The Tri 6 area, as outlined by Souther (Geological Survey of Canada Map 7-1959), consists of a thick sequence of Carboniferous sediments and minor intercalated volcanic rocks. The sediments consist of dark grey argillite, lighter grey silicious siltstone and fine-grained greywacke. Lenses of impure limestone and calcareous shale occur at several stratigraphic levels. The intercalated volcanics consist of green and greyish andesite, greenstone and pillow basalt. Paleocene to Eocene granitic and dioritic rock of Sloko-Hyder Plutonic Suite intrude the older rocks away from the occurrence area.
Several quartz veins ranging from 0.05 to 3.5 metres in width and 80 metres in length occur within folded siltstones. The majority of the veins have a northwest strike and are steeply dipping. Sulphide mineralization consists of patchy areas of pyrite (2 to 5 per cent), galena (2 to 5 per cent), chalcopyrite (1 to 2 per cent), sphalerite (1 to 2 per cent) and arsenopyrite (up to 20 per cent). Brecciated fragments of siltstone and lesser dioritic fragments comprise 85 to 95 per cent of the rock. The matrix is 10 to 15 per cent quartz with 1 to 3 per cent pyrite. A 2.5-metre sample from one quartz vein assayed 1.0 gram per tonne gold, 63.3 grams per tonne silver and 0.5 per cent lead (Assessment Report 19143). Other vein samples had assay highs of 0.32 per cent copper and 0.82 per cent zinc. A hydrothermal breccia zone outcrops over a 30 by 30 metre area below the quartz veins and may be genetically related. Assays from this zone were not as significant; one sample over 1 metre yielded 12 grams per tonne silver with slightly elevated gold.
A small quartz-carbonate alteration zone was located about 600 metres north of the quartz vein zone. Basaltic-andesite hosts the quartz-carbonate vein breccias and alteration zones. The weathered surface is gossanous. This zone is described as containing pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and galena as fracture fillings in localized shears estimated at up to 30 centimetres wide and 40 metres long. The highest gold values came from grab samples and range from 4.6 and 9.1 grams per tonne. One sample yielded 4.6 grams per tonne gold, 179.4 grams per tonne silver, 0.34 per cent copper, 2.3 per cent lead and 6.9 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 21202).
Also in the vicinity, small patches (1-15 centimetres) of semi-massive pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalopyrite are found irregularly distributed in pillowed basalts. The patches concentrate in the intersticies along pillow boundaries. These sulphide patches were observed only close to the contact with phyllite. The best sample yielded 0.08 per cent copper over 30 centimetres (Assessment Report 19143).
Work History
During 1968, a helicopter borne electromagnetic and magnetometer survey was carried out on behalf of Coast Silver Mines Ltd in the Triumph Creek area. This program extended over a 42 square mile area, partly covered by mineral claims Gay 1, Tap 1 and Tap 4. A number of conductors with favourable characteristics were discovered, but the claims were apparently allowed to lapse. This survey was located in an area southeast of the present Tri and Rush claims, and is evidently the only documented assessment work program in the area prior to 1988. The Tri 5 and 6 claims were staked by Cominco Ltd. in 1988, following a British Columbia Ministry of Energy and Mines Regional Geochemical Survey Release. The Tri 7 and 9 claims were staked during field work carried out by Cominco Ltd in 1989.
The adjacent Rush claims (5-8,17-20, 23, 24) were staked by Continental Gold Corp in 1988 and 37 rock and 15 silt samples were collected.
In 1988, Continental Gold Corp collected 37 rock and 15 silt samples on the Rush 5-8, 17-20 and 23-24 claims which surrounded the Tri 5, 6, 7 and 9 claims.
During the 1989 field season, Cominco Ltd spent 65 man days and expended on geochemical and geological work on the Tri and adjacent Rush claims. During this program 82 rock, 75 silt and 475 soil samples were collected.
During the month of September 1990, personnel from Keewatin Engineering Inc. on behalf of Solomon Resources Ltd., spent 14 man days on the Tri property. The main target area was the western part of Tri #6 mineral claim where numerous narrow quartz veins with sulphides occur within a pendant of sedimentary rocks; this area is referred as the main showing. Exploration work consisted of rapid prospecting and reconnaissance mapping of the main showing; a total of 65 channel samples, 18 chip samples, 4 grab samples, 3 float samples and 5 soil samples were collected from this showing and adjacent areas.
