An upcoming survey will help evaluate the economic potential of local geology, according to a Laurentian University associate director.
Oct. 7 to Nov. 15, the university's Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) is leading a geophysical survey in the Timmins and Cochrane area.
"The goal is to advance geoscientific knowledge about the underlying geologic architecture, structures, and mineral resource potential of the Earth’s crust approximately 30 kilometres below the surface," reads the announcement.
The project is being led by Dr. John Ayer, an associate director with MERC and expert in the region's geology.
“Seismic surveys were completed as part of the Discover Abitibi project, managed by the Timmins Economic Development Corporation, in 2004," Ayer said in a news release, adding that MT and AMT surveys were not previously conducted in the planned survey area.
"This fall’s surveying will create unique regional and high-resolution images integrated with seismic, gravity, and magnetic data to better evaluate the geology and economic potential of an historic and world-class gold camp."
The project is part of MERC's Metal Earth, a $104-million exploration research program.
"Quantec Geoscience will use electromagnetic technology, specifically magnetotelluric (MT) and audio magnetotelluric (AMT) instruments, to survey selected stations within a corridor of approximately 130 kilometres by 50 kilometres," reads the release.
The area being surveyed stretches from Highway 11 to 50 kilometres south of Timmins.
Some of the surveyors will be active in residential areas. Interactive maps of the area are available at merc.laurentian.ca/TimminsMT.
A number of partners make the AMT surveys in the area possible,
According to MERC, Newmont Goldcorp is funding the surveys from Tisdale to Matheson townships. In the west end, International Explorers and Prospectors Inc., and Lake Shore Gold are covering the surveys from Loveland to Thornloe townships.
All the data collected will be available to the public.
