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File Created: 29-Aug-1985 by Allan Wilcox (AFW)
Last Edit:  21-Aug-2020 by Karl A. Flower (KAF)

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NMI 093E11 Cu6
Name SEEL, LEAN-TO, OOTSA, WEST SEEL, EAST SEEL, SEEL BRECCIA, FAR EAST, OOTSA LAKE Mining Division Omineca
BCGS Map 093E065
Status Developed Prospect NTS Map 093E11E
Latitude 053º 38' 39'' UTM 09 (NAD 83)
Longitude 127º 04' 35'' Northing 5945652
Easting 627158
Commodities Copper, Gold, Silver, Molybdenum, Lead, Zinc Deposit Types L04 : Porphyry Cu +/- Mo +/- Au
I05 : Polymetallic veins Ag-Pb-Zn+/-Au
Tectonic Belt Intermontane Terrane Stikine, Plutonic Rocks
Capsule Geology

The Seel occurrence is located on the south side of Tahtsa Reach, an arm of Ootsa Lake, about 88 kilometres south of the community of Houston. The property is 7.8 kilometres east-southeast of the Huckleberry mine (093E 037).

The area of the Seel prospect is underlain by volcanic rock of the Lower Jurassic Telkwa Formation (Hazelton Group) and sedimentary rock of the Middle Jurassic Smithers Formation (Hazelton Group). A stock of the Late Cretaceoeous Bulkley Plutonic Suite intrudes the strata. The stock consists of a quartz-phyric felsitic phase and a dioritic phase. The Seel deposit can be separated into four domains; East Seel, West Seel, Seel Breccia and the Far East zone (also called NE zone).

The West Seel deposit is a large zone of copper-gold-molybdenum-silver mineralization associated with quartz-pyrrhotite veining that extends from surface to over 1000 metres depth and remains open for expansion (as of 2015). Mineralization at West Seel is hosted in three different lithologies including a suite of undifferentiated porphyritic intrusions, a sedimentary package with variable biotite hornfelsing and in an equigranular weakly porphyritic intrusive rock with strong biotite alteration. The undifferentiated porphyritic intrusions range in grain size from fine to medium, are feldspar dominant with common biotite and rare to minor quartz eyes. Sericite alteration is widespread with intermittent zones of silicic flooding and an occasional potassic component. Quartz veining varies between 1-2 veins per metre to greater than 5 with a sulphide assemblage consisting of pyrite-chalcopyrite-molybdenite.

The East Seel deposit is a smaller higher grade zone of mineralization containing copper-gold mineralization is associated with early potassic alteration and quartz-magnetite veining in a crowded feldspar porphyry.

The Far East zone is characterized by mixed sediments and various porphyritic rocks that contain intermittent zones of weak to moderate copper-gold-silver mineralization. A late episode of structurally controlled veins and breccias containing quartz-carbonate and copper, zinc, lead and silver mineralization occur at the Seel Breccia and along some of the more significant faults in the area.

The area enclosed by the Seel claim has been intermittently explored by a number of operators over a 34-year period. Initial programs of soil geochemistry and ground geophysics were followed by diamond drilling for both prospects. The pipe was tested through surface workings and diamond drilling in 1982 and 1983 by Lansdowne Oil and Minerals Ltd. A further drill program in 1985 has also been reported by International Damascus Resources Limited. Approximately 2597 metres were drilled in 72 holes on the Seel (Lean-To) prospect by Lansdowne Oil and Minerals. A similar amount of work was completed on the Damascus Vein (093E 101) by International Damascus Resources and other operators.

Portions of the Seel mineral claims were previously explored as the Rea (093E 040, located 3.7 kilometres west of Seel, 093E 105), Lean-To, Ox B and Ox C (093E 101, located 1.4 kilometres east of Seel, 093E 105) and Ox-East (093E 119, located 3.4 kilometres east of Seel, 093E 105) groups of mineral claims. The earliest recorded work was in the late 1960s, and work continued intermittently until 1989. Various operators have tested the sulphide occurrences which may be seen in outcrop and along the streams which dissect the property. Soil geochemical and ground and airborne geophysical surveys have been used to generate drill targets. Several drill programs have ensued from this work, which led to the discovery of the Seel Breccia Pipe and the Damascus silver-lead-zinc vein (093E 101).

In 2003, the Seel claims, which cover the Lean-To porphyry copper prospect, were acquired by Grayd Resource Corp. from prospector Rupert Seel. Grayd conducted geological mapping, prospected and compiled previous drilling results. In 2004, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. explored the Seel property under an earn-in agreement with Grayd Resource Corporation. An induced polarization (IP) survey delineated an anomaly that is 1 kilometre wide and at least 1.2 kilometres long. In the northeast part of the anomaly, a previous operator drilled shallow holes, typically 20 to 30 metres deep, into a quartz porphyry stock and breccia zone intersecting up to 1.59 per cent copper and 0.64 gram per tonne gold over 18 metres (Exploration and Mining in British Columbia 2004, page 34). A 10-hole, 1500-metre drilling program began in December.

