General Information
Secondary Commodities: barite, uranium, iron, copper
Deposit Type(s): Iron Oxide Breccias & Veins (Wernecke Breccias)
Location(s): 65.032780 N, -134.389170 W
NTS Mapsheet(s): 106E01
Location Comments: .5 Kilometres
Hand Samples Available at YGS: No
Capsule
Work History
Staked as Otis cl (Y97426) in Jun/75 by Wernecke JV (Chevron Can L & Aquitaine) which performed soil sampling, mapping and radiometric surveys in 1975 and additional radiometric surveys in 1976 under a brief option to Eldorado Nuclear L. Wernecke JV conducted an airborne radiometric survey in 1978 and drilled one hole (137.2 m) in 1979. In 1982, Eldorado changed its name to Eldor Res L.
Fringe staking included Slats cl (Y97408) to the south in Jun/75 by Norcen Energy Res L (Great Plains) and Kerr Addison ML, which explored with soil sampling and mapping in 1975; GSTD cl (YA1818) to the north in Feb/76 by Golden Standard ML, which explored with reconnaissance geochem sampling in 1976; and Orion cl (YA1703) to the east in Feb/76 by Nuspar Res L, which explored with mapping, geochem and radiometric surveys in 1976 and 1977.
Capsule Geology
The region is underlain by a metamorphosed and altered sequence of Early Proterozoic Wernecke Supergroup clastic and carbonate rocks (Fairchild Lake Group, Quartet Group and Gillespie Lake Group, from oldest to youngest) that are intruded by Early to Middle Proterozoic mafic sills and dykes, and cut by Middle Proterozoic Wernecke Breccia. To the east, Wernecke Supergroup rocks are unconformably overlain by Middle Proterozoic Pinguicula Group rocks. According to Thorkelson (2000), Wernecke Breccia development is best modeled as a set of hydrothermal and/or phreatic breccias; brecciation being caused by explosive expanson of volatile-rich fluids. Hunt (2005) attributed Wernecke Breccia formation to periodic over-pressuring of dominantly basinal fluids, which lead to repeated brecciation of host strata and mineral precipitation.
The claims are underlain by Early Proterozoic Quartet Group slate, limy argillite and dolomite cut by breccia bodies. The Otis claims cover major north and east trending faults weakly mineralized with coarse disseminated brannerite. Soil sampling and radioactive surveys located only small erratic uranium anomalies.
Prospecting on the Slats claim group located specular hematite along a breccia contact plus chalcopyrite-bornite in float boulders. Specimens of brannerite-bearing float assayed up to 0.16% U3O8 but the drill hole intersected only a 60 cm wide, non-radioactive gouge zone associated with a north-trending fault.
Specimens of brannerite from east- and north-trending faults gave U/Pb ages of 623 and 929 Ma, respectively. These ages are significantly younger than either the Wernecke Breccia or Wernecke Supergroup rocks, and likely reflect later remobilization of uranium by a thermal or tectonic event.
References
ELDORADO NUCLEAR LTD, 1976. Assessment Report #061616 by C. Riley.
ELDORADO NUCLEAR LTD, 1976. Assessment Report #061623 by C. Riley and D.F. Schutz.
ELDORADO NUCLEAR LTD, 1976. Assessment Report #061624 by C. Riley.
GORDEY, S.P. AND MAKEPEACE, A.J., 2003. Yukon Digital Geology, version 2.0, S.P. Gordey and A.J. Makepeace (comp); Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 1749 and Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 2003-9 (D).
GREAT PLAINS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF CANADA LTD, 1975. Assessment Report *#090129 by B.D. Farion.
HUNT, J., 2005. The geology and genesis of iron oxide-copper-gold mineralisation associated with Wernecke Breccia, Yukon Canada, PhD thesis, James Cook University, Australia, 2 volumes, 120 p.
MINERAL INDUSTRY REPORT 1975, p. 64; 1976, p. 126-127; 1977, p. 45-46; 1978, p. 18.
