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Geology Seminar Series - Ms. Shelby Brandt, University of Regina - Structural Context of Gold Mineralization in the Santoy Gap Hanging Wall Deposit

Wed., Mar. 23, 2022 4:00 p.m. - Wed., Mar. 23, 2022 5:00 p.m.

Location: https://uregina-ca.zoom.us/j/95540589678?pwd=ZHNWWEsrQmtKYm1Xb1o4Z1U5aXRJQT09

Speaker: Shelby Brandt (MSc student; University of Regina)
Title: Structural Context of Gold Mineralization in the Santoy Gap Hanging Wall Deposit, Seabee Property Area, Central Glennie Domain, Reindeer Zone, Saskatchewan, Canada
Abstract: Currently, the only producing gold mine in Saskatchewan is SSR Mining’s Santoy Mine situated within the Pine Lake Greenstone Belt in the central Glennie Domain. This is a structurally controlled, Paleoproterozoic, orogenic gold deposit situated along the Santoy splay of the Tabbernor fault. While the Tabbernor fault appears to have acted as a conduit for auriferous fluids to flow, it is remains unclear how polyphase folding in units surrounding this fault influenced mineralization. This thesis aims to better define the structural controls on mineralization of the Gap Hanging Wall deposit at Santoy mine and evaluate how the deposit formed in relation to the complex structural evolution of the Glennie Domain. The thesis comprises two main components: a broad-scale analysis of the structural geology of the central Glennie Domain, coupled with detailed mapping and 3D modelling of the Gap Hanging Wall deposit. The latter (detailed analysis) will be presented in this talk.

The Gap Hanging Wall deposit is hosted in an apophysis off the northern edge of the tonalitic Lizard Lake pluton. Said apophysis is folded by F3 on a 25-50 m scale with folds oriented about 37-353 hingeline. An initial cubic model measuring ~800m on each side was created in Leapfrog GeoTM using lithologs to identify hangingwall and footwall contacts of the Lizard Lake pluton. A supplementary, more detailed model was also created which focused on the deposit’s exposure at depth (440 and 460m below surface). By adding Au assay results, a numeric model was created which shows gold distribution within the pluton.

Additional data including level plans, hand samples, thin sections, assay results, and upwards of 300 structural measurements were all considered in the context of the models to draw conclusions about the timing, mechanics, and structural controls of gold mineralization in this deposit. This talk examines the possible mechanics of veining as well as the orientation and abundance of veining in relation to the folded apophysis. This talk also describes the distribution of gold mineralization, associated alteration package, and the structural setting of the deposit within the larger Santoy shear zone.