SULPHIDE AND NONSULPHIDE ZN-PB DEPOSITS OF THE SOUTHERN KOOTENAY ARC, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

The Kootenay Arc (KA) hosts a large number of base metal carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb deposits. These deposits occur mainly within the dolomitized limestone of the Lower Cambrian Badshot Formation (or its equivalent the Reeves Member of the Laib Formation), and the Upper Cambrian to Lower Ordovician Nelway Formation. They range in size from 6-10 million tonnes with average grades of 3-4% Zn, 1-2% Pb, 0.4% Cd and traces of Ag. The deposits, their dolomitic envelopes, and the limestone hostrock lie within secondary isoclinal folds along the limbs of regional anticlinal structures. Most of the deposits are stratabound and stratiform lens-shaped concentrations of sphalerite, galena, pyrite, local pyrrhotite and rare arsenopyrite in isoclinally folded dolomitized or silicified carbonate layers. Brecciated zones are common within the more massive sulphide mineralization. Several deposits are past producers (e.g., Reeves MacDonald, Jersey, and HB) and others are advanced prospects. They are interpreted as metamorphosed MVT- or Irish-type Pb-Zn deposits. The main concentrations of these deposits define the Salmo and Duncan camps.

The near-surface portions of these carbonate-hosted sulphide deposits are weathered, strongly oxidized, and consist of extensive Zn- and Pb-bearing iron oxide gossans and base metal-bearing nonsulphide mineralization. The most common nonsulphide minerals are goethite, hematite, hemimorphite, smithsonite, cerussite, anglesite, and hydrozincite. The Reeves MacDonald, Jersey-Emerald, Lomond, and Oxide group of deposits are the best examples of carbonate-hosted nonsulphide base metal (CHNSBM) deposits in the KA. The shape, mineralogy and paragenesis of the known CHNSBM deposits are indicative of direct-replacement of sulphides by nonsulphide base metal-bearing minerals. Zn-rich (low Pb) CHNSBM deposits commonly form by interaction of Zn-rich fluids with carbonate wallrock (replacement process). Such deposits (consisting of “white ore”) may have been overlooked in the past and represent new and exciting exploration targets within the KA.