The use of near surface materials in gold exploration — Kirkland Lake area, Ontario

CIM Bulletin, Vol. 80, No. 904, 1987

C.F. GLEESON, C.F. Gleeson & Associates Ltd. Iroquois, Ontario and V.N. RAMPTON, Terrain Analysis and Mapping Services Ltd. Carp, Ontario

Exploration results over three overburden drilling anomalies defined by the Ontario Geological Survey in 1981 in the Kirkland Lake area, Ontario are presented. The anomalies come from lowland areas where overburden is thickest. By mapping the bedrock and surficial geology, by prospecting, humus sampling and shallow till sampling over the surrounding upland surfaces, one can initially evaluate such overburden drill anomalies without costly reverse circulation drilling. The drilling should follow, if necessary, only after surficial base data has been obtained. Preliminary work on these three properties has defined the presence of at least two styles of gold mineralization. One occurs in silicifled zones in intermediate volcanics closely associated with northwesterly trending faults and shear zones. The second occurs in quartz-carbonate alternation zones in volcanics intruded by quartz-feldspar porphyry dykes.

Keywords: Exploration, Gold, Gold Mineralization, KLIP, Overburden drilling.