Metallic Mineral Occurrences

Vein-type

These veins typically contain barite +/- calcite +/- quartz +/- celestite with minor base-metal sulphides. Although occurrences found to date are not economically significant, they demonstrate the potential for more significant base-metal sulphide mineralization such as the giant Jinding Zn-Pb deposit in China. The mineralization at Jinding formed within a continental red bed basin, is structurally-controlled, shows a strong association with hydrocarbons and evaporites and comprises a mineral assemblage of quartz + celestite + barite + sphalerite + galena + pyrite, therefore shares a number of characteristics with vein-type occurrences in New Brunswick.

Examples of this occurrence type include:

1. Hampton
2. Memramcook East
3. Upper Dorchester

Mississippi Valley-type

The mineralization occurs in marine limestone of the Windsor Group commonly within the basement-bounding algal limestones of the Gays River Formation.

Examples of this occurrence type include:

1. Peekaboo Corner
2. Cedar Camp
3. Albert Mines

Continental Red Bed-type

The style of mineralization is represented by over 30 major and minor occurrences, the majority of which are found at or near the base of the Shepody (Mabou Group) and Boss Point (Cumberland Group) formations. A good understanding of the stratigraphy of individual subbasins is critical for exploration of these types of deposits. For example, copper occurrences at the base of the Boss Point Formation tend to be located in areas where the Shepody Formation is absent due to lateral facies changes.

Examples of this occurrence type include:

1. Gaspereau River
2. Breau Creek North
3. Demoiselle Creek
4. Joe Brook
5. Dorchester Mine
6. Dorchester Cape
7. Canfield Creek (Nova Scotia)
8. New Horton & Midway

Stratabound Volcanogenic

Stratabound and associated vein-type uranium occurrences in the southwestern part of the Maritimes Basin (Marysville Subbasin) are hosted by subaerial volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Late Devonian and Early Carboniferous Piskahegan and Harvey groups. The host rocks represent the remnants of an epicontinental caldera complex that formed during the initial stages of development of the Maritimes Basin as a consequence of the voluminous late- to post-orogenic magmatism.

Examples of this occurrence type include:

1. York Mills, Manners Sutton & Harvey Station
2. Duck Lake & West Mill Settlement

Stratabound Sediment-hosted

Sediment-hosted uranium occurrences are found in a variety of fluvial, lacustrine and alluvial rocks within the Carboniferous succession of the Maritimes Basin. Uranium mineralization occurs at several stratigraphic levels, commonly in close proximity to faults. These occurrences are formed by supergene processes, although the source of uranium is not clearly known. The Upper Carboniferous Pictou Group contains a number of uranium occurrences, commonly associated with plant matter or diagenetic pyrite nodules. Although the mineralization tends to be sporadic it is relatively high grade and has potential to be laterally extensive. Uraniferous horizons are also found within the Lower Carboniferous rocks of the Horton Group. Mineralization is typically associated with reducing agents such as hydrocarbons, plant material and/or phosphate-rich lacustrine rocks.

Examples of this occurrence type include:

1. Hanwell
2. Lower Millstream & Berwick
3. Shediac River #1
4. McQuade Brook & Scotch Settlement Road
5. Lutes Mountain
6. Wards Creek
7. Hampton
8. Berry Mills
9. Chapmans Corner
10. Cape Spear-Melrose
11. Midgic