The Empire-Strathcona deposit is a siderite-quartz vein occurrence hosted by dark grey, well-laminated Helikian Aldridge Formation (Purcell Supergroup) argillites. The sediments dip about 45 degrees northeast and the vein(s) dips vertical to 50 degrees southwest. The veins are up to 2 metres in thickness within a prominent shear zone. Mineralization consists of sparse blebs of galena and chalcopyrite with some pyrite, pyrrhotite, and arsenopyrite. The vein systems occur within shear zones that have been traced along strike for approximately 1,000 metres.
The Empire-Strathcona zone is characterized by coarse-grained interlocking siderite crystals, quartz (sometimes crosscutting) and variable amounts of pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite. A footwall stockwork zone of smaller but similar veins, is often seen. The main vein is often highly fractured and sulphides in places are remobilized along fractures. a siderite-quartz-calcite fissure vein system which ranges in thickness from 0.25 to 5.5 metres. This vein system is hosted in the metasedimentary strata of the Aldridge formation and is variably enriched in copper and silver. The vein system was historically exposed along two adits and two rock cuts which are exposed from the top of a sharp ridge at 1417 metre, intermittently down the steep sidehill to elevation 1204 metres. Presently (2019), only the rock cuts and the upper adit are accessible. The lower adit is caved.
Four adits are reported to have been excavated on the area. The first was drifted for approximately 40 metres along the mineralized structure and a short crosscut exposes the footwall. Fifty metres below the collar of the adit, an open cut exposes the 1.8-metre-wide vein. The second adit, located approximately 40 metres in elevation below the open cut, is no longer accessible due to ground failure. The mineralized vein, however, is exposed in an open pit and measures 1.4 metres wide. Another adit lies approximately 30 metres below the second and is also impassible due to ground failure. The fourth adit, which is located approximately 150 metres in elevation below the first, was driven approximately 70 metres where it intersected the 3-metre-wide vein. A 6-metre-long drift was driven north where an 11-metre winze was sunk on the mineralized structure. A second drift, driven to the southeast approximately 12 metres, leads to a small stope that mined the vein.
Work History
In 1929, the Empire and Strathcona properties (082GSW015) (were reviewed and an update on work is reported (Annual Report 1929, pages 298). In 1930, a general overview of property ownership and development work for the Empire and Strathcona copper prospects are reported. Ore grade assays from a composite sample are provided (Annual Report 1930, pages 243, 378).
In 1965, the first documentation of R.H. Stanfield as President of the Altamont Exploration Company occurs, with respect to work on the Empire and Strathcona prospects. Five diamond-drill holes, totalling 365 metres were completed on the ore body. Old adits were opened and investigated (Annual Report 1965, page 199). In 1966, nine BX-WL holes totalling 1219.2 metres of surface drilling and four holes totalling 213.3 metre of underground drilling in the tram-line tunnel were completed by Altamont Exploration on the Empire and Strathcona prospects (Annual Report 1966, page 242).
In 1979 Churn-drilling also tested 27 metres of overburden in two holes. Work was focused on northwesterly extension of the copper-silver deposits found on the Strathcona and Empire Crown granted mineral claims (Assessment Report 8137).
In 1988, one percussion drillhole (P-D-10-87) totalling 56.4 metre was drilled for R.H. Stanfield on the Dogwood 10 claim (Assessment Report 16235). The hole attempted to penetrate Aldridge Formation argillite and argillaceous quartzite near the historic Strathcona-Empire prospect (082GSW015). Because of difficult drilling the hole was abandoned before hitting bedrock.
In 1989, four rotary holes were drilled on the Dogwood 12 claim in 1988 and 4 holes were drilled on the Dogwood 10 claim in 1988 but did not reach bedrock. Road work and erosion control was completed over the Dogwood 9 and 11 claims and the Cedar 1,3 and 5 claims in 1988 and 1989. (Assessment Report 19034).
In December 2014, a restructuring plan was approved by the BC Supreme Court and SMG creditors. The restructuring plan included the transfer of all ("SMG") mining properties and assets, including 139 mineral claims, two mining leases and a worker's campsite, to Purcell Basin Minerals Inc (PBM). In January 2016, PBM submitted a Mines Act permit application for the re-start of the BRM. PBM was subsequently placed under creditor protection, and the Mines Act permitting process was placed on hold. The BRM has been under "Care and Maintenance" status since 2014. Annual reclamation reports have been filed with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR). A geotechnical inspection was completed in August 2016, and compliance inspections for electrical and health/safety were completed in March 2018.
Braveheart Resources Inc. acquired Bul River Mineral Corporation and all its subsidiaries and assets, including the BRM property, in January of 2019.
In 2019, Braveheart completed 14 diamond-drill holes the Empire-Strathcona claims (ES-19-01 to ES-19-14) totaling 1388.61 metres) (Assessment Report 38526). The 2019 drilling program was designed to target the vein below the lowest historical working, the lower adit at 1264 metres elevation. The program successfully tracked the vein along 80m of strike length and 85 metres vertical depth. The program was not successful in duplicating historical grades attributed to the adit and mine workings above the 2019 drillhole vein intersects.
See also nearby Burt (082FSW018), Blue Grouse (082FSW016), OK (082FSW055), and Ross 2 (082FSW053) occurrences.
