Eve Carrothers, MSc

E. Carrothers¹, D. Gregory¹, M. Reynolds^2
1Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
²Northwest Territories Geological Survey, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada

Black shales are known to contain high concentrations of vanadium (up to 2 wt % V2O5), nickel, and molybdenum as stratabound deposits. These deposits are an under-explored critical metal resource that is starting to be exploited in other parts of the world. While the current understanding of these deposits is that they directly precipitate from ocean water, there is a potential link with hydrothermal systems. To test this, we investigate vanadium rich shales that underly the clastic-dominated Zn-Pb mineralization of the Howards Pass district, Yukon and Northwest Territories.

To investigate the geochemical processes that governed vanadium enrichment in the Duo Lake Formation, research methods such as Fe Speciation, AVS and CRS analyses, as well as isotopic analysis were employed to examine the depositional conditions, redox environments, and fluid interactions that facilitated vanadium precipitation in this region. Additionally, the project will explore the spatial distribution of vanadium relative to other metals, particularly zinc and lead. By comparing the data to previous work on the formation of vanadium mineralization at the Van Property, hosted in the same stratigraphic unit some 60 km to the southeast, this analysis will determine if the deposits share a common source. Through this comparison, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms driving vanadium mineralization in this sedimentary system, contributing to a broader understanding of critical metal deposits.

By comparing vanadium distribution to zinc and lead, this research will clarify the potential for co-mineralization of vanadium with base metals, which could make vanadium extraction more economically viable. This research may also have implications for the development of sustainable mining strategies. As the global demand for vanadium increases, understanding the geochemical controls on vanadium enrichment will be essential for locating new sources of this critical metal. Moreover, identifying the key factors that lead to vanadium and other critical metals’ concentration in sedimentary deposits could drive innovations in resource extraction and processing techniques, ultimately improving the efficiency and sustainability of mining operations. This research will provide a more comprehensive understanding of vanadium mineralization in clastic dominated Zn-Pb deposits and inform future exploration strategies for vanadium and other critical metals in the Selwyn Basin and beyond.