General Information
Secondary Commodities: copper, uranium
Aliases: Darney
Deposit Type(s): Iron Oxide Breccias & Veins (Wernecke Breccias)
Location(s): 65°12'32" N - -134°43'54" W
NTS Mapsheet(s): 106E02
Location Comments: .5 Kilometres
Hand Samples Available: No
Last Reviewed:
Capsule
Work History
Staked as Fox & Deer cl 4.8 km to the southwest, and as Owl cl (YA14823) 4.8 km to the northeast in Nov-Dec/67 by Mountaineer ML and optioned to Pan Ocean OL, which added about 500 claims and explored with mapping, geochem, radiometric and EM surveys and hand trenching in 1977 and soil and radiometric surveys, hand trenching and 544.7 m (6 holes) drilling on the Deer #1 showing in 1978.
Pan Ocean explored with geochem and geophysical surveys and several drill holes in 1979 and one hole (165 m) in 1980. Mountaineer changed its name to Can Ml Corp in 1979, while Pan Ocean transferred its mineral holdings to Aberford Res L, which later changed its name to Abermin Corp.
The A and B fringe claims (YA17618) were staked to the east in Feb/78 by Scylla Corp, which explored with airborne and ground radiometric surveys, mapping and trenching.
In May/93, Archer, Cathro and Associates (1981) Ltd staked the KL 1-196 cl (YB29775) over this and three other occurrences, Minfile #s 106E 005, 106E 006 and 106E 011. Kennecott Canada Inc. optioned the property and explored with geological mapping and geochemical sampling in 1993.
A reconnaissance spectrometer survey and gravity survey were conducted over the property in 2005.
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. 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.
Four mineralized areas are associated with Wernecke Breccia bodies cutting Early Proterozoic Quartet Group argillite.
The best showing, Deer #1 on the Deer 33 claim, is a strong 1.8-m-wide vertical shear zone exposed for a length of 6.7 m in hand trenches. Work in 1978 outlined a 396 m coincident radon and magnetic anomaly and at least 2 of the drill holes intersected radioactive material. Assays from the trenches ranged from 0.15 to 4.6% U3O8. Mineralization includes brannerite, pitchblende and a wide range of secondary uranium minerals. The Deer #2 showing, on the Deer 24 claim, lies 914 m to the north and consists of brannerite float adjacent to a Wernecke Breccia body.
The Fox Creek showing, on the Fox 20 claim, lies 2438 m southeast of the Deer #1 showing and consists of a 1067 by 1524 m uranium geochemical anomaly.
The Frog showing, on the Frog 19 claim, lies 3050 m east of the Deer #1 showing and reportedly shows encouraging surface mineralization.
The Owl claims, which lie 3050 m northeast of the Frog showing, cover an area of strong geochemical response (11.8 ppb U in water, 237 ppm U in silt) reported by the GSC.
In 2005, Signet minerals released results of grab rock samples collected samples. Rock samples with up to 54.3% U3O8 were analyzed.
References
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA Open File 338.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA Paper 79-1A, p. 377-379.
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 mineralisation associated with Wernecke Breccia, Yukon Canada, PhD thesis, James Cook University, Australia, 2 volumes, 120 p.
KENNECOTT CANADA INC, May/94. Assessment Report #093197 by R. Hulstein.
MINERAL INDUSTRY REPORT 1977, p. 49; 1978, p. 18-20.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Jan/78. Assessment Report *#090285 by D.A. Yeager and C.K. Ikona.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Jan/78. Assessment Report *#090288 by M.A. Stammers and C.K. Ikona.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Aug/78. Assessment Report *#090365 by D.A. Yeager and C.K. Ikona.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Feb/79. Assessment Report *#090440 by R.J. Darney et al.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, 1979. Assessment Report *#091310 by M.A. Stammers.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Jul/80. Assessment Report *#090648 by J.F. Touborg and A.K. Chan.
SIGNET MINERALS INC., News Release, 26 Oct/05.
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.
YUKON GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 1979-80, p. 247.
Staked as Fox & Deer cl 4.8 km to the southwest, and as Owl cl (YA14823) 4.8 km to the northeast in Nov-Dec/67 by Mountaineer ML and optioned to Pan Ocean OL, which added about 500 claims and explored with mapping, geochem, radiometric and EM surveys and hand trenching in 1977 and soil and radiometric surveys, hand trenching and 544.7 m (6 holes) drilling on the Deer #1 showing in 1978.
Pan Ocean explored with geochem and geophysical surveys and several drill holes in 1979 and one hole (165 m) in 1980. Mountaineer changed its name to Can Ml Corp in 1979, while Pan Ocean transferred its mineral holdings to Aberford Res L, which later changed its name to Abermin Corp.
The A and B fringe claims (YA17618) were staked to the east in Feb/78 by Scylla Corp, which explored with airborne and ground radiometric surveys, mapping and trenching.
