The Chapleau property comprises the Chapleau and Chapleau Consolidated fraction and several other Crown granted claims centred 6 kilometres southeast of Slocan City. The Chapleau mine may be reached by a short access road about 1.5 kilometres long connected to the main road at a point about 13 kilometres from the Slocan highway. See also 082FNW131-136.
Chapleau was one of the first properties in Lemon Creek area to receive attention. In 1896 the initial shipment of ore yielded 435 grams of gold and 11,788 grams of silver. Until 1900 development was rapid and an aerial tramway and stamp mill were erected. However, in 1904 the mine was closed as a result of decreasing value of the ore and difficulties were encountered because of faulting of the vein. Until 1941, ore was shipped intermittently by lessees. In 1946 and 1947 the workings were rehabilitated and a new road was constructed to the property, but there were no shipments of ore. Intermittent production from 1896 to 1941 totalled 297 tonnes, yielding 407,604 grams of silver and 29,455 grams of gold.
The country rock is porphyritic Nelson quartz monzonite that is bounded a short distance to the north and northwest by a large pendant and other inclusions of argillaceous quartzite. The granite is cut by small dikes of fine grained granite, pegmatite, and aplite. The phenocrysts of orthoclase and microcline in the porphyritic granite are up to a centimetre long. Larger feldspar phenocysts, up to 7 centimetres in length, occur in the pegmatite dikes, elongated parallel to the walls. Some pegmatites contain small crystals of garnet and magnetite but no mica or ferromagnesian minerals.
The vein strikes 110 degrees and dips 25 degrees northeast. Its width ranges from 7 centimetres to 0.6 metre and widths up to 1.2 metres have been reported. The gangue is quartz that in places forms drusy cavities. Pyrite is the most abundant metallic mineral followed by sphalerite and galena. Minor chalcopyrite, free gold and ruby silver (?) are also reported.
In 1981, Julia Resources Corp., Agean Resources Corp. and Galilean Resources Corp., formed a joint venture and optioned the 3 claim Chapleau property (Chapleau (Lot 4963), Seattle No. 3 (Lot 4965) and Corker No. 2 (Lot 5494)). The joint venture conducted a program of exploration which included drilling a hole to a depth of 152 metres. On July 16, 1984, Dr. A. Ross Gorrell acquired title to the Chapleau, Seattle and the Corker #3 claims. In about 1984, King Jack Resources Ltd., a private company, acquired a lease option on the claims surrounding the Chateau Mine property and initiated a modest program of exploration. In November 25, 1985, Dr. Ross Gorrell sold all of his interest in the Chapleau, Seattle and Corker #2 claims to Epic Resources (B.C.) Ltd. In 1986, King Jack Resources Ltd. entered into negotiations with Epic Resources (B.C.) Ltd. pertaining to the 3 Chapleau mine claims. They conducted surveys and drilling as part of the Chapleau Creek property in 1987.
Reserves for the Chapleau mine are reported as 80,200 tonnes grading 19.7 grams per tonne gold and 737 grams per tonne silver (CMH 1989-90, page 259). In 1989, drilling outlined a reserve of 31,026 tonnes grading 8.1 grams per tonne gold and 194 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 22085). Total reserves for the Chapleau properties are reported as 505,200 tonnes grading 8 grams per tonne gold and 238 grams per tonne silver (CMH 1989-90, page 259). In July 1990, King Jack became International King Jack Resources Ltd., who became Petromin Resources Ltd. in April 1996.
A vein sample taken in 1987 assayed 2.1 grams per tonne gold, 36 grams per tonne silver, 0.1 per cent lead and 0.15 per cent zinc (Open File 1988-11).
