The use of 3D modelling in re-examining the gold potential along the Destor-Porcupine Fault, Abitibi Subprovince, Quebec

2004

Marc Legault, Francine Fallara, Olivier Rabeau,

The Duparquet mining camp situated along the Quebec segment of the Destor-Porcupine Fault was the site of gold exploitation from 1933 to 1956 and 1988 to 1991. Numerous gold showings and deposits straddle the fault. An ongoing regional metallogenic study by the Quebec Geological Survey has identified five main types of gold mineralization, each showing a distinct style, alteration, control, metal content and timing. In order to maximise the impact of this study a 3D regional common-earth-model was constructed along a critical segment of the Destor-Porcupine Fault with the gOcad® technology. The realisation of this model required the maximum use of the public SIGEOM numerical database as well as the recovery of significant private data from exploration company partners. The 3D model is also a powerful new dynamic exploration tool which can be queried using geological criteria characteristic of the different gold deposit types. This 3D model can be modified and improved continuously by adding data from new drilling, mapping or geophysical surveys. The case of the Destor-Porcupine Fault illustrates the importance of 3D common-earth-modelling in delivering refined technological geological syntheses likely to attract significant investments from the mining exploration industries, especially for deep exploration programs within mature mining camps.

Keywords: Gold exploration, Abitibi Subprovince, Destor-Porcupine Fault, 3D modelling