prospecting report on the olh 1 - 6 claims
TRANSCRIPT
PROSPECTING REPORT
ON THE
OLH CREEK PROPERTY
OLH 1 - 6 CLAIMS
103P/12 E 6 W
NORANDA EXPLORATION COMPANY, LIM~ITED
(NO PERSONAL LIABILITY)
John R. Fraser June, 1980
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ............... 1
2. INTRODUCTION ................... 1
3. LOCATION AND ACCESS .... ., ............ 2
4. CLAIMS AND OWNERSHIP ............... 2
5. HISTORY ................... ..s 3
6. PHYSIOGRAPHY ................... 3
7. GEOLOGY ....................... 3
.1 Regional .................... 3
.2 Property ..................... 5
.2.1 General Statement ............ 5
.2.2 Lithology. ................. 5
.2.3 Mineralization and Alteration ...... 6
.2.4 Oxidation and Leaching ........... 8
.2.5 Structure ................ 9
8. GEOCHEMISTRY .................... 9
.1 GeneralStatement ............... 9
-2 Silt Sampling ................. 10
.3 Soil Sampling ................. 10
9. REFERENCES .................... 11
APPENDIX I - STATEMENT OF COSTS
APPENDIX II - SILT AND SOIL GEOCHEMICAL RESULTS
APPENDIX III - ASSAY SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS AND RESULTS
APPENDIX XV - STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
r.
.
r
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE I CHARACTERISTICS OF QUARTZ. VEINS Follows Page 7
AND FRACTURES
~LIST ~OF 'FI%URES
FIGURE 1 LOCATION MAP (~1:250,000) Follows Page 2
FIGURE 2~ DETAILED LOCATION MAP (1:50,000) Follows Page 2
FIGURE 3 RECONNAISSANCE GEOLOGY MAP In Pocket
(1:10,000)
FIGURE 4 RECONNAISSANCE SOIL AND SILT In Pocket
GEOCHEMISTRY ;~TOTAL MO IN
P.P.M. (1:10,000)
- 1 -
1. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
A significant molybdenum occurrence was discovered in 1979 as a result of the release, by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, of analyt-
ical data obtained from samples collected during the 1978 Accelerated Geochemical Survey in the Terrace-Nass area.
The showings are located on Campbell Ridge, 18 kilo- meters N 60' W of Kitsault, and consist of molybdenite and
some pyrite in at least two sets of quartz veins in biotite
granite, alaskite and aplite-pegmatite of the Coast Plutonic Complex. At present, two zones, designated North and South and situated some 2 kilometers apart, are known. The North Zone is 600 meters in diameter and appears to be open in at
least two directions. While thee South Zone according to very limited information, occurs over an area approximately 230
meter in diameter.
A great deal of additional work is needed to adequate- ly assess the molybdenum potential of this property. Silt sampling,
followed up in areas of interest by prospecting and soil
sampling, seems to be an effective exploration method. It is
important that proper topographic control be available for any
future work and, to this end, the use of orthophoto mapping is suggested.
2. INTRODUCTION
This report describes the results of prospecting, geo- logical mapping and geochemical surveys carried out during the
periods August 11 - 33, 20 - 22 and 28 - 30, and September 10 -
17, inclusive, on the Olh l-2 mineral claims, Hastings Arm
area, Skeena Mining Division, B.C.. These claims were staked
to protect a molybdenum silt anomaly indicated as a result
- 2 -
of the 1978 Accelerated Geochemical Survey1 and it was hoped
that this work would provide an initial assessment of the
mineral potential of the area.
3. LOCATION AND ACCESS
The property is located on Campbell Ridge, between Hastings Arm and the south fork of Olh Creek, 18 kilometers
(Figures 1 E 2)
(11 miles) N 60' W of Kitsault and 48.5 kilometers (30 miles) S 19.5" E of Stewart.
Access is by helicopter from either Stewart or Kitsault
or by float plane, and then local helicopter, from Smithers.
4. CLAIMS AND OWNERSHIP .~
The property, at present, consists of the Olh 1 - 6
mineral claims, owned by Noranda Exploration Company, Limited
(No Personal Liability), P.O. Box 2380, Vancouver, B.C., V6B
3T5. Claim data are as follows:
CLAIM (Units) TAG NO. LOCATED RECORDED RECORD NO.
