Ontario Geological Survey
Permanent Link to this Record:
MDI42I15SE00004
| Record Name(s) | James Bay Niobium Project - 2003, Argor Carbonatite - 1965, Consolidated Morrison Property - 1965, Alpha B Anomaly - 1968 |
|---|---|
| Related Record Type | Simple |
| Related Record(s) | |
| Record Status | Developed Prospect With Reported Reserves or Resources |
| Date Created | 1982-Aug-20 |
| Date Last Modified | 2023-Feb-02 |
| Created By | |
| Revised By |
Primary Commodities: Niobium
Secondary Commodities: Apatite (Nonmetals)
Township or Area: West of Marberg Creek Area
Latitude: 50° 50' 23.68" Longitude: -80° 37' 27.8"
UTM Zone: 17 Easting: 526447 Northing: 5632090.01 UTM Datum: NAD83
Resident Geologist District: Timmins
NTS Grid: 42I15SE
Point Location Description: shaft
Location Method: Field Visit with GPS
Access Description: 40 km south of Moose Factory on South Bluff Creek. Access is by air. The shaft is located 230 m east of South Bluff Creek.
1965: Consolidated Morrison Explorations Limited, Goldray Mines Limited completed airborne geophysics, geology, ground geophysics and seismic surveys. 1966: Argor Explorations Limited carried out airborne and ground geophysical surveys. 1966-67- Consolidated Morrison Exploration Limited completed 85 diamond drill holes totaling 47,625 ft, shaft sinking to 133 ft, 90 ft drifting, and a 250 t bulk sample. 1969: Canadian Bechtel completed a Feasibility study (not on file). 1978: Kerr Addison Mines Ltd. completed out 12 diamond drill holes totaling 1374m and downhole geophysics. 2003: Niocan Inc. acquired property from Barrick Gold, James Bay Columbium Ltd. and Exall Resources Ltd. (no work on file). 2016-2017: NioBay Metals Inc. acquired property from Barrick Gold, James Bay Columbium Ltd and Goldcorp Inc. they re-logged and re- assayed historical core samples. 2018: Niobay Metals Inc. completed a technical report and resource calculations. 2020: Niobay Metals Inc. completed a technical report and resource calculations
| Office File Number | Online Assessment File Identifier | Online Assessment File Directory |
|---|---|---|
| T-1904 / 83.1-127 | 42I16NW0006 | 42I16NW0006 |
| T-1232 / 63.2049 | 42I16NW0005 | 42I16NW0005 |
| T-1286 / 63.1961 | 42I15SE0010 | 42I15SE0010 |
Province: Kapuskasing Structural Zone
Geological Age: Mid Precambrian Geochronological Age: 1655 MY Geochron. Age Ref.: P0453 revised
Feb 13, 2017 (D Draper) - The occurrence is part of a Precambrian carbonatite complex. The carbonatite is dike-like and ranges in width from 350 to 800 feet dipping 75 to 85 degrees E with a general strike of N20W. The Precambrian rocks are part of the Kapuskasing Granulite Complex and are overlain by 40 to110 feet of Paleozoic rocks. Aeromagnetic data suggest a major NE-SW trending structure interpreted as a rift fault; the carbonatite occurs at the intersection of this rift with a north-south fault that modifies the strike of the rift.
| Rock Type | Rank | Composition | Texture | Relationship | Dolomite-Carbonatite | 1 | Dolomitic | Host |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pyroxenite | 2 | Pyroxenite - Hornblendite | Near | |
| Carbonatite-Unsubdivided | 3 | Amphibole-Biotite | Near |
Feb 13, 2017 (D Draper) - Sage describes the complex as consisting of pyroxenite-hornblendite, silicocarbonatite, sovite and minor rauhaugite.
Aug 27, 2020 (Sheree Hinz) - The Carbonatite Complex appears to be a dyke-like body with a long axis striking north. The enclosing gneisses are described as mylonitic or augen gneisses. The main pyrochlore-bearing phases of the Carbonatite Complex include lineated dolomitic carbonatite, calcite-dolomite carbonatite breccia, massive calcite-dolomite carbonatite, and “crushed” dolomitic carbonatite.
