The M34 South (P zone) occurrence is located a short distance south of the southeastern end of Frances (Bay) Lake and northwest of the Island Copper (MINFILE 092L 158) mine pit.

Regionally, the area is underlain by northwest-trending belts of basaltic volcanics and carbonate sedimentary rocks of the Upper Triassic Karmutsen and Quatsino formations (Vancouver Group) and mafic volcanics and sediments of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Bonanza Group (Holberg volcanic unit, Nahwitti River wacke and Parson Bay Formation). These volcanic and sedimentary rocks have been intruded by granodioritic rocks of the Early to Middle Jurassic Island Plutonic Suite.

Locally, as defined by diamond drilling, chlorite±biotite±sericite±epidote±magnetite–altered Bonanza volcanics (basaltic ash and lapilli tuffs, massive basalt flows and volcanic [pyrophyllite] breccias) host disseminated and quartz veined pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite mineralization. Sphalerite mineralization is also reported associated with quartz veins. The mineralized zone lies northwest of and at a higher elevation than the west end of the north limb of the Island Copper (MINFILE 092L 158) deposit. Drilling has traced the P zone for over a distance of at least 183 metres with a plunge to the west.

In 1989, drillhole E-87, located several hundred metres northwest of the main P zone, yielded intercepts of 0.25 per cent copper over 114.0 metres, including 0.43 per cent copper with 0.014 per cent molybdenum over 21.0 metres and 0.65 per cent copper with 0.040 per cent molybdenum over 3.0 metres (Assessment Report 18744).

In 1993, drilling on the P zone yielded intercepts including 0.33 and 0.26 per cent copper over 134.1 and 39.6 metres (112.7 to 246.9 and 256.0 to 295.7 metres down hole), respectively, in hole E-161, 0.24 per cent copper over 64 metres (106.7 to 170.7 metres down hole) in hole E-162 and 0.32 and 0.23 per cent copper over 51.8 and 30.5 metres (204.2 to 256.0 and 262.1 to 292.6 metres down hole), respectively, in hole E-165; whereas a drillhole on (E-164) on the South of End Creek Fault (SECF) zone, located south of the previous holes, yielded 0.28 and 0.26 per cent copper over 12.2 and 27.4 metres (201.2 to 213.4 and 222.5 to 249.9 metres down hole), respectively (Assessment Report 22926).

Work History

The area has been historically explored in conjunction with the nearby Island Copper (MINFILE 092L 158) mine. In 1965 and 1966, BHP-Utah Mines completed programs of geological mapping, soil sampling and ground geophysical programs on the area as the Bay and Cove claims. During the 1970s, 18 drillholes, totalling 5047 metres, were reportedly completed around Frances Lake and west of the Island Copper (MINFILE 092L 158) mine pit.

In 1986, Utah Mines completed a program of soil sampling, ground geophysical surveys and six diamond drill holes, totalling 3127.0 metres, on the area. In 1989, BHP-Utah Mines completed four diamond drill holes, totalling 1867.8 metres, on the area. In 1993, BHP Minerals Canada Ltd. completed 10 diamond drill holes, totalling 2665.5 metres, on the area. In 1994, BHP Minerals Canada Ltd. completed 18 diamond drill holes, totalling 1783.1 metres, on the area.