Ontario Mineral Inventory

Ontario Geological Survey
Permanent Link to this Record: MDI52F11NW00002

Record: MDI52F11NW00002

General

Commodities

Primary Commodities: Soapstone

Secondary Commodities: Talc

Location

Township or Area: Garnet Bay Area

Latitude: 49° 40' 8.06"    Longitude: -93° 19' 14.65"

UTM Zone: 15    Easting: 476856.313   Northing: 5501868.489    UTM Datum: NAD83

Resident Geologist District: Kenora

NTS Grid: 52F11NW

Point Location Description: Quarry

Location Method: Conversion from MDI

Access Description: The quarry is located16.5 km southwest of the village of Eagle River. It is on the southwest shore of Eagle Lake, west of Prendible Island on claim K590013. The site is accessible by water. A boat can be launched from any number of sites on the north shore of Eagle Lake which can be reached via good roads leading south from the Trans-Canada Highway.

Exploration History

In the early 1920's, the Grace Mining manager, W.J. Richards of Kenora, discovered the soapstone unit on the mine property while prospecting in the area. When the gold mine failed, the company developed the soapstone quarry. The company became known as Eagle Lake Soapstone Mines Ltd. 1924 - 95 tons of soapstone were reported to have been prepared for market (Rogers and Young 1926a). One shipment of 40 blocks, each 12 by 12 by 18 inches (30 by 30 by 40 cm), for Kraft mill furnace linings was reported. At this time the plant installed at the quarry site consisted of two boilers, a two drill Ingersol-Rand air compressor, a derrick and hoist, a Sullivan channelling machine and a gang saw (Sutherland et al 1926a). 1925 - 64 tons (3 carloads) of soapstone were sawn and sold to the Dryden paper mill (Rogers and Young 192262b; Sutherland et al 1926b). Additional equipment installed at the quarry included two more Pollard gang saws which had been used in cutting the marble for the parliament buildings in Winnipeg. A 75 foot steamer (tug) and 50 foot barge were also acquired for the operation. (The Daily Times-Journal, July 7, 1925). Buildings on the property included a bunkhouse, cook-house, office, managers house, and mill building. (Sutherland et al 1926b) 1926 - 110 tons of soapstone were sawn and sold to Ontario pulp mills (Rogers and Young 1928). The quarry and plant operated during the summer months (Sutherland et al 1928). 1927 - 135 tons of soapstone were sawn and sold to pulp and paper mills at Dryden and Winnipeg (Rogers and Young 1929). Operations had ceased by July (Sutherland et al 1928). No further production by the Grace Mining Company is reported. 1981 - Frank Thorgrimson was issued a quarry permit encompassing the old quarry and waste dumpsites. Small amounts of stone have bees extracted annually from the waste material at the site for carving proposes. Produced 174 ton from 1925-1926. Produced Thorgrimson Stone 547.5 tons from 1993-2000.

Geology

Province: Superior

Subprovince: Wabigoon

Geological Age: Archean  

Geology Comments

Dec 07, 2005 (R Degagne) - The geology of the area was mapped by Moorhouse (1941) and is shown on Figure 8. The soapstone deposit had been described by Spence (1928, 1940), Moorhouse (1941), Storey (1986), Reddin (in press), and Kennedy and Sherlock (1989). The soapstone unit occurs within felsic to intermediate metavolcanics and is enclosed in a talc-chlorite schist. The metavolcanics are layered and appear to be fragmental. The schistosity is 060 degrees dipping steeply to the south or vertical. The soapstone unit also strikes 060 degrees to 065 degrees. It seems to be limited to a small area and is poorly exposed. The soapstone could not be traced along strike inland (southwest) further than 40 m, similar units (talc-chlorite schist) were found on the islands that occur approximately 600 m along strike to the northwest. Storey (1986) described the unit as 30 m wide by up to 180 m in length and possibly lensoidal in character.

