General Information
Secondary Commodities: arsenic, bismuth, silver, gold, lead, copper
Aliases: Tay-Lp
Deposit Type(s): Vein Au-Quartz
Location(s): 61.559720 N, -132.648610 W
NTS Mapsheet(s): 105F10
Location Comments: .5 Kilometres
Hand Samples Available at YGS: Yes
Capsule
Work History
Staked as Tay cl 1-21 (YA71482) & LP cl 1-4 (YA71482) by P. Long, J. Schnare & T. Bartsch in Aug/84 . Cominco Ltd staked LP cl 7-63 (YA72530) in Nov/84 and optioned the Tay and the original 4 LP claims in the spring of 1985. In 1985 Cominco explored with geological mapping, geochemical sampling, airborne and ground EM and magnetic surveys, drilled 5 holes (532.8 m) and added LP cl 64-175 (YA73595).
The property was optioned in 1987 to Cinnabar Resources Ltd, which staked Jeff cl 1-51 (YA99784) in Feb/87 and underwrote an 11 hole (961 m) diamond drill program managed by Cominco. In 1988 the claims were optioned to Pacific Comox Resources Ltd, which carried out detailed VLF, IP and magnetometer surveys, trenched, and drilled 6 holes (847 m). Pacific Comox acquired a 100% working interest in Mar/89, added Gull cl 1-17 (YB33245) and Tern cl 1-28 (YB33262) in Jul/90, optioned the adjoining Grayling (Ram) property (Minfile Occurrence #105F 022 etc.) in Feb/91, and added Nell cl 3-54 (YB34140) claims in Aug/91. In Sep/91, Pacific Comox flew an airborne EM and high resolution magnetic survey and drilled 12 percussion holes totaling 941 m on the two properties.
In the summer of 1994, Pacific Comox used a reverse circulation drill to test previously flown airborne magnetic and VLF-EM anomalies. The company completed 30 holes totaling 412 m on its Tay-LP property. Upon completion of the project, Pacific Comox consolidated its claim holdings by lapsing a large number of LP, Ram and other claims covering non-mineralized areas.
Pacific Comox relinquished ownership in the Tay & LP property in Oct/97 and all of the surviving claims reverted back to Cominco. Cominco in turn relinquished their interest in the property in Ap/98 and returned the claims to R. Tolbert, an agent for the original stakers. In Jun/99 the Tay & LP claims were optioned by Ross River Gold Ltd, which also optioned the adjoining Ram claims. In 1999, Ross River Gold carried out Selective Enzyme Leach soil sampling and prospecting programs over the LP claims covering this occurrence. The company also produced topographic and orthophoto maps of the entire Tay & LP claim block.
At the beginning of 2000, Newmont Exploration of Canada Ltd optioned Ross River Gold's Tay-LP and Ram projects. Later in the summer, Newmont carried out airborne geophysical and geochemical surveys over all of the various optioned claim groups. In 2001, Newmont drilled 11 diamond drill holes (1213.4 m) on the optioned ground. Seven of the holes (762.3 m) tested targets associated with this occurrence. In Dec/2001 Newmont terminated the option and returned the properties to Ross River Gold Ltd.
In May/2002 Ross River Gold Ltd, re-organized and under went a reverse take over with Panamex Resources Inc to emerge as Ross River Minerals Ltd. Later in the year, the company contracted S.J.V. Consultants to reinterpret the 1991 Dighem and 2000 Furgo airborne geophysical surveys using 3-D magnetic inversion software. The company hoped to better target existing anomalies and outline new anomalies. Ross River followed-up the reinterpretation with 11 diamond drill holes (914 m), of which 7 holes (568 m) tested various targets associated with occurrences 'A' and 'B'.
In 2003 the company continued exploring their claims with prospecting, geological mapping, stream sediment sampling and water analysis. The majority of work was centered over the south end of the property i.e. the area located between occurrence 'A' and the southern end of the Cam claims. Also in 2003, J. Bond and K. Kennedy of the Yukon Geological Survey studied the surficial geology and ice-flow patterns in the Seagull Creek area.
In 2004 Ross River carried out ground VLF and magnetic geophysical surveys and drilled 9 additional diamond drills holes (1001.6 m). The majority of work occurred in the Seagull Creek valley, between occurrence 'A' and 'B'.
Canarc Resource Corp. optioned the property from Ross River Mining in 2009 and diamond drilled 10 holes for a total of 1884 m.
Capsule Geology
The occurrence is located southwest of the Tintina Fault in the Ketza-Seagull district of the Cassiar Terrane (Platform). The Ketza-Seagull district is underlain by thick (400 m or greater) successions of miogeoclinal clastic, volcanic and carbonate rocks, ranging in age from Upper Proterozoic to Mississippian that were deformed during Mesozoic arc-continental collision, and by mid-Cretaceous intrusions. A series of thrust faults combined with crustal shortening associated with the Seagull Uplift has resulted in older rocks being thrust overtop younger rocks. The Seagull Uplift is thought to be related to uplift above one or more buried Cretaceous intrusions. The Seagull Creek area is known to host at least 19 occurrences consisting of veins, skarns, breccia pipes, disseminated pyrite gossans, stockworks and replacement mantos in volcanics, sediments and carbonates associated with Mississippian age syenite bodies and mid-Cretaceous intrusions.