THORKELSON, D.J. AND WALLACE, C.A., 2000. Geology and mineral occurrences of the Slats Creek, Fairchild Lake and ¿Dolores Creek¿ areas, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon (106D/16, 106C/13, 106C/14). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Bulletin 10, 73 p.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, 1975. Assessment Report *#090097 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, 1978. Assessment Report *#090310 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, 1978. Assessment Report *#090373 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Jan/80. Assessment Report #090580 by A.R. Archer.
YUKON GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 1979-80, p. 246-247.
Staked as Otis cl (Y97426) in Jun/75 by Wernecke JV (Chevron Can L & Aquitaine) which performed soil sampling, mapping and radiometric surveys in 1975 and additional radiometric surveys in 1976 under a brief option to Eldorado Nuclear L. Wernecke JV conducted an airborne radiometric survey in 1978 and drilled one hole (137.2 m) in 1979. In 1982, Eldorado changed its name to Eldor Res L.
Fringe staking included Slats cl (Y97408) to the south in Jun/75 by Norcen Energy Res L (Great Plains) and Kerr Addison ML, which explored with soil sampling and mapping in 1975; GSTD cl (YA1818) to the north in Feb/76 by Golden Standard ML, which explored with reconnaissance geochem sampling in 1976; and Orion cl (YA1703) to the east in Feb/76 by Nuspar Res L, which explored with mapping, geochem and radiometric surveys in 1976 and 1977.
Capsule Geology
The region is underlain by a metamorphosed and altered sequence of Early Proterozoic Wernecke Supergroup clastic and carbonate rocks (Fairchild Lake Group, Quartet Group and Gillespie Lake Group, from oldest to youngest) that are intruded by Early to Middle Proterozoic mafic sills and dykes, and cut by Middle Proterozoic Wernecke Breccia. To the east, Wernecke Supergroup rocks are unconformably overlain by Middle Proterozoic Pinguicula Group rocks. According to Thorkelson (2000), Wernecke Breccia development is best modeled as a set of hydrothermal and/or phreatic breccias; brecciation being caused by explosive expanson of volatile-rich fluids. Hunt (2005) attributed Wernecke Breccia formation to periodic over-pressuring of dominantly basinal fluids, which lead to repeated brecciation of host strata and mineral precipitation.
The claims are underlain by Early Proterozoic Quartet Group slate, limy argillite and dolomite cut by breccia bodies. The Otis claims cover major north and east trending faults weakly mineralized with coarse disseminated brannerite. Soil sampling and radioactive surveys located only small erratic uranium anomalies.
Prospecting on the Slats claim group located specular hematite along a breccia contact plus chalcopyrite-bornite in float boulders. Specimens of brannerite-bearing float assayed up to 0.16% U3O8 but the drill hole intersected only a 60 cm wide, non-radioactive gouge zone associated with a north-trending fault.
Specimens of brannerite from east- and north-trending faults gave U/Pb ages of 623 and 929 Ma, respectively. These ages are significantly younger than either the Wernecke Breccia or Wernecke Supergroup rocks, and likely reflect later remobilization of uranium by a thermal or tectonic event.
References
ELDORADO NUCLEAR LTD, 1976. Assessment Report #061616 by C. Riley.
ELDORADO NUCLEAR LTD, 1976. Assessment Report #061623 by C. Riley and D.F. Schutz.
ELDORADO NUCLEAR LTD, 1976. Assessment Report #061624 by C. Riley.
GORDEY, S.P. AND MAKEPEACE, A.J., 2003. Yukon Digital Geology, version 2.0, S.P. Gordey and A.J. Makepeace (comp); Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 1749 and Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 2003-9 (D).
GREAT PLAINS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY OF CANADA LTD, 1975. Assessment Report *#090129 by B.D. Farion.
HUNT, J., 2005. The geology and genesis of iron oxide-copper-gold mineralisation associated with Wernecke Breccia, Yukon Canada, PhD thesis, James Cook University, Australia, 2 volumes, 120 p.
