About the Geological Survey

OVERVIEW

The geology of Newfoundland and Labrador is a remarkable natural phenomenon, and an integral part of the heritage, economy and life of the Province. The rocks of Newfoundland and Labrador provide a magnificent outdoor laboratory for studying the history of our planet, as well as abundant mineral resources that have been exploited for thousands of years. The surficial geology of the Province has been shaped by periods of glaciation, the effects of which continue today. The mandate of the Geological Survey of Newfoundland and Labrador is to map the geological framework of the province; to interpret and explain its geological evolution; and to describe, interpret and explain the distribution, nature, quantity and origin of the province’s mineral resources.

The Geological Survey is a division of the Mines Branch. The Survey currently has 4 sections (Regional Geology; Mineral Deposits; Terrain Sciences, Data Management and Geochemistry; Geoscience Publications and Information) and a geochemical laboratory. It is headed by the Director of the Geological Survey. The Survey offices are in the capital of Newfoundland, St. John’s, at 50 Elizabeth Avenue. Each section of the Survey is administered by a section manager.

Survey Administration

Mineral Deposits

The Mineral Deposits Section of the Department of Mines and Energy is responsible for geoscientific programs related to mineral deposit research and mineral exploration and development in Newfoundland and Labrador. The results of this work are used by mineral explorationists to help direct their exploration programs, by government officials to promote mineral exploration and development opportunities in Newfoundland, by that part of the international scientific community that is engaged in mineral deposits research, and as a database for land use planning.

The Mineral Deposits Section retains a repository of geoscientific expertise on all types of mineral occurrences throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. It also provides a considerable variety of scientific services and publications that are available to our clients in the province.

The Mineral Deposits Section delivers programs in principal areas:

Metallogenic Studies

Metallogeny, is the branch of geology that seeks to define the genetic relationship between the geological history of an area and its mineral deposits. Metallogenic research in the Mineral Deposits Section is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the nature and geological settings of base and precious metal deposits in the province, and to use this understanding to help direct private sector exploration to areas of high mineral exploration potential. To this end, our programs include both detailed studies of individual deposits (deposit-level studies) and regional geological studies of the different types of mineralization that occur over broad areas (regional metallogenic studies). The project geologists who conduct these studies represent an expertise resource that is available for consultation and advice to the mineral exploration industry.

Metallogeny programs constitute the largest single scientific effort of the Mineral Deposits Section. Projects are carried out as stand-alone metallogenic projects and as part of the Survey’s series of multi-disciplinary studies focused on areas of exceptionally high mineral potential.

Industrial Minerals Projects

Industrial minerals are usually defined as “any rock, mineral or other naturally occurring substance of economic value exclusive of metallic ores and mineral fuels”. They include such well known materials as granite and marble used as dimension and ornamental stone, limestone, slate, silica, asbestos, fluorite, rare-earth-elements and a host of other non-metallic minerals that are used principally for industrial purposes.

Industrial Minerals Programs are delivered by the section’s Industrial Mineral geologist. These programs have a two-fold thrust:

1. Resource identification and evaluation:
Project geologists look for potential industrial mineral resources through literature research and field examinations. This search may be sparked by an approach from a potential investor looking for a specific commodity, or through recognition on the part of the geologist of a potential resource that needs to be evaluated. These programs include evaluation of the size and characteristics of the deposit, initiating and supervising such physical and chemical tests of the material as may be necessary to determine its marketability, and attempting to promote this resource as an investment opportunity to the private sector.

2. Provision of expertise to existing operators:
The section’s geologists are available to existing industrial minerals producers, many of whom do not have substantial geological expertise, to help with problems related to the geological characteristics of their deposit.

Ongoing Research

  • Metallogenic Studies of MVT Deposits in Western Newfoundland (J. Conliffe)
  • Iron-Ore deposits in Labrador (J. Conliffe)
  • Industrial Mineral Studies in Newfoundland and Labrador (Z. Magyarosi)
  • Metallogenic Studies of Gold Mineralization in Newfoundland and Labrador (H. Sandeman)
  • Metallogenic Studies of Uranium in Newfoundland and Labrador (G. Sparkes)
  • Metallogenic Studies of VMS Deposits in Newfoundland (G. Sparkes and J. Hinchey)
  • Mineral Occurrence Data System (G. Stapleton and N. Lachance)

Contact – Mineral Deposits Team

^ Top of Page

Regional Geology

This section is responsible for bedrock geological mapping in the Province.

In insular Newfoundland, mapping is generally done at 1:50 000 or more detailed scales and involves systematic foot traversing with helicopter and boat support as necessary; a 2-person mapping team covers up to half a 1:50 000 sheet in a field season. In Labrador, most mapping is done at the 1:100 000 scale and uses extensive helicopter support; mapping teams usually consist of 4 to 7 people and coverblocks of up to four 1:50 000 map sheets per field season.

The results of mapping projects are initially published as open-file maps, and as reports and page-size maps in the annual Current Research volume. Copies of open-file maps are produced “on-demand” and are either uncoloured photocopies or coloured digital plots. Following completion of a project, the results are compiled and published as printed reports accompanied by uncoloured or coloured printed maps.

The section also produces compilation maps, ranging in scale from 1:250 000 to 1:1 million, and composite digital maps which can be customized by the user to suit scales from 1:50 000 to 1:1 million.

Index of Geological Maps – Newfoundland and Labrador

Contact – Regional Geology Team

^ Top of Page

Terrain Sciences, Data Management and Geochemistry

This section covers a wide area of geology, including geochemical mapping, environmental geochemistry, geophysics, Quaternary mapping, aggregate evaluation, environmental geology, and urban geology. The Data Management component is responsible for GIS implementation in the Survey, and deals with all aspects of Geoscience data management, including archiving, web delivery, and standards.

Ongoing Research

Geochemistry 

  • Geochemical atlases
  • Geochemical surveys
  • Environmental geochemistry
  • Analytical methods, geochemical laboratory

Quaternary Geology

  • Surficial mapping and till geochemistry
  • Ice flow mapping and database development, Newfoundland

Environmental Geology

  • Coastal monitoring and geology
  • Geological Hazards – archival research and database development
  • Sea-level change
  • Hazard risk mapping
  • Environmental geochemistry

Geophysics

  • Geophysical compilations
  • Digital geophysical databases and indices
  • Digital capture of aerial and ground geophysical surveys

Aggregate Geology

  • Aggregate database and GIS development

GIS/Data Management

  • Digital atlases
  • Digitizing geophysical data, and Quaternary maps
  • Digital map production
  • Web delivery of geological data
  • Field based data recording using hand-held computers

Contact – Terrain Sciences and Geoscience Data Management Team

^ Top of Page

Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software can be used for viewing PDF documents. Download Acrobat® Reader for free.