The Pil South occurrence is located approximately 280 kilometres north of Smithers.

The Pil South zone area is underlain Early Jurassic dacitic flows and tuffs of the Toodogone Formation (Hazelton group) and Upper Triassic Stuhini Group (Takla Group) volcanics which are dominantly augite phyric basalt flows. Intrusive rock is related to the Early Jurassic Black Lake Intrusive Suite composed of syenite to quartz monzonite and granodiorite to quartz diorite.

Mineralization is related to quartz veins and shears with pyrite/iron oxide, chalcopyrite, malachite, and chalcocite. Mineralization occurs as: 1) widespread quartz vein and veinlets containing various combinations of copper, gold, zinc, lead and silver mineralization 2) disseminated sulphides, comprised of a few per cent pyrite with traces of copper minerals, containing copper and zinc ranging to hundreds of parts per million (ppm) and gold in the tens of parts per billion (ppb). Zones of intense quartz-chlorite alteration occur within the volcanics. There, a northwest trending fault zone, which probably controls the zone of quartz-chlorite alteration, was traced along strike for 10 metres. Its full strike extent is unclear as it is obscured by talus. The highest-grade sample from the showing, a continuous chip sample across 21 centimetres, assayed 1.73 per cent copper; continuous chip samples collected over 5-metre intervals along the length of a hand trench yielded copper ranging up to 0.38 per cent copper (Finlay Minerals website, 2014).

In 1969, a drillhole (P-1) was reported to have yielded 0.177 per cent copper over 4.6 metres of andesite hosting disseminated pyrite (Assessment Report 25811; Property File - Diamond Drill Record and Assay Log - Hole No. P-1 - Pillar).

In 1995, a rock sample (P12-7R) of argillized andesite assayed 0.127 gram per tonne gold, 23.3 grams per tonne silver and 0.206 per cent lead, while a float sample (P12-6F) of silicified andesite with disseminated pyrite assayed 0.240 gram per tonne gold, 38.6 grams per tonne silver, 0.018 per cent molybdenum and 0.413 per cent copper (Assessment Report 24356).

In 1996, an outcrop rock sample (LPJ-2) of silicified andesite with disseminated pyrite assayed 0.197 gram per tonne gold, 41.4 grams per tonne silver, 0.038 per cent molybdenum and 0.179 per cent copper (Assessment Report 25054).

In 1997, a rock sample (JBP101) of epidotized and chloritized pyroxene andesite hosting pyrite assayed 0.178 gram per tonne gold, 15.1 grams per tonne silver and 0.174 per cent lead, and another rock sample (JBP84) of chloritized gabbro with disseminated magnetite and pyrite taken near the south side of Jock Creek, approximately 1.1 kilometres to the northwest, assayed 2.2 grams per tonne silver and 0.230 per cent copper (Assessment Report 25282).

In 1998, a rock sample (52300) of chlorite-goethite–altered volcanics assayed 0.311 per cent copper, 0.236 per cent zinc and 3.2 grams per tonne silver, and a sample of (PJB-5) of quartz vein with chalcopyrite and malachite yielded 0.322 per cent copper and 4.4 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 25811). Also at this time, float samples (52261 and 52263) of quartz vein rubble assayed 0.137 and 0.068 per cent copper with 12.6 and 12.4 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 25811).

In 1999, a 1-metre continuous chip sample (P99-054A) of quartz-chlorite–altered rock hosting chalcopyrite, referred to as the Lorne zone and located approximately 600 metres to the south-southwest at an elevation of approximately 1720 metres, yielded 0.928 per cent copper, 39.4 grams per tonne silver and 0.057 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 26104).

In 2000, chip sampling of the Lorne zone yielded 0.210 per cent copper, 0.214 per cent zinc and 6.3 grams per tonne silver over 20 metres and values of up to 0.378 per cent copper, 0.383 per cent zinc and 13.2 grams per tonne silver over 5 metres (Assessment Report 26383).

In 2001, a grab sample (PS-L18S-4+00E) of fractured basalt with quartz veining, hematite, pyrite and chalcopyrite assayed greater than 1.00 per cent copper, 53.4 grams per tonne silver, 0.047 per cent molybdenum and 0.117 per cent zinc, and a chip sample (PRPS-04) taken across a 21-centimetre wide zone of chloritized andesite with stringers of quartz and chalcopyrite assayed 1.73 per cent copper, 46.1 grams per tonne silver and 0.101 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 26740). Both samples came from the Lorne zone.

