PorterGeo New Search GoBack Geology References
Geant Dormant (Sleeping Giant)
Quebec, Canada
Main commodities: Au


Our Global Perspective
Series books include:
Click Here
Super Porphyry Cu and Au

Click Here
IOCG Deposits - 70 papers
All available as eBOOKS
Remaining HARD COPIES on
sale. No hard copy book more than  AUD $44.00 (incl. GST)
The Géant Dormant (Sleeping Giant) gold mine is located 45 km SSE of Joutel western Quebec, Canada.

It is hosted by the first volcanic cycle of the Northern Volcanic Zone of the Archaean Abitibi Sub-province, which in turn belongs to the Superior Province.   This cycle represents an extensive plain made up of 1 to 3 km of 2730 to 2720 Ma basalts with minor chert and iron formations, with scattered felsic volcanic edifices which are interstratified with or are ovelain by sedimentary sequences.   This succession was intruded by voluminaous syn-volcanic diorite-tonalite-leucrocratic plutons and was shortened by an orogenic event between 2708 and 2685 Ma.   This event produced a). regional, sub-vertical, east-west trending faults, b). 1 to 4 km wide, regional, east-west reverse shears (eg. the Laflamme Fault), and c). north-west trending zones of deformation (eg. the Harricana Fault) that are 1 to 5 km wide.

The Géant Dormant deposit comprises gold bearing quartz and sulphide vein within a volcanic-sedimentary succession (mafic sills, interbedded fine volcaniclastics, cherts, iron formations and flows of mafic pillowed and felsic lavas) intruded by a felsic complex (a dacite dome and quartz and plagioclase porphyritic dykes) and cut by post mineralisation mafic dykes.

Three successive mineralising events are recognised, as follows: 1). and early phase characterised by disseminations and stringers of auriferous (1 to 3 g/t Au) pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite with chlorite, sericite and quartz alteration, 2). pervasive chlorite alteration within the dacite dome with associated gold-bearing pyrite plating fractures, and 3). the main event with gold bearing quartz and sulphide veins, associated stratabound ore as well as alteration and mineralisation of plagioclase porphyritic dykes.   The veins in this latter phase average 50 cm in thickness commonly with >100 g/t Au.

Mining to 1998 totalled 1.2 Mt @ 8.9 g/t Au, with remaining reserves of 0.58 Mt @ 11.2 g/t Au.

For detail see the reference(s) listed below.

The most recent source geological information used to prepare this decription was dated: 2000.    
This description is a summary from published sources, the chief of which are listed below.
© Copyright Porter GeoConsultancy Pty Ltd.   Unauthorised copying, reproduction, storage or dissemination prohibited.


  References & Additional Information
   Selected References:
Gaboury D and Daigneault R  2000 - Flat vein formation in a transitional crustal setting by self-induced fluid pressure equilibrium - an example from the Geant Dormant gold mine, Canada: in    Ore Geology Reviews   v17 pp 155-178
Gaboury D, Daigneault R  1999 - Evolution from sea floor-related to Sulfide-rich Quartz vein-type Gold mineralization during deep submarine volcanic construction: the Geant Dormant Gold mine, Archean Abitibi Belt, Canada: in    Econ. Geol.   v94 pp 3-22
Gaboury D, Daigneault R. Beaudoin G  1999 - Volcanogenic-related origin of sulfide-rich quartz veins: evidence from O and S isotopes at the Gˇant Dormant gold mine, Abitibi belt, Canada: in    Mineralium Deposita   v35 pp 21-36


Porter GeoConsultancy Pty Ltd (PorterGeo) provides access to this database at no charge.   It is largely based on scientific papers and reports in the public domain, and was current when the sources consulted were published.   While PorterGeo endeavour to ensure the information was accurate at the time of compilation and subsequent updating, PorterGeo, its employees and servants:   i). do not warrant, or make any representation regarding the use, or results of the use of the information contained herein as to its correctness, accuracy, currency, or otherwise; and   ii). expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility to any person using the information or conclusions contained herein.

Top | Search Again | PGC Home | Terms & Conditions

PGC Logo
Porter GeoConsultancy Pty Ltd
 Ore deposit database
 Conferences & publications
 International Study Tours
     Tour photo albums
 Experience
PGC Publishing
 Our books  &  bookshop
     Iron oxide copper-gold series
     Super-porphyry series
     Porphyry & Hydrothermal Cu-Au
 Ore deposit literature
 
 Contact  
 What's new
 Site map
 FacebookLinkedin