The Loop occurrence was initially located approximately 2 kilometres east of the present locality based on an early assessment report (3269). Re-evaluation of the report showed that the Loop property was below tree line where there was scarce outcrop. The property was thought to be underlain by Middle Triassic-Lower Jurassic Takla Group volcanic rocks.

The copper mineralization described as disseminated blebs of chalcopyrite associated with calcareous quartz stringers and malachite-stained fractures occurs in multiple lithologies in the cirque headwall outside of the property area.

Reconnaissance geological mapping in the region (Open File 1993-4) identified a 2-metre wide zone, striking 030 degrees, in a grey, fine-grained, plagioclase porphyritic flow of the Lower Jurassic Twin Creek Formation of the Takla Group. The zone contains multiple stringers of silicified, bleached and possibly sheared rock containing chalcopyrite, malachite, and magnetite. Disseminated malachite also occurs along fractures. This mineralization is also described in Assessment Report 15319 as the TRN grid, part of the Takla-Rainbow occurrence (093N 082). Although it is not known with certainty if this copper showing represents the exact showing(s) described in the original assessment report (3269), it is of similar character. Assessment report 20968 reports minor disseminated chalcopyrite and malachite in several other areas in the cirque region. These very small mineralized spots should be included with the Loop showing.

The mineralization in the cirque may be related to the Takla-Rainbow prospect located 2.5 kilometres west of the Loop. Twin Creek Formation volcanic rocks in the area of the occurrence consist of plagioclase, hornblende, and augite-bearing heterolithic lapilli tuff and breccia and aphanitic volcanics.

Another zone of mineralization, located on a south-flowing tributary of Twin Creek, approximately 800 metres to the west-southwest of the plotted location of the Loop occurrence, comprises a diorite hosting quartz veins, up to 0.5 metre wide, with pyrite. Float in the area contains quartz veining with pyrite and chalcopyrite. A number of samples were taken from this zone in the early 1980s but no results are known.

In 1986, gold, silver, and copper anomalies on the TRN grid, located north of the plotted location of the Loop occurrence, were outlined across the southern and eastern parts of the grid. Four float samples from the TRN grid yielded values from 0.259 to 0.944 per cent copper, 0.1 to 7.3 grams per tonne silver and 0.008 to 0.385 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 15319).

In 1991, a grab sample (TR-91-A14) tuff hosting disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite with limonite-jarosite-malachite staining from the Loop occurrence area assayed 0.39 per cent copper, whereas a grab sample (TR-91-R60) from a 0.15 metre wide quartz vein hosting minor galena and trace chalcopyrite and pyrite in a limonite-jarosite- malachite altered shear zone, located downslope to the east of the Loop occurrence at an elevation of approximately 1650 metres, yielded 0.26 per cent lead, 6.7 grams per tonne silver and 0.22 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 22372). A grab sample (TR-91-A20) of epidote-altered felsic tuff with disseminated pyrite, taken approximately 1.5 kilometres north of the plotted location of the Loop occurrence, yielded 0.13 per cent copper and 0.04 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 22372).

In 1993, a grab sample analysed 1.25 per cent copper and 0.030 gram per tonne gold.

In 2006, samples (407501 through 407508) from the Loop occurrence area yielded up to 0.337 per cent copper, 0.014 per cent bismuth, 4.6 grams per tonne silver and 0.09 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 29011).

Work History

The area has been explored in conjunction with the nearby Takla-Rainbow (MINFILE 093N 082) occurrence and a complete exploration history can be found there.