The primary objective of the Consolidation and Synthesis of Mineral Deposits Knowledge project is to contribute to sustaining resource based communities by reversing the decline of reserves for most metals, extending the life of economically important mining districts, and expanding mineral development throughout Canada. This will be achieved by updating the geoscience infrastructure for mineral deposits, consolidating and synthesizing current data and knowledge, and improving accessibility using web based systems. A highly accessible web-based system of delivery of data and knowledge on mineral deposits will spur exploration and development by making Canada more attractive for investment in mineral resources.

Mining in Canada is an economically important industry that in 2002 contributed $36.1 billion to the economy (about 3.7% of GNP) and employed over 350,000 directly in mining and mineral processing. Over 200 communities across Canada are reliant on the minerals industry and over 400 communities are suppliers of good and services. Mining also holds promise for the economic development of Aboriginal communities. Canada ranks first in the world in exploration expenditures ($513 million in 2001) and within the top five in the production of Ni, Zn, PGE, Au, Mo, Cu, Co, Pb and Cd. Mining is a high technology and knowledge based industry with over 2200 companies that sell specialized scientific and technical products. Canada is also the world leader in the equity financing of the minerals industry supporting financial services in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver (from the Minerals and Metals Sector, Natural Resources Canada).

• GIS national and global databases of seven major types of ore deposits: gold, diamond, Ni-Cu-PGE, SEDEX, MVT, VMS, porphyry, IOCG, and U deposits.
• Synthesis of knowledge of all major deposit-types in Canada including production and reserves, metal grades, geological settings, and key attributes that are important to mineral exploration and development.
• Synthesis of the 4D evolution of Canadian geological provinces and the identification of those environments that have a high potential to host new ore deposits; Appalachian Orogen, Grenville Province, Trans-Hudson Orogen, Superior Province, Western Churchill Province, Slave Province, and Cordilleran Orogen .
• Synopsis of the metallogeny of major mining districts that are economically important for a range of commodities that include base metals, gold, platinum group elements, diamonds and uranium .
• Synthesis of the current knowledge of geophysical and geochemical exploration methods that are effective in the detecting different types of ore deposits.
• On-line delivery of all products using functional, easily accessible and user friendly Web-based GIS systems.

Mineral Resources of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposit-types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces, and Exploration Methods larger image [JPEG, 321.0 kb, 500 X 648, notice]

The content of this Web site is a preview of a forthcoming major volume entitled "Mineral Resources of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposit-types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces, and Exploration Methods" that will be published jointly by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) and the Mineral Deposits Division (MDD), Geological Association of Canada. These Web products should be viewed as preliminary versions of more comprehensive, detailed and fully reviewed papers and digital products that will be published in the GSC/MDD volume.

The GSC/MDD volume will consist of 45-50 papers (800-900 pages) plus a DVD containing digital products that include Canadian and global expert spreadsheets of major deposit-types, GIS mineral deposit databases, and an Ore Photo Library. This volume will be bound by a four colour hard cover and produced with unlimited colour for each page. The target audience includes mineral deposits researchers, mineral explorationists, university and high school teachers, and the general public.

• Mineral and Metal Sector, Natural Resources Canada
• Alberta Geological Survey
• British Columbia Geological Survey
• Manitoba Industry, Trade and Mines
• New Brunswick Natural Resources Department
• Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador
• C.S. Lord Northern Geoscience Centre
• Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office
• Yukon Geology Survey
• Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
• Ontario Geological Survey
• Ministre des Ressources naturelles, Quéebec
• Saskatchewan Energy and Mines Department

This Project contributes to the Earth Sciences Sectors Consolidating Canada's Geoscience Knowledge Program.

For more information, please contact Wayne Goodfellow, Project Leader