in some cases, they represent fault-
basal subunit but some occur at or near the base of internal duplications of Type I contact ores (Chisholm et al., 1999;
subunits (Fig. 4.1). Chisholm, 2002; T. Mallinson, pers. comm., 2006).
The following is taken primarily from Lesher (2007). Narrow Vein-Type Ores: Several areas at Katinniq
Contact Ores: Most of the economic Ni-Cu-(PGE) contain thin (1-2m) tabular or sheet-like zones of
sulfide mineralization in the Raglan Formation is localized mineralization that extend up to 50m or more along strike,
in embayments along the footwall contact of the ultramafic and which have been dubbed “narrow veins” by the
complexes (e.g., Figs. 5.2, 8.4, 9.2-9.4, 10.2-10.4, and miners. Chisholm et al. (1999) and Chisholm (2002)
13.2) and corresponds to the Type I mineralization of divided them into two types. Type 1 “veins” are deformed
Lesher and Keays (2002). Most of the contact ore zones at magmatic layers or fault slices. They are hosted by
Katinniq are 15-40m thick, have a strike lengths of 35- ultramafic rocks, occur at or near the N-dipping contact of
150m, dip NNE at 30 to 45º, and contain up to 1.2 Mt of the gabbro footwall, contain a “normal” magmatic sulfide
ore (Chisholm et al., 1999). Many ores zones exhibit a assemblage (pyrrhotite-pentlandite-chalcopyrite), and
typical magmatic segregation/capillary infiltration profile: comprise a zone of massive sulfides grading upward into
massive sulfides (typically 8-15% Ni, locally up to 20%) disseminated sulfides. The wall rocks bordering the
overlain by net-textured sulfides (typically 5 to 7% Ni) “veins” are altered and the sulfides in the veins are banded.
grading upwards into disseminated (typically 1.5-4.5% Ore tenors range from 8 to 15% Ni, 1-2% Cu, and 1-2 g/t
Ni), and then blebby sulfides (typically ~1% Ni) (Gillies, Pt+Pd+Au, similar to contact ores. Type 2 veins are true
1993; Chisholm et al., 1999; Chisholm, 2002). However, veins. They occur within the footwall gabbro, dip south
the C, E, and O ore zones at Katinniq are stratigraphically (i.e., normal to the footwall contact), and are composed
more complex, comprising two or more “cycles” of entirely of chalcopyrite-rich massive sulfides, consistent
massive, net-textured, and disseminated mineralization with fractional crystallization of overlying contact ores
(see Fig. 9.4). Where the contacts between ore types are and/or with deformation-induced mobilization of
gradual or clearly primary (Fig. 4.4), this has been chalcopyrite. In one location (NV1) where cross-cutting
interpreted as evidence for multiple episodes of sulfide relationships were observed, Chisholm et al. (1999) and
emplacement (Gillies, 1993), but where the contacts are Chisholm (2002) noted that a Type 2 vein cross cut a Type
sharp, this may also be attributed to fault replication. 1 “vein”, consistent with the latter interpretation.
Contact ores rarely contain subangular to rounded, partly- The embayments that host the contact ores have been
resorbed inclusions of footwall rocks (Fig. 4.5) and interpreted as: 1) “paleotopographic” features at the base
irregular lower margins with basaltic melt films (Fig. 4.6). of a sill (Barnes et al., 1982), 2) thermomechanical erosion
Some ores are transgressed and/or offset by faults that have conduits dislocated by faults (Gillies, 1993; Chisholm et
offset magmatic layering and mobilized some of the al., 1999; Chisholm, 2002), and 3) folds along the footwall
sulfides, forming ores with strong tectonite fabrics and/or contact (Fedorowich, 1999). The contacts are clearly
breccia ores (corresponding to the Type V mineralization magmatic (e.g., Figs. 4.6) and transgressive (e.g., Fig. 9.5),
of Lesher and Keays, 2002), but many ores and footwall the massive ores locally contain xenoliths of footwall rocks
contacts are otherwise relatively undeformed (Chisholm et (Chisholm et al., 1999; Chisholm, 2002: see Fig. 4.5), and
al., 1999). the geometries of deformed embayments appear to have
Hanging-Wall Ores: Ni-Cu-(PGE) mineralization also been modified by all phases of faulting and folding, so the
occurs in overlying subunits of the ultramafic complexes, embayments are best interpreted as structurally-modified
typically forming strata-bound lenses of massive (less thermal erosion structures (Chisholm et al., 1999;
abundant than in contact ores), net-textured, and Chisholm, 2000).

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Figure 4.1. Schematic cross-section (looking west) through the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex showing multiple subunits defined by
internal contacts (typically marked by pyroxenites, flow-top breccias, or massive basalts), the complex geometry of the lower contact and
non-corresponding geometry of the upper contact, the typical locations of ore bodies along the contact and at internal unit boundaries, and
the densities of surface and underground drill hole data used to constrain the geology.

Figure 4.2. Fe-Ni-Cu sulfide showing (rusty red, centre) in western part of Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. Overlying rocks are columnar-
jointed peridotites (reddish brown), underlying rocks are pyroxenites (pinkish grey) and spotted slates (bottom). Showing is ~2 m thick
and is not connected to the main ore zones down dip.

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Figure 4.3. Representative ore types in DDH 718-30 in Zone 5-8 (from left to right): disseminated, net-textured, semi-massive, and
massive sulfides.

Figure 4.4. Complex ore profile in C-1400-3 stope, Katinniq mine, comprising net-textured Fe-Ni-Cu sulfides (lowermost part is joint
surface), disseminated sulfides (dark green band in centre, ~5 cm thick), massive sulfides (bright metallic, upper centre), and disseminated
sulfides (dark green, top). All contacts are undeformed.

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Figure 4.5. Partially melted gabbro inclusions (black, centre, largest is 20 cm in length) and melt films (black, just below inclusions) in
massive Fe-Ni-Cu sulfide (yellow metallic, upper left) along lower contact with Katinniq Gabbro (dark green, bottom), C-1400 stope,
Katinniq mine.

Figure 4.6. Basaltic melt film along irregular (erosional) primary magmatic contact between massive Fe-Ni-Cu sulfides (metallic, top)
and gabbro (dark green, bottom) containing disseminated Cu-rich sulfides, C-1400-3 stope, Katinniq mine. Width of photo is ~1 m.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 36

4.2 Ore mineralogy and textures 2) reverse net-textured: 40-70% sulfide (Po-Pn-Mag-
The mineral assemblage in most Raglan ores is monoclinic Ccp), enclosing and partially replacing (?)
pyrrhotite Fe1-xS – pentlandite (FeNi)9S8 – chalcopyrite serpentinized olivine grains (e.g., Fig. 4.8); less
CuFeS2 ± magnetite Fe3O4 ± pyrite FeS2 ± ferrochromite common than net-textured
CrFe2O4 (Coats, 1982b; Gillies, 1993), with trace amounts 3) patchy reverse net-textured: 20-40% sulfide (Po-Pn-
of sphalerite ZnS, arsenopyrite FeAsS, and platinum-group Mag-Ccp), patches (0.5-2.0 cm), enclosing and
minerals, including sperrylite PtAs2, merenskyite partially replacing (?) serpentinized olivine grains;
(Pd,Pt)(Te,Bi)2, sudburyite (Pd,Ni)Sb, moncheite commonly associated with patchy net-textured
(Pt,Pd)(Te,Bi)2, temagamite Pd3HgTe3, kotulskite sulfides
Pd(Te,Bi), testibiopalladite Pd(Sb,Bi)Te, and possibly
hollingworthite (Rh,Pt,Pd)AsS (Dillon-Leitch et al., 1986; 4) vein: deformed sulfide (Ccp-Po ± Pn ± Mag), typically
Seabrook et al., 2004). Violarite Ni2FeS4 and marcasite 0.1-5.0 cm in width, generally in chlorite, chrysotile,
FeS2 occur as supergene phases in some areas, but most and/or minor calcite veins
ores are remarkably fresh, even at the surface. The relative Each of the magmatic textures reflects differences in
abundances of pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite the timing of sulfide saturation and mechanism of sulfide
vary from sample to sample, zone to zone, and deposit to segregation, and many ore horizons are stratigraphically
deposit, reflecting original variations in original Fe, Ni, complex, comprising multiple episodes of mineralization
and Cu contents (see below) and modifications during (e.g., Figs. 4.4 and 9.4). Total sulfide abundances in
metamorphism and deformation. individual mineralized horizons are relatively constant, but
The following primary and secondary ore textures have sulfide textures are not, suggesting that the mineralization
been identified at Katinniq (modified from Gillies, 1993; was emplaced in a series of pulses and that sulfide textures
Bazilevskaya, 2009): were established locally as a result of local variations in
Primary fluid dynamics and crystallization conditions (Gillies,
1) interstitial disseminated: <1-30% sulfide (Po-Pn ± 1993).
Ccp ± Mag), fine-grained (1-3 mm), interstitial to Although massive sulfides directly overlie footwall
serpentinized olivine grains gabbros or hornfelsed sedimentary rocks in some areas
(e.g., many ores overlie a lower pyroxenitic margin. This
2) blebby disseminated: 1-5% sulfide (Po-Pn-Mag-Ccp), suggests that some of the mineralization was emplaced
fine to coarse (0.3-2.0 cm), pentlandite partially after formation of the lower chilled margin.
enclosed by pyrrhotite Reverse net-textured sulfides (Fig. 4.9) were first
3) leopard-textured: 20-40% sulfide (Po-Pn-Mag-Ccp), identified at Raglan and appear to have formed by
interstitial disseminated sulfides surrounding replacement of olivine (Philpotts, 1961; Dillon-Leitch et
clinopyroxene oikocrysts al., 1986). Although it is possible that this may have
occurred by direct sulfidation of olivine, the olivines
4) patchy net-textured: 20-40% sulfide (Po-Pn-Mag- would have not contained very much Fe (~10% for Fo88),
Ccp), patches (0.5-2.0 cm), enclosing serpentinized so some Fe would have had to have been added. As such, it
olivine grains; commonly associated with interstitial is more likely these textures formed by sulfidation of
disseminated sulfides magnetite and precipitation of FeS during infiltration of a
5) net-textured: 40-70% sulfide (Po-Pn-Mag-Ccp), S-rich fluid. In any case, the abundance of pyrrhotite and
enclosing serpentinized olivine grains (e.g., Fig. 4.8) paucity of magnetite in serpentinites containing cloudy
disseminated mineralization indicates that substantial
6) massive: >70% sulfide (Po-Pn-Mag-Ccp ± Py), amounts of S have been introduced (Gillies, 1993),
typically coarse (0.5-2.0 cm) pentlandite in a matrix of probably during conversion of sedimentary pyrite to
pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite (e.g., Fig. 4.7) pyrrhotite during diagenesis and metamorphism of the
underlying Povungnituk sediments.
Secondary
1) cloudy disseminated: <1-50% sulfide (Po ± Pn ± Mag
± Ccp), microscopic (<0.1 mm), interstitial to and/or
within serpentinized olivine grains, typically
pyrrhotite-rich

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Figure 4.7. Photomicrograph of massive ore, containing pyrrhotite (light yellowish grey), pentlandite (light yellow, more pronounced
partings), chalcopyrite (yellow), and magnetite (grey). Width of photo is 8 mm. Incident light.

Figure 4.8. Photomicrograph of net-textured ore containing a serpentinized elongate crystals of olivine (dark grey) in a matrix of Fe-Ni-
Cu sulfides (bright) and magnetite (grey). Width of photo is 8 mm. Incident light.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 38

Figure 4.9. Photomicrograph of reverse net-textured ore containing sulfidized (bright), serpentinized phenocrysts of olivine (dark grey).
Width of photo is 8 mm. Incident light.

Patchy disseminated textures (e.g., Fig. 4.10) are nucleation and precipitation process, whereas patchy ores
particularly abundant at Raglan. Although a model reflect a more heterogeneous sulfide nucleation and
involving cotectic precipitation of sulfide and olivine in precipitation process, or that patchy sulfides have
~60:1 proportions (Duke, 1986) accounts for the coalesced from originally more disseminated sulfides.
abundances of sulfides in komatiitic dunite-hosted deposits More work will be required to resolve this issue.
like Dumont (Eckstrand, 1975) and Mt Keith (Groves and
Keays, 1979; Grguric and Rosengren, 2004), it does not 4.3 Ore chemistry
explain why even in these deposits the sulfide distributions The chemistry of Raglan sulfide ores has been studied by
can be locally very heterogeneous and why the sulfides at Barnes et al. (1992, 1997b), Barnes and Picard (1993), and
Raglan are commonly very patchy and heterogeneous. Gillies (1993). Disseminated sulfides exhibit metal ratios
Eckstrand (1975), Groves and Keays (1979), Donaldson similar to olivine microspinifex-textured komatiitic basalts
(1981), Gillies (1993), and Grguric and Rosengren (2004) at Zone 2-3 and Katinniq (Barnes et al., 1992), which
have shown that the Ni and S contents of disseminated indicates that they have been in equilibrium with a liquid
sulfides can be significantly modified by addition of Ni of that composition and could have segregated from it.
during serpentinization of olivine and S during However, the Ni and Cu tenors of the sulfides vary by a
metamorphism of adjacent sulfide-bearing sediments, but factor of ~3 and range over an order of magnitude for the
this should not necessarily affect the distributions of the noble metals (Table 4.1, Fig. 4.11). The wide range in
sulfides. The less magnesian (komatiitic basalt vs. compositions can be modelled (Fig. 4.11) by varying the
komatiite) composition of the magma at Raglan resulted in mass ratio silicate to sulfide liquid (R-factor) between 300
clinopyroxene crystallizing as an intercumulus phase, but and 1100 (Barnes and Picard, 1993; Gillies 1993, Barnes et
this produces “leopard-textured” mineralization, not patchy al., 1997b).
mineralization. It is also possible that uniformly
disseminated ores reflect a more homogeneous sulfide

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 39

Figure 4.10. Patchy net-textured ore (from Bazilevskaya, 2009). (A) Schematic illustration of the geometric relations between mineral-
melt interfaces (modified after Watson et al., 1990). (B) Photomicrograph of fine interstitial sulfide aggregate (former sulfide melt)
wetting olivine crystals (presently serpentinized, Srp (Ol)) at dihedral angles (Θ) of close to 60° and forming convex margins with chlorite
(former silicate liquid, Chl) (assuming that the margin of the sulfide bleb has been replaced by magnetite). Plane-polarized reflected light.
Sample # 069_183.5. (C) Photomicrograph of a lobate interstitial sulfide aggregate (Sul) that is almost completed surrounded (wetted) by
former silicate liquid (now chlorite), but which is locally in contact with former olivine (serpentinized). Sample #249_27.5. (D)
Photomicrograph of an interconnected network, which is wetting olivine in some places but which is wetted by silicate melt in other
areas. (C) and (D) in plane-polarized transmitted light.

At Katinniq and Donaldson, where more data are interact more extensively with the magma (Barnes et al.
available, disseminated sulfides are richer in PGE than 1997b). Gillies (1993) showed that the ore zones at
massive, net-textured, or vein-type sulfides. This suggests Katinniq define two broad belts of differing ore tenor (Fig.
that the disseminated ores formed at higher R factors than 4.13), a northerly one having a nickel tenor of ~10 and a
net-textured and massive sulfides, i.e., that the latter had southerly one having a nickel tenor of ~15. There are one
less opportunity to interact with silicate magma. This may or more linear trends of more-or-less consistent ore tenors
be because the massive and net-textured sulfides were at most of the other deposits (Fig. 4.14), providing
transported as sulfide-rich layers (Lesher and Campbell additional support for distal lava channelization models
1993) and/or because they were trapped at the margins of rather than local intrusive models.
the flows and froze before they had an opportunity to

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Table 4.1. Average compositions of Ni-Cu-(PGE) ores in the Cape Smith Belt recalculated to 100% sulfides (from Barnes et al., 1997b).

% % % ppb ppb ppb ppb ppb ppb ppb

Locality Ore Type n S Ni Cu Au Pd Pt Rh Ru Ir Os Ref
Raglan Horizon
Cross Lake Cu-rich 5 39.5 6.31 3.26 627 8997 2548 320 227 41 45 1
Cu-poor 3 40.4 4.25 1.31 108 2971 850 603 950 183 139 1
Zone 2-3 disseminated 33 37.7 12.2 2.64 326 7782 3125 505 1133 167 225 2
Katinniq disseminated 21 38.3 11.4 3.45 525 11878 4032 796 2109 396 467 3
Cu-rich 16 38.6 10.0 4.57 272 7290 3427 481 988 178 249 3
Cu-poor 14 38.9 12.5 1.34 135 5122 2190 722 1881 301 445 3
Donaldson disseminated 6 37.1 17.1 4.16 246 25261 6606 695 1943 362 459 4
Cu-rich 5 36.0 17.7 9.08 3766 15408 2040 73 77 11 16 4
Cu-poor 9 40.0 10.1 1.06 43 3153 2791 704 1575 286 337 4
Delta Horizon
Bravo disseminated 1 40.0 5.70 1.40 162 2671 1132 218 225 71 44 5
Cu-rich 2 39.9 2.90 10.2 143 14860 2547 802 177 77 46 5
Delta disseminated 1 40.5 5.15 0.68 187 3628 2133 326 365 49 1
Cu-rich 14 39.7 7.63 2.51 49 6042 3085 282 61 29 26 1
Cu-poor 19 39.6 9.39 1.22 38 1023 1165 528 501 83 72 1
n = number of samples in average; references: 1 = Giovenazzo (1991); 2 = S.-J. Barnes (unpubl. data); 3 = Barnes et al.
(1982), Giovenazzo (1991), and Gillies (1993); 4 = Giovenazzo (1991) and Dillon Leitch (1986); 5 = Barnes and
Giovenazzo (1990).

Sulfides hosted by lava conduit facies in the Raglan Formation and the Bravo and Delta sills in the
Formation generally have higher metal contents than the Povungnituk Group yielded a Re-Os isochron with an
sulfides hosted by intrusions in the Delta “Horizon”. This age of 1907 ± 138 and a high MSWD, which is older
suggests that the intrusions were less dynamic than the than but overlaps within errors the 1882-1883 Ma age
flows, which is consistent with the smaller amounts of inferred for the Raglan Formation.
olivine accumulation and lower degrees of contamination Shirey and Barnes (1994, 1995) used the near-
in those bodies (see discussion by Lesher et al., 2001). chondritic Os isotopic compositions of the ores and host
Barnes et al. (1997b) and Barnes and Lightfoot (2005) rocks and the highly radiogenic compositions of the
have shown that some Raglan ores have higher Cu/Ni slates to suggest that the ore deposits could not have
and Pd/Ir ratios and disseminated ores and that some formed by incorporation of S from the slates. However,
Raglan ore have lower Cu/Ni and Pd/Ir ratios than Lesher and Stone (1996) and Lesher and Burnham (2001)
disseminated ores, suggesting that they cooled slowly showed that Os isotopic signatures are more rapidly
enough to fractionally crystallize monosulfide solid erased than S isotopic signatures in dynamic magmatic
solution (MSS) and to segregate Fe-Ni-IPGE-rich MSS systems. For example, using Os values of 0 for the
and residual Cu-PPGE-rich sulfide liquid. Most Raglan parental lava and +800 for the sediment, and the mass
ores, including most disseminated ores, are depleted in balance equations of Lesher and Burnham (2001), the
Au relative to Pd and Cu, which may reflect mobilization Os value of the contaminated lava is only 0.9-2.0 (i.e.,
during metamorphism. only 0.11-0.25% of 800) over the 300-1100 range of
magma:sulfide ratios determined by Barnes et al. (1993)
4.4 Re-Os isotope geochemistry and Gillies (1993), well within the errors propagated by
The Re-Os isotope systematics of the ores and host rocks extrapolating the measured isotopic abundances to 1907
have been studied by Luck and Allègre (1982) and Shirey Ma. Using 34S values of 0 and +4 for the parental lava
and Barnes (1994, 1995), and are characterized by 0.184- and the sediment, and the mass balance equations of
25.6 ppb Re, 0.108-23.9 ppb Os, 187Re/188Os ratios of Lesher and Burnham (2001), the 34S value of the
1.63-9.97, and 187Os/188Os ratios of 0.168-0.441. contaminated mixture is 1.7-2.5 (i.e., still 43-63% of 4)
Underlying S-rich Povungnituk slates are characterized over the same range, illustrating why the S isotopic
by 17 ppb Re, 0.39 ppb Os, 187Re/188Os ratios of 216-278, system is a more sensitive indicator of contamination
and 187Os/188Os ratios of 7.8-9.2. Seventeen samples from than the Os isotopic system in dynamic magmatic
the Zone 2-3 and Katinniq deposits in the Raglan systems of this type.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 41

 6
Katinniq o
X Ni = 1000 ppm, DNi = 200
%Cu in 100% Sulfides
5 o
X Cu = 100 ppm, DCu = 650
R = 1100
4

2 X
o
Ni = 800 ppm, DNi = 150
o
X Cu = 100 ppm, DCu = 650
1 R = 325

0
C Zone (High Tenor) o
X Ni = 1000 ppm, D Ni = 200
C Zone (Low Tenor) o
14 X Pd = 12 ppb, D Pd = 30,000
E Zone R = 1100
ppm Pd in 100% Sulfides

K Zone
12
O Zone
Q Zone
10 Variable XDR Model

4 X
o
Ni = 800 ppm, D Ni = 150
o
X Pd = 15 ppb, D Pd = 30,000
2 R = 325

0
6 8 10 12 14 16 18
%Ni in 100% Sulfides
Figure 4.11. Variations in Ni, Cu, and Pd tenors at Katinniq as modelled by Gillies (1993) using the mass balance model of Naldrett
(1981), where Yf = Xo R D / (R+D), Xo is the initial metal abundance in magma, D is the partition coefficient between sulfide melt and
silicate magma, and R magma:sulfide mass ratio. Xo, D, and R are allowed to vary (see discussion by Lesher and Campbell, 1993).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 42

 10000
Donaldson
Disseminated
1000 Katinniq
Sulfides/ Mantle
Delta
100 Bravo

Zone 2-3

10

Cu-Rich
Sulfides / Mantle

1000 Katinniq

Donaldson
100
Bravo

10 Cross
Lake Delta

Cu-Poor
Donaldson
1000
Sulfide / Mantle

100
Cross Lake
Katinniq

Delta
10

Ni Os Ir Ru Rh Pt Pd Cu
Figure 4.12. Mantle-normalized chalcophile element patterns for Raglan ores (from Barnes et al., 1997b; data sources in Table 4.1)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 43

 N
C
K E
Q O
Y T G 0 200 400m
I
W S Q' R
Horizontal Projection
ontact
Sur face c

Surface contact (observed)

Low tenor ores Surface contact (interpreted)
High tenor ores Fault (observed and inferred)
Undetermined tenor “Channel” boundary

Figure 4.13. Plan projection of major contact ore zones, ore tenor belts, and offsetting faults in the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (Gillies,
1993). Faults are inferred from those exposed on the surface and interpreted from footwall contour maps. The ore zones define two ore
tenor belts, one low tenor (8-12% Ni in 100% sulfides) and one high tenor (13-17% Ni in 100% sulfides).

