Kraigh Blacker

Porphyry copper deposits are important sources of gold, molybdenum, and copper, and may host other critical minerals such as Platinum Group Elements. They form in large-scale hydrothermal systems driven by magmatic intrusions, concentrating metals in the surrounding country rock. These deposits are growing in importance for the energy transition and will be increasingly found under cover. 

Working with the Pacific Centre for Isotopic and Geochemical Research (PCIGR) and the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU), and in collaboration with industry, I am utilizing geochemical methods to investigate the isotopic fingerprint of hydrothermal circulation in porphyry copper systems. My samples come from the Red Chris and Camp Creek deposits in Northern British Columbia. My research focuses on whether combined lead (Pb) and thallium (Tl) isotopes can be used to 1) vector towards buried porphyry copper deposits and 2) fingerprint high-grade or large tonnage deposits. 

For my research, I am being trained to use robust geochemical methods. These include chemical sample preparation in Class 1000 clean labs and mass spectrometry to perform lead and thallium isotopic analysis. 

     .                     .                

Left to Right: At geology field school in Oliver, BC, Canada / Working on the Electron Microprobe at UBC / In Marco Island, Florida, USA.