Gold Reach Resources Ltd concluded its initial drill program in March 2005 and began a second program in December 2005, as well as completing geological mapping, prospecting, IP geophysical surveying and surface sampling. Between February and March 2005, eight holes were drilled, totalling 1740 metres. Significant porphyry-style mineralization was intersected in several holes. Hole S05-08, the best hole of the first program, intersected 0.44 per cent copper and 0.46 gram per tonne gold over 102 metres (Exploration and Mining in British Columbia 2005, page 37). A 15-hole, 3242-metre drilling program began in December 2005 and was completed in February 2006. Highlights include drillhole S06-24, which intersected 113.5 metres grading 0.35 per cent copper, 0.38 gram per tonne gold and 1.23 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 28378).

In late 2006, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. completed 3638 metres of diamond drilling, an IP geophysical survey and a stream sampling program. Highlights include drillhole S06-39, which intersected 0.43 per cent copper, 0.503 gram per tonne gold and 1.7 grams per tonne silver over 160 metres (Assessment Report 28943).

In late 2007 and early 2008, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. completed 7638 metres of drilling in 33 holes and a 3D-IP geophysical survey over the property. Drillhole S08-72 intersected 0.497 per cent copper, 0.43 gram per tonne gold, 5.6 grams per tonne silver and 0.0005 per cent molybdenum over a 100 metre interval (Assessment Report 30249).

In 2008, an indicated resource of 13,864,000 tonnes grading 0.30 gram per tonne gold, 1.04 grams per tonne silver, 0.30 per cent copper and 0.007 per cent molybdenum with an inferred resource of 12,945,00 tonnes grading 0.11 gram per tonne gold, 3.35 grams per tonne silver, 0.20 per cent copper and 0.019 per cent molybdenum using a 0.3 per cent copper equivalent cut-off was reported (Stubens, T.C., Arseneau, G. (2008-11-10): Mineral Resource Estimate - Seel Copper Project).

In 2009, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. completed an airborne geophysical survey totalling 1325 line-kilometres consisting of a gamma ray spectrometer and magnetometer surveys. In 2010, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. conducted rock and stream sampling throughout the Seel property. In 2011, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. executed 10,393.4 metres of core drilling in 20 holes at the Seel deposit, 44.5 line-kilometres of 3D-IP surveying, surface mapping and sampling and 1589 soil samples. Highlights include drillhole S11-81 from the main zone, which intersected 174.4 metres grading 0.35 per cent copper and 0.4 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 32438). Also at this time, drilling on the West Seal zone, located approximately 600 metres west- south west of the main Seel zone, yielded intercepts of 0.17 gram per tonne gold, 3.4 grams per tonne silver, 0.25 per cent copper and 0.028 per cent molybdenum over 567 metres in hole S11-100 and 0.15 gram per tonne gold, 3.9 grams per tonne silver, 0.23 per cent copper and 0.025 per cent molybdenum over 419.5 metres in hole S11-97, while drilling on the Seal Breccia zone yielded up to 8.56 per cent copper and 223 grams per tonne silver over 1 metre in hole S11-81 (Ebert, S., McDowell, C. (2012-02-23): Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Seel Copper Gold Porphyry Deposit). The holes were reported to have ended in mineralization.

In late 2011, an updated resource estimate, using a 0.2 per cent copper equivalent cut-off, was reported with an indicated resource of 28,130,000 tonnes grading 0.21 gram per tonne gold, 1.1 grams per tonne silver, 0.22 per cent copper and 0.007 per cent molybdenum and an inferred resource of 214,780,000 tonnes grading 0.13 gram per tonne gold, 2.17 grams per tonne silver, 0.17 per cent copper and 0.017 per cent molybdenum (Ebert, S., McDowell, C. (2012-02-23): Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Seel Copper Gold Porphyry Deposit).

In 2012, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. completed an exploration program of diamond drilling, IP surveying, soil sampling and geological mapping. Highlights include drillhole S12-136, which intersected 146 metres grading 0.32 per cent copper, 0.38 gram per tonne gold, 0.044 per cent molybdenum and 4.37 per cent silver (Press Release - Gold Reach Resources Ltd., December 18, 2012). Drilling in six holes totalled 4482.98 metres.

In 2013, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. released an National Instrument (NI) 43-101 compliant resource estimate for the Seel deposit, which showed indicated resources of 67,760,000 tonnes grading 0.21 per cent copper, 0.17 gram per tonne gold, 0.015 per cent molybdenum and 2.02 grams per tonne silver, and inferred resources of 410,880,000 tonnes grading 0.16 per cent copper, 0.11 gram per tonne gold, 0.018 per cent molybdenum and 1.95 grams per tonne silver, calculated using a 0.2 per cent copper equivalent cut-off grade (Press Release - Gold Reach Resources Ltd., January 29, 2013).