In May/93, Archer, Cathro and Associates (1981) Ltd staked the KL 1-196 cl (YB29775) over this and three other occurrences, Minfile #s 106E 005, 106E 006 and 106E 011. Kennecott Canada Inc. optioned the property and explored with geological mapping and geochemical sampling in 1993.
A reconnaissance spectrometer survey and gravity survey were conducted over the property in 2005.
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. 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.
Four mineralized areas are associated with Wernecke Breccia bodies cutting Early Proterozoic Quartet Group argillite.
The best showing, Deer #1 on the Deer 33 claim, is a strong 1.8-m-wide vertical shear zone exposed for a length of 6.7 m in hand trenches. Work in 1978 outlined a 396 m coincident radon and magnetic anomaly and at least 2 of the drill holes intersected radioactive material. Assays from the trenches ranged from 0.15 to 4.6% U3O8. Mineralization includes brannerite, pitchblende and a wide range of secondary uranium minerals. The Deer #2 showing, on the Deer 24 claim, lies 914 m to the north and consists of brannerite float adjacent to a Wernecke Breccia body.
The Fox Creek showing, on the Fox 20 claim, lies 2438 m southeast of the Deer #1 showing and consists of a 1067 by 1524 m uranium geochemical anomaly.
The Frog showing, on the Frog 19 claim, lies 3050 m east of the Deer #1 showing and reportedly shows encouraging surface mineralization.
The Owl claims, which lie 3050 m northeast of the Frog showing, cover an area of strong geochemical response (11.8 ppb U in water, 237 ppm U in silt) reported by the GSC.
In 2005, Signet minerals released results of grab rock samples collected samples. Rock samples with up to 54.3% U3O8 were analyzed.
References
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA Open File 338.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA Paper 79-1A, p. 377-379.
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 mineralisation associated with Wernecke Breccia, Yukon Canada, PhD thesis, James Cook University, Australia, 2 volumes, 120 p.
KENNECOTT CANADA INC, May/94. Assessment Report #093197 by R. Hulstein.
MINERAL INDUSTRY REPORT 1977, p. 49; 1978, p. 18-20.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Jan/78. Assessment Report *#090285 by D.A. Yeager and C.K. Ikona.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Jan/78. Assessment Report *#090288 by M.A. Stammers and C.K. Ikona.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Aug/78. Assessment Report *#090365 by D.A. Yeager and C.K. Ikona.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Feb/79. Assessment Report *#090440 by R.J. Darney et al.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, 1979. Assessment Report *#091310 by M.A. Stammers.
MOUNTAINEER MINES LTD and PAN OCEAN OIL LTD, Jul/80. Assessment Report *#090648 by J.F. Touborg and A.K. Chan.
SIGNET MINERALS INC., News Release, 26 Oct/05.
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.
YUKON GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION 1979-80, p. 247.
Work History
| Date | Work Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 12/31/1978 | Drilling | Eight holes, 646.2 m. |
| 12/31/1978 | Geology | |
| 12/31/1978 | Geochemistry | |
| 12/31/1978 | Trenching | |
| 12/31/1977 | Geochemistry | |
| 12/31/1977 | Geology | |
| 12/31/1977 | Geochemistry | |
| 12/31/1977 | Geochemistry | |
| 12/31/1977 | Trenching | |
| 12/13/1978 | Ground Geophysics | |
| 12/13/1977 | Ground Geophysics | Also radiometric survey. |
Assessment Reports that overlap occurrence
| Report Number | Year | Title | Worktypes | Holes Drilled | Meters Drilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 094954 | 2006 | Mineral Exploration Report for the Curie Property, North Central, Yukon Territory | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Gamma-Ray Spectrometry - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Gravity Survey - Ground Geophysics, Research/Summarize - Pre-existing Data, Backhoe - Trenching | ||
| 095603 | 2006 | Assessment Report Describing Airborne Geophysics and Digital Data Compilation at the Win Property | Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Data Compilation - Pre-existing Data | ||
| 095590 | 2005 | Prospecting, Scintillometer and Gravity Survey at the Curie Property, Northeastern Yukon Territory | Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Gravity Survey - Ground Geophysics, Scintillometer - Ground Geophysics, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 093197 | 1993 | Assessment Report on the 1993 Geological and Geochemical Investigation of the Kiwi Property KL 1-196 | Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology | ||
| 062055 | 1980 | Report on Geology an Exploration of the Bonnet Plume Basin Yukon Territory | Diamond - Drilling, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Regional Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Environmental Assessment/Impact - Studies, Resource Estimate - Studies | 53 | 10700 |
| 090648 | 1979 | Report on 1979 Season Fairchild Uranium Program | Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, EM - Ground Geophysics, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Backhoe - Trenching | 17 | 1548.99 |
| 090440 | 1978 | Summary Report on the Kiwi Lake Holdings in the Fairchild Project Area | Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Regional Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Gamma-ray Spectrometry - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Hand - Trenching, Handblast - Trenching | 8 | 646.18 |
| 090365 | 1977 | Geological and Geochemical Report on the Fox Creek Area Including Deer, Frog, Mosquito, Clam Claim Groups | Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Scintillometer - Ground Geophysics |