Minerals resources of Canada [microform] : bulletin on mica
The occurrence of mica in large and important deposits, at several points in eastern Canada, was recognized by the officers of the Geological Survey
Public-domain full text preserved in the Mountain Man Mining Library. Original source: archive.org.
Geological Survey Of Canada
ROBERT BELL, M.D., D.Sc. (Cantar), LL.D., F.R.S., LS8.0,
Mineral Resources Of Canada
Bulletin
Mica.
R. W. Ells, Ll.D., F.B.S.¢C.
Ottawa Printed By 8S. E, Dawson, Printer To The
King'S Most Excellent Majesty
GOVERNMNT aunt:
oo 220/510.
Deac. 1985
MICA DEPOSITS OF CANADA By R. W. Ets
The occurrence of mica in large and important deposits, at several points in eastern Canada, was recognized by the officers of the Geological Survey, almost from the commencement of the study of the erys talline rocks, and several references to this mineral are found in the earliest reports of the department. The true economic value of the mica deposits was not however ascertained until a comparatively recent date.
Its intimate association with apatite at many places was disclosed during the working of the latter deposits many years ago, but down to within the last fifteen years the mica was regarded practically of but small importance, and the quantity necessarily extracted in the removal of the apatite was thrown: out on the dump, Around many of the old apatite mines, even at the present day, large quantities of this mineral, now rendered useless from !ong exposure to the weather, can be seen.
Generally speaking it may be said that mica came into marked pro- seks ae minence owing to the discovery of its fitness as an adjunct in the purposes manufacture of dynamos and other electrical appliances, and as a consequence not only were many of the old mines, which were worked for apatite up to the decline of the market for that mineral some years ago, and in which mica was known to occur in considerable quantity, reopened, but its presence was soon ascertained in other portions of the crystalline rocks which had hitherto been unexplored. Many of the properties thus taken up as probably mica-bearing were soon abandoned, owing doubtless to the limited extent of the deposits in some cases, or to the inferior quality of the mica in others, but some of these have been developed into large and profitable mines which have been worked almost continuously for many years.
Practically, at the present time, all the mica mining in Canada is confined to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, with the exception of an area found in the Rocky mountains near Téte Jaune Cache, B.
t "EOLOGICAL SURVEY CANADA
C. The mica at this Place occurs in a pegmatite dyke largely com posed of quartz and feldspar, which cuts garnetiferous mica schist and gneiss, the Mineral o curing in large clear rystals near the 'anging wall, A description of this locality is given by Mr. James McEvoy in the Annual Report for 1898, Vol, X I, pp. S0-81, and is as follows :—
'On one of these veins the Bon; nza mica claims is located, seven thiles south of Téte Jaune Cache, 5300 feet above the level of the Frazer river. The vein js About fifteen feer wide, where an opening has been made, dipping S. 45 we conformably with the count y rock, Its continuation toward the north-west js covered with talus fri m the 'Mountain, while on the south-west side of the opening the origina! top of the deposit is seer covered by the mica schist. At the time of our Visit, Messrs S. Winter and J, F. Smith, with a party of ten men, were engaged in taking out and cutting mica intended for shipment by pack-horses to the nearest railway point. The quartz, feldspar and
Mica are Separated into large masses, the 'ystals of mica being frequently eighteen inches long ana eleven inches Wide, and are found in yreatest abundance near the hanging wall, It is evident that the Mass was cooled ata great depth and very slowly to permit of this great amount of Segregation, While practically no work has been dene With a view of proving the extent of he deposit, it may veasonably be expected, from what actually appears, that a large quantity of mica can be obtained here. The mica is a transparent muscovite with a light greenish cast and is otherwise of excellent quality. The probabilities of fur ther important developments appear to be favourable.
+
' Another claim, owed by some Edmonton miners, is situated a few miles south-east of the Bonanza. Fifteen miles to the south-east on the mountains, near tne head waters of the Canve river, several claims have also been staked. On one of these some work has been done, exposing a deposit of marketable mica, [t may be expected that further disco. of valuable mica deposits will be made in these rocks, which are of the same character for a distance of twenty miles at least, and probably much furthur.
'A great hindrance to the development of this orai_-ner mining industry in this part of the country, is the difficulty of travelling withcut proper trails, It requires seventeen to twenty days to reach Téte Jaune Cache from Kamloops, a distance of 215 miles in the pre. sent state of the trail, From Edmonton to the Cache, a distance of about 350 miles, requires ordinarily twenty-five days, but ina very favourable season the distance might be covered in twenty days. It will thus be seen that, apart from the question of shipping jnt the
Mica "
products of the mine, the greater part of the short season available is waste{ in travelling to and fro. A moderate sum of money, if pro perly expended on these routes, would put them in a fairly passabl condition.'
Ontario And Quebes
The mica bearing formation in eastern Canada belong. to that division of the crystalline rocks known generally as the Grenville and Hastings series, which to a great extent are now regarded as yeolo gical equivalents. They form part of what is usually styled the Lau rentian system. While mica in small scales is an essential constituent of the granites and gneisses which form the great bulk cf these rocks, the merchantable micas are always associated with intrusive masses and dykes of more recent date, which cut the gneiss and crystalline limestone at many points
The mica-bearing dykes are usually of two kinds, viz., pegmatite granite and pyroxene. The former consists largely of feldspar, both white and red, with quartz : the latter is probably an alteration froma hornblende diorite. In the light-coloured pegmatite the mica is generally white muscovite, while the pyroxenes carry phlogopite or some times biotite, the latter being a blackis} variety, having a large percentage of iron in its composition. Asa rule it may be stated that the lighter coloured the matrix the lighter the tint of the contained mica, and when the dyke is composed of hard and dark material, the
mica is usually a hard and brittle variety of little cominercial value.
While it might be supposed that with tae great extent of crystal-
line rocks in Canada, the presence of merchantable mica would be
common over very large areas, or throughout their entire d stribution, such, however is not the case, In fact it may he s the micabearing belt is practically contined to a particularly mite rea ere certain kinds of eruptive rocks are readily recogniz Aanor f principal places where mica is found in large quart g may be mentioned: A considerable district nort!: t wa river along the lower portion of the Liévre ana © rs
ana ip the area adjacent for some miles; an area alx Ridewu lake lying to the soutin and west of the town otf occurrences being mostly in the township of North Burge considerabie area lying to the west of the Rideau cana nort from the village of Sydenham to the vicinity of St In addition to these, several smaller areas are known in whi
Varietios
Muscovy ire in
Quebec debe,
6 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY op CANADA
deposits of mica are round, but in none of them are the conditions so widely Spread or the areas 30 large and Senerally important 4s in the three first Mentioned,
Mica mining in Canada at the Present day jg Practically confined to the Phlogopite Variety, 4 small amount of Muscovite ig Occasionally Produced, but the output may be regarded as insiynificant spared With the large quantity of the former Veriety, Muscovite is usually known as 4 potash mica, and is a Silicate of alumina With potash and & small Percentage of Iron with water: Philogs pite is a licate of alumina and Magnesia and contains alse potash and sometimes fluor ine. Biotite js related to the latter but contains a marked percentage of iron in ity Composition to whi; h the senerally blackish colour is
Probably du,
Among other Species lepidolite or lithia mica js Occasionally fou id, senerally in smal] (Wantities, and has as yet been neglected. With the Phlogopites, Portions which are usually known as cloudy or milly mica oceur, but this Apparently is of little commercial ys,
Uuscovit. x
Deposits of Muscovite are found at widely separated points, They tre usually confined to dykes of a whitish pegmatite granite Which cut the ordinary Sneisses of the Laurentian,
In the rovince of Quebec this Species jg known to Occur at the I ¢ F following laces, and in some of them it has been worked at different g times with a certain amount of success.
