The Ell occurrence is located at an elevation of approximately 1230 metres on a northeast-facing slope, south of Godey Creek and approximately 1 kilometre southwest of the west end of Garcia Lake.

The area lies near the eastern margin of the western belt of the Upper Triassic Nicola Group and is comprised of volcanic rocks consisting of plagioclase andesitic to dacitic flows, tuffs and breccias that are variably epidotized and silicified. These are intercalated with north-northeast-trending, discontinuous layers of limestone and argillite. Carbonate lenses up to 30 metres in width consist of blue-grey, massive to cherty limestone, which appears to control mineralization. A medium-grained microdiorite outcrops in the west central portion of the property. A strong shear zone strikes 070 degrees with numerous associated faults, fractures and joints. Quartz veins parallel the shear and dip 70 degrees south.

The occurrence consists of a shallow (early 1900s) shaft and a 36.6-metre crosscut , which intersected a zone of sulphides in brecciated and silicified limestone. Mineralization comprises disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, sphalerite and tetrahedrite associated with quartz veins that strike at 070 degrees and dip 70 degrees to the south. Malachite and azurite staining, hematite, and several gossanous areas are also present. Mineralization also replaces limestone where it is cut by quartz veins.

In 1963, chip samples taken from the south face of a pit returned from 0.75 to 1.30 per cent copper, 0.23 to 4.30 per cent zinc and trace to 51.3 grams per tonne silver (Property File – 10614).

In 1974, sampling of trenches is reported to have yielded up to 6.85 per cent copper, 133.4 grams per tonne silver and 0.34 gram per tonne gold from trench no. 3 located approximately 75 metres southwest of the shaft (Sample 917J; Property File - 10750).

In 1976, A grab sample assayed 3.0 per cent copper, 1.3 per cent zinc and 51.3 grams per tonne silver, whereas grab samples from the dump returned up to 0.34 grams per tonne gold, 133.7 grams per tonne silver, 6.85 per cent copper and 6.40 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 6041 and 12194).

In 2001, a chip sample (3833) from the Ell shaft yielded 53.8 grams per tonne silver, 1.23 per cent copper and 2.67 per cent zinc over 0.81 metre, whereas grab samples from the shaft yielded up to 70.3 grams per tonne silver, 1.61 per cent copper and 2.35 per cent zinc (Sample 3834; Assessment Report 26878).

Work History

The occurrence was examined and developed by a shallow shaft and a 36.6-metre crosscut likely dating to the early 1900s. A number of pits and shallow trenches are also reported.

In 1968, Rainbow Lake Explorations Ltd. examined the area as the Ell 1-6 claims.

In 1974, Ruskin Developments Ltd. completed a program of trenching, sampling and a magnetometer on the area.

In 1976, Ruskin Developments Ltd. completed a program of soil sampling and an 18.0 line-kilometre ground electromagnetic survey on the area as the TT claim.

In 1983, Ruskin Developments Ltd. completed a soil sampling program on the TT claim.

In 1995, Cambridge Minerals Ltd. completed an 834.0 line-kilometre airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey on the area as the SK 1-16 claims.

In 2001, Nubio Ventures Inc. completed a program of geological mapping and rock sampling on the area as the Iron 1 claim.

During 2013 through 2018, the area was prospected, mapped and sampled by K. Ellerbeck.