Status Report on the Surficial Geological Framework for the NEA­IAEA Study Area, Eastern Athabasca Basin I

Janel Campbell 1 and Rob Shives 3

Campbell, J. and Shives. R. (2000): Status report on the surficial geological framework for the NEA-lt\EA study area. eastern Athabasca Basin; in Summary of Investigations 2000. Volume 2. Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Sask. Energy Mines, Misc. Rep. 2000-4.2.

Abstract

This summer, as part of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC)- Saskatchewan Energy and Mines' EXTECH IV Athahasca Uranium Multidisciplinary Study, a sub-project was initiated by the Saskatchewan Research Council to compile and upgrade in digital formal the existing surficia/ geological framework and regional till geochemical database/or the NEA-IAEA study area, eastern Athahasca Basin. The purpose of the surficial geology project is twofold. The compilation of the surficial geological framework supports the CJSC 's Gamma Ray Geophysics sub­project (sub-project 6) in the EXTECH IV program involving reprocessing and re-interpretation of previous regional and detailed gamma ray surveys for the Athabasca Basin. Secondly, the surficial geological framework will also assist mineral exploration and s ustainable development in this region.

The compilation of data both from government and industry sources is underway. The I : I 00 000 scale map of the Quaternary surficial deposits in the NEA-i A EA area will form the basis of the surjicial geological framework. limited fieldwork this summer involved collection of bulk till samples along existing roads in NEA-IAEA area. These samples, together with the analyses of archived drift samples, will provide a regional till geochemical framework and haseline data. Reprocessing of the NEA-IAEA airborne radiometric survey has been completed. Preliminary interpretation is underway, and several features not previously described have been recognized The next step is the integration of the surficial geology and dr!ft composition data with the airborne radiometric data to assess these fealures.

I. Introduction

This summer, as part of the EXTECH IV Athabasca Uranium Multidisc ipl inary Study, a project was initiated by the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC), in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), to compile and upgrade in digital format the surfic ia l geological framework and regiona l till geochemical database in the NEA-IAEA study area, eastern Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan (Figure I). The NEA-IAEA study area is the test area

where a previous jointly sponsored GSC-SEM program compared different methods of exploration for uranium (Cameron, 1983).

The purpose of the surficial geology sub-project is twofold. Firstly, compilation of the surficial geological framework to support the Gamma Ray Geophysics sub-project (sub-project 6) of the EXTECH JV program. One component of the Gamma Ray Geophysics project involves the reprocessing and re interpretation of the original g round and airborne radiometric data from the N EA-IAEA test area. The surficial geological framework is a component critical to the reinterpretation. Secondly, the surficial geological framework will a lso assist mineral exploration and sustainable development in this region. Both require knowledge of baseline conditions and geological models that describe the genesis, characteri stics, and provenance of surficial sediments.

2. Methodology

a) General Rema rks

The main component of the sub-project is the compilat ion of existing publ ic and private domain Quaternary geological and surfic ial geochemical data into both digital databases and map formats for the NEA-IAEA study area. The data will be compiled and presented on I: 100 000 scale maps. The databases and maps will include: i) ice-flow indicators and summary of ice flow history, ii) dispersal trains and indicator erratics, iii) geochemical data (both existing and new analyses), iv) surficial geology, v) till compositional data (database only). and vi) drift thickness and bedrock surface topography maps based on existing digital drill hole data.

b) Data Sources

The interpretation of the Quaternary geological framework for the NEA- IAEA area is based on data compiled from geological reports, maps. drill hole logs, and databases. The sources of data include: university theses, published Quaternary geology maps and reports (i.e. Campbell et al. , 1999; Geddes, 1_982; Schreiner, 1983, I 984a, l 984b, I 984c), exploration

I This project is jointly funded by the Sa~katchcwan Research Council and the Geological Survey of Canada. ' Saskatchewan Research Counc il. 15 Innovation Rlvd., Saskatoon. SK S7N 2X8. 1 Geological Survey of Canada. 60 1 Booth Street. Ottawa. ON KI A OE8.

!7{) Summary of Investigations 2000, i 'olr1me 2

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• Several days were spent in the field collecting 11 bulk t ill samples and field data from sites a long the Black Lake and Points North roads. The samples were collected from a variety of till deposits as well as locations of both background and e levated total count airborne radiometries to assist with the ground calibration of the radiometric data. These samples will provide a regional east-west ground-truth transect through the study area.

Data from these, together with the analyses ofSchreiner' s ( 1983) arch ived drift samples will provide a regional till geochemical framework and baseline data.

d) Integration of Data

Once the surficial geological framework and till geochem istry has been compiled, the data and maps will be incorporated into the EXTECH IV ArcView format database. The final step w ill be to integrate the surficial geology and drift composition data with existing remote sensing data and radiometric data to ass ist with the reinterpretation of the radiometric data.

