The Porphyry Pearl occurrence is located approximately 18 kilometres north-northwest of the Lawyers mine (094E 066), about 280 kilometres north of Smithers.

It lies within the Omineca-Cassiar Mountains at the southern end of the Toodoggone Gold Camp. The showing is situated within a Mesozoic volcanic arc assemblage which lies along the eastern margin of the Intermontane Belt, a northwest-trending belt of Paleozoic to Tertiary sediments, volcanics and intrusions bounded to the east by the Omineca Belt and to the west and southwest by the Sustut and Bowser basins.

Permian Asitka Group crystalline limestones are the oldest rocks exposed in the region. They are commonly in thrust contact with Upper Triassic Takla Group andesite flows and pyroclastic rocks. Takla volcanics have been intruded by the granodiorite to quartz monzonite Black Lake Suite of Early Jurassic age and are in turn unconformably overlain by or faulted against Lower Jurassic calcalkaline volcanics of the Toodoggone Formation (Hazelton Group).

The dominant structures in the area are steeply dipping faults which define a prominent regional northwest structural fabric trending 140 to 170 degrees. In turn, high angle northeast-striking faults (approximately 060 degrees) appear to truncate and displace northwest-striking faults. Collectively, these faults form a boundary for variably rotated and tilted blocks underlain by monoclinal strata.

The periphery of the Porphyry Pearl (PP) zone is characterized in part by sericite-pyrite altered rocks in limited exposures along Moosehorn Creek. At one outcrop, these altered rocks host narrow, east striking, moderately to steeply north dipping quartz-carbonate veins containing sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite.

The Porphyry Pearl zone, adjacent to Moosehorn Creek, features porphyry style copper-gold mineralization related to an unexposed granodiorite-quartz monzonite intrusion. Porphyry copper-gold mineralization in the PP zone occurs as sulphide disseminations and fracture fillings within an intensely altered, buried granitic intrusion which has dimensions of at least 1100 by 800 metres. While previous diamond drilling yielded generally low copper and gold values, it is significant that several holes contained average gold values of 0.28 gram per tonne gold and 0.02 per cent copper over their entire lengths of 200 metres (Assessment Report 31159).

The Porphyry Pearl prospect is underlain by intermediate porphyritic rocks of the McClair Member of the Toodoggone Formation. These include feldspar hornblende crystal and crystal lapilli tuffs, and tuff breccias, a thin ash-fall tuff and lesser dacite porphyry flows. The volcanic sequence appears to dip moderately to the northeast. Narrow and scattered basalt and andesite dikes are uncommon around the Porphyry Pearl prospect but are widespread to the east. Toodoggone volcanics are intruded and altered by an Early Jurassic synvolcanic, hypabyssal granodiorite intrusive complex which lies on a major northwest striking fault structure which runs from McClair Creek through the JD prospect (094E 065) and northward.

Initial property exploration in the area of the Porphyry Pearl prospect was focussed on lead and zinc sulphides in quartz veins about 675 metres southeast and along strike from the present Moose 1 prospect (094E 031). The Porphyry Pearl prospect was discovered in 1973 in the west bank of, and near the headwaters of Moosehorn Creek. Lead, zinc, copper, silver and gold quartz vein mineralization are exposed over about 1.22 metres width, striking about 080 degrees and dipping about 70 degrees to the southeast. Boundaries with country rocks are heavily pyritized with several sporadic clay bands.

Porphyry-style mineralization consists of pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena in veins of quartz, sericite, carbonate, anhydrite, magnetite and hematite in a potassic altered host. Anhydrite and/or gypsum veins dominate below 150 to 180 metres and host varying amounts of copper, zinc, lead and iron sulphides. Low grade gold and silver mineralization also exists, suggestive of a porphyry copper-gold-silver system Multiphase intrusive breccias are present locally.

Work History

The earliest record of work within the area of the present property dates back to 1971 when Sumac Mines Ltd. (an exploration entity of Sumitomo Metal Mining Company) located claims east of Moosehorn Creek to cover anomalous base and precious metals values indicated by a reconnaissance stream sediment geochemical survey. In 1973, sampling of a trench on the discovery zone yielded 0.30 per cent lead, 9.9 grams per tonne silver and 3.4 grams per tonne gold over 0.39 metre (Assessment Report 4631).

