Southwest Baffin Integrated Geoscience Project (SWBIG)

Project Description

View of field camp from the air. larger image

The SWBIG project is a jointly funded, managed and operated project of the Canada - Nunavut Geoscience Office (CNGO) and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). The primary objective of SWBIG is to enhance mineral exploration and development opportunities in the southwest Baffin Island region by improving the level of geoscience information. High-quality and accessible public geoscience including bedrock and surficial geology maps, aeromagnetic (geophysical) surveys, geochemical analyses, and interpretation of satellite data, improves the chances for successful mineral discoveries and is a valuable incentive to Nunavut prospectors and exploration companies. Targeted SWBIG field studies in 2006 follow acquisition of a detailed aeromagnetic survey (Fall 2005) of the eastern part of the study area. The aeromagnetic survey was funded by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA).

Location of study area. larger image

The project area is near the communities of Cape Dorset, Kimmirut and Iqaluit. SWBIG covers a 31,000  km2 area from Mingo Lake to the Foxe Chanel. SWBIG project leaders are Marc St-Onge (GSC, Ottawa) and Dan Utting (CNGO, Iqaluit). Field work includes geologists from the CNGO in Iqaluit, the GSC in Ottawa, and students from several universities.

SWBIG Objectives and Highlights

• Radarsat image of study area. larger image

  Remote Predictive Mapping: Compilation of existing satellite data, development of predictive Landsat maps for the region, shaded relief and winter Landsat images, high-resolution image processing and evaluation.
  

• Folds in bedrock outcrop. larger image

  Bedrock geology: Focused bedrock mapping in key areas to better understand the geology and prospectively for mineral deposits and new occurrences of carving stone, sampling for indications of base and precious metals, sampling to determine ages and chemistry of rocks.
  

• Measuring striae. larger image

  Surficial geology: Targeted acquisition of field data including measurements of ice-flow direction and glacial history to better understand dispersal of materials, sampling of selected glacial deposits to prospect for mineral deposits.
  
• Ethnogeographic studies: Documentation of traditional travel routes, place names, and land uses.

SWBIG Planned Products

• Open File terrain (Landsat + shaded relief), bedrock, and surficial geology maps, data sets and published government reports (Internet accessible)
• Scientific papers in international journals
• GSC Current Research report on the Ethnogeography
• Traditional Place Names maps

SWBIG article in Natural Elements - Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's)
on-line newsletter.