Reviewed by Alex SmithJun 10 2022
Midland Exploration Inc. has announced the launch of a major exploration campaign in the Labrador Trough, Nunavik, exploring Cu–Zn–Co–Ag–Au/Zn–Pb–Cu–Ag–Au volcanogenic massive sulfides (VMS). This second exploration campaign will be carried out as part of Midland and SOQUEM’s strategic collaboration.
MD-SOQUEM Alliance. Image Credit: Midland Exploration Inc.
The exploration program for 2022 will be divided into two parts, each lasting three weeks and taking place between mid-June and mid-August.
Several New Targets for 2022 and Follow-Up of 2021 Discoveries
Following the Alliance’s execution, efforts on compiling information about the Labrador Trough began. As a result of this effort, historical geological mapping, drilling, and geophysical data, as well as rock and sediment sampling, were all combined. These findings, along with fresh insights into stratigraphic and structural depositional contexts, led to the identification of high-potential target locations for the prospecting campaign in 2022.
Prospecting identified a gold-bearing boulder (Rubeo) grading 40.8 g/t Au (in grab sample) during the 2021 program.
A grab sample from Lac Lelièvre, about 95 km south of Kuujjuaq, extended the horizon housing the Lac Lelièvre Cu–Zn showing another 25 m to the northwest during the same program. 2.3% Zn, 0.48% Cu, 0.17 g/t Au, and 30 g/t Ag were found in the sample.
Roughly 4.5 km northwest of the Lac Lelièvre showing another sample revealed grades of 5.64% Zn and 0.14% Cu. Massive to semi-massive sulfides deposited in metasedimentary rocks are found in both samples. Pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite are sulfides. These samples have a metal sign that is typical of Besshi-type VMS deposits (Zn, Cu, Au, Ag, As, Pb, Sb).
The focus of the prospecting effort in 2022 will be on locating the source of the gold-bearing boulder at Rubeo and determining the extent of Zn–Cu mineralization in the Lac Lelièvre area. In particular, VTEM collected data in 2021 yielded several additional exploration possibilities, which will be explored this summer.
In mafic-siliciclastic settings, the Labrador Trough provides a favorable geological and geochronological context for the finding of Cu–Zn–Co–Ag–Au/Zn–Pb–Cu–Ag–Au huge sulfide deposits. VMS deposits of this category are often greater than those of other VMS subcategories. They are also rich in copper, gold, and cobalt. Previous large-scale campaigns in the Labrador Trough focused on this sort of deposit extending back at least 20 years.
Cautionary Statements
- By their very nature, grab samples are selective, and stated values are not always indicative of mineralized zones.
Quality Control
At ALS Laboratories in Val-d’Or, Quebec, or Sudbury, Ontario, rock samples from the project are evaluated using a basic fire on 30 g fractions with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA23) or gravimetric finish (Au-GRA21).
The four-acid ICP-MS method is used to evaluate all samples for multi-elements. Qualified Persons plan exploration programs and evaluate results using a Quality Assurance/Quality Control approach that follows industry best practices, such as the use of standards and blanks per every 20 samples.