Ontario Mineral Inventory

Ontario Geological Survey
Permanent Link to this Record: MDI000000002217

Record: MDI000000002217

General

Commodities

Primary Commodities: Copper, Zinc

Secondary Commodities: Silver, Gold

Location

Township or Area: Venton Lake Area, Oxtoby Lake Area

Latitude: 51° 42' 13.46"    Longitude: -86° 38' 16.71"

UTM Zone: 16    Easting: 525017   Northing: 5728149.99    UTM Datum: NAD83

Resident Geologist District: Thunder Bay North

NTS Grid: 42M10NE, 42M15SE

Point Location Description: From DDH 13WA-39 collar in AFRI 20000009211

Location Method: Based on Assessment

Access Description: Site access is by floatplane and helicopter in the summer from Hearst or Nakina and by snow mobile in the winter. The north portion of the Wabassi Property can be accessed by boat from Martin Falls First Nation located 54 km to the west by navigating the Albany River and the Wabassi River to Wabassi Falls then becomes unnavigable as the historical portage is no longer passable.

Exploration History

1942: Bedrock mapping by V.K. Prest of the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS). 1970: Reconnaissance mapping by Thurston and Carter for the OGS’ Operation Fort Hope. 1979: Diamond drilling by Hanna Mining Co., on an area to the west of, and overlapping, the Wabassi Property. 1980: Kerr Addison Mines Ltd., completed an airborne electromagnetic survey on an area north of the Wabassi Property. 1983: Kerr Addison Mines Ltd., undertook limited diamond drilling as follow-up to their 1980 airborne survey. 2003: Ontario Geological Survey flew an airborne magnetic survey as part of the Fort Hope geophysical program. 2007: Northern Shield Resources Inc., staked the Wabassi and Wabassi North properties based on the 2003 geophysical magnetic survey by the Ontario Geological Survey in the Fort Hope area. 2008: Geotech Ltd. conducted three VTEM EM and magnetic surveys over the Wabassi property. An initial diamond drilling program was conducted in the fall of 2008: Two diamond drill holes were completed in the Wabassi North area (08WA-01 (abandoned) and 08WA- 02 (175 metres)). One diamond drill hole tested the Wabassi main intrusion (08WA-04 (347 metres)). 2010: Northern Shield Resources Inc., had Geotech Ltd., perform an airborne VTEM survey, ground and downhole magnetic and EM geophysical survey and diamond-drilling with assays and lithogeochemistry was completed on core samples from this drill program. Northern Shield Resources Inc., optioned 51% of the property to Discovery Harbour Resources. 2011: Crone Geophysics and Exploration Ltd., performed ground and downhole geophysics followed by a diamond drill program by Northern Shield Resources Inc. Northern Shield Resources Ltd. initiated a winter exploration program on their Wabassi property consisting of diamond drilling, both ground and down-hole electromagnetic and magnetic surveys and an airborne versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey. The Wabassi “E” Deposit was discovered in 2011 with hole 11WA-16 that tested an airborne EM anomaly (“Anomaly E”). 2012-2013: Multiple diamond drill programs were conducted as well as a ground magnetic survey and both ground and bore-hole electromagnetic (EM) surveys, on the Wabassi Property by Northern Shield Resources Ltd., and joint venture partner Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. 2014: Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. and former joint-venture partners Northern Shield Resources Inc., and Great Lake Resources LLC, announced the results of a fall diamond-drilling program including down-hole EM surveys also identified a number of off-hole anomalies. Northern Shield Resources Inc. subsequently announced that it sold its remaining interest in the Wabassi property to Great Lakes Resources LLC. The sale agreement transferred Northern Shield’s 49% interest in the Wabassi property. 2015: Great Lakes Resources LLC. (Great Lakes) acquired Discovery Harbour’s 51% interest in the Wabassi Project. 2016: Great Lakes reorganized its interest in the project through Wabassi Resources ULC, a wholly owned subsidiary in 2016. A regional mapping program was also completed in the summer of 2016, which targeted outcrop areas exposed in river and stream channels. P&E Mining Consultants Inc., completed a N1 43-101 compliant mineral resource on the Wabassi E deposit for Wabassi Resources Inc.

