The Polly Vent (Dan Howe - Lower adit) occurrence is located on a north-facing slope overlooking St. Mary Lake at an elevation of approximately 1650 metres. The upper adit or pit is located near the ridge top, approximately 700 metres to the southwest.
The area is underlain by quartzite, wacke, argillite and siltstone of the Mesoproterozoic Aldridge Formation (Purcell Supergroup), intruded by meta-gabbro or meta-diorite of the Proterozoic Moyie Intrusions.
The original Dan Howe occurrence, now called the Polly Vent, is described as a lenticular quartz vein, up to 1 metre wide, in sheared argillaceous quartzites of the Mesoproterozoic Aldridge Formation (Purcell Supergroup) beneath a diorite sill of the Proterozoic Moyie Intrusions. Mineralization is reported to consist of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena with minor chalcopyrite, bornite and possible tetrahedrite.
In 1987, a grab sample (KDR-87-51) from a dump near the lower adit of the Dan Howe occurrence assayed 54.8 grams per tonne silver, 4.48 per cent lead, 0.36 per cent zinc and 0.12 per cent copper (Assessment Report 16971).
In 1991, two grab samples from the occurrence are reported to have yielded 27.8 and 2.44 per cent lead with 609.5 and 38.8 grams per tonne silver, respectively (Property File – Kokanee Explorations Ltd. (1991-01-01): Horn Property Claims Map).
In 1992, a sample (09283) from the occurrence assayed 0.11 per cent lead and 1.10 per cent zinc (Property File – Minnova Inc. (1992-06-01): Horn Property Lithogeochem Sample Record).
Another zone of mineralization, located approximately 1.2 kilometres to the northwest and at an elevation of 1050 metres, consists of a quartz vein hosting chalcopyrite. In 1992, a sample (09298) assayed 0.9 per cent copper (Sudo, H. (1992-01-01): 1992 Sample Locations and Clair Mapping, Horn Property).
In 1999, diamond drilling approximately 1.6 kilometres to the southeast, at an elevation of 1790 metres on the south side of the ridge, intersected a sulphide-rich fragmental complex 230 metres thick. The complex consists of fragmental rock units up to 50 metres thick interbedded with thinly bedded pyrrhotiferous argillite. Massive sulphides, mainly pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite, form the matrix of the fragmental units. Bedding-parallel bands of disseminated sphalerite up to 30 centimetres thick occur within the interbedded argillite units. Drilling intercepts included 0.84 per cent zinc over 0.15 metre (168.95 to 169.10 metres down hole) in hole P99-6 and 0.11 per cent zinc over 8.35 metres (90.55 to 99.90 metres down hole) in hole P99-7 (Assessment Report 26191).
Work History
The area has been historically explored since the 1800s or early 1900s, including the creation of at least two adits or pits.
In 1971, Kerr Addison Mines Ltd. conducted a regional program of geological mapping and geochemical (soil and silt) sampling on the are as part of the Dewar Creek project.
In 1983, Noranda Mining and Exploration Inc. conducted an airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey on the area as part of the Mount Evans property. In 1987, Esso Resources completed a program of rock and silt sampling, geological mapping and a 3.0 line-kilometre electromagnetic survey on the area as the Mac 1-10 claims.
In 1991 and 1992, Minnova, in conjunction with Kokanee Explorations, completed a regional program of prospecting, geological mapping, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling and a 12.0 line-kilometre electromagnetic survey on the area as the Horn and Darlin claims. The following year, Metall Mining Corporation, in conjunction with Consolidated Ram Rod Gold, completed a 10.0 line-kilometre electromagnetic survey on the area. In 1997, Quest International Resource completed a soil sampling program on the area to the south.
In 1998, Black Bull Resources completed a program of geological mapping and soil sampling on the Horn claims. In 1999, Chapleau Resources Ltd. completed three diamond drill holes (P99-6, 7, 8), totalling 1316.1 metres, on the occurrence. In 2000 and 2001, Super Group Holdings Ltd. directed the exploration and Chapleau Resources Ltd. performed the work on the property, which included an 18-hole diamond drilling program totalling 3994.0 metres.
In 2022, Amaroq Gold Corp. completed a 9.6 line-kilometre ground electromagnetic survey and a 303.0 line-kilometre airborne electromagnetic and radiometric survey on the area immediately west as the Sinclair and Golden Larch claims.
