The area is underlain by Lower Jurassic Hazelton Group volcanics of the Telkwa Formation and volcanics and sediments which are part of the Nilkitkwa Formation. The rocks consist of andesitic flows, tuffs and breccias with associated calcareous sediments. These formations are intruded by stocks comprised of granodiorite, monzonite and diorite which form part of the Topley Intrusive Suite.
Locally, the area of mineralization is underlain by a mixture of altered lapilli tuff and fine grained calcareous sediments which are in contact with a diorite intrusive. Mineralization consisting of galena and sphalerite, associated with carbonate veining, is abundant. Local propylitic alteration in the form of bleaching, kaolinization, pyritization with silicification is also associated with the carbonate veining.
A quartz-carbonate alteration zone (Tony or BW showing) with disseminated tetrahedrite mineralization is hosted in fine-grained sediments. The mineralization is traceable over 80 metres and a selected sample assayed up to 360 grams per tonne silver over 4.0 metres (Assessment Report 17255).
The tetrahedrite is disseminated through a quartz-carbonate alteration zone and also in the adjacent sediments. Chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena are also present in variable amounts.
The main showing is on the crest of a hill where a shear zone up to 2.0 metres wide crosscuts the andesitic tuff and strikes 040 degrees and dips 60 degrees southeast. The shear hosts tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, and malachite with azurite. Silver assays run up to 70 grams per tonne. A sample across 1.8 metres assayed trace gold, 62 grams per tonne silver and 0.6 per cent copper. About 150 metres south of the shaft, the andesite shows slight copper mineralization over 3.4 metres and assayed trace gold, 64 grams per tonne silver, and 0.5 per cent copper (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1968, page 137).
About 400 metres east of the shaft, a granodioritic intrusive hosts small chalcopyrite bearing quartz veins. A sample across a 23 centimetre vein assayed trace gold, and copper with 68.5 grams per tonne silver (Minister of Mines Annual Report 1968, page 137).
WORK HISTORY
The Ivanhoe group of claims, owned in 1928-29 by T. Blythman, were under option to Alex Chisholm, of Smithers. The only working mentioned in 1928 was a 3 metre deep shaft. Chisholm is reported to have carried out considerable work on the showings in 1929.
The Tony 1-24 claims, owned by J.C. Bot, were under option in 1958 to Dome Babine Pines Ltd. Airborne magnetometer and electromagnetic surveys mere carried out.
Manex Mining Ltd, held the claims in 1970; a geophysical survey was reported.
In the mid-1980s, Canadian-United Minerals Inc conducted work on their Del Santo Claim block to the east (093L 025). They held the Arctic claim in the area around the Tony showing but no work was report.
In 1998, Cuttle and Ethier found several old trenches and pits and the locations of three diamond drill sites from earlier exploration work. About 170 metres of BQ (or maybe BX) core from two holes remain at one drill site. No mineralization was observed in the core but it mineralized core may have been removed from the site.