In the township of Grenville, on lot 9, range VI, first alluded to by SirW.E Logan in his report for 1853, where he descri es the ovcurrence of crystals measuring two feet by fourteen inches, Specimens of Which were sent to the Paris Exhibition of 1855. This deposit has apparently not been worke? for many years, Its occurrence is also reported on lot 10, range V, and on lot 1, range NX, of the same township, and furthur west in the augmentation of Grenville,
2. In Villeneuve township, lots 31-32, range IT, the deposit opened by Mr. W. A. Allan in 1884 y as mined for several years, At this Place a large dyke of white pegmatite oceurs along the bedding of grayish and reddish-gray 8arnetiferous gneiss Which has Strike to the north-east with a Westerly dip. This dyke has a Width of about 150 feet, and the mica crystals, which are often of large Size, occur on the western edge of the dyke, associated With crystals of tourmaline and of
ions so in the
ned to onally pared tually 1 and ite of luor cent. ur is
Ind, ith
vy
ey
Mica 7
several other minerals. Much of the mica is unfortunate!" affected by
reddish stains of iron which seriously detract fron ''s value, prevent ing the cutting out of large sized plates. Possibly ir convequence of this imperfection the mine was closed some years & ,70. The associated feldspar in the dyke is often a clear white and bas also been mined to some extent for shipment. It is of course dle that he cha sactet of the mica may improve at greater depths, but this ho never been determined.
In Hull township, lot 7, range NII, it oceurs in smell] quantity, but the deposit has never been opened to ascertain the extent. It is possible that other deposits may occur in this area, among the peyma tites which are numerous at a number of points, but so far they have not been met with.
4. Along the lower i wrench, in the townships of Bergeronnes, and at a distance of 2C 50 miles below the mouth the Saguenay, several deposits of this variety occur and have been opened up to some extent. Some of the crystals are of good size, cutting as much as 7 x 10 inches, though the percentage of this size is small, the average being about 4 x 5 inches, This location is about ten miles inland and was opened about the year 1892. Two mines known as 'he McGie and the Beaver lake are located here, A similar variety iso found in the townships of Escoumains and Tadousac. About 400 miles below Tadousac at Watsheshoo, muscovite also occurs but the extent of the deposit has not been ascertained.
At Lae Pied des Monts, about 17 miles north of Murray bay, it has been observed, and at Lake Manouan, about 250 miles north of Lake St. John the portage to Fifth lake it was reported in 1885 by Mr.
F. Low as occurring in large sheets or crystals with hornblende in greyish green 'imestone interstratified with red gneiss.
In Ontario, muscovite occurs at several widely separated points :—
1. In Frontenac county, township of Miller, lots 4 and 5, range NT, where it has been mined at intervals for some years. Many of the crystals at this place are affected by iron staining, and the locality is about 20 miles from shipment on the Kingston and Pembroke railway.
°. Furthur west i: the township of Calvin, about ten miles west of Mattawa, one mile and a half north-east of Eau Claire station on the Canadian Pacific railway. The mineral here occurs at several places and has teen mined to some extent. The mining was practically confined to an area on lot 19, range IX, but the plates produced seem to
have been of small size and the work has been abandoned. The mica
Muscovite in Ontario.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY or CANADA
occurs in a large dyke liarity noted at this pl dyke,
of pegmatite which ¢
uts the Sheiss, and ace is the presenc
e of a dark biotite
3. On the Upper Ottawa ata point on the Ontarig side of the river, were reported by Mr. A, what was then know pegmatite. Thi. extent is there
about tive miles crystals of Murray many nas Montgome ry
above Pembroke muscovite of large years ago, as occurring, on in a large dyke of never been opened up and the
8 clearing, deposit has Apparently fore unknown,
SAC ay an is Thousand Is]
land, near the Upper end of Tar
and group in the St. L occurs, apparently in smal] quantity, with a pegmatite dyke. Te does not appear to have been opened Up and its economic Value is probably smal],
island, one of the
where the mineral tourmaline in
awrence river
Among other loe
alitits Where different obse
mica occurs, and has been reported by though the species is not cle;
rvers, ly indicated, may be OWing ;—
mentioned the foll
Lawson, quantitj in a peg
in Report for 1885
States that it es in the Lake of the
is found in rather large Woods district, notably on Falean island. Inatite dyke which Cuts gneiss and schist, the large Crystals but injured to some extent by films Occurs also on Sabaskong bay and on Big island lake, the locality first named bein
mica being in of iron oxide. It aS well as on Rainy g the only one at that time worked, teported the presence of iwlea as occurring of Hudson strait,
exact locality Was not definitely it came from near mica have al
Dr, Robert Bell in 1885 'ong the shores IN specimens of ascertained, the Eskimos Stating that Kimnirook. Specimens of beautifully as coming from
t, but no detinite information as to the
good size, but the
clear white some part of the point from Which
so heen handed me Labrador coas these wer Obtained was given,
Ee -DrGsar Dawson reported the f Hudsor
presence of Mica, spec as occurring in
in Veins arm of Shuswa} and also from
les not specified, granite rocks in the Vici ike, the crystals Y miles north-e
vitish ¢ olumbia, nity of the north-east
being of large size:
& point about 19 ast of Clinton The Ontario Bureau of Mines reports mie. ships of Cleland, about twelve miles
in the township of G
@ as Occurring in the south-east of Sudbury, about twenty arently of the
townand also miles north of Lake Nipis. Muscovite variety,
ladman, Sing, This Mica js app
Cccurring in granite
a pecuin the same
Size
©
Mica
Ph logop ite,
This mineral belongs to the class commonly styied magnesia mica, and in the Geology of Canada 1863, p. 404, it is stated that this variety is usually associated with the limestones of the Laurentian,
Since that early date however, the dev elopments in the mica industr y have been great, and the relations of the mica to the contained rocks are better understood. While phlogopite is almost always associated with pyroxenic rocks, which like the pegmatites, cut the containing rocks in all directions, it is very rarely, if ever, found in the limestone portion of the crystalline series. In certain portions of the pyroxenes, however, there occur large masses of carbonate of lime or iicite which form an integral part of the intrusive mass. This calcite varies in colour from almost white to a deep pinkish-red, and must be distinguished as a mineral, from the ordinary limestone formation. It is probable that a lack of proper separation of the limestone fron the calcite first led to the statement as to its occurrence in the tu mer,
Phlogopite mica is found at many points throughout the Ottawa district, northward and westward in the vicinity of Rideau lake, also in the belt of country north from Sydenham towards Sharbot lake. and in this direction some of the largest mines of this mineral in Canada occur in the townships of Loughborough and Bedford, b-tween the Rideau canal and the line of the Kingston and Peinbroke railw Its move of occurrence varies greatly in different places, but in so tar as yet studied, the deposits may be classed generally under four heads.
