The Cu-Au porphyries in British Columbia, Canada vary in setting, size, age and grade, and occur in a region with a complex tectonic history. This episode is about these systems and the key factors in their origin which also guide modern exploration. Our guests are also all authors in the recent CIM volume on porphyry deposits of the northwestern Cordillera.

Mitch Mihalynuk (DEEP TIME Research Group, Oxford UK and British Columbia Geological Survey) introduces the episode by discussing the complicated tectonic setting of the northwestern Cordillera, specifically the well-mineralized Quesnel and Stikine terranes.

From this introduction we learn about the southern Quesnel terrane from consulting geologist Joanna Lipske, with a focus on the New Afton deposit from the setting to the  ‘rediscovery story’ to exploration. Joanna touches on the importance of many exploration techniques for porphyry deposits in southern BC and why there is no "silver bullet" exploration technique.

Lastly, Gayle Febbo (Kingfisher Metals Corp.) takes us through some large porphyry deposits of the Golden Triangle in the northern Stikine terrane, discussing the importance of structure and magmatic affinity in the deposits of the KSM district.

Theme music is Confluence by Eastwinds
eastwindsmusic.com