Ontario Geological Survey
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MDI41I06NW00013
| Record Name(s) | Lockerby Mine - 1971, Falconbridge Nickel Mines - 1975 |
|---|---|
| Related Record Type | Simple |
| Related Record(s) | |
| Record Status | Past Producing Mine Without Reserves or Resources |
| Date Created | 1984-Nov-02 |
| Date Last Modified | 2025-Mar-03 |
| Created By | |
| Revised By |
Primary Commodities: Nickel, Copper, Cobalt
Secondary Commodities: Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium
Township or Area: Denison
Latitude: 46° 25' 58.94" Longitude: -81° 19' 26.04"
UTM Zone: 17 Easting: 475116 Northing: 5142214 UTM Datum: NAD83
Resident Geologist District: Sudbury
NTS Grid: 41I06NW
Point Location Description: Headframe of Shaft No. 2.
Location Method: Data Compilation
Access Description: The Lockerby Mine is located 32 km west of the City of Sudbury by road. Paved and unpaved roads connecting to highways 144 and 17 give access from the north, crossing over the Vermillion River, and from the south, respectively. (NI43-101 Report, Feb. 2008)
1888-1908: The mine property was originally held by the Lockerby family, then by the Dominion Bank. Dominion Bank optioned the property to a succession of mining companies, and ten holes were drilled near the south property boundary. Falconbridge (now Glencore) purchased the property in 1942 Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd: 1963 to 1966: Extensive exploratory deep diamond drilling 1967: Surface work and collaring of a shaft completed 1968: Surface stripping, road building and shaft collaring were completed 1969: Sinking of the production shaft commenced in March 1970-1974: Surface work and underground mine development with two shaft sinkings in progress 1975-mid 1978: Mine in production 1978 (June): Mine placed on care and maintenance 1979: Mine reopened for production by year end 1980-1994: Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited/Falconbridge Limited: Mine in production 1994: Mine again placed on care and maintenance 1995-1998: Development continued at the Lockerby Mine in order to bring the mine into full production by 1998 1998 -2003: Mine in production under Falconbridge Limited 2004 -2005: First Nickel Incorporated (FNI) was in negotiations with Falconbridge Limited to purchase a 100% interest in the mine. The mine closed in September 2004 and returned to production late in 2005 with FNI as the operator First Nickel Inc: 2006-2007: Mine in production 2008 (Oct.20): First Nickel announces closure of Lockerby Mine due to low metal prices. 2011: Development to reopen in May; mine reopened and started production in September. 2012: Full production achieved in July 2015: Cessation of ramp development below the 6800' Level though mining continues at that level and above. Anticipated cessation of mining activities by the 3rd Quarter of 2015. 1st quarter production 2.2 million lbs contained nickel and 1.4 million pounds of contained copper. 2016: Mine closed
Province: Southern
Subprovince: Sudbury Structure
Supergroup: Sudbury Igneous Complex, Main Mass
Geological Age: Paleoproterozoic Geochronological Age: 1.85Ga
Jun 20, 2016 (D Scholtz) - The Lockerby Mine property lies in the southwest area of the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) South Range. The Lockerby deposits are located at the base of the SIC in norite which protrudes into vertically dipping Stobie Formation metavolcanic rocks at the west end of the Creighton granite pluton. The Main fault zone follows the east limb of the norite protrusion and encloses a breccia pipe. Nickel-copper mineralization occurs mainly as breccia and stringer sulphides within the Main fault, as blebs in the matrix of the breccia pipe, and occasionally as disseminations in the hanging wall norite. To December 31, 2003, a total of 8.26 million tonnes averaging 1.79% Ni and 1.07% Cu were produced from the Main, Depth, and East zones at the Lockerby Mine. Q1 2015 production totaled 2.2 million pounds of contained nickel and 1.4 million pounds of contained copper.
