We are seeking a talented, motivated student to undertake an MSc research project in economic geology on the Martinière gold deposit, NW Abitibi greenstone belt, Quebec. The project is sponsored by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC)-Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI), in collaboration with INRS and Wallbridge Mining Company Limited.
Project Description: The Abitibi greenstone belt contains the largest portion of Canada’s gold budget and remains a prime exploration target. Research to date provided an in-depth understanding of the gold systems but several knowledge gaps remain regarding the genesis, controls, and precise timing of mineralization, especially in the northern part of the belt. The Martinière deposit (0.68 Moz of indicated and 0.63 Moz of inferred gold resources) is located in the Detour-Fenelon gold belt and spatially associated with Sunday Lake deformation zone.
The MSc research project will study the geological setting and the metallogeny of the deposit. The main objectives of the thesis are to characterize the lithostratigraphic setting of the deposit, the various intrusive phases, and their relationship with gold mineralization, in order to improve the geological and metallogenic model of the deposit.
The study will comprise an important field-based research component including drill core description and sampling, mostly based at mostly at the Fenelon exploration camp. The multidisciplinary research will use methods such as stratigraphy, petrography, whole rock and isotope geochemistry, mineral chemistry, geochronology and structural analysis. With the support of thesis supervisors and associated colleagues, the candidate will write and publish results and interpretations in open file reports and give presentations during scientific conferences. The final output will be an MSc thesis in Earth Sciences.
Start date
May 2024
Research supervision
Sébastien Castonguay, Research Geoscientist, Geological Survey of Canada
Pierre-Simon Ross, professor, INRS
With support from Wallbridge geologists
Study program
MSc in Earth sciences (description in French only), Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre, INRS
Funding
The student will be supported by a GSC Research Affiliate Program (RAP) bursary (MSc: 24k$/yr for 2 years), with additional support for research costs from the GSC and Wallbridge Mining.
Required qualifications
Preference will be given to persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad. To be considered, the person must also meet the following criteria:
- Hold an appropriate degree in Geology or Earth sciences from a recognized Canadian or foreign university
- Have knowledge of fundamental geosciences disciplines, such as in igneous petrology, economic geology and structural geology
- Have knowledge in gold metallogeny and in geographic information systems (GIS) and 3D modeling would be an asset
- Demonstrate motivation on pursuing graduate studies
How to apply
Please forward your CV, academic transcripts and motivation letter to sebastien.castonguay@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. In a subsequent step, candidates will have to apply through the Research Affiliate Program. Application will be accepted until the position is filled.