Moose River Basin: geology and mineral potential - Geology Ontario

DRILLHOLE 75-03.
Lignite and Industrial Mineral Resources
Clay was intersected at depths below 118.8 m and sampled as follows:
clay 5
124.3-126.2 m
clay 6
126.2-131.7 m
clay?
131.7-135.7 m
Clay 5 is an olive grey illite with traces of chlorite and calcite. In the coarse
fraction some calcite-cemented sandstone, pyrite, and gypsum occur. Low ref
ractoriness (P.C.E. - 2.5) and low alumina content (13*26) render this clay un
interesting economically.
Clay 6, a greenish grey illite, has a refractoriness and alumina content
slightly lower than clay 5. Crystalline limestone, biotite, and pyrite are found
in the coarse fraction.
Clay 7, a light brown illite, is very similar to clay 5 except for color. In the
coarse fraction much carbonate and some biotite, feldspar, pyrite, and siderite
occur. Refractoriness and alumina content (13.39k) are almost identical to clay
5.
The deeply buried clays north of the Missinaibi River rank as low-grade
plastic clays and are probably suitable as raw material for the manufacture of
brick, tile or pottery. Their characteristics do not justify mining at this depth.
DRILLHOLE 75-01.
Drilled on the bank of the Soweska River near the northwest corner of
Hambly Township and north of the Missinaibi River, this hole intersected 32.9
m of Mesozoic sands and clay.
The clay intersections sampled are:
clay l
28.6-31.4 m
clay 2
37.l-43.8 m
Clay l is a reddish brown kaolinitic clay with a high percentage ^209e) of
quartz concentrated in the coarse fraction. A sieve analysis of this fraction
showed a very even spread of coarse grains in the glass sand range (-20 ± 100
mesh). The clay is a high duty fireclay (P.C.E. 31). Plasticity index (14) and
brightness (28.7*56) are low, detracting from its potential as a ceramic clay. A
high alumina content (23.9*56) confirms the high content of kaolinite. Hematite,
limonite, and some biotite are the only additional minerals recorded in this sec
tion.
Clay 2 contains the reddish brown kaolinitic clay of clay l combined with a
much larger amount ^45*?6) of quartz silt and sand. A sieve analysis indicated
that 19.5*56 is coarser than desirable for glass sand. A medium plasticity re
duces the usefulness of the clay fraction. Nevertheless, thorough size grading
may produce suitable glass sand and fireclay (P.C.E. 32) from this source.
The encouraging aspect of deposits in this location is their possible extent
in depth. A total thickness of 140 m of Mattagami Formation deposits is indi
cated in the geophysical profile and this is consistent with results of drilling
and geophysical studies to the south.
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