THE BLUFF LAKE PROPERTY
Introduction
The Bluff Lake property, like the Ruth Lake property, is favourably
situated in the “Quesnel Trough”, a northwesterly trending geologic belt
hosting numerous copper-gold “skarn” occurrences as well as several past
and presently producing mines (Figure 1). Some recent exploration
highlights in the Quesnel Trough include the alkalic copper-gold
discoveries at GWR Resources Inc.’s (“GWR Resources”) property
immediately south of the Bluff Lake property and at Serengeti Resources
Inc.’s (“Serengeti”) Kwanika property north of the Mount Milligan
deposit. Deeper drilling has led to the discovery of higher-grade
copper mineralization at Imperial Metals Corporation’s (“Imperial
Metals”0 Mount Polley mine and Northgate Minerals Corporation’s
(“Northgate”) Kemess North deposit.
These exciting mineral discoveries have spurred extensive staking
throughout much of the Quesnel Trough which will undoubtedly lead to
intense exploration over the next few years.
Location and Access
The property is located in the Cariboo region of south central British
Columbia approximately 25 km northeast of Lac La Hache and 40 km north
of 100 Mile House (Figure 1), within 8 km of the Ruth Lake property.
Both communities are situated along Highway 97 the mail transportation
route through the Cariboo. Access to the west portion of the property
is via West Fraser’s 1500 road which the eastern access is via
Weldwood’s 500 and 100 roads from Forest Grove (Figure 2). The west and
east routes are not connected. The 100 road from the west is overgrown
so exploration access has been from the east.
There are three district lots (Ranch land) along a creek valley in the
eastern portion of the property.
Physiography, Climate and Local Resources
The Bluff Lake property is characterized by broad, rolling forested
terrain of the Interior Plateau. Glaciation resulted in the deposition
of extensive till cover that is relatively thin to non existent on hills
and ridge tops to several tens of metres thick in valley bottoms.
Glacial ice movement is interpreted as having come from the
west-northwest.
Topographical relief is 200 metres ranging from 1080 metres in the
southwest corner of the property to 1280 in the northwest corner of the
property (Figure 2). Clear cut logging has taken place in the eastern
third and northern portion of the property. The clear cuts are in
various states of regeneration.
In British Columbia the Coast Mountains provide an effective barrier to
the moist westerly air flow. East of this mountain chain on the
Interior Plateau the climate is much drier and more continental.
Summers tend to be warm and dry with cooler but less moist winter. The
annual precipitation at 100 Mile House averages 45 cm and nearly half of
this is snowfall. The property should be snow free from mid May until
October. Vegetation consists of moderate to locally thick stands of
primarily pine, spruce and alder with the former dying off due to
mountain pine beetle.
The region’s economy consists of forestry, tourism, mining and
agriculture. Sawmills are located at 100 Mile House and William’s
Lake. Equipment contractors are available in 100 Mile House, Lac La
Hache and outlying communities. Given the ravages of mountain pine
beetle in B.C.’s interior, resource dependant communities would be
receptive to mineral exploration and development.
Claims
The Bluff Lake property consists of three contiguous mining claims
totaling 1552 hectares (15.5km²). Figure 2 displays the claims, the
surrounding claim owners as well as the logging roads.
Table 1 – Bluff Lake Property Claims
|
Tenure No.
527633
527634
527636 |
Registered Owner
Candorado Operating Co.
Candorado Operating Co.
Candorado Operating Co. |
Expiry Date
October 31, 2010
October 31, 2010
October 31, 2010 |
Area (ha)
477.5
477.5
596.9 |
On December 15, 2006, Beeston Enterprises Ltd. entered into an agreement
with Candorado Operating Company Ltd. under which Beeston was granted an
option to acquire up to 50% interest in the three claims. Beeston was
obligated to conduct $200,000 of exploration by December 15, 2007. This
obligation has been extended to June 30, 2008. Upon meeting these
obligations, Beeston can acquire an additional 10% interest by carrying
out a further $250,000 of exploration and development by December 15,
2008.
History
The region first witnessed significant exploration in the search for
bulk tonnage porphyry copper deposits after the discovery of the Cariboo-Bell
porphyry copper deposits (Imperial Metals) in the mid 1960s. Previous
exploration in and around the Bluff Lake property was “grassroots state”
consisting of geochemical and geophysical programs.
In the early 1970s exploration work by Craigmont Mines Ltd. (“Graigmont”)
over the property area delineated several copper-in-soil anomalies. A
winter IP survey conducted by McPhar Geophysics over the largest anomaly
south of Bluff Lake did not return any significant geophysical
(chargeability) response. A strong resistivity anomaly however was
indicated under Bluff Lake. One hole drilled to test this anomaly
encountered Tertiary sediments and a three foot (0.9m) seam of bright
bituminous coal at 33 metres and stayed in Tertiary rocks to the end at
93.9 metres. There is no record of any other drilling on the property.
Table 2 summarizes the historic exploration activity on the property.
Assessment report 27712 (Osler, 2005) provides a very detailed account
of the historic exploration in the region. The report is available in
pdf format at:
http://www.em.gov.bc.ca/cf/aris/search/search.asp .
Table 2 – Historical Work on the Bluff Lake Property
|
Year |
Work |
Areas |
Type and Scope
of Work |
Program Results |
Reference |
|
1966 |
Coranex Ltd. |
West and North of the west end of
Bluff Lake |
Regional silt survey, 2.9 km soil
grid just W of Bluff Lake, prospecting, rock sampling |
140 ppm Cu silt – 600m W of Bluff
Lake. Four minor chalcopyrite showings in N05 guillies |
AR 0949 |
|
1967 |
Coronex Ltd. |
SW of Bluff Lake |
Soil, silt sampling, prospecting,
trenching |
Reported copper mineralization at
two locations |
NA |
|
1969 |
Monte Cristo |
Around west end of Bluff Lake |
Magnetometer survey, small soil
survey |
Several magnetic highs south of
Bluff Lake in area of Cu showings |
AR 2074 |
|
1973 |
Craigmont Mines |
Large Area extending NW & SE of
Bluff Lake |
Grid (95mi), VLF-EM Magnetic
surveys, soil geochemical sampling |
Two Cu soil anomalies near centre
& S property boundary. Many NW EM conductors mark intrusive
contact |
AR 4697 |
|
1974 |
Craigmont Mines |
E of Bluff Lake at Cu anomaly D |
Diamond drilling, 94 metre hole |
Intersected coal bearing Tertiary
sediments beneath Bluff Lake |
NA |
|
1989 |
Armstrong Mountain |
Primarily west of Bluff Lake |
Airborne magnetic survey
interpretation |
Mag low indicated, information
not useful for Bluff Lake property |
AR 19515 |
|
1992 |
Cominco |
North of Bluff Lake |
IP-Resistivity (66km) survey |
No IP anomalies on present
property |
AR 22504 |
|
1993 |
Regional Resources |
Large area covering Bluff Lake |
Mapping, soil, silt rock sampling |
ENE anomaly 0.5 km N of Bluff
Lake confirmed 1966 Coranex survey and Craigmont C anomaly |
NA |
|
1994 |
Regional Resources |
North and east of Bluff Lake |
IP Survey south of Bluff Lake |
No significant IP changeability
Notable resistivity anomaly |
AR 23490 |
|
2004 |
Candorado Operating Company |
Several areas including present
Bluff Lake claims |
Geological mapping, IP, Mag
surveys, 1600m diamond drilling |
Potassic alteration mapped in
monzonite in area of copper mineralization NW of Bluff Lake |
AR 27712 |
GEOLOGY
The Bluff Lake property is situated along the “Quesnel Trough”, an
approximately 1,000 km long, northwesterly trending belt of volcanic and
intrusive rocks that extend from the USA border to well north of Prince
George, BC (Figure 1). In the property region of a variety of
lithologies are represented comprising sediments, volcanics and several
intrusive bodies ranging from Paleozoic to Tertiary age.
Regional Geology
Mapping by the BC Geological Survey indicates the property region is
largely underlain by the early Jurassic Takomkane Batholith, a large
multiphase intrusion comprising predominantly syenite and monzonite
along with lesser granite, granodiorite and diorite (Figure 3). East
and south of the property these rocks intrude Upper Triassic Nicola
Group volcanic rocks. The Murphy Lake stock, a 10x15 kilometre body of
monzonitic and syenitic rocks, occurs at the northwest corner of the
Takomkane Batholith.
Local Geology
Previous exploration indicates that most of the Bluff Lake property is
underlain by monzonitic and syenitic rocks. Work by Osler (2005)
indicated the originally mapped “syenite” was identical in both
appearance and composition to the Murphy Lake stock monzonite with
potassic alteration. Rocks observed north of the north and south of
Bluff Lake are primarily greyish, medium-grained, hornblende-biotite
quartz monzonite. These rocks are often moderately to strongly magnetic
due the presence of disseminated magnetite. For the most part the
intrusive rocks are fresh or display weak chloritic alteration of the
mafic minerals.
In a clear-cut southeast of Bluff Lake is a nearly 500 metre by at least
150 metre wide east-southeast trending zone of crumbly, weathering,
weakly limonitic, monzonitic rocks. Rich biotite-hornblende was found
in this area. This is thought to represent late stage or pegmatitic
segregations within the monzonite.
The youngest rocks on the property consist of Tertiary age Kamloops
Group volcanic flows and minor sediments. A greater than 400x400 metre
body of grey, massive volcanic flows forms a broad, low hill in the
eastern claim. The flows are unaltered and moderately magnetic.
Several float boulders of orange-yellow, weathered, bedded volcanic
sediments (Photo 1) found on the property probably represent interbedded
or a basal unit between the flows and underlying intrusive rocks. The
sediments are reported to include thin coal seams.
MINERALIZATION
The “Quesnel Trough” hosts numerous copper-gold-molybdenum “porphyry”
(bulk tonnage) and copper-gold “skarn” deposits that include former and
current mines. Well known examples include Copper Mountain,
Hedley(Skarn-Au), Afton, Mount Milligan, Mount Polley and Kemess mines.
Recent exploration in the area resulted in the discovery of alkalic
porphyry copper-gold at GWR Resources’ property immediately south of the
Bluff Lake property and at Serengeti’s Kwanika property north of Mount
Milligan. Deep drilling discovered higher-grade copper mineralization
at New Gold Inc.’s (“New Gold”) Afton deposit (Kamloops), Imperial
Metals’ Mount Polley mine (Likely) and Northgate’s Kemess North deposit.
Copper mineralization is documented in BC Minifile and Assessment
Records at several other locations within and around the Bluff Lake
property. Recent prospecting southwest of the crumbly monzonite zone
referred to earlier resulted in a significant discovery consisting of a
20 cm angular intrusive float (RSBL-01) containing abundant disseminated
chalcopyrite, malachite and magnetite (Photo 2). No similar material
was found in the area however the angular nature of the float suggests a
relatively local source.
EXPLORATION PROGRAM - 2007
Several exploration programs have been completed over the property area
since the 1960s. Significant historic geochemical and ground
geophysical results from the most recent of these programs are
summarized on Figure 4.
Geochemical Program
Fieldwork on the Bluff Lake property took place between May 4th
and October 14th, 2007. The major exploration work consisted
of grid establishment and soil sample collection, followed by additional
fill-in grid sampling and prospecting. Eight grids totaling 22.2
kilometres were established with grid lines spaced 200 metres apart and
flagged grid stations at 25 metre intervals. Soils were collected from
the “B” horizon zone (15-30 cm depth) and placed in soil bags for
shipment to a laboratory.
Soil and rock samples were analyzed for gold and 34 elements by an
Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer (ICP). Gold was reported in
parts per billion (ppb) while other elements were stated in parts per
million (ppm) or percent. A total of 482 soil and 6 rock samples were
collected and shipped to Assayers Canada in Vancouver for gold and ICP
analysis.
Geophysics
Airborne geophysical patterns over porphyry copper-gold–molybdenum
deposits and occurrences throughout BC’s Quesnel Trough commonly yield a
characteristic fingerprint, defined by coincident relative low-magnetic
field values (local lows along the edges of magnetic total field highs)
and low-equivalent thorium/potassium ratio(eTh/K) values (with or
without positive potassium anomalies-Shives, January, 2008).
Recently the Bluff Lake property and surrounding area was the subject of
airborne radiometric and magnetic surveys conducted in partnership with
the Geological Survey Of Canada, Geoscience BC and several mineral
property owners including Candorado Operating Company Ltd. and GWR
Resources Inc. An interpretation of the airborne data was conducted by
Mr. Rob Shives of GamX Inc. in order to identify any areas with
prospective geophysical signatures. Mr. Shives provided the following
summary with regard to these recent airborne geophysical surveys:
“The Spout-Peach Lake property held by
GWR Resources [Inc.] lies within a regionally significant anomaly,
defined by strong radiometric and magnetic patterns over a large area.
Virtually all of the skarn and porphyry-style mineralization discovered
within the GWR property over several decades of exploration lie within
this broad anomaly, suggesting the presence of large
magmatic/hydrothermal alteration system(s). Southwest of the Bluff Lake
property, GWR has delineated nearly 600,000 tonnes grading 50%
magnetite, 1.7% Cu and 0,12g/t Au in the Spout Lake North skarn zone.
Recently, GWR has bee actively testing specific local porphyry-Cu-Au
targets, leading to discovery of new mineralization in trenches and
drill core.
The Bluff Lake property overlies the
northern edge of the GWR airborne geophysical anomaly. Detailed review
of the airborne patterns and existing ground data within the Bluff Lake
property resulted in definition of eight, prioritized, local targets for
additional ground work in 2007 (Geoquest), including soil sampling and
subsequent prospecting.”
In past years, several geophysical programs have been completed over the
property area including magnetometer, VLF-EM and IP/Resistivity. Figure
4 presents a compilation of these historic surveys.
EXPLORATION PROGRAM RESULTS - 2007
Soil Sampling
Anomalous copper is indicated in several areas of the property. For the
most part these copper-in-soil anomalies are sporadically scattered over
several grids. By far the most significant anomaly was found in the
eastern portion of Grid B1. The anomalous soils outline an
east-southeast trending zone measuring nearly 500 metres long and at
least 150 metres wide. The anomaly appears to be open to the west and
definitely to the east. It also coincides with and provides more sample
detail over what was referred to as the “D” anomaly (Craigmont, 1974).
Rock Sampling
In the course of prospecting the unusual zone of crumbly weathering
monzonite southeast of Bluff Lake, which also interestingly coincides
very well with the large copper-in-soil anomaly, Malachite staining was
found in biotite-hornblende rich float at one locality. Prospecting
southwest of the crumbly monzonite zone resulted in the discovery of a
20 cm angular float fragment of intrusive rock containing abundant
disseminated chalcopyrite, bornite and malachite (RSBL-01; Photo 2).
Analysis of this float yielded 1.49% copper and 8.1g/t silver. No other
similar material was found in the immediate area suggesting this rock
was glacially transported. The “up-ice” source is uncertain as
glaciation directions in the region were quite variable. the angular
nature of this float however suggests a relatively local source.
Geophysics
The historic geophysical compilation (Figure 4) displays northwesterly
trending conductors that may reflect structural features. South of
Bluff Lake, these correspond quite will with the Cu-in-soil anomaly.
The coincidence between the zone of crumbly, weathering monzonite, the
copper soil anomaly and the VLF conductors (structures) suggests that
this area of the Bluff Lake property warrants further exploration.
MANAGEMENT’S ASSESSMENT OF THE BLUFF LAKE PROPERTY
The Bluff Lake property is located in a highly prospective belt of rocks
known as the “Quesnel Trough” that hosts many of British Columbia’s
largest and most economically important alkalic and calc-alkalic
porphyry deposits. Recent and nearby exploration highlights in the
Quesnel Trough include the alkalic copper-gold discoveries at GWR
Resources’ Spout Lake property immediately south of Bluff Lake.
The Bluff Lake property is underlain by intrusive rocks similar to those
that host the GWR Resources copper –gold deposits. An interpretation of
the recently completed Bonaparte Lake airborne survey identified eight
areas with geophysical “signatures” similar to GWR Resources’ property.
The 2007 geochemical soil surveys tested all of the prospective airborne
targets identified by Mr. Shives. A copper-in-soil anomaly measuring
nearly 500 metres long was identified on one of the survey grids
southeast of Bluff Lake. Copper bearing intrusive float was found in
several areas south of Bluff Lake. One float fragment, discovered
southwest of this copper anomaly, contained substantial amounts of
disseminated chalcopyrite, bornite and magnetite and returned values of
1.49 % copper and 8.1 g/t silver. The source of this material is
unknown but may be locally derived.
It is management’s belief that the Bluff Lake property warrants further
exploration work given the similar geologic setting that hosts the
alkalic copper-gold discoveries on the adjacent GWR Resources property.
The distinct copper-in0soil anomaly is unexplained and will require
further testing by trenching and drilling. This further exploration
will consist of the following:
-Construction of access roads to the copper anomaly.
-Conduct excavation of test pits and trenches.
-Conduct a 3-4 hole diamond drilling program (approximately
1000-1200 metres).
The cost estimate for this planned exploration program is $165,000.
This exploration program will be carried out in 2008.
