The NTP occurrence is located at an elevation of approximately 1640 metres on a northwest-trending ridge, south of Pimainus Lakes and approximately 1.6 kilometres west of Spaist Mountain.

The area is underlain by Border phase quartz diorite Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Guichon Creek Batholith. A northwest-trending gradational contact with Guichon variety granodiorites occurs to the northwest (EMPR PRELIM Map 30). Small aplite dikes cut the intrusive. Extensive fracturing and shearing are common. There is approximately 3 per cent outcrop in the area.

Locally, malachite, chalcopyrite and bornite are hosted within a mafic-rich Border phase diorite to quartz diorite intrusive with weak propylitic alteration, minor potassium feldspar and widely spaced quartz veinlets. Semi-massive secondary magnetite is also reported. The mineralized outcrop has been traced for approximately 200 metres to the southwest.

In 2009, a grab sample (12310) from the occurrence assayed 1.7 per cent copper and 0.365 gram per tonne gold, whereas a sample (12307) taken to the southeast yielded 1.4 per cent copper and 0.268 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 31425). Also at this time, another sample (12308) taken approximately 1.2 kilometres to the southeast of the previous samples yielded 0.8 per cent copper (Assessment Report 31425).

Work History

In 1956 and 1957, Udd-Ramsey Syndicate completed programs of geological mapping, soil sampling and a 60.4 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the area as the Frank and Nord claims. Also in 1957, Phelps Dodge Corp. completed a 10.5 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the Frank, Nord and PHD claims. In 1958, Northwestern Explorations Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping, soil sampling and a 45.5 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey and induced polarization survey on the area as the BJ claims.

In 1966, T.C. Explorations Ltd. completed a program of soil sampling and a 47.4 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the IL, Oversight, PIM and PM claims. In 1969, Highland Chief Mines Ltd. completed a 40.0 line-kilometre induced polarization survey on the area as the Chief, PM, Tam and Why claims.

In 1970, Keevil Mining Group Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping, soil sampling, trenching and ground electromagnetic and seismic surveys on the area as the Lake, Laken, Ples and Spot claims.

In 1982, Cominco Ltd. completed an induced polarization survey on the area as the Island property.

During late 2008 through 2012, Happy Creek Minerals completed programs of geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling, geological mapping, three diamond drill holes, totalling 740.9 metres, an induced polarization survey and a 1463.0 line-kilometre airborne gamma ray spectrometer and magnetic survey on the area as the West Valley 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.