Part 5

The present knowledge of the Gowganda area indicates it to be highly mineralized, at least in so far as number of veins and surface showings are concerned. The number of discoveries within its area of ten square miles is steadily increasing. The area, character of the mineral association and the richness of the surface showings are comparable with those of Cobalt. There is a general similarity in the geological conditions. The mineralized veins in Gowganda occur in the diabase as do some of the good Cobalt veins. There are, it is true, local differences, but the resemblances are more pronounced than the differences and lead to the hope that exploitation will reveal similar underground conditions. The well mineralized veins are sufficiently long and uniform on the surface to suggest similarly persistent vertical dimensions. Further geological work may reveal something definite concerning the character and size of the diabase bodies which form the country rock, and thus afford a basis for predicting their subterranean distribution. While there are grounds for hoping that the veins will persist in depth, this has not yet been proved, nor, if this is the case, that the mineralization and values are also persistent.

The relative importance of Gowganda is therefore a matter of uncertainty as yet, but it may be confidently affirmed that for its state of development the outlook is very favourable, and the number of veins, area of mineralization and rich surface showings afford good grounds for hoping that some at least of the veins will be found to be commercially important.

The details of igneous intrusion, differentiation and mineralization may never be sufficiently understood to allow of accurate prediction regarding the location of silver deposits, but a general conception of the sequence of events culminating in their formation does permit of the formulation of certain criteria useful in the search for ores. Evidence is accumulating to show that the silver-cobalt mineralizations in the Timiskaming region are connected with a late stage of differentiation in the magma which supplied the quartz diabase and aplite. It seems reasonable, therefore, to anticipate ore deposits in or near such bodies, especially if they are of large size and have undergone important chemical differentiation, that is, if they contain a varied and extensive association of basic and acid phases of the diabase. Pre-existing channels to receive the mineralizers are also necessary and their distribution a matter of vital importance, but in this region they appear to have been everywhere abundant.

These conditions appear to exist quite as fully at several other localities besides Gowganda. At Wapus creek they seem identical and, indeed, results obtained thus far indicate that some mineralization of the silver-cobalt type exists. Between Duncan lake and the West branch the conditions require further study, but, as now known, are not discouraging.

COPPER.

The chalcopyrite, which seems a much more constant constituent of the veins associated with the quartz diabase, is sometimes aggregated into bunches which yield ore specimens of such excellent appearance as to arouse interest. The ore is, however, confined to veins a few inches in width and so scattered as to render them valueless. Occurrences of this kind characterize most of the great diabase bodies, examples of which occur on Mosher lake, between the North-east and North-west arms of Gowganda lake and elsewhere. The chalcopyrite is sometimes superficially altered to malachite and azurite.

IRON ORE.

_Hematite._—Excellent specular and kidney ore is known to exist a short distance east of Nest lake, but the locality was not visited owing to the more urgent requirements of other portions of the district. Specimens of the ore obtained, however, proved to be of excellent character, with little admixture of silica or other foreign matter. The ore body is thought to be of vertical tabular form, occupying a fissure-like space. Its limits are not known, consequently nothing can be yet stated regarding the commercial possibility of the deposit.

Specular ore was seen on mining claim T.R. 2009, near the north-east end of Firth lake, occupying a fissure in the Keewatin. The ore is of good quality, but the outcrop is of insignificant size, the fissure being only about 2 feet wide, and no ore occurring in either the chlorite schist or reddish granite which lie on either side.

Specular ore also occurs in the basal conglomerate of the Huronian series, filling the interstices between the pebbles where an original cement was deficient. At the south end of Kenisheong lake the conglomerate appears at the water’s edge, and the hematite may be observed while paddling near shore. The same thing occurs at the narrows on Duncan lake, just south of the central expansion. In neither case is the ore in commercially valuable quantity.

_Magnetite._—Keewatin iron formation exists about one-half mile to the north-east of Gowganda lake. A brief visit was paid to some claims belonging to Mr. Cryderman where the formation is well exposed. The Keewatin, which is partially overlain by Huronian and traversed by diabase, consists of dark grey or black, banded chert or quartzite associated with chlorite schist. The dark bands, usually only a few inches in width, are full of disseminated magnetite grains. No concentrations were noticed and the richest bands would probably yield less than 30 per cent metallic iron, consequently the present showings cannot be considered valuable.

ASBESTOS.

