The Nik occurrence is located approximately 10 kilometres northwest of Scotch Creek, or approximately 22 kilometres northeast of Chase on a southerly facing slope on Adams Plateau.
The Nik showing is underlain by metamorphosed mafic to felsic volcanic rocks of the Devonian Skwaam Bay unit of the Eagle Bay assemblage. The units have a well developed foliation which dips moderately (20-45 degrees) to the west and northwest. The rocks comprise dacite tuffs and flows, which are divided by dacite schists and occasionally bands of basalt.
Exposed rocks have been described as granitic in nature with porphyry, and mineralization including arsenopyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite.
Sulphide zones occur within the dacite and dacite schist and near their contact. Most of the mineralization occurs as stratiform disseminations of pyrite and pyrrhotite with minor chalcopyrite and sphalerite. These zones appear to range up to 1.5 to 2.0 metres in thickness and 10 to 30 metres in length.
In the 1920s, it is assumed the first prospecting in the region was conducted.
In 1970, strong geochemical anomalies were discovered in the Corning and Nikwikwaia Creeks, in the area of the occurrence. Follow-up exploration found multiple mineralized outcrops of massive and disseminated pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite.
In 1971, grid soil and magnetometer surveys reported by K. Daughtry and A. Wynne were completed on the area containing the occurrence.
In 1976, Craigmont Mines Ltd. conducted an airborne DIGHEM survey over the region including the occurrence.
In 1977, Craigmont conducted a soil geochemical, magnetometer, and very low frequency electromagnetic survey over the property containing the occurrence.
In 1979, Esso Resources Canada Ltd. optioned the property and conducted a ground magnetometer and electromagnetic horizontal surveys. The work confirmed the presence of anomalies discovered by Craigmont in earlier years. One drill hole was completed and intersected sulphide mineralization and graphitic schist.
In 1983, Esso Resources Canada Ltd. conducted a program of mapping, silt and rock chip sampling across the property containing the occurrence.
In 1984, Totem Industries Ltd. conducted mapping, soil, ground magnetic, and very low frequency electromagnetic surveys on the property containing the occurrence. Multiple new anomalies were discovered.
In 1985, Noranda conducted a mapping, and silt and rock chip sampling program on the property containing the occurrence. Sampling results were inconclusive.
In 1986, Lodmell and Lutjen gathered 13 float samples and conducted a VLF-EM survey in the area of the Nik occurrence. Results ranged from 0.03 to 11.22 percent lead, 0.38 to 6.78 percent zinc, from trace to greater than 10 grams per tonne silver, and from 50 to 615 parts per billion gold (Ostler, J. (2012-02-28): Noranda/Kuroko-Type Sulphide Mineralization on the Corning Creek Property).
In 2010, Bruce Squinas and associates conducted a small prospecting program on the property containing the occurrence. Results are not discussed.
In 2011, Noka Resources Inc. conducted an exploration program on the property including soil, chip, grab, and float sampling. Highlight results included sample C182-1 grading 0.103 percent copper, 9.49 percent lead, 6.45 percent zinc, greater than one percent arsenic, 0.89 grams per tonne gold, and 90.1 grams per tonne silver (Ostler, J. (2012-02-28): Noranda/Kuroko-Type Sulphide Mineralization on the Corning Creek Property). Soil surveying identified broad areas of elevated zinc and copper values indicating potential areas of mineralization.
