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File Created: 24-Mar-1988 by Peter B. Reid (PBR)
Last Edit:  22-Feb-1991 by David G. Bailey (DGB)

Summary Help Help

NMI
Name FRENCH BAR Mining Division Lillooet
BCGS Map 092O030
Status Prospect NTS Map 092O01E
Latitude 051º 12' 58'' UTM 10 (NAD 83)
Longitude 122º 07' 56'' Northing 5674215
Easting 560608
Commodities Bentonite Deposit Types E06 : Bentonite
Tectonic Belt Intermontane Terrane Methow, Overlap Assemblage
Capsule Geology

Bentonite occurrences are common adjacent to the Fraser fault along the eastern margin of the Chilcotin Plateau. Bentonite occurs in Eocene volcanic rocks of dominantly rhyolitic composition which are correlative with the Kamloops Group east of the Fraser fault. The Fraser fault system itself was probably instrumental in the formation of the bentonite deposits in areas of Eocene volcanic rocks in that the movement of the fault system caused the development of basins in which the bentonite formed.

While the volcanic rocks of the region have been dated as Eocene in age by both radiometric and paleontological methods, the age of formation of bentonite by the hydrothermal alteration of tephra is not known. However, it is likely that bentonite formation occurred not long after volcanism had ceased.

The French Bar bentonite occurrence ocurs within volcanic rocks of Eocene age to the west of the Fraser fault but east of the Fraser River. The showing is poorly exposed and consists of bentonitic fine volcanic breccias and intercalated acid breccias.

Bibliography
EMPR FIELDWORK *1987, pp. 411-415
EMPR OF 1988-29
GSC OF 534; 2207

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