General Information
Secondary Commodities: copper, uranium, silver, gold
Aliases: Pike
Deposit Type(s): Iron Oxide Breccias & Veins (Wernecke Breccias)
Location(s): 65.001110 N, -134.426940 W
NTS Mapsheet(s): 106E01
Location Comments: .5 Kilometres
Hand Samples Available at YGS: No
Capsule
Work History
The Big Horn, Royal (11938) and other claims were staked in this general vicinity in Jul/10. The exact location is vague as it was described as 'left limit of Big Horn Creek 3.2 km from Bonnet Plume River'. The stakers' sketch suggests that Big Horn Creek is probably a tributary of Slats Creek.
Old posts found on the ridge 1.6 km to the northeast are thought to be the remains of the Y and Belle (80313) and 30 other claims staked in Aug/58 by M. Hrebien and examined by Yukon Consolidated Gold Corporation later in the year.
Restaked in Oct/67 as Moe Iron cl 1-32 (YA4088) by Pacific Giant Steel Ores Ltd, and in Jun/75 as Pike cl 1-14 (Y97516) by Wernecke Joint Venture (Chevron Canada Ltd, Aquitaine Company of Canada), which explored with mapping, geochem and radiometric surveys in 1975 and optioned the property briefly to Eldorado Nuclear Ltd in 1976.
Wernecke Joint Venture restaked Pike cl 1-7 (YA42090) and added cl 15-32 (YA42097) in Aug/80 followed by hand trenching later in the season. In Jun/81 the joint venture added Pike cl 33-82 (YA62429), cl 83-92 (YA62549) and cl 93-108 (YA62533) to their holdings. Later in the summer the group carried out geological mapping, chip and soil sampling, radiometric surveys and hand trenching. Aquitaine changed its name to Kidd Creek Mines Ltd in 1981. Additional mapping, sampling and hand trenching, plus IP, VLF and magnetic surveys were performed in 1982.
Silverquest Resources Ltd optioned the property from Chevron in 1986 and performed hand trenching in 1986 and 1987. K. Dye tied on Kidd cl 1-10 (YB2105) to the east in Mar/88. In Oct/93, Westmin Resources Ltd tied Slats cl 1-132 (YB22572) (Minfile #106D 075) onto the eastern and southern boundaries of the Pike claims.
The Pike claims were sold to Strategic Metals Ltd in 1995. Strategic Metals did not carry out any work on the claims and by the end of March/2001 only Pike Claim # 9 (Y97524) remained in good standing. In Aug/2002 Strategic staked Pike cl 1-8 (YC10681) and cl 10-13 (YC10689) overtop the original Pike claims. In 2002 Strategic Metals carried out a small prospecting program and completed a compilation study covering all previous exploration results.
In Aug/2002 War Eagle Mining Company Ltd optioned a 70% interest in the Pike claims from Strategic Metals in returned for financial and work commitments. In Jul/2003 the option was terminated for non-performance. In Aug/2003 Strategic Metals carried out deep soil sampling, detailed radiometric surveys and constructed drill pads. In Sep/2003 Strategic Metals drilled 4 diamond drill holes (283.4m) on the claims and staked Pike cl 14 (YC19047).
Strategic Metals sold the Pike claims to Twenty-Seven Capital Corp in Dec/2004. In Aug/2005 Twenty-Seven Capital drilled 3 diamond drill holes (278.3 m) on the claims. In Jan/2006 Twenty-Seven Capital optioned a 50% interest in the Pike claims to Signet Minerals Inc.
Capsule Geology
The region is underlain by a metamorphosed and altered sequence of Lower 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 west, Wernecke Supergroup rocks are unconformably overlain by Cambrian carbonate 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 expansion 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 occurrence lies near the southern boundary of topographic map sheet 106E 01. Thorkelson and Wallace (1989) of the Yukon Geology Program (now Yukon Geological Survey) remapped topographic map sheet 106D/16 located o the immediate south in the 1990's. Extrapolation of their work show that the occurrence area is underlain by Lower Proterozoic Fairchild Lake Group and Quartet Group rocks that have been intruded by a large body of Middle Proterozoic Wernecke Breccia. The occurrence consists of massive hematite with minor chalcopyrite along the contacts of a large Wernecke Breccia body cutting Quartet Group limy argillite at two locations, one between the forks of Slats Creek and another to the northeast. Minor amounts of brannerite occur as disseminations and in veins with quartz and/or barite peripheral to and within the breccia. Selected specimens assayed up to 6.6% uranium oxide (U3O8).