In 2014, an unconstrained measured and indicated resource of 126,760,000 tonnes grading 0.16 gram per tonne gold, 2.47 grams per tonne silver, 0.20 per cent copper and 0.016 per cent molybdenum with an unconstrained inferred resource of 351,140,000 tonnes grading 0.11 gram per tonne gold, 1.95 grams per tonne silver, 0.17 per cent copper and 0.019 per cent molybdenum using a 0.20 per cent copper equivalent cut-off was reported (Boyce, R.A., Giroux, G. (2014-01-27): A Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Seel and Ox Deposits -- Ootsa Property).

In 2015, Gold Reach Resources Ltd. completed a program of soil sampling on the North Damascus target.

In 2016, an updated mineral resource for the East Seal occurrence was reported at 23,587,000 tonnes measured and indicated grading 0.28 per cent copper, 0.26 gram per tonne gold, 0.002 per cent molybdenum and 2.6 grams per tonne silver, using a C$8.50/t NSR cut-off (Puritch, E. (2016-03-23): Updated Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ootsa Property).

Also at this time, an updated mineral resource for the West Seal occurrence was reported at 166,906,000 tonnes measured and indicated grading 0.22 per cent copper, 0.15 gram per tonne gold, 0.021 per cent molybdenum and 2.8 grams per tonne silver with an additional 5,212,000 tonnes inferred grading 0.18 per cent copper, 0.09 gram per tonne gold, 0.019 per cent molybdenum and 2.6 grams per tonne silver, using a C$8.50/t NSR cut-off (Puritch, E. (2016-03-23): Updated Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Ootsa Property).

Bibliography
EMPR BULL 75
EMPR EXPL 2000-1-8; 2003-14; 2004-34; 2005-37
EMPR FIELDWORK 1986, pp. 171-179
EMPR INF CIRC 2012-1, p. 19; 2014-1, p. 4; 2015-1, p. 19; 2016-1, p. 137; 2017-1, pp. 25,166
EMPR MER 2005-11
EMPR OF 1987-4; 1994-14
EMPR PF Placer Dome (Beaton, W.D. (1989-07-08): Report on Lansdowne Minerals Ltd., Lean-To Property)
EMPR PF Rimfire (International Damascus Resoures Ltd. (1985-05-23): 14.7 Million Operating Profit Projected Over 5 Years)
GSC MAP 1064A
GSC MEM 299
GSC OF 708
GSC SUM RPT 1924, Part A; 1925, Part A
Placer Dome File
PR REL Grayd Resource Corp. Jun.6,12, 2003, Aug.26, Oct.20, Dec.8, 2004, Jan.*18, Feb.10,21, Mar.21, Apr.*5,21, Jun.13, 2005; Websmart.com Communications Inc. Aug.26, 2004; Gold Reach Resources Ltd. Dec.17, 2004, Jan.*18, Feb.10,21, Mar.21, Apr.*5,21, Jun.13, Dec.5, 2005, Jan.10,23, Mar.*10, Jul.19, Sept.13,14, 2006, Jun.8, 2010, Sept.*12, Oct.11, Dec.*5, 2011, Jan.*17, Jun.12, Jul.10, Aug.16, Sept.4,17,26, Oct.9,10, Nov.5,*12,*15,27, Dec.*18, 2012, Jan.*3,10,16,*29, Feb.*11,*19, Apr.10, Jun.*10,*27, Jul.*8,*10,*16,*18,*23, Aug.*7,*13, Sept.*5,*10,*17,*23,30, Oct.7,9,15,17,*21,28, Nov.*4, Dec.*19, 2013, Jan.*6,*13,16,*20,*27, Feb.*18,*24, Mar.10, May *14, Sept.*2,*9,30, Oct.14, 2014, Jan.*5, Aug.*10, 2015, Feb.*9, Sept.*30, 2016
N MINER Feb.7-13, 2005; Nov.8, Dec.1, 2011; Jul.*30, 2012; Jan.28-Feb.3, May *1, Jun.*27, *Jul.22-28, 2013; Jan.*7, *27-Feb.2, Jun.25, 2014
CMJ Jan.3, 2013
*Stubens, T.C., Arseneau, G. (2008-11-10): Mineral Resource Estimate - Seel Copper Project
Ebert, S., McDowell, C. (2012-02-23): Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Seel Copper Gold Porphyry Deposit
Giroux, G., McDowell , C. (2012-07-11): Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Seel Copper Gold Porphyry Deposit
*Boyce, R.A., Giroux, G. (2014-01-27): A Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Seel and Ox Deposits -- Ootsa Property

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