The host rocks consist of Lower Jurassic Hazelton Group volcanics of the Telkwa Formation comprised mainly of massive andesite, andesitic flows, flow breccia, tuff, and rhyodacite to rhyolite flows. The volcanics are unconformably overlain by Upper Jurassic Bowser Lake Group sediments comprised of a basal pebble conglomerate overlain by a monotonous series of siltstone, mudstone, greywacke, and slate all dipping in a southerly direction. These rocks are intruded by a Late Cretaceous to Tertiary Bulkley Intrusion comprised of granodiorite with associated quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes.
The rhyolitic and andesitic flows, breccia, and tuff show vein fissure infillings along sheared zones and faults which host sulphide mineralization. In order of abundance, the mineralization comprises arsenopyrite, galena, sphalerite, tetrahedrite and chalcopyrite. The sheared wall rock is bleached to light yellow and is silicified. The main mineralized zone is richest in galena, sphalerite and tetra- hedrite and is located near the sedimentary unconformity. Depending on the proximity to the main Victory vein, the volcanic rock exhibits varying degrees of silicification, chloritization and pyritization. Pervasive sericitization and silicification is prevalent along the majority of shears. The alteration assemblage is typically sericite, clay, quartz and carbonate with bright fuchsite.
The Victory vein, is prospected by four adits and is known to extend approximately 1200 metres along strike from exposures in trenches, adits and surface outcrops. The main shear trends between 030 to 040 degrees and ranges in width from 0.25 to 2.0 metres. The main zone is hosted within a fractured shear zone and smaller peri- pheral splays in the rhyolitic rocks. The mineralization consists of fissure infilling containing galena, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite. Silicified and chloritized rhyolite lapilli tuff represents the host lithology. A 13 centimetre channel sample across the main zone assayed 14.4 grams per tonne gold, 501.9 grams per tonne silver, 23.45 per cent lead and 13.36 per cent zinc (Geological Survey of Canada Bulletin 1).
Adit No. 2, at elevation 1209 metres, intersects altered and fractured andesite containing stringers of galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, and minor tetrahedrite and chalcopyrite. A 56 centi- metre channel sample assayed 1.5 grams per tonne gold, 83.7 grams per tonne silver, 2.78 per cent lead, and 2.11 per cent zinc.
Adit No. 3, at elevation 1245 metres, shows altered and sheared andesite with stringers and pockets of arsenopyrite with minor galena and sphalerite. The No. 4 adit, at elevation 1282 metres, consists of altered and fractured andesite with well mineralized stringers consisting mainly of arsenopyrite. In 1932, D. Lay selectively sampled No. 4 adit ore shoot 18 metres long and 1.0 metres wide. The sample assayed 15.1 grams per tonne gold, 358.3 grams per tonne silver, 6.4 per cent lead and 1.1 per cent zinc (Geological Survey of Canada Bulletin 1, page 53).
In 1987 to 1988, rehabilitation of some of the underground workings was initiated. An old drift was slashed for 61 metres and extended about 38 metres. Underground sampling of a vein in the new drift gave a zone grading 2.4 grams per tonne gold, 301.7 grams per tonne silver, 7.0 per cent zinc and 6.0 per cent lead (Assessment Report 14300).
In 1987, assays from the underground sampling ranged from 3.4 to 34.28 grams per tonne silver and 0.2 to 1.5 per cent lead and zinc. Where the vein hosts massive sulphides, the silver values range from 411.4 to 2000.0 grams per tonne and lead and zinc values run between 10 to 15 per cent. Gold values are associated with the silver at about a 1:100 ration, and gold values of about 3.2 grams per tonne are associated with arsenic values in the order of 1.0 to 5.0 per cent (Assessment Report 17773).
Production between 1913 to 1936 inclusive, totalled 53 tonnes mined and contained 560 grams per tonne gold, 77,166 grams per tonne silver, 17,061 kilograms lead, and 1,778 kilograms zinc. Proven reserves were reported at 4,200 tonnes with no grade stated, in 1953 by Sil-Van Consolidated Mining & Milling Co. Ltd. (Energy, Mines and Resources, Mineral Policy, Corpfile).