_Distribution._

In the Keewatin area between Firth and Obushkong lakes there occur masses of a basic igneous rock through whose decomposition serpentine and asbestos have been developed. The localities given in connexion with the description of the Keewatin may be briefly restated. Two bodies were found. One of these, lying east of Foot lake and 20 chains from Obushkong was traced for a width of 4 chains, but nothing learned of its north and south extent. It consists very largely of green serpentine traversed by a network of fine, white weathering veins of asbestos. More extensive outcrops exist along the east shore of Firth lake. At somewhat more than a mile from the foot of the lake and near a small log shack at the water’s edge a considerable mass of partially decomposed wehrlite, serpentine, and asbestos is visible. The main mass is of dark green colour, the asbestos traversing it abundantly as a series of glistening bright green threads. The seams are small, none being found more than 1/4ʺ in width, but the asbestos fibres are fine and elastic. The serpentine is often coarsely fibrous but brittle.

ORIGIN.

Microscopic examination shows the serpentine and asbestos to be the product of decomposition of the wehrlite, a nearly black medium grained igneous type. Alteration has obscured its original character, but sufficient of the primary constituents remain to admit of its determination. It consisted of olivine, diallage, and common hornblende, with considerable ilmenite and apatite, but plagioclase is apparently absent. Hornblende and diallage form the basis of the section in which lie abundant rounded or idiomorphic grains of olivine. The latter is completely altered to a matted intergrowth of fibrous serpentine containing scattered grains of black iron ore. Diallage persists as colourless bi-refringent remnants enclosed by a felted mass of decomposition products, chiefly long scales of talc. The hornblende is fresher and strongly pleochroic, the tints being green; its alteration begins by bleaching, followed by development of colourless fibres of low bi-refringence, possibly serpentine. Primary ilmenite is replaced by irregular patches of leucoxene, showing gridiron structure. The final product of alteration is a soft green serpentine rock composed almost wholly of that mineral.

The limits of these masses are exceedingly difficult to define, owing to the fact that they are associated with other Keewatin rock and basic forms of the post-Huronian diabase, to which it presents considerable resemblance. The asbestos actually seen is probably too short and small in amount to be valuable, but the high commercial value of this material renders delimitation of the wehrlite masses advisable. Asbestos of very good quality has been found by Mr. George Rahn in the vicinity of Sinclair mountain, so that this mineral may be one of the district’s latent resources.

CANADA

DEPARTMENT OF MINES

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BRANCH

HON. W. TEMPLEMAN, MINISTER; A. P. LOW, LL.D., DEPUTY MINISTER; R. W. BROCK, DIRECTOR.

SELECTED LIST OF REPORTS AND MAPS

(SINCE 1885)

OF SPECIAL ECONOMIC INTEREST

PUBLISHED BY

THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BRANCH

* Publications marked thus are out of print.

Reports of the Mines Section—

No. 245. Report of Mines Section for 1886. 272. " " 1887. 300. " " 1888. 301. " " 1889. 334. " " 1890. 335. " " 1891. 360. " " 1892. 572. " " 1893-4. 602. " " 1895. 625. " " 1896. 662. " " 1897. 698. " " 1898. 718. " " 1899. 744. " " 1900. 800. " " 1901. 835. " " 1902. 893. " " 1903. 928. " " 1904. 971. " " 1905.

Mineral Production of Canada—

No. 414. For 1886. 415. " 1887. 416. " 1888. 417. " 1889. 418. " 1890. 419. " 1891. 420. " 1886-91. 421. " 1892. 422. " 1893. 555. " 1894. 577. " 1895. 612. " 1896. 623. " 1886-96. 640. " 1897. 671. " 1898. 686. " 1899. 719. " 1900. 719a. " 1901. 813. " 1902. 861. " 1903. 896. " 1904. 924. " 1905. 981. " 1906.

Mineral Resources Bulletins—

No. *818. Platinum. 851. Coal. *854. Asbestos. 857. Infusorial Earth. 858. Manganese. 859. Salt. 860. Zinc. 869. Mica. 872. Molybdenum and Tungsten. 877. Graphite. 880. Peat. 881. Phosphate. 882. Copper. 913. Mineral Pigments. 953. Barytes. 984. Mineral Pigments (French).

Reports of the Section of Chemistry and Mineralogy—

No. *102. For 1874-5. *110. " 1875-6. *119. " 1876-7. 126. " 1877-8. 138. " 1878-9. 148. " 1879-80. 156. " 1880-1-2. 169. " 1882-3-4. 222. " 1885. 246. " 1886. 273. " 1887-8. 299. " 1888-9. 333. " 1890-1. 359. " 1892-3. 580. " 1894. 616. " 1895. 651. " 1896. 695. " 1898. 724. " 1899. 821. " 1900. *958. " 1906.

