Reconnaissance geochemical mapping of map sheets 67 V.1 and 68 V.1 (66° to 68°N, 51°40' to 54°W) West Greenland

Geochemical mapping by means of stream sediment and water collected at a density of 1 sample per c. 20 km.2 has been carried out over two map sheets covering the western part of the Proterozoic Nagssugtoqidian mobile helt in West Greenland. The <0.1 mm fraction of the sediment samples were analysed by X-ray fluorescence and instrumental neutron activation techniques and results are reported for 44 major and trace elements. The conductivity and fluoride content of the water samples were determined.

The distribution of geochemical anomalies in the survey area indicates that the most promising setting for base metal and gold mineralisation is where shear zones affect supracrustal enclaves in the gneisses.

Geochemical provinces are recognised in many of the element distribution maps which may be related to lithotectonic units and the intrusion of magmas of shonkinitic and lamprophyric affinities. The main geochemical boundary coincides with a pronounced zone of Proterozoic ductile shearing and thrusting (the Ikertooq shear zone).