The Extension 5 (Lot 1048) copper skarn occurrence lies between Bibb and Goldvalley creeks, approximately 0.5 kilometre northwest of the Central Zeballos (MINFILE 092L 212) gold mine.

Regionally, the area is underlain by Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Bonanza Group basaltic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks. Conformably underlying the Bonanza volcanic rocks are limestones and limy clastics of the Triassic to Lower Jurassic Parson Bay Formation (Bonanza and Vancouver groups) and Upper Triassic Quatsino Formation (Vancouver Group), and tholeiitic basalts of the Upper Triassic Karmutsen Formation (Vancouver Group). Dioritic to granodioritic plutons of the Zeballos intrusion phase of the Jurassic Island Plutonic Suite have intruded all older rocks. The Zeballos stock, a quartz diorite phase of the Eocene to Oligocene Mount Washington Plutonic Suite, is spatially related to gold-quartz veining in the area. Bedded rocks are predominantly northwest striking, southwest dipping, and anticlinally folded about a northwest axis.

Locally, the area is underlain by a roof pendant of Upper Triassic Quatsino Formation (Vancouver Group) limestone that is conformably overlain by Lower Jurassic Bonanza Group volcanic rocks. The limestone lies at the northeast flank contact with granodiorite of the Eocene to Oligocene Zeballos pluton (Mount Washington Plutonic Suite). Skarn-altered rock consists of massive diopside replacement. The skarn attains a maximum width of 6.0 metres and is traceable along its northwest strike length for 300 metres. Mineralization consists of massive chalcopyrite with some bornite in lenses within the skarn. Magnetite was reported more distant from the intrusive contact, whereas pyrite is reported closer to the contact.

In 1965 and 1966, diamond drilling yielded intercepts of 1.05 per cent copper and 34.3 grams per tonne silver over 1.2 metres in hole no. 8 (Property File – W.M. Sharp [1965-11-04]: Diamond Drill Logs - Central Zeballos).

In 1983, a high-grade sample (CZ-105-83) assayed 6.18 per cent copper, 0.58 gram per tonne gold and 44.58 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 12077).

Work History

The area has been explored since the late 1930s in conjunction with the nearby Central Zeballos (MINFILE 092L 212) past-producing gold mine.

In 1964, the Silver Standard-Granby Prospecting Syndicate completed a program of trenching and sampling before being optioned by Consolidated Skeena Mines Ltd. in 1965. The latter company completing programs of geological mapping, soil sampling, a magnetometer survey and 11 diamond drill holes, totalling 1073.4 metres, on the property.

In 1978, Golden Hinde Mines Ltd. prospected the areas the Paladin group. During 1981 through 1983, Impact Resources Inc. completed programs of geological mapping, prospecting and rock and soil sampling on the Central Zeballos property. In 1988, Canalaska Resources Ltd. optioned the Central Zeballos property from New Impact Resources Inc. and completed a program of geological mapping, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling and prospecting.

In 2003, Canalska Ventures Ltd. completed a regional program of rock, silt and soil sampling on the area. In 2014, the area was prospected as a part of the Zeballos Vancouver Island property.