LES MINES SELBAIE STORY: Geology

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 83, No. 936, 1990

J.J. Bouillon, Chief Geologist, Les Mines Selbaie, Joutel, Quebec

Located in the northwestern portion of the Abitibi greenstone belt, Les Mines Selbaie is a copper-zinc (silver and gold) producer. Felsic tuffs host three ore zones. Composed of sulphide veins and breccias, they are not exhalative massive sulphide deposits, except, probably, for the massive pyrite (fragments and lenses) localized close to the top of the volcanic sequence. The total of all (mineable and mined) ore in the three zones presently outlined on the property, is of the order of 29.9 x 106 tonnes with average grade of 0.63 g/t Au, 37.02 g/t Ag, 1.21% Cu, 1.91% Zn. The ore reserve calculations and the daily production procedures are computerized to various degrees. The data handling process is highly computerized. Various geophysical methods are, and have in the past, been successfully used on the property. The "mise-a-la-masse" surveys were used to perform the geological interpretation of an underground deposit (A-2 zone). Presently the PULSE-EM surveys are performed in all surface and underground exploration drill holes.

Keywords: Geology, Les Mines Selbaie, Copper, Zinc, Gold, Silver.