The May occurrence is located approximately 112 kilometres east-northeast of Dease Lake and a few kilometres north of the Turnagain River. This occurrence covers the east extension of the widespread scheelite (tungsten) mineralization on the north side of the Turnagain River discussed in other MINFILE occurrences. See related occurrences Ewe (MINFILE 104I 025, located 3 kilometres southwest) and Eliza (MINFILE 104I 099, located 1.5 kilometres northwest).

The area is underlain mainly by rocks of the Upper Proterozoic Ingenika Group including the Espee, Swannell and Tsaydiz formations. The Espee Formation consists of crystalline limestone, sandy limestone and dolostone. The Swannell and Tsaydiz formations (undivided) consist of phyllite, schist, phyllitic limestone, siltstone, quartzite and conglomerate. Other undivided sediments and metasediments of the Upper Proterozoic Stelkuz Formation (Ingenika Group) and Lower Cambrian Boya Formation (Ingenika Group) also occur.

Intruding the country rocks nearby are rocks of the Early Cretaceous Cassiar Batholith. The Cassiar Batholith consists of granite, quartz monzonite and granodiorite; its northern limits intrude the strata in the area of the showings. The Turnagain pluton, also part of the Cassiar Batholith, consists of biotite granite and intrudes to the west of the showing area.

Skarns in the area are described as occurring at the contacts of carbonate units, consisting of dense garnet-pyroxene skarn interbedded with aphanitic calcsilicate hornfels and garnet-bearing marble. Pyrrhotite lenses are often found in the dense skarns. Scheelite mineralization is distributed mainly as disseminations in the skarns and dolomites and to some extent in intrusive dikes and veins (Assessment Report 5473).

Work History

During 1967 through 1969, Rip Van Mining Ltd. worked the property, including 14 diamond drill holes.

During 1969 through 1971, El Paso Mining and Milling completed exploration programs including geological mapping, rock chip sampling, ultraviolet geophysical sample survey and drilled more than 4000 metres in 20 holes on the area; results are not available.

In 1971, El Paso returned the original Ram claims to W. Kuhn. In 1972, detailed geochemical work and prospecting by Kuhn discovered new mineralization. Soon after, more new mineralization was also discovered by geological crews who went to examine the property. In 1975, W. Kuhn prospected the area as the Eliza and May claims.

During 1977 through 1979, Union Carbide Canada Ltd. completed programs of geological mapping, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling, test pitting and at least four diamond drill holes, totalling 898 metres, on the area as the Ram and May claims. Much difficulty was encountered, and the lowest skarns, which on previous surface sampling gave the best values in tungsten, were never reached by any of the drilling. In 1980 and 1981, the claims were returned to Kuhn and programs of prospecting, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling, trenching and a 1.2 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey were completed on the Ram, Eliza, Lamb and Sheep claims.

In 1997, Hunter Exploration Group completed a program of prospecting and geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling on the area as the Turnagain 1-9 claims.

In 2005, an airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey totalling 2,130 line-kilometres was flown over the Thrust property on behalf of United Exploration Management Inc.

In 2012, BCarlin Resources Ltd. completed a program of rock and silt sampling on the area as the B 1-100 claims of the Blue Sheep property.