Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploration and Discovery of the Chidliak Kimberlite Province, Baffin Island, Nunavut: Canada’s Newest Diamond District

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings of 10th International Kimberlite Conference

Abstract

Sixty-two kimberlites discovered on Hall Peninsula, southern Baffin Island, Nunavut between 2008 and September 2011 comprise Chidliak, the most recently discovered kimberlite province in Canada. These discoveries were the result of traditional kimberlite exploration techniques used in glaciated terrains, including kimberlite indicator mineral (KIM) sampling and analysis, ground and airborne magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys, and ground prospecting and drilling. Capacitively coupled resistivity ground surveys and comprehensive KIM classification and interpretation techniques also played a significant role. Both sheet-like and larger pipe-like bodies have been discovered. The sheet-like bodies are mainly steeply dipping hypabyssal kimberlites, which may contain basement xenoliths. The majority of the pipe-like bodies have pyroclastic or apparently coherent kimberlite infill containing sedimentary xenoliths derived from now-eroded Paleozoic strata in addition to basement xenoliths. The presence of these sedimentary xenoliths, along with other textural features, suggests that at least some of the apparently coherent kimberlites are not intrusive but are extrusive, either effusive or clastogenic in origin. Many of the kimberlites manifest as strong remanently magnetized 0.5–2.0 ha bodies that are expressed as magnetic high and low anomalies with associated weak and shallow conductivity responses. Bodies dominated by pyroclastic kimberlite infill can have neutral to weak magnetic signatures, appear to be more conductive, and can be much larger (up to 4–5 ha) than those with dominantly coherent kimberlite infill. Perovskite U–Pb dating of 25 of the kimberlites indicates magmatism spanned a period of approximately 18 million years, from 156 to 138 Ma (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous).

An erratum to this chapter can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1173-0_20

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Besse J, Courtillot V (2002) Apparent and true polar wander and the geometry of the geomagnetic field over the last 200 Myr. J Geophys Res 107:2300–2330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackadar RG (1967) Geological reconnaissance, Southern Baffin Island, District of Franklin. Geological survey of Canada paper 66-47; Maps 16-1966, 17-1966, 18-1966

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson JB, Stephens WE (1975) Statistical classification of garnets from kimberlites and associated xenoliths. J Geol 83:589–607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dyke AS (2004) An outline of North American Deglaciation with emphasis on central and northern Canada. In: Ehlers J, Gibbard PL (eds) Quaternary glaciations—extent and chronology, part II, V. 2b. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 373–424

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dyke AS, Moore A, Robertson L (2003) Deglaciation of North America, Geological survey of Canada Open File 1574

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyke AS, Prest VK (1987) Late Wisconsinan and Holocene history of the Laurentide ice sheet. Geographie Physique et Quaternaire 41:237–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Enkin R, Tkachyk A, Linton H (2009) Report on Chidliak kimberlite magnetic and electrical properties. Unpublished report for Peregrine Diamonds Ltd., Geological Survey of Canada–Pacific, December 2009

    Google Scholar 

  • Grütter HS (2009) Pyroxene xenocryst geotherms: techniques and application. Lithos 112S:1167–1178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grütter HS, Apter DB, Kong J (1999) Crust-mantle coupling: evidence from mantle-derived xenocrystic garnets. In: Gurney JJ, Gurney JL, Pascoe MD, Richardson SH (eds) Proceedings of the 7th international kimberlite conference, red roof design, Cape Town, vol 1, pp 307–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Grütter HS, Gurney JJ, Menzies AH, Winter F (2004) An updated classification scheme for mantle-derived garnet, for use by diamond explorers. Lithos 77:841–857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grütter HS, Tuer J (2009) Constraints on deep mantle tenor of Sarfartoq-area kimberlites (Greenland) based on modern thermobarometry of mantle-derived xenocrysts. Lithos 112S:124–129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurney JJ (1984) A correlation between garnets and diamonds. In: Glover JE, Harris PG (eds) Kimberlite occurrences and origin: a basis for conceptual models in exploration. Geology Department and University Extension, University of Western Australia, publication no. 8, pp 143–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Heaman LM, Grütter HS, Pell J, Holmes P, Grenon H (2012) U-Pb geochronology, Sr- and Nd-isotope compositions of groundmass pervoskite from the Chidliak and qilaq kimberlites, Baffin Island, Nunavut. Extended abstract, 10th international kimberlite conference, Bangalore, India (CD-ROM)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson C, Ross M (2010) Interim report: results and interpretations of the 2010 summer field season on the Chidliak property, Hall Peninsula; confidential report, University of Waterloo

