B.C. study could make finding copper deposits easier Citizen Staff
A new study by Geoscience BC could help mineral explorers locate copper deposits. The study looks at the chemi-
cal and textural characteristics of zircon mineral grains in granite that can provide clues to whether the rocks formed under “copper-friendly” con-
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ditions. The study was lead by Farhad Bouzari at University of British Columbia’s Mineral Deposit Research Unit. “The mineral zircon is a common accessory mineral in granitoid rocks, and has particular characteristics in granitoids that make up porphyry copper deposits,” Bouzari said in a press release. “Not all of these granitoid rocks or zircon grains are associated with copper deposits, so we looked for and found the chemical and textural differences in zircon mineral grains that are preferentially associated with copper deposits.” The data on zircon grains provides a new tool for mineral explorers, allowing them to pick exploration targets for copper deposits more efficiently and effectively. Trace element concentrations in the zircon can indicate the age of the rock and provide information about the magma before it solidified into granite. Bouzari and his team also found the internal textures and zoning in the zircon gives clues about the environment
the rocks formed in. The team examined more than 1,000 zircon grains from 42 samples collected from rocks in the Takomkane, Guichon Creek and Granite Mountain batholiths near the Woodjam porphyry district and Highland Valley Copper and Gibraltar mines in B.C.’s south central region, and the Toodoggone batholith near the Kemess mine north of Smithers. B.C. produced an estimated $1.8 billion of copper in 2019, according to Geoscience BC. “This is an important study to show that zircon textures relate with copper ‘fertility’ in granitoid rocks,” Geoscience BC vice president Christa Pellett said in a press release. “This adds another valuable cost-effective tool for evaluating porphyry potential across B.C.” The full report can be found online here: www. geosciencebc.com/projects/2016-032/.
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