The Fram copper showings are hosted in Helikan Aida Formation argillaceous dolomites and argillites, intruded by gabbro and diabase dykes. These sediments form the core of the Muskwa anticlinorium and are unconformably overlain by Cambrian quartzite and dolomite. Thrust faults, trending northwest, subparallel the bedding attitudes of the sediments.

Copper mineralization (bornite, chalcocite, and chalcopyrite) occurs along dyke margins (in chlorite-actinolite-epidote-skarns), in fault zones (associated with galena) and, most importantly, in quartz-carbonate veins.

The main zone of copper mineralization consists of bornite and chalcopyrite in a quartz-carbonate vein that can be traced along strike for 900 metres and vertically for 152 metres. The vein is terminated at the north end by a major northeast-trending fault and dyke swarms. The northern 300 metres of the vein has the best mineralization. An assay of 7.0 per cent copper was derived from a composite of seven 2-metre chip samples; silver values in the samples varied from 3.43 to 65.14 grams per tonne (Assessment Report 2875). Pyrite occurs as disseminations in the vein and as streaks and lenses in the surrounding argillite and dolomite.

Work History

In 1970, Windermere Exploration Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping and rock sampling on the area as the Fram claims.