Olh 1 (20) 09951 June 22, 1979. July 12, 1979 1474 Olh 2 (20) 09950 June 22, 1979 July 12, 1979 1475 Olh 3 (~20) 09981 Aug. 20-21, 1979 Sept. 10, 1979 1687 Olh 4 (20) 09982 Aug. 20-21, 1979 Sept. IO, 1979 1688 Olh 5 (10) 09978 Aug. 24, 1979 Sept. 10, 1979 1689 Olh 6 (16) 09979 Aug. 24, 1979 Sept. 10, 1979 1690
Although this report will describe the work carried out in 1979
on the entire property, only that portion performed on the Olh
1-2 claims will be applied for asses~sment credit.
1 B.C.M.E.M.P.R., 1979a
- 3 -
5. HISTORY
As far as can be ascertained, this is a "new" molyb-
denum showing. It his not indicated on the mineral inventory
map of the area' nor are there Bny signs (broken rock, camp on the ground of previous investigations. or drill site, etc.)
6. PHYSIOGRAPHY
The principa and surrounding area
1 physiograph ic elements of the property are Hastings Arm and Campbell Ridge, both
northerly trending features, and the valley of Olh Creek which bounds Campbell Ridge on the north and east. Slopes are steep to precipitous on the north and east flanks of the ridge
but are moderate, with local steepex pitches, on the west. To ~the south, the ridge joins the east-northeasterly trending
Chaloner Ridge. Very prominent, north-northwesterly and northeasterly trending lineaments abound in the area and act
to segment the terrain and influence drainages. The property is drained by Olh Creek and a number of lesser streams, all of which empty into Hastings Arm. Elevations range from sea level to 1,400 meters (4,600 feet) in the southeast quadrant
of Olh 4.
7. GEOLOGY
.l Regional
According to work by the B.C.D.M.3, the Hastings Arm
- Alice Arm - Portland Canal area is underlain largely by
Tertiary and older granitic rocks (granite, quartz monzonite,
granodiorite, quartz diorite) of the Coast Plutonic Complex,
2 B.C.M.E.M.P.R., 1979b
3 Carter, Grove, 1972
- 4 -
the eastern margin of which is located some 10 kilometers east of the center of the Olh Creek property. Contained
within these rocks are several large (15 km x 20 km) pendents of lower to upper Jurassic sediments, volcanics and cata- elastic and mylonitic equivalents. Swarms of lamprophyre, basalt and andesite dykes are known to occur at several localities, such as Anyox, along the Kitsault River and the
Ashwood Lake - Outram Lake area, 15 kilometers northwest of the head of Hastings Arm. A group of small stocks, plugs and
dykes of Eocene (53 m.y.) quartz monzonite porphyry, quartz feldspar porphyry and quartz diorite, commonly referred to as the Alice Arm intrusions, are emplaced in sedimentary rocks
marginal to the east contact of the Plutonic Complex. These
are often molybdenum-bearing and, as such, are of considerable
economic importance.
The major structural ,features of the region are the
Maple Bay cataclasite zone near Portland Canal and the dyke
swarms mentioned above.
A number of major mineral occurrences are known within
a 30 kilometer radius of the Olh Creek property. The most important of these are the economically significant molybdenum
deposits (Lime Creek, Roundy Creek, Tidewater, Ajax, Bell
Molybdenum) that are associated with the Alice Arm intrusions
in the Alice Arm - Kitsault - Mount McQuire area. Others are
the cupriferous massive sulphide deposits (Hidden Creek, Double Ed and Eonanza)~ at Anyox and the Torbrit and Dolly Varden
silver deposits on the Kitsault River.
-5-
7. GEOLOGY
.2 Property
.2.1 General Statement
The Olh claims are underlain almost entirely by grani-
toid rocks of the Coast Plutonic Complex. Also present, but
in volumetrically insignificant amounts, are pendants of meta-
sedimentary rock and numerous basic dykes. Very significant molybdenite mineralization has been discovered in granite and
aplite - pegmatite in two zones, some 2 kilometers apart, on
the west side of Campbell Ridge.
Rock exposure over much of the property approaches
one hundred percent, especially at elevations above 1,040 meters (3,600 feet) and on steep, glacier-carved slopes.
