At the Barnes Lake occurrence is a thin (80 centimetre) pelletal phosphorite bed occurring within shale at the base of the Jurassic Fernie Group. These strata unconformably overlie siltstone of the Triassic Sulphur Mountain Formation (Spray River Group). The phosphorite bed is moderate to steeply dipping and has a distinct concretionary appearance. It occurs on the limbs of an anticline-syncline pair of folds. Phosphate content across 0.80 metre is 22.4 per cent P2O5 (sample SBB86-37A) (Open File 1987-16, pages 85 and 97). Phosphate also occurs in thin beds at the top of the Permian Ishbel Group.

WORK HISTORY

In 1975, Medesto Exploration and Western Warner Oil Ltd. performed a refraction seismic survey on 4 section lines totaling 4350 feet of survey (Assessment Report 5556). The survey was designed to map the base of the Spray River formation, above which the phosphorite layer occurs.

The 1977 field program by Medesto Exploration Ltd was designed to confirm the occurrence of this phosphorite bed at a depth accessible for strip mining, which was determined to be approximately 16 metres or less (Assessment Report 6365). The end result was the completion of two holes and no intersection of the phosphorite horizon was obtained.

In 1978, Cochrane Oil and Gas (formerly Medesto) and Western Warner Oils drilled three holes (Assessment Report 6859). One intersected the Fernie – Spray River contact and a zone of oolitic phosphate-bearing shale 0.7 to 1 metre thick, at an approximate depth of 10 metres. Two other holes were drilled to depths of 10 metres and 16 metres but did not encounter the disconformity at the base of the Fernie group.

In 1990, Formosa Resources Corp., collected 57 samples from 9 backhoe trenches totalling 207.6 metre and 2 hand trenches on their Barnes Lake (Barnes 1-6) claims. Maximum depth attained by the backhoe was 3 metres. The values ranged from 2.66 per cent P2O5 and 98 parts per million yttrium in shale layers within the phosphorite section to 32.18 per cent P2O5 and 1065 parts per million yttrium in true phosphorites (Assessment Report 20872).

In 1996, work by R. Tim Henneberry of Mammoth Geological Ltd consisted of staking and prospecting across Barnes Lake, Cabin Creek and Hunger Lake properties over a 6-day period (Assessment Reports 25078, 25079). No sampling reported.

In 1998, R. Tim Henneberry of Mammoth Geological Ltd reported that the 1998 exploration program consisted of surface sampling to obtain 5-gallon pails of phosphorite for metallurgical and agronomical testing. The samples were obtained from Cabin Creek and Barnes Lake (Assessment Report 25644).

In 2007, Paget Resource drilled one hole in the Barnes Lake area (Assessment Report 30091). The drill location was selected about 500 metres to the south of the preferred target location due to limited access and failed to intersect phosphate mineralization. The hole encountered siltstone throughout its length.

In 2013 Fertoz International conducted a program consisting of reconnaissance prospecting, rock sampling and establishing access (Assessment Report 34361). Thirteen samples were collected and assayed. Results for 2013 sampling were, in general, reported to be low.

Ihe 2013-2014 program of Fertoz International consisted of reconnaissance prospecting, rock sampling and establishing access. Twelve samples were collected and assayed (Assessment Report 35062).

In 2015, Fertoz International collected 6 rock samples on its Barnes Lake property (Assessment Report 35618).

In 2016, the program Fertoz International on the East Barnes Lake property consisted of continued reconnaissance prospecting, minor rock sampling and establishing access, 120 soil samples were collected and assayed (Assessment Report 36355).

In 2017, the work program by Fertoz International included locating historical phosphate workings (Assessment Report 37081). The program consisted of reconnaissance prospecting, rock sampling and establishing further access. This 2017 work shows anomalous soil samples approximately 150 metres to 200 metres east of the main road. Close spaced follow-up soil samples were completed perpendicular to the road system at 10 metre intervals.

In 2018, the work program of Fertoz International included bridge installation, road rehab and trenching (Assessment Report 37844). Follow-up sampling and geological mapping was completed east of the main access road and also west of Michel Creek and north of Barnes Lake which confirmed the high grade (greater than 30 per cent P2O5) nature of the phosphate zone at surface.

In 2019 and 2020, owner J. T. Shearer completed a series of 19 drillholes using a Shaw backpack drill which was reported to be very effective in outlining the phosphate zone (Assessment Report 39219). In 2021, Shearer continued water samples and phosphorite sampling (Assessment Report 39744).