Characterizing enigmatic tube-shaped igneous intrusions, called chonoliths, that host the majority of known magmatic sulfide deposits: contribution to exploration targeting

描述神秘的管状火成岩侵入体（称为岩棉岩）的特征，该岩体蕴藏着大多数已知的岩浆硫化物矿床：对勘探目标的贡献

• 批准号: 548618-2019
• 负责人: Ernst, RichardRE
• 金额: $ 1.46万
• 依托单位: Carleton University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=751058
• 关键词: Characterizing; enigmatic; tube; shaped; igneous

Mining of ore deposits of sulfide ores of Ni, Cu, Co, Pt, Pd, and Au derived from magmas (i.e., magmatic sulfide deposits) contributes over $5B to Canada's economy annually (NRCan, 2018). Canadian production from known resources will shrink as miners pursue ore to greater depths where technical challenges pose increasing costs. Discoveries of magmatic sulfide deposits in future will be under areas that are covered, rendering them 'blind' to prospecting techniques, and masking their signatures in geophysical datasets. As exploration for these high value deposits in covered areas is expensive, it is critical to improve the understanding of the nickel sulfide mineralising system to allow industry to better predict where these deposits occur. A key gap in understanding of magmatic sulfide deposit formation is the formation of a rare type of intrusion called chonoliths, in which these deposits are usually found, and which are part of the plumbing system for Large Igneous Provinces. The proposed research will match the experience and knowledge of private-sector geologists with the technical expertise of academic specialists. It will be the first to combine models of fluid dynamics of magmas and mechanics of host rocks with the most sophisticated available thermodynamic models of magma chemistry and properties to assess a variety of conceptual models for chonolith formation. We will erect a classification scheme for chonoliths based on their geometry and origin, and establish guiding principles to explain the physics surrounding their formation; the result of this will be a refined ore deposit model that can be used to inform exploration programs with a clear idea of the anticipated structural settings in which chonoliths can be expected to be found. BHP will provide industry context to the postdoctoral fellow who will be employed in this research program, fostering stronger links between fundamental geoscience research and its direct application to industry, and developing an early career researcher who will learn how to work at the interface between industry and academia.

从岩浆（即岩浆硫化物矿床）衍生的Ni，Cu，Co，pt，Pd和Au的硫化物矿石矿床的开采，每年为加拿大的经济贡献超过5B（NRCAN，2018年）。 从已知资源中的加拿大生产将缩水，因为矿工追求矿石的矿石更深入，而技术挑战则增加了成本。 将来对岩浆硫化物沉积物的发现将在被覆盖的区域下，使它们对勘探技术“视而不见”，并在地球物理数据集中掩盖了它们的签名。由于在覆盖区域对这些高价值沉积物的探索很昂贵，因此至关重要的是，提高对镍硫化物矿化系统的理解，以使行业能够更好地预测这些沉积物的发生位置。理解岩浆硫化物沉积形成的关键差距是形成了一种罕见的侵入类型，称为Chonoliths，通常会发现这些沉积物，并且是大型火成岩省的管道系统的一部分。 拟议的研究将与私营部门地质学家的经验和知识与学术专家的技术专长相匹配。 这将是第一个将岩浆和机制的流体动力学模型与岩浆化学和特性最复杂的热力学模型结合在一起，以评估各种chonolith形成的概念模型。 我们将根据其几何形状和起源为chonoliths建立一个分类方案，并建立指导原则来解释其形成的物理学；结果的结果将是一种精致的矿床模型，该模型可用于为探索计划提供信息，并清楚地了解预期的结构环境，其中可以找到chonoliths。 必和必拓将为博士后研究员提供行业背景，该研究人员将在该研究计划中受雇，从而在基本的地球科学研究与其直接应用于行业之间建立更牢固的联系，并开发一个早期的职业研究员，他们将学习如何在行业与学术界之间的界面工作。