745. Altitudes of Canada, by J. White. 1899.

*972. Descriptive Catalogue of Minerals and Rocks, by R. A. A. Johnston and G. A. Young.

YUKON.

*260. Yukon district, by G. M. Dawson. 1887. Maps Nos. 274, scale 60 m. = 1 in.; 275-277, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

295. Yukon and Mackenzie basins, by R. G. McConnell. 1889. Map No. 304, scale 48 m. = 1 in.

687. Klondike gold fields (preliminary), by R. G. McConnell. 1900. Map No. 688, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

884. Klondike gold fields, by R. G. McConnell. 1901. Map No. 772, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

*909. Windy Arm, Tagish lake, by R. G. McConnell. 1906. Map No. 916, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

943. Upper Stewart river, by J. Keele. Map No. 938, } scale 8 m. = 1 in. } } Bound together. 951. Peel and Wind rivers, by Chas. Camsell. Map No. } 942, scale 8 m. = 1 in. }

979. Klondike gravels, by R. G. McConnell. Map No. 1011, scale 40 ch. = 1 in.

982. Conrad and Whitehorse mining districts, by D. D. Cairnes. 1901. Map No. 990, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

1016. Klondike Creek and Hill gravels, by R. G. McConnell. (French). Map No. 1011, scale 40 ch. = 1 in.

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

212. The Rocky mountains (between latitudes 49° and 51° 30ʹ), by G. M. Dawson. 1885. Map No. 223, scale 6 m. = 1 in. Map No. 224, scale 1-1/2 m. = 1 in.

*235. Vancouver island, by G. M. Dawson. 1886. Map No. 247, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

236. The Rocky mountains, geological structure, by R. G. McConnell. 1886. Map No. 248, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

263. Cariboo mining district, by A. Bowman. 1887. Maps Nos. 278-281.

*271. Mineral wealth, by G. M. Dawson.

*294. West Kootenay district, by G. M. Dawson. 1888-9. Map No. 303, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

*573. Kamloops district, by G. M. Dawson. 1894. Maps Nos. 556-7, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

574. Finlay and Omineca rivers, by R. G. McConnell. 1894. Map No. 567, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

743. Atlin Lake mining division, by J. C. Gwillim. 1899. Map No. 742, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

939. Rossland district, by R. W. Brock. Map No. 941, scale 1,600 ft. = 1 in.

940. Graham island, by R. W. Ells. 1905. Map No. 921, scale 4 m. = 1 in., and Map No. 922, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

986. Similkameen district, by Chas. Camsell. Map. No. 987, scale 400 ch. = 1 in.

988. Telkwa river and vicinity, by W. W. Leach. Map No. 989, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

996. Nanaimo and New Westminster districts, by O. E. LeRoy. 1907. Map No. 997, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

ALBERTA.

*237. Central portion, by J. B. Tyrrell. 1886. Maps Nos. 249 and 250, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

324. Peace and Athabaska Rivers district, by R. G. McConnell. 1890-1. Map No. 336, scale 48 m. = 1 in.

703. Yellowhead Pass route, by J. McEvoy. 1898. Map No. 676, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

949. Cascade coal-field, by D. B. Dowling. Maps (8 sheets) Nos. 929-936, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

968. Moose Mountain district, by D. D. Cairnes. Maps No. 963, scale 2 m. = 1 in.; No. 966, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

SASKATCHEWAN.

213. Cypress hills and Wood mountain, by R. G. McConnell. 1885. Maps Nos. 225 and 226, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

601. Country between Athabaska lake and Churchill river, by J. B. Tyrrell and D. B. Dowling. 1895. Map No. 957, scale 25 m. = 1 in.

868. Souris River coal-field, by D. B. Dowling. 1902.

MANITOBA.

264. Duck and Riding mountains, by J. B. Tyrrell. 1887-8. Map No. 282, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

296. Glacial Lake Agassiz, by W. Upham. 1889. Maps Nos. 314, 315, 316.

325. North-western portion, by J. B. Tyrrell. 1898. Maps Nos. 339 and 350, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

704. Lake Winnipeg (west shore), by D. B. Dowling. } 1898. Map No. 664, scale 8 m. = 1 in. } } Bound together. 705. Lake Winnipeg (east shore), by J. B. Tyrrell. } 1898. Map No. 664, scale 8 m. = 1 in. }

NORTH WEST TERRITORIES.