The occurrence area hosts an extensive gold-bearing quartz-pyrrhotite vein system in Lower Paleozoic marble, calc-silicate and biotite schist along the inferred trace of the northwest-striking Seagull Creek fault. The mineralization may be related to an mid-Cretaceous tourmaline-bearing quartz monzonite stock which outcrops along the west side of Seagull Creek. The majority of exploration work and diamond drilling has been centred around occurrence 'A' also known as Cominco's East zone and occurrence 'B' known as Cominco's West zone.
The vein system is marked by a train of boulders which contain between 3.4 and 27.4 g/t Au, and by large arsenic soil anomalies on the south part of the property. The mineralized zone appears to be continuous over a 3 x 1 km area. Individual veins range from 1 cm to 12 m wide and grade into stockwork zones which are associated with electromagnetic anomalies. In addition to quartz and pyrrhotite, the veins contain pyrite, chalcopyrite and tourmaline, some arsenopyrite and minor bismuth, bismuth sulphides and tellurides and galena. Petrographic studies for Cominco showed that native bismuth and minor bismuthinite occur with native gold in patches and veinlets, and analyses of boulders and drill core showed a strong positive correlation between gold and bismuth values.
A steeply dipping quartz-pyrrhotite vein intersected by hole LP 88-19 (occurrence ¿B¿), had a thickness of 18 m and assayed 6.2 g/t Au over 5.0 m. It coincides with a strong magnetic-EM anomaly more than 1 000 m long. Other significant intersections include 10.8 g/t Au over 0.7 m in hole LP-88-18 (occurrence 'B'), 2.8 g/t Au over 4.9 m in hole 85-1, and 4.04 g/t Au over 2 m in hole 87-9 (both holes located at occurrence 'A').
Gold also occurs in pyrrhotite-tourmaline-silica replacements of limestone and schist. For example, in drill hole LP 85-1 (occurrence 'B'), pyrrhotite makes up 3-25% of the core over a 30 m schist intersection which averaged 1 g/t Au, including 2.8 g/t Au over 4.9 m. This replacement zone coincides with a strong EM anomaly and is cored by two 2 m wide quartz-pyrrhotite veins. Drill holes LP-87-06 and LP-87-07 (also occurrence 'B'), intersected a quartz-pyrrhotite replacement manto along the basal contact of a banded skarn layer. The manto averages 6 m in thickness and returned values up to 28 g/t Au on surface and 2.4 g/t Au at depth.
The 1991 aeromagnetic survey outlined three major and numerous minor north-trending structures which coincide with Cominco's East (occurrence 'A') and West (occurrence 'B') zones. The westernmost structure exceeds 9 km in length. The 1991 drilling program located three zones of significant gold mineralization on the West zone, where high gold and bismuth values are associated with steeply dipping quartz-pyrrhotite veins and pyrite-marcasite alteration. Hole 91-24 intersected 21.3 m grading 3.77 g/t Au, including 4.6 m grading 7.7 g/t Au and 6.1 m grading 6.1 g/t Au.
Previous work by Pacific Comox determined that VLF-EM anomalies that are non-coincident with magnetic anomalies have a better chance of containing gold bearing mineralization. The company concentrated its 1994 efforts on these targets. Seven of thirty drill holes returned significant results with the best hole assaying 5.2 g/t Au over 5.5 m.
The Selective Enzyme Leach soil sampling survey covered the ground located between occurrences 'A' and 'B'. Ross River Gold employed the survey to see if the method would outline any subtle soil anomalies which might have been missed by more conventional soil sampling. The survey outlined numerous anomalies although most were known through previous exploration work. Selected Leach appears to work best for determining bismuth, antimony, tungsten, molybdenum and thallium in soil due to its lower detection limit. The production of orthophoto and topographic maps was undertaken to provide improved survey control on the claim block.
Newmont Exploration's 2000 exploration program was focused on compiling all known data and generating drill targets. The soil sampling program outline two anomalies; the Camp and anomaly 'b'. The Camp soil anomaly is centred over occurrences 'A' and 'B', along the lower slopes of Seagull valley, east of Seagull Creek. The anomaly is approximately 3 km long and consists of patchy anomalous gold values ranging between 10 ppb and 105 ppb and spotty anomalous bismuth and arsenic values. The Camp anomaly is underlain by schist and phyllite of probable Lower Cambrian age and hosts coincident linear magnetic and EM anomalies.
Soil anomaly 'b' is located approximately 3.5 km north of occurrence 'A' and is centred over the middle of Seagull Creek. The anomaly measures approximately 1000 by 1200 m in size and is defined by anomalous values ranging up to 15.6 ppm antimony, 404 ppm lead and 2.4 ppm silver.
Newmont Exploration tested occurrences 'A' and 'B' with five diamond drill holes, three of which the company provided drill logs for. Holes TLP01-5 and 6 were collared in the vicinity of occurrence 'B' and targeted a postulated northeast dipping, electromagnetic conductor axis with coincident magnetic high. Neither hole returned anomalous values and it appears the holes missed their intended target due to an unexpected change in dip of the host strata. Hole TLP-01-9 was collared approximately halfway between occurrences 'A' and 'B' and targeted a coincident magnetic and electromagnetic conductor. The hole intersected intermittent anomalous gold, bismuth, copper, arsenic, tungsten and tellurium values over much of its length. The drill logs noted that pyrrhotite is hosted along contacts between interbedded limestone and seritic-quartz schist and is not generally anomalous in gold.
