Reconnaissance and exploration for gold and base metals in the area between Arsuk and Neria Fjords, South-West Greenland. Work performed 1971 to 1985: Results and discussion

In the area between Arsuk and Neria Fjords, a weakly metamorphosed Proterozoic "greenstone" helt unconformably overlies Archean gneisses and greenstones. The supracrustal rocks comprise three groups of metavolcanics and metasediments. In general, syngenetic mineralisation in both the Archean and Proterozoic supracrustal rocks may be termed iron-formation. Sulphide, oxide and silicate facies BIF occurs, the latter type only in Proterozoic rocks.

Stratabound gold and sulphide mineralisation associated with carbonatised volcanic rocks occurs in the Archean Tartoq Group. Spatially related to this syngenetic mineralisation, quartz veins with gold and sulphides are found. The veins represent classically epigenetic mineralisation.

This report presents the results of reconnaissance and exploration in the supracrustal rocks of the area by three exploration companies plus the Geological Survey of Greenland (GGU). The investigations of the individual companies are described along with the results of mapping, diamond drilling, sampling and a geophysical survey. Sample analyses for Au, As, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ba, Ag and Ni are presented, along with a short description of each sample. The highest gold value recorded is 19.4 ppm over 2.5 m (chip sample).

The discussion compares the geological development of the Tartoq Group with that of the Timmins area, Ontario. It is concluded that the Tartoq Group greenstone helt has a potential for economic gold deposits. Further exploration is sugg~sted. The Proterozoic supracrustal rocks may have a potential for massive sulphide or placer gold occurrences .