The Kokanee graphite occurrence is located west of Crawford Bay, approximately 2.5 kilometres north-northwest of the north end of Crystal Lake.
Regionally, the area is underlain by fine clastic sedimentary rocks (mudstone, siltstone and shale) of the Cambrian to Devonian Index Formation (Lardeau Group), which have been intruded by Cretaceous granodioritic rocks. Calcareous (limestone and marble) rocks of the Lower Cambrian Badshot Formation and quartz arenite sedimentary rocks of the Neoproterozoic to Lower Cambrian Hamill Group are exposed to the southeast.
The occurrence area is underlain by three metasedimentary formations: the Paleoproterozoic and/or Mesoproterozoic Tsuius schist, Middle Devonian Chase Formation calcareous quartzite and Devonian–Carboniferous Silver Creek Formation quartz-feldspar-muscovite-biotite schist.
Locally, graphite occurs as crystalline flakes up to 2 millimetres in diameter along cleavage planes in the quartz-muscovite schists.
Drilling in 2012 indicated grades of 1.2 to 1.4 per cent graphite across 100 to 140 metres true width with higher grades of 1.5 to 2.0 per cent across 50 to 70 metres true width along a partially tested 1.2-kilometre strike length and 100 metres downdip, which remains open (Assessment Report 33609).
A conceptual potential resource of 15 000 000 to 22 500 000 tonnes grading 1.65 to 1.80 per cent graphite is reported but further drilling is needed to establish a compliant or measured resource (Kerr, J.R. (2013-09-04): Technical Report on the Kokanee and Jumbo Graphite Properties).
Work History
Prior to 2012, exploration on the area was focused on lead, zinc and silver; for more information see Crystal Lake (MINFILE 082FNE129) occurrence.
In 2012, Noram Ventures Inc. completed geological mapping, sampling and a six-hole diamond drill program, totaling 1376 metres, on the Kokanee Graphite property. Highlights of this drill program include drillhole KD12-005, which assayed 1.77 per cent graphite over a length of 64 metres (true width of 54.3 metres; Press Release, Noram Ventures Inc., February 26, 2013).
In 2022 and 2023, Bruce Doyle conducted minor programs of rock sampling on the Kokanee Graphite property.
