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A quantitative analysis of some vein-type mineral deposits in southern British Columbia

University of British Columbia

Production and location data for polymetallic vein deposits in four mining camps in southern British Columbia (Ainsworth, Slocan, Slocan City and Trout Lake camps) illustrate the potential of such data for comparing mining camps in a rigorous manner and as a basis for developing quantitative exploration models. Spatial densities of mineral deposit occurrences serve both to define clusters of deposits and to demarcate mining camps. This latter application results in a reproducible, rigorous approach to comparing metal endowment of several mining camps. Detailed analysis of production and location data for the Trout Lake camp demonstrate the importance of size and grade in developing a quantitative exploration model for the camp. Production tonnages define two different size populations of deposits. Average silver grades of veins indicate four separate groupings that correspond clearly with specific geological characteristics of the groups. A correlation and regression study demonstrates the importance of the procedure in evaluating size potential of deposits and, in particular, illustrates the importance of gold grades in determining size potential of prospects in the camp. A review of multiple regression applied to quantitative modelling of deposit size potential in five vein camps in southern British Columbia shows the method to have practical application in vein deposit evaluation during progressive exploration of a deposit.

Text

2010-05-12

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24617

Geological Sciences

University of British Columbia

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