Enhancement of kimberlite exploration methods in the Lake Timiskaming region, Ontario |
Proactive disclosure Print version | | Natural Resources Canada > Earth Sciences Sector > Geological Survey of Canada > Diamonds
Enhancement of kimberlite exploration methods in the Lake Timiskaming region, Ontario Activities in 2001-2002
GSC fieldwork in the New Liskeard area in 2001 consisted of excavating trenches into two kimberlites on the Seed property and several trenches down-ice. The Seed kimberlite is overlain by 5.5 m of brown and grey till and the subcropping surface is striated, indicating ice flow was towards the south (175°). A previously undiscovered kimberlite, the Triple B kimberlite, approximately 500 m east of the Seed kimberlite, was excavated for the first time. This kimberlite is overlain by 2 m of till. Kimberlite and till down-ice were sampled to determine the mineralogical and geochemical signature of the kimberlite and to document glacial dispersal patterns. Kimberlite boulders from local ('down-ice') gravel pits were also collected to determine if the Seed or Triple B kimberlites are the source of the boulders in these eskers. Samples of drill core from two kimberlites (95-1 and 95-2) discovered by Sudbury Contact Mines Ltd. were collected for detailed mineralogical studies.
| Large excavator was used to expose the subcropping surface of the Seed kimberlite beneath 6 m of till. The kimberlite is overlain by 2.5 of brown silty sand till, which in turn overlies 3 m of grey silty till. Till and kimberlite samples were collected for indicator mineral and till geochemical studies.
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| The subcropping surface of the Seed kimberlite is striated at 175° and overlain by 2.5 m of brown silty sand till, which in turn overlies overconsolidated grey silty till.
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Two distinct tills occur in the New Liskeard-Temagami region: a) an upper brown silty sand till containing abundant carbonate clasts derived from the Paleozoic outlier at New Liskeard; and, b) a lower grey silty till.
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