In 2002, a rock sample (RM02PS27) from a 30-centimetre-wide quartz vein hosting pyrite, chalcocite and chalcopyrite, taken along trend from the Lorne zone, yielded 8.6 grams per tonne silver, 0.664 per cent copper, 0.343 per cent zinc and 0.011 per cent molybdenum (Assessment Report 27055).

In 2003, Finlay Minerals Ltd. conducted a drilling program of four holes (707 metres), the target being coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies. Drilling did not encounter porphyry copper mineralization, however, not all holes were able to achieve their target depth. Intensely altered crystal tuff (Takla Group) was intersected in both drillholes Pil South 03-01 and 03-04. Alteration included actinolite, quartz, magnetite, epidote, and potassium feldspar. Mineralization of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and malachite was noted in minor quantities. Both holes, Pil South 03-01 and 03-04, were geochemically anomalous in copper and zinc with sporadic anomalous values in silver and gold (Assessment Report 27310). Four holes were collared with Pil S03-03 being lost in thick overburden. The remaining three drillholes were ended prematurely due to problems associated with badly shattered rock. The deepest of these holes (Pil S03- 01) was drilled at an azimuth of 250 degrees and a dip of -55 degrees to a depth of 396.25 metres. The target of this hole was coincident magnetic and IP geophysical anomalies, along with copper-gold anomalous soils and rocks in an area underlain by Takla Group volcanic flows. Drillhole Pil S03-01 intersected an initial 114 metres of weakly propylitically altered Takla Group volcanic flows cut by numerous limonitic, rubbly quartz zones. This was followed by 282 metres of Takla Group bedded ash tuff. The final 196 metres of this tuff is moderately to intensely silica-magnetite (plus albite-scapolite?) flooded. This in turn is cut by late-stage potassium-feldspar-pyrite-magnetite-epidote veins and fractures containing minor chalcopyrite. The quartz vein sections in the Takla Group basalts contain weakly anomalous gold (up to 93 parts per billion), copper (up to 828 parts per million), silver (up to 15.2 parts per million), lead (up to 2448 parts per million) and zinc (up to/greater than 10,000 parts per million). The altered tuffs returned anomalous copper (up to 1906 parts per million) and zinc (up to 4869 parts per million). Drillhole Pil S03-04 was drilled at an azimuth of 215 degrees and a dip of -60 degrees to 77.75 metres depth. This hole targeted the same geophysical-geochemical anomaly as DDH Pil S03-01. Pil S03-04 intersected an initial 23.5 metres of Takla Group augite porphyry basalt with the remainder being ash tuff. The latter was moderately to strongly silica magnetite flooded. A 1.5-metre fault zone within an intensely bleached and clay-altered interval (70.4 to 77.75 metres) contains greater than 200 parts per million silver. Based on geophysical, geological and geochemical data, management believes that the Pil South target is a Kemess North-type (094E 021) copper-gold porphyry target.

Work History

In 1967, Cordilleran Engineering drilled two holes in the northwest part of the Pil property. In 1969, Cominco explored a copper porphyry target on the south part of the Pil property.

In 1980 and 1981, Serem Ltd. conducted detailed stream sediment and contour soil sampling with exploration culminating in hand trenching an epithermal gold-silver prospect (now called Atlas West, 094E 213).

In 1986, the Toodoggone Syndicate completed a 75 line-kilometre airborne geophysical survey on the area as the Anna and Michel claims located immediately to the east. In 1987, Beachview Resources Ltd. completed a program prospecting and geochemical (rock and soil) sampling on the Anna and Michel claims.

During 1992 through 1998, Electrum Resources Corp. acquired the Pil claims and began a long methodical period of stream sediment, soil sampling, prospecting, rock sampling, Landsat imaging, and limited geophysical (VLF and magnetics) work (Assessment Reports 22750, 23313, 24356, 25054, 25282, 25811, 26104, 26383).

