The X16 occurrence is situated at the south end of the Mitchell Range, approximately 40 kilometres southeast of Takla Landing. It comprises occurrences X16 and X15 as outlined by Whittaker (Fieldwork 1982-1, Table 1) which are two of numerous small chromite occurrences located in the range (see 093N 033, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 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 one aggregate chromite nodule and two disseminated chromite layers hosted by serpentinized harzburgite. The following table details information concerning each (Fieldwork 1982-1, Table 1):

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 Occurrence     Form       Texture          Trend        Dimensions
    X15         nodule     aggregate           -           10x4 cms
    X16         layer      disseminated     015/90     300x2-25 cms
                layer      disseminated     022/66E       100x3 cms
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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.