An extensive complex shear system occurs in intrusive and gneissic volcanics and metasediments of the Coast Plutonic Complex. Gold associated with pyrite occurs in quartz-ankerite-sericite- sulphide veins within the shear zone.

The Independence showings are located in the southern part of the north-south trending shear system, about 1800 metres south of the Surf Inlet Mine (103H 027) and just east of the Pugsley Mine. A north trending quartz vein, with chalcopyrite, occurs in sheared and altered diorite. A 30 centimetre sample across the vein assayed 0.935 per cent copper, 0.46 grams per tonne gold, and 3.6 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 15377).