Work on what was known as the Moose property through 1974 included grid construction, the preparation of orthophoto base maps, soil geochemistry, induced polarization (IP) and magnetic surveys and 493.5 metres of diamond drilling in four holes on the Porphyry Pearl occurrence. These holes were drilled to test widely spaced geophysical anomalies. Drillhole MM-2 intersected the best mineralization consisting of pyrite (up to 6 per cent), magnetite and base metal sulphides hosted in quartz veins and veinlets. This hole also reported anomalous gold (Assessment Report 13961). In 1982, core from the 1974 drill program was re-examined, sampled and assayed. Assay results indicated only weakly anomalous values over sporadic intervals. The only exception to this was a lower section where a zone of gold and copper mineralization was intersected in a porphyritic hypabyssal intrusive rock. Sample 2-81-80, from the 1-metre interval (92.7 to 93.7 metres) analyzed 5.0 grams per tonne silver, 4.93 grams per tonne gold, 0.1460 per cent copper, 0.027 per cent zinc and 0.0051 per cent lead (Assessment Report 10291).

Sumac’s claims lapsed in 1977 and were re-staked in 1978 by T.C. Scott and Petra-Gem Exploration Ltd. In 1979, Energex Minerals Ltd. acquired the re-staked Sumac property by way of an option agreement and carried out some hand trenching and bedrock and drill core sampling.

TexasGulf Canada Ltd. (later known as Kidd Creek Mines Ltd.) entered into an option agreement with Energex in early 1980 and over the subsequent three field seasons completed soil and rock geochemical surveys, geological mapping, limited geophysical surveys and 494.5 metres of diamond drilling in two holes on the (then) Moose property. These two holes were drilled on the Porphyry Pearl to test the continuity of mineralization that was intersected in drillholes. The best assay values from these two drillholes were 690.0 grams per tonne silver, 17.0 grams per tonne gold, 0.41 per cent lead, 0.338 per cent copper and 0.183 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 11238). Exploration programs within and adjacent to the Pearl East 1 and 2 mineral claims were undertaken in 1980 and 1981 by Serem Ltd. and included the collection of stream sediment samples, contour soil and rock sampling, prospecting and geological mapping on Oxide Peak and the southern part of the area now covered by the current claims.

In 1984, additional work by Newmont of Canada Exploration included rock sampling within the area of the Pearl East 2 claim.

In 1985, Energex Minerals Ltd. entered into a joint venture agreement with New Ridge Resources Ltd. for the purpose of carrying out additional exploratory work on the Moose property. A comprehensive program completed that year included soil and rock geochemistry, prospecting, geological mapping and the testing of two mineralized zones by way of 914.6 metres of diamond drilling in 18 holes. Much of the geological mapping and bedrock sampling completed by Geostar Mining Corp. in 1985 was directed to the area of the current Pearl East 1 and 2 mineral claims. In 1985, two holes were drilled; they both intersected a zone of auriferous quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins striking nearly east and dipping moderately to steeply north. Both holes also intersected anomalous silver, gold and base metal mineralization. A 0.40-metre interval from a narrow quartz-sulphide vein in drillhole 85-M-17 analyzed 13.3 grams per tonne gold, 14.0 grams per tonne silver, 2.27 per cent zinc, 1.09 per cent lead and 0.11 per cent copper (Assessment Report 13961).

In 1987, geochemical and geophysical surveys were carried out by Shayna Resources Ltd. in the area of the current Pearl East 1 and 2 mineral claims.

In 1990, Cipper Minerals Ltd. held property now covered by the Pearl East 1 and 2 claims and reportedly carried out prospecting and hand trenching in addition to a limited IP survey.

In 1991, exploratory work on the previous Moose property (now the Pearl 1-10 mineral claims) was conducted by Golden Rule Resources Ltd. and partner Manson Creek Resources Ltd. that were party to an option agreement with Energex Minerals Ltd. Diamond drilling in seven vertical holes totalling 1123.7 metres of diamond drilling was completed in the Porphyry Pearl prospect area. Drilling identified strongly altered mineralized intervals in holes PP-91-2, PP-91-3, PP-91-5, and PP-91-6, suggest a strike length (minimum) of 900 metres, a width of 700 metres, and a depth of 150 metres for the altered, mineralized feature. Intercepts included broad zones of low-grade mineralization yielding up to 0.35 gram per tonne gold and 0.036 per cent copper over 124.0 metres in hole PP-91-6 along with short high-grade zones of up to 9.37 grams per tonne gold and 0.116 per cent copper over 1.0 metre in hole PP-91-3 (Assessment Report 22226).