Newmont tested soil anomaly 'b' and numerous accompanying magnetic and electromagnetic conductors with two diamond drill holes. Hole TLP-01-8, the only hole reported, was collared in the Seagull Creek valley and tested a coincident magnetic and electromagnetic conductor. The hole intersected pyrrhotite mineralization and conductive graphitic phyllite units. Minor quartz-galena veins were also intersected. No gold mineralization was intersected but a 1 m thick quartz-galena vein returned 1.92% lead. Newmont concluded that gold is associated with bismuth and copper and that a non-magnetic form of pyrrhotite is also associated with the gold-bismuth-copper mineralizing event.
The airborne geophysical reinterpretation outlined several broad trends. One trend is thought to represent a series of depth limited sources, most likely skarn deposits. A second trend is thought to represent buried intrusives. Still another trend is thought to represent the trend of the Seagull Fault. The contractor strongly suggested that all identified targets be verified on the ground before drilling was attempted.
Four of the seven, 2002 drill holes collared in the vicinity of this occurrence intersected significant mineralization. Holes 3, 4 and 7 were collared near occurrence 'A', while hole 6 was collared near occurrence 'B'. Hole 7 intersected 31.81 m grading 1.35 g/t gold, including 14.06 m grading 2.58 g/t gold and 3.56 m grading 8.99 g/t gold. The higher intersection in hole 7 consisted of a massive quartz-pyrrhotite vein cross-cutting a thick zone of pyrrhotite replacement in calcareous metasedimentary rocks. Hole 6 intersected an interval of phyllitic marble that returned 1.45 g/t gold over 1.45 m. Elsewhere on the property hole 9 collared on the northwest side of the Ram claims approximately 2.5 km south of Minfile Occurrence #105F 028 returned a 0.3 m intersection that assayed 0.97 g/t gold. None of the remaining holes collared in the program returned significant results.
The 2003 exploration program was geared towards covering previously under explored portions of the property, thus the majority of work was carried out in the southern half of property. Rock, silt and selected leach geochemical soil sampling returned numerous anomalous values, however no new targets emerged from the work. Two geochemical signatures were recognized in the mineralized float. The majority of float consisted of white vein quartz associated with variable concentrations of magnetic and non-magnetic pyrrhotite. Gold in these samples is associated with elevated concentrations of bismuth, tellurium and relatively low concentrations of silver. This mineralization reflects the type observed in drill holes and trenches but none of the samples could be traced to a known bedrock source. The second type defined by only three float samples consists of massive pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite and traces of sphalerite. Relatively high concentrations of silver associated with gold and high concentrations of arsenic, zinc and lead make these float unique. This type of mineralization has no known bedrock source and resembles manto style mineralization found at the Ketza River Mine (Minfile Occurrence #105F 019).
Field work by Kennedy and Bond (2004) determined that glacial flow in the Seagull Creek area was to the north, up-valley, in the opposite direction to what had previously been believed. These results have a significant bearing on the interpretation of soil geochemical anomalies and the potential of known mineralized occurrences in the area. Ross River hopes to use this data to improve their search results.
Eight of the 2004 drill holes tested a 1.6 km-long magnetic-electromagnetic anomaly trending between occurrences 'A' and 'B'. Computer modeling carried out the previous winter suggested a westerly dip to mineralized structures intersected in earlier drill programs. The 2004 drilling program successfully intersected quartz-pyrrhotite veins in all eight holes drilled at various distances along the geophysical anomaly. Some of the better intersections were hole 5 which returned 2.0 g/t Au over 10.52 m, hole 2 which returned 3.96 g/t Au over 10.5 m and hole 4 which returned 3.0 g/t Au over 11.0 m. The ninth hole tested a magnetic anomaly defined by the ground geophysical surveys completed earlier in the exploration season. The hole encountered Devonian to Mississippian metavolcanic and argillite below 54 m of overburden. Pyrrhotite was encountered but gold concentrations were low. The hole was lost in sulphide mineralization.
Diamond drilling in 2009 intersected gold mineralization along strike and/or downdip from previous drilling. Drilling highlights include 29.2 m @ 0.71 g/t Au and 10.0 m @ 0.81 g/t Au in hole TLP-09-01.
References
CANARC RESOURCES CORP., News Release, 25 Aug/2009; 12 Nov/2009.
CINNABAR RESOURCES LTD, Jan/87. Assessment Report #062279 by D.W. Heddle.
COMINCO LTD, Oct/85. Assessment Report #091674 by I.A. Paterson.
COMINCO LTD, Jan/86. Assessment Report #091777 by I.A. Paterson.
COMINCO LTD, Feb/88. Assessment Report #092081 by I.A. Paterson.
GEORGE CROSS NEWSLETTER, 5 Oct, 24 Nov, 23 Dec/88; 19 Jan/89, 9 Mar/89, 31 Mar/89; 12 Jul/91, 23 Jul/91, 1 Aug/91, 26 Aug/91, 9 Oct/91.
KENNEDY, K.E. AND BOND, J.D., 2004. Evidence for a late-McConnell readvance of the Cassiar Lobe in Seagull Creek, Pelly Mountains, central Yukon. In: Yukon exploration and Geology 2003, D.S. Emond and L.L. Lewis (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey.
