The Rift occurrence is in isoclinally deformed metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the Selkirk allochthon in the immediate hanging wall of the east dipping Columbia River fault zone. Underlying rocks are probable Lower Cambrian and younger Lardeau Group consisting of a lower grit sequence, a middle "pelite" sequence and an upper carbonate sequence (Fieldwork, 1984).

Local geology at the Rift occurrence can been described as a sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX) massive sulphide deposit. It is a stratabound massive sphalerite-galena layer hosted by pelitic schist, impure marble, psammite and calc-silicate. Protolith of the deposit is described as shallow marine clastic and carbonate rocks deposited in a platformal sedimentary environment.

A zinc-lead-(copper) sulphide layer is contained in a 400 metre thick interval of the upper sequence of rocks consisting of pelitic schist, layered calc-silicate rocks, impure quartzite, marble and serpentinite that lie between marble units. Intrusive masses of potassium feldspar porphyritic quartz monzonite invade the metasedimentary rocks as sills and dykes.

Mineralization at the occurrence is described as a number of layers of massive sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and galena with traces of chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, marcasite and hematite. It is exposed over 25 metres along strike in a steep-sided creek gully, Rift Creek, with a measured thickness of up to 2 metres (MacIntyre, D. (2010-11-09): Technical Report: Columbia Belle Zn-Pb Property). Bedding of the massive sulphide horizon is observed to strike 110 degrees and dip 35 to 55 degrees southward (MacIntyre, D. (2010-11-09): Technical Report: Columbia Belle Zn-Pb Property). The occurrence has a second showing located 90 metres stratigraphically above the main Rift showing. This showing contains similar mineralization of a massive sulphide zone containing gangue minerals of quartz, muscovite, calcite, and minor clinozoisite.

The massive sulphides assayed 29.47 per cent zinc, 6.93 per cent lead, 0.03 per cent copper over 0.8 metres and the footwall disseminated sulphides assayed 2.39 per cent zinc, 0.39 per cent lead and 0.02 per cent copper (Assessment Report 9638).

A second massive sulphide zone (upper showing) is exposed approximately 90 metres stratigraphically above the main showing. Intervening rocks include calcareous schists and thin marble bands, overlain by more pelitic schists.

One hundred metres above the main sulphide layer is a pod-like, sheared ultramafic body, 15 metres thick, containing large cleaved metacrysts in a matrix of antigorite, talc and magnetite. The ultramafic body assayed 2300 parts per million nickel, 106 parts per million cobalt and 175 parts per million copper (Hicks, 1982).

In 1980, a reconnaissance prospecting and geochemical exploration program by J.M. Leask and E & B Exploration Inc. discovered the occurrence.

In 1981, grid geophysical and geochemical surveys were completed on the surrounding area of the occurrence.

From 1982 to 1985, E & B Exploration Inc. completed a series of soil sampling, magnetometer surveys, electromagnetic surveys, geological mapping, and prospecting.

In 1985, E & B conducted a small drilling program on the occurrence. The most significant mineralization was intersected in hole M-85-2 over 1.82 metres grading 22.21 percent zinc, and 4.82 percent lead at a depth 118.80 metres (MacIntyre, D. (2010-11-09): Technical Report: Columbia Belle Zn-Pb Property).

In 1990, Corona Corp. conducted a single drill hole, intersecting a sequence of pelites, psammites, impure quartzites and marble intruded by sills and dikes of porphyritic biotite quartz monzonite. The drill hole did not reach the depth of targeted mineralization.

In 1999, a rock and soil geochemical sampling and magnetometer survey program by Crest Geological Consultants Ltd. for Orphan Boy Resources Inc. was completed on the property containing the occurrence. Zinc values ranged from 0.0019 to 0.583 percent, with a general east-west trend following the northerly fork of Rift Creek, and correlates to low grade lead and mercury anomalies (MacIntyre, D. (2010-11-09): Technical Report: Columbia Belle Zn-Pb Property).

In 2001, Crest Geological Consultants Ltd. conducted a soil sampling program to extend work completed in 1999. One zone of weakly anomalous zinc and lead values was observed extending through the northeast sampling area.