The Carlick occurrence is located north of McDame Post, near Atan Lake, approximately 98 kilometres north-northeast of the community of Dease Lake.
Regionally, the area is underlain by quartz arenite sedimentary rocks of the Boya Formation and calcareous sedimentary rocks of the Rosella Formation, both of the Lower Cambrian Atan Group. To the southwest limestone, slate, siltstone and argillite of the Cambrian to Ordovician Kechika Group are exposed.
The occurrence area is underlain by Lower Cambrian Atan Group limestone, argillaceous limestone and dolomite striking east-southeast and dipping steeply to the south. Felsic dikes have intruded the sediments along a zone trending 105 degrees. Disseminated to massive galena, barite, siderite and small amounts of pyrite, sphalerite, malachite and azurite occur as lensoidal replacements of limestone adjacent to the intrusive rocks. The mineralized zone is exposed discontinuously over a distance of 180 metres.
Assays reported include 24.0 grams per tonne silver and 6.8 per cent lead over 2.7 metres and 10.6 per cent lead over 1.5 metres (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1949).
Work History
In 1949, the Carlick claims were staked by Beal Carlick after the showing was discovered by his children while out hunting squirrels. The children were attracted by the glitter of galena crystals reflecting the rays of the sun. The claims were optioned by Moccasin Mines, Ltd., and 14 more claims were located. A systematic program of exploration was undertaken. A tractor and portable drill equipment were brought in and roads were built, and a bulldozer was used to strip large areas of overburden. Trenches were cut at intervals along the strike of the mineralization or wherever galena or mineralized dike rock was uncovered.
In 1967, electromagnetic-magnetometer geophysical surveys were carried out on the Bill 1-6 claims on behalf of Dresser Industries Inc. In 1970, a geochemical soil sampling program was conducted on the Bill 1-6 claims on behalf of Dresser Industries Inc.
In 1994, Discovery Consultants completed a program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock and soil) sampling on the area immediately southeast as the Atan 1-8 claims. In 1999, Discovery Consultants completed a further program of soil sampling on the Atan claims.
In 2016, Fireside Minerals Ltd. completed a minor program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock and soil) sampling on the area immediately southeast.