| Rock Type | Rank | Composition | Texture | Relationship | Norite | 1 | Norite | Host |
|---|
Jun 20, 2016 (D Scholtz) - Local depositional control for the Lockerby Ni-Cu contact mineralization is related to a depression in the Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) footwall formed at the faulted juncture of the SIC, Stobie greenstones and Creighton granite. Lockerby mineralized zones follow this lithologic triple point down dip, and exploration has focused on locating similar geologic settings at depth and laterally along the base of the SIC. The Depth zone occurs as a sheet of sulphides at the contact between norite, a dark norite breccia sublayer, and granite. The sheet pinches and swells on strike and down dip. Massive sulphides in breccia are usually at the norite-granite contact, with stringers and disseminated sulphides continuing into the norite and dark norite breccia stratigraphic hanging wall. Main and Depth zone mineralization is composed of breccia sulphide and adjacent stringers and disseminations hosted by all rock types cut by the Main fault.
| Rank | Mineral Name | Class | Economic Mineral Type | Alteration Mineral Type | Alteration Ranking | Alteration Intensity | Alteration Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyrrhotite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 2 | Pentlandite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 3 | Chalcopyrite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| Pyrite | Alteration | Unknown | 1 | Medium | Stockwork |
Jul 02, 2015 (D Scholtz) - Sulphides are approximately 80% pyrrhotite, 13% pentlandite, and 7% chalcopyrite. The breccia mineralization is approximately 40% rock fragments in a sulphide matrix. Pentlandite averages approximately 35.6% Ni and pyrrhotite ranges from 0.20% to 1.15%, averages 0.6% to 0.66% Ni, and is similar to other Sudbury ores. Three zones have been discovered at the Lockerby Mine: Main, Depth, and East. Ore mineralogy of the zones is typical of other Sudbury contact deposits and consists of varying amounts of pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, pyrite and minor sphalerite, cobaltite and gersdorffite. The Depth zone is essentially a broad pipe or shoot that dips 70 degrees southeast at its top reversing to steeply north at the 1,880 m depth level. It averages seven metres in width and extends approximately 180 m along strike. The East zone is located 1.5 km east of the Depth zone at shallower depth than the Depth zone. The East zone averages one metre to two metres thick and strikes for almost 200 m. East zone mineralization is controlled by a nose structure of norite/sublayer in the footwall that plunges from west to east at 40 degrees.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| 1 | Igneous Contact |
| Rank | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| 2 | Stockwork |
| 1 | Vein |
| Zone | Year | Category | Tonnes | Reference | Comments | Commodities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockerby Depth Zone | 2008 | Inferred Mineral Resource | 380000 | First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.17-1 | Resource calculated from the 72 Level to the 78 Level | Cobalt .05 %, Copper 1.05 %, Nickel 1.37 % |
| Lockerby Depth Zone | 2008 | Probable Mineral Reserve | 1837708 | GENIVAR 2008 Report to First Nickel Inc. p. 43, 45 | From the 65 to the 69 mining Level | Cobalt .06 %, Copper 1.16 %, Nickel 1.69 % |
| Lockerby Depth Zone | 2008 | Indicated Mineral Resource | 2890000 | First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.17-1 | Resource calculated from the 65 to the 72 Level | Cobalt .07 %, Copper 1.23 %, Nickel 1.78 % |
| Year | Tonnes | Commodities | Reference | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 47628 |
Copper 1400000 Pounds Nickel 2200000 Pounds |
First Nickel Press Release dated May 8, 2015 | First Nickel Press Release dated June 8, 2015 indicates that ramp development has halted and an end to production is anticipated prior to the 3rd quarter of 2015 |
| 2014 | 248573 |
Copper 7700000 Pounds Nickel 13300000 Pounds |
First Nickel Press Release dated March 26, 2015 | |
| 2013 | 245903 | First Nickel Press Release dated March 21, 2014 | ||
| 2012 | 205000 | First Nickel Press Release dated February 8, 2013 | ||
