Cole Weixl, BSc

A structural analysis of the Northern Issett Lake region of northern Manitoba was carried out in order to define structural features that may host or be related to gold mineralization. The area is host to a recent discovery of a gold bearing structure plus other mineralization. The analysis was conducted by identifying and interpreting linear features derived from satellite imagery, digital elevation models, a variable time-domain electromagnetic survey (VTEM), and a magnetic survey. DEM and satellite lineaments define linear topographical features, which, in the Canadian Shield are known to have excellent correlations with structure, and to a lesser degree with stratigraphy. VTEM and magnetic lineaments define trends, breaks and offsets in linear conductive and magnetic bodies. Structural features derived from topographic lineaments reveal two dominant sets of orthogonal structures that suggest two unique orogenic tectonic events within the Trans Hudson Orogen, with different orientations.

 The most important structural features identified are those that correlate with, or are parallel to and nearby the VTEM and magnetic lineaments that are directly associated with the known gold-bearing trend. In particular, the intersections of orthogonal transverse structures with gold-bearing belt-parallel structures identify excellent potential target sites for the accumulation of significant gold mineralization. Many target sites were identified by this investigation. Some of the best sites occur where coincidence of multiple lineaments from the different surveys intersect the known gold-bearing trend, especially those in the vicinity of known mineralization. Overall, many interesting areas with mineral potential were identified within the project area, and it is highly recommended that further exploration be conducted on those sites.