Compilation of gold occurrences in the southern Abitibi Belt, Quebec

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 84, No. 948, 1991

Pierre O'Dowd, Noranda Exploration Company, Ltd. Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec

The southern Abitibi Belt is the major source of gold in Quebec. Although the northern part of the belt is quickly being developed, the area under study will not be downgraded in the near future because it still contains more than 75% of the known reserves in the belt. Gold is found in a variety of geological environments which are part of a small number of distinct structural patterns. For the exploration geologist, outlining such patterns might be easier and more productive than defining, when it is possible, the exact genetic nature of the gold mineralization. Exploring in the right place has always been one of the main concerns of explorationists. This paper briefly describes the various favourable geological settings, and outlines areas, types of structure and lithologies of high potential for gold exploration in the southern Abitibi Belt.

Keywords: Geological statistics, Abitibi belt, Gold exploration, Gold bearing environments.