| 2011 | 23924 | First Nickel Press Release dated March 27, 2012 | ||
| 2008 | 45000 | OFR6237: Report of Activities, 2008 Resident Geologist Program, Kirkland Lake Region Resident Geologist Report: Sudbury District. | Production is for the first 2 Quarters of 2008. In October 2008 the mine was put on care and maintenance due to low metals prices | |
| 2007 | 125000 |
Copper 1693664 Pounds Nickel 2600227 Pounds |
OFR6221, Report of Activities 2007, Resident Geologist Program, Kirkland Lake Regional Resident Geologist Report: Sudbury District, P. 3. | Approximate production. |
| 2006 | 97617 |
Copper 725624 Kilograms Nickel 1092971 Kilograms |
(First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.6-2) | Production grade for 2005-2006 was 1.57% Ni and 0.89% Cu |
| 2005 | 5383 |
Copper Nickel |
(First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.6-2) | |
| 2004 | 186000 |
Copper Nickel |
(First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.6-2) | Production grade was 1.91% Ni and 0.92% Cu |
| 2003 | 214000 |
Copper Nickel |
(First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.6-2) | Production grade was 1.88% Ni and 1.22% Cu |
| 2002 | 258000 |
Copper Nickel |
(First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.6-2) | Production grade was 2.10% Ni and 1.25% Cu |
| 2001 | 156000 |
Copper Nickel |
First Nickel Inc. Lockerby Mine Depth Zone Technical Report NI43-101 - February 28, 2008, p.6-2 | Production grade was 1.99% Ni and 1.10% Cu. |
| 1998 | 219483 |
Copper 397160 Kilograms Nickel 1052853 Kilograms |
OFR6007, 2000, Report of Activities 1999, Resident Geologist Program, Kirkland Lake Regional Resident Geologist Report: Kirkland Lake-Sudbury Districts, p. 9 | |
| 1997 | 143000 |
Copper Nickel |
OFR5991, 1999, Report of Activities 1998, Resident Geologist Program, Kirkland Lake Regional Resident Geologist Report: Kirkland Lake and Sudbury Districts, p. 5 | |
| 1996 | 92000 |
Copper Nickel |
OFR5973, 1998, Report of Activities 1997, Resident Geologists Program, Kirkland LakeRegional Resident Geologist's Report: Kirkland Lake-Sudbury Districts, p. 51, 54 |
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1968-1969, 1969-1970
Publication Number: CMH1968,1969 Date: 1969
Author: H.J. Meyers, ed
Publisher Name: CMH
Location: Sudbury Mines Library, Geology Ontario
Map - Geology, Sudbury bedrock compilation, Ontario
Publication Number: OF 4570 Scale: 1:50,000 Date: 2005
Author: Ames, D E; Davidson, A; Buckle, J L; Card, K D
Publisher Name: Geological Survey of Canada
Location: https://doi.org/10.4095/221501
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1974-1975
Publication Number: CMH1974 Page: 125 Date: 1974
Author: F.M. Fielder, ed
Publisher Name: CMH
Location: Sudbury Mines Library, Geology Ontario
Map - Denison Township, District of Sudbury
Publication Number: P0202 Scale: 1:15,840 Date: 1997
Author: Card K.D.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1979-1980, 1982-1983
Publication Number: CMH1979,1982 Date: 1982
Author: A. Worobec, ed
Publisher Name: CMH
Location: Sudbury Mines Library, Geology Ontario
Map - Denison-Waters area, Sudbury District
Publication Number: M2119 Scale: 1:31,680 Date: 1967
Author: Card K.D.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1985-1986, 1990-1991
Publication Number: CMH1985,1990 Date: 1990
Author: C.D. Gardiner, ed
Publisher Name: CMH
Location: Sudbury Mines Library, Geology Ontario
Map - Sudbury mining area, Sudbury District
Publication Number: M2170 Scale: 1:63,360 Date: 1969
Author: Card K.D.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1997-1998, 2000-2001, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008
Publication Number: CMH2007 Date: 2008
Author: D. Giancola, ed
Publisher Name: CMH
Location: Sudbury Mines Library, Geology Ontario
Map - Sudbury-Cobalt, geological compilation series, Algoma, Manitoulin, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Sudbury and Timiskaming districts
Publication Number: M2361 Scale: 1:253,440 Date: 1977
Author: Card K.D., Lumbers S.B.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Book - Sudbury Timmins Algoma Mineral Program, Project 1: mineral inventory of the Sudbury-Timmins-Sault Ste. Marie region, Ontario
Publication Number: GSC OF 1087 Page: 28 Date: 1985
Author: Rose, D. G.
