Introduction to the volcanic- and sediment-hosted base-metal ore systems synthesis volume, with a summary of findings

This volume presents results of research conducted during phase 5 of the Volcanic- and Sedimentary-hosted Base Metals Ore Systems project of the Geological Survey of Canada's Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI) program. The papers in this volume includesyntheses and primary scientific reports. We present here a synopsis of the findings during this TGI project. Research activities have addressed several mineral deposit types hosted in sedimentary rocks: polymetallic hyper-enriched black shale, sedimentary exhalative Pb-Zn, carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn(Mississippi Valley-type; MVT), and fracture-controlled replacement Zn-Pb. Other carbonate-hosted deposits studied include a magnesite deposit at Mount Brussilof and a rare-earth element-F-Ba deposit at Rock Canyon Creek, both of which lack base metals but are spatially associated with the MVTdeposits in the southern Rocky Mountains. Volcanogenic massive-sulfide deposits hosted in volcanic and mixed volcanic-sedimentary host rock settings were also examined. Through field geology, geochemical (lithogeochemistry, stable and radiogenic isotopes, fluid inclusions, and mineral chemistry),and geophysical (rock properties, magnetotelluric, and seismic) tools, the TGI research contributions have advanced genetic and exploration models for volcanic- and sedimentary-hosted base-metal deposits and developed new laboratory, geophysical, and field techniques to supportexploration.