Both airborne & ground hyperspectral surveys have recently been undertaken as potential exploration methods for a variety of mineral deposit types in glaciated regions. This paper reviews a project that aims to summarize the surficial geology & glacial stratigraphy in the Lac de Gras kimberlite field in order to assess hyperspectral ground surveys as a drift prospecting technique for kimberlite in an area with varied overburden thickness. It describes the area's regional geology & glacial history, the reasons for lack of kimberlite indicator minerals above some kimberlite pipes, and the spectral reflectance response of bedrock exposures, kimberlite, and various till samples collected in the area. Limitations of using spectral reflectance data in drift prospecting are also discussed.

Volume 1 of this special issue of Lithos, dedicated to Roger Clement, presents papers describing the geology and emplacement of several of the recently discovered kimberlites in northern Canada in which diamond mines are now operating. Other papers are concerned with the petrography, age of emplacement, geochemistry and petrogenesis of kimberlites from Canada and other worldwide localities.