Ontario Geological Survey
Permanent Link to this Record:
MDI52F05NE00047
| Record Name(s) | Kenbridge Prospect - 1976, Populus Lake - 1976 |
|---|---|
| Related Record Type | Simple |
| Related Record(s) | |
| Record Status | Developed Prospect With Reported Reserves or Resources |
| Date Created | 2011-Feb-16 |
| Date Last Modified | 2025-Feb-11 |
| Created By | |
| Revised By |
Primary Commodities: Nickel, Copper
Township or Area: Atikwa Lake Area
Latitude: 49° 29' 2.05" Longitude: -93° 38' 2.69"
UTM Zone: 15 Easting: 454072.82 Northing: 5481444.57 UTM Datum: NAD83
Resident Geologist District: Kenora
NTS Grid: 52F05NE
Point Location Description: Precise
Location Method: Conversion from MDI
1936: mineralized zone staked by F. McCallum who optioned the property to Coniagas Mines Limited. In 1937 Coniagas drilled 35 holes totalling 3048 m, outlying a number of nickeliferous zones. Kenora Nickel Mines Limited was incorporated in 1937 but it was not until Inco took over the property in 1948 that exploration was continued. Inco staked a group of 34 claims surrounding the original group, carried out geological and magnetometer surveys, and drilled 14 DDH totalling 3658 m to test the ore zone to depths of 1,000 feet. Inco dropped the option. The property was then picked up by Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited in 1952. Falconbridge staked 90 additional claims in the area, again carried out geological and geophysical surveys and drilled 53 DDH totalling 12,579 m. A new company, Kenbridge Nickel Mines Limited, was formed and underground exploration commenced in 1955. A shaft was sunk to 2,042 feet and underground diamond drilling was carried out to delineate the ore body, with 246 underground DDH totalling 15,262 m. Operations were suspended in 1957. It has been suggested that the operations were terminated due to extreme flooding in the mine area but comments have also been made that the ore grade in the underground development did not measure up to the drilling estimates. 1974: A brief examination of the Kenbridge Mine property was made by R.C. Beard and G. Clark on July 16, 1974. The visit included examination of the surface plant, rock dumps, surface outcrops over the ore zone, and a quick reconnaissance along strike of the ore body. 1984: Falconbridge undertook an exploration campaign including grid mapping and soil geochemistry, but did not achieve encouraging results. 1988: Falconbridge conducted reconnaissance mapping and prospecting following the 1987 OGS-sponsored GEOTEM survey, but again did not receive encouraging results. Late 1980s: Falconbridge contracted Lakefield Research to tear down the headframe and cap and fence the shaft collar. 2004: Peter Hinz of MNDM&F visited the property with Blackstone Ventures representatives (geologist, Peter Holbik, and Brian Butterworth) during a due diligence property visit on May 15, 2004. It was noted that all mine infrastructure on the site had been removed except for one warehouse building. The shaft had been capped and fenced and only concrete foundations from an on-site test mill remained. 2005: Blackstone completed a surface geophysics program and drilled 21 DDH totalling 4118 m. 2007-08: Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd. drilled 206 DDH totalling 40,753 m and conducted geological mapping and channel sampling. 2018: Tartisan Nickel Corp. acquired the property from Canadian Arrow. 2020: Tartisan carried out an ASTER LWIR imagery study. 2021: Tartisan drilled 10 DDH.
| Office File Number | Online Assessment File Identifier | Online Assessment File Directory |
|---|---|---|
| 63.628 | 52F12SE0010 | 52F12SE0010 |
| 2.50561 | 20000008103 | 20000008103 |
Province: Superior
Subprovince: Wabigoon
Terrane: Western Wabigoon
Geological Age: Precambrian
Feb 16, 2011 (J Bongfelt) - The Kenbridge deposit and its host rock sequence, lies between two granitic bodies, the Flora Lake pluton to the west, and the Atikwa batholith to the east. The intervening rocks are mainly composed of a sequence of intermediate to mafic volcanic rocks intruded by gabbro and numerous dikes that coincide with a prominent northeast-trending deformation zone. The exposure of the Flora Lake pluton is roughly elliptical with a length of 5.6 km and a width of 3.2 km. The pluton is zoned from an outer rim of monzodiroite to monzonite to a core of granite (Davies, 1973) with a strong positive magnetic signature associated with the outer part. The Atikwa batholith covers an area of 2,000 square kilometres and is composed of inner and outer zones. The inner zone consists of weakly foliated quartz diorite and trondhjemite while the outer zone is a heterogeneous diorite with abundant inclusions and xenoliths of basalt and gabbro. The Kenbridge nickel deposit is hosted by an oval shaped gabbroic suite and has a distinct “pipe” appearance. Interpretation of outcrop lithological information is complicated by deformation and metamorphism (regionally up to upper greenschist facies and with overprints of local contact metamorphism), and limited exposure within the project area. Extrusive and intrusive rock types are found on the property with associated nickel sulphide mineralization. * Reference Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd. Technical Report on a Preliminary Study on the Kenbridge Deposit Feb 2008 [MDI Update for ROA 2010 by Craig Ravnaas]
