Spring water trace element geochemistry: A tool for resource assessment and reconnaissance mineral exploration

Geochemical data from 151 spring locations within the 37,000 km2 South Nahanni River Basin of the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, were analysed as part of a reconnaissance assessment of mineral potential in this large and remote region. Statistical data analyses, graphical methods and strategic grouping of springs according to geochemistry, pH and temperature, were used to identify regions with higher mineralization potential quickly and efficiently. Testing of internal consistency indicates that known world class deposits within the basin are readily detected, but by different methods. As different deposit types have different geochemical signatures a new 3-component approach was developed to analyze trace element data for signatures of mineralisation. Estimation of circulation depth, and therefore maximum potential ore depth, further refines the assessment of economic potential. The depth of circulation of the spring waters ranged from 4.7 km to less than 200 m for the entire dataset. In total, 62 spring locations were identified as having anomalous trace metal content by one or more method (approximately 40% of the dataset). Specifically, 11 spring locations were classified as anomalous by all three methods, and 17 by at least two methods, and 34 by only one method.