The Hiller 1 magnetite occurrence is located in the eastern headwaters of the Kaouk River, approximately 11 kilometres north of the community of Zeballos.

Regionally, the area lies within a broad northwest-trending sequence of interbedded sediments and volcanics of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Parson Bay Formation (Bonanza Group) and Upper Triassic Quatsino Formation (Vancouver Group). This assemblage lies on the northeastern flank of the extensive granodiorite Zeballos intrusion phase of the Jurassic Island Plutonic Suite.

The area lies within a belt of mineralization comprising nine or more similar occurrences that extend from the Zeballos River for approximately 10 kilometres in a north-northwest direction. The mineralization occurs at or near the conformable contact between the Upper Triassic Vancouver Group—comprising Quatsino Formation crystalline limestone and overlying highly altered and folded Parson Bay Formation volcanic and sedimentary rocks—and the Lower Jurassic Bonanza Group.

The Hiller 1 occurrence lies approximately 1 kilometre north-northwest of the Churchill magnetite (MINFILE 092L 031) occurrence and occurs in a similar geological environment, where magnetite has replaced limestone at a diorite contact. Magnetite occurs also in stringers within the intrusive rock. The mineralized zone is believed to dip steeply with the intrusive contact. Magnetite surveys suggest limited potential for the deposit (Property File - R.N. Saukko [1967-03-15[: Report on Hiller-Churchill Properties 1966). The zone is up to 20 metres wide and has been traced for over 125 metres on surface along its north-northwest strike.

Work History

In 1956, the area immediately northwest was staked as the Artlish group by Mr. Skogland. In 1961, BHP-Utah Mines optioned the Artlish group claims and completed a program of geological mapping and ground and airborne geophysical surveys on the area. During the early 1960s, Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd. completed programs of ground and airborne geophysical surveys and staked the Hiller claims.

In 1986, Falconbridge Ltd. completed an airborne geophysical survey on the Hiller and surrounding Zeb claims. In 1988, Footwall Explorations Ltd. completed 900 metres of drilling on the Hiller-Churchill property.

In 2018 and 2020, R.J. Billingsley completed programs of photo-geological, airborne geophysical interpretation, prospecting, and rock sampling on the area as the Hiller property.