1. As contact deposits, usually occurring near the edee of the pyroxene dyke and in close prostintty to the associated gneiss which forms the ordinary country rock at most of the mines. The mica in this ease follows down along the contact, and very frequent a mass of calcite, either pink or gray in colour is found through which the mica crystals are oe ated. Sometimes the calcite is replaced hy large pockets of apatite, and when occurring in these minerals the mica crystals are usually in much better sh: ape for cutting, than when they are scattered through the mass of the pyroxene, being as a rule, less broken or fractured. Fre quently crystals of apatite and pyroxene are found in the same calcite mass with the mica, but at. times these are practically absent. Crystals of mica are often found with included crystals of apatite, and sometimes with small inclusions of the calcite these occurrences detracting greatly from the value of the crystals, As in the case of the apatite, mica o 'curring under these conditions may be found at almost any reasonable depth so long as the conditions
10 "EOLOGICAL sURVEY OF CANADA
for its occurrence are favourable, and in fact mining has been carried down protitably on these contact deposits to a great distance as in the case of the Lake Girard mine in Waketield township, which reached a depth of nearly 250 feet, in the Stoness or Buck lake mine to a depth on the slope of over 400 feet, and in other places to depths ranging trom 100 to over 200 feet. These deep mines were allin contact deposits of calcite which sometimes formed pockety masses of great size, Sometimes the calcite is replaced in depth by apatite as in the Blackburn mine in Templeton township, and the mica occurs in this mineral in the shine "Manner 1s it doss in the calcite, 4 similar occurrence Is seen at the General Electric Co.'s mine near Sydenham, where the calcite in the upper levels, apparently passes gradually into
large hodies of Apatite in the lower series of workings,
In pyroxene near the contact of cross dykes of diovite or pegma tite, the action of which on the former has often led to the formation of both mica and apatite. Numerous instances of this are seen in both the mica and apatite mines, and the crystals of both are often of large
size and wel] formed,
3. Inthe mass of the pyroxene rock itself, distinct from the contact with the gneiss, the deposit following lines of Fssure, often of large size and consideraile extent. In this case, though the mica is frequently crushed and broken, large Inasses of crystals of fine quality and good size are found, the broken nature being sometimes caused by cross fracture and subsequent dislocation. As a rule, the deposits of this class do not appear to be so persistent as in the case of contacts, Some of the pyroxene masses are very large, as at the Cascades mine near the Gatineau, and at the Nellie and Blanche, lower down on the same river. In these cases the calcite js almost entirely absent, and apatite rarely occurs to any extent. When these masses are cut by cross dykes the conditions for both minerals are more favourable, and it is in this connection that the large masses of apatite are found along the Lievre river. Often in deposits of this class the mica is found in irregular pockets, some of which are workable but in the smaller ones the crystals are often too much crushed to pay for their extraction,
t. In pyroxene dykes which eut crystalline limestone, and through which later dykes of diabase or pegmatite have intruded, as in the Quinn mine in Hineks township, At this place the crystals were of large size, occurring in the pyroxene near the pegmatite, but the mica is usually very darkly coloured, resembling a biotite. This is practically another form of class 2, the difference being chiefly in the character of the country rock,
MICA il
Throughout both the Ottawa and the Rideau-Kingston districts the association of the mica and apatite is very intimate. There is, however, a marked difference observable in the mode of occurrence at different points. Thus in the area along tue Liévre, including the townships of Buckingham and Templeton in part, the apatite often occurs in large pockety 'nasses in the pyroxene and has in places been worked downwari by deep shafts along the contacts with the gneiss to a depth of some hundreds of feet, as at the North Star mine and in some parts of the High Rock group. In these areas mica is rarely seen ; but on approaching the mines north of Perkins Mill, comprising the Jackson Rae, the Blackburn and others around the shores of Wakefield lakes, the intimate mixture of the two minerals becomes very marked. In these areas the apatite is for the most part of the massive variety, while in the Gatineau district it occurs rather in the form of crystals disseminated through the calcite, and the tassive form is rarely met with. The mica here becomes the leading mineral occurring in several ways but largely in calcite, while in the Templeton district it frequently occurs with the apatite which here replaces the calcite to some extent. This feature is especially well seen in the Blackburn mine which at one time was one of che largest producers of apatite in Canada, the mica being then regarded as a by-product of but small value, while at the present time the conditions are reversed and apatite which is extracted in mica mining is saved as a by-product, the mica being the mineral of chief importance.
As an illustration of the growth of the mica industry it may be remarked that returns from Canadian mines were first published by the Geological Survey in 1886 when the value of the mineral extracted was stated to be about $20,000. This figure was practically maintained till the close of 1889, when the rapid increase in electrical development opened a new market for the mineral, and in 1890 the value of the output increased to 868,074. This in 1892 was further inereased to $104,745, after which there was a gradual decline for several years to 1sds, when the demand developed very rapidly and in that vear the
value of the output reached $118,375 ; in 1899 it rose to 163,000 and the returns for 1901 were about $160,000. The greater part of the out put is exported. These figures are taken from the published Report of
the Section of Mines of this Department.
In the province of Quebec phlogopite has been found and mined to some extent in the townships of Hull, Waketield, Templeton, Buckinyham, Portland, Aylwin, Hincks, Northtield, Bouchette, Wright, Alleyn, Cawood, Ripon, Litchfield and Grenville, but the principal inines
it
pment,
+
12 GEOLOGICAL suRy EY OF CANADA
are located in the three townships first named. In Ontario the prin cipal deposits are found in the townships of Loughborough and Bedford north of Kingston and east of the Kingston and Pembroke railway in the county of Frontena; ; and in North Burgess and North Elmsley in Lanark county and South Burgess in Leeds. Its presence in greater or less quantity is also reported at a number of other points in this province, but so far little mining has been done Outside of the Kingston and Rideau districts,
Tn most of these areas mica Mining js Subject to Considerable flyctuation, owing chietly to the irregular nature of the deposits in many Places. Thus, a Very tair surface Showing of crystals may indicate merely a pocket, which when Worked out often leads to the expenditure of much capital in the Unsuccessful search for other Inasses, and the consequent abandonment of the place for a time. This condition is more often the case With pockety or tissue deposits in the pyroxene, the contact deposits being usually more regular and the conditions appearing to be more favourable.
The percentage of marketable Mica obtained from most of the mines is neve; very large, OWing to the fact thut many of the crystals are too small or too much fracture] ornate otherwise too imperfect, to be cut tony bur the smallest marketable size. Many of the large crystals are comparatively free trom such imperfections but these are sometimes affected by sharp lines of fracture which divide the shects into long and Narrow strips, forming what is known as ribbon p 'a. Probably the amount of mere antable mica obtainable from the output of most mines will not average more than 16 per cent of cut s1zes, so that in estimat-
ing profits, a large m irgin must always he allowed for waste material
THE QvEnr Disrricy,
Of the numerous mines Opened and worked at different times in the townships of Buckingham and Templeton, practically the only ones now Operated are those known as the Blackburn mine on lots 9 and 10, range XE of the latter township ; the Wallingford mine on lot 16. range VIII; and several new Openings near the shores of Battle lake, owned by the latter , 'npany. The two first come under the hea] of Contact deposits, the latter are in part contacts and in part fissures,
At the Wallingford mine near Perkins Mills, work has been carried on fur some years. The old pit which reached a depth of about 150
feet, was abandon ed several] Years ago, after producing a very large
ababaliddern etty c
sib dt ncethy :
MICA 3 amount of excellent mica, much of which was in large crystals, and a new pit has been opened a short distance to the south. The country rock at this place is a reddish and gray gneiss with granite, cut by pyroxene dykes which have a general direction of norvheast and south-west, with an inclination in places to the south of 70 to 89 degre The new pit opened several years ago is now down toa depth of 100 to 120 feet, and the mica is found with green apatite, the latter sometimes in large quantity, along the foot wall of the dyke in a fairly well detined zone. While a large proportion of the crystals mined are somewhat small, and in parts badly crushed, crystals of large size also oecur quite abundantly. The apatite is saved as a by-product, and the price of this mineral, for No. 1 grade, is now said to range froin 38.00 to 310.00 per ton. Openings to the south of the main pit on the pre, sent worked dyke also show mica and this may represent a contact deposit on the other side of the pyroxene, but the central mass of the intrusion is barren in so far as yet tested. The width of the mica zone now worked on the foot wall is from three to six feet. Calcite is found in small quantity, but in this mine it appears to be in part replaced by apatite,
In the Blackburn mine on lots 9 and 10, range NI, Templeton, some facts were observed. This place has been aimost continuously mined for many years, first for apatite, and the two minerals are intimately associated, The workings have been carried down in a large open cut to a depth of about 250 teet with a large drift at the east end. Caicite is sometimes seen, but is apparently largely replaced by apatite in which the mica crystals are abundant, and frequently of large size,
some of them cutting 5 x 14 inches, and it is stated that about 30 per cent of the output is saved for the market, which is a somewhat large proportion.
The apatite appears to occupy the north side of the pyroxene, which is in a large mass, the gneiss in contact being seen on the north wall, and the conditions appear quite uniform to the lowest jevel worked. In the sides and roof of the main cut, and in the long drift to the south-east the mica crystals are thickly studded, often lying solidly packed together in the apatite with which calcite sometimes occurs. The country rock is the usua! -rayish and reddish-gray gneiss, and the pyroxene dyke cuts across t: ratification.