NEWMONT EXPLORATION OF CANADA LTD, Jan/2001 Assessment Report #094190 by A.T. Montgomery and M.A. Stammers.
NEWMONT EXPLORATION OF CANADA LTD, Nov/2001 Assessment Report #094264 by M.A. Stammers.
NORTHERN MINER, 12 Dec/88.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Nov/88. Assessment Report #092610 by J.C. Stephen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Jun/89. Assessment Report #093041 by D.G. Allen, D.R. MacQuarrie and J.C. Stephen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Sep/91. Assessment Reports #092979 by D.L. McConnell.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Oct/91. Assessment Reports #092980 by D.L. McConnell.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Jul/92. Assessment Report #093035 by D.G. Allen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Sep/93. Assessment Report #093131 by C. Stephen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Jan/95. Assessment Report #093286 by M.A. Mitchell.
PANAMEX RESOURCES INC, Jul/2001. Preliminary Exchange Offering Prospectus. (Outlines reverse take over and re-organization of Ross River Gold Ltd).
ROSS RIVER MINERALS LTD, Jun/2003. Assessment Report #094416 by R.S Tolbert.
ROSS RIVER MINERALS LTD, Mar/2004. Assessment Report #094445 by R.S. Tolbert.
ROSS RIVER MINERALS LTD, Apr/2003; Jun/2005. Web Site: www.rossriverminerals.com/
TOLBERT, R.S., Mar/2000. Assessment Report #094143 by R.S. Tolbert (representing original stakers).
YUKON EXPLORATION AND GEOLOGY 2002, p. 9-10, 25, 26; 2003, p. 13, 26; 2004, p. 12-13, 32, 33.
Staked as Tay cl 1-21 (YA71482) & LP cl 1-4 (YA71482) by P. Long, J. Schnare & T. Bartsch in Aug/84 . Cominco Ltd staked LP cl 7-63 (YA72530) in Nov/84 and optioned the Tay and the original 4 LP claims in the spring of 1985. In 1985 Cominco explored with geological mapping, geochemical sampling, airborne and ground EM and magnetic surveys, drilled 5 holes (532.8 m) and added LP cl 64-175 (YA73595).
The property was optioned in 1987 to Cinnabar Resources Ltd, which staked Jeff cl 1-51 (YA99784) in Feb/87 and underwrote an 11 hole (961 m) diamond drill program managed by Cominco. In 1988 the claims were optioned to Pacific Comox Resources Ltd, which carried out detailed VLF, IP and magnetometer surveys, trenched, and drilled 6 holes (847 m). Pacific Comox acquired a 100% working interest in Mar/89, added Gull cl 1-17 (YB33245) and Tern cl 1-28 (YB33262) in Jul/90, optioned the adjoining Grayling (Ram) property (Minfile Occurrence #105F 022 etc.) in Feb/91, and added Nell cl 3-54 (YB34140) claims in Aug/91. In Sep/91, Pacific Comox flew an airborne EM and high resolution magnetic survey and drilled 12 percussion holes totaling 941 m on the two properties.
In the summer of 1994, Pacific Comox used a reverse circulation drill to test previously flown airborne magnetic and VLF-EM anomalies. The company completed 30 holes totaling 412 m on its Tay-LP property. Upon completion of the project, Pacific Comox consolidated its claim holdings by lapsing a large number of LP, Ram and other claims covering non-mineralized areas.
Pacific Comox relinquished ownership in the Tay & LP property in Oct/97 and all of the surviving claims reverted back to Cominco. Cominco in turn relinquished their interest in the property in Ap/98 and returned the claims to R. Tolbert, an agent for the original stakers. In Jun/99 the Tay & LP claims were optioned by Ross River Gold Ltd, which also optioned the adjoining Ram claims. In 1999, Ross River Gold carried out Selective Enzyme Leach soil sampling and prospecting programs over the LP claims covering this occurrence. The company also produced topographic and orthophoto maps of the entire Tay & LP claim block.
At the beginning of 2000, Newmont Exploration of Canada Ltd optioned Ross River Gold's Tay-LP and Ram projects. Later in the summer, Newmont carried out airborne geophysical and geochemical surveys over all of the various optioned claim groups. In 2001, Newmont drilled 11 diamond drill holes (1213.4 m) on the optioned ground. Seven of the holes (762.3 m) tested targets associated with this occurrence. In Dec/2001 Newmont terminated the option and returned the properties to Ross River Gold Ltd.
In May/2002 Ross River Gold Ltd, re-organized and under went a reverse take over with Panamex Resources Inc to emerge as Ross River Minerals Ltd. Later in the year, the company contracted S.J.V. Consultants to reinterpret the 1991 Dighem and 2000 Furgo airborne geophysical surveys using 3-D magnetic inversion software. The company hoped to better target existing anomalies and outline new anomalies. Ross River followed-up the reinterpretation with 11 diamond drill holes (914 m), of which 7 holes (568 m) tested various targets associated with occurrences 'A' and 'B'.
In 2003 the company continued exploring their claims with prospecting, geological mapping, stream sediment sampling and water analysis. The majority of work was centered over the south end of the property i.e. the area located between occurrence 'A' and the southern end of the Cam claims. Also in 2003, J. Bond and K. Kennedy of the Yukon Geological Survey studied the surficial geology and ice-flow patterns in the Seagull Creek area.