Figure 4.14. Ore tenors for drill core intersections between Zone 3 and Donaldson; Cross Lake and East Lake shown as insets. Dual ore
tenor belts are well developed at Kikialik, Zone 2, and Katinniq, and partially developed at Zone 3 and Donaldson, but not well developed
at West Boundary. Single ore tenor belts are evident at Cross Lake East and Boundary.

4.5 S isotope geochemistry The 34S values of the ores (3-6‰ 34S) are
The 34S values of 31 whole rocks and 14 mineral systematically different from mantle values (0±1‰ 34S)
separates (Po and Ccp) representing a variety of ore types and should not have fractionated significantly at
(disseminated, net-textured, and semi-massive) from magmatic temperatures. The similarity between the S
eight deposits across the belt were analyzed by Lesher isotopic compositions of the ores and the
and Ripley (1994) and Lesher et al. (1999), and are metasedimentary rocks supports field relationships
shown in Figure 4.15. They range 3- 6‰ 34S and the S suggesting that the S in the ores was derived by
isotopic compositions of disseminated and massive melting/assimilation of footwall sediments upstream
sulfide layers in metasedimentary rocks from three from the site of mineralization (Barnes et al., 1993;
localities across the belt are similar to the ores, ranging Lesher et al., 1999) similar to most other deposits of this
4-5‰ 34S. One analysis of a secondary vein has a type (Lesher, 1989; Lesher and Keays, 2002).
duplicated value of +20‰ 34S. Sulfides within single
ore samples and within individual ore horizons are 4.6 Ore genesis
similar (<1‰ differences), suggesting that they are near The Fe-Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfides in the Raglan Formation
isotopic equilibrium, whereas samples from different ore have long been interpreted to be of magmatic origin (e.g.,
horizons within a deposit and from different deposits Kilburn et al., 1969) and more recent studies have
within the belt are more variable (1-3‰ differences), confirmed this interpretation (e.g., Barnes et al., 1982;
suggesting that they evolved independently to some Dillon-Leitch et al., 1986; Barnes et al., 1992; Gillies,
degree. 1993; Bazilevskaya, 2009; Lesher, 2007).

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Figure 4.15. Summary of S isotopic data for ores and barren sulfidic semi-pelites in the Raglan area, Cape Smith Belt (data from Lesher
et al., 1999).

Early workers assumed that the sulfides originated in complexes comprise multiple thin units. This means that
the mantle, were transported as immiscible sulfide the sulfides likely formed by melting of the sulfides in
droplets, and settled into depressions at the bases of the the sediments, not by assimilation and reprecipitation
ultramafic complexes. However, magmas with ~18% (see discussion by Lesher and Campbell, 1993; Lesher,
MgO are derived by moderate degrees of melting (see 2017). A detailed mass balance of the amount of S in the
Barnes and Picard, 1993) and should be moderately ore environment is complicated by incomplete exposure
undersaturated in sulfide (Keays, 1982; Lesher and and the complex geometry of the host units, ore zones,
Groves, 1986; Arndt et al., 2005). The absence of PGE and ore-localizing embayments. However, if we assume
depletion in most of the host rocks confirms that the that the amount of sediment removed was equal to the
magmas were undersaturated in sulfide until immediately 200m maximum thickness of many host units, that the
prior to or during emplacement. Most peridotites in the sediment contained an average of 2% sulfide, and that the
Raglan Formation contain ~1% fine disseminated Fe-Ni- magma was already saturated in sulfide at that stage (by
Cu sulfides and most basal pyroxenites contain minor melting of sediments upstream), it would produce 8m of
blebby sulfides, indicating that the lava was saturated in net-textured ore. Most of the ore zones are thicker (10-
sulfide on emplacement and remained saturated in sulfide 40m), but they occupy less than 50% of the contact even
during crystallization. The S isotopic compositions of the in the most mineralized areas, so the amount of S in the
ores are consistent with derivation of most of the S from ores is greater than, but of the same order of magnitude
underlying S-rich sediments, not with derivation from the as the amount of S in the missing sediments. Any
magma. The mineralized ultramafic complexes appear to shortfall can be attributed to accumulation of sulfide
have thermomechanically eroded the footwall rocks, so melted “upsteam” in the system, as interpreted for many
the most logical source of S is the sediments missing in other magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits (e.g., Lesher, 1989;
the ore environments and/or upstream from the present Lesher and Keays, 2002; Naldrett, 2004; Barnes and
ore locations. Lightfoot, 2005).
Most of the Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide ores occur within The moderately high R factors indicate that the
footwall embayments at or near the base of the ultramafic sulfides equilibrated with and extracted metals from a
complexes or at or near the bases of internal flow units. mass of magma 300-1100 times the mass of sulfides.
Although many contacts are locally sheared, there is no This is consistent with a model in which S is melted from
evidence of shearing, faulting, or folding in some places a large volume of sulfidic sediments upstream from the
and it is unlikely that faults could produce such complex present ore zones, sulfides are transported along the
embayment geometries, so the embayments are best length of the conduits as immiscible layers and/or
attributed to thermomechanical erosion, locally modified droplets in the turbulently-flowing lava, and sulfides are
by faulting and folding (Chisholm, 1999; Lesher et al., concentrated in embayments at the bases of the conduits
1999; Lesher, 2007). (Fig. 4.16). This model is similar to that proposed for
The amount of sulfides in most zones is much greater many other deposits of this type (Lesher, 1989; Lesher
than could have dissolved in or exsolved from the and Keays, 2002; Barnes, 2006; Lesher and Barnes,
overlying host unit, especially given that the ultramafic 2009; Lesher, 2017).

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Figure 4.16. Schematic model for a dynamic (flow-through) ore-forming volcanic system involving early (T1) thermomechanical erosion
of S-rich horizons and generation of xenoliths silicate xenomelts, and xenovolatiles (all assimilated in most cases) and sulfide xenomelts
(precursor to the ores), followed by (T2) dynamic upgrading of metal tenors in sulfide xenomelts, and (T3) crystallization of the host unit
with contact metamorphism of the substrate (Lesher, 2017).

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 46

Chapter 5: Cross Lake area

No stops are planned in this area, which is difficult to 5.2 Geology

access, but the geology is superbly exposed and it is the The upper part of the Nuvilik Group in the Cross Lake area
type locality of the Cross Lake Member of the Raglan is composed of graphitic shales, siltstones, and arkosic
Formation, so some description is provided. More details quartzite intruded by two thick differentiated sills (Romeo
can be found in Thibert (1993, 1999), Thibert et al. (1989), 1 and 2: Fig. 5.1). These sills are slightly discordant with
and Lesher et al. (1999). The following is modified from the sedimentary bedding and have hornfelsed the
Thibert (1989). sedimentary rocks on both margins. The sills are typically
differentiated and are composed of a thinner peridotitic
5.1 Introduction lower zone (Fig. 2.10) overlain by a thicker of gabbroic
The Cross Lake area is located at 61º 35’ N and 74º 18’ E, zone (Fig. 2.11). Slabs of metasedimentary rocks are
~35 km west of Katinniq and ~55 km west of Donaldson. observed within the upper parts of the intrusions, which
A broad plateau dominates the Cross Lake area topography outline the gravitational collapse of the roof into the
with average elevations ranging 490-580m above sea level, magma chamber. These two intrusions have been
reaching a maximum altitude of 670m. The area has many interpreted to be part of the plumbing system through
prominent easterly trending ridges and valleys with local which the Chukotat Group basaltic magmas ascended (e.g.,
relief averaging 30-90m. The Cross Lake area has a Francis et al., 1983; Bédard et al., 1983), which is
particularly barren appearance and continuous outcrop consistent with the similarity of the bulk compositions of
exposures exist along the ridges and on the elevated the sills to their chilled margins (Thibert, 1993) and to the
plateau. Boulders and frost-shattered blocks cover much of composition of the inferred parental liquid for the Raglan
the valleys, but commonly reflect the underlying rock Formation (Lesher, 2007).
formations.

Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 5.1. Geology of the Cross Lake area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 47

 The peridotitic bodies at the base of the Chukotat dips are shallower. Between the two central channel flows
Group are the type examples of the Cross Lake Member of hosting mineralization, the flanking sheet-flows are thinner
the Raglan Formation, which hosts the Cross Lake AW- and overlap each other.
EW (formerly Cross Lake Main) and AW-FE (formerly Compared to the other deposits along the Raglan
C1-C2-C3) showings. The ultramafic ensemble is Formation, the footwall in the Cross Lake consists
interpreted to represent a series of channelized sheet flows, exclusively of sedimentary rocks, locally hornfelsed. To
composed of central channel-flow facies hosting Fe-Ni-Cu date no underlying gabbro/ultramafic units have been
sulfide ores (AW-EW and AE-FE showings), which grade mapped on surface or intersected in drill core. One may
laterally (upwards and sideways) into sheet-flow facies, therefore argue that the Cross Lake Member represents the
conformably overlain by massive and pillowed komatiitic earliest expression of Chukotat volcanism in the Cape
basalts of the Chukotat Group. Smith Belt (see Chapter 3).
The channel flow facies hosting the AW-EW showings
is located in the nose of a NE plunging syncline and in the 5.3 Structural geology
eastern portion of the studied area hosting the AE-FE The most prominent structural feature in the Cross Lake
showings (Fig. 5.1). They consist of a thin pyroxenite area is a NE-plunging synclinal fold structure related to
lower zone overlain by a thick middle zone of komatiitic thrusting of Blocks O-P-R-S over block N (Fig. 2.2). A
peridotite, which is in turn overlain by a thin upper zone of fault-propagation fold developed in front of the fault and
pyroxenite and komatiitic basalt. The lava channels have folded the thrust fault. The thrust then sliced the fault-
thermally eroded and hornfelsed the underlying propagation fold and stranded a footwall syncline at Cross
metasedimentary rocks and the ore zones are localized Lake (Figs. 2.3 and 5.1). Tightening of the footwall
within second-order embayments. Columnar joints and syncline during deformation related to further
breccias of pyroxenitic composition often mark the flow displacement along the fault resulted in development of a
tops. Although discrete flow boundaries have not been north-dipping cleavage overprinting the fold and a south
identified within the central channelized flow in the field, a verging thrust in the core of the fold (Lucas, 1989).
decrease in MgO in the middle of the geochemical profile
of the channel suggests that at least two individual flow
units may exist within the channel. Within the fold nose
5.4 Mineralization
structure area, the ultramafic rocks protrude the overlying The mineralization within the Cross Lake area is
volcanic assemblage and are capped by mineralized characterized by the presence of 12 orebodies distributed
metasedimentary rocks of possible exhalative origin. This evenly between Cross Lake West (5 lenses: AW to EW)
feature appears to mark the locus for the transition to the and Cross Lake East (7 lenses: AE to GE). Ore grades are
north from the central channel flow facies to the flanking generally greater in the eastern deposits than in the western
sheet-flow facies (Fig. 5.2). Mineralization does not extend deposits, produced mainly by an higher Ni:Fe ratio of the
further north from this point, emphasizing the fact that sulfides. On the other hand, the western lenses are larger
economic magmatic sulfide accumulations are confined to and more irregularly distributed than at the eastern lenses.
the most channelized portions of the system. Preliminary Cross Lake mineralization has an average Cu/Cu+Ni ratio
observations of flow directions of the lavas, based on of about 0.34 (i.e., higher than the 0.22 average for Raglan
pillow imbrications, suggest an easterly flow direction. The ores) and a relatively low Ni/S ratio. This could indicate
environment hosting the AE-FE showings (Fig. 5.2) is that the sulfides segregated from or equilibrated with a less
similar in many respects to the Cross Lake Main showing, magnesian magma. This is something that requires more
but is different in some respects. Most prominent is the work.
presence of basalt/gabbro within the ultramafic pile. These Mineralization is concentrated within central channel
are interpreted to be remnants of flow tops which were flow facies, but also sporadically occurs in underlying and
partially eroded by subsequent overlying flows. They also overlying metasedimentary rocks. Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfides
seem to be confined to the same specific stratigraphic level accumulations occur in depressions, sometimes enhanced
where mineralization occurs. by deformation. They do not occur directly at the contact
The flanking sheet-flow facies are composed of thin with the underlying metasedimentary rocks, but are
lower zones of pyroxenite grading into pyroxenitic normally separated from them by a layer of pyroxenite of
peridotite, overlain by an upper zone of medium grained variable thickness. The sulfides consist primarily of
basalt/gabbro, komatiitic basalt, and a thin layer of pentlandite (partially transformed to violarite), pyrrhotite
metasedimentary rocks. The sheet-flow facies are generally (partially recrystallized to marcasite), chalcopyrite, and
less olivine-rich than the central channelized flow at Cross traces of native gold. sulfides exhibit an interstitial texture
Lake or the other mineralized ultramafic bodies along the (e.g., net-texture) and their abundance rarely exceeds 35-
Raglan Horizon. Their lower contacts appear conformable 50%. The mineralization is hosted in a pyroxene-
with the metasedimentary rocks into which the central ferrichromite rich peridotite where the silicates have been
channels have cut. The flanking sheet-flows reach their partially replaced by sulfide. The sulfides become more
greatest apparent thickness north of the central channel disseminated then form immiscible droplets in the
flow hosting the Main Showings (Figs. 5.1 and 5.2), where overlying peridotite.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 48

 .

6830000mN

DE FE EE
BE CE
AE
EW
DW
CW
Lac BW AW
Cross
II Sill
Ro me o
ill
eo I S
Ro m

Chukotat Gp. Povungnituk Gp. N

kom. basalt sediment 0 1 km
pyroxenite thol. basalt
540000mE

peridotite facing
gabbro strike/dip
fault
Cross Lake Area

B
Cross Lake East Area
$$$
N
$
$$ $
$
$ $$ $
BE $ $$ $ $ EE
$ $ $ $ $$
$ $$ $ FE Basalt
Pyroxenite
CE Fault
DE Strike/Dip Peridotite
$
$ Geological Contact Pilllow Facing Gabbro
AE 0 300m
$ Showings Slate
Columnar Joint

Figure 5.2. Geological maps of the Cross Lake (A – after Falconbridge Ltd.) and eastern Cross Lake (B – see inset in A) areas (mapping
by F. Thibert) showing locations of Cross Lake West (AW-EW) and Cross Lake East (AE-FE) showings and the Romeo I and Romeo II
sills

.
Minor amounts of mineralization also occur within hematite in the quartzites may have formed from the
metasediments beneath the Cross Lake Ultramafic oxidation of iron derived from the dissociation of sulfides
Complex and along the upper contact with the overlying and iron silicates in the sediments during contact
Chukotat basalts. The footwall mineralization occurs metamorphism by the overlying ultramafic rocks. The
within black slates or strongly hematized quartzite. The pyrite and chalcopyrite in the slates are present as

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 49

disseminated sulfides or in secondary veinlets. The 5.5 Interpretation
mineralization in the slates may originate from the reaction The primary volcanic relationships at Cross Lake are
between the arkosic quartzite and Fe-rich metasomatic partially overprinted by regional scale deformation. The
fluids. Mineralization has also been intersected in drill area shows similarities with the typical Raglan Formation
holes as massive sulfide veins filling fractures within the mineralized environment in which Ni-Cu sulfide
quartzite/slate sedimentary package, sometimes quite a mineralization is hosted in depressions at the bases of
distance from the basal contact. Ni and Cu tenors are channelized ultramafic flows. However, the overall size of
higher than in the ultramafic-hosted mineralization, but the central flow channels at Cross Lake is smaller than
lateral extensions are irregular and difficult to follow. elsewhere within the Raglan Formation, the ore grades are
These veins might have formed from late stage fluids that lower, and flanking sheet-flow facies are volumetrically
migrated away from the sulfide liquid pool into fractures in more abundant. The ultramafic rocks are less magnesian
the footwall, by fractional crystallization of the sulfide and the ore contains less base metals (and more iron)
liquid, or by mobilization during deformation. compared to other deposits in the Raglan Formation.
Sulfides also occur in graphitic slates overlying the Burnham et al. (1999) concluded that the sheet-flow facies
ultramafic flows, at the contact with the overlying peridotites at Cross Lake may have experienced a lower
Chukotat Group basalts. They are composed of massive degree of sediment assimilation than other areas in the
framboidal pyrite with minor pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and Raglan Formation. The Cross Lake ultramafic rocks
sphalerite. These graphitic and pyritic horizons may represent the earliest expression of Chukotat volcanism.
represent exhalites deposited in a deep-water environment.

