Abitibi Belt

geological region, Canada

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July 23, 2026

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The Abitibi Belt is a geological region in Canada, part of the larger Precambrian geology. It is characterized by greenstone-granite belts, which are considered tectonic "slices" of oceanic and island arc crust that have been thrust together. These belts are significant for their abundant mineral deposits, including gold, silver, chromium, nickel, copper, and zinc. Historically, areas like the Abitibi belt in southern Canada were sites of gold rushes. The greenstone sequences within these belts are composed of volcanic and sedimentary rocks that have undergone metamorphism.123

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Precambrian
Age and occurrence of greenstone-granite belts
…Slave province of Canada; the Abitibi, Wawa, Wabigoon, and Quetico belts of the Superior province of Canada; the Dharwar belts in India; and the Warrawoona and Yilgarn belts in Australia.
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…Slave province of Canada; the Abitibi, Wawa, Wabigoon, and Quetico belts of the Superior province of Canada; the Dharwar belts in India; and the Warrawoona and Yilgarn belts in Australia.
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