.2.2 Lithology (Figure 3) ~
On the basis of the preliminary mapping and prospect-
ing carried out in 1979, two major intrusive rock types are
distinguished. These are granite, comprising biotite granite,
alaskite and aplite-pegmatite, and granodiorite.
The biotite granite is a light,grey, buff to light
brown weathering, generally medium grained, non- to weakly
magnetic rock containing 5% biotite as ragged flakes.
Texturally, it varies from equigranular to porphyritic, the
latter due to the presence of phenocrysts of potas~h~ feldspar
up to 0.7 cm x 1.2 cm. The alaskite is a very light grey,
often buff weathering, medium grained, equigranular rock consisting entirely of quartz and potash feldspar. Thes~e
minerals~ are also the only components of the aplite-pegmatite, a rock variety consisting of mixed coarse grained and very :
fine grained phases which are often observable in a single
hand specimen.
- 6 -
The granodiorite is a medium grey, medium grained,
weakly magnetic, equigranular rock containing biotite Andy poikilitic hornblende in amounts up to 15%. Upon weathering, it assumes a monotonous grey colour which is readily disting- uishable from the buff-brown, streaked appearance of the biotite granite and alaskite.
Several varieties of dark grey to dark greenish-grey dyke rock (basalt, diabase, lamprophyre?) have been observed.
These occur in both the granites and the granodiorite and
usually weather recessively, forming the conspicuous linear
features common to the property.
Contacts between the granite and the granodiorite are sharp and where cross-cutting relationships are observed, the
granodiorite is intrusive into the granite. The aplite-peg-
matite has been noted only in the granite where it occurs as
dykes and irregular shaped glasses.
.2.3 Mineralization and Alteration
Molybdenite associated with quartz veining occurs in
two zones, designated North and South, on the west side of Campbell Ridge. To date, mineralization has been found only
in the biotite granite, alaskite and aplite-pegmatite. The
North Zone is situated on thee southwest flank of the prominent
knob at the north end of the ridge. It is at least 600 meters in diameter and is open to the northwest and southwest.
Located some 2 kilometers to the south is the South Zone,
which comprises trio separate showings occurring over an area approximately 230 meters in diameter.
Mineralization consists of molybdenite, pyrite, ferri-.
molybdite, orange-brown iron oxide and minor chalcopyrite and
hematite. The molybdenite, which is usually accompanied by
some pyrite, occurs as fine films and accumulations on fractures
.
-7-
in quartz veins, as selvages along vein margins, as dissemin-
ated flakes adjacent to veins and as finegrained, irregular
shaped masses in quartz veins. Seven grab samples of repre-
sentative mineralization (Figure 4) have been assayed for total molybdenum (total MO) and for tungsten trioxide (W03) with the following results (Appendix II):
Total MO (%): 0.127 - 0.504
wo3 I%): <0.005 - 0.01
The molybdenite is almost always found within, or
associated with, quartz veins and is only very seldom present
on fractures. At least two sets of mineralized veins and
three sets of fractures have been observed, data for which are summarized in Table I.
Type and area1 distribution of hydrothermal alteration related to the molybdenite mineralization is not well known
due to a lack of field and petrographic data. However, sev- eral observations have been made and are noted below:
- weathered surfaces of the biotite granite assume a peculiar "glazed" appearance suggesting that the rock has been
subjected to silicification;
- biotite flaktes in the biotite,granite have a ragged,
corroded appearance and usually exhibit partial alteration to chlorite;
- feldspars~ in both~ the biotite granite and the alaskite often have a chalky appearance; and
- envelopes of white feldspar are occasionally developed
.adjacent to molybdenum bearing quartz veins.
- 8 -
7. GEOLOGY
-2.4 Oxidation and Leaching
The mineralized zones do not have a prominent "thumb-
print" surface expression but, rather, are characterized by a
very subtle buff-brown, streaked appearance. Once noted, this distinctive colouration is easily recognized on the ground or
from the air.
On an individual basis, many of the veins are stained orange-brown to reddish-brown and remnant grains of molybden- ite and pyrite are readily discernible in the porous, weathered
quartz.. Ferrimolybdite may be present. However, others exhibit no outward indication of containing molybdenite. On weathered
surfaces, these are a milky white colour and often display
small pits, grooves and irregular shaped cavities. When the veins are broken into with a rock hammer, to a depth of several
centimeters or so, the voids seen on the surface are found to
contain abundant molybdenite, accompanied by iron oxide and
ferrimolybdite.
