The Moss 4 (DJ 13-14) occurrence is located at an elevation of approximately 1480 metres on a south-southeast–facing slope, west of Chataway Creek and approximately 2.7 kilometres southwest of the south end of Chataway Lake.
The area is situated in the southeastern portion of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Guichon Creek Batholith and underlain by coarse-grained granodiorite assigned to the Chataway variety of the Highland Valley phase. To the west, this unit is in contact with the younger Bethlehem and Bethsaida (Skeena variety) phases of the batholith. Along the north-trending intrusive contacts, a broad zone of moderate to strong propylitic alteration has developed. The batholith is transected by north- and west-trending regional faults.
Locally, trenching has exposed a Chataway granodiorite that is faulted, fractured, sericitized and silicified. Limonite staining is present. Quartz veins containing disseminated blebs of chalcocite occur. Quartz float is mineralized with bornite and chalcopyrite.
In 2005, rock samples of moderately to strongly quartz-sericite–altered rock with quartz-potassium feldspar veins and quartz float over 0.40 metres in width from historical trenches yielded 9.71 per cent copper and 29.0 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 28094).
Work History
In 1964, Chataway Exploration Co. Ltd. completed a 5.0 line-kilometre ground electromagnetic survey and a 16.7 line-kilometre induced polarization survey on the area as the Rob, Ros, Rum and Tom claims of the Chataway property.
In 1968, King Resources Co. completed a program of geological mapping on the area as the Ant, In, Jay, Len, Rex, Rob, Sho, T.D.M., Moon and Wiz-Dot claims of the Chataway property. In 1969, Mercury Explorations Ltd. completed a 27.0 line-kilometre induced polarization survey on the area as the Jeff 1-14 claims.
In 1972, International Mogul Mines Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping, a 53.0 line-kilometre induced polarization survey and four diamond drill holes, totalling 355.7 metres, on the area as Bob, Moon, Sho and Val claims of the Chataway property.
In 1979, Lawrence Mining Corp. completed a 102.8 line-kilometre induced polarization survey on the Nova claims.
In 1981, Cominco Ltd. completed an induced polarization survey and a ground magnetic survey on the area as the Apollo and Nova claims.
During 1991 through 1993, Aucumo Resources and Hudson Bay Exploration completed programs of geological mapping, soil and stream sediment sampling and an induced polarization survey on the area immediately west of the occurrence as the CVS property.
In 2004 and 2005, Happy Creek Minerals completed program of geological and GPS surveying and minor stream sediment sampling on the Rateria property. Later in 2005, a program of two diamond drillholes (totalling 341 metres), 13.5 kilometres of cut line and induced polarization survey, prospecting, geological mapping, and 20 rock samples (10 assayed) was conducted on the property. In 2006, a further 14 diamond drill holes, totalling 2400.0 metres, were completed on the property. In 2007, Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. completed a program of diamond drilling, totalling 3082 metres, in 14 holes on the Rateria property.
During 2008 through 2012, Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. completed further programs of diamond drilling, geological mapping, geochemical sampling and geophysical surveys on the Rateria property.
During 2013 through 2019, Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. completed programs of geological mapping, geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling, a 32.3 line-kilometre induced polarization survey and re-interpretation of historical airborne geophysical data on the area as part of the Rateria-West Valley property.