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Chapter 6: East Lake area

6.1 Introduction northernmost flow is 50-100m wide, 200m long and hosts
The East Lake area is located ~13 km west of the Katinniq the Lens 441 ore body. This flow is composed
Complex and includes of five mineralized ultramafic predominantly of peridotite with locally olivine
bodies referred to as Main Sill, South Sill, East Sill (now pyroxenitic margins. The lower flow is 70-150m wide, can
known as Kikialik), West Sill, and Southeast Sill. The be traced by its magnetic signature over a 600m strike
“sill” nomenclature is historic, and has no implication for length and hosts the newly discovered Lens 1040 at its far
the mode of emplacement. The ultramafic bodies are western edge. Drilling has shown that the flow has a thin
defined by sparse outcrops of peridotite, olivine pyroxenitic base and margins that grade upwards
pyroxenite, and pyroxenite units that define a 10 km long, (northward) into olivine pyroxenite and peridotite. The
locally up to 2 km wide, continuous Z-shaped total field flow is capped by the outcropping mafic flow top breccia
magnetic airborne anomaly. The ultramafic rocks are to the east, consistent with a northward-facing stratigraphy.
bordered to the north by high relief Chukotat Group Below the eastern end of East Sill, geophysical magnetic
pillowed and massive mafic flows with good volcanic 3D modeling indicates that the ultramafic unit thickens
breccias and pyroxene spinifex textures, and to the south dramatically down-dip and may be continuous to a depth
by volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Povungnituk of at least 600m below surface. The ultramafic rocks of
Group. All five ‘sills’ contain anomalous Ni-Cu-(PGE) both flows are almost completely encompassed by a thick
mineralization, but only the East Sill contains a Mineral package of metasedimentary rock near surface. These
Reserve and Mineral Resource. rocks consist of 2-20 mm thick layers of very fine grained,
Although it was highlighted by Coats (1982) as an area dark brown to black argillite alternating with fine-grained,
of very high potential, very work had been done on the medium grey wackes. The argillites are rarely graphitic
East Lake Zone until 1994 when detailed mapping, and commonly contain finely disseminated pyrrhotite,
sampling, and geophysical programs were completed over resulting in a weakly conductive rock.
the Main Sill, South Sill, West Sill, and parts of the East It is still unclear if the ultramafic rocks in the East Lake
Sill. Significant grab sample assay results were returned at area are extrusive or intrusive. Hanging wall and footwall
South Sill (2.64% Ni and 0.72% Cu) and at East Sill contacts at East Sill are not exposed on surface and are
(2.14% Ni and 0.85% Cu). Follow-up drilling in 1995 only well preserved in a few drill holes. In DDH 718-1042,
targeted the best Max-Min conductors in the various sills the hanging wall metasedimentary rocks are conformable
as well as the gossan at East Sill, which was one of the best with the underlying peridotite and are weakly hornfelsed
exposed gossans in the Raglan area. Drilling in 1998 led to for 1.4m above the contact. In DDH 718-1045, the
the discovery of Lens 1040 at East Sill, and drilling since footwall metasedimentary rocks are strongly hornfelsed
that time led to the development of the Kikialik Mine. (silicic and potassic alteration) for up to 5m down-hole of
The following is taken primarily from Petch (1999). the contact. This asymmetrical hornfelsing above and
below the peridotite and the local presence of the flow top
breccias suggest the rocks were erupted rather than
6.2 Geology
intruded. The weakly hornfelsed hanging wall is attributed
The stratigraphy in the East Lake area consists of a series to remnant hydrothermal activity associated with covering
of northeast-southwest striking ultramafic units. Dips are a thick lava channel.
commonly steep (60-70°) to the northwest with the Intense faulting has occurred in the metasedimentary
exception of South Sill where columnar jointing locally rocks north of the East Sill, as evidenced by wide intervals
indicates a flat dip of 20°. Outcrop exposure is moderate to of blocky and badly broken drill core. Approaching the top
good at Main and South Sills with stratigraphic of the ultramafic unit, the degree of brittle deformation
relationships locally well preserved in frost-heaved areas. decreases abruptly. In DDH 718-1042, the conformable
Outcrop is sparse at East Sill and along the Southeast and hanging wall metasedimentary rocks display only a weak,
West sills. The ultramafic rock occurs with crosscutting foliation that is oriented sub-parallel to the
metasedimentary rocks, mafic volcanic rocks, and minor large-scale faulting in the north. Away from the fault zone,
gabbros. the metasedimentary rocks display very little deformation
with the exception of large scale folding which is
6.2.1 East Sill represented in core by rare deviations of bedding
Two main flows have been identified at East Sill. On orientation from 70° to the core axis (consistent with the
surface, they occur as an elliptical pod of frost-heaved regional dip) to parallel to the core axis over 5-10m long
peridotite and olivine pyroxenite separated by a m-high intervals.
ridge of outcropping mafic volcanic breccias. The upper,

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 Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt
Figure 6.1. Geology of the Kikialik area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

6.2.2 Main Sill 6.2.3 South Sill

Main Sill is the largest and best exposed ultramafic unit in The South Sill’s most distinctive feature is a large circular
the East Lake area. It has been interpreted to consist of two outcrop of pinkish-grey, columnar jointed peridotite that
cycles, the Upper Cycle and Lower Cycle (McLaughlin defines the ‘hinge’ of the elbow-shaped sill. The spines of
and Byron, 1994). The contact between the two is well these joints plunge 70° to the SSW indicating the
exposed near the center of the sill where well cleaved ultramafic unit dips shallowly NNW. This is supported by
slates and a basal pyroxenite are present as mappable units. flat-lying, sub-parallel, 0.5-2 cm wide, dark green
Moving eastward, the two flows become distinctive as they serpentine and magnetite tabular veinlets that occur
split into separate lobes. Drilling has intersected thick perpendicular to the jointing. Only rare sulfides are
intervals of barren massive pyrrhotite at the base of this observed in this unit. The surrounding frost heave and
upper cycle that may be sedimentary in origin. The Lower rubble consist of the typical orange-reddish weathering
Cycle ultramafic rocks consist of thick columnar jointed olivine pyroxenite and lesser peridotite and contain 1-3%
peridotites, dunites, and overlying knobby textured olivine disseminated sulfides. Directly south of the grey peridotite
pyroxenite. They form a moderately high ridge on the knob lies an outcrop of pillowed mafic volcanic rock. The
southern margin that is bounded by a broad shear zone at weakly deformed pillows are interpreted to face upward,
its eastern extremity. further supporting a shallow-dipping stratigraphy.

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6.2.4 Southeast Sill massive sulfides, up to 20m thick, grade up to 10% Ni and
Southeast Sill is a narrow, continuous ultramafic unit over 4% Cu with high Co (0.2%) and PGE (3 g/t combined).
5 km long. It is best exposed at both its eastern and Thin, 0.2-1m-wide, semi-continuous zones of disseminated
western edges and is only locally weakly mineralized. to semi-massive sulfides are present near the hanging wall
Consisting primarily of peridotite and olivine pyroxenite, it contact of the ultramafic unit. Locally, up to 12m-thick
is commonly overlain to the north by a coarse-grained ‘mobilized’ massive sulfide veins occur in the footwall
gabbro that locally contains up to 5% quartz eyes and trace metasedimentary rocks. The wallrock around these veins is
to 3% disseminated pyrrhotite and pyrite. Locally, dirty typically strongly altered.
tan-coloured, carbonate-altered ultramafic boulders are
strewn about the central portions of the unit. A 100m-wide 6.3.2 Main Sill
fault zone occurs along the southern margin of the Trace to up to 10% disseminated pyrrhotite and rare
outcropping ultramafic rock at the far eastern end and chalcopyrite occur in two levels of the Upper Cycle at
appears to structurally thicken stratigraphy. Main Sill. Mineralized frost heaved boulders and locally
outcrops are found in two discontinuous swaths that are up
6.2.5 West Sill to 1300m long and 80m wide. Surface grab sample assay
Similar in geometry to Southeast Sill, West Sill is 2.8 km results returned values up to 0.55% Ni, 0.16% Cu, and
long and is locally up to 250m wide. Interpreted by 0.45 g/t Pd. Drilling has intersected up to 7%, coarse
McLaughlin (1994) to be a faulted extension of Main Sill, grained, disseminated sulfides interstitial to olivine grains
West Sill is described as having a typical pyroxenitic base in a peridotite at the expected conductor target depths.
grading upward (northward) into olivine pyroxenite and These small percentages of sulfide are very conductive and
peridotite. It is locally overlain to the north by gabbro, but imply they are well interconnected. Barren massive
is predominantly surrounded by metasedimentary rocks. pyrrhotite up to 25m thick has been intersected at the base
of the Upper Cycle in two drill holes. These sulfides most
6.3 Mineralization likely represent the sulfur source for the Main Sill
mineralization.
The majority of the following is from Petch (1999).
6.3.3 South Sill
6.3.1 East Sill
McLaughlin and Byron (1994) traced out a zone of
Kikialik (Fig. 5.1) is the largest known deposit in the East mineralization, known as the Contact Zone, for over 750m
Lake area. The mineralization at Kikialik displays the along the southeastern margin of the sill. The
typical patterns observed throughout the Raglan mineralization consists of disseminated to blebby sulfides
Formation. Weakly disseminated pyrrhotite and pentlandite containing pyrrhotite with lesser pentlandite and
occur near the top of the units and locally grade downward chalcopyrite in boulders of peridotite and olivine
into progressively higher sulfide contents characterized by pyroxenite. Rare semi-massive sulfide frost-heaved
net textured and then ‘leopard’ textured ores. Massive boulders returned assay values of 2.64% Ni and 0.7% Cu
sulfides may occur at the base of the flows and have up to with 3.87 g/t Pd and 1.97 g/t Pt. Out of the ten holes drilled
15%, 2cm diameter, ‘popcorn’ textured pentlandite ‘eyes’ to date, only one has intersected ore grade mineralization
in a matrix of fine grained massive pyrrhotite, locally (2.95% Ni over 4.0m).
cross-cut by fine veinlets of chalcopyrite. To date, thirtheen
additional ore lenses have been identified within East Sill, 6.3.4 Southeast Sill
Lens.
Lens 441 (Fig. 5.1) is located in the upper flow at East Patches of up to 3%, disseminated pyrrhotite occur along
Sill and is exposed as a surface showing that covers a flat, the southwestern edge of the outcropping olivine
low-lying area, 40m wide and 50m long. The ore body is a pyroxenite immediately south of East Sill. Occasionally
shallow, flat-lying lens that extends down to 80m depth millimetre-centimetre-sized irregular patches of purplish
and strikes NE-SW with a shallow plunge to the E. This iron oxide on the weathering surface indicate trace
lens has been mined out by open pit operation in 2005. It amounts of sulfide are present in the rock. Mineralized
consists of a small high-grade core of net-texture to locally boulders, with up to 10% disseminated pyrrhotite assaying
remobilized massive sulfides on its western edge. The core up to 0.26% Ni, occur as float on the southern flank of the
is enveloped by an eastward-extending, low-grade halo of eastern tip of the sill. Locally, 2-20% disseminated
disseminated to locally net-texture sulfides. pyrrhotite and pyrite occur within the overlying gabbro.
Lens 4A (formerly lens 1040) is an irregularly shaped
ore lens that strikes roughly NE-SW, dips steeply to the 6.3.5 West Sill
NW, and plunges NE. This lens is located 300m west of Disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite sporadically
Lens 441, the lens is approximately 60x80m with a true occur near the base of the West Sill. Although no
thickness of between 40-70m. Weakly disseminated anomalous nickel values were returned from assayed grab
sulfides at the top of the ultramafic rock grade downward samples, the PGE values are weakly anomalous at up to
into net textured and ‘leopard’ texture sulfides. Basal 0.33 g/t Pd (McLaughlin and Byron, 1994).
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 53
6.4 Interpretation 6.5 Field trip stops
The East Lake ultramafic complex consists of a series of 1) Kikialik Open Pit (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 557946mE,
peridotitic flows erupted into a sedimentary and volcanic 6835125mN)
paleo-environment at the base of the Chukotat Group. This
View overlooking the Open Pit of the 4A lens (formerly
environment is interpreted to contain both extrusive and
Lens 1040) at the Kikialik mine, looking NE. The
intrusive components. Flows are distinguished by the
contact between the ultramafic of the East Sill (on the
presence of flow top breccias and the asymmetric
left) and sediments of the Povungnituk Group (on the
hornfelsing of the surrounding metasedimentary rocks. The
right) is observe in the NE corner of the pit. Lower
columnar-jointed peridotite plug at South Sill suggests
grade of the 4A lens is still visible in the middle of the
some shallow level intrusion occurred and also may
NE wall of the pit.
indicate proximity to a vent. This concept is further
supported by a 1995 volcanological study of the Chukotat
Group mafic volcanic rocks (Dufresne, 1995) that
identified a change in flow direction north of East Lake.

Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediments Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

Kikialik
Mine
East Sill

Southeast
Sill

Main Sill

West Sill

South Dyke

Figure 6.2. Geology of the East Lake area showing surface field stop location (Glencore Ltd.)

2) Kikialik Underground – Level 4M 1220 (UTM Z18 nickel mineralization at this location consist of net-
NAD83 – 558105mE, 6835260mN) textured sulfides (12 to 25% sulfides) hosted within a
peridotite to an olivine pyroxenite surrounded by
The site visited on the 1220 Level is located in the
argillite. Locally, meter-scale intervals of massive
upper portion of the 4M lens at the Kikialik mine. The
sulfides are associated with the net-textured sulfides

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 mineralization but in particular in this level, the net- one seen at the Level 1220. The nickel mineralization
textured sulfides are much more abundant than the at this location consist of net-textured sulfides (12 to
massive sulfides. The argillite exhibits locally graded 25% sulfides) hosted within a peridotite to an olivine
bedded and is generally hornfelsed at the contact with pyroxenite surrounded by argillite. Locally, meter-scale
the Kikialik ultramafic unit. This contact intervals of massive sulfides are associated with the
metamorphism is well-developed along the southern net-textured sulfides mineralization. However, the
contact and to lesser extent on the northern contact. It is relatively abundance of the massive sulfides
also possible to see the basalt unit enclosed completely mineralization is much more important at this level in
within the ultramafic unit. comparison to the previous level visited. The argillite
exhibit locally graded bedded and is generally
3) Kikialik Underground – Level 4M 1250 (UTM Z18
hornfelsed at the contact with the Kikialik ultramafic
NAD83 – 558105mE, 6835260mN)
unit. This contact metamorphism is well-developed
The site visited on the 1250 Level is located also to the along the southern contact and to lesser extent on the
upper portion of the 4M lens at the Kikialik mine. The northern contact. It is also possible to see the basalt unit
overall geological context is relatively similar to the enclosed completely within the ultramafic unit

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 55

Chapter 7: Northern Permit sills

7.1 Introduction thickness, but many are much thinner. Some are massive
Most of the mafic-ultramafic bodies in the repeated part of peridotite, pyroxenite, or gabbro, but many are
the Nuvilik Formation in block O north of the Raglan differentiated with lower peridotitic zones and upper
Horizon (Figs. 2.2 and 2.3.) appear to be high-level sills gabbroic zones. These bodies are presently being studied
and thus far it does not appear that the Raglan Formation is by Dylan McKevitt as part of a MSc thesis at Laurentian
present. They range up to a hundred meters or more in University.

5-7

3
2
1

Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Kikialik Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers
Mine

Figure 7.1. Geology of the area north of the Kikialik Mine showing field stop locations in the Chukotat basalts and North Permit sills
(modified after Glencore Ltd.)

7.2 Field trip stops has been intruded by a thin synvolcanic mafic dike that
The best exposed sill in the Northern Permit area is in area exhibits columnar jointing perpendicular to the contact
NC20C. Before the road was extended past Katinniq it unit with a very thin chilled margin.
used to be reachable only by helicopter, but is only ~1.8 2) Pillow basalt (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 557945mE,
km from the road to the Kikialik mine. We will visit it and 6837235mN)
stop to see parts of the Chukotat volcanic sequence along
the way. This is an exceptional exposure of pillowed basalt of
the Chukotat Group cropping along this small valley.
1) Pillow basalt and basaltic dike (UTM Z18 NAD83 – There are a variety of pillow sizes and shapes, some
557990mE, 6837180mN) locally exhibiting multiple pillow shelves. The overall
Pillowed basalt of the Chukotat Group in this locality younging direction is southward, consistent with this

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 56

 structural slice representing and overturned synform up to 1-2cm in diameter. The nature contact between
(evident at Cross Lake in Fig. 2.3). the lower ultramafic and the upper mafic parts is
difficult to assess unequivocally but appeared to be
3) Thin undifferentiated flows (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
transitional.
558960mE, 6837520mN)
6) Upper gabbroic section (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
This locality includes a thin undifferentiated
558750mE, 6838850mN)
pyroxenitic flow within the pillowed flows of the
Chukotat basalt. Thin unit of interflow sediment is The upper mafic part is approximately 180 meters
present along the southern contact of the ultramafic thick. Directly overlying the contact with the ultramafic
unit. part, a 1-2 meters thick pyroxenitic unit occur before to
grade into a gabbroic unit. Over the upper gabbroic
4) Thick differentiated flows (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
unit, mafic part range in composition from a melano- to
558965mE, 6837780mN)
a meso- to a leucogabbro and are interdigitated. Near
This locality Thick differentiated flows composed of a the upper section, some weak but nice igneous layering
basal ultramafic part (peridotite to olivine pyroxenite) could be observed. At the contact, a very-fined-grained
overlain by an upper gabbroic zone. However, overall, pyroxenitic chilled margin is observed directly below
this unit is poorly exposed at this location and the upper contact.
especially the upper gabbroic zone that consist mainly
7) Overlying ultramafic unit (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
of a bolder field. This unit is underlain by the Chukotat
558700mE, 6838950mN)
basalt and overlain by the sediment of the Nuvillic
formation of the Povungnituk Group. This unit is a 2-3 m-thick sheared and veined
pyroxenitic peridotite.
Stops 5-7 are a transect across a thick differentiated
flow. 8) Thick differentiated flows (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
558800mE, 6839080mN)
5) Lower ultramafic part (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
558870mE, 6838725mN) The next unit is also another thick differentiated flow
with a lower ultramafic part and an upper mafic part.
The lower ultramafic part is approximately 200 meters
The ultramafic part is very well-exposed and is
thick. From the base to the top, the ultramafic part is
composed of oikocrystic pyroxene peridotite to
composed of an oikocrystic pyroxenitic peridotite to
oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite, whereas the mafic part
oikoicrystic olivine pyroxenite to a mesocumulate
is poorly exposed. One of the questions that remain
peridotite and back into an oikocrystic pyroxenitic
unresolved so far is whether the sheared ultramafic unit
peridotite to an oikoicrystic olivine pyroxenite. Near
at Stop 7 is the basal part of this differentiated flow or
the contact with the upper gabbroic part the pyroxene
it is separated by a thin horizon of sediments
oikocrysts of the olivine pyroxenite become very large,

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 57

Chapter 8: Zone 3 – Zone 2 area

8.1 Introduction bodies with fine-grained chilled margins and granophyric

Zone 3 (Figs. 8.1 and 8.2) is located ~5.5 km east of the textures clearly post-date the mafic-ultramafic pile, and
East Lake Zone, ~1.5 km west of Zone 2, and ~5.5 km have preferentially intruded along the margins of
west of the Katinniq mine and concentrator complex. Zone individual flows. These late sills reach up to 85m in true
3 contained one of the largest known concentrations of thickness, but locally are as thin as 5m.
economic Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide mineralization at Raglan A series of E-W trending, N-dipping thrust faults,
within multiple distinct sulfide pods (Fig. 8.1). Lens 3D related to the D1 north-south shortening event, complicate
was one of the largest known single ore lenses within the the structure of the Zone 3 area (Fig. 8.2). Although not
Raglan Formation. clearly visible on surface, a series of NW-trending, steep
The following is modified and updated from Mallinson strike-slip faults occur between the open pit area and Lens
(1999a, b). 3D to the west (cf. Figs. 7.2 and 7.3). These faults are most
evident in drill core, and have also been interpreted from
surface total field magnetic data. The extent and
8.2 Geology
displacement of these faults has not yet been determined,
but initial interpretation suggests that most have left-lateral
8.2.1 Zone 3 strike-slip movement. The dip-slip displacement, if any,
Zone 3 occurs at the western end of a 3 km long ultramafic appears minimal.
complex that also hosts the Zone 2 ore bodies (Fig. 3.1).
The ENE-WSW plunging, N-NW dipping (40-60°) 8.2.2 Zone 2
ultramafic complex in the Zone 3 area consists of two Zone 2 (Figs. 8.3 and 8.4) occurs at the eastern end of the
distinct ultramafic sequences, referred to as Unit 1 (lower elongated NE-SW trending ultramafic body that also hosts
unit, exposed only in the SW part of the area: Fig. 8.1, the Zone 3 mineralization (see Fig. 3.1). As at Zone 3, the
lower left corner) and Unit 2 (upper sequence, exposed NW-dipping, NE-plunging ultramafic body is composed of
across the area: Figs. 8.1 and 8.2). The ultramafic rocks of two distinct ultramafic sequences referred to as Unit 1
both sequences are mesocumulate to orthocumulate (lower sequence) and Unit 2 (upper sequence). This is
peridotite with lesser augite oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite, most obvious in the western and central parts of Zone 2
pyroxenite on the upper and lower the margins. Each (Fig. 8.4) where up to 70m of gabbro separates the two
sequence is composed of numerous subunits, parts of units.
which have beheaded underlying subunits but many are Unit 1 overlies >70m of coarse-grained gabbro, which
capped by pyroxenites, flow-top breccias (see Fig. 3.11), in turn overlies weakly hornfelsed argillite. The ultramafic
locally spinifex-textured, and thin interflow argillaceous rocks are mesocumulate to orthocumulate peridotite with
metasedimentary rocks. This is most obvious in the central lesser olivine-pyroxenite (augite oikocrystic) and
parts of Unit 2 on surface (Fig. 8.2). At least nine pyroxenite towards the margins. Thick sequences of
individual subunits have been identified in the Zone 3 massive to pillowed komatiitic basalt, often exhibiting
ultramafic body, all of which have accumulations of flow-top breccias and olivine microspinifex textures,
economic grade sulfides at their base. overlie the ultramafic.
Unit 1 outcrops only in the western part of Zone 3 (Fig. Unit 2 contains at least five individual subunits, all
8.1, lower left corner), has an average true thickness of containing economic grade mineralization accumulated at
145m, and plunges NE where it reaches a true thickness of their bases. Most subunits are capped by flow-top breccias
>200m at depth. It hosted the Lens 3G, 3H, and 3I that locally exhibiting microspinifex textures. The
mineralization, and is also interpreted to host Lens 3D and ultramafic rocks of Unit 2 are locally
Lens 3E mineralization to the west. intercalated/interdigitated with argillaceous
Unit 2 sequence averages 180m in true thickness and metasedimentary rocks, basalt, and scarce gabbro intrusive
contains the open pit Lenses 3A and 3B, Lens 3C, and bodies up to 35m thick.
Lens 3F ore bodies, and numerous smaller pods of A series of E-W trending, N-dipping thrust faults,
mineralization. Up to 60m of massive and brecciated presumably related to the D1 north-south shortening event,
olivine-phyric basalt and local gabbro separate the two complicate the structure of the Zone 2 area. NW-trending
sequences (Fig. 8.2). The lower Unit 1 overlies up to 100m open antiforms and synforms, and related sub-parallel
of coarser grained gabbro, which in turn overlies weakly strike-slip faults, have also been mapped. The latter are
hornfelsed argillite. associated with a D4 east-west compression event. A wide
Thick sequences of massive to pillowed basalts, often NW-trending, N-E dipping (50-60°) reverse strike-slip
exhibiting flow-top breccias and spinifex texture, overlie fault occurs at the west end of the open pit (Fig. 8.4).
the Zone 3 ultramafic body (Fig. 8.2). Quartz gabbro
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 58
 Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 8.1. Geology of the Zone 3 area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

Figure 8.2. Geological map of the Zone 3 area (mapping by C. Tremblay in 1990), showing the asymmetric nature of the NE-plunging
ore-localizing footwall embayment, multiple units in the central part of the ultramafic complex, and the flow-top breccias and overlying
pillow basalts along the upper margin.