Publisher Name: Geological Survey of Canada
Location: https://doi.org/10.4095/129999
Map - Compilation series, Sudbury mining area, western part, Sudbury District
Publication Number: P2602 Scale: 1:50,000 Date: 1983
Author: Dressler B.O.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Compend - Annual report of Resident Geologists Section, Geological Branch, 1967, part 2
Publication Number: MP017 Page: 77 Date: 1968
Author:
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Map - Sudbury geological compilation, Sudbury District, Sudbury Regional Municipality
Publication Number: M2491 Scale: 1:50,000 Date: 1984
Author: Dressler B.O.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Compend - Annual report of Resident Geologists Section, Geological Branch, 1970
Publication Number: MP046 Page: 136 Date: 1971
Author: Guillet G.R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs
Location:
MonoMap - Geology of the Denison-Waters area, District of Sudbury
Publication Number: R060 Page: 3, 29, 58 Date: 1968
Author: Card K.D.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Compend - Annual report of Resident Geologists Section, Geological Branch, 1968, part 2
Publication Number: MP024 Page: 29 Date: 1969
Author:
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Mono - Copper, nickel, lead and zinc deposits of Ontario
Publication Number: MDC012 Page: 266-267 Date: 1969
Author: Shklanka R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Mono - Annual report on mining operations in Ontario during calendar year 1968
Publication Number: ARV78 Page: 59, 65 Date: 1998
Author: Riddell G.S.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Mono - Annual report on mining operations in Ontario during calendar year 1969
Publication Number: ARV79 Page: 65 Date: 1998
Author: Riddell G.S.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs
Location:
Compend - Annual report of Resident Geologists Section, Geological Branch, 1971
Publication Number: MP050 Page: 144, 145 Date: 1972
Author: Gibson S.J.
Publisher Name: Ontario Division of Mines
Location:
Mono - Annual report on mineral industry operations in Ontario during calendar year 1970
Publication Number: ARV80 Page: 63 Date: 1998
Author: Matten E.E.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs
Location:
Compend - Summary of field work, 1972
Publication Number: MP053 Page: 135 Date: 1972
Author: Milne V.G., Hewitt D.F.
Publisher Name: Ontario Division of Mines
Location:
Mono - Towards a nickel policy for the Province of Ontario
Publication Number: MPBP004 Date: 1997
Author: Mohide T.P., Warden C.L., Mason J.D.
Publisher Name: Mineral Resources Branch
Location: Sudbury Mines Library, Geology Ontario
Compend - Annual report of the Regional and Resident Geologists, 1977
Publication Number: MP078 Page: 91, 95 Date: 1978
Author: Kustra C.R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Mono - Statistical report on the mineral industry of Ontario, 1974, volume 7
Publication Number: ASR07 Page: 102 Date: 1998
Author: Matten E.E.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Compend - Annual report of the Regional and Resident Geologists, 1979
Publication Number: MP091 Page: 108 Date: 1980
Author: Kustra C.R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Compend - Report of activities, 1984, Regional and Resident Geologists
Publication Number: MP122 Page: 230 Date: 1985
Author: Kustra C.R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Folio - Denison Township, District of Sudbury
Publication Number: GDIF315 Page: 4, 28 Date: 1997
Author: Sudbury RGO
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Mono - Industrial minerals of northern Ontario
Publication Number: MDC026 Page: 19, 23 Date: 1985
Author: Vos M.A., Abolins T., McKnight R.L.W., Smith V.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Article - The Sudbury structure
Publication Number: SV04-01.015 Page: 593, 625 Date: 1997
Author: Dressler B.O., Gupta V.K., Muir T.L.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Publication - Technical Report on the 2008 resource estimate for the Depth Zone, Lockerby Mine, Sudbury Ontario, prepared for First Nickel Inc.
Publication Number: Date: 2008
Author: R.E. Routledge
Publisher Name: Scott Wilson RPA
Location: Sudbury
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