The Rice (L.14951,14952)-Quartz Mountain occurrence is located on a northern tributary of Sawmill Creek, approximately 23 kilometres northwest of Cranbrook and at an elevation of 1900 metres.

Regionally, the area is underlain by mid-Proterozoic rocks of the Aldridge, Creston and Kitchener formations (Purcell Supergroup). These are intruded by mid-Proterozoic diorite and gabbro sills and dikes of the Moyie Intrusions. Cretaceous quartz monzonite and granodiorite stocks occur just off the property to both the east and the west.

Locally, portions of massive quartz occur in argillaceous quartzite, quartz phyllite and argillites of the mid-Proterozoic Creston Formation. These have been intruded by two dioritic stocks to the east and southwest. The quartz vein(s) are 0.75 to 1 metre wide and mineralized with pyrite, chalcopyrite and native gold. Alteration minerals include sericite, limonite, hematite and calcite. The vein does not follow bedding and appears to have been emplaced along fracture and cleavage planes.

In 1979, sampling of the main zone is reported to have yielded 3.4 grams per tonne gold over 30 metres (Assessment Report 9850).

In 1980, a 3.0-metre chip sample (4006) from a pyritic zone just south of the main pit yielded 2.2 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 8598).

In 1985, a sample (66372E) assayed 0.447 per cent copper, 0.567 per cent zinc, 33.0 grams per tonne silver and 117.4 grams per tonne gold, while another sample (66373E) assayed 126.0 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 14211).

In 1986, a 1.5-metre chip sample (16312E) from the main pit assayed 17.8 grams per tonne gold and 44.2 grams per tonne silver, while diamond drilling yielded up to 0.9 gram per tonne gold over 3.6 metres in hole QH86.3 (Assessment Report 15649).

In 1987, a rock sample (QP 1) assayed 130 grams per tonne silver and 10.8 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 17514).

In 1994, diamond drilling (Hole W94-1) yielded up to 0.23 gram per tonne gold over 0.6 metre, while hole W94-3 yielded 0.22 gram per tonne gold over 0.9 metre (Assessment Report 23741).

In 2003, rock sampling (No.59), located approximately 450 metres to the southwest of the pit in a zone of intense alteration and brecciation with silica flooding, chlorite alteration and disseminated pyrite, yielded up to 1.24 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 27098). In 2012, a re-sample of core from drill hole QM07-1, located in the same south western zone, yielded up to 0.44 gram per tonne gold over 0.7 metre (Assessment Report 34197).

In 1973 and 1974, 1,481 tonnes were mined from surface showings and shipped to Trail for smelting. From this, 13,405 grams of silver, 14,945 grams of gold, 1,307 kilograms of copper, 3,286 kilograms of lead and 1,481 kilograms of zinc were recovered. The occurrence was also mined for its silica.

The area has been historically explored since the early 1900’s in an area of open-pitting, possible underground workings (now buried or obscured) and a number of trenches. In 1978, Meridian Resources completed a program of geochemical sampling and geological mapping on the area. During 1979 through 1986, Gallant Gold Mines completed programs of rock, soil and silt sampling, trenching, geological mapping, five diamond drill holes, totalling 439.0 metres, and ground electromagnetic and magnetic surveys on the area as the Perry Creek property. In 1987, Chapleau Resources completed a program of soil, silt and rock sampling, trenching and geological mapping on the area as the Racki claims, Morgan property. In 1988, Trans-Arctic Explorations completed a 5.3 line-kilometre electromagnetic survey on the area immediately west of the pit. In 1994, Wealth Resources completed a program of soil sampling, a 6.0 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey and five diamond drill holes, totalling 306.9 metres, on the area. Also, at this time, a ground- penetrating radar survey was completed on the area immediately south as the Rex claim. In 1996, Klondike Reef Mines completed five diamond drill holes, totalling 592.8 metres, on the area. In 2002, Klondike Gold completed a program of rock sampling, prospecting and geological mapping on the area as the QM claims. In 2007, Klondike Gold Corp. completed airborne Aerodat electromagnetic and magnetic surveys. Later the same year, five diamond drill holes, totalling 1601.71 metres, were completed. In 2012, Klondike Gold completed a program of rock and previous drill core sampling, prospecting and geological sampling on the area as the Quartz Mountain property.