Assessment Work on File

Geology

Province: Superior

Subprovince: Uchi

Terrane: North Caribou

Domain: Uchi

Belt: Miminiska-Fort Hope

Geological Age: Archean  

Geology Comments

Aug 20, 2018 (Greg Paju) - The Wabassi Property is located in the Archean Miminiska-Fort Hope greenstone belt in the Uchi Domain (2.8-2.9 Ga) located within the the Superior Province’s Archean Sachigo Superterrane of the Superior Structural Province of the Canadian Shield. According to recent subdivisions of the Sachigo Superterrane, the Property falls within the Uchi domain (2.8-2.9 Ga) of the North Caribou Terrane (Stott and Rayner, 2004, Stott et al., 2007 and Stott, 2007a-b; AFRI 20000009211). Bowdidge (2015) has interpreted the Wabassi property to include four mafic to felsic metavolcanic sequences (Cycle 1: incomplete, Cycle 2: complete, Cycle 3: complete and Cycle 4: only a mafic component), with the oldest at the north end of the property, becoming younger to the south. The first cycle is based entirely on drill data from hole 08MX-04, which intersected intermediate or felsic pyroclastic rocks. The cycle 2 is based on extensive outcrops of mafic lavas noted by Prest (1942), with the existence of overlying felsic rocks is based on diamond drill holes that tested the E Zone. The mineralization comprising the E Deposit is at or close to the contact between felsic volcanics and overlying mafic lava. Cycle 3 starts with mafic volcanics overlying cycle 2 felsic at E Deposit, with higher mafic rocks in drill holes, followed by felsic rocks in outcrop and a number of drill holes, ending in a barren massive sulphide zone, overlain by mafic volcanics in drill hole WA12-22 on anomaly F2. These overlying mafics form the start of cycle 4, after which the sequence appears to be truncated by metasedimentary rocks. The existence of sedimentary rocks at the top of the volcanic sequence is based on outcrops mapped to the west by Thurston and Carter (1970). These are described as greywackes and are presumed to be the clastic metasediments common in greenstone belts of the area. The Wabassi Layered Intrusion is layered ultramafic and mafic has been studied petrographically and geochemically. It comprises peridotite and a variety of gabbro-norite-troctolite lithologies. Northern Shield reports state that its top faces north, based on apparently more evolved magma at the north end. The shape of the intrusion, however, suggests that it faces south, because: (a) the funnel shape, widening towards the top, is common for layered intrusions; and (b) the layers are concave to the south. This is also common in layered intrusions because of compaction of lower layers as residual magma is expressed by the weight of upper layers. Also, there may be sagging of the underlying rocks due to magma being withdrawn from a subjacent magma chamber. The concavity decreases to the top of an intrusion as it becomes progressively filled with cumulate material. The complex and heterogeneous zone along the west side of the Wabassi intrusion may be a feeder dyke. It contains what are probably partly digested blocks of Cu-Zn mineralization which may have fallen into the magma at or near the E Zone and sunk after influx of magma ceased. The Max Intrusion comprises peridotite, minor pyroxenite and a variety of gabbro-noritetroctolite lithologies. The Wabassi North intrusion appears from the airborne magnetic signature to be composed of a northern peridotite (very strongly magnetic) and a southern, gabbroic zone. The latter has been tested by only one drill hole. There is an apparent sill-like body of less magnetic rock extending in a southerly direction towards the Max intrusion, which is not exposed, nor has it been drilled despite the presence of a conductor (M4). The large bodies of granitoid rocks flank the belt to the northwest and southeast have a distinctive magnetic signature which results from concentric zoning.

Lithology

Lithology Comments

Aug 20, 2018 (A Wilson) - The Wabassi Layered Intrusion underlying the Wabassi Property is a layered mafic-ultramafic intrusion and the lithologies identified to date are olivine-gabbronorite, gabbronorite, norite and troctolite. Drilling at Wabassi North intersected a variety of gabbroic rocks which may or may not be related to the main Wabassi layered intrusion or the Max peridotite intrusion. The geophysics suggest that this body may consist of composite phases of gabbroic and other mafic/ultramafic phases. The main Wabassi mafic-ultramafic intrusion includes a variety of cumulate lithologies composed of variable amounts of olivine, plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and hornblende as cumulate, oikocryst or interstitial. Other interstitial and alteration minerals commonly found are magnetite, actinolite, biotite, chlorite, epidote and carbonate. Harzburgite and lherzolite were intersected in core near the western contact but most of the extent of the Wabassi Intrusion appears to be mafic and composed principally of olivine-gabbronorite and gabbronorite with subordinate norite, troctolite and gabbro. Although the very well preserved cumulate textures and the large scale magnetic signature suggest a layered intrusion, very limited small scale layering was clearly observed to date. These data do not preclude that the intrusion is layered, but simply that it isn’t commonly observed, which could be the result of two things: 1) gabbronorite olivine-gabbronorite are the only units outcropping, possibly because they are the most erosion-resistant, and 2) information from drilling comes almost exclusively from the western edge of the intrusion, where the EM anomalies are located. The edge of the intrusion has suffered the effects of deformation and also alteration due to crosscutting dikes much more than the core of the intrusion and original textures and structures may be more difficult to discern. The mafic metavolcanic assemblages are of basaltic to andesitic composition. It is generally very altered and pale green, which makes it difficult to distinguish from the felsic metavolcanic that is not quartz-phyric. Although not commonly reported in the logs, these rocks generally contain small amphibole phenocrysts visible in thin section. Their geochemistry is clearly distinct from the felsic metavolcanic rocks with lower silica content, significantly higher titanium and iron, and lower abundances of incompatible trace elements such as rare-earth elements. Varioles, which were logged mostly as fragments but later reinterpreted, are a common and a very characteristic feature in these mafic rocks. No pillow selvages were observed in core to date. Felsic metavolcanic rocks vary in composition between rhyolite and dacite and a large proportion of these lithologies display blue quartz eyes up to about 5 mm in size. They are generally massive flows, fragmentals and breccias. The volcanogenic massive sulphides encountered to date are mostly contained within or just above this assemblage of felsic metavolcanic rocks