On the north side of Batt.. ke, in the mine recently opened by the Wallingfords, there is a large mass of the pyroxene cutting the usual character of gneiss with some quartzite. Other smaller dykes of the pyroxene are seen, and in these the mica crystals are developed
14 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY oF CANADA
along fissures or as small pockets, No calcite is visible in the Principal Opening, but smal] quantities of apatite are scattered through the mass, Some of the crystals are of large size, as much as sixteen inches across the face, but the bulk of the Output so far obtained, iy only suitable for Cutting into the smaller market sizes. The pit is, however, not More than 20 feet deep and the deposits may improve at greater depths
The Pyroxene at this place js Senerally soft, and often filled with small mica scales forming a mica-pyroxene. Where calcite is seen, it follows along thin seams in the rock,
To the north of this jn the direction of Lake Rheaume other masses of pyro: -ne occur cutting the Sheiss, in some of Which apatite jis abundant, sometimes jn the form of suvar phosphate, carrying mica crystals ; in other places the mica is round in the calcite With masses of apatite crystals after the manner of contact deposits. None of these Openings have been developed to any considerable extent for Mica, as the mining formerly done was on the apatite,
In the apatite areas adjacent to the Liévre, such as the High Rock Sroup and those north to High Falls, situated on the west side of the river, mica has not yet been found in quantities of economic importance. In Portland Cust and in Derry townships on the Cast side, several deposits have been opened and mined to Some extent. The largest of these areas is that owned by the Glen Almond Co., on lots ] and 2; range I of the former township, where a considerable amount of devel. opment has been done and a large quantity of mica, generally of the small sizes, has been obtained, These mines are not at present being worked,
THE GATINEAU District,
Mica is found along the course ef the Gatineau for at least 150 miles from the mouth, but the principal mining locations do not extend for more than half this distance,
Among the first locations where mica mining was developed in this area may be mentioned the group situated near Wilsons Corner about six miles east of the river pear the line between the townships of Hull and Wakefield, The country rock is Sencrally reddish-gray and Stay gneiss with occasional limestone bands, Intrusions of Pyroxene, pegmatite, hard dark diorite, and gabbro are very frequent. The full descriptions of these areas are given in the report on the Grenville sheet, No, 739 of the official list of Publications. The Principal points of interest wil] only be stated here,
Principal the mass. ®S across Suitable ver, not / Zreater
ed with seen, it
Masses tite is xy mica hasses one of it for
Rock f the ance, veral st of d 2, vel. the
Ing
rd
Mica 15
Among the mines of this group to the west of Wilsons corner may be mentioned lot 16, range I, Waketield ; lot 12, same range, (Hughes and Haldanes) ; lot 14, range XVI, (Horse shoe mine), all of which have been abandoned for sume years. The mica in these mines occurs usuaily with calcite and sometimes apatite, in the form of contact deposits in pyroxene near the gneiss.
On th south side of the road, other mines occur which were at one time worked to some extent. These include lot 12, range XVI, Hull, (MeLelland's) ; lot 13, same range, ( Wilson's); and lot 12, range XV, (Chubbuck's). At the first named,serpentine is found with the pyroxene and the crystals are sometimes brownish or purple tinted. On lot 13, range XVI, large crystals of amber mica were found, as well as of pyroxene. Most of these deposits are of the contact class, but no work has been done on these properties for some years,
To the north of Wilsons corner, mica has been worked on lot 14, range IT, Wakefield; lot 16, same range, (Chubbuck and Wilson) ; lot 18, same range, (Seybold's) ; in all of which the deposits are of the contact class, the only locality at present worked being the second named,
The deposit on lot 16 was tirst opened in 189293 and examined in the latter year by the writer. Since that date a large amount of doves lopment work has been done, principally under the direction of Mr. Chubbuck of Ottawa, and the following remarks as to its present condition may be made. The property is now known as the Kodak mine and as an illustration of the character of contact deposits its study is interesting.
The mica occurs along the contact of a large dyke of green pyroxene with the grayish gneiss, and is associated with a mass of pink calcite which has a thickness varying from three to fourteen feet. In this respect the conditicas are very similar to what were seen at the Lake Girard mine, for some years one of the largest producers of mica in the Ottawa district The mca crystals are generally found in the part of the calcite adj. at to the pyroxene, but sometimes ir the outer portion of the pyroxe: itself, and the deposit has been opened up along the line of the outcrop for a distance of some 600 feet, by a series of eight or ten pits with depths varying from 15 to 50 feet, and by a shaft toa depth of 150 feet. Many of the crystals are of large size and excellent quality, occurring in pockety bunches or masses which are continuously exposed to the bottom of the shaft. The character of the deposit appears to be fairly uniform throughout its entire development along
1b GEOLOWICAL SURVEY OF CANADA
the line of Strike, and the masses Of crystals have a thickness in places
of from three to six feet,
The mine is wel] equipped With an e] Ctrie plant for lighting and for Pumping, Which js driven by wate; Power obtained from Blackburn creek which crosses the Property and is Sutticient fop all Purposes of development, The mine has produced a large quantity of excellent nica during its Period of Working, This is roughly dressed at the surface and then hauled to Ottawa where it is trimmed and prepared
for the market, This Mine, with that known as the Nellis mine on lot
10, range XI, Hull, are two of the Most important j) this district,
To the South, on the road from Wilsons corner to Ottawa, several] Mines are located, includin-- lot 10, range XT. Huil, (Gemmill oy Nellis; ee 10, range XIV, (Webster S old mine) ; lot lin range XIII,
(Burke S):+ lot-3: range XIT] ; lot 4, range NX, (Nellie and Blanche) -
hese are al] of the contact class except the last Which is a fissure depo sit. Of these the Nellis mine has been worked for some years almost c ntinuously and has been 2 large Producer of very excellent mica, Nearer the Gatineau is the Cassidy Mine on lots 15-16, range XV. Hull, a fissure deposit Worked for "olne years, but alco abandoned after
pros
crystals; and the Macfarlane mine to the north which is a Contact
welng a large "mount of mica, some of which was in large and tine
deposit opened to some extent, but like many others in the district abandoned,
West of the Gatineau, and hear Kingsmere, the following mines are 'ocated in the township of Hull, Brown's mines on Jot 19, range VIT, Hull; Fortin and Gravel on Jot 1S, and the Fleury mine on lot 20 same range. The rock at these Mines js reddish and stay gneiss with bands of crystalline limestone, and numerous dykes and Masses of py- POXene occur, At all these mines the mica occurs 4S Contact deposits with bunches of calcite and some apatite, the latte Fas crystals, and the mica js sometimes in large clear crystals. The Fortin mine has been worked to a reported depth of nearly 100 feet.
On the road from Old Chelsea to Kirks Ferry, the Scott Mine is on lots 14 and 15, range IX, not worked for the last ten years, and on lots 15 and 17, range X, several] Openings have been made On smal] surface showings of Mica which have never been worked to any consjderable ext nt.
Near Kirks Ferry, on lot 12, range NXT, (Haycock's), some mining was done about ten years ago, and on lot 14, range XT, (Connor's), a number of openings were made abcat the same date, with fair Surface
in places
"and for lackburn roses of 'excellent l at the reparer| eon lot listrict, several nil] or XIII, nehe) - depo Imost
a,
<V. afte r
I tine tact rrict
Mica 17
showings at different points. The uncer ainty of these deposits was
apparently the cause of their abandonment.
On lot 23, range NT, (Moore or Wright mine), a short distance
above Cascades, there is a large mass of pyroxene, from which consider
able mica was at one time obtained from tissue deposits. But litue
calcite or apatite was observed in any of the openings near this place,
which are made over a large area.
Further north, in the township of Low, lot 36, range XIII, is the
Venosta mine, from which some large crystals were at one time
obtained, but which has been closed for ten years or more. In Hincks,
lot 22, range IT, the Quinn mine, worked by Powell and Clemow
about ten years ago, produced a considerable quantity of large dark
coloured mica and was then abandoned. In Wright township, lots
14, range D, the Guay mine was an extensive producer for several
years and reached a depth of nearly 100 feet, the output eing of
excellent quality.
At
this depth the mica is said to have become
exhausted. This was a good illustration of a contact deposit. In the
township of Bouchette, lot 31, range I, a large deposit of mica in
pyroxene cutting gray and rusty gneiss was worked for a time, but
the mineral was of the dark var iety, and the mine has been abandoned
for some years. Most of these mines were on contact deposits,
Around the Waketield lakes in the townships of Portland west ani
of Templeton, several apparently large deposits were operated some
years ago, The remoteness of the mines from the railway necessitates
expense in shipment and no work has been done in this area for some
years.
