Dr. Jan M. Peter

Research Scientist

Research on the genesis of metallic mineral deposits and development of geological, mineralogical and geochemical methods for their exploration

Natural Resources Canada

Current research and/or projects

Biography:

I am an economic geologist in the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in Ottawa. Prior to joining the staff of the GSC in 1994, I held an NSERC postdoctoral fellowship at the GSC. Today, working under the Targeted Geoscience Initiative 4 Program, I specialize in the study of base metal (zinc, lead, copper) deposits in volcanic and sedimentary host rocks, and focus on how they were formed (used in exploration), and the development of methods and methodologies to explore for them.

 

Research and/or project statements

Current Research Projects:

  • Detection and vectoring methods and methodologies for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits.
  • Fertility criteria and magmatic input into volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits.
  • Role of redox and microbes in the genesis of sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits.
  • Genesis of metalliferous shales.

Professional activities / interests

  • Co-leader: IGCP Project 502 (Global Comparison of Volcanic-Hosted Massive Sulphide Ores; 2004-2008)
  • Editor/Coeditor: Economic Geology Monograph 11 (2003); Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis (2004); Economic Geology Special Issue (2008); Mineralium Deposita Special Issue (2011)
  • Collaboration: undergraduate and graduation students at Laurentian University, Queen’s University, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Alberta, Brock University, University of British Columbia.
  • Colleagues: Suzanne Paradis, Patrick Mercier-Langevin, John Lydon
  • Interests: ancient and modern seafloor hydrothermal ore deposits, ore and mineral deposits, mineralogy, stable and radiogenic isotopes, fluid inclusions

Education and awards

Degrees:

  • B.Sc. (Hons.) Geology, University of British Columbia, 1983
  • M.Sc. Geology, University of Toronto, 1986
  • Ph.D Geology, University of Toronto, 1991

Awards:

  • Merit Award, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada (2015, 2009, 2006).
  • Julian Boldy Award, Mineral Deposits Division, Geological Association of Canada (2003).
  • William Harvey Gross Medal, Mineral Deposits Division, Geological Association of Canada (2002).

Additional links

Targeted Geoscience Initiative

Research Gate Profile

LinkedIn Profile

Key publications

  1. Tornos, F., Peter, J.M., Allen, R.L., and Conde, C., 2015, Controls on the siting and style of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits, Ore Geology Reviews, v. 68, p. 142-163; DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2015.01.003 
  2. McClenaghan, M.B. and Peter, J.M., 2015, Till geochemical signatures of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits: an overview of Canadian examples. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis; Online first: doi:10.1144/geochem2014-315.
  3. Peter, J.M., Leybourne, M.I., Scott, S.D., and Gorton, M.P., 2014, Geochemical constraints on the tectonic setting of basaltic host rocks to the Windy Craggy Cu-Co- Au massive sulphide deposit, northwestern British Columbia, International Geology Review, v. 56, #12, p. 1484-1503; DOI: 10.1080/00206814.2014.947335
  4. Peter, J.M., Layton-Matthews, D., Piercey, S., Bradshaw, G., Paradis, S., and Boulton, A., 2007, Volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits of the Finlayson Lake District, Yukon, in Goodfellow, W.D., ed., Mineral Deposits of Canada: A Synthesis of Major Deposit-Types, District Metallogeny, the Evolution of Geological Provinces, and Exploration Methods: Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division, Special Publication No. 5, p. 471-508.
  5. Peter, J.M., and Goodfellow, W.D., 2003, Hydrothermal sedimentary rocks of the Heath Steele Belt, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick 3. Application of mineralogy, and mineral and bulk compositions to massive sulfide exploration, Economic Geology Monograph 11, p. 417-433.

Contact

Research facility

Geological Survey of Canada - Central Division
601 Booth St.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G1
Canada

Expertise

Sciences›Earth Sciences›Geochemistry
Sciences›Earth Sciences›Geology›Economic geology
Sciences›Scientific research

Affiliations

Adjunct professor:

  • Dept. of Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering, Queen's University (2008 to present)
  • Dept. of Earth Sciences, Laurentian University (2002 to present)
  • Dept. of Geology, University of Toronto (2001-2006)

Others:

  • Society of Economic Geologists (SEG)
  • Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA)