Stratigraphy, Geochemistry, Isotopic Signatures and VMS Potential of Late Archean Volcanic Rocks from the Southern Slave Craton, Northwest Territories – Regional Comparison to Sharrie Lake and Turnback Lake Volcanic Belts

Abstract

Neoarchean metavolcanic belts in the Slave craton, Northwest Territories, Canada, overlay a Paleo- to Mesoarchean granite-gneiss complex and its Mesoarchean volcano-sedimentary cover. The ca. 2.70 Ga Kam Group and ca. 2.66 Ga Banting Group volcanic stratigraphy, as defined in the Yellowknife volcanic belt, has been applied to all volcanic belts in the Slave craton and is based primarily on geochemical signatures. Recent geochemistry, age data, and Nd-isotopic analyses supports distinct volcanic episodes occurred intermittent to Kam volcanism and Banting volcanism. Geochemical and isotopic similarities exist amongst mafic and intermediate volcanic rocks, whereas two distinct geochemical signatures define felsic volcanic rocks. Evidence at Sharrie and Turnback volcanic belts supports magma emplacement in a rift system with an evolving, heterogeneous source. Finally, Archean volcanic belts are known for housing VMS deposits and the Slave craton volcanic belts show potential for hosting base-metal deposits.