ORIGIN AND OCCURRENCE OF PLATINUM GROUP ELEMENTS, GOLD AND SILVER IN THE SOUTH FILSON CREEK COPPER-NICKEL MINERAL

DEPOSIT, LAKE COUNTY, MINNESOTA by Mary Jo P. Kuhns, Steven A. Hauck and Randal J. Barnes*

March, 1990 Technical Report NRRI/GMIN-TR-89-15

Funded by the Greater Minnesota Corporation

Natural Resources Research Institute University of Minnesota, Duluth 5013 Miller Trunk Highway Duluth, Minnesota 55811

*Dept. Civil and Min. Engineering University of Minnesota 500 Pillsbury Drive S.E. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

ABSTRACT

The South Filson Creek Cu-Ni-PGE-Au-Ag mineral occurrence is located on the western margin of the Duluth Complex in Lake County, northeastern Minnesota. The

occurrence of primary magmatic and late-stage, structurally controlled mineralization is located in the South Kawishiwi intrusion of the Duluth Complex, approximately 2200 feet above the basal contact. The primary host rock for the mineralization is a medium-grained augite troctolite. Petrographic studies indicate that there were at least two episodes of

mineralization. Deposition of primary, coarse-grained, interstitial pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite occurred in "cloud zones". Primary mineralization was followed by the

introduction of hydrothermal fluids along fracture zones, as evidenced by the formation of hydrous minerals, sulfide replacement textures and geochemical signatures suggestive of remobilization. These late-stage fluids deposited secondary sulfides at redox boundaries

created by the primary sulfides. The secondary assemblage includes chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, digenite, covellite, violarite, sphalerite, mackinawite, valleriite, and the platinum group minerals, all which occur in extremely fine, discontinuous veinlets that are rarely recognizable in hand specimen. The veinlets were created by hydrofracturing of silicate

minerals due to a volume increase initiated by serpentinization of olivine. These veinlets are always proximal to highly serpentinized fractures and are possibly associated with a proposed NE-trending fault zone along the south branch of Filson Creek. The copper-nickel ratio for the deposit is about 3:1. Platinum + palladium correlates with high copper and sulfur. Also, high inter-element correlation between Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt and Au suggests that secondary enrichment of these elements is local in extent and related to faulting and redox boundaries. Statistical analysis suggests, given the available data, that infill drilling could discover a significant quantity of mineralization. The alteration assemblage associated with the secondary mineralization is serpentine, biotite, stilpnomelane, iddingsite, chlorite, sericite, and clay minerals. The alteration is very i

subtle and is best recognized in thin section. Both alteration and mineralized zones range in thickness from less than one foot to 90 feet.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i LIST OF FIGURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

LIST OF PLATES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi LIST OF TABLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIST OF APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REGIONAL GEOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GEOPHYSICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MINERALOGY AND TEXTURAL RELATIONSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ROCK FORMING MINERALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plagioclase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clinopyroxene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Orthopyroxene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apatite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OXIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ilmenite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Magnetite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SULFIDE MINERALIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pyrrhotite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pentlandite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chalcopyrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cubanite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SECONDARY SULFIDES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chalcopyrite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Talnakhite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bornite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Digenite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chalcocite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Covellite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Violarite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mackinawite and Valleriite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Secondary Minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sperrylite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ALTERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SERPENTINE/MICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARGILLIC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii vii viii 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 12 13 13 13 13 17 17 18

HEMATITE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GREENSCHIST ASSEMBLAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GEOCHEMISTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELEMENTAL RATIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GEOCHEMICAL PLOTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RARE-EARTH ELEMENT (REE) CHONDRITE PLOT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PGE CHONDRITE PLOTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHEMICAL REACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SULFUR ISOTOPES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GEOSTATISTICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DATA SUMMARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drilling Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inter-Variable Correlations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Observations and Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GROSS ECONOMIC AUXILIARY VARIABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Creating the Auxiliary Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary Statistics for the Auxiliary Variable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPATIAL STATISTICS AND GEOLOGIC CONTINUITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Variogram Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Other Observations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GEOSTATISTICAL CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CONCLUSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BENEFITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

18 18 20 20 22 23 24 25 27 28 28 28 28 29 30 32 32 32 34 34 34 35 36 41 42 43 48 55

APPENDIX C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . floppy diskette

iv

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7.

Location of map of Cu-Ni mineral deposits in the Duluth Complex .............................................................. 1 Probable location of PGE-bearing fracture zones, South Filson Creek Cu-Ni-precious metal prospect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Rock classification chart for mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Duluth Complex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Drill hole and cross-section location map, South Filson Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Photomicrograph of secondary sulfide veinlets cross-cutting primary chalcopyrite, reflected light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Photomicrograph of sperrylite grain replacing chalcopyrite in serpentine pocket, reflected light, crossed polars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Photomicrograph of biotite (light brown) and stilpnomelane (redbrown) rimming primary sulfide grain (black), plane polarized light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Photomicrograph of titanite (sphene) crystal forming from actinolite groundmass, crossed polars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Paragenetic diagram of sulfide, oxide, and alteration mineralogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Geochemical plots of South Filson Creek data: A. Percent Cu vs. percent Ni; B. Pt vs. Pd; C. Pd vs. Ir; D. Pt+Pd vs. Ru+Ir+Os . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Geochemical plots of South Filson Creek data (cont.): A. Pt+Pd vs. log percent Cu; B. Pd vs. log percent Ni; C. Pt+Pd vs. Cu/(Cu+S); D. Pt+Pd vs. percent S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 REE chondrite plot of samples from the mineralized zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 PGE chondrite plot. A. South Filson Creek samples; B. Comparison with other PGE occurrences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Schematic diagram of the relationship of serpentinized fracture zones to mineralization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Location map of petrological samples collected at South Filson Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 8. Figure 9. Figure 10.

Figure 11.

Figure 12. Figure 13. Figure 14. Figure 15.

LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1.

South Filson Creek Cross-section A-A' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back pocket

Plate 2.

South Filson Creek Cross-section B-B' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back pocket

Plate 3.

South Filson Creek Cross-section C-C' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back pocket

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1A. Table 1B. Table 2.

Average Composition of Sperrylite, South Filson Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Composition in Modal Percent for Sperrylite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pt/Pt+Pd and Cu/Cu+Ni Ratios for Major PGE-Bearing Deposits and the South Filson Creek Deposit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 High Grade PGE-Au-Ag and Cu-Ni Mineralization at South Filson Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Summary Statistics for the South Filson Creek Data Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Estimated Inter-Variable Correlations for the South Filson Creek Data Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Mean & Median "Background" Metal Values for the Cloud Zone Sulfides at South Filson Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Summary Statistics for the Gross Economic Variable with the South Filson Creek Data Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Examples of Possible Hydrothermally-Related PGE Deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Identification of Drill Holes Used in the Geostatistical Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Samples Used to Estimate "Background" Metal Values in Sulfides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Table 3.

Table 4. Table 5.

Table 6.

Table 7.

Table 8. Table 9. Table 10.

vii

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A:

Petrographic Descriptions of Samples Collected in Section 36, T. 62 N., R. 11 W. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Geostatistical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Geochemical and Assay Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . floppy diskette

Appendix B: Appendix C:

viii

INTRODUCTION

The South Filson Creek prospect is located in SE 1/4, SW 1/4, Section 25, T. 62 N., R. 11 W., in Lake County, Minnesota (Fig. 1). The prospect is accessed from the Spruce

Road by a three-quarter mile south-trending dirt trail that becomes impassable approximately one-quarter mile north of the prospect. property by Previous copper-nickel exploration was done on the

Figure 1. Location map of Cu-Ni mineral deposits in the Duluth Complex.

Hanna Mining Company in the late 1960s. immediate vicinity of South Filson Creek (Appendix A).

Twenty-four drill holes are located in the

These holes outline sporadic, disseminated

copper-nickel mineralization of low to moderate grade (up to 87.5 feet of 1.24% copper + nickel), the continuity and extent of which could not be established. American Copper &

Nickel Company, Inc., a subsidiary of INCO, recently (1988) leased the property from the U. S. Forest Service. In 1987, in light of recent discoveries of platinum group element (PGE) values in other rocks of the Duluth Complex, the Natural Resources Research Institute analyzed the M. A. Hanna drill core (Hauck, 1988, unpubl. data) for precious metals based upon preliminary data and conclusions of Morton and Hauck (1987). When encouraging values (10s of feet with

>1 ppm Pd) were returned, the current project and two others were submitted to the Greater Minnesota Corporation to study the occurrence and distribution of the PGE minerals in three Duluth Complex copper-nickel deposits (South Filson Creek, Water Hen, and Dunka Road). An understanding of the resultant model of this mineralized system could then be applied to other parts of the Duluth Complex. The aim of this project was to: 1) describe and model the occurrence of the South Filson Creek mineralization; 2) apply this knowledge to other deposits in the Duluth Complex; and 3) demonstrate the potential economic value of these data for precious metal mineral exploration in the Duluth Complex.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was funded by a grant from the Greater Minnesota Corporation, whose support is gratefully acknowledged. The M.A. Hanna Company graciously provided unlimited access to its core. We would also like to extend our thanks for the logistical support provided by the University of Minnesota Department of Geology and Geophysics, the Minnesota 2

Geological Survey, and the Mineral Resources Research Center. Dr. Penelope Morton was an invaluable resource for ore microscopy consultation.

REGIONAL GEOLOGY

The Duluth Complex is a large mafic intrusion of Keweenawan age (1.1 Ga) in northeastern Minnesota. Rocks of the Duluth Complex are exposed in a large, arcuate belt that extends from Duluth, north toward Ely, and then northeast toward Hovland (Fig. 1). The Duluth Complex rocks are generally divided into an older anorthositic series and a younger troctolitic series. The anorthositic series rocks are all plagioclase cumulates, some of which are found as inclusions in the underlying troctolites. The troctolitic series is made up of

several bodies (Foose and Weiblen, 1986; Weiblen and Morey, 1980; Severson, 1988; Severson and Hauck, 1990): 1) the Bald Eagle intrusion (an outer troctolite surrounding a core of olivine gabbro); 2) the South Kawishiwi intrusion (an augite troctolite unit below an upper troctolite unit); and 3) the Partridge River intrusion (augite troctolite and troctolite with subordinate amounts of olivine gabbro, anorthositic troctolite, and picrite). In the northern and western part of the Duluth Complex, large resources of copper-nickel have been identified at the base of the troctolitic series, just above the footwall contact with the country rocks. Additional potential copper-nickel resources have been located in "cloud zones", which are copper-rich areas of mineralization located 300 to 500 meters above the basal zone mineralization. Cloud zone mineralization has been described by several authors, including Ripley (1986) and Ervin (1987). The South Filson Creek deposit is one of the cloud zone mineralized zones. The

deposit occurs within the troctolitic series rocks of the South Kawishiwi intrusion (SKI; Green, et al, 1966; Phinney 1969). Work by Foose and Weiblen (1986) characterizes the SKI as a plagioclase-olivine cumulate containing minor interstitial augite, oxides, and biotite. Modal

layering is not common in the SKI and is absent at South Filson Creek. The mineralization at South Filson Creek occurs in an augite-troctolite subunit within a generally sulfide-free troctolite (Foose and Weiblen, 1986), at least 500 meters above the basal contact with the Archean (2.7 Ga) Giants Range Batholith (Fig. 1). 4

STRUCTURE

The large scale structure in the South Filson Creek area is poorly understood at this time and no major structural features have been mapped. However, fractures and shear

zones in the core, joint measurements, and topographical lineaments suggest that there is a major northeast-trending, northwest-dipping fault (South Filson Creek Fault) along South Filson Creek (Fig. 2). Fracturing and alteration both increase toward the South Filson Creek. A major, steeply dipping structure is encountered near the bottom of drill holes K-21 and K-18 (Plate 1). This structure consists of over 30 feet of highly sheared and brecciated augite troctolite.

Figure 2. Probable location of PGE-bearing fracture zones, South Filson Creek Cu-Niprecious metal prospect. Numerous narrow, serpentine-filled fractures dominate the core in the mineralized zones. Fractures exhibit preferred orientations of 70, 55, and 20 degrees to the core angle. 5

These areas of serpentinization define two larger fracture zones (Fig. 2), one trending north and the other trending northwest. These mineralized fracture zones may be conjugate structures to the proposed South Filson Creek Fault. Microscopically, plagioclase grains show signs of strain, especially in drill holes near the creek. Plagioclase displays undulatory extinction, diffuse twin planes, and bent grains, especially when in close proximity to chloritic and serpentine fractures.

