The Pim occurrence is located approximately 1 kilometre south of Pimainus Lakes on the north slopes of Spaist Mountain.
The area is underlain by several phases of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Guichon Creek Batholith. The showing occurs in Bethsaida phase medium- to coarse-grained biotite granodiorite varying to quartz monzonite. Mafic minerals constitute 5 to 12 per cent of the rock with biotite occurring as coarse, euhedral ‘books’. Quartz (20 to 30 per cent) occurs as anhedral, round quartz ‘eyes’. Bethsaida phase rocks are in a northwest-trending contact to the west with Skeena variety granodiorites and Bethlehem phase coarse-grained biotite-hornblende granodiorite. Very large poikilitic hornblende crystals are characteristic of the Bethlehem phase. A narrow band of poorly defined Highland Valley phase rocks outcrops as Chataway variety medium- to coarse-grained hornblende granodiorite in gradational contact with Guichon variety fine- to medium-grained biotite-hornblende quartz diorite. The oldest and most westward exposed rocks are Border (Hybrid) phase coarse-grained, foliated, hornblende quartz diorite with areas of diorite and amphibolite. The Bethsaida/Bethlehem and Bethlehem/Chataway contacts are fairly abrupt but the Chataway/Guichon and Guichon/Border contacts are very indistinct (Assessment Report 2793). All contacts are northwest trending.
A possible fault strikes 085 degrees on the north slope of Spaist Mountain. Joints spaced approximately 10 per metre, are vertical and occur in two well-formed sets striking 110 degrees and 020 degrees, respectively.
Irregular hydrothermal alteration is widespread and locally intense. Chlorite, epidote, sericite and hematite with minor calcite and clay are the most common secondary minerals. Bornite and hematite occur in a 15-centimetre wide quartz vein near the Bethsaida/Skeena contact within Bethsaida phase rocks (Assessment Report 2793). A narrow, flat-lying vein of chalcocite and bornite striking northwest for approximately 30 metres is reported in Assessment Report 853; however, the location is uncertain.
Later work, in 2019, identified a mineralized area located approximately 400 metres north-northeast of the plotted location of the Pim occurrence. The zone comprises a Bethsaida phase granodiorite(?) cut by biotite-quartz porphyry, feldspar porphyry and aplite dikes with weak to strong faulting and/or fracturing. The fractures are filled with variable amounts of chlorite, epidote, potassium feldspar, sericite, muscovite and quartz veins/veinlets ranging in width from 1 millimetre to 30 centimetres and are sheeted to cross-cutting. The veins host abundant specular hematite, malachite, azurite and chrysocolla with trace chalcopyrite and bornite.
In 2019, two composite grab samples (4356 and 4357), taken approximately 100 metres apart, yielded 0.286 and 0.462 per cent copper over 10 and 5 metres, respectively (Assessment Report 38907).
Work History
In 1956 and 1957, Udd-Ramsey Syndicate completed programs of geological mapping, soil sampling and a 60.4 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the area as the Frank and Nord claims. Also in 1957, Phelps Dodge Corp. completed a 10.5 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the Frank, Nord and PHD claims. In 1958, Northwestern Explorations Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping, soil sampling and a 45.5 line-kilometre ground magnetic and induced polarization survey on the area as the BJ claims.
In 1966, T.C. Explorations Ltd. completed a program of soil sampling and a 47.4 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey on the IL, Oversight, PIM and PM claims.
In 1970, Keevil Mining Group Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping, soil sampling, trenching and ground electromagnetic and seismic surveys on the area as the Lake, Laken, Ples and Spot claims.
During late 2008 through 2012, Happy Creek Minerals completed programs of geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling, geological mapping, four diamond drill holes, totalling 971.6 metres, an induced polarization survey and a 1463.0 line-kilometre airborne gamma ray spectrometer and magnetic survey on the area as the West Valley property.
During 2013 through 2019, Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. completed programs of geological mapping, geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling, a 32.3 line-kilometre induced polarization survey and re-interpretation of historical airborne geophysical data on the area as part of the Rateria-West Valley property.