Among the principal mines in this district are the McRae, on
lots 26-27, range IV, of the former township, the mica occurring in
pink calcite with both red and green apatite ; the Laurin mine, tot 20 range XIT, Templeton, and the Templeton and North Ottawa Co., lot
)
21, same range.
Tn all
these places the mica is closely associated with
apatite and there are numerous intrusions of pegmatite and pyroxene
in the red and gray gneiss. No work has been done on these areas
fe resome years.
Among other localities in which mica occurs, north of the Ottawa
and west of the Gatineau, may be mentioned the township of Hudd ~s- field near the outlet of Moose lake, where a hard pyroxenic dyke cuts
gneiss and carries a small amount of dark mica with pink calcite
Attempts to mine this profitably have not yet been successful, In
Litchfield, lots 20 RW E—Z
9) 9
3, range IX, several miles in rear of Camp-
18 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CaNnapa bells bay a quantity of dark mica has also been found, "apparently y of good quality as but little Attempt has been made to work t deposit
Similar smal] deposits have been found In lots 7.8, range A, Wa ham
Near the Gatineau in Wright, about one mile south of the Pickanoc tiver, close to the Post road, js Moore's mine with showing ' Stnall sized erystals, which has been opened to some extent, and furthe south on Jor 6, range A,a deposit opened Up by Mr, T J, Watter Some years ago. has been taken over by the Genera] Electric ¢ '0., unde) the name of the Shibeer mine and is now being developed With a diamond drill and by shatts With Promise of 4 large Output, as the mir a has improved in depth These are both Con aet deposits, On the east side of the river jn Northfield, ot 3, range A, a Toronto compan, Opened some Pits several years ago on dykes cutting gray Sheiss, but the output was Senerally of smal] size and work was soon Stopped, Another opening was made on Jot 13, range b. in the Sane township, but little mir MS Was carried on
In the township of Alleyn, hear the Kazubazua river, on Jot 10, range [[, 4 large deposit of excellent mica has been worked by Mr Jo-hua Ellard of Wright post uthice. The Country rock js a Lray gneiss with limestone, cut be Foxene, and the mica is found in caleite ag # contact zone of two to three feet in width Several hundred tons, of excellent quality, have been extracted
Openings haye also ween yy ide on lot 12. range T, in caleite, but the mine has hot heen yw, rked for several years, On lot 4, range TT, on Mrs, Mullingham's property, Operated in 1x98 1800 at Intervals, the PYTOXONE traverses # red granite and the mineral Occurs with a little apatite and calcite,
In the township of Cawood, lots 23 24, ranyve ITT, some good and nearly white mica was obtained In 1897. ind the pit was worked for a short time in the following year. On Jot 41, range V, about 20 miles north of Snawville, a smal]! Wantity of sood amber mica y a8 obtained In 1898) but nothing hac been done recently
On lot 12, range VI (Priestly mine), some &Xploratory work Was done on PYroxene CUutiing a oray Sranite and a small amount of amber
mica was obtained.
On lot 18, range VI, (Brock and Pritchard) a deposit was Worked for a time at intervals in 1898.99 Some voor crystals were obtained
arently not
work the
ie A. Walt
Pickanock howing of nd turther Watters Co., under 1 With a Ut, as the sIts. On Toronto ing gray Was soon
he san a
lot 10, by Mr Vy gneiss leite ag
d tons,
ut the
IT, on
Mica 19
but nothing has apparently been done recently. The country rock at this place is largely a red granite cut by pyroxene, carrying calcite
Mica is also reported from lots l7 and 22, rane ¥ EL Low town ship and from lot 53, range VII, Alutield, Alsou from lot 14, range I, Clarendon, and from lot 51, range III, Thorne, from which several
tons were taken.
Among the largest and at one time, most important of the mica deposits in the Gatineau belt is the Lake Girard mine on lot 24, range IT, Waketield. As an illustration ofa contact mine it may be specially
mentioned,
The country rock here is grayish and reddish-gray gneiss with several bands of crystalline limestone. About 120 paces back from the shore of the lake a large dyke of p voxene cuts across the gneiss, and on this the mine is located along foot wall or contact, The excavation has been made to a depth of about 250 feet, and large masses of pink calcite are found in the margin of the fp yrox: through which the mica is disseminated in large pockets of crystals, some of which are of fine quality as regards size and clearness. In places, however, the calcite is quite barren But little apatite was found in the mine, and at the lowe levels the mica disapperred, the calcite forming large ima-ses This disappearance of mica in calcite when the latter reached large pro portions has been noticed at several other places. It is possible that along other parts of the contact similar large deposits of mica occur,
but at present the mine is closed.
In addition to the above descriptions which comprise the principal depo its in the area north of the Ottawa, mica has been found at a number of other points which may for the sake of reference be mentioned.
In Templeton township, in addition to those alr dy stated M
Lot 21, range IV, indications only. (McTierny).
bons
range IV, (Taylor and Me Veity), an old apatice mine, reo
pened for mica in 1898, and a considerable amount extracted. Lot 20, range V,(W. Smith). Indications.
Lot 10, range VIT, (Stevenson mine), worked in 1899, by Mr. J Asquith of Ottawa, by a surface trench which is said to have yielded a large quantity of good mica.
Lot 14, range VII, (American Mica Co., Boston).
20 "EOLOGICAL gt RVEY OF CANADA
Lot 15, EB. 1-2, range VIT, worked in 1&4] by Hon. ©. A. Dug 1896.97 by Baumgarten and Manchester, and later by the We Co., toa di th of 50 feet Some good mica was obtained
Lot 15, W. 1-2, worked by several Parties since 1893 + and in ] 99 to a depth of 70 feet. Reported to have produced a large 4 nity of excellent Mica, some of it .F large size,
Lot 4, range IX (Sophia mine), worked at intervals Since 1892 ducing a large amouut of good merchantable mica,
Let I, 8 1-2 (North Templeton and Ottawa Mining Co ) prosp ed in 1894 - no information AS (9 -egults
Lot 13, sane range indicaticns,
Lot 14, same range, Worked for apatite twenty years ago, a Since 1894 for mien, which oecurs with the apatite and pink ealcit In 1899, worked by Jurkowsky and Co,
Lots 16-2] also pros rected by same company : no returns, ' pros} y pany Lot 7, range X, Prospected in 1900 by MeLauren and McLaren,
Lot 8, same range ( Marsolais mine), Formerly worked for apatite but since 1897, has been worked at intervals for ica, of which a consid erable amount has been taken out,
Lut 9, E, +, (Post mine, Canada Industria] Co.) formerly Wor! e¢
for apatite, but recently for Mica, some crystals of large sive being found,
Lot 9, W, 4, (Jackson, Rae mine), formerly worked for apatite, but since 1892 has Yielded a considerable amcunt of mica. Seme of it ot good size,
Lot 10, N. +, (Jubilee mine), formerly worked for Apatite, but like the last contains mica in considerable quantity in association.
Lot 10, E 4, contains both apatite and mica,
Lot 15, W. 3, both mica and apatite ; small] quantity produced,
Lot 16, (Victoria Mine), opened in 1899 by McLaurin and McLaren for 300 feet in length by 60 feet in depth, and has produced a large amount of apatite and mica of excellent quality.