GEOPHYSICS

The South Filson Creek area has a distinctive geophysical signature.

The

aeromagnetic map of the 7 1/2-minute Gabbro Lake SW quadrangle (Minnesota Geological Survey aeromagnetic map series) shows a well-defined, northeast-trending magnetic low centered on the South Filson Creek area. This low may be the result of a zone of "normal" troctolite sandwiched between troctolite zones containing high amounts of magnetite (V. Chandler, pers. comm., 1989), or could be a signature of a major northeast-trending structure with associated alteration and primary magnetite destruction.

MINERALOGY AND TEXTURAL RELATIONSHIPS

A total of 341 thin and polished sections were studied for this project. Twenty-one drill holes were logged, thirteen of them in detail. Rock types were defined using the classification shown in Figure 3. The most abundant rock types were augite troctolite and anorthositic troctolite, with gabbro, gabbroic anorthosite, anorthositic gabbro, Figure 3. Rock classification chart for mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Duluth Complex. (after Phinney, 1972) and anorthosite as subordinate

lithologies. Coarse-grained, pegmatitic variations of these units were also present. Several

samples of peridotite and feldspathic peridotite were also present in the deep drill hole K-1 (Fig. 4). Late stage, felsic dikes made up a very small portion of the section.

Figure 4. Drill hole and cross-section location map, South Filson Creek.

ROCK FORMING MINERALS On the average, the augite-troctolite subunit, the host rock for the South Filson Creek mineralization (Appendix A), contains 65-75% plagioclase, 10-15% olivine, 7-12%

clinopyroxene, and 3-5% orthopyroxene. Trace minerals include 1-2% oxides, 1-4% sulfides, trace to 1% apatite, and trace to 3% alteration minerals (biotite, stilpnomelane, serpentine, chlorite, actinolite, prehnite, rutile, iddingsite, carbonate, and titanite).

Plagioclase Plagioclase is generally medium-grained (0.5 to 10 mm) and subhedral. Compositions of individual grains vary from An21 to An57 (oligoclase to labradorite, Michel-Levy method), and average An38 (andesine). In samples where plagioclase grain size is bimodal, the coarser

grains have slightly higher calcium contents. Plagioclase grains are rarely terminated, and the predominant texture is mesocumulate.

Olivine Olivine is the next most abundant mineral phase and occurs as small (0.05 to 3 mm) subhedral, equant grains. Olivine is commonly glomerocrystic, with up to eight small grains joined together, and enclosed by a large grain of orthopyroxene. Olivine oikocrysts are

observed in the field approximately 300 meters from the mineralized area, but this texture is not observed in any of the drill core. Reticulate texture (a result of microfracturing and

alteration of the olivine along the fractures to serpentine and magnetite) is abundant in almost every sample from the mineralized zone.

Clinopyroxene Clinopyroxene (Cpx) is the most common form of pyroxene. Cpx occurs primarily as anhedral grains of augite (1 to 8 mm). The Cpx in some places poikilitically encloses olivine grains, but more typically displays an intercumulate texture to all of the other silicate phases.

Orthopyroxene Orthopyroxene (Opx) is present as small (1 to 3 mm), subhedral grains, which often rim the other silicates (most commonly olivine). Opx shows symplectitic textures with ilmenite. Hypersthene, displaying schiller texture, is the most common form of Opx, whereas enstatite is rarely observed.

10

Apatite Apatite is present in trace amounts in several of the drill holes (K-6, K-16, K-25, and K-26). The distribution of apatite is highly variable, and the presence of apatite does not Apatite is usually fine-grained (0.5 to 1 mm) and

define a particular rock unit or horizon. euhedral.

OXIDES Ilmenite and magnetite are the two main oxide phases present at South Filson Creek.

Ilmenite Ilmenite is the most abundant oxide and occurs as 70% coarse (1 to 2.5 mm), skeletal grains, 15 to 20% fine-grained, euhedral disseminations, and 5 to 10% in symplectitic texture with Opx. Ilmenite is rarely poikilitic, containing euhedral grains of Fe-chromite or spinel.

Magnetite Magnetite is present as both skeletal grains (0.50 to 1 mm), as interstitial grains (0.1 to 0.25 mm), and most dominantly as an alteration mineral in veinlets within reticulate olivine grains. Magnetite sometimes contains "exsolution-oxidation" lamellae of ilmenite.

SULFIDE MINERALIZATION There are at least two generations of sulfides (primary and secondary) within the South Filson Creek deposit. Primary sulfides (3 to 5%) include coarse-grained, interstitial pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, and cubanite. As in other cloud zone deposits, chalcopyrite is more abundant at South Filson Creek than pyrrhotite (Ervin, 1987). The sulfide distribution is

controlled by: 1) texture (pegmatite zones); and 2) structure (the amount of extremely fine11

grained fractures per foot). The secondary mineral assemblage (trace to 10%) is much more diverse, and includes chalcopyrite, talnakhite, bornite, digenite, chalcocite, covellite, violarite, mackinawite, valleriite, galena, millerite, sphalerite, and sperrylite.

Pyrrhotite Pyrrhotite occurs as coarse-grained blebs and as composite grains, which may have been recrystallized. Textures indicate that the pyrrhotite is early in the paragenetic sequence. Modal abundance of pyrrhotite in the primary sulfides ranges from 30 to 60 percent. The pyrrhotite contains flames and stringers of pentlandite, and can be replaced around grain margins by secondary chalcopyrite. In drill core, some of the pyrrhotite is weakly magnetic.

Pentlandite Pentlandite, the primary nickel ore mineral, occurs as large, anhedral grains up to 3 mm across and as finer-grained, interstitial blebs. Pentlandite also occurs as an exsolution flames in pyrrhotite. Pentlandite can be replaced by chalcopyrite plus bornite, millerite (as fine needles), and mackinawite (in fractures and at fracture junctions). approximately 5 to 10 modal percent of the primary sulfides. Pentlandite makes up

Chalcopyrite Chalcopyrite is very coarse-grained (0.5 to 1 mm) and generally interstitial. Chalcopyrite also occurs, in minor amounts, as skeletal grains in areas of high pyrrhotite content and as sulfide inclusions in Cpx. Several grains of chalcopyrite are also observed displaying a framboidal-like texture. Primary chalcopyrite is partially replaced by bornite, Modal

digenite, chalcocite, covellite, violarite, and minor valleriite around grain margins. abundance of chalcopyrite in the primary sulfides is 15 to 35 percent.

Cubanite 12

Cubanite occurs primarily as exsolution lamellae in primary chalcopyrite. Cubanite is also present as monomineralic blebs, usually finer-grained than the other primary phases. Modal percentage of cubanite is generally less than 3%, but can be as high as 25% in isolated samples from holes K-15 and K-21.

SECONDARY SULFIDES

Chalcopyrite Fine-grained chalcopyrite is the most abundant secondary sulfide in the South Filson Creek deposit. Secondary chalcopyrite composes approximately 60 to 80 modal percent of the secondary sulfides and it typically occurs as a replacement of primary pyrrhotite and pentlandite around grain margins and in extremely fine-grained veinlets that are widespread around fracture zones (Fig. 5). Fine-grained, anhedral disseminations of secondary

chalcopyrite occur throughout the host augite troctolite in association with serpentine alteration.

Talnakhite Talnakhite is a small but persistent phase within the secondary sulfides. It is difficult to distinguish from chalcopyrite in freshly polished samples, but tarnishes rapidly, sometimes within hours. Modal abundance for talnakhite is approximately 2 to 3 percent.

Bornite Bornite is a characteristic mineral of the secondary suite, and is present in almost every sample that hosts secondary chalcopyrite veinlets. Bornite is the most abundant and visible replacement mineral of primary chalcopyrite and has a modal abundance of 1 to 7 percent.

13

Digenite Digenite frequently is present in those samples that have been partially replaced by bornite. The digenite is later than the bornite, and partially replaces it. Modal abundance of digenite is trace to 2 percent.

Chalcocite Very fine-grained chalcocite is present in amounts of up to 3 percent of the total sulfide volume. Chalcocite replaces bornite and digenite as well as the primary copper sulfides, and is a minor constituent in the secondary veinlets.

Covellite Covellite is observed replacing chalcocite in two instances. The covellite is very finegrained and may be present in the secondary veinlets.

Violarite Violarite is a common replacement mineral in pentlandite and chalcopyrite. violarite is most abundant in drill holes containing the highest PGE values (K-21 and K-27). The

Mackinawite and Valleriite Fine-grained mackinawite frequently replaces pentlandite and valleriite replaces chalcopyrite. These minerals are very similar optically and are identified using an electron microprobe. Both mackinawite and valleriite replace primary sulfides along grain boundaries and discontinuities in the crystal structure.

Other Secondary Minerals 14

Galena, millerite, and sphalerite are present as secondary phases in only minor amounts. The millerite forms secondary needles along preferred orientations in the

pentlandite structure. The galena and sphalerite are present as inclusions in the secondary chalcopyrite.

Sperrylite The platinum arsenide sperrylite, PtAs2 (containing 4.6% Au) was identified in several samples using the electron microprobe (Table 1). The sperrylite is a very late stage mineral replacing secondary chalcopyrite and is always in association with serpentinization (Fig. 6).

Table 1A. Average Composition of Sperrylite, South Filson Creek

Analysis Number Fe 1. 2. 3. 4. Ave. 0.30 0.48 0.41 0.45 0.41 Co 0.18 0.00 0.09 0.07 0.09 Ni 0.06 0.15 0.04 0.00 0.06 Cu 0.46 0.58 0.64 0.32 0.50 As 41.46 41.33 41.20 40.86 41.21 Pt 45.95 49.04 43.25 44.90 45.78 Au 4.64 5.07 3.81 4.91 4.60 S 0.79 1.02 1.06 0.85 0.93 Rh 0.78 0.91 0.84 0.64 0.79 Pd 0.49 0.33 0.39 0.30 0.37 Ag 0.00 0.81 0.38 0.79 0.49 Total 95.10 99.74 92.10 94.10 95.26

Table 1B. Composition in Modal Percent for Sperrylite Analysis Number 1. 2. 3. 4. Ave. Fe 0.58 0.89 0.81 0.35 0.84 Co 0.34 0.00 0.11 0.11 0.17 Ni 0.11 0.22 0.00 0.00 0.11 Cu 0.81 1.00 1.17 0.58 0.89 As 64.15 61.56 64.28 64.19 63.29 Pt 27.26 28.00 25.87 27.09 26.93 Au 2.66 2.79 2.22 2.82 2.66 S 2.78 3.46 3.86 3.06 3.33 Rh 0.81 0.89 0.93 0.70 0.87 Pd 0.46 0.33 0.35 0.23 0.39 Ag 0.00 0.78 0.35 0.82 0.51

Note: The microprobe standards used were all pure metals, except for Fe and S in pyrite and As in indium arsenide and Cu in chalcopyrite.

Although geochemical analyses suggest that palladium (Pd) is the major PGE in the deposit, no Pd minerals have been, as yet, identified. 15 The most probable modes of

occurrence of the Pd minerals are: 1) in solid solution in the crystal lattices of primary or secondary sulfides or silicates; and/or 2) as discrete mineral phases replacing copper sulfides associated with serpentinization. Additional work with the electron microprobe is necessary to better identify these minerals.

16

Figure 5. Photomicrograph of secondary sulfide veinlets cross-cutting primary chalcopyrite, reflected light. (Cpy = chalcopyrite, Cub = cubanite, Pn = pentlandite, Vio = violarite)

Figure 6. Photomicrograph of sperrylite grain replacing chalcopyrite in serpentine pocket, reflected light, crossed polars. (Sp = sperrylite, Cpy = chalcopyrite)

Figure 7. Photomicrograph of biotite (light brown) and stilpnomelane (red-brown) rimming primary sulfide grain (black), plane polarized light. (Cpy = chalcopyrite)

Figure 8. Photomicrograph of titanite (sphene) crystal forming from actinolite groundmass, crossed polars.

