The LEW group has been explored by Cominco over the period 1980- 1985 for sedimentary stratabound exhalative mineralization of the Sullivan type, mainly by UTEM (University of Toronto electromagnetic) survey searching for buried conductors supplemented by surface geochemistry. Although not reported in the assessment reports, detailed stratigraphy and geology are likely to have been completed. UTEM conductors were investigated by diamond drilling, which intersected minor stratabound, disseminated and veinlet lead-zinc mineralization, and established that the hostrocks are Middle Aldridge Formation (Purcell Supergroup) wackes and quartzitic wackes intruded by Middle Proterozoic Moyie gabbro sills.

In 1997, Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. (in joint venture with Hastings Management Group of companies, mainly Sedex Mining Corp. and Abitibi Mining Corp.) drilled four core holes totalling over 2500 metres and intersected 2.55 metres of massive to semimassive, coarse-grained sulphides grading 9.65 per cent zinc, 5.82 per cent lead and 49.4 grams per tonne silver at a depth of 505 metres in the third hole (Exploration 1997, page 44). The hole is located in Panda Basin at the head of Lewis Creek, a north-flowing tributary of the upper Moyie River. The basin is located on the edge of what appears to be a hydrothermal vent indicated by the presence of extensive stratabound and discordant fragmental units and widespread albite-tourmaline-chlorite-sericite alteration of the Middle Aldridge siliciclastic rocks. The sulphide interval consists of sulphide bands which are both parallel to and discordant to bedding.

Mineralization occurs in the Active and Lewis ridge areas 3 to 6 kilometres to the north northwest.