The Bay 49 occurrence is located approximately 800 metres north of the northeastern end of Frances (Bay) Lake.

Regionally, the area is underlain by northwest-trending belts of basaltic volcanics and carbonate sedimentary rocks of the Upper Triassic Karmutsen and Quatsino formations (Vancouver Group) and mafic volcanics and sediments of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Bonanza Group (Holberg volcanic unit, Nahwitti River wacke and Parson Bay Formation). These volcanic and sedimentary rocks have been intruded by granodioritic rocks of the Early to Middle Jurassic Island Plutonic Suite.

Locally, surface trenches have been dug in an area underlain by calcareous andesitic tuff, argillite, limestone and limestone breccia of the Bonanza Group. Bedding strikes 290 degrees and dips 60 degrees south. Pyrolusite, rhodonite and barite are present. This is probably replacement-type lead-zinc-silver mineralization.

In 1965, samples of float were reported to contain 1 to 3 per cent lead and 34.28 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 710).

Work History

In 1965 and 1966, BHP-Utah Mines completed programs of geological mapping, soil sampling and ground geophysical programs on the area as the Bay and Cove claims. During the 1970s, 18 drillholes, totalling 5047 metres, were reportedly completed around Frances Lake and west of the Island Copper (MINFILE 092L 158) pit. In 1986, Utah Mines completed a program of soil sampling and ground magnetic and electromagnetic surveys on the area as part of the Island Copper Mine property. In 1988, BHP-Utah Mines completed a 390.0 line-kilometre airborne magnetic and electromagnetic survey on the area. In 1994, BHP Minerals Canada Ltd. completed 18 diamond drill holes, totalling 1783.1 metres, on the area.