| Rank | Mineral Name | Class | Economic Mineral Type | Alteration Mineral Type | Alteration Ranking | Alteration Intensity | Alteration Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyrochlore | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 2 | Columbite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 3 | Apatite | Economic | Ore | ||||
| 1 | Dolomite | Economic | Gangue | ||||
| 2 | Riebeckite | Economic | Gangue | ||||
| 3 | Phlogopite | Economic | Gangue | ||||
| 4 | Magnetite | Economic | Gangue | ||||
| 5 | Hematite | Economic | Gangue | ||||
| 6 | Martite | Economic | Gangue | ||||
| 7 | Molybdenite | Economic | Gangue |
Dec 07, 2005 (D Draper) - The carbonatite consists mainly of: dolomite, 60-80%; apatite 5-15% (an abundant accessory mineral in the complex); riebeckite 5-10%; phlogopite 5-10%; titanifierous magnetite 2-15% and pyrochlore. Another phase of the carbonatite forms bands 20ft wide consisting mainly of calcite with associated apatite and phlogopite and little pyrochlore. Nb mineralization is mainly pyrochlore but columbite occurs as well on the eastern side of the occurrence in a zone of crushed (brecciated) dolomitic carbonatite 50 - 200ft wide. Here, it is pseudomorphic after pyrochlore and the magnetite has altered to hematite. Values as high as 1.7% Nb were obtained from whole rock analysis of the sovite. Rare earth minerals are lacking, as are radioactive minerals. Molybdenite in discrete grains was noted within the crushed dolomite zone, and zircon crystals observed. Sovite samples analyzed by Sage gave zirconium values up to 1%. (MRC 14; Study 41).
Nov 16, 2012 (A Wilson) - A Niocan press release indicates that the deposit is outlined to a depth of 900 feet; and large mineralized reserves were defined, including a high-grade section containing 10,000 tons per vertical foot grading 0.82% Nb2O5. Typical assays from the Consolidated Morrison drilling returned values ranging from 0.02 to 1.28 % Cb2O5. Average assays for the drilling were approximately 0.49% Cb2O5 The magnetic anomaly has a strike length of approximately 7800 feet. Pyrochlore and minor columbite were found to extend only between drill sections 800 S and 4000N (a length of 4800 ft). and across horizontal widths of up to 800 ft.
Aug 27, 2020 (Sheree Hinz) - Significant pyrochlore mineralization occurs only in sodium and magnesium-rich phases of the carbonatite. The highest-grade mineralization occurs in a mixed dolomite-calcite host. The pure dolomitic host produces intermediate grades and pure calcite is normally low in grade or barren. The columbite occurs along the eastern side of the complex over a strike length of 120 m in the crushed dolomitic carbonatite. The columbite is totally or partially pseudomorphic after pyrochlore. The columbite does not appear to be restricted to any one rock unit, however, it does appear to be related to fracturing and hematitic alteration. Pale green fluor-variety of apatite is universally present in all rock units within the carbonatite-pyroxenite complex.
| Commodity | Analytical Method | Digestion Method | Result | Unit | Limit | Qualifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Unknown | .13 | % | Al2O3 | ||
| Calcium | Unknown | 28.085 | % | CaO | ||
| Iron | Unknown | 9.87 | % | Fe2O3 | ||
| Magnesium | Unknown | 13.27 | % | MgO | ||
| Magnesium Minerals | Unknown | 13.27 | % | |||
| Manganese | Unknown | .956 | % | MnO | ||
| Phosphate | Unknown | 2.714 | % | P2O5 | ||
| Potassium | Unknown | .05 | % | K2O | ||
| Silica | Unknown | 1.78 | % | SiO2 | ||
| Sodium | Unknown | .2 | % | Na2O | ||
| Titanium | Unknown | .04 | % | TiO2 |
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| 1 | Magmatic |
| Rank | Characteristic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Disseminated |
| Shape | Length | Thickness | Depth | Strike | Dip | Plunge | Trend | Age | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 900 | 180 | 270 | 20 | 75 | 60 | 360 | 1655 MY | CJES Vol.4, No.4, p.651-655, 1967 |
Date: Oct 18, 2012
Geologist: B Atkinson
Notes: The Argor Carbonatite Complex bulk sample site is located 230 m east of Southbluff Creek at UTM 526446E, 5632086N. A 15 m high wooden head frame lay toppled southward from the water filled shaft. The small pile of dump rock on the east side of the shaft area contained abundant sovite with a dark brown weathering rind and varying amounts of pyrochlore, magnetite, apatite, biotite, phlogopite and acicular black amphibole. A collection of samples were obtained from the dump rock for analyses and archival purposes for the Timmins Resident Geologist Office.