Indications of mica are found, but *pparently not yet developed, on lots 12, 13, 14, 24, 27, range XIT, and On lots 3, 4, °o, 13 and iY range XIII, as also on lot 38 of the Gore,
In the township of Hull, in addition to those already 'mentioned, are the following, Some of which have been Opened and worked,
A. Dugas, in y the W ebster d
and in 1897
a large quan
ce 1892, pro- d.), pi spect-
rs ago, and ink calcite,
'Laren,
Or apatite, h a consid
; . 'Y wor: ed
12e being
tite, but me of it
but like ed,
cLaren a large
'loped, nd 17,
oned,
ab. ae
Mica 31
Lot 23, range XV, (Ferguson mine), opened in 1899 by Mr. Flynn, a contact deposit in calcite and pyroxene, which has vielded a fair amount of medium and small seized mica
Lot 25, range XV, (Moore mine.) ' 5
Lot 27, range XVI, (Gorman mine) opened in 1898 by Mr. Bishop of the Cascades, has been worked at intervals, for some time
East of the Gatineau river are the following Lot 7, range X, (Foley or Big Crystal mine) closed since [s0s
Lot 5 and 8. § lot 6, range XI, (Kearney mine) worked in iS%2 by
Rae and Allan. The Eureka mine on lot 6, same range. worked in 1893 by Mr. Perkins
Lot 12, north range XV, (Dacey mine), worked in 1808-99 by Webster & Co., toa depth of about 50 feet with a considerable out put of rather small mica
Lot 13, south same range, opened and worked as an apatite mine, but reopened in 1893 by Clemow and Powell for mica
i )
Lot 13, north 4, James Connors, worked by Webster & Co. in 1su2 and by the owner in 1889. Small quantity only reported. Lot 15. east half, same range, (Jameson mine), worked for several years toa reported depth of 75 feet ; some mica of large size obtained
In the township of Waketield mines exist in addition to those already mentioned on :—
Lot 15, range IT, (Comet mine) worked in 1598-99.
Lot 1%, same range, (Kodak mine) formerly Chubbuck and Wilson, worked to a reported depth of 110 feet along a distance of 200 feet,
from which a laege quantity of good imica was produced, and in 1900 also worked for a time by Jurkowsky & Co. and by Webster & Co
Lot 17, range II, (Morris mine) opened in 182, has produced some very large mica.
In the township of Portland west
Lots 12 and 13, range ITI, (Lake Terror mine)
Lot 15, same range, opened in 1900, produced a small quantity of good mica.
Lot 24, N. 4, (Lila Mining Co.) worked in 1899 as an old apatite
mine which yielded also some fine mica crystals
Ir
Waketic
22 Geologic Al Survey Of Canada
Lots a0; 37 28, range IV, (Fleming and Allan), once mined apatite, were pe, ened in 189]. and produced & considerable , uant
of good crystals,
Lots 5.6 McIntosh mine), formerly worked for apatite, has a! yielded some mica, quantity unknown.
In the township of Portland east :
Lot range T, (Judge mine ) opened first 1893. reopened 1899, are adjacent to the lots of the Glen A nond Co,
In Derry the Glen Almond Co, has done some mining on Jot 2% range IT, and on lots 3, 4, 6, range ITT.
Lot 9, range T, opened by Win s, Allan in 19 0, @ few tons taken out from surface Workings,
In Buckingham, lot 25, north 1, range IV, mined in 1899 by Mr. Tetreau and in 1900 by Mr, Dp. Richard, Some small mica obtained,
In the area south of the Ottawa, near South March Station on the Canada Atlantic railway, and to the north-west of ( 'arp station several] deposits of Mica, with which js 'ssociated small] quantities of apatite, are found. The country rock is the usual gray and red gray gheiss which is cut by masses and dykes of a hard dark gabbro or Pyroxenie diorite, in Which the mica Securs. The crystals are Sometimes of wood size, but very-dark coloured like a biotite, and usually hard and some- What brittle. Th). renders them Practically of little use for cutting into thin sheets. but when Weathered for a time they become more elastic. But little economic importance has as yet been attached to these deposits by dealers jn mica, and work has been Suspended for
some years THE Pexty District,
The mica mines in this district are for the most part contined to the
townships of North Burgess on the north side of the Rideau lake and to South Burgess, on the south side, The rocks are of the usual type of grayish and reddish gneiss With quartzite and bands of crystalline limestone,
In the former township the o "Currences of mica are humerous, and some of the deposits are extensive and iluable. Most of the areag were originally mined for apatite, and very ful) descriptions of a number of lots on which the ninerals occur are given in reports by Mr. Gordon Broome. 1870.7]. Pp. 316 321, and by Mr. H. G. Vennor,
ce mined for ble quantity
ite, has also
1899, area
mn lot 23 Ons taken
9 by Mr,
Otained,
non the 1 Several apatite, Y gneiss TOXenic of sood 1 some- Cutting © more hed to led for
0 the 2 and type lline
and
"eag
fia by
or,
Mica 23
1873-74, pp. 110-139.
in nearly all the lots there mentioned fron nos. 1 to 13, on ranges IV
From these descriptions it would appear that
to IX, the association of mica and apatite is very intimate, though at the time of these reports but little attention was paid to the former mineral. From the presence of pyroxene dykes which cut the gneiss, and the occurrence of pink calcite at most of the openings it may safely be inferred that the greater number of these deposits occur as contacts. The apatite is found sometimes in the form of crystals dissethe
pockety masses, which were called veins, along the outer margin of the
minated with the mica in caleite, and sometimes as irregular
intrusions.
Some of these mines were opened nearly forty vears ago, and a large amount of apatite was extracted prior to 1890, The mica being regarded as of but small value, owing to the lack of a market, though several deposits of this mineral were even then worked for a short time toa limited extent. The small demand for mica did not apparently warrant the expenditure of much capital in the development of this industry ; but about fifteen years ago attention was turned in this direction and since that time a number of mines have been opened, some of which have proved fairly profitable, though, owing to the un certain nature of the deposits, many of them have been abandoned
entirely or are worked at irregular intervals,
Ainong those which may be mentioned as occurring in the Rideau
Perth district in the township of North Burgess are the following ;—
The Hanlan mine, now a part of the General Electric Co's system, lot II, range VI, the mica occurring in apatite or calcite the former often iron-stained, a contact deposit. The country rock here is a grayish and reddish-gray quartzose gneiss which is cut by a number of pyroxene dykes with a general course of N. 15
width from 4 to 10 feet.
20 E., varying in About 150 yards west of the present main pit a number of old openings are seen from which small quantities of The old
Webster pit is about 300 yards south-west of the present workings,
mica have been obtained. These workings are all shallow,
In most of the openings calcite and a small quantity of apatite can be
seen and they are all clearly contact deposits,
At the pit now being worked by the General Electric Co. a shatt has been sunk toa depth of about [00 feet near the under side of a large dyke of pyroxene, which has a general course of N. 40° E. From the foot of the shaft a drift h
direction of an open cutting which lies to the north-east
is been run along this foot-wall in the The width of the mica-bearing zone at this place appears to be from 5 to & feet
Mines in North p
24 Geological Survey Of Canada
and the crystals are disseminated in caicite which increase in volume below the 60 feet level. Many of the Crystals are large and clear, ranging in size up to 14 18 inches on the face. The mica from the upper portion of the mine is usually of the smaller sizes, so that the quality improves as lower workings are reached. The area has been proved by diamond drills and the mica found to be continuous in depth. Apatite erystals occur with the mica in the calcite which varies in colour from a creamy white to a deep pink. This mine is a fine illustration of a true contact deposit. Coarse grained, somewhat purple and Sreenish-gray gabbro dykes cut the quartzose gneiss in the Vicinity of the mine as wel] as on the lot adjacent to the north, where also the calcite appears in considerable Volume and js being proved witha diamond drill. Red granite masses are frequently seen, all of which 'are newer than the crystalline limestone of the area, which overtie the gneiss. The output is hauled to Perth, nine miles distant, and the mine is wel] equipped with a hoisting and pumping plant, as well as drills,
This mine is the only one in active Operation at the present tima, in this dj t.
Lot .u, E. 4. range VI, (The Martha mine) was worked for some time with shafts to a depth of 100 to 130 feet
Lot 11, range V, (the Baby mine), was also worked hy shafts to a depth of 130 feet.
Lots 1] and E, 1 lot 12, range VII, (Byrnes mine) worked some
Years ugo to a depth of about 80 feet. Lot 4, range VI, (Watts and Noble mines ).
