Natural Resources Research

, Volume 15, Issue 3, pp 129–149 | Cite as

Mineral-Potential Mapping for MVT Deposits with Limited Data Sets Using Landsat Data and Geological Evidence in the Borden Basin, Northern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada

  • Bahram Daneshfar
  • André Desrochers
  • Paul Budkewitsch
Article
First Online:

Posterior probabilities of occurrence for Zn-Pb Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) mineralization were calculated based on evidence maps derived from regional geology, Landsat-TM, RADARSAT-1, a digital elevation model and aeromagnetic data sets in the Borden Basin of northern Baffin Island, Canada. The vector representation of geological contacts and fault traces were refined according to their characteristics identified in Landsat-TM, RADARSAT-1, DEM, slope, aspect, and shaded relief data layers. Within the study area, there is an association between the occurrence of MVT mineralization and proximity to the contact of platformal carbonates and shale units of the adjacent geological formation. A spatial association also tends to exist between mineralization and proximity to E-W and NW-SE trending faults. The relationships of known MVT occurrences with the geological features were investigated by spatial statistical techniques to generate evidence maps. Supervised classification and filtering were applied to Landsat-TM data to divide the Society Cliffs Formation into major stratigraphic subunits. Because iron oxides have been observed at some of the MVT occurrences within the Borden Basin, Landsat-TM data band ratio (3/1) was calculated to highlight the potential presence of iron-oxides as another evidence map. Processed Landsat-TM data and other derived geological evidence maps provided useful indicators for identifying areas of potential MVT mineralization.

Weights of evidence and logistic regression were used independently to integrate and generate posterior probability maps showing areas of potential mineralization based on all derived evidence maps. Results indicate that in spite of the lack of important data sets such as stream or lake sediment geochemistry, Landsat-TM data and regional geological data can be useful for MVT mineral-potential mapping.

KEY WORDS

MVT deposits potential mapping weights of evidence logistic regression posterior probability Borden Basin 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