Aug 20, 2018 (Greg Paju) - From Puritch et al., AFRI 20000013560, 20000009211, 20000015067, and Sapin et al. 2014: The Wabassi “E” Deposit is of the bimodal mafic or bimodal-felsic subtypes as defined by Galley et al. (2007). The Wabassi “E” Deposit was discovered in 2011 with hole 11WA-16 that tested an airborne EM anomaly designated as “Anomaly E”. Anomaly E is a 600 metre long conductor on the VTEM survey, with a maximum tau of 8.5 ms. The quartz phyric rhyolite metavolcanic hosting Wabassi E has been dated at 2725 +/- 2.8 Ma which is within error of the age of the Wabassi mafic intrusion dated at 2727 +/- 1 Ma (Sapin et al. 2014). The deposit strikes northeast and has been identified over a strike length of 360 m to a depth of 375 m. The mineralization dips steeply southeast and plunges 35° to 40° to the east-northeast. Based on the work done to date the lithological sequence hosting the Wabassi E Deposit appears to be relatively consistent. From northwest to southeast the sequence consists of granitoid rocks, an 80 m thick unit of felsic metavolcanics that hosts the mineralization, and a mafic metavolcanic unit that forms the structural and possible stratigraphic hanging wall. The west part of the Deposit has more intersections and is better defined. In the west, the Main mineralized zone is 10 to 15 m below (northwest of) the main felsic/mafic metavolcanic contact and a smaller Footwall zone is 10 to 20 m below this. The granite contact appears to be concordant with metavolcanic stratigraphy and is typically about 60 m below the Footwall zone. These stratigraphic relationships are less well-defined in the east part of the Deposit where there is less drilling. The Wabassi E Deposit appears to lie in a block of metavolcanic rocks that has been intruded by the Wabassi layered intrusion. The metavolcanic rocks are metamorphosed to upper greenschist to lower amphibolite facies. Structural deformation is minor compared to typical greenstone belts in the Superior Province. Most of the metavolcanic or intrusive rocks show limited development of penetrative fabrics and the primary textures are well preserved unless the rock is very altered.

Mineralization

Mineralization Comments

Aug 20, 2018 (Greg Paju) - From Puritch et al., 2016; AFRI 20000013560, 20000015067: The Wabassi E Deposit strikes northeast and has been identified over a strike length of 360 m to a depth of 375 m. The mineralization dips steeply southeast and plunges 35° to 40° to the east-northeast. An example of assay values for a single high grade diamond drill hole on the E Deposit is DDH 16WA-53 which intersected 8.55% Zn, 1.58% Cu, 59.2 g/t Ag and 0.22 g/t Au over 18.7 m. Based on the work of Bowdidge in 2015, the copper-zinc sulphide mineralization of the E Deposit is at or close to the contact between felsic volcanics and overlying mafic lava of cycle 2. Jim Franklin (2012 internal report) considered that the mineralization at the E Deposit is a high-T system that would be typical of a Noranda- or Matagami Lake- type systems. It is zoned, with a copper-rich stringer zone and a seafloor-mound massive sulfide zone rich in zinc. At the Wabassi E Deposit, the copper-rich (chalcopyrite-bornite) stringer mineralization associated with chlorite veins and intense chlorite alteration and sulphide matrix supported rhyolite breccia are indicative of VMS systems that are proximal to the volcanic vents.

