The Hogem Ranges (X3) occurrence is situated at the south end of the Mitchell Range, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Takla Landing. It comprises occurrence X3 as outlined by Whittaker (Fieldwork 1982-1, Table 1) and is one of numerous small chromite occurrences located in the southern part of the range (see 093N 033, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40).

The occurrences comprise small disseminated, aggregate (greater than 75 per cent) and massive chromite nodules and layers which are hosted by allochthonous, serpentinized harzburgite, formerly assigned to the Middle Permian to Late Triassic Trembleur intrusions, and now termed Mississippian to Triassic Oceanic Ultramafites. The intrusion is bound by north-northeast and east-trending lineaments and is both surrounded by, and hosts xenoliths of sedimentary rocks assigned to the Carboniferous to Jurassic Cache Creek Complex. For additional regional geology details, please refer to the Simpson, Bob and Irish occurrences (093N 033, 34, 35).

This occurrence is described as three aggregate chromite nodules, ranging from 3 by 4 centimetres to 7 centimetres in diameter, and disseminated chromite (50 per cent) in schlieren, all within serpentinized harzburgite. The schlieren strike 145 degrees, dip at 45 degrees to the northeast and are exposed over an area of 15 by 300 centimetres. Accessory chromite is also widely disseminated throughout the ultramafic rocks, varying up to two per cent by volume (Fieldwork 1982-1, page 240).

Work History

Chromite was identified in the area by at least the early 1940s. Little or no other work is reported until at least the 1980s.

In 2004, the area was staked as the IR, PT, PD and OS claims by Ursula G. Mowat and a program of rock and silt sampling and geological mapping was completed. Sampling was reported to be disappointing in that no chromite was located and the rock samples that were analyzed contained no significant values in platinum group elements. Elevated nickel values were encountered in the ultramafics, especially on the IR and PD claims.

In 2009, FPX Nickel Corp. prospected and sampled the area as the Mesa 8-14 claims. Seven rock samples taken from the east-facing valley to the south of the occurrence yielded from 0.089 to 0.167 per cent nickel and up to 0.120 per cent chromium (Assessment Report 31553).