Lots 16 17, range IX, (Pike lake mines), said to he th- oldest mica mine in Ontario, was worked by several shafts from 55 to 90 feet des This mine is ina large mass of pyroxene and seems to belong
to the class of fissure deposits rather thar to the contact Variety Lot 10, range V, (Blackhall mine), Lot 21, range VI, (McNally mine Lot 12, range VI, (Old Adams mine
Lot 4 range Naot ey McLaren mine), worked for loth apatite and
mica Batu ee 3d rang VI, (Munslow mine) adjacent to the Martha,
Lot 16, range V, ( Donnelly mine)
1 volume id clear, 'rom the that the as been n depth. n colour stration le and inity of so the witha which verile n? the
vell as na, in some to a some nica
feet
long
nd
MICA zu
Lot 7, range VIII, (Adams mine).
The Noble Bay group of mines is situated near the shore of Rideau lake, and comprises lots 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9, rangeV ; lots 7 and 23, range VI; and lot 24, range IV. Considerable surface mining has been done at several points, but all are for the present abandoned. In so far as examined the pockets are somewhat irregular ard the mica is of the smaller sizes.
From the descriptions given by Mr. Vennor of many of the mines mentioned above it would appear that the greater number may be classed as contact deposits. In the vicinity of Otty lake, where several of these are located, the mica does not appear to occur in such well defined masses as in other areas to the west, the apatite having the larger development. 1t is of course possible that deeper mining would establish the presence of larger bodies of mica at lower depths, as has been 1 ind to be the case in other places, but this is a matter for underground exploration and the judicious exp -nditure of capital. In all mica mining there appears to be a large element of uncertainty as to the continuance of mining conditions, and small companies with limited capital are rarely in the position to obtain the best results as to the extent of the mica deposits in any area, In several cases mines which have thus been abandoned through lack of capital have been opened under different management and proved to be good producers, as the conditions freque..tly change for the better as well as for the worse,
On the south side of Rideau lake, on lot 1, ranges I]] and IV, South Burgess, there is also an interesting development of mica. This was worked quite extensively some years ago under the name of the Cantin mine, and when examined in 186 had a depth of 100 feet in the principal opening, the mineral occurring as a true contact deposit in calcite, from which large qu ntities of excellent erystals were obtained. At this depth, however, the mica zone was cut off by a mass of red granite, and after some time spent in a search for its continuativa the area was abandoned. Whether the cut-oif was due to a fault or to a later intrusion of the granite could not then be asecertained. This property has recently been acquired by the General Electric Co, which proposes to develop the area by means e: a diamond
drill, in order to ascertain this point
The country rock at this place includes large areas of crystalline limest ne which are cut by both granite and pyroxene. In the dumps
there is a large quantity of pink calcite
&
26 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY oF CANADA
On this side of the lake also near the head of German bay, several openings have bee) made on Pyroxene-mica dykes which cut red and Sray gneiss, but the mica showings are small and the development Work is limited, Along the shores of the lake also several shallow pits have been sunk in similar rock but Without showing workable Inica,
On the north side of the lake on the fast side of Bags bay, the rocks are gneiss and quartzite With ved sranite cut by dykes in the Usual manner, and a number of smal] Openings have been made and some small mica extracted, hut work has been Suspended here for
Several ve ars,
AS a genera] Statement therefore, it may be said that in the Rideau district the areater part of the nica OCcurences May be assigned to the contact Clise Arn rule the rocks are prac ticaly the same as seen in the Gatineay area, with which the rock formations are continuous beneath the overlying Palaeozoic formations and the conditions
for mica are practically the same in the two districts,
Tue Disrricr Norti or KINGe Toy,
Ss district may be described several] widely separated imines Which oceur mostly in the aren between the Rideau canal and the Kingston and Pembroke railway, They are found in the Townships of North and South Crosby, in Bedford and Loughborough, Some of these were originally mined for apatite, but on the closing of that industry were reopened for mica and have for Several years produced large quantities of very excellent quality. The country rock in al] cases is the ordinary gray and reddish-gray sneiss with occasional Masses of quartzite and bands of crystalline limestone, With which are associated red and sometimes svay granite and pegmatite, while pyro- Xene is abundant in many parts of the area. The formations are
Simil:
'to those north of the Ottawa already described,
his lot Was opened Up about 20 years ago for Apatite and worked for a short
On lot 14, range VI, South Crosby, is McLaren's mine,
time. [n 1900 it was reopened for mica, The Surface rock about the mine is a hard dark-gray Ov sometimes blackish diorite with Pyroxene, but the usual rock of the ridge on which the mine is located
IS a reddish gray granite and gneiss,
On foll Wing down the apatite it was found to become associated
with mica in considerable quantity, the width of the deposit ranging
several ed and pment allow 'kable
yy the n the
and
leau d to as nti-
ons
. MICA nT
from 8 to 10 feet in places near the west side of the pyroxene dyke, Much of the mica seen at the time of our visit in 1901 was in largesized erystals, some of them measuring 12 x 16 inches but somewhat dark in colour. In places bunches of pyrite came in near che edge of the dyke and when in contact with th: inica the latter became rotten and discoloured. The pyrite sometimes passes into a red haematite. Sinall bunches of pink calcite are found with the mica aad both red and green apatite in small amount at a depth of 20 feet which was
that of the pit when we examined it. Though a considerable amount
of mica was extracted, the mine has since been closed of the pyrite at this place and its injurious action on t
interesting circonstance.
Near the line between the townships of Storrington and Bedford on the north side of Opinicon lake are the Smith and Lacey mines which have been extensively worked at intervals for severa! years, The mica is of a light amber colour occuring in pyroxene dykes which cut
t
Vgray and sometimes rusty gneiss, and is associated with a light green mineral resembling a feldspar, but no pink caleite was seen. The mica ippears to occur as fissure deposits near pegmatite intrusions, and a lar 7@ S120 and wood
large amount has been taken out, much of it of juality. At the old ape 'ra mine on the east side of this lake, near the outlet from Crow lake mica was observed. Along the shores of Rock lake also small sho of mica have been reported but
nothing has been done in this direction
On Buck lake, which is about four miles west of Opinicon lake, there are several mica mines, one of which was worked for a number of years and has been a large producer. This mine is on lot 3, range NIT, Bedford, known as the Stoness mine, and belongs to the contact
class, the mica being in pyroxene which cuts the grey and reddish
'
uneis There are a number of these dykes in the vicinity. Crystalline limestone occurs abundantly on the shore of the lake near the mine and is cut by white pegmatite. The pyroxene in which the mine is located is a light green variety with great masses of pink calcite, through which the crystals are disseminated, sometimes in
pockets of large size, and the dump from the mine is largely of this
calcite with masses of the light green pyroxene.
The workings were carried on by means of a shaft or slope sunk to the north-west for about 400 feet at an angle of about 80 degrees, general strike of the gneiss in the vicinity being N. 30° EF. A heavy dvke of dark diahasecuts across the gneiss and pyroxene a short distance
west of the main opening with a thickness of about 15 feet which was
28 Geological Survey Of Canada
passed through in sinking the slope. In the workings, large masses of pink calcite were encountered, occurring after the manner of the great apatite pockets in the Ottawa district. The diabase dyke cut off the mica zone which was however resumed after passing through the intrusive mass, The pyroxene cuts the gneiss ata rather sharp angle. In several of the other dykes mica with calcite was found, but in some, no calcite was visible, in which case the mica is in the form of tissue deposits, occasionally in considerable quantity, but often ending abruptly in small fissures with crushed crystals. Sometimes the mica terminates abruptly through the agency of later diabase intrusions
Inti.e area between the foot of this lake and the road along the Shores of Clear and Devils jakes pyroxenes were observed at a number of points, some of which have not been developed to any extent. The calcite at the bottom of the deep shaft is reported to have become almost barren of mica, resembling in this respect the Lake Girard mine, and the quantity of the calcite was such as to be excavated into large
chambers.
Another interesting mine in this area is that on lot 4 range VIII, Bedford, know as Tett's mine, Here the country rock is a grayish and rusty gneiss with some limestone, having a strike of N. 60° E. with a dip to the north-west. This is cut across at an angle by a heavy dyxe of light green pyroxene which is, in turn, cut by a very hard grayish green fine grained granite. 'Lhe mine is opened by a series of pits along the course of the dyke. In most of these there is no showing of the calcite, but in a couple of the eastern pits there is a small quantity The mica occurs at or near the contact with the rusty gneiss and
large crystals of pyroxene as well as of mica are found.