Mineral Record Details

References

Data - Ontario Airborne Geophysical Surveys, Magnetic Data, Attawapiskat Area - Purchased Data

Publication Number: GDS1211 Date: 2003

Author: Ontario Geological Survey

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Map - Precambrian Geology of the Hudson Bay and James Bay Lowlands Region Interpreted from Aeromagnetic Data-West Sheet

Publication Number: P3597-REV Scale: 1:500,000    Date: 2008

Author: Stott G.M.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Report of Activities 2016, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay North Regional Resident Geologist Report: Thunder Bay North District

Publication Number: OFR6325 Page: 32-33  Date: 2017

Author: Cundari R.M., Brunelle M.R., White G.D., Tuomi R.D., Tims A.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Part - Geology of the eastern extension of the Fort Hope area

Publication Number: ARV51-03.002 Page: 22-29  Date: 1997

Author: Prest V.K.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Map - Precambrian Geology of the Hudson Bay and James Bay Lowlands Region Interpreted from Aeromagnetic Data-East Sheet

Publication Number: P3598-REV Scale: 1:500,000    Date: 2008

Author: Stott G.M.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Report of Activities 2015, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay North Regional Resident Geologist Report: Thunder Bay North District

Publication Number: OFR6315 Page: 15  Date: 2016

Author: White G.D., Cundari R.M., Brunelle M.R., Pettigrew T.K., Tuomi R.D., Tims A., Debicki R.L.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Report of Activities 2014, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay North Regional Resident Geologist Report: Thunder Bay North District

Publication Number: OFR6302 Page: 16-17  Date: 2015

Author: White G.D., Cundari R.M., Brunelle M.R., Pettigrew T.K., Tims A., Debicki R.L.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Report of Activities 2013, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay North Regional Resident Geologist Report: Thunder Bay North District

Publication Number: OFR6292 Date: 2014

Author: White G.D., Cundari R.M., Tuomi R.D., Brunelle M.R., Debicki R.L., Moses P., Zurevinski S.E.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Report of Activities 2012, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay North Regional Resident Geologist Report: Thunder Bay North District

Publication Number: OFR6284 Page: 29-30  Date: 2013

Author: White G.D., Cundari R.M., Lockwood H.C., Tuomi R.D., Debicki R.L., Moses P., Zurevinski S.E.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Report of Activities 2011, Resident Geologist Program, Thunder Bay North Regional Resident Geologist Report: Thunder Bay North District

Publication Number: OFR6272 Page: 25-26  Date: 2012

Author: White G.D., Smyk M.C., Cooke A., Lockwood H.C., Wilson A.C.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Mineral Deposits of Northern Ontario, North of Latitude 49° 30'

Publication Number: OFR6242 Date: 2009

Author: Stott G.M., Josey S.D.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Compend - Summary of Field Work and Other Activities, 2004

Publication Number: OFR6145 Page: 10-1 to 10-8  Date: 2004

Author: Baker C.L., Debicki E.J., Parker J.R., Kelly R.I., Ayer J.A., Easton R.M.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Publication - A Revised Terrane Map for the Superior Province as Interpreted from Aeromagnetic Data; In: Institute on Lake Superior Geology Proceedings, 53rd Annual Meeting, Lutsen, Minnesota, p. 74-75

Publication Number: ILSG v.53 Date: 2007

Author: Stott, G.M., Corkery, T., Leclair, A., Boily, M. and Percival, J.

Publisher Name: Institute of Lake Superior Geology

Location:

Compend - Summary of Field Work and Other Activities, 2010

Publication Number: OFR6260 Page: 20-1 to 20-10  Date: 2010

Author: Ayer J.A., Easton R.M., Beakhouse G.P., Stott G.M., Kelly R.I., Debicki E.J., Parker J.R., Brown T.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Article - Overview of the Mafic and Ultramafic Intrusions in the Eastern Uchi Domain of the Superior Province, Northern Ontario

Publication Number: OFR6290.51 Date: 2013

Author: Sappin A.-A., Houlé M.G., Lesher C.M., McNicoll V.J.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Operation Fort Hope

Publication Number: MP042 Date: 1970

Author: Thurston P.C., Carter M.W.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs

Location:

Publication - Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposits; In: Mineral Deposits of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposit Types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces, and Exploration Methods

Publication Number: SP5 Page: 141-161  Date: 2007

Author: Galley, A.G., Hannington, M.D. and Jonasson, I.R.

Publisher Name: Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division

Location:

Publication - Technical Report on the Wabassi Property for Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. and CVC Cayman Ventures Corp.

Publication Number: 2012 Tech Rep Date: 2012

Author: Clark, J. G.

Publisher Name:

Location:

Publication - Technical Report on the Exploration of the Wabassi, Wabassi North and Max Mafic-Ultramafic Intrusions

Publication Number: 2010 Tech Rep Date: 2010

Author: Vaillancourt, C. and Bliss, I.

Publisher Name:

Location:

Publication - Technical Report and Initial Resource Estimate on the Wabassi “E” Deposit, Wabassi Property Thunder Bay and Porcupine Mining Divisions Northern Ontario

Publication Number: 2016 Tech Rep Date: 2016

Author: Puritch, E., Burga, D., Yassa, A., and Barry, J.

Publisher Name: P&E Mining Consultants for Wabassi Resources

Location:

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