In the mid-1990s, the Moose claims lapsed as did a number of other claims throughout the Toodoggone district. More than 90 per cent of exploration expenditures documented by assessment reports were spent on the former Moose property which was later covered by the Pearl and Pearl 1-7 mineral claims. AGC Americas Gold Corp. and Antares Mining and Exploration Corporation held the property as the Moose claims. AGC acquired all the Toodoggone properties in July 1999. AGC is a subsidiary of Timebeat.com Enterprises Inc. Antares became Canesa Capital Corporation in September 1999.

In 2001, A.O. Birkeland located the PP1 and PP2 claims. In 2003-05, A.O. Birkeland located the Pearl 1-10 claims and also acquired the Pearl East 1-4 claims. In mid-2005, a GIS compilation was undertaken by A.O. Birkeland. The database used included assessment reports detailing the results of historic exploration work completed between 1971 and 1991, the results of a 2004 airborne geophysical survey and government sponsored geological mapping programs for the Toodoggone River area which are available on websites (including MapPlace) maintained by the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. The GIS compilation of surface data was undertaken using MapInfo Professional Version 7.5 SCP while 3-dimensional models incorporating previous diamond drilling results were constructed using SurPac Version 5.0 software (Assessment Report 28043).

In 2006, the Pearl 8, 9 and 10 “legacy” claims were converted to a large “cell” claim (the “Pearl”) in January of 2006. Starfire Minerals Inc. entered into an option to purchase agreement with A.O. Birkeland effective February 21, 2006. Starfire commissioned magnetic and IP surveys on portions of the Porphyry Pearl Property that were carried out by Peter E Walcott & Associates during the period August 22 to September 16, 2006. The surveys were conducted over approximately a 60 line-kilometre grid. Survey specifications, results and conclusions are contained in “A Report on Induced Polarization & Magnetic Surveying” by Peter E. Walcott and Associates dated December, 2006 and appended to N.C. Carter's (2007) technical report.

In 2007, Starfire Minerals Inc. commissioned Arnex Resources Limited of North Vancouver, B.C. to conduct a diamond drilling program on the Pearl 1 and 3 claims. Six holes were drilled (PP-07-01through -06) totalling 1805 metres in the Porphyry Pearl prospect area. The results from this program encouraged Starfire to continue drilling in 2008. In 2008, Starfire Minerals Inc. commissioned On Track Exploration Ltd. of Surrey, B.C. to continue the program initiated by Arnex in 2007. Six holes were drilled (including the deepening of PP-07-06 and the drilling of PP-08-07 through -11) in the Porphyry Pearl Deposit area totalling 2117 metres.

In 2007 and 2008, drilling yielded intercepts including 0.38 gram per tonne gold, 0.04 per cent copper and 0.13 per cent zinc over 112.5 metres in hole PP-07-05, 0.701 gram per tonne gold, 0.046 per cent copper and 0.095 per cent zinc over 208.18 metres in holes PP-07-06 and PP-08-06, 0.668 gram per tonne gold, 0.066 per cent copper and 0.233 per cent zinc over 140.36 metres in hole PP-08-07, 0.915 gram per tonne gold, 0.051 per cent copper and 0.157 per cent zinc over 136.70 metre in hole PP-08-10 and 0.508 gram per tonne gold, 0.054 per cent copper and 0.141 per cent zinc over 143.25 metres in hole PP-08-11 (Turner, J.A. (2009-07-26): Technical report on the Porphyry Pearl).

In 2009, Starfire Minerals Inc., on the recommendation of Turner’s (2009) 43-101 compliant report on the 2007 and 2008 drilling campaigns, commissioned Quantec Geoscience to undertake a Titan 24 DC-IP survey. A total of 10,100 metres of Quantec Titan 24 DC-IP was surveyed in the Porphyry Pearl (PP) zone.

The Porphyry Pearl property of Starfire in the late 2000s encompassed several MINFILE occurrences including: 094E 031 (Moose 1), 084 (Porphyry Pearl), 165 (Scree 3), 166 (Scree 1), 167 (Calf Moose), and 188 (Horn).