The Wigwam property is located on the north flank of the Akolkolex Valley, approximately 19 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke.
The area is underlain by Hadrynian Hamill Group quartzite and limestone; Lower Paleozoic Mohican Formation phyllite and limestone; Lower Cambrian Badshot Formation marble, limestone and argillite; and Index Formation phyllite.
Mineralization consists of massive and disseminated pyrrhotite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and minor chalcopyrite. Other minerals encountered in drilling include fluorite, graphite, magnetite, smithsonite, gypsum, cerussite and native sulphur. Also present are dipside, andalusite and sericite. The mineralization is within quartzites and carbonates. Sulphide bearing horizons are lensoid, varying from 1 millimetre to 6 metres in thickness, the longest being 700 metres in length. Mineralization has been traced for approximately 1.5 kilometres along trend from elevations of approximately 650 to 1340 metres in at least 34 described showings, including 13 adits.
In 1969, diamond drilling had identified three zones (A, B and C) of possible ore. Zone 'A' measures 49 × 31 × 1.7 metres and contains a reasonably assured tonnage of 6800 tonnes with a grade of 2.06 grams per tonne silver, 2.93 per cent lead and 5.50 per cent zinc. Zone 'B' measures 183 × 61 × 5.7 metres and contains a reasonably assured tonnage of 169,644 tonnes with a grade of 1.7 grams per tonne silver, 2.62 per cent lead and 3.48 per cent zinc. Zone 'C' measures 46 × 31 × 2.1 metres and contains a reasonably assured tonnage of 7800 tonnes with a grade of 4.1 grams per tonne silver, 3.01 per cent lead and 2.91 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 10354).
By 1981, a total of 4100 metres of drilling in 56 holes had been completed on the property. Resources were indicated at 63,814 tonnes grading 2.14 per cent lead and 3.54 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 10354). A total of 7,69 ,028 tonnes of inferred ore grading approximately the same as the indicated ore was estimated (Assessment Report 10354). This resource was also reported (about 1969) in a Parmac Mine Ltd., Prospectus, June 1972 (EMR Mineral Bulletin MR 223, B.C. 62). Drill intercepts averaged approximately 2 grams per tonne silver, with values up to 111.4 grams per tonne silver over 13 metres.
In a report by T.T. Tough (1970), resources were indicated at 2,944,383 tonnes grading 2.33 per cent lead and 3.93 per cent zinc, with additional inferred at 5,081,091 tonnes grading the same (Assessment Report 14070).
The occurrence has been known since 1915, owned by A. Kittan and J. Lewis. In 1921, the property was owned by J. Kirkpatrick and R. Armstrong. Wigwam Mining Co. explored the property in 1925, conducting 1778 metres of diamond drilling in 39 holes, 598 metres of underground development and open cutting. The Schlumberger Electrical Prospecting Co. surveyed the property in 1928. Northwestern Explorations Ltd. (Kennco) optioned the property in 1953 and conducted mapping and sampling. Cominco Explorations Ltd. mapped, sampled and trenched in 1960 and 1961. In 1968, Parmac Mines Ltd. built 700 metres of road, drilled 381 metres in five holes and mapped and sampled. Canex Aerial Exploration Ltd. (Placer Dome) optioned the property in 1969 and conducted geological mapping, sampling, road building and diamond drilling. In 1977, Cyprus Anvil Mining Corp. conducted topographic mapping and road building on the Parmac claim for Parmac Mines Ltd. In the same year, Metallgesellschaft Canada Ltd. performed a geological study of 1.6 square kilometres north of the Akolkolex River. In 1981 Parmac drilled 684 metres in 15 diamond drill holes. In 1984, Parmac conducted a magnetometer survey. The area was prospected as the Big R claim in 1987. During 2012 through 2016, Rich River Explorations prospected and rock sampled the area as the Rocky Road claims.
In 2017, Rich River Exploration conducted an exploration program including prospecting, rock sampling, and re-establishing historic access routes on the property. Highlighted results included two grab samples, SF-17R30 and SF-17R31, of massive sulphide hosted by limestone grading greater than 20 percent lead each, and 51.2 and 80.5 grams per tonne silver, respectively (MacIntyre, D. (2017-11-27): Technical Report, Standfast-Wigwam Zn-Pb Mineral Property). Highlighted zinc grades included samples SF-17R22 and SF-17R50 grading 19.75 and 22.1 percent, respectively (MacIntyre, D. (2017-11-27): Technical Report, Standfast-Wigwam Zn-Pb Mineral Property).