The 1986-87 work explored gold-rich brannerite-bearing quartz float found near the contact of the breccia body. Individual float specimens contain up to 10% gold by volume and lower grade samples typically assay between 686 and 10 285 g/t gold. Trenches through the mineralized float train exposed a 5 to 15 cm wide quartz vein that is generally similar to the mineralized float but lacks brannerite and gold. The source of the float is assumed to be small pods associated with this or parallel veins.
Strategic Metal's 2002 exploration program/compilation study gathered together and summarized previous exploration results. Soil sampling outlined a copper and gold anomaly over a portion of the breccia body and a second gold anomaly over the gold-rich brannerite-bearing quartz float. Magnetics, VLF, resistivity and radiometric surveys defined a linear trend that extends from the area of gold-rich float to the northern edge of the grid a distance of about 500 m. The geophysical anomalies approximately coincide with the peak geochemical values on that part of the hill side and the top of the visible gold talus train. The nature and distribution of the gold mineralization together with the geophysical and geochemical data suggest that the gold's source is a non-outcropping, north trending, possibly west dipping vein or fracture zone. A moderately radioactive boulder discovered 150 m north of the gold-rich quartz float returned 7.15 g/t gold, 25.6 g/t silver and 1 050 ppm uranium.
The 2003 drill program targeted the apparent source of the gold-rich brannerite-bearing float. Anomalous values of copper and gold were intersected by the drilling but nothing approaching the tenor of mineralization found at surface. The 2005 drill program retested the gold-rich brannerite-bear float area. A drill hole was planned to test the a copper-gold target associated with the Wernecke Breccia but was cancelled due to lack of water for the drill. Official results were never reported but a press release announcing the sale of the Pike claims to Signet Minerals reported that seven shallow drill holes failed to identify the source of the gold- and uranium-rich talus.
References
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).
HUNT, J., 2005. The geology and genesis of iron oxide-copper-gold mineralization associated with Wernecke Breccia, Yukon Canada, PhD thesis, James Cook University, Australia, 2 volumes, 120 p.
MINERAL INDUSTRY REPORT 1975, p. 63.
STRATEGIC METALS LTD, Mar/2005. Assessment report #094551 by W.D. Eaton.
STRATEGIC METALS LTD, News Release, 7 Jul/03; 3 Oct/2003; 20 Dec/2004.
THORKELSON, D.J., AND WALLACE, C.A., 1998. Geological map of Slats Creek map area (106D/16), Wernecke Mountains, Yukon. Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada. Geoscience Map 1998-9, 1:50 000 scale.
THORKELSON, D.J., 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.
TWENTY-SEVEN CAPITAL CORPORATION, Feb/2006. Assessment report #094968.
TWENTY-SEVEN CAPITAL CORPORATION, News Release. 30 Jan/2006 (reporting sale of Pike claims to Signet Minerals Inc.).
WAR EAGLE MINING COMPANY INCORPORATED AND STRATEGIC METALS LTD, Jul/2003. Assessment Report #094437 by W. D. Eaton.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, May/76. Assessment Report #090098 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Feb/82. Assessment Report #090969 by W.D. Eaton.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Feb/83. Assessment Report #091437 by W.D. Eaton.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Dec/86. Assessment Report #091880 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Jan/88. Assessment Report #092090 by W.D. Eaton.
YUKON EXPLORATION 1985-86, p. 296-298; 1987, p. 211-212.
YUKON EXPLORATION AND GEOLOGY 1981, p. 196; 1982, p. 180.
YUKON GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 1979-80, p. 240-241; 2003, p. 10-11, 24, 26; 2005, p. 39-40.
YUKON MINERAL INDUSTRY 1941 to 1959, p. 127.
The Big Horn, Royal (11938) and other claims were staked in this general vicinity in Jul/10. The exact location is vague as it was described as 'left limit of Big Horn Creek 3.2 km from Bonnet Plume River'. The stakers' sketch suggests that Big Horn Creek is probably a tributary of Slats Creek.
Old posts found on the ridge 1.6 km to the northeast are thought to be the remains of the Y and Belle (80313) and 30 other claims staked in Aug/58 by M. Hrebien and examined by Yukon Consolidated Gold Corporation later in the year.
Restaked in Oct/67 as Moe Iron cl 1-32 (YA4088) by Pacific Giant Steel Ores Ltd, and in Jun/75 as Pike cl 1-14 (Y97516) by Wernecke Joint Venture (Chevron Canada Ltd, Aquitaine Company of Canada), which explored with mapping, geochem and radiometric surveys in 1975 and optioned the property briefly to Eldorado Nuclear Ltd in 1976.
