Project Metadata

In July 2013, a stream sediment and water orientation survey was carried out in the East Fiord area of western Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut as part of the Arctic Gossans activity of the Environmental Geoscience Program.  The survey was part of a three-year study focused on the environmental impact of reactive gossans in permafrost and had two objectives: 1) identify a geochemical signature related to the presence of gossans and 2) evaluate the economic potential of the area.

In August 2015, a stream sediment and water geochemistry survey was carried out in three areas of central Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, as part of the second phase of the GEM 2 High Arctic Large Igneous Province (HALIP) activity. Bulk sediment samples were also collected for the recovery of indicator minerals from the heavy mineral contents at selected sites.

The data from the 2013 survey are published in Geological Survey of Canada Open File 7779.

As of January 2019, the data from the 2015 survey have not yet been published.

Funding was provided by the Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals program phase 2, the Polar Continental Shelf Program and the Environmental Geoscience Program (2011-2014).

GEM (2008-2013) was renewed in 2013 (until 2020) and Phase 2 continues to advance geological knowledge in the North to support increased exploration of natural resources and to inform decisions on land use that balance conservation and responsible resource development.

The Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP) provides safe, efficient and cost-effective logistics in support of science and Government priorities.

The Environmental Geoscience Program is a federal research program that provides innovative scientific information that makes it possible to distinguish between the environmental effects of natural resource development and those produced by natural processes.