In 2004 Ross River carried out ground VLF and magnetic geophysical surveys and drilled 9 additional diamond drills holes (1001.6 m). The majority of work occurred in the Seagull Creek valley, between occurrence 'A' and 'B'.
Canarc Resource Corp. optioned the property from Ross River Mining in 2009 and diamond drilled 10 holes for a total of 1884 m.
Capsule Geology
The occurrence is located southwest of the Tintina Fault in the Ketza-Seagull district of the Cassiar Terrane (Platform). The Ketza-Seagull district is underlain by thick (400 m or greater) successions of miogeoclinal clastic, volcanic and carbonate rocks, ranging in age from Upper Proterozoic to Mississippian that were deformed during Mesozoic arc-continental collision, and by mid-Cretaceous intrusions. A series of thrust faults combined with crustal shortening associated with the Seagull Uplift has resulted in older rocks being thrust overtop younger rocks. The Seagull Uplift is thought to be related to uplift above one or more buried Cretaceous intrusions. The Seagull Creek area is known to host at least 19 occurrences consisting of veins, skarns, breccia pipes, disseminated pyrite gossans, stockworks and replacement mantos in volcanics, sediments and carbonates associated with Mississippian age syenite bodies and mid-Cretaceous intrusions.
The occurrence area hosts an extensive gold-bearing quartz-pyrrhotite vein system in Lower Paleozoic marble, calc-silicate and biotite schist along the inferred trace of the northwest-striking Seagull Creek fault. The mineralization may be related to an mid-Cretaceous tourmaline-bearing quartz monzonite stock which outcrops along the west side of Seagull Creek. The majority of exploration work and diamond drilling has been centred around occurrence 'A' also known as Cominco's East zone and occurrence 'B' known as Cominco's West zone.
The vein system is marked by a train of boulders which contain between 3.4 and 27.4 g/t Au, and by large arsenic soil anomalies on the south part of the property. The mineralized zone appears to be continuous over a 3 x 1 km area. Individual veins range from 1 cm to 12 m wide and grade into stockwork zones which are associated with electromagnetic anomalies. In addition to quartz and pyrrhotite, the veins contain pyrite, chalcopyrite and tourmaline, some arsenopyrite and minor bismuth, bismuth sulphides and tellurides and galena. Petrographic studies for Cominco showed that native bismuth and minor bismuthinite occur with native gold in patches and veinlets, and analyses of boulders and drill core showed a strong positive correlation between gold and bismuth values.
A steeply dipping quartz-pyrrhotite vein intersected by hole LP 88-19 (occurrence ¿B¿), had a thickness of 18 m and assayed 6.2 g/t Au over 5.0 m. It coincides with a strong magnetic-EM anomaly more than 1 000 m long. Other significant intersections include 10.8 g/t Au over 0.7 m in hole LP-88-18 (occurrence 'B'), 2.8 g/t Au over 4.9 m in hole 85-1, and 4.04 g/t Au over 2 m in hole 87-9 (both holes located at occurrence 'A').
Gold also occurs in pyrrhotite-tourmaline-silica replacements of limestone and schist. For example, in drill hole LP 85-1 (occurrence 'B'), pyrrhotite makes up 3-25% of the core over a 30 m schist intersection which averaged 1 g/t Au, including 2.8 g/t Au over 4.9 m. This replacement zone coincides with a strong EM anomaly and is cored by two 2 m wide quartz-pyrrhotite veins. Drill holes LP-87-06 and LP-87-07 (also occurrence 'B'), intersected a quartz-pyrrhotite replacement manto along the basal contact of a banded skarn layer. The manto averages 6 m in thickness and returned values up to 28 g/t Au on surface and 2.4 g/t Au at depth.
The 1991 aeromagnetic survey outlined three major and numerous minor north-trending structures which coincide with Cominco's East (occurrence 'A') and West (occurrence 'B') zones. The westernmost structure exceeds 9 km in length. The 1991 drilling program located three zones of significant gold mineralization on the West zone, where high gold and bismuth values are associated with steeply dipping quartz-pyrrhotite veins and pyrite-marcasite alteration. Hole 91-24 intersected 21.3 m grading 3.77 g/t Au, including 4.6 m grading 7.7 g/t Au and 6.1 m grading 6.1 g/t Au.
Previous work by Pacific Comox determined that VLF-EM anomalies that are non-coincident with magnetic anomalies have a better chance of containing gold bearing mineralization. The company concentrated its 1994 efforts on these targets. Seven of thirty drill holes returned significant results with the best hole assaying 5.2 g/t Au over 5.5 m.
The Selective Enzyme Leach soil sampling survey covered the ground located between occurrences 'A' and 'B'. Ross River Gold employed the survey to see if the method would outline any subtle soil anomalies which might have been missed by more conventional soil sampling. The survey outlined numerous anomalies although most were known through previous exploration work. Selected Leach appears to work best for determining bismuth, antimony, tungsten, molybdenum and thallium in soil due to its lower detection limit. The production of orthophoto and topographic maps was undertaken to provide improved survey control on the claim block.
Newmont Exploration's 2000 exploration program was focused on compiling all known data and generating drill targets. The soil sampling program outline two anomalies; the Camp and anomaly 'b'. The Camp soil anomaly is centred over occurrences 'A' and 'B', along the lower slopes of Seagull valley, east of Seagull Creek. The anomaly is approximately 3 km long and consists of patchy anomalous gold values ranging between 10 ppb and 105 ppb and spotty anomalous bismuth and arsenic values. The Camp anomaly is underlain by schist and phyllite of probable Lower Cambrian age and hosts coincident linear magnetic and EM anomalies.
Soil anomaly 'b' is located approximately 3.5 km north of occurrence 'A' and is centred over the middle of Seagull Creek. The anomaly measures approximately 1000 by 1200 m in size and is defined by anomalous values ranging up to 15.6 ppm antimony, 404 ppm lead and 2.4 ppm silver.
Newmont Exploration tested occurrences 'A' and 'B' with five diamond drill holes, three of which the company provided drill logs for. Holes TLP01-5 and 6 were collared in the vicinity of occurrence 'B' and targeted a postulated northeast dipping, electromagnetic conductor axis with coincident magnetic high. Neither hole returned anomalous values and it appears the holes missed their intended target due to an unexpected change in dip of the host strata. Hole TLP-01-9 was collared approximately halfway between occurrences 'A' and 'B' and targeted a coincident magnetic and electromagnetic conductor. The hole intersected intermittent anomalous gold, bismuth, copper, arsenic, tungsten and tellurium values over much of its length. The drill logs noted that pyrrhotite is hosted along contacts between interbedded limestone and seritic-quartz schist and is not generally anomalous in gold.
Newmont tested soil anomaly 'b' and numerous accompanying magnetic and electromagnetic conductors with two diamond drill holes. Hole TLP-01-8, the only hole reported, was collared in the Seagull Creek valley and tested a coincident magnetic and electromagnetic conductor. The hole intersected pyrrhotite mineralization and conductive graphitic phyllite units. Minor quartz-galena veins were also intersected. No gold mineralization was intersected but a 1 m thick quartz-galena vein returned 1.92% lead. Newmont concluded that gold is associated with bismuth and copper and that a non-magnetic form of pyrrhotite is also associated with the gold-bismuth-copper mineralizing event.
The airborne geophysical reinterpretation outlined several broad trends. One trend is thought to represent a series of depth limited sources, most likely skarn deposits. A second trend is thought to represent buried intrusives. Still another trend is thought to represent the trend of the Seagull Fault. The contractor strongly suggested that all identified targets be verified on the ground before drilling was attempted.
Four of the seven, 2002 drill holes collared in the vicinity of this occurrence intersected significant mineralization. Holes 3, 4 and 7 were collared near occurrence 'A', while hole 6 was collared near occurrence 'B'. Hole 7 intersected 31.81 m grading 1.35 g/t gold, including 14.06 m grading 2.58 g/t gold and 3.56 m grading 8.99 g/t gold. The higher intersection in hole 7 consisted of a massive quartz-pyrrhotite vein cross-cutting a thick zone of pyrrhotite replacement in calcareous metasedimentary rocks. Hole 6 intersected an interval of phyllitic marble that returned 1.45 g/t gold over 1.45 m. Elsewhere on the property hole 9 collared on the northwest side of the Ram claims approximately 2.5 km south of Minfile Occurrence #105F 028 returned a 0.3 m intersection that assayed 0.97 g/t gold. None of the remaining holes collared in the program returned significant results.
The 2003 exploration program was geared towards covering previously under explored portions of the property, thus the majority of work was carried out in the southern half of property. Rock, silt and selected leach geochemical soil sampling returned numerous anomalous values, however no new targets emerged from the work. Two geochemical signatures were recognized in the mineralized float. The majority of float consisted of white vein quartz associated with variable concentrations of magnetic and non-magnetic pyrrhotite. Gold in these samples is associated with elevated concentrations of bismuth, tellurium and relatively low concentrations of silver. This mineralization reflects the type observed in drill holes and trenches but none of the samples could be traced to a known bedrock source. The second type defined by only three float samples consists of massive pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite and traces of sphalerite. Relatively high concentrations of silver associated with gold and high concentrations of arsenic, zinc and lead make these float unique. This type of mineralization has no known bedrock source and resembles manto style mineralization found at the Ketza River Mine (Minfile Occurrence #105F 019).
Field work by Kennedy and Bond (2004) determined that glacial flow in the Seagull Creek area was to the north, up-valley, in the opposite direction to what had previously been believed. These results have a significant bearing on the interpretation of soil geochemical anomalies and the potential of known mineralized occurrences in the area. Ross River hopes to use this data to improve their search results.
Eight of the 2004 drill holes tested a 1.6 km-long magnetic-electromagnetic anomaly trending between occurrences 'A' and 'B'. Computer modeling carried out the previous winter suggested a westerly dip to mineralized structures intersected in earlier drill programs. The 2004 drilling program successfully intersected quartz-pyrrhotite veins in all eight holes drilled at various distances along the geophysical anomaly. Some of the better intersections were hole 5 which returned 2.0 g/t Au over 10.52 m, hole 2 which returned 3.96 g/t Au over 10.5 m and hole 4 which returned 3.0 g/t Au over 11.0 m. The ninth hole tested a magnetic anomaly defined by the ground geophysical surveys completed earlier in the exploration season. The hole encountered Devonian to Mississippian metavolcanic and argillite below 54 m of overburden. Pyrrhotite was encountered but gold concentrations were low. The hole was lost in sulphide mineralization.
