The area of the Canyon 17 is underlain by a Triassic intrusions consisting of quartz diorite. The intrusions are in contact with Upper Triassic greenstone and metamorphic rock of the Stuhini Group and Lower Permian limestone of the Stikine Assemblage.
A sample (31429) from a small 1 to 10 centimetre wide quartz vein carrying pods of massive chalcopyrite assayed 6.2 per cent copper, 8.6 grams per tonne silver and 0.07 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 19078). The vein is hosted in limestone and cuts a well-defined fault surface. The fault is oriented at 300 degrees. The sample represents a high grade grab of massive chalcopyrite and vein material.
In 1989 by Homestake Mineral Development Company and Equity Silver Mines Ltd. held the Gran 9-10 and Canyon 17. The work program consisted of rock sampling, stream sediment sampling, heavy mineral sampling and prospecting (Assessment Report 19078). Around the same time as the Homestake/Equity work, International Corona staked the Scud 7 which covered most of the same area as the Canyon 17 showing. They sampled the same area as the Canyon 17 showing (Assessment Report 19193). Apparently the Homestake/Equity claims took legal precedence over the Corona claims.