The Big Smoke South (PMR 62) occurrence is in a steep creek gully east of Both Creek and north of the St. Mary River, at an elevation of approximately 1260 metres.

The area is underlain by argillites, wacke and quartzites of the Mesoproterozoic Aldridge Formation (Purcell Supergroup). These have been intruded by gabbro sills and dikes of the Mesoproterozoic Moyie Intrusions.

Locally, a sheared and actinolite-altered gabbro in contact with a brecciated conglomerate hosts quartz veins with disseminated to patchy massive galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and scheelite. Gangue minerals include calcite, garnet, epidote, chlorite, sericite and minor tourmaline.

In 2010, four rock samples (SK10-4 to -7) assayed from 0.064 to 1.96 per cent lead, 0.032 to 0.796 per cent zinc, trace to greater than 0.01 per cent tungsten, 1 to 36.3 grams per tonne silver and up to 0.11 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 32219).

Work History

In 1979, Cominco completed a program of soil sampling and geological mapping on the area as the Clair claims. In 1981, Cominco completed a single diamond drill hole, totalling 394 metres. In 1982 and 1983, Cominco completed a ground electromagnetic survey and a seismic survey on the area. Also in 1983, Noranda Mining and Exploration Inc. conducted an airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey on the area as part of the Mount Evans property.

In 1991 and 1992, Minnova, in conjunction with Kokanee Explorations, completed a regional program of prospecting, geological mapping, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling and a 12.0 line-kilometre electromagnetic survey on the area as the Horn and Darlin claims. Also in 1992, Cominco completed a 14.0 line-kilometre ground electromagnetic survey on the area. During 1996 through 1999, Abitibi Mining completed exploration programs of prospecting, geological mapping, geochemical (rock, soil and silt) sampling and a gravity survey on the area as the Clair, Cleo and PMR claims.

In 1999 and 2000, Rio Algom Exploration completed exploration programs consisting of geological mapping, rock sampling and three diamond drill holes, totalling 2555.2 metres, on the area as the Pyramid Peak property. In 2001, Abitibi Mining completed a program of geological mapping on the area. In 2010, Kootenay Gold completed a program of rock sampling and geological mapping on the area as the Big Smoke property. In 2013, Electra Gold prospected the area. In 2014, the Big Smoke property was prospected and sampled by Craig Kennedy.

In 2021, RIT Minerals Corp. conducted a program of historical ground geophysics interpretation and a 2.7 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the area as the SSC claim. The following year, a rock sampling program was conducted on the SSC claim.