The property lies within the Shuswap Metamorphic Complex along the northwestern margin of the Frenchman Cap Dome. The core of the dome is composed of a mixed paragneiss and orthogneiss succession of probable Aphebian age. The dome is mantled by unconformably overlying metasedimentary rocks consisting of quartzites, calcareous schists, marbles and pelitic schists, and locally intruded by carbonatite.

The mineralized zones occur on both limbs of the syncline within the "Cottonbelt sequence", a heterogeneous package of dominantly calcareous rocks (Fieldwork, 1978). At the base of the Cottonbelt sequence is a buff-weathering carbonatite layer overlain by calcareous schists and a calcareous to relatively pure white quartzite. A distinctive grey-weathering, white limestone overlies the quartzite, which is overlain by interlayered micaeous and calcareous schists and an impure grey-weathering crumbly limestone. The sulphide layer, enveloped by a thin layer of very siliceous calcareous schist and a garnet sillimanite schist, defines the top of the Cottonbelt sequence.

The main copper showing suggests a zone comprising several bands of quartz mineralized with chalcopyrite and minor bornite, sphalerite and pyrite alternating with beds of mica-schist and crystalline limestone. The chalcopyrite occurs as blebs and disseminations in the quartz.

Another zone of ‘lead-zinc-magnetite’ mineralization, referred to as the ‘Ken Outcrop’, is reported to be located approximately 1325 metres north west of the Bass shaft, 700 metres west- south west of the Complex (MINFILE 082M 125) occurrence and west of the Copper King occurrence.

A sample taken in 1913 assayed trace gold, 6.8 grams per tonne silver, and 7.3 per cent copper (Annual Report 1913, page 203).

In 1951, a sample taken near the Copper King adit portal assayed 1.00 per cent copper, 37.7 grams per tonne silver and 0.17 gram per tonne gold over 2.134 metres, while the average of four samples taken the surface exposure of the McLeod zone is reported at 4.69 per cent lead, 5.44 per cent zinc and 71.7 grams per tonne silver over 1.50 metres (Williams, J.D. (2012-06-12): Technical Report on the Copper King – Cotton Belt Property).

In 1970, underground sampling of the Copper King workings are reported to have yielded from 1.99 per cent copper over 2.9 metres true width near the portal to 3.55 per cent copper over 0.9 metre true width at approximately 33 metre along the adit (Williams, J.D. (2012-06-12): Technical Report on the Copper King – Cotton Belt Property).

In 1976, grab samples from the Copper King adit dump yielded values ranging from 3.7 to 5.0 per cent copper, while a sample from the McLeod adit dump assayed 1.50 per cent copper, 5.40 per cent lead, 2.99 per cent zinc and 80.23 grams per tonne silver (Williams, J.D. (2012-06-12): Technical Report on the Copper King – Cotton Belt Property).

See Cottonbelt (MINFILE 082M 086) occurrence for a complete exploration history of the area.