The occurrence of tin at the Dickstone No. 2 Orebody, northern Manitoba

Abstract

The Dickstone No. 2 Orebody, a small massive sulphide deposit situated in northern Manitoba, contains tin in amounts averaging 0.08% or 1.6 pounds per ton. Most of the tin occurs as the oxide cassiterite. The cassiterite shows a considerable size range from <.001 mm. to 0.6 mm., with approximately 99% of all cassiterite present in grains larger than 0.1 mm. across. The larger cassiterite grains exhibit subhedral crystal forms, some of which show the effects of abrasion. Quartz, calcite and pryrite are most closely associated with the cassiterite. A miroprobe study of the cassiterites shows that the most common trace elements are indium, silver, neodymium, tungsten, iodine and lutetium. Calcium, antimony, and ytterbium occur moderately, while titanium, iron, zinc, tantalum and iridium occur infrequently. Another tin-bearing mineral was encountered. Although not positively identified, this mineral is a calcium-titanium silicate, possibly sphene.