The Fir occurrence is located at an elevation of approximately 1400 metres on the south flank of Skwilkwakwil Mountain.
The area is underlain by Border phase granodiorite of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Guichon Creek Batholith.
Locally, disseminated chalcopyrite with quartz occurs in granodiorite and/or quartz diorite over an area of at least 20 by 30 metres, in part along joints striking 020 degrees and bounded by unmineralized dacite porphyry and/or feldpar porphyritic and/or aplite dikes striking 330 degrees. One small dike cuts the mineralized area. Sericite, quartz, biotite, potassium feldspar veinlets host disseminated chalcopyrite. Malachite is reported on fracture surfaces in quartz diorite approximately 60 metres to the south.
Malachite mineralization in granodiorite is exposed 16.5 metres to the south. Another area of similar mineralization is exposed by trenches 105 metre to the southwest of the previous mineralization.
In 2008, a grab sample (12408) assayed 1.208 per cent copper, and a composite sample (12409) taken over 10 by 2 metres yielded 0.700 per cent copper (Assessment Report 30779).
In 2009, a sample (12311) yielded 0.5 per cent copper (Assessment Report 31425).
In 2010, seven samples (WVF-10-11 through -17) from the historical trenched area yielded from 0.276 to 0.754 per cent copper, two samples (WVF-10-09 and -10) taken approximately 350 metres northwest of the trenches yielded 0.905 and 1.22 per cent copper and a sample (WVF-10-03) taken approximately 200 metres further to the northwest yielded 0.398 per cent copper (Assessment Report 32025).
In 2014, a sample (WV14-R09) assayed 7.3 per cent copper and 8.3 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 35321).
In 2017, three 1-metre grab samples yielded from 0.24 to greater than 0.50 per cent copper (Assessment Report 37364).
Work History
In 1964 and 1965, Skeena Silver Mines Ltd. completed programs of geological mapping, soil sampling, induced polarizations surveys, trenching and four diamond drill holes on the occurrence area. No drilling or trenching results are known.
In 1966, Glen Echo Mines completed a program of geological mapping and an 8.1 line-kilometre ground magnetometer survey on the areas as the Fir claims.
In 1970, North Bay Mines completed a geochemical soil survey on the area as the Nite claims. This work identified a 450- by 360-metre copper anomaly on the Nite 13 claim and located chalcopyrite-malachite–mineralized float on the Nite 14 claim immediately to the north (Assessment Report 2761).
In 1973, Highland Chief Mines completed a program of soil sampling and a ground magnetometer survey on the area as the Egg claims.
In 2007 and 2008, Appleton Exploration completed programs of prospecting and soil sampling on the area as the Clapperton property.
During late 2008 through 2012, Happy Creek Minerals completed programs of geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling, geological mapping, three diamond drill holes, totalling 740.9 metres, an induced polarization survey and a 1463.0 line-kilometre airborne gamma ray spectrometer and magnetic survey on the area as the West Valley property.
During 2013 through 2019, Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. completed programs of geological mapping, geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling, a 32.3 line-kilometre induced polarization survey and re-interpretation of historical airborne geophysical data on the area as part of the Rateria-West Valley property.
