Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposits of British Columbia
BCMEMPR Open File 1999-02
Compiled by N.W.D. Massey
View Open File 1999-2 Map (PDF, 1.6MB)
Volcanogenic massive sulphides are an important resource in British Columbia both for base and precious metals. Current exploration interest is focused largely on the precious metal-rich Eskay-type deposits which are attractive because of their polymetallic nature and bonanza grades (e.g. Eskay Creek - 1998 reserves 1,356,240 t at 2684 g/t Ag, 58 g/t Au).
A hundred years of exploitation from 16 major mines has produced nearly 109,000,000 t of ore. This has resulted in the production of over 3,000,000 kg Ag, 82,500 kg Au, 1,460,000 t Cu, 96,400 t Pb, 1,000,000 t Zn and 2,000 t Cd. The bulk of this production has come from four mines - Britannia, Anyox (Hidden Creek), Myra Falls and Granduc. Myra Falls and Eskay Creek are presently operating, while Tulsequah Chief has received mine certification.
The revised Open File 1999-2 documents 269 VMS occurrences recorded in MINFILE, including examples from all four major deposit model types. They occur in all the tectonic belts, except Cratonal North America.
Kuroko-type deposits form the largest number of occurrences (180) being hosted dominantly in Upper Paleozoic (e.g. Myra Falls, Rea Gold, Tulsequah Chief) and Lower-Middle Jurassic sequences (e.g. Seneca), although Cretaceous sequences (e.g. Britannia) are also important.
Besshi-type deposits are second most numerous (58) being hosted primarily in Lower Paleozoic (e.g. Goldstream, J & L) and Triassic (e.g. Windy Craggy) sequences. Cyprus-type and Eskay-type deposits are less common (13 and 18 occurrences respectively) but nevertheless include important mines (e.g. Anyox and Eskay Creek).
Copies of Open File 1999-2 can be purchased for $25.00 from Crown Publications Inc.
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For questions or more information on geology and minerals in British Columbia contact BCGS Mailbox or call toll free (BC Residents only).