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 Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 8.3. Geology of the Zone 2 area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

Figure 8.4. Geological map of Zone 2 area (by C. Tremblay, 1990), showing the asymmetric nature of the NE-trending ore-localizing
embayment (after removal of the dextral fault), multiple subunits in the exposed upper unit of the ultramafic complex, and flow-top
breccias and overlying pillow basalts along the upper margin.

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8.3 Mineralization Raglan with a 240m strike length and a 70m average
width. The irregular-shaped ore body was made up of two
8.3.1 Zone 3 distinct pods in Unit 1. The thick basal “Gump Zone”
occurred in a well-defined deep WNW-trending footwall
The Mine 3 deposit contains 29 known lenses that have embayment structure, and was up to 45m thick at its
been completely mined out. Approximately 40% of the eastern edge. The more uniform “Upper Zone” of leopard
Zone 3 Mineral Reserves were contained within Lenses to net-textured sulfides rested stratigraphically above
3A, 3B, and 3F at the base of Ultramafic Unit 2. Gump, striked E-W, diped about 55°N, and averaged 20m
Mineralization was best concentrated within broad in true thicknesses. Economic grade mineralization
footwall embayment structures. Only Lens 3A in the open extended from 200 to 290m vertical depths, but a weak
pit was exposed on surface, where part of the host gossan occurred on surface in contact with the basal
peridotite body and ore lens rested directly on hornfelsed gabbro. It is speculated that the western end of the Upper
metasedimentary rocks at the bottom of the embayment. Zone is the up-plunge equivalent of the Lens 3E
The 3D, 3E, 3I and 3H ore bodies occurred in distinct mineralization.
footwall embayment structures in Unit 1, all of which Lens 3E was located 80m down dip/plunge of Lens 3D
generally trended SW-NE and plunged NE. Most of the in Unit 1, at the ultramafic-footwall gabbro contact within
mineralization within the upper parts of Unit 1 and Unit 2, a prominent NE-trending footwall embayment. The N-S
including Lens 3G and 3C, respectively, were ordinarily elongated ore body dipped 45°N, averaged 20m in true
smaller and less abundant than those at the bases of the thickness, and occurred at a vertical depth of 375m. The
units. nickel tenor of 10.5% Ni100 is comparable to that of Lenses
Primary Fe-Ni-Cu sulfide mineralization consisted of 3D and 3H.
pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite. Sulfide contents Lens 3F was located W and NW of the open pit lenses
of the ore zones typically increased downwards from and was composed of 7 discontinuous pods of
intercumulus disseminations (10-40% by volume) through mineralization. The ores consisted of disseminated, net-
net textured sulfides (40-70% by volume) to massive textured, and massive sulfides, best concentrated at the
sulfides. Massive sulfides were not intersected in Lenses bases of several subunits in the complex stratigraphy of
3D, 3E, 3G, and 3H, which consisted almost entirely of Unit 2. Most mineralized pods were elongated, relatively
heavy disseminated and net-textured sulfides. Secondary narrow “tubes” up to 120m in length and averaging 20-
reverse net-textured and vein sulfides were uncommon at 30m wide, focused along NE-plunging footwall
Zone 3, but are most extensive at Lens 3I and Lens 3F. embayment features similar to those in Unit 1. The largest
Some of these lenses are described below based on 3F lens reached 30m true thickness, and extended from
Mallinson (1999). 250 to 300m vertical from surface. Nickel tenors in these
Lens 3A was an open-pit lens and consisted of dense individual pods ranged between 7 and 15% Ni100.
net-textured to massive sulfides concentrated within a Lens 3G was located within thin middle subunits of
broad footwall embayment structure at the base of Unit 2. Flow Unit 1, stratigraphically below the Lens 3F ore
The irregular-shaped ovoid outcropped at surface, trended bodies in Unit 1. Mineralization consisted of disseminated
290°, plunged <20° NW, and extended to 100m vertical and net-textured sulfides (25-50% by volume) in two
depth. Mineralization reached 30m true thicknesses. separate zones at a vertical depth of 420m.
Lens 3B was the larger of the two open-pit lenses and Lens 3H was located at a vertical depth of 750m, at the
occurred at the base of a subunit within Unit 2, base of Unit 1 and was one of the deepest known economic
stratigraphically above and 50m to the north of Lens 3A. grade sulfide occurrences in the Raglan Belt. As of 2004
Mineralization had an average true thickness of 25m, and the lens had been intersected in only one drill hole and
reached 150m in width and 200m in length. The ore body consisted of dense disseminated to net-textured sulfides
dipped 45-50°N, striked E-W, had no apparent plunge, and over nearly 50m core length. It was interpreted to be
extended from 30 to 140m vertical depths. This ore body located in the same NE-plunging footwall embayment
appears to have formed by the accumulation or structure that hosts Lenses 3D and 3E (located >350m up
overlapping of several extensively mineralized units. The plunge). Ni tenors of Lens 3H averaged 10% Ni100, similar
average nickel tenor was 14.7% Ni100, the highest of all to that of Lenses 3D and 3E.
Zone 3 ore bodies. Lens 3I was a high-grade lens at the base of Unit 1 that
Lens 3C was a small, near surface, high-grade ore body was elongate WSW-ENE, had a strike length of 200m,
stratigraphically above the western end of Lens 3D. dipped 60-70° N, and reached a maximum true thickness
Mineralization occurred at the base of an upper subunit in of 18m. Mineralization consisted of dense disseminations
Unit 2, reached up to 15m true thickness and consisted of to net-textured sulfides, with local occurrences of massive
dense net-textured and massive sulfides. The ore body sulfides up to several metres thick. The eastern, thickest
dipped 45°N, striked E-W, had no apparent plunge, and portion of the ore body occured within a broad, shallow
extended from 20 to 50m vertically. Total PGEs averaged NE-plunging sinuous footwall embayment feature. The
7g/t (Pd+Pt) and the nickel tenor was 10.8% Ni100. nickel tenor averaged 14.5% Ni100.
Lens 3D was one of the largest known ore bodies at

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8.3.2 Zone 2 lenses. Both occurred in Unit 2 at the peridotite-footwall
The Mine 2 deposit contains up to 34 known lenses and is gabbro contact, within a broad NE-trending embayment
still in production. The most significant known ore bodies feature. The Upper Lens was 70m NE and down plunge of
at Zone 2, including Lens 2A, Lenses 2B-2C (open pit), Lens 2A and occurred at a vertical depth of 280m.
and Lens 2D, occur within the lowermost subunit of Unit Mineralization within Upper Lens consisted of interlayered
2, at or near the footwall contact with underlying gabbro. lenses of intercumulus and massive sulfides of various
Unlike Zone 3 and Katinniq, many of the Zone 2 ore proportions (15-100% by volume), separated by barren
bodies do not occur in obvious footwall embayment peridotite, suggesting a stacking of multiple mineralized
structures. Sulfide bodies situated in middle and upper flows. Nickel tenors vary considerably within the Upper
ultramafic subunits (e.g., Lenses 2E, 2G, and 2H), are Lens ranging from 6 to 9% Ni100 within the bottom layers
ordinarily smaller and less common than those at the and >10% Ni100 for upper layers. The Lower pod was
ultramafic-footwall contact. As of 2004 no economic grade located at a vertical depth of 390m and rested on the base
mineralization had been discovered in Unit 1, although of a steep footwall embankment about 40m down-plunge
encouraging volumes (up to 10% by volume) of of Upper Lens. Mineralization average of 12m true
disseminated and blebby pyrrhotite-pentlandite has been thicknesses and had nickel tenors between 10 and 13%
intersected in drill core. Ni100.
Primary Fe-Ni-Cu sulfide mineralization consists of Lens 2E was a small near surface ore body of net-
pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite, although minor textured to massive sulfides occurring at the base of an
amounts of violarite have been recognized along upper subunit of Unit 2, and may have been the
shear/fault structures within the open pit ore bodies. stratigraphic equivalent of open-pit Lens 2C located 250m
Sulfide contents typically increased downwards from along strike to the SW. The mineralization dipped 40°N,
intercumulus disseminations (10-40% by volume) through striked E-W, and extended from surface to a vertical depth
net-textured sulfides (40-70% by volume) to massive of 45m.
sulfides. Secondary sulfide occurrences of reverse net- Lens 2F was located on surface 100m SW of the open
textured and vein sulfides are less common. Some of these pit, occuring at the base of an upper subunit of Unit 2.
lenses are described below based on Malinson (1999). Disseminated and net textured sulfides up to 12m thick
Lens 2A was located >100m NE and down plunge of extended from surface to 30m vertical depths. Nickel
the open pit ore lenses and consisted of two distinct pods tenors were generally low, averaging 7.1% Ni 100.
of mineralization occurring at or near the Unit 2 Lens 2G was located at a vertical depth of 220m and
ultramafic-footwall gabbroid contact. The main ore body, included disseminated and net-textured sulfides
informally called “Balloon Lens”, was the largest single concentrated along the base of a distinct middle subunit of
ore pod at Zone 2. The largest portion of the irregular Unit 2. The ore body dipped 40°N and plunged 50°NNE.
shaped ore body was 90m long (E-W), 150m wide (N-S), Thin sulfidic argillite horizons are intercalated with basal
and averaged ~50m in thickness. The ore body dipped komatiitic flows immediately below Lens 2G. The nickel
50°N, plunges ~55°NE, and extended from 70 to 310m tenors averaged 13.9% Ni100.
vertical depths. Nickel tenors ranged 12-16% Ni100. Lens 2H was similar to Lens 2G, with discontinuous
Located immediately NW of Balloon Lens was a smaller pods of disseminated, net textured, and thin massive
pod of disseminated to net-textured and massive sulfides sulfides occurring at the basal contact of a middle subunit
referred to as “Northwest Balloon” lens. This irregular- in Unit 2. The sulfide zones (generally <10m thick)
shaped pod, with an average true thickness of 7m and occurred sporadically within a distinct subunit that strikes
strike length of 70m, plunged NE along the base of an 035° and dips 45° NW. It is speculated that this
upper subunit of Unit 2. Northwest Balloon is mineralization is the down-plunge continuation of Lens
stratigraphically similar to Lens 2G and 2H. 2G, which is located 150m SW up plunge. Lens 2H nickel
Lens 2B was an open-pit lens containing net-textured tenors averaged >14% Ni100, comparable to those of Lens
to massive sulfides concentrated at the peridotite-footwall 2G.
gabbroid contact of Unit 2. The top of Lens 2B appeared to
represent mineralization concentrated at the base of 8.4 Interpretation
overlying (beheading) subunits. The Lens 2B ore body The Zone 3 ultramafic body appears to consists of multiple
dipped 40°N, extended from surface to a 90m vertical komatiitic peridotite flow horizons that can be grouped
depth, and reached 50m in true thickness. into two majors (Unit 1 and Unit 2), with a combined
Lens 2C was another open-pit lens and dipped 30°N ultramafic thickness of >300m. This implies two major and
from surface to a depth of 65m. Mineralization occurred distinct eruption periods. These assemblages are separated
within middle subunits stratigraphically above Lens 2B, or by up to 60m of mafic volcanic (basalt) locally exhibiting
at least correlatable with upper segments of Lens 2B. The flow-top breccias and gabbro. The gabbro reaches up to
true thickness of Lens 2C reached 15m, and it was 80m thick in the eastern part of Zone 3, but thins both
underlain by metasediments at its northern, down-dip end. westward and down dip, and eventually pinches out in
Lens 2D consisted of two isolated pods of these directions. Above 300m vertical depth, the gabbro is
mineralization referred to as the “Upper” and “Lower” locally intercalated with both sediment and basalt, but it
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 62
has not been recognized below 300m vertical depth. The 8.5.1 Mine 3 footwall rocks
origin of the gabbro is still unclear, but contact 1) Footwall sediments (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 565380mE,
relationships suggest that at least parts of this unit are 6837000mN)
intrusive, but locally the gabbroid may just be coarser-
grained equivalent to basalt. The lower Unit 1 ultramafic Graphitic and locally sulfidic slates of the Upper
contained lenses 3D, 3E, 3G, 3H, and 3I represents the Povungnituk Group in the footwall of the Mine 3 on
initial outpouring of lava. A second eruption resulted in the the south side of the road.
emplacement of upper Unit 2 and produced Lenses 3A and 2) Footwall Katinniq Gabbro (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
3B (open pit), Lens 3C, and the numerous Lens 3F ore 565175mE, 6837160mN)
bodies. The continuation of both flow sequences can be
traced to the east into the poorly understood Zone 3-2 Katinniq Gabbro at Mine 2 is the footwall rock of the
ultramafic body (i.e., the part between Zones 3 and 2), and ultramafic unit that host the deposit but it is poorly
into Zone 2 1.5 km to the east. Modeling of total field exposed resulting of the mine development. This
magnetic data indicates that the Zone 3-2 ultramafic body gabbro is mainly a subophitic mesogabbro.
(as a whole) is extremely thick (~500m) and may represent
a primary channel of voluminous magma flow. 8.5.2 Thick well-differentiated flows
It has been suggested that the aerially extensive basal Stops 3 to 10 are a transect across a thick poorly
gabbro unit, which underlies much of the Zone 3 differentiated flow at the Mine 3.
ultramafic body, represents a thick sheet-flow facies rocks
marking the initial phase of Chukotat volcanism (Thacker, 3) Lower contact of the Mine 3 ultramafic unit (UTM
1995). The alternative, that the gabbro might represent a Z18 NAD83 – 565580mE, 6837210mN)
syngenetic (or closely contemporaneous) high-level sill Basal contact between the Mine 3 peridotite and the
that intruded along the base of the ultramafic complex is footwall Katinniq gabbro within small embayment
not supported by the cross-cutting nature of the ore- shown by the low angle relationship between the
localizing embayment. This gabbro unit can be traced contact trending at 345° and the columnar jointing
through several areas along the southern limit of the trending 005°. Small nickel gossan (disseminated
Raglan Horizon including Zone 3, Zone 2, Katinniq, and sulfides) occur near the base of this embayment.
Zone 5-8 (Fig. 3.1), and possibly also at Boundary (Fig. Further away, just before the road, the peridotite grade
13.2). into an oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite.
The Zone 2 ultramafic body also consists of numerous
komatiitic peridotite flow horizons that make up two 4) Mine 3 Open Pit (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 565320mE,
distinct Unit 1 and Unit 2 assemblages, separated by up to 6837190mN)
70m of gabbro. Economic grade sulfide mineralization View overlooking the Mine 3 Open Pit from the
occurs at the base of all subunits of Unit 2. These flows are eastern edge of the pit. On the western wall, the
locally intercalated with basalt and metasedimentary rocks. contact is observed between the footwall Katinniq
The complexity of this multi-flow environment is best Gabbro and the basal peridotite. Rusty peridotite that
observed in drill core in the western part of Zone 2. The contain disseminated sulfides occur near the basal
origin of the gabbro between Unit 1 and Unit 2 is still contact.
unclear, but contact relationships suggest that at least parts
of this unit are intrusive. It has been suggested that the 5) Olivine pyroxenite near the upper margin (UTM
basal gabbro unit that underlies much of the Zone 2 Z18 NAD83 – 565355mE, 6837220mN)
ultramafic body, represents a thick sheet-flow facies This exposure consists of an olivine pyroxenite near
marking the initial phase of Chukotat volcanism (Thacker, the upper part of the lower ultramafic unit at the Mine
1995). Modelling of total field magnetic data confirms that 3 area. Few meters higher up, the partially-beheaded
the Zone 2 and Zone 3 ultramafic bodies are connected on pyroxenite flow top breccia of the lower ultramafic
surface and at depth, and that they are therefore probably unit in the Zone 3 complex is discontinuously exposed
genetically related. This modeling also indicates that the in several locations along the south slope of the ridge.
Zone 2 ultramafic body plunges and trends to the NE, and Unfortunately, this outcrop is now underneath the
is connected at depth (>500m) with the westernmost extent road. It defines the upper contact of the lower
of the Katinniq ultramafic body (see Fig. 2.6). ultramafic units in the Zone 3 area

8.5 Field trip stops 6) Olivine pyroxenite near the upper margin (UTM
Z18 NAD83 – 565320mE, 6837280mN)
The surface exposures in the Mine 3 area have been largely
disturbed by mine development. However, some good This is a semi-continuous exposure of the peridotite
exposures are still preserved on the east side of the Mine 3 that grade gradually from a peridotite to a pyroxenitic
Open Pit. peridotite to an olivine pyroxenite.

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7) Upper part of the Upper Ultramafic Unit (UTM 9) Lower part of the Upper Ultramafic Unit (UTM
Z18 NAD83 – 565300mE, 6837360mN) Z18 NAD83 – 564925mE, 6837215mN)
This exposure consists of the upper part of the Upper This exposure consists of the lower part of the Upper
Ultramafic Unit at Mine 3. The olivine pyroxenite Ultramafic Unit at Mine 3. This is composed mainly
grades into a pyroxenite to a randomly oriented of oikocrystic pyroxenitic peridotite. Again here, nice
pyroxene spinifex-textured. Furthermore, this upper blocks of the pyroxenitic breccia occur at this location.
margin of pyroxene spinifex-textured unit grade also They are not in place, but near their original location.
gradually to the pyroxenitic flow top breccia.
8.5.3 Mine 2 area
8) Upper part of the Lower Ultramafic Unit (UTM
Z18 NAD83 – 564915mE, 6837155mN) The surface exposures in the Mine 2 area have been largely
covered by mine development. The best exposures are on
This exposure consists of the upper part of the Lower the walls of the Mine 2 open pit.
Ultramafic Unit at Mine 3. This is composed mainly
of pyroxenitic peridotite to an oikocrystic olivine 10) Columnar jointing in the Mine 2 Gabbro (UTM
pyroxenite. Nice blocks of the pyroxenitic breccia Z18 NAD83 – 566125mE, 6837530mN)
occur at this location. The blocks are not in place, but The Katinniq Gabbro at Mine 2 is the footwall rock of
near their original location. the ultramafic unit that host the deposit. The gabbroic
outcrop exhibits large columnar jointing.

Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

Mine 2

Mine 3 10
8-9
3-7
2

Figure 8.5. Geology of the Zone 3 – Zone 2 area showing field stop locations (modified from Glencore Ltd.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 64

Chapter 9: Katinniq area

9.1 Introduction brown-weathering ridge (Fig. 2.14) separating the grey-

The Katinniq area is one of the best exposed and most weathering Katinniq Gabbro and argillaceous
accessible areas in the Raglan Block. It occurs in the metasedimentary rocks of the Povungnituk Group in the
central part of the Raglan Block (Fig. 2.2), at the south from grey-green weathering komatiitic basalts of the
intersection of three tributaries of the Deception River Chukotat Group in the north. Exposure in the Katinniq area
(Fig. 9.1), which have been dammed to create the water is fair to excellent; most areas are frost-heaved outcrop
reservoir for the mine complex. The topography of the area (felsenmeer) or in situ rubble, but there are many outcrops,
is dominated by the ENE-trending Katinniq Ultramafic only a few areas are covered by transported materials, and
Complex, which forms a 2500m long by 150-300m wide most showings contain fresh sulfides.

Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt
Figure 9.1. Geology of the Katinniq area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 65

9.1.1 Katinniq Gabbro metasedimentary rocks. With increasing proximity to
The Katinniq Gabbro is laterally more extensive than the overlying peridotites they grade as follows: black graphitic
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex and directly underlies the sulfidic slates  grey sulfidic slates  grey-white banded
complex along most of its length (Fig. 3.1). It appears to be (1 mm – 1 cm) spotted slates  grey or green massive
contiguous with the Zone 3-2 Gabbro to the west and the recrystallized hornfels  white (bleached) hornfels. The
5-8 Gabbro to the east. In the western part of the Katinniq spots have biotite cores surrounded by white Fe-Mg
area it is sometimes separated from the peridotite by fine- depletion halos (Fig. 9.8). The slates are variably foliated,
grained melanogabbro and hornfelsed metasediment (Fig. reflecting localized deformation between the more rigid
9.3). peridotite and gabbro bodies, but the distribution of
The Katinniq Gabbro is layered with: i) a narrow hornfels indicates that the contacts are broadly intact.
(~10m) lower margin of fine-grained greyish-green
pyroxenitic gabbro that grades along strike into olivine 9.2 Katinniq Ultramafic Complex
pyroxenite, ii) a very thick (~70m) central zone of The Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (Figs. 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4)
medium- to fine-grained grey melanogabbro with local is composed primarily of mesocumulate peridotite and
khaki altered melanogabbro, iii) a thin (ca. 10m) upper lesser olivine pyroxenite with internal horizons of basalt,
zone of medium- to coarse-grained white/dark green gabbro, pyroxenite, metasediment, and upper and lower
crescumulate mesogabbro and grey/black melanogabbro, margins of olivine pyroxenite and pyroxenite. Adcumulate
and iv) a thin (~2m) upper margin of fine-grained dunites are rare. The stratigraphy of the ultramafic body is
greenish-grey meso- to melanogabbro and very fine complex and comprises at least two major units and
grained greyish-green basalts. All zones are gradational several subunits.
and appear to be relatively continuous along strike over The lower unit has only recently been discovered and is
most of the length of the body, except for upper parts that composed primarily of massive mesocumulate peridotite
have been thermally eroded by the overlying ultramafic capped by gabbro that does not outcrop. It may represent a
complex (Figs. 9.2 and 9.3). separate flow unit or a channelized part of the Katinniq
Gabbro.
9.1.2 Footwall gabbro-Metasediment sequence The upper unit is well exposed on surface and
In the western part of the area (Fig. 9.3), the Katinniq comprises a thin lower pyroxenitic margin (Figs. 9.9 and
Ultramafic Complex overlies a narrow interval (~15m) of 3.8), thick lower part of massive and columnar-jointed
recrystallized basalt/gabbro and hornfelsed metasediment. peridotite (Fig. 9.10), capped locally with pyroxenite ±
The peridotite progressively cuts downward, from west to basalt ± metasediment, and an upper part composed of
east, through metasediment (only locally preserved), massive mesocumulate peridotite and oikocrystic olivine
hornfelsed basalt/gabbro (only locally preserved), more pyroxenite and local pyroxenite (often in sharp contact:
metasediment, and the underlying Katinniq Gabbro. As Figs. 9.11 and 9.12), capped by massive microspinifex-
none of these lithologies are present above the Katinniq textured pyroxenite (e.g.., Figs. 3.12 and 9.15) and/or
Ultramafic Complex, their absence in the western area basaltic flow-top breccia (Figs. 3.12 and 9.13). Lower
cannot be attributed to discordant intrusion. Where subunits are thicker (up to 65m) and laterally more
peridotites overlie metasediments, the peridotites exhibit extensive than middle and upper subunits (up to 30m).
thin (1-2m) margins of pyroxenite, but where they overlie Overlying subunits appear to have thermally eroded and
the basalt/gabbro, the pyroxenite is absent. This suggests beheaded underlying subunits in many parts of the
that the basalt/gabbro may represent part of the Katinniq complex.
Ultramafic Complex, perhaps a strongly-contaminated A lens of hornfelsed argillaceous metasediment within
equivalent of the pyroxenite. the lower part of the complex (Figs. 9.2 and 9.3) may
The gabbros occur as massive, discontinuous pods represent i) a fault repetition of footwall rocks, ii) a
separated from the peridotite only locally by small xenolith (raft), or iii) a partially beheaded horizon of
amounts of hornfelsed metasediment. They are dark interflow metasediment. It occurs above a zone of sheared
brownish-grey in color and weather to a dark greyish-tan peridotite, but is oriented parallel to other stratigraphic
color. The upper part is fine-grained grey gabbro, contacts, is directly underlain by pyroxenite, and correlates
recrystallized (hornfelsed) near the peridotite contact, the with metasediment horizons intersected in drill core,
central part is fine- to medium-grained grey gabbro, and supporting the third interpretation. Multiple internal
the lower margin is pyroxenitic gabbro. horizons of mineralization and interlayering of
The hornfelsed metasedimentary rocks were mapped mesocumulate peridotite, oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite,
by previous workers as basalt, but systematic gradations and pyroxenite (see also Barnes et al., 1982) indicate
between them and underlying slates, palimpsest clastic variations in magma composition and crystallization rate
textures in thin-section, and distinctive geochemical during emplacement.
characteristics (very low Mg, strong U-Th-LREE
enrichment and Nb-Ta depletion) indicate that they are

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 66

 .
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook
Figure 9.2. Simplified geological map of the Katinniq area based on 1:2000 scale mapping by CML in 1989-1991 (prior to development of the Katinniq mine site and flooding of
the Deception River). KG = Katinniq Gabbro, KUC = Katinniq Ultramafic Complex, LC = leucogabbro, PG = pyroxene gabbro, MG = melanogabbro, NG = mesogabbro

67
 30-50%

chilled margin

20-30%

30-50%

rnfels
inc. ho

chilled margin

iv er
o nR
De e pti
N ce D ec
pti
on
Ri
0 100 m
ve
r Katinniq
Western Part
Katinniq Member Cross Lake Member Upper Povungnituk Group
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex Katinniq Gabbro Povungnituk Slate
Basalt breccia Basalt Massive hornfels/spotted slate
Pyroxene porpyritic basalt Leucogabbro/ferrogabbro Slate
Peridotite (minor wehrlite) Melanogabbro Gabbro (metabasalt)
Disseminated sulfides Mesogabbro/pyroxene gabbro Fault/Shear
Net-textured sulfides Strike/Dip Foliation
Columnar Joint Joint

Figure 9.3. Geological map of the southwestern part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (Lesher, 2007)

.
The uppermost part of the Katinniq Ultramafic rubbly exposures along most of the northern margin of the
Complex is marked locally by a relatively thick (2-10 m, peridotite. The upper contact is rarely exposed on the
exaggerated on dip slopes) fractured/brecciated basaltic surface, but is always gradational and conformable in drill
flow-top (Figs. 2.14, 3.12 and 9.13), comprising sub- core; there is no evidence of intrusion or stoping.
rounded to angular, cobble-sized fragments of very fine- Importantly, no basalt breccias have been observed in the
grained basalt and fine- to medium-grained pyroxenite in a footwall of the complex, indicating that the discordant
basaltic/argillaceous matrix. The breccia weathers to a footwall contact cannot be attributed to discordant
tannish-grey color, disintegrates readily, and forms very intrusion of the complex.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 68

 NW SE

0 100m

NW SE

Sulfidic slate
Breccia/peperite
Komatiitic basalt
Pyroxenite
Wehrlite
Peridotite
Disseminated sulfide
Net-textured sulfide
Massive sulfide
Gabbro
0 50m

Figure 9.4. Top: NW-SE vertical section through the central part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (Gillies, 1993). Thinner vertical
lines are drill cores on which the section is based; thicker dashed lines are faults. Bottom: Details in central part of same section.

9.3 Structural geology metasediments/gabbros. Underground mapping (A. Coutts,

The Katinniq Ultramafic Complex is transgressed by a pers. comm., 1992; K. Chisholm, pers. comm., 1999)
series of ENE-trending bedding-parallel faults and NNW indicates that some NNW-trending faults cross-cut (and
trending high-angle faults that break the unit into several therefore post-date) ENE-trending faults, but some of the
lozenge-shaped blocks (Figs. 9.2 and 9.3), some of which movement on the NNW-trending faults may be related to
have been rotated slightly (e.g., westernmost block), as the regional D4 folding event.
indicated by changes in the strike of lithological contacts The style of deformation varies with rock type and
and plunge azimuths of columnar joints. The Deception intensity of deformation and the deformation is very
River Fault, which offsets Chukotat basalts, differentiated heterogeneous. Pyroxenites normally shear, peridotites
peridotite-gabbro flows, a small tip of the Katinniq normally fracture, and gabbros rarely deform. Most faults
Ultramafic Complex, and the Katinniq Gabbro exposed on in the peridotites, for example, comprise numerous
the west side of the river from the same lithologies closely-spaced (1-50 cm) microfaults and shear joints with
exposed of the east side of the river, is one of the NNW- limited horizontal displacement (<1m), which fracture the
trending faults. Most NNW-trending faults offset the rock but result in little apparent horizontal displacement.
hanging wall and footwall contacts of the peridotite The few slip directional indicators along the NNW-
slightly, but appear to ramp into and bottom out along trending faults plunge shallowly to moderately northward
ENE-trending thrust faults and stratigraphic contacts in (i.e., parallel to dip), consistent with the limited amount of
overlying metasediment/basalts and underlying observed horizontal displacement. The minor horizontal

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component of displacement is normally sinistral, but some shallowly-pitching linear ore shoots significantly,
fault zones contain narrow blocks exhibiting dextral suggesting that the amount is minor (10s of metres). The
displacement. The amount of dip-parallel displacement is best interpretation at this stage is that the ENE- and NNW-
not yet known. The lithologies are different on either side trending faults represent a compartmentalized D1-D2 thrust
of some of the faults (e.g., the two westernmost blocks in fault system with ENE-trending flats and NNW-trending
Fig. 9.2), but the faults do not appear to displace the ramps, modified during D3 and D4.

Pe
rid
o tit
e

Py
ro
Sp xe
ot ne
ted -p
hy
sla ric
t e ba
sa
lt

Pyroxene-phyric basalt

Figure 9.5. Photograph (looking west) of lower contact of Katinniq Ultramafic Complex (Lesher, 2007). Transgressive contact between
pyroxenite (grey, marked with pickets and hammer) and underlying hornfelsed metasediments (dark grey, left) dips northward in upper
and central part of photo, southwestward (sharply transgressive to bedding in the metasediments) in foreground.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 70

Figure 9.6. Photograph of massive, bleached hornfelsed sediment underlying the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex along the east side of the
Deception River.

Figure 9.7. Photograph of spotted hornfelsed metasediment underlying the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex along the east side of the
Deception River.

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Figure 9.8. Photomicrograph of hornfelsed metasediment underlying the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex along the east side of the
Deception River showing porphyroblastic biotite surrounded by Fe-depletion halos. Width of photo is 2.5 mm. Plane-polarized light

Figure 9.9. Lower contact of Katinniq Ultramafic Complex showing contact between lower pyroxene-phyric komatiitic basalt (pinkish
grey, above hammer head), 20 cm thick layer of massive, completely-recrystallized semipelite (white, below hammer head), and spotted
hornfels (grey, bottom). (Lesher, 2007).

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Figure 9.10. Columnar-jointed peridotite in the lower part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. Columns are ~20-30 cm in diameter.

Figure 9.11. Photomicrograph of an internal contact between olivine peridotite (top) and pyroxenite (bottom) in the middle of the
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex.

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Figure 9.12. Photomicrograph of an internal contact between a pyroxenite (top) and a peridotite (bottom) in the middle of the Katinniq
Ultramafic Complex.

Figure 9.13. Photograph of sheared flow-top breccia and underlying columnar-jointed pyroxenite in the upper part of the Katinniq
Ultramafic Complex.

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Figure 9.14. Photograph of a ropy flow top of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex.

Figure 9.15. Photograph of an olivine microspinifex-textured flow top in the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. Width of photo is 8 mm.
Doubly polarized light.
.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 75

 Ductile deformation in the Katinniq area is manifested ore zone and has strongly influenced the geometry of the R
as a heterogeneous foliation (S1) sub-parallel to bedding zone. The R-1 fault had an interpreted displacement of at
(S0), that is well developed locally in metasediments and least 4m (but not much more because of the overall intact
pyroxenites bordering the ultramafic complex. This is nature of the zone) and appears to have been cause of the
attributed to rheological contrasts at the margins of the breccia ores and recrystallized sulfides characteristic of the
peridotite. Drag folding is evident adjacent to most major R zone. The massive ores contained >70% sulfides (Po,
faults and S0/S1 in sediments are locally refolded by D3 or Pn, Cpy), coarse Pn eyes and fine grained Cpy in a matrix
D4, producing a secondary crenulation and an intersection of Po, occurring as a stockwork type sulfide (cutting net-
lineation. Crenulations are well-developed in the textured ore), breccia sulfides (peridotite fragments in a
metasediments and basalts overlying the complex in the matrix of massive sulfides), and recrystallized-annealed,
west-central part of the area. foliated sulfides (Chisholm et al., 1999)
Although there is superficial evidence for D3 folding of
the upper and lower contacts of the complex (Fig. 9.2), 9.5 Geological interpretation
most of the internal stratigraphic contacts in the Katinniq The Katinniq Ultramafic Complex is interpreted to
Ultramafic Complex (Fig. 9.4) and most of the represent a series of overlapping lava channels that mark a
stratigraphic contacts in the underlying Katinniq Gabbro period of voluminous eruption of relatively primitive
and overlying Chukotat volcanic sequence (Figs. 9.1-9.3) komatiitic basaltic lavas at high effusion rates. It grades
do not exhibit fold geometries and many of the laterally into komatiitic basalts and sedimentary breccias,
irregularities in the upper contact of the complex are which appear to represent a levee facies. The presence of
volcanological, representing lateral facies variations (Fig. hornfelsed fragments of metasediment and basalt in a
9.2). Thus, there is little evidence that the first-order slightly metamorphosed sedimentary matrix indicates that
embayment which localizes the Katinniq Ultramafic the breccias formed concurrently with the emplacement of
Complex or the majority of the second-order embayments the ultramafic complex; e.g., that sediments were
which localize the ore bodies were produced by folding, accumulating adjacent to the channel during its
although it is quite likely that they were modified by development.
folding. The Katinniq Gabbro is interpreted to be represent a
laterally extensive (>10 km) differentiated sheet sill that
9.4 Mineralization appears to mark the commencement of komatiitic
The ores in the Katinniq deposit occur as at least 60 volcanism in the area, as in other parts of the area (Figs.
distinct ore lenses that define a NNW-plunging trend over 10.5 and 13.3). It has been thermally eroded and
a strike length of at least 1.8 km (Fig. 9.1). They are hornfelsed by the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. It is
typically 15-40 m thick, have strike lengths of 35-150 m, overlain and underlain by metasedimentary rocks and is
and dip NNE at 30-45º. The lenses vary from less than 0.5 separated from the ultramafic complex by
Mt to more than 1.2 Mt. metasedimentary rocks, indicating the initial eruptions of
Most of the ores occur within the basal flow unit at or komatiitic basalt volcanism were moderately voluminous
near the footwall contact, but some occur within overlying and episodic.
flow units as internal ore zones, and are typically localized Most of the economic nickel sulfide mineralization at
within second-order footwall embayments in the footwall Katinniq is localized in footwall embayments that appear
rocks and within interpreted transgressive units in the host to have been generated by thermal erosion and only
ultramafic complexes (Gillies, 1993). The ores occur as slightly modified by deformation. The presence of sparse
blebby, disseminated, net-textured, and massive sulfides. disseminated sulfides in the lower chilled margin indicates
Some of the ores zones exhibit typical magmatic that the lava was saturated in sulfide during initial
segregation profiles: massive sulfides (mainly 8-15% Ni, emplacement, but the majority of the sulfides accumulated
up to 20% Ni) overlain by net-textured sulfides (5 to 7% after formation of the chilled margin. The presence of
Ni) grading upwards into disseminated (1.5-4.5% Ni) and disseminated sulfides throughout the complex indicates
then blebby sulfides (1% Ni). The C, E, and O ore zones at that the lava remained saturated in sulfide during
Katinniq were stratigraphically complex (e.g., Fig. 9.4), crystallization of the remainder of the peridotite.
comprising two or more “cycles” of massive, net-textured, The overlying komatiitic basalts of the Chukotat
and disseminated sulfides, but with clearly magmatic, non- Formation are interpreted to represent near-continuous
tectonic contacts (Fig. 4.4). The interlayering of ore types eruption of komatiitic basalt lavas at low effusion rates.
in this manner at Katinniq was interpreted by Gillies The layered flows and interflow metasedimentary rocks in
(1993) as evidence for multiple episodes of sulfide the lower part of the sequence represent periodic
emplacement. moderately voluminous eruptions and volcanic hiatuses.
Other ore zones exhibit secondary, structurally
produced profiles where massive sulfides have been 9.6 Field trip stops
tectonized, brecciated, and mobilized. For example, the R Although much of the Katinniq area is now covered by
zone (see Chisholm et al., 1999) was a structurally roads, it still contains some of the best exposures in the
modified zone where a strong gouge filled fault bisects the
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 76
eastern part of the Raglan area. We will traverse across, Zone 13-14), which appears to be channelized and
from south to north: Katinniq Gabbro, hornfelsed differentiated in the Mine 3, Mine 2, Zone 5, and Zone 7
metasedimentary rocks, Katinniq Ultramafic Complex, areas, but not in the Katinniq area.
Chukotat layered flows, and Chukotat basalts.
1) Katinniq Gabbro (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 565320mE,
6838620mN)
9.6.1 Katinniq Gabbro
Stops 1-2 are exposures of the Katinniq Gabbro. It At this location, the Katinniq Gabbro is mainly a
comprises, from base (south) to top (north): massive medium-grained mesogabbro that exhibit locally nice
pyroxene gabbro, massive mesogabbro, massive centimetric-scale igneous layering.
melanogabbro (including “khaki” gabbro), massive 2) Katinniq Gabbro (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 570000mE,
leucogabbro (including “coarse amphibole” ferrogabbro), 6839450mN)
and a 1m thick massive basaltic upper margin. The lower
contact and many other exposures have been covered by At this location, the Katinniq Gabbro is mainly a
road construction, but the underlying metasedimentary medium-grained mesogabbro that exhibit numerous
rocks were weakly hornfelsed metasediments grading zone of “coarse-grained amphibole” gabbro to
downwards into black slate. Because it has been thermally- ferrogabbro. Fine-grained pyroxenitic dike is also
eroded and transgressed by the Katinniq Ultramafic injected into the Katinniq gabbro. To the north across
Complex, which is interpreted to be extrusive, it is the little depression, the basal peridotite of the
interpreted to represent a laterally extensive sheet flow Katinniq Ultramafic Complex with columnar jointing
(continuous for ~18 km from west of Mine 3 to east of is observed.
Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

17

16 15
14

14
Katinniq 10-13
Complex
3-5 2

6-9

T- Sill

Katinniq
South Sill

Figure 9.16. Geology of the Katinniq area showing field stop locations (modified after Glencore Ltd.)

9.6.2 Basal part of the Katinniq Ultramafic 3) Katinniq Gabbro (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 569400mE,
Complex 6839320mN)
Stops 3-5 consist of exposures from the basal part of the At this location, the Katinniq Gabbro is mainly a
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex east of the Deception river. medium-grained mesogabbro that exhibit locally
Many of the initial exposures have been covered by mine coarser zone of crescumulate “amphibole” gabbro.
development.

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4) Hornfelsed Slates/Olivine pyroxenite (UTM Z18 8) Lower contact of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex
NAD83 – 569400mE, 6839355mN) (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 569620mE, 6839405mN)
The metasedimentary rocks directly beneath the The lower contact of the Katinniq Ultramafic
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex have been contact Complex is exposed semi-continuously along the
metamorphosed to biotite hornfels zone (vs. albite- entire length of the embayment. It is sheared in many
actinolite-chlorite zone regional metamorphism). They places, but in this locality the thermal erosional
grade from sulfidic graphitic slate through graphitic- contact between the basal pyroxenite and the
sulfidic spotted slate (dark cores of biotite surrounded underlying hornfelsed metasediments is very sharp
by Fe-depleted haloes in a quartz-sericite-chlorite and, dips south, markedly transgressive to the
matrix), sulfidic spotted slate, and spotted slate to northward-dipping bedding (S0) in the metasediments.
massive light green hornfels and massive white The contact between the metasediments and the
hornfels, implying that graphite was devolatilized at Katinniq gabbro is also observed at this location
lower temperatures (further from the contact) than (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 569685mE, 6839400mN).
sulfides. The pyroxenitic lower margin of the complex
9) Internal hornfelsed metasediment (UTM Z18
in this area contains phenocrysts of pyroxene and
NAD83 – 569645mE, 6839430mN)
disseminated blebby sulfides.
There is a large (100m x 30m) lens of hornfelsed
5) Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfide showing KP-5 (UTM Z18
metasediment in the lower part of the Katinniq
NAD83 – 569400mE, 6839385mN)
Ultramafic Complex. The peridotites in the gully to
Two small lenses of net-textured to semi-massive the south are sheared, but the metasediments are
sulfide mineralization outcrop in the western part of underlain by a laterally extensive horizon of
the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. One outcrops along pyroxenite and are bordered to the east by pyroxenite,
the Deception River and has been heavily sampled. suggesting that they represent a raft or an erosional
The other small lens of sulfide mineralization (KP-5) remnant.
occurs within/above a second-order embayment in the
footwall contact, ~10m above the basal olivine 9.6.4 Middle and upper parts of the Katinniq
pyroxenite. Ultramafic Complex
Stops 10-13 consist of several exposures along the middle
9.6.3 Lower contact of the Katinniq Ultramafic and the uppermost parts of the Katinniq Ultramafic
Complex Complex.
Stops 6-9 consist of several exposures along the basal
10) Internal hornfelsed metasediment (UTM Z18
contact of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex.
NAD83 – 569800mE, 6839470mN)
6) Lookout at the basal contact of the KUC (UTM Z18
Columnar joints occur throughout the Katinniq
NAD83 – 569580mE, 6839370mN)
Ultramafic Complex, but particularly in the lower part.
Despite the fact that this lookout has destroyed some They generally plunge gently to moderately south,
of the exposures, it gives an excellent overview of the perpendicular to bedding, but their orientations vary
geological context along the basal contact of the within different fault-bound blocks (Fig. 9.2),
Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. View to the West: consistent with minor rotation of the blocks during
Overview of upcoming that include the Ni-Cu-(PGE) deformation.
showing KP-5. View to the North: Overview of the
11) NW-trending fault/fracture (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
columnar jointing peridotite at the base of the Katinniq
569815mE, 6839520mN)
Ultramafic Complex. View to the East: Overview of
the lower contact of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex. The western part of the Katinniq Ultramafic Complex
is transgressed by compartmentalized fault system.
7) Metabasalt/metagabbro (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
These faults are manifested as closely-spaced joints
569435mE, 6839370mN)
and fractures filled with chrysotile that contain
Two knobs of metabasalt/metagabbro outcrop along moderately northward-dipping lineations indicating
the footwall contact in the western part of the Katinniq dip-parallel movement. The hanging wall and footwall
Ultramafic Complex. They are locally overlain by contacts are only slightly displaced, consistent with
metasediment, which would suggest that they are not dip-slip movement.
related to the ultramafic rocks, but the lower contacts
12) Katinniq peridotite (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 569750mE,
are hornfelsed, suggesting more heat flow than could
6839535mN)
be accounted for by such thin flows. They most likely
represent basalts that were hornfelsed along with the The bulk of the Katinniq peridotite is composed of a
rest of the footwall rocks. fine-grained peridotite with disseminated sulfides that
exhbit columnar jointing at the base. Gradually, the