17

Photographic plates

18

ALTERATION

Four alteration assemblages are present at the South Filson Creek deposit:

1) a

serpentine/mica (possibly hydrothermal) assemblage; 2) a later argillic alteration; 3) a localized hematitic alteration; and 4) a greenschist facies assemblage.

SERPENTINE/MICA The most widespread alteration assemblage at South Filson Creek is the serpentine/mica alteration. This alteration assemblage is early because it was overprinted by later alteration assemblages described below. The principal minerals consist of primarily

hydrous mineral phases such as medium- to coarse-grained biotite and stilpnomelane (unrelated to pegmatite units), serpentine, iddingsite, chlorite, and sericite. The

serpentine/mica alteration at South Filson Creek had not been recognized prior to this study because of its subtle nature. Such subtle alteration may indicate a fluid that was somewhat compatible with the magmatic minerals (Barnes, 1979). Sericitization of the plagioclase is

seen macroscopically only as a slight greenish cast to the feldspars. Microscopically, sericite is abundant in the cores of the feldspar grains. Fracture zones have also been highly

serpentinized, and in some areas, the rock is totally converted to serpentine and iddingsite. Partial serpentinization of the olivines is common, but reticulation of the olivine grains is more intense in the vicinity of serpentinized fractures. M. A. Hanna Company drill logs describe these grains as `black olivines' due to their high serpentine content. Chlorite-filled fractures are also commonly associated with the serpentinization. The chlorite fractures appear to

cross-cut both the serpentine fractures and the secondary biotite grains and are interpreted to be younger. The predominant mode of occurrence of biotite is as rims around primary sulfides. Biotite is commonly joined by stilpnomelane (Fig. 7), which is identified petrographically by its distinctive color, red-brown to golden yellow pleochroism, and pseudo-uniaxial interference 19

figure. Stilpnomelane is distinguished in core by its orange-pink to reddish color, compared to the brown or black biotite. Stilpnomelane is a product of hydrothermal alteration (Kerr,

1959) and is close in structure to hydrobiotite (Zoltai and Stout, 1984). Fleischer, et al (1984) indicate that the composition of the stilpnomelane (determined by optical properties) is K(Fe,Mg,Al)10Si12O30(OH)12. Both biotite and stilpnomelane are syn-to post-serpentinization

and pre-chloritization. Biotite layers are often bent, indicating post-crystallization deformation.

ARGILLIC Argillization, breakdown of the primary minerals into clay minerals, is pervasive around the mineralized zones, causing the rock to have a "frosted" appearance when compared to unmineralized core. Feldspars are white or bleached due to breakdown into clays. This type of alteration can affect from 5% to as much as 70% of the rock locally. In the highly altered areas associated with fracture zones, the more intensely altered plagioclase grains are a pronounced white color. Under the microscope, this type of alteration causes the plagioclase twin planes to appear more diffuse. Argillic alteration overprints both serpentine and chloritic alteration, and is a later stage, lower temperature alteration product.

HEMATITE Hematite alteration is present in drill holes K-18 and K-29 associated with syenite dikes which intruded along zones of weakness created by serpentinized fractures. The hematite replaces all iron-bearing silicate phases and is locally pervasive. This alteration type

overprints the serpentine/mica alteration. The timing of the hematization with respect to the greenschist assemblage is not as definitive.

GREENSCHIST ASSEMBLAGE A lower greenschist facies assemblage present in the eastern portion of the study area 20

is especially prevalent in drill hole K-5, but is also present in drill holes K-20 and K-26. This assemblage consists of two varieties of chlorite (optically identified as prochlorite and penninite), actinolite, prehnite, rutile, calcite, and titanite (sphene). Titanite crystals in drill hole K-26 occur in a groundmass of actinolite. These crystals were formed from the groundmass as seen by some unusual textures. The crystals appear to penetrate the groundmass, with one end of the crystal still ragged (Fig. 8). The more Mg-rich chlorite replaces Cpx, and the Mg-poor variety is present in association with relict grains of plagioclase. This pervasive

alteration is present in drill holes to the east of the mineralization and overprints the serpentine/mica alteration near South Filson Creek. This alteration may have affected a large area of the Duluth Complex as regional metamorphism, or be a result of deuteric alteration. Additional regional mapping is needed to determine the extent of this alteration. A paragenetic sequence diagram (Fig. 9) illustrates the relationship between the mineralization events and the alteration assemblages.

Figure 9. Paragenetic diagram of sulfide, oxide, and alteration mineralogy.

21

GEOCHEMISTRY

The geochemical signature of the South Filson Creek sulfides is consistent with the mineralogy and textural relationships. Appendix B. Geochemical data are provided on floppy disk in

Platinum, palladium, silver, and gold content was analyzed for all previously

analyzed M.A. Hanna Company pulps at the M. A. Hanna Company laboratory in Nashwauk, Minnesota. In addition, seven mineralized drill core samples were submitted to Bondar-Clegg in Vancouver, B.C. These samples were analyzed for whole rock elements plus 47 rare-earth elements (REE), trace elements, and base and precious metals. In addition, a total PGE scan (platinum+palladium+iridium+osmium+rhodium+ruthenium) was conducted. discussed under the PGE chondrite plot section below. The seven whole rock samples were collected from mineralized intervals in drill holes K-16, K-17, K-21, and K-27 with >0.71% Cu (0.72 - 1.35%). The whole rock, trace element and REE analyses show very little variability between the samples. Unmineralized rocks have not been analyzed for comparison with mineralized rocks. The largest variability in the These data are

mineralized zone is exhibited by the Cu, Ni, S, and precious metal content. The highest precious metal values occur in drill holes K-21 and K-27 (>2 ppm Pt+Pd). These drill holes also have the highest Os, Ir, Ru, Rh values. Silver values are highest in drill hole K-6 (8.4 ppm). Elevated Pt+Pd+Au values (>250 ppb) also occur sporadically in 3.5 to 7 ft. zones in drill holes (K-11, K-12, K-20).

ELEMENTAL RATIOS The Pd/Ir ratios at South Filson Creek range from 54 to 93, and average 77. Typical ratios from magmatic deposits are less than 10, and hydrothermal ratios are greater than 100 (Paterson, et al, 1982). Values are high from hydrothermally-related ores because the Ir is not easily mobilized under hydrothermal conditions. This is illustrated at Kambalda, Australia where magmatic sulfide Pd/Ir ratios range from 0.35 to 1.5, and the hydrothermal vein sulfide ratios have values of 436 to 877 (Stumpfl, 1986). The hybrid ratios at South Filson Creek 22

suggest that both types of ore-forming mechanisms contributed to the sulfide deposition. The Pt+Pd/Ru+Ir+Os ratios are typically lowest in sulfides associated with rocks that have crystallized from ultramafic magmas. A value of 13 or greater is characteristic of

deposits related to gabbroic rocks that crystallized from a magma containing <12% MgO (Naldrett and Duke, 1980). Not surprisingly, the values at South Filson Creek range from 19.8 to 20.5, averaging 20.2, which reinforces the gabbroic association to the mineralization. The S/Se ratios at South Filson Creek range from 200 to 26,000, averaging 7342. Typical magmatic ratios are below 8700 (Paterson, et al, 1982). Therefore, the South Filson Creek ratios again span both the magmatic and hydrothermal ranges. Near magmatic values can indicate limited fractionation of S/Se during transport, or the presence of a reducing fluid. Table 2: Pt/Pt+Pd and Cu/Cu+Ni Ratios for Major PGE-Bearing Deposits and the South Filson Creek Deposit (modified from Economou, 1986; and Naldrett, 1982) Deposit Name Pt/Pt+Pd Cu/Cu+Ni

Eretria 0.6 - 0.98 0.6 - 0.9 Limassol 0.5 - 0.7 0.2 - 0.5 Oregon 0.33 0.23 Lac Des Iles 0.053 0.418 Langmuir 0.357 0.043 Mount Edward 0.284 0.103 Kambalda 0.357 0.064 Donaldson West 0.210 0.193 Levack West 0.479 0.598 Little Stobie 1 0.476 0.535 Little Stobie 2 0.401 0.473 Montcalm 0.773 0.242 Noril'sk-Talnakh 0.275 0.589 Merensky Reef 0.716 0.299 Stillwater 0.30 0.470 Strathcona 0.513 0.263 Falconbridge 0.591 0.221 Great Lakes 0.199 0.651 Kenbridge 0.738 0.213 Kanichee 0.450 0.561 Werner Lake 0.136 0.195 Middleton 0.63 0.96 Minnamax 0.229 0.814 SOUTH FILSON CREEK 0.2 - 0.83 0.3 - 0.92 Typical magmatic 0.2 - 0.4 0.05 - 0.14 The range of Pt/Pt+Pd and Cu/Cu+Ni ratios is consistent with sulfides having 23

equilibrium with a nickel-rich host rock at magmatic temperatures (Table 2). Values again bracket both magmatic and hydrothermal ranges.

GEOCHEMICAL PLOTS The geochemical plots (Figs. 10 and 11) illustrate the relationships between the sulfides of the primary and secondary mineralization events. Copper and nickel are highly correlated, as has been predicted by previous observations (Morton and Hauck, 1987; Fig. 10A), with the slope indicating the relative abundance of copper over nickel at approximately 3 to 1. The individual platinum group elements correlate well with each other (Fig. 10B, C, D). The approximate ratio of palladium to platinum is 2 to 1.

Figure 10. A. Percent Cu vs. percent Ni; B. Pt vs. Pd; C. Pd vs. Ir; D. Pt+Pd vs. Ru+Ir+Os.

When comparing the PGE content to copper-nickel distribution, Pt+Pd show a higher correlation to copper than to nickel (Fig. 11A,B). This suggests that

introduction/remobilization of the PGE minerals occurred with secondary copper enrichment, which agrees with the findings of Morton and Hauck (1989). The relationship between the 24

PGEs and sulfur is not as straightforward (Fig. 11C,D). The Pt+Pd versus Cu/Cu+S plot (Fig. 11C) shows high PGEs associated with a consistent Cu/Cu+S value of approximately 0.4. These high PGE values may be associated with the secondary chalcopyrite. In Figure 11D, Pt+Pd is plotted directly against S and demonstrates a relationship between high S (about 1%) and high Pt+Pd during the proposed secondary enrichment event. relationship exists between Pt+Pd and high copper (Fig. 11A). This same

Figure 11. A. Pt+Pd vs. log percent Cu; B. Pd vs. log percent Ni; C. Pt+Pd vs. Cu/(Cu+S); D. Pt+Pd vs. percent S.

RARE-EARTH ELEMENT (REE) CHONDRITE PLOT The rare-earth element (REE) abundance diagram from South Filson Creek (Fig. 12) is a typical normalized pattern (Henderson, 1982), showing light REE enrichment. The The

positive europium anomaly is associated with the plagioclase in the troctolitic rocks.

preferential uptake of europium results from the existence of both Eu2+ and Eu3+ oxidation

25

states in the magma; the other REE ions are usually present only in the 3+ state. A significant amount of plagioclase involved in fractional crystallization will cause the accumulated solids to have a positive Eu anomaly, and the residual liquids will have a negative one (Henderson, Figure 12. REE chondrite plot of samples from the mineralized zone. 1982). Note also the

homogeneity of the seven samples from four different drill holes in the mineralized zone.