| Zone | Year | Category | Tonnes | Reference | Comments | Commodities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main | 2020 | Inferred Mineral Resource | 33800000 | Niobay Metals Inc. NI 43-101 from SEDAR | 0.52% Nb2O5; 17700000 kg of contained Nb2O5 | Niobium 0.52 Percent |
| Main | 2020 | Indicated Mineral Resource | 29700000 | Niobay Metals Inc. NI 43-101 from SEDAR | 0.52% Nb2O5; 17700000 kg of contained Nb2O5 | Niobium 0.52 Percent |
| Main | 2018 | Indicated Mineral Resource | 28800000 | Niobay Metals Inc. NI 43-101 from SEDAR | 0.53% Nb2O5 | Niobium 0.53 Percent |
| Main | 2017 | Indicated Mineral Resource | 25500000 | Niobay Metals Inc. NI 43-101 from SEDAR | 0.53% Nb2O5 | Niobium 0.53 Percent |
| Main | 1971 | Unclassified | 62992000 | OGS Study 41, p. 25 | incl. hi-grade zone 9072 tonne per vertical foot averaging 0.82% Nb205 | Niobium .52 Percent |
Map - Aeromagnetic maps of carbonatite-alkalic complexes in Ontario
Publication Number: P0452-REV Scale: 1:4,224,000 Date: 1997
Author: Satterly J.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs
Location:
Publication - The James Bay Pyrochlore Deposit, in CIM Bulletin, vol. 65, no. 722
Publication Number: CIM Bull vol.65 Page: 61-69 Date: 1972
Author: Stockford, H.R.
Publisher Name: Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
Location: Timmins RGO Tech Paper File
Book - Consolidated Morrison newsclipping file, June/65 to Jan/80
Publication Number: clippings Date: 1980
Author: The Northern Miner
Publisher Name:
Location: Timmins RGO
Map - Moosonee sheet, geological compilation series, Cochrane District
Publication Number: M2171 Scale: 1:253,440 Date: 1969
Author: Bennett G., Brown D.D., George P.T., Guillet G.R.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Map - Capreol sheet, districts of Sudbury and Nipissing, geological compilation series
Publication Number: P0367 Scale: 1:126,720 Date: 1997
Author: Meyn H.D.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines
Location:
Map - Mineral deposits map: niobium and tantalum in Canada
Publication Number: Map 1354A Scale: 1:5,000,000 Date: 1973
Author: Dawson, K R
Publisher Name: Geological Survey of Canada
Location: https://doi.org/10.4095/109086
MonoMap - Columbium (niobium) deposits of Ontario
Publication Number: MDC014 Page: 33-35 Date: 1971
Author: Ferguson S.A.
Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs
Location:
Mono - Industrial minerals of northern Ontario
Publication Number: MDC026 Page: 120 Date: 1985
Author: Vos M.A., Abolins T., McKnight R.L.W., Smith V.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Thesis - The Generation, Crystallization and Differentiation of Carbonatite Magmas: Evidence from the Argor and Cargill Complexes, Ontario
Publication Number: PhD Thesis Date: 1983
Author: Twyman, J.D.
Publisher Name: University of Toronto
Location: Timmins RGP Office
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1970-71
Publication Number: CMH 1970-71 Page: 105 Date: 1971
Author: Northern Miner Press
Publisher Name: Northern Miner Press
Location: Timmins RGO
Book - Canadian Mines Handbook 1967-68
Publication Number: CMH 1967-68 Page: 94 Date: 1968
Author: Northern Miner Press
Publisher Name: Northern Miner Press
Location: Timmins RGO
Mono - Geology of carbonatite-alkalic rock complexes in Ontario: Argor carbonatite complex, District of Cochrane
Publication Number: S041 Date: 1988
Author: Sage R.P.
Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey
Location:
Publication - Niobium (columbium) and tantalum in Canada; Geological Survey of Canada, Economic Geology Report 29
Publication Number: GSC EGR 29 Page: 42-45 Date: 1974
Author: Dawson, K.R.
Publisher Name: Geological Survey of Canada
Location: https://doi.org/10.4095/103996
Book - Niocan Inc.
Publication Number: clippings Date: 2003
Author:
Publisher Name:
Location: Timmins RGO
Book - Technical Report on the James Bay Niobium Project, Cochrane District, Northeastern Ontario, Canada (NI 43-101)
Publication Number: Date: 2017
Author: D. El Rassi, P. Chamois
Publisher Name: Niobay Metals Inc.
Location: SEDAR
Book - Technical Report on the James Bay Niobium Project, Cochrane District, Northeastern Ontario, Canada (NI 43-101)
Publication Number: Date: 2018
Author: D. El Rassi, P. Chamois
Publisher Name: Niobay Metals Inc.
Location: SEDAR
Book - Technical Report on the James Bay Niobium Project, Cochrane District, Northeastern Ontario, Canada (NI 43-101)
Publication Number: Date: 2020
Author: D. El Rassi
Publisher Name: Niobay Metals Inc.
Location: SEDAR
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