Project title: Structural analysis and 3D geological modelling of the Black Angel Mine Area, Maarmorilik, Greenland
Researcher: Dr Philip Rieger
The Maarmorilik area in West-Greenland (ca. 800 km north of Nuuk) contains Paleoproterozoic sedimentary rocks that are highly prospective, and actively explored, for Zn-Pb mineralization. Here, the mineralization typically occurs both within siliciclastic and carbonate dominant rocks of the Karat Group, which have undergone several phases of deformation and experienced variable degrees of metamorphism. The economically most important known base metal accumulation in the district is the Black Angel Zn-Pb deposit, which historically (1973–1990) produced 11.2 Mt at 12.4 wt% Zn and 4.2 wt% Pb. Host to these massive sulfide ore bodies are greenschist metamorphic calcitic and dolomitic marbles of the Mârmorilik Formation. Previous studies suggest that the ores formed via host rock replacement and have a strong structural and stratigraphic control. This structural–stratigraphic control, however, is not well understood.
In this project, we are combining data from the historic mining and exploration operations with recent mapping results by the geological survey. The data are used to construct a first-ever comprehensive 3D structural-stratigraphic and ore body model at Black Angel. This model can help us to constrain the tectono-stratigraphic framework of the mine area and how it relates to formation, deformation, and mobilization of the ore. Improving the understanding of this relationship can then help to de-risk mineral exploration campaigns in the Maarmorilik area.