Diamond drilling in 2009 intersected gold mineralization along strike and/or downdip from previous drilling. Drilling highlights include 29.2 m @ 0.71 g/t Au and 10.0 m @ 0.81 g/t Au in hole TLP-09-01.
References
CANARC RESOURCES CORP., News Release, 25 Aug/2009; 12 Nov/2009.
CINNABAR RESOURCES LTD, Jan/87. Assessment Report #062279 by D.W. Heddle.
COMINCO LTD, Oct/85. Assessment Report #091674 by I.A. Paterson.
COMINCO LTD, Jan/86. Assessment Report #091777 by I.A. Paterson.
COMINCO LTD, Feb/88. Assessment Report #092081 by I.A. Paterson.
GEORGE CROSS NEWSLETTER, 5 Oct, 24 Nov, 23 Dec/88; 19 Jan/89, 9 Mar/89, 31 Mar/89; 12 Jul/91, 23 Jul/91, 1 Aug/91, 26 Aug/91, 9 Oct/91.
KENNEDY, K.E. AND BOND, J.D., 2004. Evidence for a late-McConnell readvance of the Cassiar Lobe in Seagull Creek, Pelly Mountains, central Yukon. In: Yukon exploration and Geology 2003, D.S. Emond and L.L. Lewis (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey.
NEWMONT EXPLORATION OF CANADA LTD, Jan/2001 Assessment Report #094190 by A.T. Montgomery and M.A. Stammers.
NEWMONT EXPLORATION OF CANADA LTD, Nov/2001 Assessment Report #094264 by M.A. Stammers.
NORTHERN MINER, 12 Dec/88.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Nov/88. Assessment Report #092610 by J.C. Stephen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Jun/89. Assessment Report #093041 by D.G. Allen, D.R. MacQuarrie and J.C. Stephen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Sep/91. Assessment Reports #092979 by D.L. McConnell.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Oct/91. Assessment Reports #092980 by D.L. McConnell.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Jul/92. Assessment Report #093035 by D.G. Allen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Sep/93. Assessment Report #093131 by C. Stephen.
PACIFIC COMOX RESOURCES LTD, Jan/95. Assessment Report #093286 by M.A. Mitchell.
PANAMEX RESOURCES INC, Jul/2001. Preliminary Exchange Offering Prospectus. (Outlines reverse take over and re-organization of Ross River Gold Ltd).
ROSS RIVER MINERALS LTD, Jun/2003. Assessment Report #094416 by R.S Tolbert.
ROSS RIVER MINERALS LTD, Mar/2004. Assessment Report #094445 by R.S. Tolbert.
ROSS RIVER MINERALS LTD, Apr/2003; Jun/2005. Web Site: www.rossriverminerals.com/
TOLBERT, R.S., Mar/2000. Assessment Report #094143 by R.S. Tolbert (representing original stakers).
YUKON EXPLORATION AND GEOLOGY 2002, p. 9-10, 25, 26; 2003, p. 13, 26; 2004, p. 12-13, 32, 33.
Location Map
Last Updated: Jul 30, 2018
Work History
| Year | Work Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Drilling: Diamond | Ten holes, 1,884 m. |
| 2004 | Drilling: Diamond | Nine holes, 1,001.6 m. Eight holes drilled around occurrences "A" and "B". |
| 2004 | Ground Geophysics: Magnetics | Also carried out VLF survey. |
| 2003 | Geochemistry: Silt | |
| 2003 | Geochemistry: Water | |
| 2003 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 2003 | Other: Prospecting | |
| 2002 | Airborne Geophysics: Electromagnetic | Reinterpretation of 1991 Dighem and 2000 Furgo airborne EM and magnetic geophysical surveys. |
| 2002 | Drilling: Diamond | Eleven holes, 914 m. Seven holes (568 m) associated with this occurrence. |
| 2001 | Drilling: Diamond | Seven holes, 762.3 m. Company drilled 11 holes, 7 associated with this occurrence. |
| 2000 | Airborne Geophysics: Electromagnetic | Also magnetic survey. |
| 2000 | Geochemistry: Rock | |
| 2000 | Geochemistry: Soil | Also silt sampling. |
| 2000 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 2000 | Other: Prospecting | |
| 1999 | Airphotography: Interpretation | |
| 1999 | Geochemistry: Soil | Ross River Gold carried out Selected Enzyme Leach soil sampling program. |
| 1994 | Drilling: Rotary | Thirty holes, 412 m. Company carried out reverse circulation drilling on Tay-Lp property. |
| 1991 | Airborne Geophysics: Electromagnetic | Also high resolution magnetic surveys. |
| 1991 | Drilling: Diamond | Twelve holes, 941 m. |
| 1988 | Drilling: Diamond | Six holes, 847 m. |
| 1988 | Ground Geophysics: IP | Also VLF and magnetometer surveys. |
| 1987 | Drilling: Diamond | Eleven holes, 962 m. |
| 1985 | Airborne Geophysics: Electromagnetic | Also magnetic survey. |
| 1985 | Drilling: Diamond | Five holes, 610 m. |
| 1985 | Geochemistry: Soil | |
| 1985 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1985 | Ground Geophysics: EM | Also magnetic survey. |
Regional Geology - Terrane
Group: Ancestral North America
Affinity: W Laurentia
Name: Cassiar
Realm: Laurentia
Regional Geology - Bedrock
Supergroup:
Group/Suite: Kechika
Formation:
Member:
Terrane: Cassiar
Period Max: Cambrian
Age Max: 500 MA
Period Min: Ordovician
Age Min: 472 MA
Rock Major: slate/phyllite/limestone
Rock Minor: dolostone/basalt/tuff/flows/sills
Reference: Tempelman-Kluit (1977) - GSC OF 486
Geological Unit (1M): COK
Geological Unit (250K): COK1
Assessment Reports that overlap occurrence
