The Abitibi Greenstone Belt: One of the World’s Richest Gold Regions
For investors who like to participate in the mining sector, and junior mining in particular, familiarity with the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Canada is essential.
The Abitibi is the world’s largest mineral-rich greenstone geological belt, hosting many major gold and base metal deposits. It is a 450 km long by 150 km wide geological structure that runs through the Canadian Shield, from west of Timmins, Ontario, then eastward to Chibougamau, Quebec.
Gold was found in the area in the late 1800’s, but significant gold mining activity accelerated with the discovery of the Dome, Hollinger and McIntyre mines near what is now Timmins, Ontario, around 1909. Since that time, more than 100 mines have produced in excess of 170 million ounces of gold.
While the belt is known primarily for its prolific gold mining history, base metals mines in the region have produced over 400 million ounces of silver, 15 billion tons of copper, and 35 billion tons of zinc.
Kirkland Lake & Nemont Goldcorp makes headway with plan to give Holt Mine, Holloway & Dome mine a new life