Faculty

Department of Geology
Adjunct Professor, Part-time Instructor
Ph.D., (2019) Laurentian University
Phone: (902) 491 6638
Office: S425
Email: mitchell.kerr@smu.ca

 

Geologic Perspectives - YouTube

 

Overview:

Mitchell received his B.Sc. in chemistry from the University of Toronto, with a focus on analytical and inorganic chemistry. He completed his M.Sc.App in geology/geochemistry at Saint Mary’s University, studying Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide deposits associated with the Sudbury Igneous Complex using unconventional exploration techniques involving abiogenic volatile hydrocarbon signatures. He completed a PhD in geology from Laurentian University, with research focussing on gold mobilization, precipitation and upgrading mechanisms associated with hydrothermal-magmatic ore systems in the Arctic and Nova Scotia. Mitchell is the technician/technologist in the Department of Geology at SMU and teaches the first-year geology courses: Understanding the Earth (GEOL1200) and The Dynamic Earth (GEOL1201).

Research Interests:

Mitchell’s research interests focus on better understanding ore-forming hydrothermal systems, especially Au and precious metal deposits. His research investigates the compositions of hydrothermal fluids, preserved in minerals as fluid inclusions, with a particular focus on metal mobilization (fluid metal tenors and ligation) and precipitation mechanisms resulting from physicochemical modification to the ore fluids (e.g., redox-pH changes). A primary aim of this research is to evaluate how the chemical signatures of fluids can help vector towards mineralization in an environmentally and economically responsible manner.

Refereed Publications:

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Ramlochund, P., and Zajacz, Z. (2024) Auriferous fluid evolution and the role of carbonaceous matter in a saddle-reef Au deposit: Dufferin deposit, Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems (G-cubed), Submitted (manuscript ID: 2024GC011591)

Chowdhury, A., Ventura, G.T., Owino, Y., Lalk, E.J., MacAdam, N., Dooma, J.M., Ono, S., Fowler, M., MacDonald, A., Bennett, R., MacRae, R.A., Hubert, C.R.J., Bentley, J.N., and Kerr, M.J. (2024) Cold seep formation from salt diapir–controlled deep biosphere oases: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, v.121(12). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2316878121.

Boucher, B.M., Robb, S.J., Hanley, J.J., Kerr, M.J., Mungall, J.E., 2023, Platinum-group elements (PGE) in the New Afton alkalic Cu-Au porphyry deposit, Canadian Cordillera, I: Relationships between PGE, accessory metals and sulfur isotopes in pyrite: Frontiers in Earth Science, v.11. doi: 10.3389/feart.2023.819129.

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., and Kontak, D.J., 2021, Application of bulk fluid volatile chemistry to exploration for metasedimentary rock-hosted orogenic gold deposits: An example from the Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v.226, p.106764.

Hanley, J.J., Kerr, M.J., LeFort, D., Warren, M., Mackenzie, M., and Sedge, C., 2021, Enrichment of platinum-group elements (PGE) in alkalic porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the Canadian Cordillera: New insights from mineralogical and fluid inclusion studies. In: (L. Sharman, J. Lang, and J. Chapman) Porphyry Deposits of the Northwestern Cordillera of North America: A 25-Year Update. Canadian Institution of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, Special Volume 57, p. 88-109.

Fedortchouk, Y; Zhang, Z; Hanley, J.J., and Kerr, M,J., 2021, Diamond resorption and immiscibility of C-O-H fluid in kimberlites: evidence from experiments in H₂O – CO₂ – SiO₂ – MgO – CaO system at 1-3 GPa: Lithos, v.380, p.105858.

Adlakha, E., Hattori, K., Kerr, M.J., Boucher, B., 2020, The origin of Ti-oxide minerals below and within the eastern Athabasca Basin, Canada: American Mineralogist, v.105(12), p.1875-1888.

Owen, J.V., Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., and Stimson, M., 2018, Geochemistry of pink corundum-bearing feldspathic gneiss, Frenchvale Quarry, Cape Breton Island: metamorphism of albitized, Fe-poor clastic rocks: Mineralogical Magazine, v.83(2), p.249-260.

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Morrison, G.G., Petrus, J., Fayek, M., and Zajacz, Z., 2018, Evidence of upgrading of gold tenor in an orogenic gold-quartz-carbonate vein system by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids at the Hope Bay Greenstone Belt, Nunavut, Canada: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v.241, p.180-218.

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., Morrison, G., Everest, J.O., and Bray, C.J., 2015, Preliminary evaluation of trace hydrocarbon speciation and abundance as an exploration tool for footwall-style sulfide ores associated with the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario, Canada: Economic Geology, v.110, p.531 – 556.

Kerr, M.J., Harrison, D. J., Lough, A. J., Fekl, U., 2009, Ligand-Based Reactivity of a Platinum Bisdithiolene: Double Diene Addition Yields a New C₂-Chiral Chelate Ligands: Inorganic Chemistry, v.48(19), p.9043 – 9045. Article received journal cover of Volume 48 Issue 19.

