Placer gold occurs in Tertiary channels in Moyie River gravels. The Moyie River occurrence bedrock geology consists of Helikian Aldridge Formation (lower Purcell Group) oxidized and fractured argillite and massive quartzite in contact with upper Purcell Moyie diorite. Auriferous gravels occur in a Tertiary channel that mostly parallels the north and west bank of the Moyie River valley. The channel (outlined by seismic and drill data) is buried beneath 10.6 to 14.0 metres of till, gravel and varved clay and is 82.2 metres wide and 1.8 metres thick. Bedrock gradient varies from 1.51 to 3.88 per cent. Higher gold grades are observed at bedrock/Tertiary channel interfaces where favourable bedrock conditions exist, these being friable, fractured and oxidized (limonitic, hematitic) argillite. Massive, competent diorite, quartzite or silicified argillite bedrock surfaces have a tendency to cause the Tertiary channel to narrow. A steep gradient to the channel and narrowness are negative factors for particulate gold entrapment.

During the summer (1988), 42,433 cubic metres were mined at an overall grade of 1.37 grams gold per cubic metre from which 106,542 grams gold were recovered (George Cross News Letter No. 97, 1989). The 1988-1989 winter stockpile is 34,405 cubic metres. Processing of 11,468 cubic metres from this stockpile contained 30,509 grams gold (George Cross News Letter No. 109, 1989).

There are inferred reserves of 1,556,642 cubic metres at 0.47 grams gold per cubic metre (Assessment Report 16706).