Wernecke Joint Venture restaked Pike cl 1-7 (YA42090) and added cl 15-32 (YA42097) in Aug/80 followed by hand trenching later in the season. In Jun/81 the joint venture added Pike cl 33-82 (YA62429), cl 83-92 (YA62549) and cl 93-108 (YA62533) to their holdings. Later in the summer the group carried out geological mapping, chip and soil sampling, radiometric surveys and hand trenching. Aquitaine changed its name to Kidd Creek Mines Ltd in 1981. Additional mapping, sampling and hand trenching, plus IP, VLF and magnetic surveys were performed in 1982.
Silverquest Resources Ltd optioned the property from Chevron in 1986 and performed hand trenching in 1986 and 1987. K. Dye tied on Kidd cl 1-10 (YB2105) to the east in Mar/88. In Oct/93, Westmin Resources Ltd tied Slats cl 1-132 (YB22572) (Minfile #106D 075) onto the eastern and southern boundaries of the Pike claims.
The Pike claims were sold to Strategic Metals Ltd in 1995. Strategic Metals did not carry out any work on the claims and by the end of March/2001 only Pike Claim # 9 (Y97524) remained in good standing. In Aug/2002 Strategic staked Pike cl 1-8 (YC10681) and cl 10-13 (YC10689) overtop the original Pike claims. In 2002 Strategic Metals carried out a small prospecting program and completed a compilation study covering all previous exploration results.
In Aug/2002 War Eagle Mining Company Ltd optioned a 70% interest in the Pike claims from Strategic Metals in returned for financial and work commitments. In Jul/2003 the option was terminated for non-performance. In Aug/2003 Strategic Metals carried out deep soil sampling, detailed radiometric surveys and constructed drill pads. In Sep/2003 Strategic Metals drilled 4 diamond drill holes (283.4m) on the claims and staked Pike cl 14 (YC19047).
Strategic Metals sold the Pike claims to Twenty-Seven Capital Corp in Dec/2004. In Aug/2005 Twenty-Seven Capital drilled 3 diamond drill holes (278.3 m) on the claims. In Jan/2006 Twenty-Seven Capital optioned a 50% interest in the Pike claims to Signet Minerals Inc.
Capsule Geology
The region is underlain by a metamorphosed and altered sequence of Lower 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 west, Wernecke Supergroup rocks are unconformably overlain by Cambrian carbonate 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 expansion 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 occurrence lies near the southern boundary of topographic map sheet 106E 01. Thorkelson and Wallace (1989) of the Yukon Geology Program (now Yukon Geological Survey) remapped topographic map sheet 106D/16 located o the immediate south in the 1990's. Extrapolation of their work show that the occurrence area is underlain by Lower Proterozoic Fairchild Lake Group and Quartet Group rocks that have been intruded by a large body of Middle Proterozoic Wernecke Breccia. The occurrence consists of massive hematite with minor chalcopyrite along the contacts of a large Wernecke Breccia body cutting Quartet Group limy argillite at two locations, one between the forks of Slats Creek and another to the northeast. Minor amounts of brannerite occur as disseminations and in veins with quartz and/or barite peripheral to and within the breccia. Selected specimens assayed up to 6.6% uranium oxide (U3O8).
The 1986-87 work explored gold-rich brannerite-bearing quartz float found near the contact of the breccia body. Individual float specimens contain up to 10% gold by volume and lower grade samples typically assay between 686 and 10 285 g/t gold. Trenches through the mineralized float train exposed a 5 to 15 cm wide quartz vein that is generally similar to the mineralized float but lacks brannerite and gold. The source of the float is assumed to be small pods associated with this or parallel veins.
Strategic Metal's 2002 exploration program/compilation study gathered together and summarized previous exploration results. Soil sampling outlined a copper and gold anomaly over a portion of the breccia body and a second gold anomaly over the gold-rich brannerite-bearing quartz float. Magnetics, VLF, resistivity and radiometric surveys defined a linear trend that extends from the area of gold-rich float to the northern edge of the grid a distance of about 500 m. The geophysical anomalies approximately coincide with the peak geochemical values on that part of the hill side and the top of the visible gold talus train. The nature and distribution of the gold mineralization together with the geophysical and geochemical data suggest that the gold's source is a non-outcropping, north trending, possibly west dipping vein or fracture zone. A moderately radioactive boulder discovered 150 m north of the gold-rich quartz float returned 7.15 g/t gold, 25.6 g/t silver and 1 050 ppm uranium.
The 2003 drill program targeted the apparent source of the gold-rich brannerite-bearing float. Anomalous values of copper and gold were intersected by the drilling but nothing approaching the tenor of mineralization found at surface. The 2005 drill program retested the gold-rich brannerite-bear float area. A drill hole was planned to test the a copper-gold target associated with the Wernecke Breccia but was cancelled due to lack of water for the drill. Official results were never reported but a press release announcing the sale of the Pike claims to Signet Minerals reported that seven shallow drill holes failed to identify the source of the gold- and uranium-rich talus.