PGE CHONDRITE PLOTS The PGE-Au-Ag-Cu-Ni values for high grade intersections in four drill holes are listed in Table 3. Figure 13A illustrates the average chondrite-normalized PGE+Au concentrations in the sulfide fraction (after Naldrett and Duke, 1980) for the values in Table 3.
Table 3. High Grade PGE-Au-Ag and Cu-Ni Mineralization at South Filson Creek Drill Hole Footage Cu Ni Pt Pd Ir Os Rh Ru Au Ag

K-16

75-85 105-115 125-135 185-195 K-17 105-115 K-21 36-46 K-27 16.5-20

1.13 1.06 1.35 1.03 0.90 1.08 0.72

0.35 340 930 0.27 340 660 0.34 410 760 0.24 280 540 0.22 310 760 0.36 550 1300 0.22 1100 2600

10 9 10 10 10 16 31

<10 <10 <10 <10 <10 12 19

23 19 25 15 17 32 78

<50 65 <50 75 <50 80 <50 75 <50 100 65 170 130 370

4.1 3.2 4.5 3.5 3.3 3.6 4.1

Note: Cu, Ni in wt. %, Ag in ppm, other elements in ppb. Analyses done by Bondar-Clegg; PGEs+Au by neutron activation, Ag and Ni by atomic absorption, Cu by assay. The patterns for all samples are similar to the PGE-enriched sample from drill hole K-27. The PGE chondrite plots assume that all the PGE minerals are magmatic and have not been remobilized. As discussed previously, the elemental ratios indicate a hybrid (magmaticThis concept is supported by the petrographic studies. 26 Figure 13B

hydrothermal) origin.

compares the average PGE chondrite normalized values at South Filson Creek to other PGE occurrences at Minnamax (also called Babbitt deposit) and Dunka Road (Geerts, et al, 1990). The South Filson Creek samples are enriched in Os, Ir and Ru compared to the other deposits. The Dunka Road and South Filson Creek Pd-Au values are similar. Average Pd at the Minnamax/Babbitt deposit is also comparable.

Figure 13. PGE chondrite plot. A. South Filson Creek samples; B. Comparison with other PGE occurrences (after this study; Naldrett and Duke, 1980; Sutcliffe, et al, 1989).

CHEMICAL REACTIONS Serpentinization at South Filson Creek is always related to the secondary copper enrichment and the formation of biotite. Possible reactions controlling these processes are proposed in (1-5):
(1) 15[(Fe,Mg)SiO3] + 6H2O = 3[Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] + 9SiO2 + 2Fe3O4 (Hypersthene) (Serpentine) (Quartz) (Magnetite) 15[Ca(Mg,Fe)Si2O6] + 3OH + O2 = 3[Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] + 24SiO2 + 2Fe3O4 + 15Ca2+ + 9H2O (Augite) (Serpentine) (Quartz) (Magnetite)

(2)

27

(3)

7.5Mg2SiO4 + 6H2O + O2 = 3[Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] + 2Fe3O4 + 1.5SiO2 (Olivine) (Serpentine) (Magnetite) (Quartz)

Excess silica from reactions 1, 2, and 3 can be available for the actinolite (4), secondary biotite (5), and stilpnomelane (6).
(4) 0.96[Ca(Mg,Fe)Si2O6] + O2 + 2.12SiO2 + 0.677H2O = (Augite) (Quartz) 0.097[Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] + 0.064Fe3O4 + 0.484[Ca2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2] (Serpentine) (Magnetite) (Actinolite)

(5)

1.2[Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] + 0.8Fe3O4 + 1.6SiO2 + CaAlSi3O8 + 2K+ = (Serpentine) (Magnetite) (Quartz) (Plagioclase) 0.4H2O + 0.4O2 + 2[K(Fe,Mg)2AlSi3O10(OH)2] + Ca2+ (Biotite)

Stilpnomelane is similar in structure to hydrobiotite (Zoltai and Stout, 1984).

It

commonly alters to biotite in greenschist-facies muscovite-bearing rocks by a number of different reactions described by Brown (1971, 1975). Many lines of evidence outlined by

Brown (1971) indicate that brown stilpnomelane develops by alteration. The brown color of the mineral can also indicate formation at low PO2 (Brown, 1967). The rocks at South Filson Creek, however, are muscovite-free and textures demonstrate stilpnomelane is at least coeval with or later than biotite. A reaction (6) is a possible method for stilpnomelane formation from biotite hydration. Chemical formulas are for minerals of average composition as precise

compositions are not available for the South Filson Creek area at this time.
(6) 3.75[K(Fe,Mg)2]AlSi3O10(OH)2 + 27.75SiO2 + 2Fe3O4 = (Biotite) (Quartz) (Magnetite) 7.5Al(OH)3 + 3.75[K(Fe,Mg)2AlSi4O10(OH)2] + 1.5H2O + 3[Mg3Si2O5(OH)4] (Stilpnomelane) (Serpentine)

A reaction (7) describing the formation of titanite (sphene) during greenschist facies metamorphism was developed by Hunt and Kerrick (1977) and modified by P. Morton (pers. comm., 1990):

28

(7)

2.8[Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2] + O2 + SiO2 + 4FeTiO3 + 6.4H2O = (Prehnite) (Quartz) (Ilmenite)

5.6Al(OH)3 + 0.8[Ca2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2] + 4CaTiSiO5 (Actinolite) (Titanite) This reaction was documented only in the eastern part of the South Filson Creek area and formed by a regional metamorphic event or deuteric alteration.

SULFUR ISOTOPES Sulfur isotopes have not been determined at the South Filson Creek mineral deposit. However, Ripley (1986) has studied sulfur isotopes at the Babbitt property to the south. He showed that there is a distinct isotopic fractionation related to ore grade. Low-grade zones showed 34S values between 6 and 10 per mil and the higher-grade, copper-rich zones (perhaps zones of secondary enrichment similar to those found at South Filson Creek) were characterized by 34S values greater than 9 per mil. A similar 34S enrichment in copper-rich sulfides was described by Naldrett (1981) for the Levack West deposit. Further study of the sulfur isotopes could provide additional information on the process of ore formation.

29

GEOSTATISTICS

DATA SUMMARY Drilling Statistics The South Filson Creek data set is comprised of 13,929 feet of drilling in 21 cores holes. The shortest hole is 40 feet, the longest hole is 3420 feet, and the average hole length is 663 feet. Of the 21 core holes, 14 are recorded as vertical. The 7 reported angle holes dipped between 43 and 85 degrees. All reported borehole orientations are based on collar surveys: the is no record of "down-the-hole" surveys on any of the 21 cores. The 21 core holes include 451 assays. 44 of these 451 assays were duplicates; thus there were 407 unique assay intervals. While the individual assay lengths vary from 1 to 25 feet, the vast majority of the assays are supported by 10 feet of core. The total assayed length is 3,496 feet; thus, the average assay length is 8.6 feet. The "standard assay length" is 10 feet, but the beginning and ending points for assaying, were ultimately determined by visual inspection of the core. Visually barren lengths of core were not assayed. On the other hand, numerous exceptional core segments were assayed more than once.

Summary Statistics Table 4 presents a suite of summary statistics for the seven assayed elements included in this analysis: Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Co. These statistics are based upon all 407 assays. Duplicate assays were averaged. Furthermore, these statistics include length weighting, so a ten foot assay interval is given ten times as much weight as a one foot assay interval. The reported measures of skewness, the relatively high coefficients of variation, and the initial graphical data analyses, indicate that the distributions of all seven elements are 30

asymmetric, with long positive tails. As is common practice in the statistical analysis of base and precious metals, a logarithmic transformation was applied. distribution did not offer a particularly good model for the data. However, a lognormal

Cu (%) N used N missing Assay Feet Mean Variance Std. Dev. Coef. Var. Skewness Kurtosis Minimum 25th %tile Median 75th %tile Maximum 407 0 3495 0.362 0.092 0.303 83.682 0.905 3.043 0.010 0.100 0.290 0.550 1.340

Ni (%) 407 0 3495

Pd (ppb) 230 177 1620

Pt (ppb) 230 177 1620 113.9 24509.0 156.6 137.4 2.1 8.3 5 10 33 178 907

Au (ppb) 230 177 1620 64.8 25956.0 161.1 248.8 7.8 78.9 1 3 17 69 1765

Ag (ppm) 229 178 1613 2.39 2.60 1.61 67.37 0.71 2.96 0 1 2 3 8

Co (%) 321 86 2478 0.011 0.00* 0.005 42.951 0.921 9.831 0.000 0.008 0.010 0.014 0.057

0.136 235.5 0.012 121310.1 0.107 348.3 78.743 147.9 1.644 2.5 11.316 11.6 0.010 0.060 0.100 0.203 1.330 2 21 49 388 2206

Table 4. Summary Statistics for the South Filson Creek Data Set. These statistics are based upon all available assays - duplicate assays were averaged, and a length weighting was used. * denotes variance <0.000

Inter-Variable Correlations The inter-variable correlations (Isaaks and Srivastava, 1989) between the seven elements are presented in Table 5. The extremely high correlation between Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Au indicates that this suite of metals would be mutually selectable. For example, in a selective mining operation, targeting the ore-grade copper will simultaneously target the oregrade palladium. These correlations are remarkably high for such a broad suite of minerals.

[Cu] [Ni] [Pd] [Pt] [Au] [Ag] [Co]

1.000 0.891 0.922 0.899 0.829 0.614 0.159 [Cu]

1.000 0.833 0.838 0.743 0.520 0.151 [Ni]

1.000 0.941 0.753 0.529 0.616 [Pd]

1.000 0.777 0.520 0.541 [Pt]

1.000 0.391 0.986 [Au]

1.000 0.602 [Ag]

1.000 [Co]

Table 5. Estimated Inter-Variable Correlations for the South Filson Creek Data Set

31

In a poly-metallic deposit, the inter-variable correlations can yield useful information for the corroboration of various depositional hypotheses. Specifically, the extremely high

correlations are evidence that a single geologic event/process is responsible for the concentration of the 5 elements. However, as previously discussed, two geologic The locally

events/processes are evident, i.e., primary magmatic and secondary hydrothermal. correlation data, therefore, suggest that the secondary hydrothermal event

concentrated the primary mineralization in higher grade zones.

Observations and Concerns Of the 13,929 feet of drilled core included in this analysis, only 3,496 feet were assayed. The selection of the assay intervals was primarily carried out by visual inspection of the core; zones showing no visible sulfide mineralization were not assayed. statistical analysis, all unassayed core are treated as unknown. The second significant concern for the data set is the lack of "down-the-hole" surveys. The hole orientations were determined by collar surveys and drilling intentions alone. With an average length exceeding 500 feet, hole deviations of tens or hundreds of feet are entirely possible. While the angle holes almost certainly suffer from significant, unknown, hole deviations, the vertical holes are not immune. Large, unknown, hole deviations can cause two major problems. First, the core may have preferentially aligned itself with relatively weaker sulfide bands. This can result in an a gross overestimation of the thickness and extent of the high grade zones. Second, the spatial statistics and the ultimate spatial interpolation, are sensitive to mis-locations of assays. Hole deviations possible in this drilling campaign can easily muddle otherwise clear spatial continuity. A third concern for the South Filson Creek data set is the lack of a detailed quality assurance analysis for the assays. While there were 44 duplicate assays, these were all As such, they are not In this

taken in an effort to verify extreme or exceptional assays. 32

representative of the bulk of the data. Table 6 is an estimate of the "background" metal values in sulfide zones outside of the mineralized zones that contain secondary mineralization (see Appendix B - Table 10 for assay values). These values are not truly representative of the original magmatic values because trace secondary mineralization, e.g., bornite, is identified in some samples by petrographic methods. Even though the statistics in Table 4 include the samples used in this estimate, a comparison of the means and medians can roughly estimate the enrichment that occurred during the secondary mineralization event (see Table 6).

Mean* Copper (wt. %) Nickel (wt. %) Cobalt (wt. %) Sulfur (wt. %) Palladium (ppb) Platinum (ppb) Gold (ppb) Silver (ppm) 0.099 0.058 0.011 0.195 20 13 4 1.3

Median* 0.090 0.060 0.010 0.190 24 14 4 1.5

Approx. Enrichment Factor No. of Samples Mean Median 126 126 116 122 126 126 126 126 4 2 0 4** 12 9 16 2 3 2 0 2 2 4 2

*Log transformed values **Mean S = 0.72% on n = 361 Table 6. Mean and Median "Background" Metal Values for Cloud Zone Sulfides at South Filson Creek

33

GROSS ECONOMIC AUXILIARY VARIABLE

Creating the Auxiliary Variable Due to the time constraints on this analysis, a detailed study of each individual element was not possible. Rather, an auxiliary variable combining the seven elements (excluding S) into one gross economic indicator is generated and investigated. This new variable is the sum of the seven metal grades times their respective market prices. The result is expressed in dollars per ton. This does not incorporate any reduction in value due to metallurgical recovery, and this new variable does not include the cost associated with the extraction, processing, or sales of a product. Nonetheless, a market price weighting of the individual elements offers a simple, easy to understand, means of data analysis. The market prices used were taken from the Engineering and Mining Journal (1989): Cu Ni Ag Au Pt Pd Co $1.33 / lb $5.95 / lb $5.16 / tr oz $362.00 / tr oz $485.00 / tr oz $136.00 / tr oz $8.15 / lb

The resulting auxiliary variable is defined by the following equation:

$/ton = 26.6 (% Cu) + 119.0 (% Ni) + 0.1505 (ppm Ag) + 0.01056 (ppb Au) + 0.01415 (ppb Pt) + 0.003967 (ppb Pd) + 163.0 (% Co)

Summary Statistics for the Auxiliary Variable Table 7 shows a suite of summary statistics for auxiliary variable. The largest gross economic value is supported by only 2 feet of core. The second largest gross economic value is 101.15 ($/T). These are the only two assay intervals with gross economic value greater than 100 ($/T). Using the prices detailed previously, there are no ore reserves in the volume of rock under study in this report. There are but two assay interval (supported by a total of 12 feet of core) with a gross value in excess of $100 per ton (assuming 100% recovery of all seven

34

elements). Given the depth of the mineralized rock, more high grade mineralization would be required to generate profitable ore reserves.