REFERENCES

  1. Agterberg, F. P., 1992a, Combining indicator patterns in weights of evidence modeling: Nonrenewable Resources, v. 1, no. 1, p. 39–50.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Agterberg, F. P., 1992b, Estimating the probability of occurrence of mineral deposits from multiple map patterns, in Merriam, D. F., and Kurzl, H., eds., Use of Microcomputers in Geology: Plenum Press, New York, p. 73–92.Google Scholar
  3. Agterberg, F. P., Bonham-Carter, G. F., and Wright, D. F., 1990, Statistical pattern Integration for mineral exploration, in Gaal, G, and Merriam, D. F., eds., Computer Applications in Resource Estimation: Prediction and Assessment for Metals and Petroleum: Pergamon Press, Toronto, p. 1–21.Google Scholar
  4. Agterberg, F. P., Bonham-Carter, G. F., Cheng, Q., and Wright, D. F., 1993, Weights of evidence modeling and weighted logistics regression for mineral potential mapping, in Davis, J. C., and Herzfeld, U. C., eds., Computers in Geology—25 Years of Progress: Oxford Univ. Press, New York, p. 13–32.Google Scholar
  5. Allingham, J. W., 1966, Aeromagnetic anomalies in the Bonne Terre area of the southeast Missouri Mining District: Mining Geophysics, v. 1, Society Exploration Geophysics, p. 36–53.Google Scholar
  6. Anderson, G. M., and Macqueen, R. W., 1982, Ore deposit models-6. Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits: Geoscience Canada, v. 9, p. 107–117.Google Scholar
  7. Bonham-Carter, G. F., 1994, Geographic information systems for geoscientists: modeling with CIS: Pergamon Press, Oxford, 398 p.Google Scholar
  8. Bonham-Carter, G. F., Agterberg, F. P., and Wright, D. F., 1988, Integration of geological datasets for gold exploration in Nova Scotia: Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, v. 54, no. 11, p. 1585–1592.Google Scholar
  9. Bonham-Carter, G. F., Agterberg, F. P., and Wright, D. F., 1989, Weights of evidence modeling: a new approach to mapping mineral potential, in Agterberg, F. P., and Bonham-Carter, G. F., eds., Statistical Applications in the Earth Sciences. Geol. Survey Canada Paper 89-9, p. 171–183.Google Scholar
  10. Briskey, J. A., 1986, Descriptive Model of Southeast Missouri Pb-Zn in Deposits, in carbonate rocks, in Cox, D. P., and Singer, D. A., eds., Mineral Deposit Models; U. S. Geological Survey, Bulletin 1693, 379 p.Google Scholar
  11. Canadian Aeromagnetic Database, 2004, Continental Geoscience Division, Geological Survey of Canada, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada, Contact: http://gdcinfo.agg.nrcan.gc.ca/contact_e.html#DataCentre.Google Scholar
  12. Clayton, R. H., and Thorpe, L., 1982, Geology of the Nanisivik zinc-lead deposit, in Hutchinson, W., Spence, C. D., and Franklin, J. M., eds., Precambrian Sulphide Deposits: Geol. Assoc. Canada, Spec. Paper 25, p. 739–758.Google Scholar
  13. Cordell, L., 1979, Gravity and aeromagnetic anomalies over basement structure in the Rolla quadrangle and the southeast Missouri lead district: Econ. Geology, v. 74, no. 6, p. 1383–1394.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  14. Cordell, L., and Knepper, D. H., 1987, Aeromagnetic images: fresh insight to the buried basement, Rolla quadrangle, southeast Missouri: Geophysics, v. 52, no. 2, p. 218–213.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  15. Crosta, A. P., and Moore, J. M., 1989, Geological mapping using Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery in Almeria Province, south-east Spain: Intern. Jour. Remote Sensing, v. 10, no. 3, p. 505–514.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. de Kemp, E. A., and Scott, D. J., 1998, Geoscience compilation of northern Baffin Island and northern Melville Peninsula, Northwest Territories: Geol. Survey Canada, Open File D3636 (two CD-ROMs, volume 1 and 2).Google Scholar
  17. Drury, S. A., 1993, Image interpretation in geology: Chapman & Hall, London, 243 p.Google Scholar
  18. Evans, A. M., 1987, An introduction to ore geology (2nd edn.): Blackwell Science Publ. Oxford, 358 p.Google Scholar
  19. Fullagar, P. K., 2003, 3D gravity and aeromagnetic inversion for MVT Pb/Zn exploration, Lennard Shelf, Western Australia (abst.): Vancouver 2003 Abstracts, CD-ROM, GAC-MAC-SEG Vancouver 2003 Annual General Meeting, Vancouver, B.C., v. 28, Abs. 631.Google Scholar
  20. Guilbert, J. M., and Park, C. F., 1986, Geology of ore deposits (4th edn.): W H Freeman & Co 985 p.Google Scholar
  21. Harris, J. R., Rencz, A. N., Ballantyne, B., and Sheridon, C., 1998, Mapping altered rocks using Landsat TM and lithogeochemical data - Sulphurets-Brucejack Lake District, British Columbia, Canada: PE&RS - Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing, v. 64, no. 4, p. 309–322.Google Scholar
  22. Hosmer Jr., D. W., and Lemeshow, S., 1989, Applications of logistic regression: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 307 p.Google Scholar
  23. Iannelli, T., 1979, Stratigraphy and depositional history of some Upper Proterozoic sedimentary rocks on northwestern Baffin Island, District of Franklin, in Current Research, Part A, Geol. Survey Canada, Paper 79-1A, p. 45–56.Google Scholar
