Ancient (Meso- to Paleoarchean) crust in the Rae Province, Canada: Evidence from Sm–Nd and U–Pb constraints

New Sm–Nd and U–Pb data indicate that a block of ancient Mesoarchean and Paleoarchean crust (3.0–3.9 Ga) is present along the southwestern margin of the Rae Province, Canada. Consequently, the Rae Province can be divided into an ancient (>3.0 Ga) southwestern component and a more juvenile (<3.0 Ga) northeastern component. Evidence for episodic reworking of the evolved southwestern component is recorded in the Sm–Nd and U–Pb signatures of younger Archean and Paleoproterozoic intrusive rocks and sediments. Nd model ages range from 2.7 to 3.3 Ga, with the oldest signatures occurring along the western end of the Beaverlodge Belt, Saskatchewan. Xenocrystic zircons with ages of ca. 2.3, 3.0, 3.2–3.3 and >3.6 Ga were discovered in two Paleoproterozoic granites.