Value ($/T) N used N missing Assay Feet Mean Variance Std. Dev. Coef. Var. Skewness Kurtosis Minimum 25th %tile Median 75th %tile Maximum 407 0 3496 28.79 521.16 22.83 79.29 1.27 4.46 3.30 11.97 21.11 41.93 177.00

Table 7. Summary Statistics for the Gross Economic Variable with the South Filson Creek Data Set.

35

SPATIAL STATISTICS AND GEOLOGIC CONTINUITY

Variogram Analysis In its present form, the South Filson Creek Prospect data set is not capable of supporting a detailed geostatistical analysis. The available 407 assay intervals span both

highly mineralized zones (potential ore zones) and clear waste zones, without enough measurements to discern and quantify the spatial correlation (variogram). However, the

incorporation of geology could yield more successful geostatistical quantification of the variograms.

Other Observations The highest Pd assay (2,600 ppb) occurs in hole K-27 in the interval from 16.5 to 20 feet. This high Pd assay is one of a pair. The repeat assay value is 1,548 ppb. The following 12 feet are also quite high (2,161 and 2,150 ppb). Above and below this anomaly the Pd falls off to less than 100 ppb. However, the closest adjacent hole, K-21, also shows a strong

anomaly from 10 to 66 feet; average Pd from 10 to 66 feet is greater than 1,000 ppb. The highest Pt (1,100 ppb) anomaly occurs in exactly the same location as the highest Pd anomaly: in hole K-27 in the interval from 16.5 to 20 feet. The repeat assay was reported at 714 ppb. The following 12 feet were also high (933 and 850 ppb Pt). There is a noticeable increase in the Pt in the same interval in the closest adjacent hole, K-21. The highest Au assay (3,429 ppb) in the data set occurs in hole K-17 in the interval from 105 to 115 feet. However, the repeat assay was only 100 ppb, and there no noticeable Au high in or around this assay. Thus, the 3,429 ppb Au must be discarded as incorrect or unrepresentative. The second highest Au assay (969 ppb Au) occurs with the Pd and Pt

anomaly discussed above.

36

GEOSTATISTICAL CONCLUSIONS

In this report, 451 assays from 13,929 feet of drilling, in 21 core holes, are investigated to characterize the Filson Creek mineral anomaly. The statistical analysis includes seven elements: Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Co. This analysis yields four main conclusions. First, the available drilling is not sufficient to identify and characterize the spatial correlation/structure for the mineralization. Unambiguous variograms could not be generated. Second, despite the difficulties of a spatial analysis, standard statistical calculations captures some information from the available data. First, the data in the SW corner of the SE corner of Section 25, Township 62 N, Range 11 W is significantly different from the other half of the data. More specifically, the data collected in and around hole K-27 represent a statistical anomaly with a clear indication of horizontal continuity. This anomaly includes copper and nickel grades in excess of 1%, and platinum and palladium grades in excess of 1 ppm. Third, the inter-variable correlations between Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Au are remarkably high. Such high correlations indicate that a selective mining operation is possible. Fourth, given the available drilling, no economic ore reserves were found at the Filson Creek site. There are only two assay intervals with a gross economic value in excess of 100 ($/T). However, given the current horizontal sample spacing, and the inability to quantify the correlation length, there is a reasonable chance that further in-fill drilling will discover a significant quantity of ore within the volume of rock investigated. The possibility of an

economic ore reserve is further enhanced by the shallowness of the discovered mineralization and the apparent horizontal continuity around the highest assay values.

37

DISCUSSION

Formulation of a genetic model for the PGE-Au-Ag occurrence at South Filson Creek is a challenge because of the erratic distribution of the mineralization. Mineralogy is distinctly different in the secondary sulfide (high PGE) zones when compared to the lower grade primary sulfide zones. The secondary sulfide zones, when present, always overprint the lowgrade mineral assemblage. Petrography and geochemistry of the deposit provide evidence for the serpentinization model described below. Replacement textures are common in the zones with high PGE values. The most

predominant mineral assemblage is one in which bornite replaces primary chalcopyrite. Bornite is never present outside the enriched PGE zones, and almost always is present when combined PGE values are greater than 500 ppb. Other typical replacement textures include violarite replacing primary chalcopyrite and pentlandite along grain margins; valleriite replacing primary chalcopyrite, and mackinawite replacing pentlandite along grain

discontinuities; secondary chalcopyrite replacing pentlandite and pyrrhotite; digenite replacing chalcopyrite; and chalcocite and covellite replacing bornite. The sperrylite found in polished sections from drill holes K-21 and K-27 replaces secondary chalcopyrite in areas that have been serpentinized. The other dominant texture in these rocks is the presence of extremely fine fractures filled with sulfides. These fractures, which cannot be seen in hand specimen, cut all silicate phases. These late-stage veinlets form an almost stockwork texture in the higher-grade

zones. At least two generations of mineralized veinlets have been documented, as well as two generations of barren fractures. Both mineralized and unmineralized fractures cut and are cut by serpentine fractures, and therefore are probably contemporaneous. The veinlets also display textures that indicate tectonic movement during formation such as trellis veinlets and disrupted veinlets (common throughout the PGE zones).

38

The areas of PGE enrichment at South Filson Creek are spatially associated with serpentinized fractures (Plates 1-3; Fig. 14). These fractures were the most likely

conduit for the secondary mineralizing fluids. The fractures are narrow (generally <2 cm), but abundant, forming The wide zones of

serpentinization.

fractures

have

preferred orientations, with steep dips at 7075 or 50-55E to the core angle. Late syenite dikes have been injected into some of the sheared serpentinite fractures, suggesting Figure 14. Schematic diagram of the relationship of serpentinized fracture zones to mineralization.

that these faults have been the site of repeated movement (Foose and Cooper, 1981). The sheared serpentine-filled fractures also contain very fine-grained copper sulfides. At map scale, the proposed PGE mineralized zones trend approximately N40EW and N5-10EW, and the South Filson Creek structure trends N30-35EE (Fig. 2). These orientations are similar to dominant structural trends outlined by Weiblen, et al (1978), Weiblen and Morey (1980), Foose and Cooper (1981), and Cooper, et al (1981). These faults are part of a

common structural pattern throughout the South Kawishiwi area (Foose and Cooper, 1981). The surficial manifestation of these structures are linear topographic lows, similar to those first described in the area by Cooper (1978). The drill holes that intersect the higher-grade

mineralization are all drilled beneath low-lying, marshy areas (K-6, K-16, K-17, K-21, and K27). Drill holes located on higher ground have only lower-grade sulfides (K-15, K-18, K-20, and K-22). Although subtle, alteration is pervasive throughout the South Filson Creek area. Slight to moderate argillic and sericitic alteration of plagioclase is closely related to the mineralization, and both alteration types increase in intensity close to the South Filson Creek 39

Fault (Plate 1; Fig. 2).

Intense argillization is sometimes present around the serpentine

fractures. The predominance of biotite in the sulfide zones is described by Rao and Ripley (1983), Ervin (1987), and Butler (1989). Association of biotite with the PGE zones is The biotite always encases the coarse-

documented in the cross-sections (Plates 1-3).

grained primary sulfides, and therefore must have formed later than these sulfides. Biotite is a common alteration phase in porphyry deposits and textures argue for its formation as a secondary mineral at South Filson Creek. Continued hydration of the biotite and silica

released from the serpentinization of olivine could produce stilpnomelane. Serpentinization is the dominant alteration process, and may have been a controlling factor in the deposition of the secondary sulfides. Weiblen and Morey (1976) first documented the relationship between the secondary sulfides and serpentinization of olivine. The

relationship is ubiquitous throughout the South Filson Creek area (Fig. 14). Serpentinization of olivine causes an associated volume increase that in turn would cause hydrofracturing of the surrounding rocks on a microscopic scale. This microfracturing would produce additional conduits for fluid migration and is probably related to the sulfide-filled fine fractures. Serpentinization has also been proposed as an ore transport and concentration mechanism (Rucklidge, 1971; Stumpfl and Tarkian, 1976). The fluids moving through the rock undergo a pH change during the serpentinization process and there is a limited pH range in which the PGEs and copper can be selectively mobilized. Temperature and/or pH changes due to wall rock reaction may have caused the sulfides to precipitate. In addition, a redox reaction may have occurred when the mineralizing fluids came in contact with the sulfur-rich cloud zone rocks, producing reduction and subsequent precipitation of secondary sulfides. The role of hydrothermal fluids in PGE transport and concentration has been demonstrated by the work of Stumpfl (1974, 1986), Stumpfl and Tarkian (1976), Keays, et al (1989), and Wood and Mountain (1989), and others from around the world (Table 4). Mountain and Wood (1988) used thermodynamics to explain PGE transport as hydroxide or bisulfide complexes. Pasteris (1984) first proposed copper-nickel ore deposition in the Duluth 40

Complex by a late-stage fluid, although operating under higher temperatures than a typical hydrothermal fluid. Hydrothermal fluids as a source of additional sulfur or metals cannot be adequately evaluated from the available data. However, the high inter-element correlation suggests the metals are derived locally and concentrated by faulting/fracturing and redox boundaries.

41

Table 8. Examples of Possible Hydrothermally-Related PGE Deposits Deposit Name New Rambler, Wyoming Reference(s) McCallum, et al (1976) Stumpfl and Tarkian (1976) Sheets, et al (1989) Watkinson and Melling (1989) Talkington and Watkinson (1984) Sweeny, et al (1989) Stumpfl (1974) Rowell and Edgar (1986) Sweeny, et al (1989) Patterson and Watkinson (1984a, 1984b) Beaudoin and Laurent (1989) Dillon-Leitch, et al (1986) Hulbert, et al (1988) Hulbert, et al (1988) Stumpfl and Tarkian (1976) Hulbert, et al (1988) Stumpfl (1974) Stumpfl (1974) Stumpfl (1974) Genkin (1968) Stumpfl (1974) Stumpfl (1974) Stumpfl (1974) Hudson (1986)

Salt Chuck, Alaska Lac des Iles, Ontario Sudbury, Ontario Rathbun Lake, Ontario Thierry, Ontario Blue Lake, Quebec Donaldson West, Quebec Peter Lake, Saskatchewan Unst, United Kingdom Hitura, Finland Messina, South Africa Merensky Reef, S. Africa Sierra Leone, West Africa Monchegorsk, USSR Noril'sk Talnakh Aldan Shield, S. Yakutia Kambalda, W. Australia

42

CONCLUSIONS

Geochemical

and

petrologic

evidence

strongly

suggest

that

the

PGE

mineralization/remobilization in the South Filson Creek area was a late-stage, structurallycontrolled hydrothermal event. This event was superimposed on primary magmatic cloud

zone sulfides. The primary Cu-Ni sulfides contained enough sulfur to initiate a redox reaction as fluids moved through fracture systems created by the South Filson Creek Fault. The redox boundary and possibly a temperature or pH change via wall rock reactions caused the fluids to deposit secondary sulfides. Evidence for hydrothermal influence on ore formation include: Presence of hydrous mineral phases (serpentine, biotite, chlorite, sericite, stilpnomelane) Ubiquitous association of biotite alteration with the PGE-rich zones Association of argillic and sericitic alteration and mineralization to the South Filson Creek Fault Correlation of PGE-mineralized zones to serpentinized fractures Erratic distribution of secondary sulfides Replacement textures and veinlets which cross cut all silicate phases High Pd/Ir ratios which suggest remobilization of sulfides

The sequence of events postulated for the South Filson Creek area is: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. Emplacement of the Duluth Complex Late crystallization of cloud zone, basal, and pegmatitic sulfides and oxides Faulting and associated cataclasis Alteration, including serpentinization and biotitization Secondary mineralization/remobilization, including copper and PGE enrichment Intrusion of syenitic dikes Possible regional greenschist-facies metamorphism to the east (not directly affecting the mineralized zones) Reactivation of earlier structures.

