Project Metadata
Coker, W.B.; DiLabio, R.N.W.; Dunn, C.E.; Simpson, M.A.
1978-1982
NEA-IAEA Test Area Program, northern Saskatchewan, 1978-1982
Project Description
In 1978, the Geological Survey of Canada and the Saskatchewan Geological Survey sponsored the Athabasca Basin Test Area to compare different methods of exploration, particularly those suitable for discovery of deep deposits. Both regional (the entire Test Area) and detailed surveys (near the McClean and Midwest uranium deposits) were carried out. In 1979-1982, coordinated surveys of lake sediments/waters, peat, basal till and vegetation/soils were carried out over a portion of the Athabasca Basin – Wollaston Metasedimentary Belt, a region designated as the NEA-IAEA Test Area.
Sampling of surface lake waters and centre-bottom lake sediments was carried out in July 1979. Geochemical analyses were done for all the lake sediment samples as well as for the samples collected in 1976 by C.E. Dunn (newly prepared). Reanalyses for U of selected Dunn and NGR samples (GSC OF 508) were carried out. The data are published in Geological Survey of Canada Open File 779.
In the summers of 1979 and 1980, a uraniferous boulder train at South McMahon Lake was investigated. The purpose was: to demonstrate the use of portable drilling equipment for till sampling; to attempt to more accurately locate the source of the mineralized boulders by tracing the anomaly farther up-ice; and, to determine if the till associated with the mineralized boulder train showed a corresponding anomalous trend.
Peat and associated materials were sampled in June 1980 over the McClean Lake deposits and over the Midwest deposit at McMahon Lakes. Approximately 12 regional samples were also collected on a traverse from McMahon Lakes to Wollaston Lake. The data are published in Geological Survey of Canada Open File 854.
In 1979-1982 detailed and regional biogeochemical and soil studies were carried out. The purpose was to try to understand the many factors affecting a biogeochemical exploration program for U in this environment.
A summary of this work can be found in Geological Survey of Canada Paper 82-11.
Survey History
| Index | Survey |
|---|---|
| 1 | Biogeochemical and soil survey, NTS 64L/5, 74I/8, northern Saskatchewan, 1979-1981. ( more) |
| 2 | Biogeochemical survey, NTS 64L, 74I, northern Saskatchewan, 1980-1982. ( more) |
| 3 | Lake sediment and water survey, parts of NTS 64L, 74I, P, Wollaston Lake area, northern Saskatchewan, 1976. ( more) |
| 4 | Till sampling survey, NTS 74I/8, southern McMahon Lake area, northern Saskatchewan, 1979-1980. ( more) |
| 5 | NGR lake sediment and water survey, NTS 64L,M, Saskatchewan, 1977 ( more) |
| 6 | Peat sampling, NTS 74I/8, 64L/5, northern Saskatchewan, 1980. ( more) |
| 7 | Lake sediment and water survey, NTS 74I/1, 8, 64L/4, 5, northern Saskatchewan, 1979. ( more) |
Project Funding
Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd; Inco Metals Co., Esso Minerals Canada Ltd.; Asamera Oil and Gas Corp. Ltd.; Geological Survey of Canada; Saskatchewan Geological Survey
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