Jennifer Cann
M.Sc. Candidate, University of Toronto
Talk Abstract
The Archean Abitibi greenstone belt is a world-renowned gold province, endowed with over 200 Moz of Au. Despite decades of study, there is still debate surrounding the origin of ore-forming fluids and upgrading mechanisms within these systems. Pyrite chemistry from Au deposits in the Abitibi was recorded using laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) spot analyses and maps. Textural data was collected using reflected light microscopy and etching, with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) used to support identification of mineral phases.
In this study we recognize 8 styles of pyrite: nodular, sediment-hosted pyrite (PyA), oscillatory-zoned, wallrock-hosted pyrite (PyB), fine-grained, aggregated pyrite (PyC), anhedral, homogenous, vein-hosted pyrite (PyD), texturally-zoned pyrite with porous cores and homogenous rims (PyE), anhedral, porous, vein-hosted pyrite (PyF), anhedral, aggregated, vein-hosted pyrite (PyG) and fractured, vein-hosted pyrite (PyH). Spot data was collected from 680 analyses. Pyrite from orogenic-Au deposits in the Abitibi can be defined by several key features: 1) Au-Te correlation derived from inclusions, 2) extensive secondary textural features (corroded margins, porosity), and 3) wide variation in As which is related to host lithology. In addition, four LA-ICP-MS maps were collected which show oscillatory zoning with coupling of Au, As, Co, Ni and Se and within fractures base metals, low melting point chalcophile elements and Au. Overall, this study aims to better characterize the fluid sources and depositional mechanisms of gold camps within the fertile Abitibi greenstone belt.
Speaker Bio
Jen is a MSc student at the University of Toronto researching the geochemical signatures of orogenic gold deposits in Northeastern Ontario using pyrite chemistry. During her undergraduate degree she completed an honours thesis focusing on LCT pegmatites and a second honours thesis in the field of soil amendments for mine tailings remediation which was published in 2024. She has previously worked as a park ranger in Algonquin Provincial Park (2022), as a summer student with the Ontario Geological Survey in Kirkland Lake (2023) and founded ‘Bushwood Camping’ a backcountry camping business with 4 sites in the Frontenac region (2021). In her spare time Jen enjoys canoeing, gardening and biking.
Jennifer Cann | LinkedIn
Join us in-person and attend our networking reception, using the above registration link for this event or join our live online broadcast below!
Prefer to join us online?
TGDG recommends using Google Chrome to run the meeting virtually. Please register/log-in for this online broadcast using the link. TGDG members will also be able to view this presentation at a later date by visiting our member's only Talk Recordings page.
