The Birch (Porcupine) occurrence is located north east of Red Creek, approximately 6.5 kilometres north- north west of the creeks’ junction with the Sustut River.

Regionally, the showing occurs within a large fault block of Lower Jurassic Telkwa Formation (Hazelton Group) volcanics. Within the fault block, the strata dips 30 degrees to the southwest. Small, Early Jurassic leucocratic porphyry plugs intrude the volcanics.

In the immediate area, outcrops of quartz porphyry and diorite intrude andesite, and dacitic tuffs and breccias. The quartz porphyry contains variable amounts of disseminated pyrite and locally exhibits quartz-sericite-pyrite (phyllic) alteration.

The occurrence comprises volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) stratiform gold-copper mineralization, which extends for up to 3 kilometres along strike (Northern Miner, October 7, 1991). The massive to semi-massive sulphides occur as multiple concordant bands or lenses hosted by dacitic to rhyolitic volcanics. Mineralization consists of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and, locally, lenses of magnetite. The hostrocks have been intensely silicified, weakly chloritized and partially argillically altered. Locally, cross-cutting quartz veins are also reported.

Work History

The exploration programs completed by Wesfrob Mines Limited in the summer of 1972 led to the discovery of the “Day” porphyry copper-gold occurrence (MINFILE occurrence #065). Work performed on the occurrence included linecutting, magnetometer and geochemical surveys, geological mapping, and diamond drilling. Eight holes totalling 1360 metres were completed by the end of 1974.

In this same period, Wesfrob completed geochemical and reconnaissance geophysical surveys on their Birch claims. A large, rusty, weathered soil area produced anomalous copper and silver values in its drainage (MINFILE #077). A detailed soil sampling program located one area with highly anomalous values. Pyrite, minor chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena were observed (Assessment Report 21857A).

In 1982, Jemo Resources Inc. completed soil sampling on their Chum claims, investigating high zinc-in-soil values delineated by McIntyre Porcupine Mines Ltd. in 1973. This survey confirmed the 1973 zinc values (Assessment Report 21857A).

In 1990 and 1991, Skeena Resources Ltd. staked the Cisco 1 to 7 claims over areas covering the Day, Cisco-Porcupine and Birch showings. Skeena entered a joint venture with Beauchamps Exploration Ltd. from 1990 to 1991 and hired Taiga Exploration Consultants to explore the property. Exploration in 1991 and 1992 encompassed photogeological interpretation, silt sampling, reconnaissance and grid-controlled soil sampling, grid-controlled magnetic and very low-frequency electromagnetic surveys, orientation induced polarization surveys, prospecting, trenching and lithogeochemical sampling. Two flagged grids—the Porcupine and Day grids—controlled the exploration program. Selected targets were drilled off the grid in 1992 and consisted of eight holes totalling 842 metres. Drillcore was reported to have been stored on the property. The Porcupine zone identified only sporadic and discontinuous mineralization.

In 1991, grab samples assayed 1.9 to 4.9 grams per tonne gold (1964 to 4960 parts per billion) and 1.25 to 5.4 per cent copper (Assessment Report 21857).

In 1992, a drill hole (92-3) assayed 0.13 per cent copper and 0.31 gram per tonne gold over 9.6 metres, while surface chip samples yielded up to 0.24 per cent copper and 2.1 grams per tonne gold over 0.9 metre (McCrea, J.A. (2011-03-07): Technical Report on the Day Property).

In 1991 and 1992, sampling of trenches B-1 and P-1 yielded up to 0.576 and 2.108 grams per tonne gold, 6.50 and 104.00 grams per tonne silver with 0.280 and 0.240 per cent copper over 1.2 and 0.9 metres, respectively, while samples (ZR-91-149 and KF-92-69) of high-grade float boulders yielded values of up to 17.2 per cent copper and 7.98 grams per tonne gold (McCrea, J.A. (2011-03-07): Technical Report on the Day Property). This high grade mineralization has not been identified in-situ.

In 1996, Madrona Mining Ltd. incurred the option to earn 50 per cent interest in the Cisco property by issuing 50 000 shares to Skeena and Beauchamps in addition to spending CAD$235 000 on the property in exploration over two years. Madrona contracted Aerodat Inc. to conduct airborne magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical surveys over the Cisco 1 to 6 claims. Taiga Exploration Consultants were contracted to investigate the geophysical anomalies. In 1996, Taiga collected a number of soil and rock samples, although no significant findings were reported (Assessment Report 32550).

In early 2011, Equitas and Dahrouge contracted Geo Data Solutions Inc. (GDS) to perform a helicopter-borne aeromagnetic survey on the Day property. The GDS survey consisted of a 992-line kilometre grid across the entire property, including 821 kilometres of traverse lines and 171 kilometres of tie lines. The traverse lines had an approximately east-west azimuth with 100 metres spacing; the tie lines were oriented north-south with 500 metres spacing (Assessment Report 32550).

In late July 2011, staff of Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. completed a follow-up prospecting and soil/rock sampling program on the Day property. A total of 210 rock samples and one soil sample were collected during the 2011 exploration. In total, 31 samples assayed greater than 0.5 gram per tonne gold and 68 samples assayed greater than 0.1 per cent copper. Of the five historic showings, Roy, Day and Porcupine returned the most promising results (Assessment Report 32550).