The Copper Mountain pegmatite showing is located on the Similkameen River, 16 to 17.5 kilometres south of Princeton.
Coarse-grained pegmatite occurs in an oval-shaped intrusive body measuring 1200 by 2000 metres, on both sides of the Similkameen River. This body comprises the core of the Early Jurassic Copper Mountain stock (Copper Mountain Intrusions).
Ten grab samples selected from fresh-looking, coarse-grained (greater than 5 millimetres), orange to white perthosite pegmatite, collected from outcrops west of the Similkameen River, were analyzed with the following results:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Major Oxides Range (Weight Per Cent)
SiO2 61.70 - 64.70
Al2O3 19.35 - 20.98
Fe2O3 0.21 - 1.19
CaO 0.18 - 1.93
Na2O 4.54 - 8.49
K2O 2.80 - 9.94
--------------------------------------------------------------------
These results indicate the rock is potentially suitable as a source of feldspar and on this basis a 20-kilogram sample was sent to CANMET for beneficiation to further assess its potential. Results are summarized below:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Magnetic Separation Mesh Weight Per Cent
-10 + 100 (magnetic) 2.0
-10 + 100 (nonmagnetic) 86.1
-100 11.9
------------------------------------------------------------
The nonmagnetic fraction comprised 86 per cent of the sample, with a product size acceptable to industry. Consequently, a floatation test to reduce mica-iron levels followed with the following results:
Flotation Test Product Weight Per Cent
Slimes 13.9
Mica-iron concentrate 0.4
Feldspar concentrate 18.2
Tailings 67.5 Approximately 80 per cent of the sample reported as slimes or tailings and only 18 per cent was recovered in the feldspar concentrate. The feldspar concentrate was passed over the magnetic separator and was then analyzed with the following results:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Major Feldspar Nonmagnetic
Oxides Concentrate Concentrate
Weight Per Cent Weight Per Cent
SiO2 61.70 61.40
Al2O3 18.60 18.80
Fe2O3 0.31 0.34
CaO 0.52 0.50
Na2O 6.71 6.84
K2O 6.14 5.99
Although the original samples are high in alumina (up to 20.98 per
cent), beneficiation tests could not reduce the iron content below
0.31 per cent with liberation less than 100 mesh.
Coarse-grained (up to 3 millimetres) albite and potassium
feldspar appears quite altered in thin section. Albite grains and
iron oxides are much finer grained than the feldspars but do not
appear to be intergrown. Accessory minerals include calcite and
muscovite.
Chemical analyses of grab samples collected from the core of
the Copper Mountain stock indicate the rock is potentially a source
of feldspathic material suitable to glass and ceramic manufacturers.
However, beneficiation tests indicate a low recovery rate of
non-magnetic feldspar concentrate and an unacceptably high iron
content in the final product. It is concluded that the stock has poor
potential for the production of feldspathic materials meeting industry
requirements.
Daren Resources acquired the property in 1995.