Harrison, D. J., Lough, A. J., De Crisci, A. G., Kerr, M.J., Fekl, U., 2008, Nickel Dithiolene Chelate Rings in a New Role, as η⁵-Coordinating Ligands: Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Redox Reactivity of an ‘Fe₂Ni’ Bis-double-decker: Inorganic Chemistry, v.47(22), p.10199 – 10201.

Selected Presentations:

Kerr M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Ramlochund, P., and Zajacz, Z., (2024) “Auriferous fluid evolution and the role of carbonaceous matter in a saddle-reef Au deposit: Dufferin deposit, Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada” GAC-MAC-PEG Conference (2024): Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, May 19-22, 2024. (Oral Presentation)

Kerr M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Ramlochund, P., and Zajacz, Z., (2024) “Auriferous fluid evolution and the role of carbonaceous matter in a saddle-reef Au deposit: Dufferin deposit, Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada” AGS 50^th Colloquium (AGS 2024): Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Feb 2-3, 2024. (Oral Presentation)

Kerr M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., (2021) “Application of bulk fluid volatile chemistry to exploration for metasedimentary rock-hosted orogenic gold deposits: An example from the Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada”. AGS 47^th Colloquium (AGS 2021): Held Virtually, Feb 5-6, 2021. (Oral Presentation)

Kerr M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Ramlochund, P., and Zajacz, Z., (2020) “Fluid inclusion and microtextural evidence for efficient gold precipitation from Au-undersaturated fluids through coupled redox-pH change, Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada”. AGS 46^th Colloquium (AGS 2020): Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, Feb 7-9, 2020. (Oral Presentation)

Kerr M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Ramlochund, P., and Zajacz, Z., (2019) “Fluid inclusion and microtextural evidence for efficient gold precipitation from Au-undersaturated fluids through coupled redox-pH change, Meguma terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada”. European Current Research On Fluid and melt Inclusions (ECROFI): Budapest, Hungary, June 23-27, 2019. (Oral presentation)

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., and Kontak, D.J., (2019) “Preliminary evaluation of the use of bulk fluid inclusion volatile signatures for exploration of argillite-hosted disseminated gold deposits: A case study in the Meguma Terrane, Nova Scotia, Canada”. AGS 45^th Colloquium (AGS 2019): Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, Feb 8-10, 2019. (Oral Presentation)

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., Petrus, J., and Fayek, M., (2018) “Upgrading of an orogenic quartz-carbonate vein system by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids in the Hope Bay Greenstone Belt, Nunavut, Canada”. Nunavut Mining Symposium (NMS 2018): Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, April 9-12, 2018. (Oral presentation)

Kerr, M.J., Hanley, J.J., Kontak, D.J., and Fayek, M., (2017) “Upgrading of an orogenic gold-quartz-carbonate vein system by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids in the Hope Bay Greenstone Belt, Nunavut, Canada”. European Current Research On Fluid and melt Inclusions (ECROFI): Nancy, France, June 23-29, 2017. (Oral presentation)

Kerr, M.J. and Hanley, J.J., (2015) “Gas chromatographic investigation of the light hydrocarbon compositions of fluids associated with various geological settings and regimes: A first comparison”. AGU-GAC-MAC-CGU Joint Assembly: Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 3-7, 2015. (Poster presentation)

Kerr, M.J. and Hanley, J.J., (2013) “Preliminary Evaluation of Trace Hydrocarbon Speciation and Abundance as an Exploration Tool for Footwall-Style Sulfide Ore, Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario, Canada”. Goldschmidt Conference Series: Florence, Italy, August 25-30, 2013. (Oral presentation)

Kerr, M.J. and Hanley, J.J., (2013) “Preliminary Evaluation of Trace Hydrocarbon Speciation and Abundance as an Exploration Tool for Footwall-Style Sulfide Ore, Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario, Canada”. PDAC – CMIC – SEG Canada Student Minerals Colloquium: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, March 2-5, 2013. (Poster presentation)

Kerr, M.J. and Hanley, J.J., (2013) “Preliminary evaluation of trace hydrocarbon speciation and abundance as an exploration tool for footwall-style sulfide ore associated with the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario, Canada”. Atlantic Geoscience Society 2013 Colloquium and Annual General Meeting (AGS): Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, February 1-2, 2013. (Oral presentation)

Hanley, J.J. and Kerr, M.J., (2012) “Evidence for a mantle contribution to early hydrothermal fluids associated with the Sudbury impact structure, Ontario, Canada”. 34^th Annual International Geological Congress (IGC): Brisbane, Australia, August 5-10, 2012. (Oral presentation)

Kerr, M.J., and Hanley, J.J., (2011) “Advancing studies of the origin and role of hydrocarbons in ore forming systems”. Goldschmidt Conference Series: Prague, Czech Republic, August 14-19, 2011. (Oral presentation)

Harrison, D. J., Lough, A. J., De Crisci, A. G., Kerr, M.J., Fekl, U., (2009) “Nickel Dithiolene Chelate Rings in a New Role, as η⁵-Coordinating Ligands: Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Redox Reactivity of an ‘Fe₂Ni’ Bis-double-decker”. 92^nd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, May 30 – June 3, 2009. (Poster presentation)