43

BENEFITS 1. 2. 3. Documents alteration assemblage associated with late-stage hydrothermal precious metal enrichment/introduction. Documents the structural controls of the secondary mineralizing event. Demonstrates that significant intervals, both laterally and vertically, of elevated Pt+Pd+Au+Ag mineralization can occur in the copper-nickel deposits of the Duluth Complex. The combination of the above provides the first data necessary to develop CuNi-Pd-Pt-Au-Ag exploration targets. Statistical analysis of the available data suggests that in-fill drilling could discover a significant quantity of ore.

4. 5.

44

REFERENCES Barnes, H.L., 1979, Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits: John Wiley and Sons, New York, 798 pp. Beaudoin, G., and Laurent, R., 1989, PGE geochemistry of the Blue Lake Cu-Ni-PGE massive sulfide deposit [abs.]: Geol. Assoc. of Can., Progs. with Abs., v. 14, pp. A47. Brown, E.H., 1967, The greenschist facies in part of eastern Otago, New Zealand: Contr. Mineral. and Petrol., v. 14, pp. 259-292. ------, 1971, Phase relations of biotite and stilpnomelane in the greenschist facies: Contrib. Mineral. and Petrol., v. 31, pp. 275-299. ------, 1975, A petrogenetic grid for reactions producing biotite and other Al-Fe-Mg silicates in the greenschist facies: Jour. Petrology, v. 16, part 2, pp. 258-271. Butler, B.K., 1989, Hydrogen isotope study of the Babbitt Cu-Ni deposit, Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Unpubl. M.S. thesis, Indiana University, 180 pp. Cooper, R.W., 1978, Lineament and structural analysis of the Duluth Complex, Hoyt LakesKawishiwi area, northeastern Minnesota: Unpubl. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Minnesota, 280 pp. Cooper, R.W., Weiblen, P.W., and Morey, G.B., 1981, Topographic and aeromagnetic lineaments and their relationship to bedrock geology in a glaciated Precambrian terrane, northeastern Minnesota: in O'Leary, D.W., and Earle, J.L., (eds.), Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Basement Tectonics, Denver, Colorado, pp. 137-148. Dillon-Leitch, H.C.H., Watkinson, D.H., and Coats, C.J.A., 1986, Distribution of platinum group elements in the Donaldson West deposit, Cape Smith Belt, Quebec: Econ. Geol., v. 81, pp. 1147-1158. Economou, M.I., 1986, Platinum group elements (PGE) in chromite and sulfide ores within the ultramafic zone of some Greek ophiolite complexes: in Gallagher, M.J., Ixwe, R.A., Neary, C.R., and Prichard, H.M.,(eds.), the Metallogeny of Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks; The Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, London, pp. 441-452. Engineering and Mining Journal, 1989, v. 190, no. 9, pp. 21. Ervin, S.M., 1987, The relationship between the cloud zone and the basal zone Cu-Ni sulfides, and the significance of mafic pegmatites, Minnamax property, Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Unpubl. M.S. thesis, University of Minnesota, Duluth, 137 pp. Fleischer, M., Wilcox, R.E., and Matzko, J.J., 1984, Microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals: U.S. Geological Survey Bull. 1627, 453 pp. Foose, M.P., and Cooper, R.W., 1981, Faulting and fracturing in part of the Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota: Can. Jour. Earth Sci., v. 18, pp. 810-814.

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Foose, M.P., and Weiblen, P.W., 1986, The physical and chemical setting and textural and compositional characteristics of sulfide ores from the South Kawishiwi intrusion, Duluth Complex, Minnesota, USA: Proc. 27th International Geol. Congress (Moscow), Special Copper Symposium, Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 8-24. p. 8-24. Geerts, S., Barnes, R.J., and Hauck, S.A., 1990, Geology and mineralization in the Dunka Road copper-nickel mineral deposit: Natural Resources Research Institute, Technical Report, NRRI/GMIN-TR-89-16. Genkin, A.D., 1968, Minerals of the platinum metals and their associations in the coppernickel ores of the Noril'sk deposit: Acad. of Sciences of the USSR, Institute for the Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Nauka, Moscow, 159 pp. Green, J.C., Phinney, W.C., and Weiblen, P.W., 1966, Gabbro Lake quadrangle, Lake County, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey, Miscellaneous Map M-2. Henderson, P., 1982, Inorganic Geochemistry: Pergamon Press, Oxford, 353 pp. Hudson, D.R., 1986, Platinum group minerals from the Kambalda nickel deposits, Western Australia: Econ. Geol., v. 81, pp. 1218-1225. Hulbert, L.J., Duke, J.M., Eckstrand, O.R., Lydon, J.W., Scoates, R.F.J., and Cabri, L.J., 1988, Geological environments of the platinum group elements: Geol. Survey of Canada, Open File Report 1440. Hunt, J.A., and Kerrick, D.M., 1977, The stability of sphene; experimental redetermination and geologic implications: Geochem. et Cosmochim. Acta, v. 41, pp. 279-288. Isaaks, E.H., and Srivastava, R.M. (1989), An Introduction to Applied Geostatistics: Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 30. Keays, R.R., Gostin, V.A., and Wallace, M.W., 1989, Mobilization of platinum metals by diagenetic fluids along the Lake Acraman meteorite ejecta horizon, South Australia (abs.): Geol. Assoc. Can., Prog. with Abs., v. 14, pp. A70. Kerr, P.F., 1959, Optical Mineralogy: McGraw-Hill, New York, 442 pp. Listerud, W.H., and Meineke, D.G., 1977, Mineral resources of a portion of the Duluth Complex and adjacent rocks in St. Louis and Lake Counties, northeastern Minnesota: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Div. of Minerals, Report 93, 49 pp. McCallum, M.E., Loucks, R.R., Carlson, R.R., Cooley, E.F., and Doerge, T.A., 1976, Platinum metals associated with hydrothermal copper ores of the New Rambler mine, Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming: Econ. Geol., v. 71, pp. 1429-1450. Morey, G.B., and Cooper, R.W., 1977, Bedrock geology of the Hoyt Lakes-Kawishiwi area, St. Louis and Lake Counties, northeastern Minnesota: Minn. Geol. Survey, open-file map, 1:48,000.

46

Morton, P., and Hauck, S.A., 1987, PGE, Au, and Ag contents of Cu-Ni sulfides found at the base of the Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota: Natural Resources Research Institute, Technical Report, NRRI/GMIN-TR-87-04, 67 pp. ------, 1989, Precious metals in the copper-nickel deposits of the Duluth Complex (abs.): Minn. Geol. Surv., Inf. Circ., pp. 47-48. Mountain, B.W., and Wood, S.A., 1988, Chemical controls on the solubility, transport, and deposition of platinum and palladium in hydrothermal solutions: a thermodynamic approach: Econ. Geol., v. 83, pp. 492-510. Naldrett, A.J., 1981, Nickel sulfide deposits: classification, composition, and genesis: Econ. Geol. 75th Anniv. Vol., pp. 628-685. Naldrett, A.J., 1982, Platinum group metals in Ontario: Ontario Geol. Surv., Open File Rept. 5380, 7 pp. Naldrett, A.J., and Duke, J.M., 1980, Platinum metals in magmatic sulfide ores: Science, v. 208, pp. 1417-1424. Pasteris, J.D., 1984, Further interpretation of the Cu-Fe-Ni sulfide mineralization in the Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 22, pp. 39-53. Patterson, G.S., and Watkinson, D.H., 1984a, The geology of the Thierry Cu-Ni mine, northwestern Ontario: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 22, pp. 3-11. ------, 1984b, Metamorphism and supergene alteration of Cu-Ni sulfides, Thierry mine, northwestern Ontario: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 22, pp. 13-21. Paterson, H.L., Donaldson, M.J., Smith, R.N., Lenard, M.F., Gresham, J.J., Boyack, D.J., and Keays, R.R., 1982, Nickeliferous sediments and sediment-associated nickel ores at Kambalda, Western Australia: in Buchanan, D.L., and Jones, M.J., (eds.), Sulfide deposits in mafic and ultramafic rocks; Proc. of IGCP Projects 161 and 91, Third Nickel Sulfide Field Conf., Perth, Western Aust., May 23-25, pp. 81-94. Phinney, W.C., 1969, The Duluth Complex in the Gabbro Lake quadrangle, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey, Report of Investigations RI-9, 20 pp. Phinney, W.C., 1972, Duluth Complex, history and nomenclature: in Sims, P.K., and Morey, G.B., eds., Geology of Minnesota: A Centennial Volume, Minn. Geol. Survey, pp. 333334. Rao, B.V., and Ripley, E.M., 1983, Petrochemical studies of the Dunka Road Cu-Ni deposit, Duluth Complex, Minnesota: Econ. Geol., v. 78, pp. 1222-1238. Ripley, E.M., 1986, Application of stable isotope studies to problems of magmatic sulfide ore genesis, with special reference to the Duluth Complex, Minnesota: in Freidrich, G.H., Genkin, A.D., Naldrett, A.J., Ridge, J.D., Sillitoe, R.H., and Vokes, F.M., (eds.), Geology and Metallogeny of Copper Deposits, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 25-42. Rowell, W.F., and Edgar, A.D., 1986, Platinum group element mineralization in a hydrothermal Cu-Ni sulfide occurrence, Rathbun Lake, northeastern Ontario: Econ. Geol., v. 81, pp. 1272-1277. 47

Rucklidge, John, 1971, Mobilization of nickel and platinum metals during serpentinization of ultramafic rocks: Platinum Conference, University of Melbourne. Severson, M.J., 1988, Geology and structure of a portion of the Partridge River intrusion: Natural Resources Research Institute, Technical Report, NRRI/GMIN-TR-88-08, 78 pp. Severson, M., and Hauck, S., 1990, Geology, geochemistry and stratigraphy of a portion of the Partridge River intrusion: Natural Resources Research Institute, Technical Report, NRRI/GMIN-TR-89-11, 236 pp. Sheets, R.W., Nyman, M.W., Driscoll, A.J., Jr., Knight, C.L., and Bodnar, R.J., 1989, Fluids associated with a shear zone hosted hydrothermal Pt-Au-Cu deposit: fluid inclusion study of the New Rambler deposit, southeast Wyoming (abs.): Geol. Assoc. of Can., Progs. with Abs., v. 14, pp. A70. Stumpfl, E.F., 1974, The genesis of platinum deposits: further thoughts: Minerals Sci. Engng., v. 6, no. 3, pp. 120-141. ------,1986, Distribution, transport, and concentration of platinum group elements: in Gallagher, M.J., Ixwe, R.A., Neary, C.R., and Prichard, H.M., (eds.), Metallogeny of Basic and Ultrabasic Rocks, Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, London, pp. 379-394. Stumpfl, E.F., and Tarkian, M., 1976, Platinum genesis: new mineralogical evidence: Econ. Geol., v. 71, pp. 1451-1460. Sutcliffe, R.H., Sweeny, J.M., and Edgar, A.D., 1989, The Lac des Iles Complex, Ontario: petrology and platinum-group-elements mineralization in an Archean mafic intrusion: Can. J. Earth Sci., v. 26, pp. 1408-1427. Sweeny, J.M., Edgar, A.D., Charbonneau, H.E., and McHardy, D.C., 1989, Platinum group minerals (PGM) as indicators of magmatic vs. hydrothermal processes: evidence from the Lac des Iles and Rathbun Lake, Ontario platinum group element deposits (PGE) [abs.]: Geological Assoc. of Canada/ Mineralogical Assoc. of Canada Annual Meeting, May 15-17, Montreal, pp. A48. Talkington, R.W., and Watkinson, D.H., 1984, Trends in the distribution of the precious metals in the Lac des Iles Complex, northwestern Ontario: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 22, pp. 125-136. Watkinson, D.H., and Melling, D.R., 1989, Genesis of Pd-Pt-Au-Ag-Hg minerals in Cu-rich sulfides; Salt Chuck mafic-ultramafic rock complex, Alaska [abs.]: Geological Assoc. of Canada/Mineralogical Association of Canada Annual Meeting, May 15-17, Montreal, pp. A48. Watowich, S.N., Malcolm, J.B., and Parker, P.D., 1981, A review of the Duluth Gabbro Complex of Minnesota as a domestic source of critical and strategic metals: SMEAIME Fall Meeting, Denver, Colorado, 9 pp. Weiblen, P.W., Churchill, R.K., and Cooper, R.W., 1978, Structural controls on copper-nickel mineralization in the Duluth Complex: Minnesota Geological Survey, open file report, 39 pp.