The Pil property of Electrum and Finlay changed in outline and contained at various times 094E 007 (Spartan), 094E 029 (Theban), 094E 083 (Arg), 094E 089 (Sun), 094E 147 (Pillar), 094E 200 (Reef), 094E 201 (Paul), 094E 202 (Ian), 094E 209 (Bishop), 094E 214 (GWP), 094E 213 (Atlas), 094E 215 (Michel), 094E 216 (Brook) and 094E 217 (Lar).

In 1999, Finlay Minerals purchased the property and conducted a major exploration effort including induced polarization (IP) and magnetic surveys, soil/rock sampling and detailed geological mapping. In 2000, rock sampling and hand trenching was completed on the Pil South area.

In 2001, work focussed on Pil North area with the completion of 8.3 kilometres of IP and magnetic surveys, soil and rock sampling, and geological mapping. In 2002, Finlay Minerals continued exploration efforts on Pil North (Assessment Report 27055) with the completion of 13.1 kilometres of IP and magnetic geophysical surveys, soil and rock sampling, trenching and geological mapping. Late in 2002, a lead-zinc silica-barite occurrence (WG zone) was explored by hand and blast trenching. Prospecting in the area led to the discovery of quartz float containing 4.93 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 27055). Lloyd geophysics conducted a ground magnetometer and IP and resistivity survey over a copper-gold porphyry prospect, on the Pil North claim group (Assessment Report 27055B). Geophysical surveying in 2002, on more closely-spaced lines, has confirmed the continuity and size of both the Northeast and West Central high chargeability zones.

In 2003, Finlay Minerals completed a helicopter-supported drill program consisting of four NQ holes totalling 707 metres on the Pil South property. Drilling targets were geophysical and geochemical anomalies. Results were inconclusive and did not fully explain the geochemical and geophysical anomalous zones. A total of 16.6 kilometres of IP and soil sampling were completed along eight newly cut lines on the Pil North property. Prospecting, mapping and hand trenching were completed on the Pil North property. Gold-bearing float discovered at the WG Zone in late 2002 was traced easterly for 300 metres. Additional quartz float containing visible gold and grading up to 16.8 grams per tonne was discovered nearly one kilometre east (WG-Gold Zone) (Assessment Reports 27055, 27310). Examination and reporting on the Central-Milky zones were reported. It was reported in 2003 that geochemically, as well as geophysically, the Milky Creek and Central zones merge, giving a combined target of about 4000 metres length.

In 2004, Finlay Minerals constructed a 7.5 kilometre access road, a fully serviced camp and 13.9 kilometres of drill access (exploration) trails. A reconnaissance diamond drilling program of 26 holes totalling 6168 metres focussed on five zones referred to as the Northeast, WG Zones, Northwest (NW), Milky Creek and Central Zones. Exploration targets were: (1) copper-gold porphyry deposits and (2) epithermal gold-silver deposits. Geological mapping and sampling were conducted over much of the property.

In 2005, Finlay Minerals constructed 5 kilometres of drill access roads on the NW zone and established 10 kilometres of grid along which prospecting, soil and rock sampling were completed. Geophysical surveys (magnetometer, VLF-EM) were completed along new and historic grid lines from the Silver Ridge zone to the NW zone. Geological mapping was completed on the NW, Silver Ridge, NE, WG Upper and Atlas East zones. Diamond drilling consisted of 12 holes totalling 3090 metres on the NW, Silver Ridge, and Atlas East zones. Ten drill sites and 3.3 kilometres of roads from 2004 were reclaimed. Fill-in soil sampling was conducted on the existing grid from the Silver Ridge zone to the NW zone. Stream sampling follow up of historic anomalies was completed. Detailed soil and rock sampling completed on the Atlas East zone identified numerous float and bedrock occurrences of epithermal gold and silver mineralization.

In 2006, Finlay Minerals constructed an access road to the Atlas East and West zones. Grid based soil, magnetic and VLF-EM surveys over a portion of the Atlas zones along with geological mapping and prospecting was completed. Fourteen diamond-drill holes (1945 metres) were completed with twelve drilled on the Atlas and two on NW zones.

In 2007, Finlay Minerals Ltd. continued exploration of its Pil property, concentrating on the Atlas East epithermal gold-silver target. Soil and rock geochemistry, and an IP program provided context to a seven-hole, 2410 metre drilling program, the results of which have not yet been released.

In 2015, Finlay Minerals completed a program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock and soil) sampling on the Pil claims. Rock samples yielded up to 45.9 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 35995).