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 abundance of pyroxene increase slowly to grade from 15) Thick differentiated peridotite/gabbro flows in
the peridotite to a pyroxenitic peridotite to an olivine lower part of Chukotat Group (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
pyroxenite commonly oikocrystic. 569640mE, 6839760mN)
13) Brecciated basaltic flow top of the Complex (UTM The Katinniq Ultramafic Complex is overlain by
Z18 NAD83 – 569695mE, 6839620mN) Chukotat Group basalts, the lower parts of which
contain thick differentiated flows. This flow is one of
Most exposures of the upper contact of the Katinniq
the thickest and laterally most extensive flows in the
Ultramafic Complex in the central and eastern parts of
sequence (Figs. 2.14 and 9.2). It comprises a basal
the area have been covered during mine development,
margin of pyroxenite, a lower zone of olivine
but the brecciated basaltic flow top is well exposed on
pyroxenite, and an upper zone of microgabbro.
a dip slope across the western part of the Complex,
where is overlies a locally columnar-jointed 16) Thin differentiated pyroxenite/basalt flow and
pyroxenite. interflow sulfidic metasediment in lower part of
Chukotat Group (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 569090mE,
9.6.5 Chukotat Group 6839800mN and UTM Z18 NAD83 – 569230mE,
14) Massive and differentiated basalt/microgabbro 6839810mN)
units in the lower part of Chukotat Group (UTM This flow is thinner and less magnesian; it comprises a
Z18 NAD83 – 569570mE, 6839625mN and UTM Z18 lower zone of pyroxenite and an upper zone of basalt.
NAD83 – 569300mE, 6839780mN) It is underlain by thin, barren, graphitic sulfidic
Two thick mafic units overlie the Katinniq Ultramafic interflow metasedimentary horizon.
Complex in the western part of the area, one of which 17) Massive, pillowed, and brecciated basalts in the
is massive mesogabbro and one of which is weakly lower part of Chukotat Group (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
differentiated mesogabbro to melanogabbro. They are 569160mE, 6839985mN)
separated by a thick differentiated peridotite-gabbro
flow (Stop 15). The majority of the Chukotat Group is composed of
olivine- and pyroxene-phyric basalts. The exposures
on the east side of the Deception River are a little
rubbly, but there are some good exposures of massive
lavas, pillow lavas, and volcanic breccias.

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Chapter 10: Zone 5-8 area
10.1 Introduction surface Pit 378 and Showing 8 mineralization. It consists
Zone 5-8 is located within the central portion of the Raglan of at least five stacked ultramafic flow units commonly
Formation, 3 km east of the Katinniq mill and concentrator intercalated/interdigitated with argillaceous
complex. Zone 5-8 Ultramafic Complex (Figs. 10.1 and metasedimentary rocks and basalt. Although discontinuous
10.2) is a 3 km-long exposure of mineralized ultramafic and generally small, economic grade Ni-Cu mineralization
rocks, centered 4 km east of the Katinniq mine and mill occurs at the bases of all flow units at Showing 8.
complex. The ultramafic rocks are exposed at surface as E-W trending, N-dipping shear zones related to the
two distinct ultramafic lobes referred to as the East regional D1 N-S shortening event bound the property on
Ultramafic and West Ultramafic. The West Ultramafic the north and south. The SE part of the West Ultramafic
plunges shallowly to steeply to the north and is interpreted and the underlying Gabbo-Peridotite is particularly
to connect at depth (>700m vertical) with the Katinniq strongly sheared. Steep, NE- to NW-trending faults with
Ultramafic Complex to the west and the Eastern minor (<30m) strike-slip to dip-slip displacement
Ultramafic is interpreted to connect at depth with the Zone transgress the Zone 5-8 Ultramafic Complex (Fig. 10.2),
13-14 Ultramafic Complex to the east. The Zone 5 but there is no evidence in drill core or outcrop to suggest
showing occurred at the base of the Western Ultramafic, that the horseshoe-shape is attributable to extensive folding
the Zone 6 showings occurred in the central part of the or faulting.
Western Ultramafic, the Zone 7 showing occurred at the
base of the Eastern Ultramafic, and the Zone 8 showings 10.3 Mineralization
occurred along the base of the northeastern part of the The mineralization within the 5-8 Zone is contained within
Eastern Ultramafic. The following is modified and updated at least 32 orebodies distributed into 3 main ore zones
from Mallinson (1999c). including the 5 and 6 series (9 lenses), the 7 series (11
lenses), and the 8 series (12 lenses). The three ore bodies
10.2 Geology that make up the Mineable Reserves at Zone 5-8 are
The Zone 5-8 Ultramafic Complex is an asymmetrical concentrated at the bases of peridotite bodies within
horseshoe-shaped body (Figs. 10.1-10.2) composed of two distinct footwall embayment structures. The best examples
ultramafic lobes, both belonging to the Katinniq Member are the near surface Upper Tripod and Pit 378 lenses. The
of the Raglan Formation, with an intervening Central Lower Tripod Lens is located in a much broader footwall
Gabbro and flanked by Western and Eastern Gabbro- depression. Sulfides typically increase downward from
Peridotite units (Fig. 10.2), which are interpreted to belong intercumulus disseminations (10-40% by volume) at the
the Cross Lake Member of the Raglan Formation based on top, through net-textured sulfides (40-70% by volume), to
their similarity and cross-cutting relationships (Thacker, massive sulfides at the base. Secondary sulfide occurrences
1995), as they are in the Zone 3, Zone 2, Katinniq, and of reverse net-textured and vein sulfides are less common.
Boundary areas. The East and West peridotite lobes appear The sulfide bodies situated within middle and upper
to represent separate Katinniq Member komatiitic ultramafic flow horizons, such as Lens 8B, 8C, and 8E are
extrusions, and not the same ultramafic body that has been generally smaller and of lower Ni grade than those at the
dismembered by faulting and erosion, because no faults ultramafic-footwall gabbroid contact. Mineralization is
with those orientations have been mapped on surface or almost exclusively disseminated pyrrhotite and pentlandite
intersected in drill core. The entire Zone 5-8 Ultramafic (10-30% by volume), with only patchy net-textured
Complex is underlain by north-dipping, fine-grained, sulfides. Massive sulfide lenses are rare, and where
locally hornfelsed Povungnituk slates and fine-grained present, seldom exceed 0.5m in thickness.
sedimentary rocks locally occur between the peridotite Some of the characteristics of the two types of lenses
bodies and the gabbros. (small tonnage and high grades, and larger tonnage and
The ultramafic rocks consist mainly of mesocumulate lower grades) are described in more detail below based on
to orthocumulate peridotite, with lesser olivine pyroxenite Mallinson (1999).
(augite oikocrystic), pyroxenite, and rarely-exposed flow-
top breccias. The West Ultramafic trends N-NE and dips 10.3.1 Small tonnage and high grade
NW, and is composed of several stacked ultramafic flow Upper Tripod is a small ore body consisting of net-
units. The basal unit contains the Upper and Lower Tripod textured and thin massive sulfide lenses concentrated at the
lenses, both concentrated within distinct footwall peridotite-footwall gabbro contact within a distinct
embayments. The central portion of the West Ultramafic is footwall embayment. Mineralization dips 40°N, reaches up
extremely thick (>480m vertical depth), is crudely funnel- to 10m in true thickness, and extends from surface (Fig.
shaped, and plunges north. The East Ultramafic trends 10.1) to a vertical depth of 75m. The Ni tenor averages
WNW, dips steeply NNE (50-75°), and hosts the near 9.9% Ni100.

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 Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 10.1. Geology of 5-8- area draped onto topography showing ore zones projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

Figure 10.2. Simplified geological map of the Zone 5-8 Ultramafic Complex based on 1:2,000 scale mapping by J.L. Thacker and CML
in 1990, and CML and S.L. Gillies in 1991. The apparent discontinuity of some lithologies (e.g,. pyroxene-phyric basalts and olivine
pyroxenites) is an artifact of discontinuous exposure: both areas contain numerous outcrops, but most areas (especially ultramafic rocks)
are covered by felsenmeer and some areas (especially hanging-wall basalts and sediments) are covered by rubble.

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Figure 10.3. Simplified geological map of the western part of the Zone 5-8 ultramafic complex mapping based on 1:2000 mapping by
J.L. Thacker, CML, and S.L. Gillies in 1990 and 1991).

Figure 10.4. Simplified geological map of the eastern part of the Zone 5-8 ultramafic complex mapping based on 1:2000 mapping by J.L.
Thacker, CML, and S.L. Gillies in 1990 and 1991).

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 Lower Tripod is located 40m down dip of Upper (Fig. 10.5). He also suggested that the Central Gabbro is
Tripod at the peridotite-footwall contact within a distinct not part of the Gabbro-Peridotite unit, but a lateral facies
but broad footwall embayment. This embayment is between of the ultramafic lobes (Fig. 10.5). Drilling
interpreted to have formed by thermal erosion of the West supports this general interpretation, but Mallinson (1999c)
Ultramafic into the underlying gabbro. The relatively suggested that the Central Gabbro might be composed of
uniform Lower Tripod ore body strikes 030°, dips 40°NW, two (or more) gabbro units (indistinguishable in surface
averages 17m in thickness, and extends from 130 to 210m mapping because of frost heaving) with the gabbroic
vertical depth. Sulfide content typically increases lateral facies of the ultramafic lobes forming the northern
downwards from disseminated sulfides through net- and central part, and the differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite
textured sulfides (40-70% by volume) to massive sulfides unit gabbroic top forming part of the south.
at the base. Lower Tripod has some of the highest Ni The Lower Tripod mineralization is localized within a
tenors (ave. 12.4% Ni100) and PGE contents (>4g/t Pt+Pd) thermomechanically eroded footwall embayment at the
of all Zone 5-8 ore lenses. Some core samples have base of the West Ultramafic and therefore postdates the
returned as much as 16 g/t Pt+Pd. underlying gabbro. Deep drilling through the Lower Tripod
Pit 378 is located 10-40m vertical from surface and Lens (and its footwall gabbro) has intersected two distinct
consists of dense matrix sulfides and massive sulfides underlying ultramafic units informally referred to as the
lenses best concentrated at the peridotite-footwall gabbro “middle” and “lower” flow units. The middle flow unit
contact. The ore body has an E-W strike length of 55m, consists of an olivine pyroxenite to pyroxenite base
reaches 20m in thickness, and occurs within a prominent grading upward into gabbro (75m thick) forming the
footwall gabbro embayment. footwall to the overlying Lower Tripod mineralization. The
lower flow contains a peridotite-olivine pyroxenite base
10.3.2 Larger tonnage and lower grade with a thin upper zone of fine-grained basalt and locally
Lens 8B is a low-grade 8B ore body located 150m gabbro. Separating the middle and lower units are 30m of
north of Lens 378, and consists of two near-surface pods of finely bedded metasedimentary rocks, which are silicified
disseminated and patchy net-textured sulfides. These pods and hornfelsed at the top. The middle flow unit may
occur within two overlapping ultramafic flow units that dip represent the westernmost extent of the East Ultramafic
40°N. Mineralization is concentrated at the bases of both body, whereas the lower flow is interpreted to be a remnant
flows. True thickness of the larger eastern lens reaches part of the differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite unit (Cross
20m. The Ni tenor averages 10% Ni100 for both pods. Lake Member), which has been beheaded by the West
Lens 8C consists of discontinuous pods of net-textured Ultramafic (Katinniq Member). This implies that at least
and massive sulfide at the base of two distinct middle the lower portion of the SH5 mineralization is concentrated
ultramafic flow units. These sulfide lenses dip 30-40°NW, within localized flow channels at the base of the Gabbro-
average <5m in thickness, and extend from surface to Peridotite unit (Cross Lake Member) sheet flow (see Fig.
160m vertical depth. 10.5 and discussion in Thacker, 1995), and that the East
Lens 8E is near surface and contains disseminated and Ultramafic may pre-date the West Ultramafic.
patchy net-textured sulfides that form an irregular shaped, The funnel-shaped complexity of the West Ultramafic
low-grade pod. The mineralization occurs within the centre can be explained if the younger West Ultramafic rests on
of the peridotite body, which lies within a prominent remnants of the middle flow (East Ultramafic) and thick
footwall embayment. Mineralization generally dips 40°N, channel facies ultramafic of the lower flow (differentiated
extends from 10 to 60m vertical depth, and has an average Gabbro-Peridotite unit), but the differentiated tops of the
thickness of 20m (up to 35m in its thickest point). The Ni latter are absent due to thermomechanical erosion (Fig.
tenor is unusually low at <8.0% Ni100. 10.5). Stratigraphic relationships interpreted from drill core
Lens SH5 is located 275m south of Upper Tripod and support this concept, but additional work is required. It is
dips 30-40°N from surface to a vertical depth of 60m. conceivable that the north plunging funnel-shape
Disseminated to patchy-net textured sulfides rarely exceed represents the main Katinniq Member channel where the
20% by volume. The very irregular ovoid pod reaches a flow rate was highest, and the NE-trending Tripod lobe
maximum of 30m true thickness and appears to occur in represents a levee facies or a subsidiary channel, where
two separate flow units. The lower part of SH5 flow rates were lower allowing significant sulfide
mineralization may occur within the underlying Gabbro- accumulations.
Peridotite unit. Recent deep drilling NE of the central part of Zone 5-8
indicates that the Central Gabbro overlies 200m of
10.4 Interpretation peridotite and olivine pyroxenite of the middle flow (East
Ultramafic). The differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite unit was
Thacker (1995) demonstrated that the West and East not identified in drill core beneath the central domain in
Ultramafic bodies (Katinniq Member) thermomechanically that location.
eroded, and therefore postdate, the underlying
differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite unit (Cross Lake Member)

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 T1 Emplacement of channelized sheet flow/sill onto/into unconsolidated sediments,
local thermomechanical erosion of sediments, generation of Zones 5 and 7
Fe-Ni-Cu sulfides

T2 Emplacement of lava conduits with lateral gabbroic “levee” facies, thermo-

mechanical erosion of underlying sheet flow/sill and sediments beneath conduits,
generation of Zones 6 and 8 Fe-Ni-Cu sulfides
Fe-Ni-Cu Sulfidic graphitic
Basalt Gabbro Peridotite
sulfides semipelite

Figure 10.5. Emplacement model for the 5-8 Complex (modified after Thacker, 1995).

This suggests that the differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite 1) Southern margin of the Zone 5-8 Central Gabbro
unit is locally absent (unlikely given the regional (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 573640mE, 6840180mN)
stratigraphic continuity) or that the upper gabbroic part of
The east-west trending contact between the Zone 5-8
the differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite unit was completed
Central Gabbro and the underlying Zone 5 Ultramafic
removed through thermomechanical erosion leaving the
Unit is exposed discontinuously along the extreme top
middle flow (East Ultramafic) resting on the lower
of the south-facing slope overlooking the Deception
peridotitic part of the differentiated Gabbro-Peridotite unit,
River. It is remarkably sharp, but grades upward
more-or-less as depicted in Figure 10.5.
(northwards) from peridotite/olivine pyroxenite
through pyroxenite into gabbro.
10.5 Field trip stops
Although much of the Zone 5-8 area is covered by 2) Southern margin of the Zone 5-8 Central Gabbro
felsenmeer and rubble, there are a few good outcrops along (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 573450mE, 6840230mN)
the southern margin of the western lobe (Zone 5) area The east-west trending contact between the Zone 5-8
overlooking the river and along the southern margin of the Central Gabbro and the underlying Zone 5 Ultramafic
central part (Zone 7). It was few good outcrops along the Unit (previous Stop 8.1) change drastically and now
northern margin of the western lobe (Zone 8) but most has trending north-south. The ultramafic rock composed
been disturbed by the exploration activities over the years. mainly of pyroxenitic peridotite.
There are also some well-exposed, albeit locally sheared,
Chukotat Group basalts in the ravine on the north side of 10.5.2 Western part of 5-8 Zone Ultramafic Unit
the road.
Stops 3 to 6 consist of several exposures along a transect of
the western contact of the 5-8 Ultramafic Unit.
10.5.1 Western part of the 5-8 Zone
The western part of the 5-8 Zone is definitively the best
exposed in the area. Stops 1 to 2 occur in this area.

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 Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

14

Zone 5-8

7-8

1-2 12-13
3-6

10-11

Figure 10.6. Geology of the Zone 5-8 area showing field stop locations (modified after Glencore Ltd.)

3) Peridotite near the base (UTM Z18 NAD83 – The contact is trending north-south between the
573300mE, 6840120mN) Western Ultramafic Unit and the 5-8 Lower (Western)
Gabbro is moderately well exposed on the southwest-
This is exposure consist mainly of fine-grained
facing slope west of the Tripod Area. It is locally
peridotite that contain disseminated to patchy net-
sheared, but grades upwards (northeastwards) from
textured sulfides within the lower part of the 5 Zone.
gabbro through pyroxenite into olivine pyroxenite and
4) Central Peridotite (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 573275mE, peridotite.
6840180mN)
6) Western margin of the Western Ultramafic Unit
From the previous stop, the abundance of (UTM Z18 NAD83 – 573275mE, 6840180mN)
pyroxene increase slightly in the ultramafic unit At this location, we can observe the same contact, but
and grade from peridotite to pyroxenitic is trending east-west between the Western Ultramafic
peridotite to olivine pyroxenite that exhibit Unit and the 5-8 Lower (Western) Gabbro is
locally pyroxene oikocrysts. moderately well exposed. It is grades upwards
(northeastwards) from gabbro through pyroxenite into
5) Western margin of the Western Ultramafic Unit olivine pyroxenite and peridotite.
(UTM Z18 NAD83 – 573250mE, 6840275mN)

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10.5.3 Underground tour at Qakimajurq Mine north) from peridotite through olivine pyroxenite and
(Zone 7) pyroxenite to basalt breccia
7) Qakimajurq Underground – Level 7F 1400 (UTM
Z18 NAD83 – 573210mE, 6840520mN – Mine portal) 10.5.4 Central part of the 5-8 Zone
The central part of the 5-8 Zone has some good area of
The 7F lens is mainly massive sulfide mineralisation
exposure, but mainly along the southern margin. The
(5-8% Ni) and is hosted by an olivine pyroxenite. The
following occur in this area.
mineralisation is mainly observed in the roof, but can
be seen on the wall near the cross section (A-A’’). 10) Slates of the Povungnituk Group (UTM Z18
NAD83 – 573210mE, 6840520mN)
8) Qakimajurq Underground – Level 7C 1155 (UTM
Z18 NAD83 – 573210mE, 6840520mN – Mine portal) 11) Peridotite above the lower contact (UTM Z18
NAD83 – 573210mE, 6840520mN)
The 7C lens is massive sulfide mineralisation (5% Ni)
12) Oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
and is mainly unclosed through the sediment. The
573210mE, 6840520mN)
amount of argillite within the lens is approximately
20% of argilite (cm, dm to m clasts) making an 13) Eastern gabbro unit (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
important dilution of this lens. These are the relation 573210mE, 6840520mN)
that can be observed at the 1155 level. The Argilite is
not particuly hornfelsed and no graded bedding have 10.5.5 Eastern part of the 5-8 Zone
been observed. The ultramafic rock above is 14) Pyroxenitic flow top breccia (UTM Z18 NAD83 –
composed an olivine- pyroxenite. 575565mE, 6841295mN) - OPTIONAL
9) Upper margin of the Western Ultramafic Unit This area is poorly exposed and has been disturbed by
(UTM Z18 NAD83 – 573210mE, 6840520mN) exploration activities. However, the upper margin of
the ultramafic unit is marked by a pyroxenitic flow-top
The upper margin of the Western Ultramafic Unit in
breccia. Sparse outcrops of Ol pyroxenite and
the Zone 5-8 Complex is exposed in a series of
outcrops within easy walking distance (~300m) of the peridotite occur locally in this area.
Main Road. The rocks grade upwards (from south to

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Chapter 11: Zone 13-14 area

11.1 Introduction significant exploration target. However, recent exploration

The 13-14 area (Fig. 11.1) is located 9 km east of Katinniq. has shown that it contains some of the largest ore bodies in
The landscape is particularly flat, outcrop is relatively the belt.
sparse, and for many years it was not considered to be a

Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt
Figure 11.1. Geology of the 13-14 area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.).

