Seismic Exploration for VMS Deposits within the Paleoproterozoic Flin Flon Belt, Trans-Hudson Orogen, Canada

The Trans-Hudson Orogen forms the largest Paleoproterozoic orogenic belt of Laurentia. It is particularly known for its world-class volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, including Flin Flon mining camp.A program of seismic investigations has been implemented as part of the Targetted Geoscience Initiative-3 (TGI-3) to provide a basis for constructing a 3D geological model and refine the current conceptual exploration model for the camp, and ultimately to provide new drill targets. Rock property measurements, downhole geophysical logging and vertical seismic profiles acquired in advance of the main seismic survey demonstrated the expected reflectivity of the mining camp geology. The main seismic survey comprised a total of 75 km of high-resolution 2D seismic profiles and a 3D survey covering approximately 10 km2. The results of processing the vertical-component data for P-wave reflections reveal subhorizontal reflectivity associated mainly with the Missi metasedimentary complex and steeply dipping reflectivity associated with the polydeformed volcanic rocks, including the main rhyolite horizon which hosts the VMS deposits. Some important fault zones are also imaged.