  24. Jackson, G. D., and Berman R. G., 2000, Precambrian metamorphic and tectonic evolution of northern Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 38, p. 399–421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  25. Jackson, G. D., and Morgan, W. C., 1978, Precambrian metamorphism on Baffin and Bylot Islands, in Fraser, J. A., and Heywood, W. W., eds., Metamorphism in the Canadian Shield: Geol. Survey Canada, Paper 78-10, p. 249–267.Google Scholar
  26. Jackson, G. D., and Iannelli, T. R., 1981, Rift-related cyclic sedimentation in the Neohelikian Borden Basin, northern Baffin Island, in Campbell, F. H. A., ed., Proterozoic Basins of Canada, Geol. Survey Canada, Paper 81-10, p. 269–302.Google Scholar
  27. Jackson, G. D., and Sangster, D. F., 1987, Geology and resource potential of a proposed national park, Bylot Island and Northwest Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, Geol. Survey Canada, Paper 87-17, 31 p.Google Scholar
  28. Jackson, G. D., Iannelli, T. R., and Tilley B. J., 1980, Rift related late Proterozoic sedimentation and volcanism on northern Baffin Island and Bylot Islands, District of Franklin: Current Research, p. A, Geol. Survey Canada, Paper 80-1 A, p. 319–328.Google Scholar
  29. Johnson, R. A., and Wichern, D. W., 2002, Applied multivariate statistical analysis (5th edn.): Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.Google Scholar
  30. Leach, D. L., and Sangster, D. F., 1993, Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits, in Kirkham, R. V., Sinclair, W. D., Thorp, R. I., and Duke, J. M., eds., Mineral Deposit Modeling: Geol. Assoc. Canada Spec. Paper 40, p. 289–314.Google Scholar
  31. Leach, D. L., Viets, J. B., Foley-Ayuso, N., and Klein, D. P., 1995, Mississippi Valley-Type Pb-Zn Deposits, in du Bray, E. A., ed., Preliminary Compilation of Descriptive Geoenvironmental Mineral Deposit Models: U.S. Geol. Survey, Open File 95-831, 272 p.Google Scholar
  32. Olson, R. A., 1984, Genesis of paleokarst and strata-bound zinc-lead stilfide deposits in a Proterozoic dolostone, morthern Baffin Island, Canada: Econ. Geology, v. 79, no. 5, p. 1058–1103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  33. Patterson, K. M., and Powis, K., 2002, Structural and stratigraphic controls on Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization at the Nanisivik Mississippi Valley-type deposit, northern Baffin Island, Nunavut; Geol. Survey Canada, Current Research 2002-C22, 12 p.Google Scholar
  34. Rencz, A., Harris, J., Sangster, D., and Budkewitsch, P., 2000, Spectral characteristics of bedrock map units using LANDSAT TM and topographic data: application to bedrock mapping in Borden Peninsula, Nunavut; Geol. Survey Canada, Current Research 2000-C4, 7 p.Google Scholar
  35. Richards, J. A., 1993, Remote sensing digital image analysis: An introduction: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 340 p.Google Scholar
  36. Sultan, M., Arvidson, R. E., Sturchio, N. C., and Guinness, E. A., 1987, Lithologic mapping in arid regions with Landsat thematic mapper data; Meatiq Dome, Egypt: Geol. Soc. America Buil. v. 99, no. 6, p. 748–762.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. Singer, D. A., and Kouda, R. 1999, A comparison of the weights-of-evidence Method and probabilistic neural networks: Natural Resources Research, v. 8, no. 4. p. 287–298.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  38. Sutherland, R. A., and Durnka, D., 1995, Geology of Nanisivik Mine, N. W.T.: Nanisivik Mines Ltd., Canada, 9 p.Google Scholar
  39. Turner, E., 2003a, Lead-zinc showings associated with debrite layers shed from synsedimentary faults, Mesoproterozoic Society Cliffs Formation, northern Baffin Island, Nunavut: Geol. Survey Canada, Current Research 2003-B2, 7 p.Google Scholar
  40. Turner, E., 2003b, New contributions to the stratigraphy of the Mesoproterozoic Society Cliffs Formation, northern Baffin Island, Nunavut: Geol. Survey Canada, Current Research 2003-B3, 13 p.Google Scholar
  41. Turner, E. C., 2004a, Origin of basinal carbonate laminites of the Mesoproterozoic Society Cliffs Formation (Borden Basin, Nunavut), and implications for base metal mineralisation: Geol. Survey Canada, Current Research 2004-B2, 12 p.Google Scholar
  42. Turner, E. C., 2004b, Kilometre-scale carbonate mounds in basinal strata: Implications for base-metal mineralisation in the Mesoproterozoic Arctic Bay and Society Cliffs Formations, Borden Basin, Nunavut: Geol. Survey Canada, Current Research, 2004-B4. 12 p.Google Scholar
  43. Wilton, D., 1998, MVT lead-zinc deposits, Part 2: The Northern Miner, November 9–15, v. 84, no. 37. (http://www.northernminer.com/Tools/Geology101/geo101pg4.asp#MVT%20lead-zinc%20deposits,%20Part%202) (Aug. 2006)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2006

Authors and Affiliations

  • Bahram Daneshfar
    • 1
  • André Desrochers
    • 1
  • Paul Budkewitsch
    • 2
  1. 1.Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre, Department of Earth SciencesUniversity of OttawaOttawaCanada
  2. 2.Canada Centre for Remote SensingOttawaCanada

Personalised recommendations