| Report Number | Year | Title | Worktypes | Holes Drilled | Meters Drilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 095343 | 2010 | Geological Report on the True Blue Project Describing the Geology, Geochemistry and REE Mineralization of the Shark Property | Gamma-Ray Spectrometry - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Detailed Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 095218 | 2010 | 2009 Diamond Drilling Program | Diamond - Drilling, Diamond - Drilling | 10 | 1868 |
| 094520 | 2004 | 2004 Program of Diamond Drilling and Geophysical Survey on the Tay-LP Property | Diamond - Drilling, Soil - Geochemistry, EM - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics | 9 | 1001.59 |
| 094445 | 2003 | 2003 Program of Prospecting and Geochemical Surveys on the Tay-LP Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology | ||
| 094416 | 2002 | 2002 Diamond Drilling Assessment Report On the Tay-LP Project | All Weather Road - Development, Surface, Reclamation - Development, Surface, Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry | 11 | 910.92 |
| 094264 | 2001 | 2001 Diamond Drilling Assessment Report on the Tay-LP and Ram Claim Group | Diamond - Drilling, Bedrock Mapping - Geology | 6 | |
| 094143 | 2000 | Assessment Report on Selective Leach Soil Geochemistry and Prospecting | Soil - Geochemistry, Detailed Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 094144 | 2000 | Assessment Report on Topographic and Orthophoto Map Production For the Tay-LP Quartz Claims | Detailed Bedrock Mapping - Geology | ||
| 094190 | 2000 | 2000 Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Assessment Report on the Tay-LP Project | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Auger - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Detailed Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 093286 | 1994 | Summary Report on the Tay-LP Claims | Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Backhoe - Trenching | 30 | 411.78 |
| 093035 | 1991 | Reverse Circulation Drilling on Tay 19 and Applied to LP 176-193 | Reverse Circulation - Drilling | 12 | 941.70 |
| 092980 | 1991 | Dighem Magnetics/VLF Survey for Pacific Comox Resources Ltd. | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics | ||
| 093041 | 1988 | Diamond Drilling, Geophysical and Trenching Report on the Tay-LP Claims | Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, EM - Ground Geophysics, IP - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Backhoe - Trenching | 6 | 947 |
| 092081 | 1987 | Diamond Drilling Report on the Tay-LP Claims | Diamond - Drilling | 11 | 961 |
| 091735 | 1987 | 1987 Geophysical Assessment Report on the Pass Peak Property | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics | ||
| 092096 | 1987 | Geological, Geochemical & Geophysical Report on the Ram 1-178 & Mat 1-12 Mineral Claims | Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, EM - Ground Geophysics, IP - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics | ||
| 091777 | 1985 | Assessment Report Linecutting and Diamond Drilling Report on the Tay-LP Claims Pelly Mountains | Diamond - Drilling, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Detailed Bedrock Mapping - Geology, EM - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Line Cutting - Other | 5 | 533 |
| 091674 | 1985 | [Geophysical, Geological and Geochemical Surveys on the Tay and LP Claims] | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology | ||
| 062279 | 1985 | Report on the Tay-LP Claims | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology | 5 | 533 |
| 091144 | 1977 | [Drill Logs for Assessment Work on the Sun, DM, S and D Claims] | Diamond - Drilling | 2 | 37.64 |
| 092044 | 1977 | Seagull Joint Venture, Final Report; Geological, Geophysical, Geochemical Surveys and Diamond Drilling | Diamond - Drilling, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, EM - Ground Geophysics, Backhoe - Trenching | 5 | 444 |
| 091145 | 1977 | [Drill Logs for Assessment Work on the Sun, DM, S and D Claims] | Diamond - Drilling | 4 | 398.20 |
| 090150 | 1976 | A Geological Geochemical Investigation Of the Mat Mineral Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry |
Related References
| Number | Title | Page(s) | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARMC017513 | Soil sample geochemical results analyses - Quiet, Glenlyon, MM, Seagull, and Tummel | Miscellaneous Company Documents | |
| ARMC017514 | Arithmetic averages for Tummel-Pelly Basin and Seagull Creek | Miscellaneous Company Documents |
| Citations |
|---|
Drill Core at YGS Core Library
| Number | Property | Year Drilled | Core Size | Photos | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLP02-4 | Tay-LP | 2002 | HQ | 8 | 1 |
| TLP02-5 | Tay-LP | 2002 | HQ | 8 | 1 |
| TLP02-6 | Tay-LP | 2002 | HQ | 8 | 1 |
| TLP02-7 | Tay-LP | 2002 | HQ | 0 | 4 |