| Rock Type | Rank | Composition | Texture | Relationship | Gabbro | 1 | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mafic lava flow-unsubdivided | 2 | Andesitic To Basaltic | Adjacent |
Feb 16, 2011 (J Bongfelt) - The Kenbridge deposit occurs within a vertically dipping, lenticular gabbro and gabbro breccia with surface dimensions of greater than 250 metres strike length by 60 metres. The host volcanic rocks on the western side of the deposit are mostly composed of medium green, strongly foliated and sheared, tuffaceous units with fragments defined by a lensoid banding of matrix carbonate. Very fine-grained massive green rock, possibly a flow or well-indurated tuff, is given the field name of greenstone and occurs throughout the volcanic sequence. Volcanic rocks on the eastern side of the deposit are characterized by larger fragments and less foliation. Contacts between the mineralized gabbro and the enveloping volcanic rocks are marked by a variable thickness of talc schist (1-30 m). The talc may or may not be mineralized. The host volcanic rocks on the western side of the deposit are mostly composed of medium green, strongly foliated and sheared, tuffaceous units with fragments defined by a lensoid banding of matrix carbonate. Volcanic rocks on the eastern side of the deposit are characterized by larger fragments and less foliation. Most of the fragments are finegrained greenstone with just subtle changes in shades of green (chlorite content) and interstitial carbonate that allows them to be recognized. This unit was logged as a volcanic breccia. Contacts between the mineralized gabbro and the enveloping volcanic rocks are marked by a variable thickness of talc schist (1-30 metres). The talc may or may not be mineralized. The geology of the mineralized gabbro is complex and is composed of numerous rock types and sub-types including fine to coarse grained gabbro, quartzphyric gabbro with 2-3 percent rounded blue quartz grains, and diorite. * Reference Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd. Technical Report on a Preliminary Study on the Kenbridge Deposit Feb 2008. [MDI Update for ROA 2010 by Craig Ravnaas]
| Rank | Mineral Name | Class | Economic Mineral Type | Alteration Mineral Type | Alteration Ranking | Alteration Intensity | Alteration Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Chalcopyrite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 10 | Pentlandite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 15 | Pyrite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 20 | Pyrrhotite | Economic | Ore |
Feb 16, 2011 (J Bongfelt) - Underground development of the Kenbridge Deposit extends from surface to a depth of 623 metres in a 3 compartment shaft, with 244 metres of drifts and 168 metres of crosscuts at the 110 and 150 metre levels. The minimum drill spacing is at 15.2 metres on all levels. The deepest hole extends to the 838.4 metres depth and intersected mineralization grading 4.25% nickel and 1.38% copper over 10.7 ft, indicating that the deposit remains open at depth. A potential diluted mineable resource, for open pit mining, of 6.6 million tonnes grading 0.38% nickel and 0.23% copper of indicated resources and 122,000 tonnes grading 0.50% nickel and 0.40% copper of inferred resources is identified. This estimate was derived by utilizing the $US10 per pound for nickel and $US2.50 per pound for copper, open pit shell produced by Whittle. In addition underground mineable resources of 800,000 tonnes grading 0.71% nickel and 0.34% copper of indicated resources and 2.2 million tonnes grading 0.60% nickel and 0.31% copper of inferred resources have also been outlined. A mining recovery of 90 percent and dilution of 15 percent was included, with the diluting material carrying a background grade of 0.30 percent nickel and 0.15 percent copper. * Reference Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd. Technical Report on a Preliminary Study on the Kenbridge Deposit Feb 2008. [MDI Update for ROA 2010 by Craig Ravnaas]
Apr 17, 2015 (Therese Pettigrew) - Mineralization (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite plus or minus pyrite) is found as massive to net-textured and disseminated sulphide zones, primarily in pyroxenite, gabbro pyroxenite with lesser amounts in gabbro and talc schist. Keast and O’Flaherty (2006) advocate a model in which the sulphides were remobilized in a breccia pipe conduit; this interpretation is consistent with the variable grade and less variable nickel/copper ratios of the deposit. Nickel grades within the deposit are proportional to the total amount of sulphide with massive sulphide zones locally grading in excess of 6% nickel.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusion |
| Rank | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Intrusive |
| Shape | Length | Thickness | Depth | Strike | Dip | Plunge | Trend | Age | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 250 | 60 | 840 | 90 |
| Zone | Year | Category | Tonnes | Reference | Comments | Commodities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenbridge Underground | 2022 | Inferred Mineral Resource | 1014000 | Tartisan Nickel Corp press release July 12, 2022 | 32.7 Mlb Ni, 14.9 Mlb Cu, 0.2 Mlb Co | Cobalt 0.011 %, Copper 0.67 %, Nickel 1.47 % |
| Kenbridge Underground | 2022 | Measured + Indicated Resource | 3445000 | Tartisan Nickel Corp press release July 12, 2022 | 74.0 Mlb Ni, 39.1 Mb Cu, 1.0 Mb Co | Cobalt 0.013 %, Copper 0.52 %, Nickel 0.97 % |
| Kenbridge Out of Pit | 2020 | Indicated Mineral Resource | 2232000 | Tartisan Nickel 2020 NI 43-101 | Cobalt 0.006 %, Copper 0.45 %, Nickel 0.9 % | |
| Kenbridge Out of Pit | 2020 | Inferred Mineral Resource | 985000 | Tartisan Nickel 2020 NI 43-101 | Cobalt 0.003 %, Copper 0.62 %, Nickel 1 % | |
| Kenbridge Pit | 2020 | Measured + Indicated Resource | 5236000 | Tartisan Nickel 2020 NI 43-101 | Cobalt 0.009 %, Copper 0.26 %, Nickel 0.5 % | |
| Kenbridge Underground | 2008 | Measured Mineral Resource | 206000 | Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd., news release, Aug 19, 2008 | Resource Estimates 43-101 Compliant Above 150 m level – Open Pit proposed Measured & Indicated: 4.46 Mt grading 0.42% Ni, 0.23% Cu Below 150 m level – Underground Measured: 206 000 t grading 0.85% Ni, 0.43% Cu Indicated: 2 469 000 t grading 0.97% Ni, 0.51% Cu Inferred: 118 000 t grading 1.38% Ni, 0.88% Cu | Copper 0.43 %, Nickel 0.85 % |
| Kenbridge Underground | 2008 | Indicated Mineral Resource | 2469000 | Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd., news release, Aug 19, 2008 | Resource Estimates 43-101 Compliant Above 150 m level – Open Pit proposed Measured & Indicated: 4.46 Mt grading 0.42% Ni, 0.23% Cu Below 150 m level – Underground Measured: 206 000 t grading 0.85% Ni, 0.43% Cu Indicated: 2 469 000 t grading 0.97% Ni, 0.51% Cu | Copper 0.51 %, Nickel 0.97 % |
| Kenbridge Open Pit | 2008 | Measured + Indicated Resource | 4460000 | Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd., news release, Aug 19, 2008 | Measured & Indicated: 4.46 Mt grading 0.42% Ni, 0.23% Cu | Copper 0.23 %, Nickel 0.42 % |
| Kenbridge Underground | 2008 | Inferred Mineral Resource | 118000 | Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd., news release, Aug 19, 2008 | Copper 0.88 %, Nickel 1.38 % |
File - Resident Geologist files 52F/05NE, M-1, M-2, M-3, Kenora Nickel Mines Ltd
Publication Number: Date:
Author:
Publisher Name:
Location: Kenora RGP office
Mono - Copper, nickel, lead and zinc deposits of Ontario
Publication Number: MDC012 Page: 161-162 Date: 1969
Author: Shklanka R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
MonoMap - Geology of the Atikwa Lake area, District of Kenora
Publication Number: R111 Page: 43-46 Date: 1973
Author: Davies J.C.
Publisher Name: Ontario Division of Mines
Location:
Publication - Technical Report on a Preliminary Assessment Study for the Kenbridge Deposit, Kenora, Ontario, Canada
Publication Number: 2008 43-101 Date: 2008
Author: Buck, M.K., Cole, G., Gowans, R.M.
Publisher Name: Canadian Arrow Mines Ltd.
Location: SEDAR
Map - Atikwa Lake, Kenora District
Publication Number: M2273 Scale: 1:31,680 Date: 1973
Author: Davies J.C.
Publisher Name: Ontario Division of Mines
Location:
Map - Precambrian Geology Kakagi-Rowan Lakes Area
Publication Number: P3594 Scale: 1:50,000 Date: 2007
Author: Johns G.W.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Map - Populus Lake area, District of Kenora, Ontario
Publication Number: M1956-03 Scale: 1:31,680 Date: 1997
Author: Davies J.C., Watowich S.N.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Map - Atikwa Lake area, west half, District of Kenora
Publication Number: P0387 Scale: 1:15,840 Date: 1997
Author: Davies J.C.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Map - Atikwa-Caviar lakes area, District of Kenora
Publication Number: P0084 Scale: 1:31,680 Date: 1997
Author: Johnston W.G.Q.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Map - Kenora-Fort Frances sheet, geological compilation series, Kenora, Rainy River districts
Publication Number: M2115 Scale: 1:253,440 Date: 1967
Author: Davies J.C., Pryslak A.P.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
File - Kenora Historical File 52F/05NE00047, Kenbridge
Publication Number: Date: 2011
Author:
Publisher Name:
Location: Kenora RGP office
File - Kenora Property Visit File 52F/05NE00047, Kenbridge, 2004
Publication Number: Date: 2011
Author:
Publisher Name:
Location: Kenora RGP office
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