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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Williston Basin Symposium

Abstract

NDGS/SKGS-AAPG

Fourth International Williston Basin Symposium, October 5, 1982 (SP6)

Pages 67 - 73

PETROLOGY OF POTASH ORE IN THE ESTERHAZY MEMBER OF THE MIDDLE DEVONIAN PRAIRIE EVAPORITE IN SOUTHEASTERN SASKATCHEWAN

L. M. FUZESY, Saskatchewan Energy & Mines, 1914 Hamilton Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 4V4

ABSTRACT

The Esterhazy Member is the lowermost of four potash-bearing members of the Prairie Formation. It consists primarily of variable proportions of halite, sylvite and carnallite. On the basis of bromine analyses, it appears that these salts have all undergone recrystallization. Petrological investigation shows that almost all of the carnallite is younger than the halite or sylvite.

The potash mined from the Esterhazy Member may be divided into carnallite-rich and carnallite-poor groups. It is inferred that most of the sylvite and a small proportion of the halite have been altered to carnallite in the carnallite-rich zones by fluids rich in magnesium. Fractured zones may have provided channel ways for these carnallitizing solutions. Small patches of dolomite and anhydrite occurring in halite and potash minerals are interpreted as being transported fragments of pre-existing early eogenetic dolomite and nodular anhydrite.

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