Tron pyrites occurs in bunches, as at the McLaren mine in the harder portions of the pyroxene and has adversely affected the mica, making it rusty in places. The course of the intrusion is N. 55 E,. as indicated by the line of pits, but owing to most of these being filled with water at the time of our visit, in 1901, the conditions of the lower workings could not be studied. Most Jf the mica extracted had been removed, but the output is reported as '=rge size and good qua lity. A small bind of impure limestone is seen along the south side of the openings and small quantities of apatite were observed at sever-
al points.
Further to the north-west on the shore of Mud bay which is an arm
on the north side of Bobs lake, on lot 30, range VI, Bedford, a some what important deposit is now being mined by Mr. Stoness and others,
Mica 29
on what was formerly known as the Taggart mine. 'There is here an extensive development of pyroxene cutting grayish-ved gneiss with granite masses. Some portions of the former are hard and dioritic, others are soft and light green. A number of openings have been made at this place, and the new developments were commenced in the summer of 1903, The mica veins are exposed along a general course of N. W. and 8S. E. and are for the most part eitherpockety or fissure deposits. In places the mica zones have a thickness of three to four feet but others are much less. There is no calcite as a rule, but apatite is found in small quantity in the largest opening, which in Nept., had reached a depth of 30 feet and was about 40 feet in length, the mica following along the north side of a hard pyroxene rock, in which the softer portions carried the crystals, generally of smal] size, cutting 4 inches and less, the larger sizes being in irregular pockets. The inica is a rather dark amber, but comparatively free from imperfections.
On the opposite or northern side of Mud bay there is a considerab'e development of crystalline limestone and gray gneiss, cut by pyroxene, in which deposits of apatite were quite extensively mined some years Ago.
On lot 2, range V, Oso, near the head of Crow lake, several openings have been made in pyroxene dykes which cut the gneiss at a sharp angle. The principal openings are on a dyke about six feet wide and the mica occurs on the west side in deposits of calcite, Apatite occurs also in smal] quantity, and the locality was at one time worked for this mineral.
The general course of the dykes is about N. 15° W., with a dip sometimes to the west and sometimes to the south-east. The mica vein in the principal opening is disclosed for about 50 feet in two pits but a good deal of the mica is crushed. About 150 feet west of this opening another smaller dyke has been opened and a similar occurrence of mica can be seen. These are both good illustrations of contact deposits. Further to the east mica also occurs under similar conditions, but no work has been done here for some years. The output from the Bobs lake mines is hauled to Olden station on the Kingston and Pembroke railway.
In the vicinity of Sydenham lake and on several of the lakes to the
north, there are a number of interesting mica deposits, among which '
the largest and apparently most important is that known as the old Smith and Lacey, now the property of the General Electric Co. of Schenectady, The mine in on lot IJ, range VII of the township of Loughborough.
30 Geological Survey Of Canada
This mine is noted for the size and excellent quality of the crystals extracted, some of these having dimensions of over seven feet in
length and one has been found of over nine feet in length
The knoll on which the mine is located is rather more than a fourth of a mile from the east side of the narrows which connect Sydenham lake with Eel luke, and is intersected with dykes of pyroxene, some of which are large. The principal workings at present are on the north side of a large dvke which has a general course of north-east, cutting at an angle across the country rock which here is a brownish or gray mica gneiss, associated with rystalline limestone which shows
in a large body to the south. Tho strike of the gneiss is about N, 30
ul the dip to the north-west,
The pyroxene at this place varies in character, some of it being light-green, soft and tilled with small mica seales ; other parts are hard and dioritic, altering in places toa true pyroxene. In the main pit
ft)
of the General Electric mine, the miea, which is on the northern side
of this intrusion, occurs in soft portion of the dyke which passes
down into the hard dioritic mass in which the mica is absent. The
crystals are associated with large masses of calcite varying from pink
to gray, but the mica zones are large and generally along the course of
the dyke wall, forming a well detined contact deposit, with side veins
which are of the nature of fissures
The width of this dyke has not yet been definitely ascertained Where the mica is found on the northe dge, the dip of the contact is north at an anvle of eigiity degrees. In part the mica is mixed with a white caleite but at about 1)5 feet down this calcite is largely
laced by green apatite in which the crystals are found, and in pla ces both the caleite and apatite are intimately associated. In another part of the deposit the mica oceurs in the pyroxene as side veins without either calcite or apatite, probably indicating fissures from the
main iniea zone, which trend to the south or centre of the dyke,
At the west end of the mine the pyroxene is heavily mineralized with pyrite, and the rock is crushed and slaty and shows the presence of shekens, indicating a fault in this direction by which the pyroxene is probably cut off. At the surface the ground here is low and
swampy. A patch of gray Potsdam sandstone occurs a short distance to the west with an area of 60 by 30 yards, resting on gneiss
The mine is well equipped with a mining plant, for hoisting, drilling, &e., and is worked by a series of levels from a main hoisting shaft
which has a present depth of over 160 feet. The drilling is done by
Mica 31
compressed air, and a fine ladder-way forms a convenicnt means of
access to all the levels,
The occurrence of the mica erystals, often of immense size is inter
esting, They are found sometimes in the calcite, sometimes in the
apatite; and occasionally the enclosing substance is a mixture of these two minerals. In one of the calcite masses are large crystals of pyre
xene of at least six inches diameter. One crystal of mica was removed with a length of over nine fect and a breadth of from four to six feet,
the quality of which was excellent. Great numbers of mallet i
occur an the output generally is of extra large dimensions, the erys
tals being in great masses, and some of the individuals we several tons
Of the many smaller dykes wnich intersect the surface of the knolls in this area, some are soft and filled with small mica seales, others are hard and dioritic, and a passage from one to the other is sometimes exposed on the adjacent lot to the south, where severa openings have been made, but here much of the mica, while of fair size, is cloudy ot
milky and of small value
rhe mica zone at the main pit is in places from 12 te IS feet wide !
and is bounded on the south by a hard blackish diorite or a hornblende
eranite which sometimes assumes it re ldish tint To the east of this
main pit are a number of smaller openings, some of them test pits,
a soft micaceous pyroxene in which the mica crystals are often loud,
About 50 yards to the north are the workin: f the old Smith and
Lacey mine, which was also a true contact deposit and which for sever
f ral years produced a considerable juantity of very large miea, but this portion of the property is now filled with water so that the old workings
could not be examined. As the present mine is well develo
ize. It
output should be very great and of superior quality as regards si
is all shipped to the cutting plant of the company in Ottawa
Among other mines in this district, most of which are not now worked, is one on Could lake operated by Mr. Fralick of Sydenham. The place was not visited, but the owner says the rock is the usua type of reddish and sometimes garnetiferous gneiss, overlaid in part by crystalline limestone, and cut by basic dykes of pyroxene. The mica occurs for the most part as contact deposits, between the gneiss and the dyke or between the dyke and the limestone, and sometimes in the mass of the pyroxene itself, in the first case along the foot wal] in calcite, The vein is somewhat irregular in places, Varying, as
usual, in productiveness in different parts of the mine. No details as
32 Geological Survey Of Canada
to output or plant are to hand, but work is now being carried on, and the principal pit is down to about 50 feet,
From an examination of so many widely separated iocalities, it is evident that the occurrence of mica is practically the same as regards conditions throughout the whole area, In many places the only examination possible was from the surface workings, as owing to the pits being closed or filled with water, it was impossible to see the
relations of the mica with the enclosing rock formations in the lower
portion of the workings. Where access was possible, however, the
mines were examined throughout, and the geological conditions ascer-
tained,
The purple or lithia mica is not often found in this area and is not an article of commerce, It occurs usually where the crystalline lime stone is intersected by white pegmatite dykes. An illustration of these is seen in the township of Wakefield, near Lascelles post five and also on lot 6, range 1V, of the same township. There is not suthicient mica of this variety in either place for economic mining, but the localities are interesting as mineral occurrences. Another locality for this variety is near Wilsons Corner on lot 1], range NVI, Hull.