The ultramafic rocks at 13-14 are mainly peridotite UM1 is the deepest and the least drilled of the
with lesser olivine pyroxenite (olivine pyroxenite) and ultramafic bodies. It is typically separated from the UM2
pyroxenite along the margins. The most prominent feature by 30-100m of gabbro and/or sediment and appears to
of the geology of Zone 13-14 is the “U” shape of pinch out up dip; as observed in several places in the
ultramafic rocks, which appear to be wrapped around a eastern part of the belt. UM1 varies in thickness from 20m
gabbro plug. The magnetic signature and drilling to date to >200m and does not appear to be particularly
suggests that the ultramafic body plunges to the NW and mineralized.
NE coincident with the mapped surface geology. Four UM2 hosts lenses 14A, 14B, 14D, and 14E and is
separate ultramafic units (UM1, UM2, UM3 and UM4) 100m to 250m thick. In places UM2 is less than 20m thick,
have been defined so far, which are loosely correlated in between gabbros, and strongly mineralized. The
across the 13-14 area, except for UM4, which is restricted footwall rocks are metasediments in the south and gabbro
to the NW of the 13-14 area. in the 14B lens area. UM2 dips moderately to steeply (40°
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 87
to 60°) to the north at the southern contact, where it massive sulfides grading 2.8% Ni and 0.7% Cu over 5-6m.
outcrops. The dip flattens quickly to an average of 25 The mineralized horizon has not been drill-tested down
degrees to the north. In the Northwest corner the UM2 dip.
stratigraphy and orientation is not clearly established. Lens 14C is near surface (<50m vertical depth) within
UM3 typically occurs directly in contact with UM2 and a pyroxenitic to olivine-pyroxenitic upper flow (Flow 3) in
marked by a sharp increase in sulfide content. In the the ultramafic succession of Zone 14. It has a strike length
western part of the zone UM3 is typically separated from of at least 75m east-west, and extends variably from
UM2 by gabbro, sediments or basalt. A few sulfide surface to 50m vertical depths. The location of the
intersections occur in this unit however no ore lens has yet mineralization ranges from the footwall to >20m above the
been recognized at this horizon. footwall. The zone varies from flat lying and embayment-
UM4 is restricted to area in the NW corner of 13-14 hosted, to dipping 30-40o to the north. It has a central core
where it is mapped as a distinct ultramafic unit. The of mineralization consisting of 11m of fine grained semi-
maximum thickness of UM4 is 100 meters. The footwall to massive sulfides corresponding with a surface HLEM
UM4 is mostly gabbro but also sediments. No sulfide ore conductor, which fingers laterally and down dip into
lenses have been discovered in UM4. thinner, lower grade zones. Nickel tenors of Lens 14C are
8-10% Ni100. Combined Pt+Pd are typically 1 to 3 g/t.
11.2 Field trip stops Lens 14D is tabular-shaped orebody (150-200m
The mineralization within the 13-14 Zone is characterized vertical depth) consisting of predominately disseminated to
by the presence of only one lens at Zone 13 and 7 lenses at leopard-textured sulfides within olivine pyroxenite. It sits
Zone 14. Some of these lenses are briefly described below 10-30m above the ultramafic footwall contact with the
based on Vicker and Fedorowich (1999). footwall sediments on an internal, sharply gradational
Lens 13A has been identified SE of Showing 13 within contact between the host olivine pyroxenite and a basal
and near the base of the basal olivine pyroxenite - pyroxenite. The mineralization overlies an embayment
pyroxenite unit. Mineralization occurs up to 15m above an feature with dimensions of 60-100m in east-west strike
embayment feature within the footwall argillaceous 100-125m in dip and 20-30m in depth. It is centred by a 30
metasediment contact at ~125m vertical depth, and varies to 55m thick high-grade core, which tapers laterally 50m
from 7-10% blebby sulfides to 30-40% dusty east and west, and 100m up dip. There is a significant
disseminations of sulfide within an olivine pyroxenite. The volume of halo mineralization (0.6 to 1.5% Ni) above and
zone grades 2.3% Ni and 1.0% Cu over 8 to 9m, but is down dip of the central portion of the main lens. This
relatively discontinuous between drill holes. A moderately lower grade halo also extends a minimum of 25m both east
north-dipping (30-40o) oikocrystic pyroxenite unit and west of the main lens. There is a small massive sulfide
outcrops 150m to the south of this trend, and traces of component in the southwestern limit of the ore body,
sulfide mineralization (represented by a weak gossan) which sits within the basal pyroxenite directly on the
occur along its southern margin, increasing in abundance footwall argillaceous sediments. Nickel tenors of Lens D
toward the lower contact. If this is the surface expression are 10-12% Ni100 (13-15 in the high-grade core, 11-13 in
of the Lens 13A mineralization intersected in drill core, massive sulfide). Combined Pt+Pd are typically 1 to 2 g/t
indicating that the mineralization has a shallow-moderate (2-5 g/t in the high-grade core and massive sulfide).
WNW plunge. The indentations along this southern contact
may represent D4 folding (see above), which may have 11.3 Field trip stops
also modified the geometry of the mineralized lens. Although most of the Zone 13-14 area is covered by
Lens 14B is located NE of Showing 14 is hosted within felsenmeer and rubble, there are a few good outcrops along
the uppermost peridotite in the ultramafic succession at 40- the southern margin of the Zone 13 area and the southern
60m vertical depths, near the base of an olivine pyroxenite margin of the Zone 14 area that will used as backup stops
unit. Mineralization consists of dusty disseminated to (Fig. 11.2).

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 1

2
Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

Figure 11.2. Geology of the 13-14 area showing field stop locations (modified after Glencore Ltd.).

1) Zone 13 showing (UTM Z18 NAD83 577875mE, top) of olivine pyroxenite, pyroxene peridotite, and
6840744mN) oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite.
The Zone 13 showing consists of disseminated 3) Upper mafic part of the South Sill (UTM Z18
sulfides hosted by oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite. NAD83 580050mE, 6839840mN)
13-14 South Sill (UTM Z18 NAD27 ~580150mE, The mafic part of the sill is poorly exposed with some
6839100mN to ~579930mE, 6839500mN) outcrop, but mainly felsenmeer and rubble. The rocks
are gabbroic, mainly fine-grained mesogabbro with
The differentiated sill south of Zone 13-14 area,
some pyroxenite locally along the contact between the
referred as South Sill, is accessed by walking
lower ultramafic and upper mafic parts of the sill.
southeast from the bend in the road going south to the
Canadian Royalties property (between Zone 13-14 and
West Boundary). It comprises a lower zone of
oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite and an upper zone of
gabbro.
2) Lower ultramafic part of the South Sill (UTM Z18
NAD83 580125mE, 6839375mN)
The ultramafic part of the sill is well exposed along its
southern margin. It is composed mainly (from base to

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Chapter 12: West Boundary area

12.1 Introduction lower contact is exposed along much of the length of the
The West Boundary complex (Fig. 12.1) is located ~7.5 km body, but remains snow-covered for a large part of the
west of Donaldson and 15 km east of Katinniq. It extends summer season. Much of the felsenmeer along the upper
over 3.5 km between UTM coordinates 581600E and part of the zone was extensively disturbed by road
584200E and is ~550m wide between coordinates construction in the 1970’s and by diamond drilling since
6839200N and 6840100N. then. The best outcrops outline the southern margin along
Although exposure is poor, there are enough areas of the length of the ultramafic body where the slope is
frost-heaved outcrop (felsenmeer) and in situ block and steepest.
rubble fields to deduce the geological relationships. The The following is from Charland (1999).

Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 12.1. Geology of the West Boundary area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

12.2 Previous work and discoveries Falconbridge Ltée. between 1981-1982. More detailed
The original discoveries of Ni-Cu sulfides at West investigations include ground checks of airborne
Boundary were referred to as Showings 15 and 16 and are electromagnetic (AEM) anomalies by R.W. Talkington in
located respectively in the western and central part of the 1988 and 1:2000 scale mapping and compilation work by
West Boundary area. Mapping at West Boundary has A. Charland (1995).
included 1” = 400’ mapping by Bilson Quebec Mines in Geophysical coverage of the West Boundary area
the early 1960’s and a 1:5000 scale mapping by includes extensive airborne magnetic coverage (1988,
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 90
1998), and ground Magnetic and Max-Min surveys (1989, zone exposed in the eastern segment of the Raglan
1995) at 50m line spacing over the entire West Boundary Property (Fig. 3.1). It consists of a shallow northerly-
area, overlapping with Zone 13-14 to the west and dipping ultramafic body that extends over approximately
Boundary to the east. 3.5 km in a generally concave upward, lensoid shape
Subsurface information comes from 96 drill holes elongated in an E-W direction (Figs. 12.1 and 12.2).
totalling 14,486m. Although drilling at West Boundary Columnar jointing is well preserved in the lower part of the
began in the 1970’s, most of the drilling (94% of the holes) peridotite in the western part of the zone and locally
was done between 1995 and 1998, resulting in the suggests a northerly dip of 15-40°. The peridotite contains
discovery of shallow (less than 100m in vertical depth) a layering (primary?) defined by magnetite, primarily in
potentially open-pittable Ni-Cu ore zones and mineral the basal peridotite. The West Boundary ultramafic body is
resources. The first potentially mineable ore body in the bounded to the south by volcano-sedimentary rocks of the
West Boundary Reserves (Lens A) was discovered and Povungnituk Group, into which it is transgressive. It is
defined in 1995-1996. conformably overlain by and grades northward into
Chukotat Group komatiitic basaltic flows and flow
12.3 Geology breccias.
The West Boundary area is the largest discrete ultramafic

10b 10c 10d Ultramafic Rocks ?

Volcanic Rocks
Gabbro
Sedimentary Rocks
Gossan
Flow Contact

Figure 12.2. Simplified geological of the West Boundary area based on 1:2000-scale mapping by A. Carland in 1995 (Charland, 1999).
10b peridotite, 10c olivine pyroxenite, 10d pyroxenite.

12.4 Stratigraphy consist mostly of massive tholeiitic basaltic flows, which

are greyish black in outcrop and host uncommon bluish
12.4.1 Nuvilik Formation quartz eyes. The lower contact of the complex is not well
exposed, as it is partly covered by scree and also locally by
The footwall rocks along the West Boundary complex are snow, but it appears to undulate and the depressions define
dominated by fine-grained argillite, graphitic argillite, and embayments in which sulfide occurrences have been
slate, and minor mafic volcanic rocks of the Nuvilik recognized. The sedimentary rocks along the contact are
Formation (Figs. 12.1 and 12.2). The metasedimentary locally hornfelsed (bleached or spotted) and are locally
rocks contain up to 5-7% sulfide (pyrite) as discrete layers sheared.
of pyrite cubes oriented parallel to bedding or as thin
layers along fracture surfaces. The volcanic horizons
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 91
 Differentiated peridotite-gabbro (north-facing) sills package, suggesting that it may represent a lateral facies of
occur within the volcano-sedimentary assemblages of the the ultramafic rocks, as suggested by Thacker (1995) for
Povungnituk Group. They average 100m thick and form similar gabbros in the 5-8 area.
long, linear bodies that produce a strong magnetic The lower contact of the West Boundary area appears
signature. They contain only a few percent disseminated to be complexly faulted along the lower contact,
pyrrhotite and are barren of Ni-Cu mineralization. More particularly in the eastern part, manifested as a series of
field and geochemical work is required to relate these ultramafic slivers that are oriented subparallel to the major
bodies to the overlying Raglan Formation and Chukotat steeply north-dipping D1 thrust fault in the Povungnituk
basalts. River valley to the south (Fig. 12.2). The amount of
deformation within the ultramafic body decreases
12.4.2 West Boundary ultramafic complex (becomes less penetrative) northward, away from the
The West Boundary ultramafic complex comprises contact.
multiple, overlapping komatiitic peridotite flows of The internal parts of the West Boundary Ultramafic
variable thickness and possibly two thinner ultramafic Complex are dissected by three sets of faults with
units to the north. The main part of the body consists of preferred orientations of ENE-WSW, NE-SW, and E-W.
one to four ultramafic flow units that range in thickness The ENE-WSW faults are probably related to D1 thrusting,
from 50m to 170m down to at least 300m vertical depths. whereas the NE-SW faults probably represent lateral ramps
The flows are locally intercalated with hornfelsed similar to those described in the Katinniq area (Chapter 9).
sedimentary rocks and mafic volcanic rocks. In the field, these zones of deformation are associated with
The ultramafic rocks are composed of completely increased serpentine and chlorite veining in peridotites,
serpentinized mesocumulate peridotite generally grading to local increases in talc and carbonate in peridotites and
lesser amounts of orthocumulate olivine pyroxenite and dunites, and a penetrative foliation in the pyroxenites.
pyroxenite towards the base of the individual flow units.
The most olivine-rich peridotite are present in the basal 12.5 Chukotat Group basalts
and the uppermost mapped flows in the area, and are The contact between the upper pyroxenitic margin of the
readily identified in the field by their brownish tan colour West Boundary Ultramafic Complex and komatiitic basalts
on weathered surface and their conchoidal fracture on fresh of the overlying Chukotat Group basalts is best exposed
surface. The increase in the pyroxene content in the rocks along the road in the east-central part of the Complex,
results in a more orange weathered surface colour for the where it is strongly deformed and sheared, corresponding
peridotites, to red for the olivine pyroxenites. The latter are to the major D1 fault mapped by Hynes and Francis
also characterized by an oikocrystic texture with pyroxene (1979), Coats (1982a), and St-Onge and Lucas (1993).
oikocrysts ranging up to 1-1.5 cm in diameter, which give The Chukotat Group in the West Boundary area
a characteristic mottled weathered surface texture to the comprises massive and brecciated flows of komatiitic
rock. Pyroxenites are characteristically coarser grained, basalt with minor intercalated metasedimentary rocks and
massive, and have a more pinkish green weathered surface. thin, layered peridotite-gabbro flows. The layered flows
Serpentine (antigorite, lizardite, and chrysotile), occur 150-200m north of the main ultramafic body, are
chlorite, and magnetite veining are ubiquitous throughout conformable within the volcanic rocks, and consist of
the West Boundary ultramafic body. The intensity of relatively thin horizons averaging 50m in thickness and
alteration appears to be higher in the basal flow, where composed of peridotite cores to pyroxenite/gabbro borders
there is an observed increase in serpentine-carbonate veins in variable proportion. They contain no more than 2-3%
accompanied by more abundant magnetite micro layering disseminated pyrrhotite.
in the peridotite and by talc in the basal pyroxenite. The Chukotat Group basalts are commonly aphanitic and
increase in alteration toward the lower contact suggests light green in contrast to the coarser and darker greenish-
that the contact may be adjacent to an underlying thrust grey colour of Povungnituk Group basalts. Flow margins
fault. and breccia fragments in drill core are outlined by dark
A ridge of coarse-grained gabbro occurs in the central chilled margins. The basalts are olivine and pyroxene-
part of the West Boundary area (Fig. 12.2). It has been phyric and microspinifex textures occur along some flow
previously interpreted to represent a late intrusive phase margins, for example along northern side of the Raglan
(Coats, 1982), however, the contact between the gabbro Road in the west-central part of the West Boundary
and the peridotite is gradational through intermediate Complex. Interflow metasedimentary rocks are locally rich
oikocrystic olivine pyroxenite and pyroxenite over a in pyrite, which usually occurs in beds parallel to banding,
distance of less than 20 m, suggesting a co-magmatic massive and pillowed basalts locally contain up to 5%
relationship. More recent drilling to the north intersected disseminated pyrrhotite (pyrite?), and basaltic breccias
the same coarse-grained gabbroic horizon down dip, locally contain massive pockets of pyrrhotite in the matrix
together with interflow volcanic rocks and between volcanic breccia fragments, making all of these
metasedimentary rocks and an underlying barren rocks locally very conductive.
ultramafic unit. The gabbroic horizon therefore appears to
be stratigraphically conformable with the ultramafic flow
SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 92
12.6 Geophysical signature almost exclusively in olivine pyroxenites and pyroxenite
The West Boundary Ultramafic Complex has a high total facies making them useful flow boundary marker horizons.
field magnetic signature that corresponds to magnetic The contact between the upper disseminated and net-
peridotite and olivine pyroxenite facies. Ground magnetic textured/blebby sulfides and the basal massive sulfides is
anomalies appear to correlate with and define flow units as commonly sharp.
mapped on surface or extrapolated from subsurface drilling Secondary or “remobilized” mineralization consists of
information. Electromagnetic (EM) conductors are reverse net-textured and chalcopyrite-rich massive sulfide
numerous at West Boundary and those that are associated veining. “Reverse net-textured sulfides” are common at
either with high magnetic anomalies or flow boundaries West Boundary, and consist of sulfides selectively
are most commonly associated with mineralization. The replacing serpentinized olivine pseudomorphs leaving a
signature of these anomalies is usually of limited extent “barren” silicate matrix. Both net-textured and reverse net-
and their continuity is commonly disrupted. Lithological textured sulfides occur interlayered on a centimetre scale
contacts involving graphitic metasedimentary rocks along in drill core. As they are commonly associated with badly
the base of the West Boundary ultramafic zone produce broken core associated with local zones of intense
long, continuous and well-defined EM anomalies. fracturing, this texture appears to be related to proximity to
Preliminary 3D magnetic modelling was done using the veins and fractures. The formation of reverse net-textured
airborne or ground data and has turned out to be an sulfide is discussed in more detail by Coats (1982) and
invaluable tool to constrain the extent of the prospective Dillon-Leitch (1986). Intensely fractured drill hole core
ultramafic ore-bearing horizon of the Raglan Formation, intervals also are characterized by an increase in the
down to 500-600m deep. amount of disseminated sulfides and by chalcopyrite-
enriched halos around fractures as well as chalcopyrite-rich
massive veins (up to 10-20 cm in width).
12.7 Mineralization
West Boundary is among the zones that, a priori, have the 12.8 Ore lenses
highest background percentage of visual sulfides. On
surface, Ni-Cu-(PGE) mineralization occurrences consist To date, up to twelve ore lenses and numerous ore
of felsenmeer and boulder fields. Primary magmatic occurrences have been intersected along an upper level
mineralization consists of variable proportions of flow (Fig. 12.2). The most significant occurrences are
pyrrhotite – pentlandite ± chalcopyrite. small in size ranging no more than 50 by 75m wide and
Significant Ni-Cu sulfide concentrations occur at the 25m thick. They occur from surface down to a vertical
base of all the various stratigraphic flow levels of the West depth of 150m. The most significant concentrations of
Boundary ultramafic assemblage. Along the ultramafic- economic Ni-Cu-(PGE) sulfides at West Boundary are
argillite footwall, contact mineralization appears to be Lenses A and B, both located at the western end of the
concentrated within embayments. This does not appear to area.
be the case along the base of the upper level flows. Unlike Lens A is commonly known as the “Spoon Zone”
some other ultramafic zones of the Property, where the (locality of Showing 15), is a flat-lying ore lens that
majority of the highest grade economic ore lenses are extends 75m in a trend with a general NW-SE orientation.
found at the footwall contact (e.g., Katinniq), economic In its thickest part, it has a vertical depth of approximately
concentrations of sulfides at West Boundary occur along 30m, rapidly thinning towards the north in the shape of a
the base of upper level flows (Fig. 12.2). spoon (Fig. 12.3). Ni/S ratios are highly variable ranging
A typical cross-section of mineralization textures from 5 to 13 with an average of 10.
consists downwards of disseminated or patchy Lens B is located 800m to the east of Lens A, along the
disseminated sulfides that consist of up to 7-10% same stratigraphic horizon, is intersected on surface down
pyrrhotite and pentlandite, generally occurring interstitial to approximately 35m depth. It consists of a highly
to the olivine grains in a peridotite. As the proportion of oxidized mixture of net-textured, reverse net-textured, and
sulfides increase, incipient rimming of serpentinized massive sulfides. Veins of chalcopyrite-rich sulfides are
olivine develops into patchy net-textured to 10-60% net- common, comprising up to 5% of the ore lens. The strike
textured sulfides enclosing and interstitial to serpentinized extent of the ore lens is less than 50m and the lens appears
olivine grains creating a well-connected network of to connect with previously intersected mineralization 100m
conductive sulfides. Massive sulfide almost always occurs down dip, at a vertical depth of 40-100m.
at the bases of the host units. Another very common Other Ni-Cu-(PGE) occurrences consist of constrained
textural occurrence of mineralization at West Boundary is pods of mineralization possibly along the same
blebby sulfides. The sulfide blebs range in size from a few stratigraphic level as lenses A and B. They consist of 3 to
mm to 1-2 cm and are commonly composed of pyrrhotite 20m thick, 25x30m wide intersections at depths between
rimmed by pentlandite. They are locally flattened and 80-100m. These are extensively surrounded by heavily
elongated in a plane of preferred orientation. They disseminated sulfides within the host peridotite with grades
constitute up to 10% of the rock’s volume and occur between 0.5-1.5% Ni.

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 93

 6

1
4
2 3

Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

Figure 12.3. Geology of the West Boundary area showing field stop locations (modified after Glencore Ltd.)