3. Work in Progress Figure I - Location of the study area (NEA-IAEA test area). The compilation of data both

reports, industry-supported Quaternary geological investioations e.eo-technical data and reports, and the Enviro~menta'11mpact Statements (EIS) from the Rabbit Lake Operations. as well as the Midwest Lake and McClean Lake mine sites.

c) Surficial Sediment Geochemistry

The geochemical database w ill comprise regional geochemical data obtained from Sch:einer's ( l 984a, l 984b, I 984c) reconnaissance mappmg program augmented with exploration da_ta from parti~ipating industry partners. Comprehens ive geoc_hem1c~I . analyses of selected archived samples trom w1thm the NEA-IAEA study area (Schreiner, 1983) will be do ne to assist w ith calibration of data obta ined over several years, and by various analytical methodologies. These samples wil l be submitted for n:iaj or and tra~e elements. partial and total uramum by fluonmetry. and boron analyses of the <63 <l>m size fract io n. Although the clav-size fraction is preferable, there is insufficient archive material to use this fraction.

Saskaicl1em111 Geolo~ical Survey

from government and industry sources is underway. Schreiner's ( 1983) I : I 00 000 sea le map of the Quaternary surfici al deposits in the N EA-IAEA area wi ll be digitized. Data collected during the NEA-IAEA stud>' were inclu~ed in Schre iner 's (1984) reconnaissance mappmg program of the Quaternary geology of the Precambrian Shield region of Saskatchewan. Field and ~nalytical data from these projects have never been published and are presently being compi led in an ACCESS _databa~e. These data provide the most comprehensive regional coverage of sediment-type distributi?~· strat igraph>'. g lacial history, and selected compos1t1onal properties of the surficia l sedim ents in the study area to date. Data from industry act ivities including property-scale mapping of the surficial geology, surficial _sediment geochemical surveys for selected areas, drill hole data, and re lated Quaternary geological investigat ions, will also be entered into the databases.

The inventory and selection of samples for geochemical analyses from Schreiner's ( 1983) archived drift samples is underway. As well . ~he bulk ti ll samples collected this past summer are bemg

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processed to characterize their geochemical, lithological, and mineralogical attributes.

Reprocessing of the NEA·lAEA airborne radiometric survey has been completed. Preliminary interpretation is underway, and several features not previously described have been recognized.

4. Future Work Characterization of the till compositional properties, and calibration of the geochemical data will be carried out once the geoanalytical work is complete. These data will be integrated with the re-processed radiometric data to assist with the new interpretation. The completed databases and maps will be integrated into the EXTECH IV Arc View GIS database. The results of this project will assist in determining the future direction of the surficial geological contribution to the EXTECH IV project.

5. Acknowledgments The authors wish to thank COG EMA Resources Inc. and Cameco Corporation for providing logistical support in the field. Charlie Jefferson's (GSC) efforts in initiating and supporting this project are greatly appreciated.

6. References Cameron, E.M. (ed.) (1983): Uranium Exploration in

Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada; Geol. Surv. Can., Pap. 82-11, 310p.

Campbell, J.E., Quirt, D.H., and Millard, M.J. ( 1999): The application of till geochemistry to mineral exploration in northern Saskatchewan, Canada; 19th International Geochemical Exploration Symposium, Vancouver, BC, April 12· 16, 1999, Prog. Abstr., p8·9.

Geddes, R.S. (1982): The Vixen Lake indicator train northern Saskatchewan; in Davenport, P.H. (ed.), Prospecting in areas of glaciated terrain - l 982. Can. Inst. Min. Metall., p264-283.

Schreiner, B.T. (1983): Quaternary geology of the NEA/IAEA Athabasca test area; in Cameron, E.M. (ed.), Uranium Exploration in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, Geol. Surv. Can., Pap. 82-11, p27·32.

( J 984a): Quaternary Geology of the Precambrian Shield, Saskatchewan; Sask. Energy Mines, Rep. 221, 106p.

-~~~_(1984b): Quaternary geology ofthe Wollaston Lake area (NTS 64L), Saskatchewan; Sask. Energy Mines, Open File Rep. 84· I 4, I :250 000 scale map.

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-~-~~(1984c): Quaternary geology ofthe Pasfield Lake area (NTS 741), Saskatchewan; Sask. Energy Mines, Open File Rep. 84-15, 1 ;250 000 scale map.

Sumnwry of fnveslif:alions 2000. J 'o/ume 2