Testing Pyrrhotite Trace Element Chemistry as a Vector Towards the Mineralization in the Sullivan Deposit, B.C.

Abstract

Mineral exploration methods are expensive and time-consuming, especially in recent times, where many near-surface deposits have been found and exploited. To overcome these challenges, new strategies must be developed. Here, we test whether the trace element chemistry of pyrrhotite changes systematically with distance from mineralization at the Sullivan deposit, British Columbia. If so, this could provide an additional tool to search for new ore bodies. Forty samples of the hanging wall, footwall, and mineralization hosting stratigraphy (host horizon) were collected from seven drill holes, both proximal and distal to the Sullivan deposit. These samples were analyzed using reflected light microscopy, an electron microprobe, and LA-ICPMS (laser ablation, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). A total of three hundred and ninety LA-ICPMS analyses were used to build machine learning classifiers (cluster analysis and random forests) to determine whether an unknown pyrrhotite sample was from the mineralized horizon and, if so, whether it was proximal or distal to the mineralization. Our study found that the trace element abundance in pyrrhotite was higher in the footwall and hanging wall compared to the host horizon, and within the host horizon, was higher distal to the mineralization.