48

Weiblen, P.W., and Morey, G.B., 1976, Textural and compositional characteristics of sulfide ores from the basal contact zone of the South Kawishiwi intrusion, Duluth Complex, northeastern Minnesota: Mining Symposium, 37th Annual American Inst. of Mining and Metall. Engineers; Minnesota Section, 49th Annual Meeting, Duluth, 1976, Proceedings, pp. 22-1 to 22-24. Weiblen, P.W., and Morey, G.B., 1980, A summary of the stratigraphy, petrology, and structure of the Duluth Complex: American Jour. Sci., v. 280A, pp. 88-133. Wood, S.A., and Mountain, B.W., 1989, The hydrothermal transport of platinum and palladium: thermodynamic constraints revisited [abs.]: Geol. Assoc. Can., Prog. with Abs., v.14, pp. A79. Zoltai, T., and Stout, J.H., 1984, Mineralogy Concepts and Principles: Burgess, Minneapolis, 505 pp.

49

APPENDIX A Petrographic Descriptions of Samples Collected in Section 36, T. 62 N., R. 11 W.

50

During July, 1989, eight outcrop samples were taken in the South Filson Creek area, on a Newmont Exploration lease (NW 1/4 Section 36, T. 62 N., R. 11 W., Lake County, Minnesota). Sample locations can be found on the attached map (Fig. 15). This property is located just to the south of the area drilled for Cu-Ni by the M. A. Hanna Company in the late 1960s. The samples were taken at each lithology change encountered on a traverse along South Filson Creek. Rock types range from anorthositic troctolite to gabbro. All samples

show microfracturing due to cataclasis. Samples NM36-D and NM36-F contained the highest sulfide content. Microprobe work would be necessary to determine if several minute, highly reflective grains in sample D are PGE minerals. Samples NM36-B, C, and E contain small quantities of secondary sulfides (but no primary sulfides) associated with serpentinization.

Sample NM36-A This sample is an augite troctolite (AGT) to olivine gabbro (OG) and contains 60-65% plagioclase (andesine) and 10-12% olivines mesocumulate grains. Intercumulate minerals

include 10% orthopyroxene (hypersthene), 5-7% clinopyroxene (augite), and 2-3% oxides. Late-stage replacement minerals are biotite (2-3%), serpentine (trace [tr]-1%) and chlorite (tr). The olivines are reticulate and partially serpentinized. Olivine also forms glomerocrysts that are rimmed by a thin layer of hypersthene or poikilitic augite. Biotite rims the skeletal oxide grains. No polished section was available for NM36-A.

Sample NM36-B This sample is an augite troctolite typical of the South Filson Creek area. Andesine plagioclase (55-60%) occurs with a mesocumulate texture, and olivine (10-15%) is meso- to intercumulate, as well as highly reticulate and serpentinized. Augite (5-7%), hypersthene (35%), and oxides (3-6%) are also intercumulate. Biotite (4-5%), stilpnomelane (tr-1%),

51

serpentine (tr-1%), and secondary sulfides occur as replacement minerals.

Stilpnomelane

replaces biotite around primary oxides. Biotite laths are often bent due to deformation. In polished section, oxides make up approximately 95 modal percent of the opaque minerals. The hematite (5-10 modal percent) alteration was not observed in thin section, but is prominent in polished section. Very fine-grained trains and veinlets of secondary

chalcopyrite (1-2 modal percent) are present and there is minor bornite (tr) associated with serpentine pockets. One grain of primary cubanite was observed. Some of the sulfide

veinlets have been offset due to post-depositional structural movement.

Sample NM36-C This rock is a true gabbro, containing 65-70% mesocumulate plagioclase (andesine), 20-25% poikilitic augite, 4-5% oxides, and 1-2% intercumulate hypersthene. Replacement

minerals include biotite (1-2%), serpentine (tr), and rutile (tr) associated with the hypersthene. No olivine is present in this sample. The rock is highly fractured and the biotite grains are commonly bent. The polished section contains approximately 95 modal percent primary oxides, similar to those found in sample B. Minor amounts (3-5 modal percent) of chalcopyrite, bornite, and digenite are associated with serpentine veinlets.

Sample NM36-D Sample D is an augite troctolite to olivine gabbro and is similar in composition to sample A. This rock is composed of 60-65% mesocumulate plagioclase (andesine) and 510% olivine, with intercumulate augite (5-7%), hypersthene (3-5%), oxides (2-4%), and sulfides (tr). Replacement minerals are biotite (5-7%), serpentine (3%), iddingsite (tr-2%),

epidote (tr), and secondary sulfides (tr). The sample is microfractured. Olivines are highly reticulate and serpentinized. Silicate myrmekites are often associated with the biotite that

encases the course-grained primary oxides and sulfides. 52

This sample has the highest sulfide content, even though the sulfides comprise only 10-15 modal percent of the opaque minerals. serpentine pockets and veinlets. Chalcopyrite is always associated with

Primary sulfides are coarse-grained chalcopyrite (3-4%),

pentlandite (1-2%), and cubanite (1%), and secondary sulfides are fine-grained chalcopyrite (5-7%) and bornite (2%). Several very small, highly reflective grains in serpentine may be PGE minerals. However, polishing compound is also highly reflective and has been known to wedge into the softer serpentine during finishing. These grains appear much too coarse to be polishing compound, however, more detailed analysis is required for a definitive composition.

Sample NM36-E This sample is an anorthositic troctolite composed of 70-75% plagioclase (andesinelabradorite), and 10-12% olivine mesocumulates, 4% oxides, 3-4% augite, and 1-2% hypersthene, and traces of primary sulfides as intercumulate minerals. Replacement

mineralogy includes biotite (1-2%), serpentine (tr-1%), and secondary sulfides (tr). As in the other samples, this sample is microfractured and the olivines are reticulate and serpentinized. The polished section contains 70-75 modal percent oxides and 25-30 modal percent sulfides. Primary sulfides are coarse-grained pyrrhotite, pentlandite, and chalcopyrite.

Secondary fine-grained chalcopyrite and bornite replacement textures are rare.

Sample NM36-F This rock is a troctolite and petrographically distinct from sample E directly across South Filson Creek. This lithologic difference may be due to a structural discontinuity across the creek. Primary mineralogy includes mesocumulate plagioclase (55-65%) and olivine (2025%), with intercumulate, poikilitic augite (5-7%) and hypersthene (tr-1%). The olivines exhibit "raindrop texture", typical of other parts of the Duluth Complex but rarely documented in the South Filson Creek area. Replacement minerals are biotite (1-2%), serpentine (tr-1%), clay 53

minerals (tr-1%), chlorite (tr), and stilpnomelane (tr).

This sample contains more clay

alteration than the others, and plagioclase twin planes are often diffuse, probably due to the alteration effects. Stilpnomelane is a very late stage mineral, replacing biotite. This sample does not contain an appreciable amount of oxides, compared to the other samples in this series, therefore the modal percentages of the sulfides appear quite high. The actual volume of the sulfides is about the same as in the other samples. This sample contains primary pyrrhotite (25-30%), coarse-grained chalcopyrite (10-12%), and cubanite (10%), with fine-grained secondary chalcopyrite (8-10%) and digenite (3%). Secondary mineralization is associated with the serpentinized areas.

Sample NM36-G This rock is the typical augite troctolite of the South Filson Creek area and contains 6065% plagioclase (oligoclase-andesine) and 10-12% olivine mesocumulates. The

intercumulate fraction is composed of hypersthene (5-7%), augite (3-5%), and oxides (3%). Replacement minerals include biotite (2-3%), serpentine (1-2%), and traces of iddingsite, stilpnomelane, and clay minerals. The sample is microfractured and olivines are moderately serpentinized. Reflected light work reveals that 90-95 modal percent of the opaque minerals are oxides. Primary pentlandite (3-5 modal percent) and chalcopyrite (2-3 modal percent) are the common sulfides. Bornite (tr) replaces chalcopyrite locally.

Sample NM36-H No thin section was available for this sample. Sulfides comprise 5 modal percent of the opaque minerals. Cubanite (1%) is the only primary sulfide present. Very fine-grained secondary chalcopyrite (3-4 modal percent) and mackinawite or valleriite (tr-1 modal percent) are associated with serpentine pockets.

54

The presence of olivine-rich rocks, a pervasive fracture system, and late stage fluids (evidenced by the hydrous secondary minerals, and secondary sulfides) indicate that the mineralizing conditions in the section 36 area were similar to those just to the north. If this system should intersect primary cloud zone sulfides laterally or at depth, the sulfur-rich wall rocks may have provided a redox boundary. This, in turn, could have promoted deposition of secondary minerals, including the PGE's. Based on the information provided from these samples, the section 36 area has potential for the occurrence of PGE mineralization.

55

Figure 15

56

APPENDIX B Geostatistical Data

57

DATA SOURCES

The sources of the quantitative data used in this analysis are the spreadsheet files FILCHEM.WK1 and KSERIES.WK1 (Appendix C). The spreadsheet file KSERIES.WK1 contains the geometric information for 30 core holes. Each hole is a separate record. Each record includes seven (7) fields: Drill Hole Number UTM Northing UTM Easting Collar Elevation Total Depth Dip of hole at the collar Azimuth of hole at the collar

! ! ! ! !

HOLE ID - The hole identifiers are a "K" followed by a number between 1 and 29. COLLAR NORTHING - The collar northings are UTM coordinates. COLLAR EASTING - The collar eastings are UTM coordinates. COLLAR ELEVATION - The collar elevations are expressed as distance above mean sea level. HOLE DIP AT THE COLLAR - The dip of the holes at the collars are expressed in degrees from horizontal. Of the 21 holes included in the analysis, 14 are vertical (dip = 90E). The reported dip of the 7 non-vertical holes vary from 43E to 83E. DIP DIRECTION AT THE COLLAR - The dip directions at the collar are expressed as bearings.

The spreadsheet file FILCHEM.WK1 (Appendix C) contains 451 assay records from 21 separate drill holes (Table 9; 9 of the holes included in KSERIES.WK1 did not appear in FILCHEM.WK1 because there were no assays). Each record is comprised of the 53 fields: a hole identification, three geometric variables, two sample data fields, one rock type field, 40 elemental assay fields, and seven derived variables:

58

DRILL HOLE # SAMPLE # Cu (wt%) Pt (ppb) Bi (ppm) FeO (wt%) Mg (wt%) B (ppm) Mn (wt%)

FM (ft) SAMPLE LAB Co (wt%) Ag (ppm) Te (ppm) Ti (wt%) K (wt%) W (ppm) Sr (ppm) Pt/(Pt+Pd)

TO (ft) ROCK TYPE Co (ppm) Rh (ppb) Pb (ppm) V (wt%) C (wt%) P (ppm) Cu/S

INTERVAL (ft) S (wt%) As (ppm) Zn (ppm) Al (wt%) F (ppm) Cd (ppm) Ni/S Pd (ppb) Sb (ppm) TFe (wt%) Ca (wt%) S (ppm) Ba (ppm)

Ni (wt%) Au (ppb) Se (ppm) Cr (wt%) Na (wt%) Mo (ppm) Be (ppm)

Cu/Ni Cu/(Cu+Ni) Pt+Pd/(100*S) Ag/S

The vast majority of these individual fields were empty for most records. As such, the analysis presented in this report included the seven most prevalent elements and economically important elements:

Cu (%)

Ni (%)

Pd (ppb)

Pt (ppb)

Au (ppb)

Ag (ppb)

Co (%)

This spreadsheet file contains all of the assay data used in the analysis presented in this report.