Lithology

Lithology Comments

Dec 07, 2005 (R Degagne) - The soapstone is dark grey to grey-green in colour and soft. It is fine grained. Narrow, brown, ion-carbonate veins cut the soapstone. In some cases, coarse-grained pale-green talc in developed within the veins. Slickensided surfaces within the soapstone are covered with a dark green material, apparently chlorite and/or serpentine. Only occasional joints or fractures were observed within the quarry. The outcrop at the shore line is very fractured with a fracture spacing of 15 cm common. The size of the sawn blocks at the site would indicate that the fracturing of jointing within the deposit is widely spaced. The mineralogy of the soapstone as determined by X-ray diffraction analysis is shown below: Talc 50%, Chlorite 30%, Serpentine <5%, Dolomite 10%, Magnesite -, Magnetite <5%, Epidote <5%. (Geoscience laboratories, Ontario Geological Survey, MNDM) This agrees with analyses reported in Storey (1986) and from thin section observations made by Moorhouse (1941). THERMAL TESTS: (from Redden in Press) (tests performed by Geoscience Laboratories, OGS, MNDM) A - 500?C % weight loss - 0.11 (Note 1,2,4,6). B - 1050?C % weight loss - 10.97 (Note 1,3,5,6). Notes: 1. block size approx. 2.5 x 5 x 5 cm. 2. blocks heated at 500 degrees C for 3 hours. 3. blocks heated at 500 degrees C then raised to 1050 degrees over 2 hours, maintained at 1050 degrees for 2 hours then left for 13 hours at 800 degrees. 4. colour changed from initial dull green to dull grey. 5. colour changed from initial dull green to a combination of light brown and dull orange/red. 6. hairline shrinkage cracks with random orientations appeared in most samples. no spalling or disintegration. no visible changes in dimensions. Redden also tested small (3-8 cm) pieces of the soapstone in place of lava rock in a propane barbecue and lar

Mineralization

Mineralization Comments

Dec 07, 2005 (R Degagne) - TEST RESULTS: Specific Gravity: 2.88. Chemical Analysis: Sample 1: 43.20 SiO2, -- TiO2, 6.74 Al2O3, 3.51 Fe2O3, 7.95 FeO, -- MnO, 27.64 MgO, 1.30 CaO, -- Na2O, -- K2O, -- P2O5, 1.95 CO2, -- S, 7.80 H2O+, -- H2O-, 100.09 Total, -- LOI. Sample 2: 40.30 SiO2, 0.38 TiO2, 5.94 Al2O3, 4.15 Fe2O3, 8.15 FeO, 0.07 MnO, 27.20 MgO, 2.71 CaO, 0.0 Na2O, 0.01 K2O, 0.04 P2O5, 4.19 CO2, 0.06S, 6.19 H2O+, 0.0 H2O-, 99.40 Total, 10.00 LOI. Sample 3: 38.40 SiO2, 0.32 TiO2, 7.14 Al2O3, 5.10 Fe2O3, 7.65 FeO, 0.11 MnO, 26.70 MgO, 2.884 CaO, 0.02 Na2O, 0.01 K2O, 0.04 P2O5, 4.17 CO2, 0.06 S, 7.10 H2O+, 0.10 H2O-, 99.80 Total, 10.90 LOI. Sample 4: 37.50 SiO2, 0.36 TiO2, 5.15 Al2O3, 13.10 Fe2O3, -- FeO, 0.14 MnO, 26.70 MgO, 4.32 CaO, 0.0 Na2O, 0.0 K2O, 0.06 P2O5, 6.30 CO2, 0.07 S, -- H2O+, -- H2O-, 93.70 Total, 12.301 LOI. Spence (1940)2. Redden (in Press)3. Geoscience Laboratories, Ontario Geological Survey, MNDM-1984. Geoscience Laboratories, Ontario Geological Survey, MNDM-1989Note: Total Fe expressed as Fe2O3; Fe, H2O+, H2O- not determined.THERMAL TESTS: (from Redden in Press) (tests performed by Geoscience Laboratories, OGS, MNDM) A - 500?C % weight loss - 0.1. B - 1050?C %weight loss - 10.97

