Hydrothermal Geochemistry Group

Prof. A.E. Williams-Jones

A.E. (Willy) Williams-Jones
Supervisor
anthony.williams-jones@mcgill.ca

My research is devoted mainly to understanding the genesis of hydrothermal mineral deposits through a combination of field-based, experimental and theoretical methods. Many such deposits form as a result of metal transport by hydrothermal fluids and subsequent precipitation in response to changes in physico-chemical conditions. Important objectives are thus to determine the nature of these fluids, to identify factors that control their ability to dissolve metals, and to establish mechanisms which cause deposition.

Research Staff, Post-docs and Visiting Scientists

Jim Clark
Research Associate
james.r.clark@mcgill.ca

My current research interests include the mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis of Archean gold deposits, epithermal and porphyry-related mineralization, and active geothermal systems.  I’m also involved in the development of exploration tools such as alteration zoning pattern recognition and indicator minerals for hydrothermal ore deposits. Recently, I've begun working on the metallogeny of lithium mineralization.  Outside McGill, I hold the position of Geologist (Research Services) with Aurum Exploration (Canada) Ltd.

Kyle Henderson
Post-Doc
kyle.henderson@mail.mcgill.ca

Duncan McLeish
Post-Doc
duncan.mcleish@mail.mcgill.ca

The Brucejack property in the Stewart-Eskay Creek district of NW British Columbia is host to one of the highest grade and best exposed intermediate sulphidation epithermal gold deposits in the world. My research is focused on: (1) elucidating the origin of high-grade gold mineralisation at Brucejack by characterising the ore and associated hydrothermal alteration; (2) determining the composition of the mineralising fluids; and (3) reconstructing the physicochemical conditions that controlled mineralisation through thermodynamic analysis and testing plausible models of ore formation.

My research concerns the experimental geochemistry of metal transport and speciation in aqueous and organic ore fluids, and the metal partitioning between coexisting aqueous and organic fluids. Other interests include metal transport in colloidal or nanoparticulate forms, as well as the thermodynamic modelling of metal transport and ore deposition.

Olga Vasyukova
Research Associate
olga.vasyukova@mcgill.ca

I focus on the mechanisms that favour enrichment of HFSE (mostly REE) in melts and fluids associated with granites and pegmatites, particularly through the use of melt and fluid inclusions, which are the only direct source of physical and chemical conditions at the time of entrapment. The other tools include high temperature hydrothermal experiments and thermodynamic modelling.

Anna Volynets
Research Associate
anna.volynets@mcgill.ca

Wei Zheng
Post-Doc
wei.zheng3@mail.mcgill.ca

My research focuses on understanding the ore-forming processes and enrichment mechanisms of porphyry-epithermal copper, polymetallic and lode gold deposits through mineralogical and geochemical methods, and high-precision dating of hydrothermal minerals. I am also interested in the formation of rare metal deposits.

Ph.D. Students

Sarah Bodeving
Ph.D. Student
sarah.bodeving@mail.mcgill.ca

Kiera Broda
Ph.D. Student
kiera.broda@mail.mcgill.ca

My thesis research focuses on the role of hydrothermal alteration in the formation of Alaskan-type ultramafic-hosted Ni-Co sulfide mineralization at the Turnagain deposit in northern British Columbia. This will be accomplished by thorough optical and scanning electron microscope examinations to identify sulfide textures and types, which will be followed by quantitative microprobe and isotopic analyses.

My research focuses on understanding the hydrothermal processes that concentrate cobalt in the crust to form ore deposits.  In particular, I’m interested in the nebulous five-element vein-type deposits, best represented by those at Bou Azzer, Morocco, as well as sediment-hosted stratiform Cu-Co deposits, such as those in the Central African Copperbelt of Zambia and the DRC.  To investigate the processes that form such deposits, I am collecting thermodynamic data for Co-bearing mineral phases, with the goal of constructing geochemical models for the genesis of these deposits.

David Martineau
Ph.D. Student
david.martineau@mail.mcgill.ca

My research interests revolve around rare earth element (REE) mineralization in iron-oxide-apatite (IOA)- and iron-oxide-copper-gold (IOCG)-type deposits. Specifically, I study the Kwyjibo deposit, a REE-enriched IOA system located in the Grenville Province, NE of Sept-îles, Québec. My research aims to understand the REE enrichment and history of mineralization of the deposit and to compare it to other IOA districts around the world. The potential for economically important REE concentrations combined with the enigmatic origin of these deposits makes this an exciting field of research.

Kevin Ng
Ph.D. Student
man.h.ng@mail.mcgill.ca

My current research focuses on geochemical and related studies of the epithermal Au-Ag Brucejack deposit in northern British Columbia, Canada. I am also interested in the investigation of REE sorption mechanisms and ore-forming controls in the genesis of regolith-hosted HREE deposits in South China

Evan Slater

M.Sc. Students

Jérémie Coté
M.Sc. Student
jeremie.cote@mail.mcgill.ca

My research interests revolve around economic geology problems and mineral exploration.  I focus primarily on critical and rare metals deposits for which a strong supply/demand imbalance exists or is expected in the future.

My research focuses on the petrogenesis of the Adina LCT-pegmatite in the James Bay region of Quebec. I aim to better understand the deposit through geochemical, alteration and textural relationships, using core-logging data, and petrographic and lithogeochemical methods. The results will be used to evaluate processes that led to the enrichment of the LCT minerals that formed the deposit, and will improve our understanding of the controls on LCT pegmatite mineralization in the region.

Elisa Johnson Felix
M.Sc. Student
maria.johnsonfelix@mail.mcgill.ca

My research is focused on the hydrothermal and magmatic processes that lead to LCT enrichment in pegmatites, and I am also interested in the genesis of carbonatite-hosted niobium deposits. My goal is to contribute to our general understanding of how these deposits form and to provide insight for their exploration.

Vincent Keenan
M.Sc. Student
vincent.keenan@mail.mcgill.ca

My research explores orogenic gold mineralization at the Martinière deposit, Quebec, emphasizing the geochemistry of alteration processes. By integrating core logging and detailed petrographic analyses, I investigate the structural controls, alteration patterns, and fluid dynamics driving gold deposition. This approach enhances the understanding of orogenic gold systems and supports the exploration and development of these valuable resources.

B.Sc. Students

Graduates and Former Group Members