12.9 Interpretation (see discussion in Chapter 4), and economic sulfide

The West Boundary Ultramafic Complex is composed of concentrations appear to have accumulated along an upper
multiple komatiitic peridotite flows, which range in flow level. It appears that there are locally strong fracture
composition from high-MgO peridotites to lesser amounts controls on the distribution of sulfide mineralization. The
of pyroxenite and gabbro. Interflow facies consist of presence of large volumes of high-MgO peridotites as well
metasedimentary rocks and mafic volcanic rocks. This as the ubiquitous sulfide-saturated nature of the
package of ultramafic flows appears to transgress the assemblage attests to the high potential for the discovery of
underlying argillitic metasedimentary rocks of the more ore in the West Boundary Complex. The Complex
Povungnituk Group, forming a broad first-order remains largely untested along strike from the shallow
embayment and numerous second-order embayments in economic mineralization and down dip.
which Ni-Cu-(PGE) mineralization is localized. Owing to
the lack of outcrop, it is not clear whether these 12.10 Field trip stops
embayments directly result from thermal erosion, as Although much of the West Boundary area is covered by
inferred elsewhere in areas with better exposure, from D4 felsenmeer and rubble, there are a few good outcrops,
folding (see Chapter 3), or a combination of the two especially along the southern margin overlooking the river.
processes. A better understanding of the relative
involvement of the two processes will be important in 1) Internal gabbro (UTM Z18 NAD83 582820mE,
shedding further light on the distribution of economic 6839610mN)
mineralization at West Boundary. The contact between an internal gabbro and enclosing
3D magnetic modelling (Fig. 2.6) suggests that the ultramafic is gradational, suggesting a genetic link
West Boundary Ultramafic Complex extends down to between the two rock types, but an alternative
600m-depth down-dip and that it may connect at depth interpretation is that gabbro represents a raft of gabbro
with the ultramafic rocks in the Boundary area to the East from the lower margin of the West Boundary
and Zone 13-14 to the west. Ultramafic Complex.
The rocks in the West Boundary Ultramafic Complex
contain abundant fine disseminated sulfides, indicating that
they remained saturated in sulfide during crystallization

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 94

2) Lower margin of the West Boundary Complex the drill road. However, the uppermost part of this unit
(UTM Z18 NAD83 583030mE, 6839470mN) can be observed near the contact with the ultramafic
unit.
This exposure consists of a very fine-grained
serpentinized peridotite that exhibits nice columnar 5) Upper margin of the West Boundary Complex
jointing. (UTM Z18 NAD83 583,195mE, 6839905mN)
3) Lower margin of the West Boundary Complex The upper part of the West Boundary Complex is
and basal contact (UTM Z18 NAD83 poorly exposed, but it is mainly composed of fine-
583444mE, 6839426mN) grained serpentinized peridotite. The sheared contact
between the Boundary Ultramafic Complex and
This series of semi-continuous outcrops exposes the overlying Chukotat basalts is exposed just north of the
contact between the West Boundary Ultramafic main road from this stop. Some of the basalts exhibit
Complex and underlying Nuvilik metasediments. The microspinifex textures.
contact is sheared, between the slates and the
ultramafic unit is sheared overlain by columnar 6) Spoon Open Pit (UTM Z18 NAD83 581695mE,
jointing peridotite. 6840250mN)
4) Internal volcanic unit (UTM Z18 NAD83 There is not much to see now or before mining, as the
583500mE, 6839520mN) gossan was very rubbly, but this mineralization
occurred at the base of a peridotite that was underlain
This exposure has been degraded by the exploration by a pyroxenite, typical of “hanging-wall”
activities and most of this outcrop is now underneath mineralization in the Raglan Belt.

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Chapter 13: Boundary area

13.1 Introduction grading laterally, and in some cases upwards, into gabbro
The Boundary Complex outcrops in the eastern part of the and basalt.
Raglan belt, ESE of the West Boundary Complex and
WNW of the Donaldson Complex (Fig. 3.1). The central 13.2 Geology
parts are not very well exposed, but there are large areas of The Boundary Ultramafic Complex (Figs. 13.1 and 13.2)
outcrop in the western and eastern parts of the area. It has contains at least three north-dipping ultramafic units of
been mapped at 1:5000 scale by Albino (1984) and at variable thickness (<20 to >200 metres) over a strike
1:2000 scale by Stilson and Lesher (1997). The following length of 3.6 km, approximately 3 km of which outcrops or
description is modified from Stilson et al. (1999). subcrops in the central portion of the zone. The ultramafic
The Boundary Complex is one of the most rocks are predominately peridotite with lesser olivine-
stratigraphically complicated areas of the Raglan pyroxenite and pyroxenite intercalated with argillaceous
Formation, comprising multiple units of peridotite, olivine sediments and locally gabbro. The ultramafic sequence
pyroxenite, gabbro, basalt, and metasediment. Although underlain mainly by graphitic argillite and overlain mainly
the area is transgressed by several faults, the stratigraphic by basaltic flows.
complexity appears to be original and is interpreted to
present a series of multiple, overlapping lava channels

Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 13.1. Geology of the Boundary area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 96

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook
Figure 13.2. Simplified geological map of the Boundary Ultramafic Complex based on 1:2000-scale mapping by C.M. Stilson and CML in 1997. The apparent discontinuity
of some lithologies (e.g. pyroxene-phyric basalts and olivine pyroxenites) is an artifact of discontinuous exposure: both areas contain numerous outcrops, but most areas
(especially ultramafic rocks) are covered by frost-heaved outcrop and some areas (especially hanging-wall basalts and sediments) are covered by rubble. Internal
“segregation” dikes are present in two localities and are best exposed on the south and east sides of the knob in the SE corner of the complex.

97
13.2.1 Country rocks from melanogabbro to leucogabbro. Most of the gabbro is
The Boundary Complex conformably to unconformably exposed only in felsenmeer and rubble, and regular
overlies sulfidic, graphitic metapelites of the uppermost changes from one type to another cannot be mapped. The
Povungnituk Group. In several places along the southern basal gabbro is intersected by several drill holes, and in all
edge of the complex, the contact between the ultramafic cores inspected, the contact with the overlying ultramafic
rocks (pyroxenite grading upwards into olivine pyroxenite rocks appears to be very gradational over a distance of
and peridotite) and the underlying metasedimentary rocks several cm to several m. The mafic to ultramafic transition
is clearly exposed. In all cases, as well as in all drill cores follows a sequence from gabbro to pyroxenite to olivine
intersecting the same contact, the metasedimentary rocks pyroxenite to peridotite. Interestingly, the basal gabbro
are strongly hornfelsed at the contact and the degree of does not appear to terminate at the western end of the
hornfelsing decreases away from the contact over a complex, but continues to the west, and is probably
distance of 2 to 15 m. correlative with sporadic occurrences of basal gabbros at
The Boundary Complex is conformably overlain by West Boundary and the more continuous gabbros and
olivine-phyric basalts, basalt breccias, and interflow peridotite-gabbro units in the Cross Lake Member at Zone
metasedimentary rocks of the lowermost Chukotat Group. 5-8, Katinniq, and Zone 2-3.
The contact between the ultramafic rocks (pyroxenites and
basaltic breccias) and the overlying basalts and [Link] Central domain
metasedimentary rocks is poorly exposed in most parts of In contrast to the thick peridotitic sequences that comprise
the area; it is normally concealed by ultramafic rubble (that the western domain, a large portion of the central domain
has moved downslope), tundra, and glacial till. The contact is composed of gabbro, metasedimentary rock, and basalt.
is, however, exposed moderately well in felsenmeer along Exposure is generally quite poor in the central domain, as
a section near the eastern end of the complex and in the basalts and metasedimentary rocks have eroded readily
several drill cores in the eastern part of the area. In those and are covered with overburden. Because of the absence
areas where metasedimentary rocks directly overlie the of outcrop, felsenmeer, or drill holes in the central domain,
complex (e.g., 587400 to 587800E and ca. 6838725N), much of the geology of this part of the Boundary Complex
they are not hornfelsed. must be inferred from surface rubble, surface expressions,
and geophysical data.
13.2.2 Boundary Complex The southern part of the central domain is dominated
The Boundary Complex can be subdivided into three by peridotite to the east and a large gabbroic plug to the
domains: western, central, and eastern. The western and west (Fig. 13.2). The contact between the gabbro and
central domains are separated by a distinct change in peridotite is not well exposed, and the nature of the contact
lithology, whereas the central and eastern domains are is difficult to discern. This thick mafic/ultramafic sequence
separated by an interpreted fault that transgresses the entire is overlain by a laterally extensive layer of
ultramafic complex (Fig. 13.2). metasedimentary rocks that may be observed
discontinuously over a distance of nearly a kilometre.
[Link] Western domain Overlying the metasedimentary rocks is another thick
volcanic sequence, which is composed of peridotite to the
The western domain of the Boundary Complex is
east, and flanks and overlies basalt to the west. Neither the
dominated by thick sequences of peridotite, olivine peridotite nor the basalt is well exposed. Therefore, the
pyroxenite, and pyroxenite (Fig. 13.2). From surface location of the contact between the two is based largely
exposure, it appears that the entire thickness of the western upon geophysical data. Across the northern portion, where
end is composed of only one or two massive,
exposure is better, it appears that the peridotitic layer is
homogeneous, peridotitic units. However, closer inspection
continuous with the ultramafic rocks in the western
at the surface and examination of drill hole cores and logs
domain. Unfortunately, there is only one drill hole that
reveals there are many distinct units, separated by chilled intersects the basalt and sediment units, and the core has
margins (pyroxenite) and, more rarely, by thin layers of been lost. There are no drill holes that intersect the thick
metasedimentary rocks. gabbroic unit in the central domain.
The far western end of the body is covered by tundra,
and the geology is interpretable only from drill cores and [Link] Eastern domain
geophysical data. These data suggest that the Boundary
Complex does not terminate abruptly to the west as surface Some of the best exposures in the Boundary area occur in
exposure might indicate, but that it interfingers with and the eastern domain, at the base of the Complex. In this
grades laterally into with several thin layers of sediment, area, a thick lower unit of massive peridotite forms a
basalt, gabbro, and ultramafic rocks (primarily olivine distinctive topographic high, with relatively steep
pyroxenite and pyroxenite). northward and southward slopes. The overlying portion of
A 50-150m thick horizon of gabbro (referred to here as this domain is composed of multiple, thin units of
the “basal gabbro”) underlies much of the western domain. peridotite marked by 1) chilled margins of olivine
The gabbro is heterogeneous and varies in composition pyroxenite and pyroxenite, 2) brecciated basaltic flow-

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tops, and/or 3) interflow metasedimentary horizons. 13.4 Mineralization
Mapping individual units is very difficult due to lack of Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization is present in the eastern,
continuous exposure and the structural complexity in much central, and western domains of the property (Figs. 13.1
of the area, however, the thick wedge of black, graphitic, and 13.2). Mineralization occurs at numerous horizons
argillaceous sediment that is exposed at the eastern end of within the ultramafic stratigraphy, but generally occurs at
the complex (Fig. 13.2) appears to be continuous with the bases of ultramafic units in interpreted lava channels
metasedimentary rocks exposed in the central and western where underlying units have been beheaded or completely
domains. It is well exposed in a couple of areas near the removed by thermal erosion. The mineralized lenses
eastern end of the complex and the upper parts are appear to occur as numerous small pods and much of the
hornfelsed by overlying ultramafic units. The significance apparent continuity of these zones has been interpreted
of this will be discussed below. from sporadic drilling. Textures range from disseminated
to massive, primarily the former. Thus far, the Boundary
13.2.3 Mafic dikes Ultramafic Complex contains six distinct lenses.
The Boundary Complex is transgressed by at least two
mafic dikes (Fig. 13.2): one outcropping in the western 13.5 Geological interpretation
domain, near the main road, and one outcropping in the
The geology of the Boundary Complex is interpreted to
eastern domain, on top of the large hill at the eastern end of
have formed as the result of a multi-stage eruptive
the complex. The first dike is relatively thin (<1m), but can
sequence (Fig. 13.3). The first stage of volcanism involved
be traced in scattered outcrop and felsenmeer for tens of m.
a thick sheet flow that covered the entire area. Some
It is dark green and fine-grained with a sugary texture, and
portions of the sheet flow were channelized, and in these
appears to be intimately associated with pyroxenite that
hotter, more fluid channels, olivine crystallized to form
wraps around the dike at the NW end. The pyroxenite may
thick peridotite units. Lava channels are preserved at the
be an alteration product created by metasomatism adjacent
base of the complex in the eastern and west-central areas.
to the dike. The second dike is also relatively thin (<1m),
The portions of the sheet flow that were not channelized
but is well exposed and can be traced in continuous
cooled more quickly and differentiated. As a result,
outcrop and felsenmeer for tens of m. This dike is light
pyroxene and plagioclase crystallized, forming gabbroic
green, very fine-grained, and massive. The peridotites
units. Sheet flow facies are preserved at the base of the
surrounding the dike in the eastern domain appear to be
complex in the central domain and at the western end of
unaltered.
the complex. The contact between the basal gabbro in the
west and the overlying ultramafic rocks is very
13.3 Structure gradational, suggesting that that this area of the sheet flow
The structure of the Boundary Complex is not very well became channelized as time progressed or that the overall
defined. As large parts of the Complex are covered by flow within the sheet flow increased (Fig. 13.3). Thus, the
felsenmeer, rubble, and tundra, it is very difficult to basal peridotite and gabbro units appear to represent
identify structural features such as faults and folds. Shear volcanic facies of a channelized sheet flow, as suggested
zones are a little more readily recognized, as they are by Thacker (1995) for the 5-8 Complex.
manifested as highly fractured rocks and/or zones of Following the initial stage of volcanism, there was a
chrysotile. All structural features are much more evident in volcanic hiatus during which a layer of fine-grained
drill core and most drill core logs contain multiple shear argillaceous sediment appears to have been deposited
zones and interpreted fault zones, suggesting that the area across the entire area. These metasedimentary rocks are
is transgressed by many faults. hornfelsed along their upper margins, but not along their
The eastern domain appears to be the most structurally lower margins, indicating that they were heated by the
complex, but this is probably because it contains more overlying peridotites and not by the underlying peridotites,
outcrop and because that domain contains several units confirming that the peridotites are extrusive, rather than
with distinct boundaries that may be deformed or offset. In intrusive. The sedimentary unit is thickest in the central
contrast, the more massive nature of the western domain and far eastern parts of the complex and thinnest or absent
makes it much more difficult to recognize any in the western part of the complex, which may be
deformation. attributed to: 1) differing amounts of deposition due to
Nevertheless, it is clear that the dominant structural variations in paleotopography, 2) thermomechanical
style in the area is brittle faulting rather than ductile erosion of sediments by subsequent komatiitic lava flows,
faulting and, that the deformation has been very and/or 3) structural thickening or thinning during a
heterogeneous, but that most of the rocks in the area are deformational event. Depositional variations are unlikely
not penetratively deformed. Most of the major faults for a two reasons: i) the paleosurface was likely quite flat
appear to strike WNW to NW (Fig. 13.2) and to dip steeply because it was covered with a recent sheet flow of low-
NNE to NE. viscosity lava and ii) the scale is quite small (the total
length of the complex is less than 3 km), so depositional
rates of such fine-grained sulfidic sediments should have

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been uniform across the area. Structural thickening or peridotites (in the western part of the complex). This is
thinning can not be ruled out, as there is structural consistent with thermomechanical erosion beneath lava
complexity in the area, but there is no evidence of channel facies (higher flow rates and therefore hotter and
significant amounts of folding or attenuation. more turbulent) and preservation beneath sheet flow facies
Thermomechanical erosion seems likely in any case. The or lava lobe facies (lower flow rates and therefore cooler
sediments are thickest in areas where they are overlain by and less turbulent). Thermal and fluid dynamic modeling
basalts (in the central part of the complex) or thin (Williams et al., 1998; 1999a,b; 2011) indicates that
ultramafic units (in the far eastern part of the complex) and channelized lava flows can readily erode unconsolidated
thinnest or absent where they are overlain by thick pelitic sediments.

T1 Emplacement of channelized sheet flow onto unconsolidated sediments

T2 Emplacement/reactivation with increased channelization in the west

T3 Volcanic hiatus and deposition of interflow sediments

T4 Emplacement of more lava conduits, local thermomechanical erosion

T5 Emplacement of additional lava conduits

Fe-Ni-Cu Sulfidic graphitic

Basalt Gabbro Peridotite
sulfides semipelite

Figure 13.3. Emplacement model for the Boundary area (modified from Stilson, 1999).

Following the volcanic hiatus, volcanism was renewed, units in the eastern domain were formed by smaller
producing several channelized flows across the area. The channels or sheet flow facies. The channels apparently
thick sequences of peridotite in the western domain were migrated or shifted course during the eruption resulting in
formed from either 1) several discrete lava channels or 2) the multiple, overlapping units that are present across the
several channelized sheet flows. In contrast, the thinner area. Basaltic flow-top breccias are preserved at the upper

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margin of some units, but it seems that others units did not of the Boundary Ultramafic Complex. It ranges 20-40
develop flow top breccias or that they were beheaded by cm in thickness, strikes 020-050º (azimuth) (i.e.,
subsequent units. The thick unit of basalt in the central oblique to the regional trend), and dips 85ºNNW (i.e.,
domain likely represents the unchannelized portion of a moderately northward when corrected for regional
large sheet flow, which has differentiated to some degree. dip). It appears to represent strongly recrystallized
The presence of mineralization in areas where basalt and may represent an interstitial liquid that
metasedimentary rocks are absent suggests that segregated into fractures during crystallization of the
mineralization formed wherever sulfidic sediments were cumulate peridotites or later dikes.
thermally eroded by lava channels. The smaller size of the
2) Sediments (UTM Z18 NAD83 588190mE,
lava channels in the Boundary Complex probably accounts
6838770mN)
for the smaller size of the mineralized zones compared to
other areas in the Raglan Block. Sediments enclosed by peridotite of the Boundary
Ultramafic Complex on either side. On the
13.6 Field trip stops northeastern side, the peridotite exhibits columnar
Although much of the Boundary area is covered by jointing.
felsenmeer, rubble, and lesser tundra, there are a few good 3) Gossan in peridotite (UTM Z18 NAD83 588080mE,
outcrops along the northern margin of the eastern part and 6838850mN)
many good outcrops along the southern margin (Fig. 13.4).
Typical gossan in the Raglan area characterized by
1) Mafic dike in peridotite (UTM Z18 NAD83 felsenmeer and rubble. The mineralization consists of
588115mE, 6838660mN) disseminated sulfides within a peridotite.
An anastomosing amphibolitized mafic dike crosses 4) Pyroxenitic flow-top breccia (UTM Z18 NAD83
the top of the small peridotite knob at the eastern end 587875mE, 6838925mN)

Lithology
Gabbro
Pyroxenite Main road
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Secondary road
Sediment Lakes
Basalt - komatiitic basalt Rivers

4
3
2
1

Figure 13.4. Geology of the Boundary area showing field stop locations (modified after Glencore Ltd.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 101

Chapter 14: Donaldson area

No stops are planned in this area and many of the outcrops thickening in the central portion of the complex producing
have been removed during mining, so only a map and a a stacked repetition of the main 3 ultramafic units.
short description are provided. More details can be found Ultramafic rocks in the central portion of Donaldson are
in Lesher and Vicker (1999). weakly to non-magnetic, possibly due to removal of
The Donaldson Ultramafic complex (Fig. 14.1) is the magnetite during a weak to moderate carbonatization event
most easterly of the known mineralized peridotite bodies in after serpentinization. This alteration may have played a
the Raglan Formation. The ultramafic rocks are role in modifying the mineralization in the ore zones at
predominately peridotite with lesser olivine-pyroxenite and Donaldson (Dillon-Leitch, 1988).
pyroxenite, interlayered with argillaceous sediments, At Donaldson, sixteen ore lenses have been repertories.
basalt, and gabbro. The ultramafic sequence is underlain Mineralization is abundant in each of the 3 major
by gabbro and metasediments and is overlain by ultramafic units. Ni tenors of mineralization at Donaldson
intercalated basaltic flows and thin argillaceous to are quite high (>10-20% Ni100). Sediments are locally
greywacke sediments. The Donaldson complex consists of pyrrhotite-rich (locally magnetic) and mineralized zones
five north-dipping (generally 20-40º) overlapping usually contain some magnetite. Thus, both mineralization
ultramafic units of variable thickness (<20 to >200m) over and sediments are relatively high in magnetic
a strike length of 2 km. Two, NW-striking faults dipping susceptibility compared to most of the ultramafic bodies at
30-40° are interpreted to have resulted in structural Donaldson.

Pyroxenite Gabbro
Peridotite, Ol pyroxenite Sediment
Orebodies Basalt - Kom basalt

Figure 14.1. Geology of the Donaldson area draped onto topography showing ore lenses projected to surface (Glencore Ltd.)

SGA QUÉBEC 2017 / FT-01 Raglan Ni-Cu-(PGE) deposits guidebook 102

Chapter 15: Bibliography and references

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View overlooking the Raglan mine site with the Katinniq accommodation complex in the background, Nunavik, Québec, Canada.