Mineral Record Details

Mineral Zones - Size and Shape

Site Visit Information

Date: Feb 24, 1997

Geologist: R Degagne

Notes: CARVING TESTS: 1. The soapstone from Eagle Lake was determined to be somewhat hard for the carving technique employed by Stone Studio Siku Inc. of Perry Sound, Ontario (B. Krummrei, Stone Studio Siku Inc., personal communication, 1989). 2. Results of test carving by Brian Clark of Edmonton are reported in Redden (in press). They are as follows: a) The soapstone is harder than any other soapstone carved thus far. It takes much more time during the carving stage. Over 15 hours were taken in the initial carving and polishing. An additional 4 hours were used for oiling and finishing. b.) The rock is too hard for normal soapstone tools, i.e. rasp, files. Carbide shaping tools with an electric drill were found to be most effective. 3.The texture is similar to typical soapstone materials. The soapstone holds together well, the texture is fairly massive and therefore the stone does not exhibit a significant metamorphic foliation. This ... lack of schistosity is very important for sculptors. The dust is dark compared to the commonly white-grey dust of soapstone. 4. The rock has fairly uniform physical quality; it has a few very local hard spots. No pyrite or other metallic minerals were noted. 5. The soapstone is a dense rock and doesn't undercut (spall) upon working, which is typical of most other soapstones. From this aspect the soapstone is of superior quality. 6. The soapstone polishes quickly; wet 240 and 400 sandpaper was used. 7. Overall the soapstone is nice and satisfying to work with allowing a fair amount of detain to be incorporated into a carving. From several points of view, the soapstone appears to be superior to many other soapstones presently available to sculptors. 3. F. Thorgrimson of Keewatin carves a variety of items from the Eagle Lake soapstone including ceremonial pipes, amulets, birds, etc.

References

Part - Geology of the Eagle Lake area

Publication Number: ARV48-04 Date: 1997

Author: Moorhouse W.W.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Mono - Talc in Ontario

Publication Number: IMR040 Page: 44-45  Date: 1998

Author: Hewitt D.F.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines and Northern Affairs

Location:

Mono - Building and ornamental stone inventory in the districts of Kenora and Rainy River

Publication Number: MDC027 Page: 93-95  Date: 1986

Author: Storey C.C.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Soapstone in Ontario

Publication Number: OFR5764 Date: 1991

Author: Gerow M.C., Sherlock E.J., Bellinger J.A.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Article - Northwestern Region Industrial Minerals Program - 1988

Publication Number: MP142.008 Page: 157-158  Date: 1997

Author: Kennedy M.C., Sherlock E.J.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Industrial Minerals Project, Sioux Lookout-Dryden Area, Parts of Kenora and Patricia Mining Divisions

Publication Number: OFR5766 Date: 1993

Author: Redden J.W.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Mono - Industrial minerals of northern Ontario-supplement 1

Publication Number: OFR5388 Page: 132-133  Date: 1982

Author: Vos M.A., Abolins T., Smith V.

Publisher Name: Ontario Geological Survey

Location:

Part - Statistical review of Ontario's mineral industry in 1924

Publication Number: ARV34-01.001 Date: 1997

Author: Rogers W.R., Young A.C.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Part - Statistical review of Ontario's mineral industry in 1925

Publication Number: ARV35-01.001 Date: 1997

Author: Rogers W.R., Young A.C.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Part - Statistical review of Ontario's mineral industry in 1926

Publication Number: ARV36-01.001 Date: 1997

Author: Rogers W.R., Young A.C.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Part - Statistical review of Ontario's mineral industry in 1927

Publication Number: ARV37-01.001 Date: 1998

Author: Rogers W.R., Young A.C.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Publication - The Canadian Soapstone Industry; In: Investigations of mineral resources and the mining industry, 1926; Canada Mines Branch, Publication 687

Publication Number: CMB Pub 687 Page: 19-24  Date: 1928

Author: Spence, H.S.

Publisher Name: Canada Mines Branch

Location: https://doi.org/10.4095/19858

Publication - Talc, steatite, and soapstone; pyrophyllite; Canada Mines Branch, Publication 803

Publication Number: CMB Pub 803 Date: 1940

Author: Spence, H.S.

Publisher Name: Canada Mines Branch

Location: https://doi.org/10.4095/307947

Part - Mines of Ontario in 1924

Publication Number: ARV34-01.003 Date: 1997

Author: Sutherland T.F., McMillan J.G., Bartlett J., Cole G.E., Webster A.R.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Part - Mines of Ontario in 1925

Publication Number: ARV35-01.004 Date: 1997

Author: Sutherland T.F., McMillan J.G., Sinclair D.G., Cole G.E., Webster A.R.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

Part - Mines of Ontario in 1926

Publication Number: ARV36-01.004 Date: 1997

Author: Sutherland T.F., McMillan J.G., Sinclair D.G., Cole G.E., Webster A.R.

Publisher Name: Ontario Dept. of Mines

Location:

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For detailed information regarding this mineral record please contact the Kenora Resident Geologist District Office