**5. Conclusions**

This study is the first examination of <250 μm heavy mineral fraction of till HMC from around a high grade (upper amphibolite-sillimanite) metamorphosed VMS deposit in permafrost terrain using automated mineralogical techniques. It also presents a comprehensive methodology for handling and preparing the sample material to mitigate both grain loss and sample cross contamination. Data reported here can be compared to future automated mineralogy studies of the fine fraction of till to help to establish background and "anomalous" abundances that could be expected in till close to such a deposit. Major findings of our study include:


abundances of chalcopyrite and galena were detected up to 8 km down ice, a significant increase over the 1.3 km sulfide dispersal distance reported by McClenaghan et al. [11].


**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, H.D.L. and M.B.M. and D.L.-M.; methodology, H.D.L. and D.L.-M.; software, H.D.L; validation, H.D.L. and M.B.M. and D.L.-M. and M.L.; formal analysis, H.D.L; investigation, H.D.L.; resources, D.L.-M. and M.B.M.; data curation, H.D.L.; writing—original draft preparation, H.D.L.; writing—review and editing, M.B.M. and D.L.-M. and M.L.; visualization, H.D.L.; supervision, M.B.M. and D.L.-M. and M.L.; project administration, H.D.L.; funding acquisition, M.B.M. and D.L.-M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research was funded by Natural Resource Canada's Targeted Geoscience Initiative Program (TGI-5) through a Research A ffiliate Program (RAP) bursary to the senior author as part of his Ph.D. research.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors would like to thank the team at Overburden Drilling Management Limited their assistance with all questions relating to sample processing and indicator mineral methods, Agatha Dobosz at Queen's University for invaluable help with instrument operation, and Jan Peter at the Geological Survey of Canada for sharing his knowledge of the mineralogy of the deposit.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest
