MAC PROPERTY
The MAC Property is a moderate to advanced-staged property previously explored for Mo-Cu porphyry (low-fluorine) deposits. In 2012, geophysical reinterpretation followed up with prospecting led to the discovery of Ni-Fe alloy (awaruite) mineralization hosted in Trembleur ultramafic unit (“ultramafic”) rocks indicating the potential to host awaruite nickel deposits within the property.
MAC is located in the stable and mineral-exploration affable province of British Columbia, Canada. The property claims are situated in the central region of the province, where access and logistics are very reasonable. The Property comprises 15 contiguous mineral claims totalling 190.95 square kilometers within the Omineca Mining Division.
To date the MAC Property has undergone 22,378 meters of surface drilling in 104 drill-holes completed between 1989 to 2011 by various operators while exploring Mo-Porphyry target zones. Three principal Mo-Cu zones have been identified and variably drill tested: Pond, Camp and Peak Zones. The Camp Zone is the most advanced target, and has been the focus of the majority of drill testing. Exploration thus far has shown that the property’s priority porphyry-related mineralization is hosted in hornfelsed volcanic rocks and to a lesser extent quartz monzonite intrusive. No intrusive lithologies have been identified at the Pond and Peak Zones in previous drilling.
Mineralization at the Camp Zone is found along two contact zones of hornfelsed volcanic rocks (‘East’ and ‘Northwest’) which are connected by a core of lower grade molybdenum mineralization within a quartz monzonite stock. Elevated concentrations of molybdenum and copper mineralization are related to increased intensity of stockwork quartz veining containing disseminated molybdenite and chalcopyrite. The lateral extents of the East Contact Zone mineralization appear to be fully outlined over an estimated strike length of 700 m to a vertical depth of at least 280m, and remains open at depth. The Northwest Contact Zone has been defined along a strike length of about 400m to a vertical depth of 230m. The Northwest Contact Zone remains open along strike to the south and at depth. More drilling at the Camp Zone is required to refine and upgrade to a current mineral resource estimate and define the full constraints of the mineralization in the intrusive and hornfelsed host rocks. Limited historical exploration at the Pond and Peak Zones has indicated a generally low-grade mineralization. Additional exploration, including drilling at these two zones is strongly warranted.
A recent (2021) field program has confirmed awaruite mineralization hosted in Trembleur ultramafic unit along the west and northwestern side of the MAC Property. Nickel in the form of a naturally occurring stainless steel mineralization, nickel-iron alloy (Ni2Fe to Ni3Fe) called awaruite and can occur as disseminated mineralization formed by the serpentinization of magmatic olivine that leads to the liberation of nickel and iron (Britten, 2016) and subsequent formation of the alloy. Previous limited geological field mapping has identified outcrops which contain visible alloy minerals, and sampling up to 0.0758% DTR Ni. Our geological team highly recommends additional fieldwork including geophysical data targeting for ultramafic units, rock sampling of variably serpentinized outcrop, Davis Tube testing for recoverable nickel content, geological mapping of structures and outcrop locations and drilling.
CAMP ZONE
The historical drilling has since delineated molybdenum and copper mineralization at the Camp Zone, where two lenses or contact zones in hornfelsed volcanic rocks are linked by a body of lower grade molybdenum mineralization in a quartz monzonite stock (Figures 6-6 and 6-7). Higher grade molybdenum and copper mineralization is related to increased intensity of stockwork quartz veining containing disseminated molybdenite and chalcopyrite mineralization within strongly hornfelsed volcanic rocks proximal to the intrusive-volcanic contact. The lateral extents of the East Contact Zone mineralized body appears to be fully outlined over an estimated strike length of 700 m to a vertical depth of at least 280 m, remaining open at depth and to the south-east. The Northwest Contact Zone mineralized body has been defined along a strike length of approximately 400 m to a vertical depth of at least 230 m and remains open along strike to the south, north-west and at depth. No drilling has been conducted by Stratton to test the mineralization through the intervening quartz monzonite stock between the East and Northwest Contact Zones; however, limited historical drill testing has indicated that the intrusive body hosts a lower grade core zone of dominantly molybdenum mineralization.
MAC HISTORY
1982-1984, 1989: RIO ALGOM EXPLORATION
In 1982, Rio Algom Exploration Inc. (then Riocanex Inc.) conducted a regional lake sediment sampling program in central British Columbia. Over the course of the program, anomalous molybdenum-copper-silver values were detected in lake-bottom sediments of three adjacent lakes located within the southern portion of the current property. Rio Algom staked the original MAC claims when molybdenite-bearing quartz veins in altered quartz monzonite float were discovered and reconnaissance soil and silt sampling identified widespread anomalous molybdenum concentrations. There is no record of mineral exploration in the immediate vicinity of the MAC claims prior to 1982 (Game 2011).
Work conducted by Rio Algom in the period May-July 1983 consisted of 2,199 grid soil samples, collected at 50 m intervals along north-south oriented lines spaced 150 m apart. Soil geochemistry and reconnaissance geological mapping was directed at locating the source of the mineralized float discovered in 1982. A stock-like body of quartz monzonite was discovered underlying what is now known as the Camp Zone. Grab samples taken from the intrusion yielded analysis of between 0.034% and 0.250% molybdenum. The soil survey outlined three large zones of >15 ppm molybdenum, one of which was centered over the intrusive body. The remaining two anomalous zones, the Pond, and Peak Zones, were found to be underlain by hornfelsed and mineralized volcanic rocks.
From May to September 1984, further work by Rio Algom consisted of line cutting, soil and stream sediment sampling, ground magnetic surveys, trenching, geological mapping, and rock geochemical sampling. A total of 376 soil samples were collected to close off anomalies delineated in 1983 in the Peak, Pond, and Camp Zones. Ground magnetic surveys were conducted over all three zones. Approximately 80-line kilometres (+3,200 readings) of field magnetic data was collected within an 11.5 square kilometre area. Broad magnetic anomalies were found to be coincident with distinct molybdenum and fluorine litho-geochemical anomalies for all three zones. Blasting of outcrop and hand trenching over the known Camp Zone was conducted in order to expose fresh, unleached mineralization. Thirteen of 20 trenches were successful in exposing fresh, unleached mineralized rock. Twenty-four rock samples were obtained from the trenches at mostly three-metre lengths. Molybdenum grades of up to 0.166% over three metres were obtained from the Camp Zone trenches. Geological mapping of the 1984 grid area was done at a scale of 1:5,000. Rock geochemical samples were collected during geological mapping traverses.
No further work was conducted until 1989 when during the period July to August Rio Algom drilled 12 diamond drill holes on the Camp Zone to test results of previous exploration work.
In 1989 Rio Algom drilled 12 BQ-sized drill holes totalling 1,488 meters total. Holes 89-1 to 89-12 were completed comprising 1,488 m of BQ core. Core from all holes except for 6, 7 and 8 was sampled over the entire length of the hole and submitted for assay for molybdenum and copper, and further analyzed by ICP methods for a 32-element suite. Drilling established the limits of the mineralized stock and discovered a higher grade mineralized halo in the hornfelsed volcanics surrounding the stock around the now referred to “Camp Zone.” No additional work was completed by Rio Algom in 1995, and the claims were later optioned to Spokane Resources to earn a 60% interest in the Project.
1995-1998: SPOKANE RESOURCES
Rio Algom did no additional work and in early 1995, Spokane Resources Ltd. (now Silvercorp Metals Inc.) signed an option to earn a 60% working interest in MAC from Rio Algom by spending two million dollars on exploration on the property. In June 1996, after earning a 60% working interest, Spokane acquired a 100% interest in MAC from Rio Algom via payment of 1.5 million shares.
During the period 1995 to 1997, Spokane Resources conducted several programs of exploration on the MAC claims. According to a June 2007 Silvercorp Metals Inc. news release (Marketwire, June 18, 2007), Silvercorp had completed 49 diamond drill holes totaling 10,818 m and 62 km of ground magnetic and IP geophysics as well as geological mapping, prospecting, and geochemical sampling in the period 1995 to 1997.
In July to October 1995, Spokane Resources conducted extensive exploration at MAC (Goodall 1996). This work consisted of establishing 62-line km of grid, cutting some 54 km of line, geological mapping and prospecting, induced polarization, and magnetometer surveys over 45.6 km of the grid and 11 BQ size diamond drill holes totaling 1,987.6 m. The induced polarization survey was designed to evaluate geochemical and geophysical anomalies previously outlined in the Pond and Peak Zones and allow for correlation to previously delineated mineralization at the Camp Zone. The pole-dipole array was used on the survey with an electrode spacing of 50 m. The Camp stock was found to be situated on the eastern flank of an ovate area of low chargeability and moderate-low resistivity. The Pond and Peak Zones were found to have similar geophysical signatures (Fox, 1995). Limited geological mapping and prospecting was conducted in the area of the Pond and Peak Zones. There is no record of the number of rock samples collected or any results reported. The eleven-hole diamond drill program, totalling 1,987.6 meters tested the three known zones of mineralization. One hole, 95-13, tested the Peak Zone; four holes, 95-14 to 95-17 tested the Camp Zone; and six holes, 95-18 to 95-23, are located on the Pond Zone. Core samples were analyzed by molybdenum and copper assay from the Peak and Camp Zone holes and by 32 element ICP on core from the Pond Zone holes.
Records of exploration conducted in 1996 by Spokane Resources are incomplete. Spokane filed assessment (AR 24,638) on nine (96-24 through to 96-32) NQWL size diamond drill holes, totalling 1,609.6 m, cored in February, 1996 (Fox, 1996). Company news releases (Stockwatch; June 14, 1996, August 9, 1996, September 11, 1996, October 11, 1996, November 22, 1996, and December 13, 1996) report that Spokane also conducted detailed geological mapping of the Camp and Peak Zones, completed 36 km of induced polarization geophysics on the Camp and Peak Zones and drilled a further 19 diamond drill holes, for a total of 28 holes in 1996. The 28 holes were drilled during several drilling campaigns in 1996 and were directed at the Camp Zone (21 holes), Peak Zone (3 holes) and one hole to the northwest of the Camp Zone to test an area with coincident high IP chargeability and anomalous copper geochemical concentrations (Figure 6-1). Core samples for holes 96-24 through to 96-32 were assayed for copper and molybdenum with select samples analyzed for precious metal and platinum group element concentrations (Fox, 1996).
In 1997, Spokane Resources drilled 9 NQ diameter diamond drill holes totalling about 2,581.1 m at the Camp Zone (DDH 97-52 to 97-60).
2007-2009: AMARC RESOURCES
No work was recorded on MAC until 2007, when a regional scale program of stream sediment sampling was conducted by Amarc Resources Ltd. on a large group of claims that included all the southern block of the current MAC project area, except for a small internal area that covered the Camp and Peak occurrences (Tenure Numbers 633844, 633846), and a portion of the western half of the northern block (ARIS 29697). A total of 291 silt samples were collected from road accessible areas of the claims. Anomalous values for molybdenum, copper and zinc were detected with the most significant clusters of molybdenum and copper values occurring in creeks draining the area of the Camp and Peak occurrences and in an area about 2 to 3 km to the east of the Camp Zone, in the Paula Creek drainage (Ditson et al, 2008).
In September 2009, the two claims (Tenure Numbers 633844 and 633846) that covered the Camp and Peak occurrences lapsed and were acquired via online staking by Kelly Funk.
2010: AZ COPPER
After obtaining the option on MAC in May 2010, AZ Copper began a process of geologic data compilation, core recovery and photo logging, and regional scale magnetic profiling of the property.
AZ Copper compiled and reinterpreted all publicly available data to improve the geological understanding of the property. This work included a reassessment of approximately 24-line km of historical IP geophysical data, plus soil geochemical data and geological mapping of the area (Game 2011).
AZ Copper commissioned a study of the regional magnetic data available for the MAC area from T.E. Pezzot of S.J. Geophysics Ltd. The study included coverage of the entire property and extended beyond for a more regional basis. Data was processed in Geosoft Oasis Montaj and the UBC Mag3D inversion algorithm. The magnetic response of the area maps a belt of greenstone and greenschist metamorphic rocks of the Ruby Creek Igneous Complex. The three known mineralized zones of the property lie along the flank of a weak magnetic high lineation within this broad low trend. The magnetic data indicate that the host environment of the Camp Zone deposit extends for some 500 to 1,000 m southeast beyond the Peak Zone.
In addition to confirming the existence of the three known mineralized zones associated with a weak magnetic high, the study identified three other weak magnetic highs occurring in areas underlain by rocks of the Rubyrock Igneous Complex. Preliminary field investigations confirmed porphyry style alteration in the area of these features.
In late 2010, AZ Copper conducted fieldwork focused on the Camp Zone. The program included recovery and re-logging of the existing drill core to improve the geological database. Approximately 11,000 m of core was recovered, logged, and photographed. The geological framework for the deposit was established, including mineralization relationships to primary contacts, and controlling secondary structures.
2011-2013: STRATTON
Stratton (formerly Tribune Minerals Ltd.) entered into an agreement dated May 19th, 2011 with AZ Copper Corp. whereby AZ Copper, pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement would be acquired by Stratton. The acquisition of AZ Copper was completed September 13, 2011 resulting in AZ Copper becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stratton. AZ Copper subsequently changed its name to Stratton Resources (Canada) Inc.
A helicopter-borne ZTEM electromagnetic and magnetic airborne geophysical survey was completed from August 3 to August 9, 2011 on behalf of Stratton. A total of 1,780-line kilometers of geophysical data, at 100 to 200 meter line spacing, over all but a small part of the west central edge of the MAC property were covered by the survey. While no clear geophysical response was noted on the MAC porphyry system, a total of 16 magnetic and 13 EM targets were defined and recommended for follow-up.
A geophysical data analysis and interpretative assessment of the Stratton’s 2011 MAC property ZTEM electromagnetic and magnetic airborne survey data was completed by Condor in early 2012 (Giles 2012). This work presents evidence for an approximately 5 km westward or left-lateral fault off-set of the northern strike extent of the serpentinized peridotite host to the Decar awaruite deposit.
In 2011 Stratton conducted an exploration program including diamond drilling. From July to September, a base camp was completed on the property and a drill access road from the exploration camp to the Camp Zone was constructed. From September to December, a 44-hole HQ diamond drilling program, totalling 10,067 m, was conducted. Most of the drilling was directed at the Camp Zone in order to verify and expand upon historical Mo-Cu mineralization. Some 9,651 m of core was recovered from 42 holes with 6,102 meters drilled in 25 holes in the East Contact Zone and 3,549 m drilled in 17 holes in the Northwest Contact Zone (Figure 6-5). An additional two holes, totaling 416 meters, were drilled to investigate preliminary targets generated by ground IP geophysical surveys.
In 2012, prospecting and rock sampling for ultramafic hosted nickel, returned elevated nickel content within the magnetic fraction of the samples tested, and hence indicate the potential for nickel being present in the magnetic iron-alloy awaruite phase. These samples are located within tenure 1077442 and 1079017 (Haslinger, 2013). The results demonstrated the ability of a magnetic separation process to concentrate substantial concentrations of chromium and iron from the rocks as well. Based on these results of probable anomalous concentrations of awaruite nickel-iron alloy along with strongly supporting chromium and iron, further mapping, and sampling for centres of more strongly developed awaruite concentrations was suggested by Stratton, Thirteen rock samples collected by Stratton in 2012 were primarily along the western edge of the MAC Nickel West claims, and several traverses were recorded by geologists and geological notes of alloy mineralization is recorded in tenures 1099386, 1099389 and 1099391. The prospective geological unit is the Trembleur ultramafic, which hosts significant awaruite deposit at the adjacent Decar Property to the east of the Property.
A selection of seven of the highest nickel-containing samples was processed through a Davis tube magnetic mineral separation and then both magnetic and non-magnetic portions were also analyzed by near-total four-acid digestion and multi-element ICP-OES are summarized on the next page;
A (cut & polished) sample of rock blasted from pits at the Pond Zone
XRF Results from the same sample