These observations suggest that surface depletion of molybdenum has taken place. It is felt that this may be
attributable to a combination of the high annual precipitation
(,>250 cm/year) in the region, which will cause leaching away
of molybdenum oxide ions, and the generally small amount of
iron byrite) available to fix mobile molybdenum in either '~~ iron hyrodroxide or ferrimolybdite.
In the Lime Creek (B.C. Molybdenum) deposit at Kitsault,
18 kilometers to the southeast, surface depletion of molybdenum,
especially as molybdenite, has been recorded.4 Here, total
molybdenum was found to be reduced by as much as 50%, with a
value of 0.070% at a depth of 6.4 meters being reduced to 0.030%
at a depth of 0.9 meters.
4 Barakso, Bradshaw, 1971.
- 9 -
7. GEOLOGY
.2.5 Structure
Abundant north-northwesterly and northeasterly trending linears comprise the major, structural feature of the property.
Although the former are most abundant, they are much less prom- inent than the latter which, in several cases, may be traced
on airphotos (B.C. 77067:173-174) for distances in excess of 6 kilometers. The linears are often occupied by recessive
weathering basic dykes, forming trenches up to lo-15 meters in
width. Mapping indicates that movement has occurred in some instances.
8. GEOCHEMISTRY
.1 General Statenent
The Olh l-2 mineral- claims were staked because of the presence of what -dere considered to be anomalous molybdenum
values (35 ppm; range 6-17 ppm) in four silt samples collected from four creeks draining Campbell Ridge during the 1978
Accelerated Geochenical Survey. Copper and tungsten values in the samples ranged from 12-30 and 2-8 ppm, respectively. At
the time the claims were staked, there were no known molybdenum
occurrences in this area.
During the course of investigating the silt anomaly, 89 soil samples and 18 silt samples were collected. These
were analysed for total extractable molybdenum, copper, lead and zinc (+ silver) in the geochemical laboratory of Noranda
Exploration Company, Limited, 1050 Davie Street, Vancouver, B.C.
- 10 -
.
8. GEOCHEMISTRY
.2 Silt Sampling
Two observations can be made from the limited data
available. Firstly, a well developed dispersion train is
noted in the silts in the west flowing stream draining the North Zone. Here, molybdenum contents range from an anomalous
(for this region) 10 ppm near Hastings Arm to 170 ppm adjacent
to the known mineralization, 2.3 kilometers upstream. Secondly, high molybdenum silts collected from several minor drainages indicate that a northwestward e&tension of the North Zone may
be possible (18 and 110 ppm, line G) and that mineralization
may be present in the area immediately southeast of the Olh
l-4 legal corner post. (36 and 68 ppm, claim line; 15 ppm
on creek.)
.3 Soil Sampling
Elevated molybdenum contents (~76 ppm) are noted in
soils from four areas, all of which warrent future attention.
These are located northwest (to 100 ppm) and southwest (to
250 ppm) of the Korth Zone, southeast (to 8 ppm) of the Olh
1-4 legal corner posts and east to southeast (to 58 ppm) of
the South Zone. In the second, in the immediate vicinity of
the 1979 campsite, molybdenite has been observed in quartz
veins in biotite granite.
- 11 -
9. REFERENCES
Barakso, J.J. and Bradshaw, B.A., 1971: Molybdenum Surface Depletion and Leaching: in Geochemical Exploration,
C.I.M. Spec. Vol II, pages 78-84.
British Columbia Yinistry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, 1979a: Accelerated Geochemical Survey - 1978: RGS-2-1978, 103 P and part of 0.
British Columbia Xinistry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum
Resources, 1979b: Mineral Inventory: Map 103 P-O
WI *
Carter, N.C. and Grove, E.W., 1972: Geological~Compilation
Map of the Stewart, Anyox, Alice Arm and Terrace
Areas, B.C.: B.C..D.M. Preliminary Map 8.