MINERAL INDUSTRY REPORT 1975, p. 64; 1976, p. 126-127; 1977, p. 45-46; 1978, p. 18.
THORKELSON, D.J. AND WALLACE, C.A., 2000. Geology and mineral occurrences of the Slats Creek, Fairchild Lake and ¿Dolores Creek¿ areas, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon (106D/16, 106C/13, 106C/14). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Bulletin 10, 73 p.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, 1975. Assessment Report *#090097 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, 1978. Assessment Report *#090310 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, 1978. Assessment Report *#090373 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Jan/80. Assessment Report #090580 by A.R. Archer.
YUKON GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 1979-80, p. 246-247.
Location Map
Last Updated: Jul 6, 2018
Work History
| Year | Work Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Drilling: Diamond | One hole, 137 m. |
| 1978 | Airborne Geophysics: Radiometric | |
| 1977 | Geochemistry: Silt | |
| 1977 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1976 | Geochemistry: Soil | |
| 1976 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1976 | Ground Geophysics: Radiometric Survey | |
| 1976 | Other: Prospecting | |
| 1976 | Trenching | |
| 1975 | Geochemistry: Soil | |
| 1975 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1975 | Ground Geophysics: Radiometric Survey | Ground survey. |
Regional Geology - Terrane
Group: Ancestral North America
Affinity: W Laurentia
Name: North America - platformal strata
Realm: Laurentia
Regional Geology - Bedrock
Supergroup:
Group/Suite: Wernecke breccia
Formation:
Member:
Terrane: Laurentia
Period Max: Calymmian
Age Max: 1600 MA
Period Min: Calymmian
Age Min: 1590 MA
Rock Major: hematitic breccia
Rock Minor:
Reference: Thorkelson et al. (2002) - YGS GM 2002-2
Geological Unit (1M): mPW
Geological Unit (250K): mPW
Assessment Reports that overlap occurrence
| Report Number | Year | Title | Worktypes | Holes Drilled | Meters Drilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 095646 | 2007 | 2007 Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Report on the Werneckes Project | Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Detailed Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Regional Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Scintillometer - Ground Geophysics, Prospecting - Other, Backhoe - Trenching, Hand - Trenching, Handblast - Trenching | 28 | 6537.96 |
| 094956 | 2006 | 2006 Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Report on the Werneckes Project | Reverse Circulation - Airborne Geophysics, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Scintillometer - Ground Geophysics, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 090969 | 1981 | Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Report on the Pike Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Hand - Trenching | ||
| 090820 | 1980 | Assessment Report on the Rad 1-24 and Break 1-32 Mineral Claim Group | Rock - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other, Hand - Trenching, Handblast - Trenching, Mechanical - Trenching | ||
| 090373 | 1978 | Report on Airborne Radiometric Survey Otis 11-20 Claims | Gamma-Ray Spectrometry - Airborne Geophysics | ||
| 090310 | 1978 | Assessment Report on Orthophoto Mapping, Otis 1-64 Claims | Orthophoto - Airphotography | ||
| 090287 | 1977 | Preliminary Geological Report on the Rad 1-24 Mineral Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Water - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology | ||
| 061572 | 1976 | [1976 U/Pb Assay Results for Igor, Gnuckles, and Otis Claims in the Wernecke Range] | Silt - Geochemistry | ||
| 061616 | 1976 | Report on Prospecting, Trenching, and Radiometric Survey, Otis 1-60 Claims | Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Prospecting - Other, Hand - Trenching | ||
| 061623 | 1976 | Report on Prospecting, Trenching, and Radiometric Survey, Otis 1-60 Claims | Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Prospecting - Other, Hand - Trenching | ||
| 090097 | 1976 | Report on Soil Geochemistry, Geology, and Radiometric Survey, Otis 1-64 Claims | Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics |
Drill Core at YGS Core Library
| Number | Property | Year Drilled | Core Size | Photos | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79-O-1 | Otis | 1979 | BQ | 0 | 1 |