217. Hudson bay and strait, by R. Bell. 1885. Map No. 229, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

238. Hudson bay, south of, by A. P. Low. 1886.

239. Attawapiskat and Albany rivers, by R. Bell. 1886.

244. Northern portion of the Dominion, by G. M. Dawson. 1886. Map No. 255, scale 200 m. = 1 in.

267. James bay and country east of Hudson bay, by A. P. Low.

578. Red lake and part of Berens river, by D. B. Dowling. 1894. Map No. 576, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

*584. Labrador peninsula, by A. P. Low. 1895. Maps Nos. 585-588, scale 25 m. = 1 in.

618. Dubawnt, Kazan and Ferguson rivers, by J. B. Tyrrell. 1896. Map No. 603, scale 25 m. = 1 in.

657. Northern portion of the Labrador peninsula, by A. P. Low.

680. South Shore Hudson strait and Ungava bay, by A. P. } Low. Map No. 699, scale 25 m. = 1 in. } } Bound together. 713. North Shore Hudson strait and Ungava bay, by R. } Bell. Map No. 699, scale 25 m. = 1 in. }

725. Great Bear lake to Great Slave lake, by J. M. Bell. 1900.

778. East Coast Hudson bay, by A. P. Low. 1900. Maps Nos. 779, 780, 781, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

786-787. Grass River region, by J. B. Tyrrell and D. B. Dowling. 1900.

815. Ekwan river and Sutton lakes, by D. B. Dowling. 1901. Map No. 751, scale 50 m. = 1 in.

819. Nastapoka islands, Hudson bay, by A. P. Low. 1900.

905. The Cruise of the _Neptune_, by A. P. Low. 1905.

ONTARIO.

215. Lake of the Woods region, by A. C. Lawson. 1885. Map No. 227, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

*265. Rainy Lake region, by A. C. Lawson. 1887. Map No. 283, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

266. Lake Superior, mines and mining, by E. D. Ingall. 1888. Maps Nos. 285, scale 4 m. = 1 in.; 286, scale 20 ch. = 1 in.

326. Sudbury mining district, by R. Bell. 1890-1. Map No. 343, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

327. Hunter island, by W. H. C. Smith. 1890-1. Map No. 342, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

332. Natural Gas and Petroleum, by H. P. H. Brumell. 1890-1. Maps Nos. 344-349.

357. Victoria, Peterborough and Hastings counties, by F. D. Adams. 1892-3.

627. On the French River sheet, by R. Bell. 1896. Map No. 570, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

678. Seine river and Lake Shebandowan map-sheets, by W. McInnes. 1897. Maps Nos. 589 and 560, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

723. Iron deposits along Kingston and Pembroke railway, by E. D. Ingall. 1900. Map No. 626, scale 2 m. = 1 in; and plans of 13 mines.

739. Carleton, Russell and Prescott counties, by R. W. Ells. 1899. (See No. 739, Quebec.)

741. Ottawa and vicinity, by R. W. Ells. 1900.

790. Perth sheet, by R. W. Ells. 1900. Map No. 789, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

961. Sudbury Nickel and Copper deposits, by A. E. Barlow. (Reprint). Maps Nos. 775, 820, scale 1 m. = 1 in.; 824, 825, 864, scale 400 ft. = 1 in.

962. Nipissing and Timiskaming map-sheets, by A. E. Barlow. (Reprint). Maps Nos. 599, 606, scale 4 m. = 1 in.; No. 944, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

965. Sudbury Nickel and Copper deposits, by A. E. Barlow. (French).

970. Report on Niagara Falls, by J. W. Spencer. Maps Nos. 926, 967.

977. Report on Pembroke sheet, by R. W. Ells. Map No. 660, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

992. Report on North-western Ontario, traversed by National Transcontinental railway, between Lake Nipigon and Sturgeon lake, by W. H. Collins. Map No. 993, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

998. Report on Pembroke sheet, by R. W. Ells. (French). Map No. 660, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

QUEBEC.

216. Mistassini expedition, by A. P. Low. 1884-5. Map No. 228, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

240. Compton, Stanstead, Beauce, Richmond and Wolfe counties, by R. W. Ells. 1886. Map No. 251 (Sherbrooke sheet), scale 4 m. = 1 in.

268. Megantic, Beauce, Dorchester, Levis, Bellechasse and Montmagny counties, by R. W. Ells. 1887-8. Map No. 287, scale 40 ch. = 1 in.

297. Mineral resources, by R. W. Ells. 1889.

328. Portneuf, Quebec and Montmagny counties, by A. P. Low. 1890-1.

579. Eastern Townships, Montreal sheet, by R. W. Ells and F. D. Adams. 1894. Map No. 571, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

591. Laurentian area north of the Island of Montreal, by F. D. Adams. 1895. Map No. 590, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

670. Auriferous deposits, South-eastern portion, by R. Chalmers. 1895. Map No. 667, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

707. Eastern Townships, Three Rivers sheet, by R. W. Ells. 1898.

739. Argenteuil, Ottawa and Pontiac counties, by R. W. Ells. 1899. (See No. 739, Ontario).

788. Nottaway basin, by R. Bell. 1900. *Map No. 702, scale 10 m. = 1 in.

863. Wells on Island of Montreal, by F. D. Adams. 1901. Maps Nos. 874, 875, 876.

923. Chibougamau region, by A. P. Low. 1905.

962. Timiskaming map-sheet, by A. E. Barlow. (Reprint). Maps Nos. 599, 606, scale 4 m. = 1 in.; 944, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

974. Report on Copper-bearing rocks of Eastern Townships, by J. A. Dresser. Map No. 976, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

975. Report on Copper-bearing rocks of Eastern Townships, by J. A. Dresser. (French).

998. Report on the Pembroke sheet, by R. W. Ells. (French).

1028. Report on a Recent Discovery of Gold near Lake Megantic, Que., by J. A. Dresser. Map No. 1029, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

1032. Report on a Recent Discovery of Gold near Lake Megantic, Que., by J. A. Dresser. (French). Map No. 1029, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

NEW BRUNSWICK.

218. Western New Brunswick and Eastern Nova Scotia, by R. W. Ells. 1885. Map No. 230, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

219. Carleton and Victoria counties, by L. W. Bailey. 1885. Map No. 231, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

242. Victoria, Restigouche and Northumberland counties, N.B., by L. W. Bailey and W. McInnes. 1886. Map No. 254, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

269. Northern portion and adjacent areas, by L. W. Bailey and W. McInnes. 1887-88. Map No. 290, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

330. Temiscouata and Rimouski counties, by L. W. Bailey and W. McInnes. 1890-1. Map No. 350, scale 4 m. = 1 in.

661. Mineral resources, by L. W. Bailey. 1897. Map No. 675, scale 10 m. = 1 in. New Brunswick geology, by R. W. Ells. 1887.

799. Carboniferous system, by L. W. Bailey. 1900. } } Bound together. 803. Coal prospects in, by H. S. Poole. 1900. }

983. Mineral resources, by R. W. Ells. Map No. 969, scale 16 m. = 1 in.

NOVA SCOTIA.

243. Guysborough, Antigonish, Pictou, Colchester and Halifax counties, by Hugh Fletcher and E. R. Faribault. 1886.

331. Pictou and Colchester counties, by H. Fletcher. 1890-1.

358. South-western Nova Scotia (preliminary), by L. W. Bailey. 1892-3. Map No. 362, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

628. South-western Nova Scotia, by L. W. Bailey. 1896. Map No. 641, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

685. Sydney coal-field, by H. Fletcher. Maps Nos. 652, 653, 654, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

797. Cambrian rocks of Cape Breton, by G. F. Matthew. 1900.

871. Pictou coal-field, by H. S. Poole. 1902. Map No. 833, scale 25 ch. = 1 in.

MAPS.

1042. Dominion of Canada. Minerals. Scale 100 m. = 1 in.

YUKON.

805. Explorations on MacMillan, Upper Pelly and Stewart rivers, scale 8 m. = 1 in.

891. Portion of Duncan Creek Mining district, scale 6 m. = 1 in.

894. Sketch Map Kluane Mining district, scale 6 m. = 1 in.

916. Windy Arm Mining district, Sketch Geological Map, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

991. Tantalus and Five Fingers coal mines, scale 1 m. = 1 in.

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

278. Cariboo Mining district, scale 2 m. = 1 in.

604. Shuswap Geological sheet, scale 4 m.= 1 in.

771. Preliminary Edition, East Kootenay, scale 4 m.= 1 in.

767. Geological Map of Crowsnest coal-fields, scale 2 m. = 1 in.