Table 9.

Identification of Drill Holes Used in the Geostatistical Analysis COLLAR AZI. DDH UTM UTM ELEVATION TD /DIP NO. NORTHING EASTING (FT.) (FT.) (DEG) Azimuth -----------------------------------------------------K-1 599161 5297635 1490 2645 90 0 K-2 592612 5293617 1450 2240 90 0 K-3 602662 5298606 1500 40 43 330 K-3A 602662 5298606 1500 284 43 330 K-4 595162 5296040 1500 1697 85 39 K-5 599822 5297027 1500 307 45 0 K-6 599259 5297012 1495 300 45 0 K-7 602730 5298702 1500 300 90 0 K-8 593079 5293252 1430 3420 90 0 K-11 599819 5297457 1495 362 45 0 K-12 599836 5297431 1495 214 90 0 K-13 599697 5297400 1505 100 90 0 K-15 599195 5297153 1505 100 90 0 K-16 599254 5297034 1500 265 45 328 K-17 599229 5297110 1490 189 90 0 K-18 599316 5297067 1490 200 90 0 K-20 599258 5297982 1490 250 90 0 K-21 599315 5297108 1490 150 90 0 K-25 599474 5297326 1500 166 90 0 K-26 599690 5297457 1510 186 90 0 K-27 599264 5297108 1490 200 90 0 K-29 599256 5297217 1490 494 45 135

59

60

Table 10. Samples Used to Estimate "Background" Metal Values in Sulfides

DDH K-5 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-11 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12

FROM TO INT. FT. FT. FT. 183 189 6 9 13 4 13 20 7 20 28 8 28 30 2 30 32 2 32 36 4 36 46 10 46 56 10 56 62 6 62 70 8 70 91.5 21.5 91.5 93 1.5 93 104 11 108 117 9 117 119 2 119 123 4 123 125 2 125 130 5 260 265 5 269 279 10 279 284 5 284 290 6 312 317 5 317 321 4 321 331 10 331 335 4 335 346 11 346 350.5 4.5 350.5 353 2.5 353 358 5 358 362 4 2 10 8 10 22.5 12.5 22.5 25.5 3 25.5 27.5 2 27.5 39 11.5 39 43 4 43 48 5 48 49 1 49 54 5

CU WT.% 0.65 0.17 0.16 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.16 0.12 0.12 0.07 0.08 0.20 0.08 0.06 0.03 0.06 0.16 0.09 0.06 0.03 0.10 0.02 0.04 0.13 0.15 0.17 0.04 0.20 0.09 0.22 0.42 0.04 0.39 0.06 0.12 0.02 0.10 0.02 0.05 0.04

NI WT.% 0.08 0.08 0.10 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.09 0.11 0.08 0.09 0.04 0.08 0.09 0.07 0.09 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.09 0.33 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.04 0.12 0.04 0.07 0.04 0.08 0.05 0.05 0.05

CO S WT.% WT.% 0.008 0.58 0.016 0.29 0.014 0.69 0.008 0.16 0.006 0.04 0.004 0.25 0.008 0.15 0.006 1.04 0.010 1.59 0.012 2.40 0.010 0.38 0.006 0.04 0.014 0.41 0.008 0.03 0.002 0.16 0.002 0.01 0.010 0.01 0.012 0.07 0.006 TRACE 0.004 0.01 0.012 0.01 0.020 TRACE 0.020 TRACE 0.016 0.00 0.022 0.12 0.016 0.01 0.016 0.11 0.022 0.03 0.020 0.19 0.022 0.01 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.65 0.01 0.10 0.01 1.02 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.34 0.01 0.12 0.01 0.18 0.01 0.07 0.01 0.10 0.01 0.08

PD PPB 71 16 31 16 1 30 20 4 18 12 19 21 66 13 35 14 8 75 17 77 11 20 84 26 23 13 39 10 65 26 32 18 19 51 7 21 14 30 10 12 19

PT PPB 5 14 5 18 33 25 5 5 5 22 5 40 92 5 44 5 5 66 18 66 18 18 55 14 25 5 66 14 100 29 66 5 5 36 5 5 5 18 5 5 18

AU PPB 43 0.5 10 3 0.5 0.5 0.5 21 3 2 2 0.5 16 0.5 8 1 0.5 21 6 8 0.5 2 63 5 20 8 26 2 75 18 33 11 0.5 29 0.5 7 1 4 0.5 0.5 0.5

AG PPM 0.8 3.6 2.8 2.6 1.7 1.6 1.5 <.1 1.7 0.9 1.7 1.3 3.4 1.3 2.0 2.0 1.4 3.4 2.4 1.6 1.2 1.1 0.8 1.0 2.0 2.7 2.2 1.2 1.1 1.7 1.6 1.1 1.2 1.2 2.2 1.8 0.8 3.7 1.3 1.5 0.1

61

Table 10.

(con't.)

DDH K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-12 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-15 K-16 K-16 K-16 K-16 K-16 K-16 K-16 K-16 K-17 K-17 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-18 K-20 K-20 K-20 K-20 K-21 K-25 K-25

FROM FT. 70 74 75 114 122.5 126.5 190 209 5 10 14.5 21 23 41 48 50 61 40 44 45.5 63 233.5 250 254.5 257 86 185 38 60 64 74 86.5 88.5 170 174 178 160 175 182 203 91 7 10

TO INT. CU NI FT. FT. WT.% WT.% 74 4 0.01 0.14 75 1 0.14 0.08 79 4 0.03 0.02 119 5 0.35 0.12 126.5 4 0.05 0.05 134 7.5 0.03 0.06 202.5 12.5 0.05 0.02 214 5 0.03 0.04 10 5 0.14 0.07 14.5 4.5 0.29 0.08 21 6.5 0.08 0.05 23 2 0.42 0.10 25.5 2.5 0.25 0.08 48 7 0.25 0.06 50 2 0.06 0.03 61 11 0.38 0.08 67 6 0.02 0.04 44 4 0.03 0.03 45.5 1.5 0.16 0.04 50 4.5 0.04 0.03 69 6 0.03 0.04 240 6.5 0.06 0.04 254.5 4.5 0.02 0.03 257 2.5 0.17 0.10 260 3 0.05 0.04 92 6 0.03 0.05 189 4 0.03 0.03 43 5 0.05 0.04 64 4 0.04 0.01 74 10 0.05 0.02 86.5 12.5 0.03 0.01 88.5 2 0.06 0.02 94 5.5 0.04 0.09 174 4 0.025 0.022 178 4 0.23 0.07 182 4 0.03 0.05 165.5 5.5 0.01 0.02 182 7 0.09 0.05 187.5 5.5 0.02 0.04 208 5 0.02 0.04 96 5 0.05 0.04 10 3 0.09 0.04 16 6 0.09 0.04

CO WT.% 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 <0.01 0.01 0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.012 0.014 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 <0.01 0.01 0.01 <0.01 0.01 <0.01 0.01 0.016 0.012 0.015

S WT.% 0.06 0.38 0.14 0.62 0.18 0.10 0.13 0.01 0.29 0.51 0.14 0.67 0.41 0.38 0.06 0.65 0.44 0.06 0.78 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.32 0.09 0.11 0.07 0.07 0.11 0.11 0.07 0.14 0.11 0.03 0.29 0.03 0.03 0.22 0.19 0.82 0.08 2.01 1.59

PD PPB 19 55 8 39 16 18 25 1 44 44 1 42 16 59 33 49 13 1 62 1 35 13 1 81 8 9 33 40 18 21 6 34 17 13 33 13 8 81 1 13 25 10 1

PT PPB 5 33 5 18 14 5 5 5 19 17 5 5 13 20 21 29 5 5 18 5 5 5 5 36 5 5 7 13 8 5 5 5 5 5 18 40 33 43 5 5 5 5 5

AU PPB 0.5 10 0.5 11 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 2 4 0.5 17 21 15 4 27 0.5 0.5 36 0.5 1 5 0.5 15 0.5 0.5 0.5 4 0.5 5 0.5 2 1 8 26 0.5 2 14 0.5 5 3 1 2

AG PPM 0.1 2.4 1.2 3.1 0.6 1.7 1.6 0.9 3.0 2.8 0.9 0.3 <.1 2.1 1.0 2.7 0.9 1.2 2.0 0.5 1.2 1.1 0.5 1.3 0.9 1.5 1.6 1.9 2.4 2.0 3.7 1.8 1.4 0.5 1.4 1.1 0.6 2.4 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.7 1.7

62

Table 10.

(con't.)

DDH K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-25 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-26 K-27 K-27 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29 K-29

FROM TO FT. FT. 16 25 25 35 35 45 45 51 51 63 63 72.5 72.5 82 82 94 94 100 100 110 110 117 117 122.5 8 10 10 20 20 30 30 40 40 48.5 48.5 55 55 65 65 75 75 85 85 90 90 100 100 106 106 116 116 126 126 136 136 144 144 148 16 16.5 90 95 36 40 40 52 52 66 227 249 354 360 360 364 364 369 381.5 386 386 392 392 402 402 406

INT. CU NI FT. WT.% WT.% 9 0.12 0.05 10 0.55 0.14 10 0.60 0.15 6 0.44 0.13 12 0.55 0.14 9.5 0.47 0.14 9.5 0.38 0.10 12 0.53 0.14 6 0.03 0.03 10 0.26 0.09 7 0.52 0.15 5.5 0.07 0.04 2 0.24 0.09 10 0.31 0.12 10 0.23 0.10 10 0.26 0.10 8.5 0.16 0.06 6.5 0.28 0.06 10 0.18 0.05 10 0.23 0.08 10 0.33 0.11 5 0.32 0.11 10 0.31 0.10 6 0.20 0.09 10 0.30 0.10 10 0.23 0.09 10 0.08 0.06 8 0.17 0.07 4 0.03 0.05 0.5 0.04 0.06 5 0.08 0.09 4 0.18 0.07 12 0.23 0.08 14 0.11 0.04 22 0.098 0.020 6 0.08 0.02 4 0.29 0.05 5 0.04 0.03 4.5 0.03 0.02 6 0.69 0.08 10 0.45 0.04 4 0.09 0.03

CO WT.% 0.013 0.018 0.018 0.016 0.015 0.012 0.007 0.012 0.012 0.017 0.020 0.009 0.008 0.016 0.014 0.014 0.008 0.005 0.005 0.008 0.010 0.006 0.006 0.004 0.011 0.008 0.006 0.002 0.007 0.008 0.004 0.000 0.008 0.007 0.005 0.008 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

S WT.% 1.09 0.60 0.51 0.39 0.49 0.51 0.31 0.74 0.04 0.36 0.71 0.12 0.48 0.77 0.53 0.62 0.42 2.77 1.79 0.71 0.68 0.60 0.60 0.39 0.51 0.40 0.15 0.35 0.09 0.24 0.12 0.85 1.22 0.86 0.03 0.17 0.43 0.07 0.10 0.68 0.47 0.15

PD PPB 14 37 45 10 83 63 27 14 51 29 24 19 29 43 35 43 39 23 10 33 73 67 67 48 40 47 35 45 28 42 21 34 56 1 42 20 30 22 1 40 41 22

PT PPB 14 5 58 50 16 5 33 9 14 20 18 5 5 14 5 44 5 22 5 36 21 51 22 36 24 39 5 29 18 18 29 56 5 5 5 5 22 16 18 14 35 22

AU PPB 0.5 30 30 131 42 35 6 2 0.5 3 9 0.5 8 12 6 10 4 4 2 8 22 19 26 10 12 10 2 9 0.5 1 4 15 10 10 7 3 26 0.5 2 16 10 2

AG PPM 0.9 0.6 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.1 4.0 1.3 1.4 3.0 4.2 1.5 3.3 3.7 2.7 1.8 2.3 2.7 2.2 2.7 <.1 3.3 3.2 2.4 3.2 2.9 1.2 1.9 1.8 0.7 1.1 2.1 <.1 0.9 0.9 1.5 1.5 0.9 1.2 5.3 3.5 1.9

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