References
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).
HUNT, J., 2005. The geology and genesis of iron oxide-copper-gold mineralization associated with Wernecke Breccia, Yukon Canada, PhD thesis, James Cook University, Australia, 2 volumes, 120 p.
MINERAL INDUSTRY REPORT 1975, p. 63.
STRATEGIC METALS LTD, Mar/2005. Assessment report #094551 by W.D. Eaton.
STRATEGIC METALS LTD, News Release, 7 Jul/03; 3 Oct/2003; 20 Dec/2004.
THORKELSON, D.J., AND WALLACE, C.A., 1998. Geological map of Slats Creek map area (106D/16), Wernecke Mountains, Yukon. Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs, Canada. Geoscience Map 1998-9, 1:50 000 scale.
THORKELSON, D.J., 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.
TWENTY-SEVEN CAPITAL CORPORATION, Feb/2006. Assessment report #094968.
TWENTY-SEVEN CAPITAL CORPORATION, News Release. 30 Jan/2006 (reporting sale of Pike claims to Signet Minerals Inc.).
WAR EAGLE MINING COMPANY INCORPORATED AND STRATEGIC METALS LTD, Jul/2003. Assessment Report #094437 by W. D. Eaton.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, May/76. Assessment Report #090098 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Feb/82. Assessment Report #090969 by W.D. Eaton.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Feb/83. Assessment Report #091437 by W.D. Eaton.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Dec/86. Assessment Report #091880 by A.R. Archer.
WERNECKE JOINT VENTURE, Jan/88. Assessment Report #092090 by W.D. Eaton.
YUKON EXPLORATION 1985-86, p. 296-298; 1987, p. 211-212.
YUKON EXPLORATION AND GEOLOGY 1981, p. 196; 1982, p. 180.
YUKON GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 1979-80, p. 240-241; 2003, p. 10-11, 24, 26; 2005, p. 39-40.
YUKON MINERAL INDUSTRY 1941 to 1959, p. 127.
Location Map
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2018
Work History
| Year | Work Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Drilling: Diamond | Three holes, 278.3 m. |
| 2003 | Drilling: Diamond | Four holes, 283.4 m. |
| 2002 | Pre-existing Data: Data Compilation | |
| 1987 | Trenching: Hand | |
| 1986 | Trenching: Hand | |
| 1982 | Geochemistry: Soil | |
| 1982 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1982 | Ground Geophysics: IP | Also magnetic and VLF surveys. |
| 1982 | Ground Geophysics: Magnetics | Also IP, Radiometric and VLF surveys. |
| 1982 | Trenching: Hand | |
| 1981 | Geochemistry: Soil | Also rock sampling. |
| 1981 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1981 | Ground Geophysics: Radiometric Survey | |
| 1981 | Trenching: Hand | |
| 1980 | Trenching: Hand | |
| 1975 | Geochemistry: Soil | |
| 1975 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1975 | Ground Geophysics: Radiometric Survey |
Regional Geology - Terrane
Group: Ancestral North America
Affinity: W Laurentia
Name: North America - platformal strata
Realm: Laurentia
Regional Geology - Bedrock
Supergroup: Wernecke
Group/Suite: Fairchild Lake
Formation:
Member:
Terrane: Laurentia
Period Max: Statherian
Age Max: 1800 MA
Period Min: Statherian
Age Min: 1600 MA
Rock Major: siltstone, sandstone
Rock Minor:
Reference: Thorkelson et al. (2002) - YGS GM 2002-2
Geological Unit (1M): lPFL
Geological Unit (250K): lPFL1
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 | ||
| 094551 | 2004 | Assessment Report Describing Diamond Drilling , Soil Sampling and Radiometric Surveys at the Pike 1-14 Claim | Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics | 4 | 283.46 |
| 094437 | 2003 | Assessment Report Describing Geology, Mineralization, Geochemistry and Geophysics at the Pike 1-13 Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, EM - Ground Geophysics, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Resistivity - Ground Geophysics, Research/Summarize - Pre-existing Data | ||
| 091880 | 1986 | Report on Hand Trenching Program Pike 8-14 Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Hand - Trenching | ||
| 091437 | 1982 | Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Report on the Pike Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, IP - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics | ||
| 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 | ||
| 090766 | 1980 | Trenching Report Pike 8-14 Claims Eaton Property | Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Hand - Trenching | ||
| 090098 | 1976 | Report on Soil Geochemistry, Geology and Radiometric Survey, Pike 1-14 Claims | Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics | ||
| 090129 | 1975 | Geological and Geochemical Evaluation of the Slats Claims | Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology |
