Granitoid rocks and associated coper skarn, Whycocomagh Mountain, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Authors

  • Sandra M. Barr Department of Geology, Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S. B0P 1X0
  • R. Yip Choy Department of Geology, Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S. B0P 1X0
  • J. A. Colwell Department of Geology, Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S. B0P 1X0
  • H. S. Oldale Department of Geology, Acadia University, Wolfville, N.S. B0P 1X0

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4138/1573

Abstract

Mineralized (Fe-Cu-W-Mo) skarn in the Whycocomagh Mountain area is associated with a small pluton of Devonian (402±20 Ma) age, which intruded predominantly metasedimentary rocks of the Hadrynian George River Group. The pluton consists largely of granite porphyry with a marginal granodiorite to diorite zone, and minor porphyritlc granodiorite to monzodiorite dykes and pegmatite. The suite is calc-alkalic with I-type characteristics. Although weakly mineralized, the Whycocomagh Mountain pluton has features typical of plutons associated with porphyry-type Cu-Mo deposits. Calc-silicate rocks derived from marbles of the George River Group are the chief hosts for magnetlte ± chalcopyrlte ± scheelite ± molybdenite ± pyrite which occur in veinlets along fractures and as disseminated grains In adjacent alteration envelopes. Characteristics of the pluton and the skarn minerals suggest that the deposit is a copper skarn. RÉSUMÉ Un skarn minéralise (Fe-Cu-W-Mo), situe dans la région de la montagne Whycocomagh, est associé à une petite intrusion ignée d'âge Dévonien (402±20 m.a.) qui pénétre des roches, principalement des métasédiments, du groupe George River (Hadrynien). Le pluton consiste surtout en un granite porphyrique accompagne d'une zone marginale (granodiorite à diorite), de dykes mineurs (granodiorite à monzodiorite porphyrique) et de pegmatite. L'ensemble est calco-alcalln et de "type 1". Blen que faiblement minéralise, le pluton Whycocomagh Mountain possède lea caractérlstiques typiques des plutons associés aux dépôts porphyrlques de type Cu-Mo. Les calco-sflicates dérives des marbres du groupe George River sont les notes principaux du cortege for magnétite ± chalcopyrlte ± scheelite ± molybdenite ± pyrite que L’on retrouve dans des veinules le long des fractures et disséminés dans les enveloppes d'alteratlon volsines. Les caractérlstiques du pluton ainsi que la minéralogle du skarn font croire qu'il s'agit d'un dépôt de skarn cuprifère. (Tradult par le Journal)

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Published

1984-04-04

How to Cite

Barr, S. M., Choy, R. Y., Colwell, J. A., & Oldale, H. S. (1984). Granitoid rocks and associated coper skarn, Whycocomagh Mountain, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Atlantic Geoscience, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.4138/1573

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (1984)

Section

Articles

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