The Klow prospect is located on an unnamed, east-flowing tributary of Brule Creek, approximately 4.5 kilometres south of Tsayta Lake.
The Klow property covers a portion of the Cache Creek Complex that likely represents a portion of an obducted or imbricate sequence of Upper Paleozoic and Lower Mesozoic oceanic rocks that have been significantly deformed and sheared. Two of four defined litho-tectonic units of the complex occur within the Klow claims, namely the Trembleur ultramafics and Sowchea succession. The older Trembleur ultramafic units represent mantle and lower-crustal portions of an ophiolite sequence. Lithologies of the Trembleur ultramafic unit are dominated by pyroxene-phyric peridotite, with lesser fine-grained ultramafics, and dunite. These rock types show various overprinting styles of alteration dominated by serpentinization and iron-carbonate-silicification that intensifies to talc-listwanite alteration along major shear zones and contacts. The lithologies of the Sowchea succession include chert, limestone, phyllite and greenstone comprising basalt, mafic dikes, and gabbro. The younger Sowchea succession is in fault contact with the Trembleur ultramafic unit. The youngest rocks on the property consist of coarse-grained granodiorite of the Early Cretaceous Mitchell Batholith.
Within the serpentinized peridotite on the Klow property, mineralization consists of a central zone of coarse-grained (greater than 200 micrometres), disseminated awaruite. This zone is flanked to the north and south by fine-grained (less than 50 micrometres), less abundant awaruite. The DC target area exhibits disseminated awaruite in two varieties: as uniform or simple awaruite grains, and as composite grains associated with magnetite, pentlandite and heazlewoodite. Near the margins of the coarse-grained awaruite target, sulphides and composite grains are more common and simple awaruite grains become rare. The grain size is based on visual inspection of hand samples and the quantification of the nickel-in-alloy has been verified by 8FPX analysis.
The geometry of the mineralization found at Klow is oviform, with the central area exhibiting coarse-grained awaruite. The area is approximately 1 kilometre in length along the north trending long axis. This central coarse-grained zone has been proven by surface sampling to have a width of greater than 300 metres. Mineralization remains open and untested to the east due to thick surficial cover. The higher-grade and coarser-grained mineralization is flanked by a continuous zone of fine-grained awaruite mineralization. See Assessment Report 33300 for a diagrammatic representation.
Drilling conducted in 2012 by First Point Metals consisted of 1579 metres of HQ-diameter core in five holes. The top of hole DH-3 and all of DH-4 contained the most significant awaruite mineralization. Both holes were located within the northern portion of the DC mineralized zone. Hole DH-4 was drilled to the northeast and intersected 316 metres of 978 parts per million (0.10 per cent) nickel-in-alloy. Hole DH-3 was collared from the same location drilling back to the southwest and intersected 140 metres of 832 parts per million (0.08 per cent) nickel in alloy (Assessment Report 33880). Mineralization remains open to the north and east of DH-3 and DH-4.
A ground-based magnetic survey indicates that ultramafic hostrocks permissive to nickel-iron alloy mineralization continue north a minimum distance of 660 metres from where drillholes DH-3 and DH-4 were collared. Mineralization is also open up to 600 metres east of DH-3 and DH-4 within proximity of the contact between the ultramafic body and a mixed package of metasediments and volcanics.
WORK HISTORY
In 1987, Imperial Metals conducted exploration work to the west and within the Klow property, including prospecting, mapping, and geochemical soil and rock surveys targeting gold and copper (Assessment Report 16095). Few samples of peridotite returned anomalous nickel. Imperial Metals did not complete any further work and dropped the claims. Refer to Mitchel Range (MINFILE 093N 016).
In 2009, First Point Minerals Corp. initially staked 12 claims in the area with the intention of exploring for disseminated nickel-iron alloy mineralization. A total of 12 rock samples were collected for X-ray fluorescence and 22 stream silt samples were collected. Polished thin section and scanning electron microscopy mineralogical studies determined a showing of nickel-iron alloy (awaruite)–bearing rock.
In 2010, First Point conducted a property wide exploration campaign of the Klow claims area that involved follow-up geological mapping and sampling of permissive areas (Assessment Report 32215). A total of 68 rock and 7 stream silt samples were sent for analysis. Six of the original claims were maintained, and two claims were dropped and later restaked. The Nat property was also staked to the north of Klow but was later dropped based on the presence of volcanics and metasedimentary rocks.
In 2011, fieldwork by First Point involved follow-up mapping and sampling based on fieldwork conducted in 2009 to delineate a potential nickel-iron alloy target area (Assessment Report 33065). The portion of the property where nickel-iron alloys were discovered in 2009 had limited rock outcrops due to thick surficial cover and dense vegetation. Rock sampling in 2011 was limited to sparse outcrop and mechanically dispersed boulders. A total of 55 samples were collected. Assay results from outcrop and mechanically dispersed boulders indicated a large zone of permissive coarse-grained awaruite in the north-central portion of the property, named the DC target area. The zone measures approximately 1000 by 550 metres and remains open to the east.
In 2012, First Point Minerals completed a ground-based magnetic survey (Assessment Report 33318). The results indicate a high magnetic response indicating permissive serpentinized ultramafic hostrocks continuous across the DC target area, over the northern portion of the Klow target area (Britten and Rabb 2012). Five drillholes, totalling 1579.0 metres, tested nickel-iron alloy mineralization at depth within the target area (Assessment Report 33880). A 316-metre intercept of approximately 0.10 per cent nickel-in-alloy was found in DH-4, and a 140-metre intercept of approximately 0.08 per cent nickel-in-alloy was found in DH-3 (Assessment Report 33880).
