The area is underlain primarily by the Carboniferous to Permian Cache Creek Group volcanic and sedimentary rocks which, at the showings, consist of hornfelsed mafic volcanic rocks. These rocks are intruded by a siliceous, leucocratic quartz monzonite stock of the Francois Lake Intrusive Suite.
The main zone of mineralization referred to as the Camp Zone, consists of an oxidized multidirectional, molybdenite-bearing stockwork of quartz veins in pervasively kaolinized alaskite. Molybdenite forms coatings on the walls of the 2.0 millimetres to 2.5 centimetres wide quartz veins. Subordinate amounts of pyrite and traces of chalcopyrite are also present in the veins and traces of molybdenite occur between the veins as disseminations. The mineralization occurs over an area 750 metres by 350 metres and to a depth of 150 metres. Another type of mineralization consists of molybdenite in quartz veins and disseminations in the siliceous biotite hornfels.
Spokane Resources Ltd. and Rio Algom Exploration Incorporated drilled the property in 1995 and 1996. Drill hole 95-15 intersected 137 metres grading 0.21 per cent molybdenum and 0.18 per cent copper Northern Miner, March 11, 1996).
A geostatistical resource estimate confirms an indicated resource of 52,420,000 tonnes grading an MoS2 equivalent of 0.14 per cent MoS2, and an inferred resource of 47,520,000 tonnes at an MoS2 equivalent of 0.12 per cent MoS2; cutoff grade is 0.06 per cent MoS2 (George Cross News Letter No.43 (March 3), 1997).
This drilling outlined three distinct zones of porphyry molybdenum plus/minus copper mineralization contained within an alteration zone estimated to be 3.5 kilometres long by 2 kilometres wide: the Camp, Peak and Pond zones. A further 4434 metres were drilled in 34 holes in the fall of 1996. Drilling targeted the Camp zone which is estimated to be 700 metres in length, 300 metres in width and at least 150 metres in depth. The company estimates the zone has a potential geological resource of approximately 100 million tonnes with an expected average grade of 0.15 per cent MoS2 and 0.12 per cent copper. Included within this estimate is the potential for approximately 20 million tonnes with an expected average grade of 0.25 per cent MoS2 and 0.2 per cent copper (Information Circular 1997-1, page 27). Drilling on the Peak zone, located 1 kilometre south of the Camp zone, suggests an area of molybdenum-copper mineralization 1 kilometre in length by 500 metres in width, with potential to host 150 million tonnes of ore. The Pond zone, located approximately 1 kilometre north of the Camp zone, is estimated to be approximately 2 kilometres in length by 2 kilometres in width. Drilling indicates the Peak and Camp zones to be part of the same porphyry system; the Peak zone appears to contain more copper than the Camp zone.
In 1997, Spokane Resources Ltd. drilled 3 holes for 808 metres. A geostatistical resource estimate by Giroux Consultants Ltd. identified an indicated and inferred resource in the Camp zone of approximately 100 million tonnes, grading 0.062 per cent molybdenum and 0.085 per cent copper, at a cut-off grade of 0.04 per cent molybdenum. This includes an indicated resource of 52,420,000 tonnes grading 0.14 per cent MoS2 equivalent and an inferred resource of 47,520,000 tonnes grading 0.12 per cent MoS2 equivalent. (Exploration in BC 1997, page 14 and Information Circular 1998-1, page 20.) The overall porphyry system, with two other zones of mineralization identified, is at least 3.5 kilometres long and up to 2 kilometres wide. The company has engaged Fluor Daniel Wright to complete a preliminary economic study by 1998.
