Silica Occurrences in British Columbia

BCMEMPR Open File 1987-15

By G. Foye

Table of Contents

Title Page and Table of Contents (PDF, 107 kB)

Introduction/General (PDF, 305 kB)

Quartzite Occurrences (PDF, 1.14 MB)

Vein Occurrences (PDF, 1.04 MB)

Pegmatite Occurrences (PDF, 343 kB)

Other Occurrences (PDF, 88 kB)

Bibliography (PDF, 271 kB)

Map (PDF, 535 kB)

Open File 1987-15 describes silica occurrences in British Columbia. The silica occurrences described in this Open File were considered at the time of writing to represent the most significant silica deposits known in British Columbia. References, listed by occurrence, are found at the end of the report. Each occurrences has been assigned a number with a prefix of "S". These numbers identify the deposits on the accompanying British Columbia silica occurrence map and in the bibliography. The occurrences are organized by genetic type as being quartzite, vein or pegmatite.

Many of the occurrences were examined in the field during 1981 and 1982 by staff of the Geological Survey Branch of British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Most of the mineral exploration in British Columbia has been directed toward base and precious metals. In many cases quartz bodies and quartzites have been regarded as barren rock or gangue, rather than as potential sources of silica. There are likely numerous silica occurrences in the province that have not been recognized and are therefore not documented.