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee JE (1993) Indicator mineral techniques in a diamond exploration program at Kokong, Botswana. In: Diamonds: exploration, sampling and evaluation. Short Course Proceedings, Prospectors and Developers Association Canada, Toronto, pp 213–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Lugowski A, Ogg J (2012) TSCreator Pro 5.3 visualization of enhanced geologic time scale 2004 database version 1.3. Purdue University, USA, Jan 2012. http://www.tscreator.org

  • Malkovets VG, Griffin WL, O’Reilly SY, Wood BJ (2007) Diamond, subcalcic garnet, and mantle metasomatism: kimberlite sampling patterns define the link. Geology 35:339–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell RH (1986) Kimberlites: mineralogy, geochemistry, and petrology. Plenum Press, New York, 442 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Neilson S, Grütter H, Pell J, Grenon H (2012) The evolution of kimberlite indicator mineral interpretation on the Chidliak project, Baffin Island, Nunavut. Extended abstract, 10th international kimberlite conference, Bangalore, India (CD-ROM)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nimis P, Taylor WR (2000) Single clinopyroxene thermobarometry for garnet peridotites. Part 1. Calibration and testing of a Cr-in-Cpx barometer and an enstatite-in-Cpx thermometer. Contrib Miner Petrol 139:541–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pell J (2008) Technical report on the Chidliak property, Baffin Island, Nunavut. http://www.sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00023243&fileName=/csfsprod/data94/filings/01357817/00000001/i%3A%5CKKBL%5CSEDAR%5C46784%5C29%5C2008%5CTECHRPT-CH.pdf

  • Pell J (2009) 2009 Technical report on the Chidliak property, Baffin region, Nunavut. http://www.sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00023243&fileName=/csfsprod/data103/filings/01515624/00000001/i%3A%5CKKBL%5CSEDAR%5C46784%5C46%5C2009AIF%5CTechRpt-Chidliak.pdf

  • Pell J (2010) 2010 Technical report on the Chidliak property, Baffin region, Nunavut. http://www.sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00023243&fileName=/csfsprod/data113/filings/01676770/00000001/i%3A%5CKKBL%5CSEDAR%5C46784%5C46%5C2010AIF%5CChidliak%5CPGD-Chidliak-TechRpt.pdf

  • Pell J, Farrow D (2012) Updated 2011 technical report on the Chidliak project, Baffin region, Nunavut. http://www.sedar.com/GetFile.do?lang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00023243&fileName=/csfsprod/data130/filings/01885494/00000002/l%3A%5C46784%5C1%5CTechReport%5C2012%5CChidliak%5CChidliakTechRpt-2012-05-09.pdf

  • Peregrine Diamonds Ltd (2008) Peregrine discovers diamonds in two more kimberlites at Chidliak, Baffin Island; new results from CH-1 kimberlite supports coarse diamond size distribution; Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. press release, October 28 http://www.pdiam.com/s/PressReleases.asp?ReportID=405033&_Type=Press-Releases&_Title=Peregrine-Discovers-Diamonds-In-Two-More-Kimberlites-At-Chidliak-Baffin-Isl

  • Rogers AJ, Grütter HS (2009) Fe-rich and Na-rich megacryst clinopyroxene and garnet from the luxinga kimberlite cluster, Lunda Sul, Angola. Lithos 112S:942–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schulze DJ (1999) The significance of eclogite and Cr-poor megacryst garnets in diamond exploration. Explor Mining Geol 6:349–366

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott DJ (1996) Geology of the Hall Peninsula east of Iqaluit, southern Baffin Island, Northwest Territories. Current Research 1996-C, Geological Survey of Canada, pp 83–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott DJ (1999) U–Pb geochronology of the eastern Hall Peninsula, southern Baffin Island, Canada: a northern link between the Archean of West Greenland and the Paleoproterozoic Torngat Orogen of northern Labrador. Precambr Res 91:97–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott DJ, Stern RA, St-Onge MR, McMullen M (2002) U–Pb geochronology of detrital zircons in metasedimentary rocks from southern Baffin Island: implications for Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution of Northerastern Laurentia. Can J Earth Sci 39:611–623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott Smith BH (2008) Canadian kimberlites: geological characteristics relevant to emplacement. J Volcanol Geoth Res 174:9–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott Smith BH (2011a) Petrography of samples from Chidliak 7, Nunavut, Canada. Confidential consulting report no. SSPI-11-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott Smith BH (2011b) Petrography of samples from Chidliak 6, Nunavut, Canada. Confidential consulting report no. SSPI-11-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott Smith BH, Nowicki TE, Russell JK, Webb KJ, Mitchell RH, Hetman CM, Harder M, Skinner EMW, Robey JV (2013) Kimberlite terminology and classification. In: Proceedings of 10th international kimberlite conference, Bangalore, India, 2012; Journal of Geological Society of India, Springer

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner EMW (1986) Contrasting group 1 and 2 kimberlite petrology: towards a genetic model for kimberlites; fourth international kimberlite conference, Perth, Australia, extended abstracts, pp 202–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith CB (1983) Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopic evidence for sources of African cretaceous kimberlites. Nature 304:51–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder DB (2010) Mantle lithosphere structure beneath southeast Baffin Island, Nunavut from teleseismic studies; Geological Survey of Canada, Current Research 2010-8, 6 p

    Google Scholar 

  • St-Onge MR, Jackson GD, Henderson I (2006) Geology, Baffin Island (south of 70°N and east of 80°W), Nunavut. Geological Survey of Canada, open file 4931, scale 1:500 000

    Google Scholar 

  • St-Onge MR, Scott DJ, Wodicka N (2002) Review of crustal architecture and evolution in the Ungava Peninsula–Baffin Island area: connection to the lithoprobe ECSOOT transect. Can J Earth Sci 39:589–610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • St-Onge MR, Wodicka N, Ijewliw O (2007) Polymetamorphic evolution of the Trans-Hudson Orogen, Baffin Island, Canada: integration of petrological, structural and geochronological data. J Petrol 48:271–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Alstine DR, Butterworth JE (2011). Chidliak kimberlite work update. Unpublished data for Peregrine Diamonds Inc., Applied Paleomagnetics Inc., Sept 2011

    Google Scholar 

  • van Straaten BI, Kopylova MG, Russell JK, Scott Smith BH (2011) A rare occurrence of crater-filling clastogenic extrusive coherent kimberlite, Victor Northwest (Ontario, Canada). Bull Volcanol 73:1047–1062

    Google Scholar 

  • Whalen JB, Wodicka N, Taylor BE, Jackson GD (2010) Cumberland batholith, Trans-Hudson Orogen, Canada: petrogenesis and implications for Paleoproterozoic crustal and orogenic processes. Lithos 117:99–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woolley AR, Bergman SC, Edgar AD, Le Bas MJ, Mitchell RH, Rock NMS, Scott Smith BH (1996) Classification of lamprophyres, lamproites, kimberlites and the kalsilitic, melilitic and leucitic rocks. Can Mineral 34:175–186

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. for permission to publish this paper and to the exploration team that worked long and hard in the field to do the work and make the discoveries presented here. We would like to thank Barbara Scott Smith for her input on the geology of the kimberlites in this newly discovered province and to Barbara Scott Smith, Brooke Clements, Mike Westerlund, Laura McLean, Ferdi Winter, Kim Webb, and Bruce Kjarsgaard for providing comments on the manuscript. Meilani Zamora-Smith is thanked for assistance in preparation of some of the illustrations.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Peregrine Diamonds Limited, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Jennifer Pell, Sonya Neilson, Shawn Dempsey & Hugo Grenon

  2. BHP Billiton Canada Inc., Vancouver, Canada

    Herman Grütter

  3. Petra Geophysical Consulting Inc., Kelowna, Canada

    Grant Lockhart

Authors
  1. Jennifer Pell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Herman Grütter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sonya Neilson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Grant Lockhart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shawn Dempsey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hugo Grenon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Pell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    D Graham Pearson

  2. Dept of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Herman S Grütter

  3. School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Jeff W Harris

  4. Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Bruce A Kjarsgaard

  5. Finland Isotope Geosciences Laboratory, Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Espoo, Finland

    Hugh O’Brien

  6. Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

    N V Chalapathi Rao

  7. School of Earth Sciences, Bristol University, Bristol, United Kingdom

    Steven Sparks

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Geological Society of India

About this paper

Cite this paper

Pell, J., Grütter, H., Neilson, S., Lockhart, G., Dempsey, S., Grenon, H. (2013). Exploration and Discovery of the Chidliak Kimberlite Province, Baffin Island, Nunavut: Canada’s Newest Diamond District. In: Pearson, D., et al. Proceedings of 10th International Kimberlite Conference. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1173-0_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation