Tin-bearing potential of some Devonian granitic rocks in S.W. Nova Scotia

Petrological indices and major element chemistry may be used to select individual plutons within a batholith which are most likely to be tin bearing. The origin and evolution of only the selected individual plutons may be assessed using trace elemental contents and dispersions, (Rb, Ba, Pb, Zn, Mo, Li, Be, F, and W) and selected elemental ratios, K/Na, Ba/Rb, (Li × 1000)/K, Li/Zn, and F/Li. This information may also be used to assess the ore bearing potential of the plutons. The method has been applied to three plutons within the South Mountain Batholith of Nova Scotia, using 75 whole rock major and trace element analyses. The results suggest that only the New Ross Pluton, in which several tin prospects are known, might be ore bearing. All the plutons are considered to be deeply eroded and any economic cassiterite deposits have probably been removed by erosion.