APPENDIX I
STATEMENT OF COSTS
NORANDA EXPLORATION COMPANY, LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COST
PROJECT: OLH PROPERTY
TYPE OF REPORT: Prospecting Report
al
6)
cl
d)
Wages:
No. of Days: 24
Rate per Day: $37.94792
Month of: August 1979 to December 1979
Total Wages: 24 x $37.94792
Food and Accomodation:
No. of Days: 24
Rate per Day: S28.27958
Month of: August 1979 to December 1979
Total Cost: 24 x $28.27958
Transportation:
No. of days: 24
Rate per Day: $205.49208
Month of: August 1979 to December 1979
Total Cost: 24 x $205.49208
Instrument Rental:
Type of Instrument:
No. of Days:
Rate per Day:
Month of:
Total Cost:
Instrument Rental:
Type of Instrument:
No. of Days:
Rate per Day:
Month of:
Total Cost:
DATE: July 1980
910.73 .
678.71
4,931.81
(continued)
STATEMENT OF COST (continued)
f) Analysis:
(See attached schedule)
g) Cost of Preparation of Report:
Author 113.84
Drafting 316.63
Typing 430.47
h) Other:
Camp and Field Supplies 167.85 '167-85
TOTAL COST $7;119.59
APPENDIX II
SILT ND SOIL GEOCHEMICAL RESULTS
.
r
- -
5
I
i
. i c NORANDA EXPLORATION CO. LTD.
5
NORANDA EXPLORATION CO. LTD.
i
1
--
3 I al
I I 5
4 i- I c
L
r
.
NORANDA EXPLORATION CO. LTD.
NORANDA EXPLORATION CO. ,LTD.
SAMPLE NOS.
COLLECTOR 5.p.r=
ANALYST c Pt. DATE ANALYSEDAvh_/&!
REM+.RKS 5-k. cl.4 \ Zn I Pb t-40. in P.P.d.
- I 5i
NORANDA EXPLORATION CO. LTD.
LOt*TION I PROJECT ac * 9- 1 JSHEET--.lL--
APPENDIX rI~r
ASSAY SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS AND RESULTS
. ASSAY SAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS
OLH CREEK PROPERTY
103P/12 E E W August 31, 1979
SAMPLE NUMBER
J-5476
J-5477
J-5478
J-S479
J-5480
J-5481
J-5482
DESCRIPTION
Rusty weathering, buff coloured biotite granite; MoS2 flakes and pyrite in quartz veins, also some
MoS2 as disseminations adjacent to the veins. (T79-8-13:Z)
Rusty weathering, light grey mixed aplite-pegmatite;
two sets of quartz veins containing MoS2, some ferrimolybdite (179-S-13:7).
Rusty weathering, light grey biotite granite; MoS2 flakes and pyrite in quartz viens, also flakes of MoS2 disseminated in the granite. (T79-S-20:1).
Quartz vein in alaskite, very rusty, 2.5 cm wide, contains pyrite and ferrimolybdite (T79-S-20:2).
Quartz vein in biotite granite, 3.0 cm wide, con-
tains Mo.52, pyrite and ferrimolybdite, quartz rusty (T79-S-20:3).
Rusty weathering, porphyritic biotite granite;
MoS2 flakes and pyrite in quartz vein 0.75 cm wide, MoSi also along fractures (T79-g-20:4)
Rusty quartz vein approximately 7.6 cm wide con- taining abundant very fine MoS2 as disseminated
clots and along fractures in the quartz, remnants of pyrite grains, abundant ferrimolybdite. (F79-8-22:s).
. . ,
2115 S. SPRINGER AVE..
BURNABY. 6. C.
CANADA
TELEPHONE: 3996930
AREA CODE: BB4
.
CERTIFICATE .OF ANALYSIS ,, l-0: NORAmfi EXPLORATION CO LTD.
1050 D-mie St. Vancouver, B.C.
AI-TN: 26 c2 # 9-15 ++.3:R.C
CERTIFICATE NO. 9303
INVO,CE NO. 9207
DATE RECEIVED
‘DATE ANALYSEO %pt 16, 1979
APPENDIX IV
STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
STATE?5XT OF QUALIFICATIONS
.
r
I, John R. Fraser, of the City of Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories, do certify that:
1. I have been employed as a geologist by Noranda Exploration
Company, Limited continuously since June 1972, and inter- mittently since June 1970.
2. I am a graduate of the University of British Columbia with
a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geophysics (1967) and a &laster of Science Degree in Geology (1973).
3. I am a member of the Canadian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy and a Fellow of the Geological Association of Canada.
Dated at Yellowknife, N.W.T. Jo this 7th day of August, Geologist, 1980 Noranda Exploration Company,
Limited (No Personal Liability)