Rutile as a potential indicator mineral for metamorphosed metallic ore deposits

Abstract

SUMMARY Rutile occurs commonly in mineralized zones and alteration haloes of many hydrothermal and metamorphosed ore deposits, and typically has a composition that deviates significantly from pure TiO 2 . This project was designed to test the idea that minor elements in rutile may reflect metal associations in ore deposits, and that analyses of rutile derived from such deposits (i.e., in fluvial/glacial sediments) might therefore constitute a new geochemical exploration tool that would indicate a potential for certain styles of mineralization. The project thus addresses several of the major goals of the DIVEX program by diversifying mineral exploration targets in Quebec: these include facilitating the search for conventional deposits in (relatively unexplored) metamorphosed terrains, stimula ting the search for new styles of mineralization (i.e., those not currently exploited in Quebec), and most importantly, in the development of new exploration technology. Rutile occurs in significant abundance in most metallic ore deposits, and irrespective of metamorphic grade, is most plentiful in sulfide-bearing deposits where high