The Copper King occurrence is located on a northwest trending ridge between a fork in the upper Ingenika River. The original showing is close to the ridge top while subsequent showings (No.2 showing) are on the west flank (Assessment Report 21064).
Pyroxene porphyry flows are overlain by bladed feldspar porphyry flows. These volcanics belong to the Upper Triassic Savage Mountain Formation and are overlain by a mixture of pyroclastics which include a well-bedded waterlain sequence, agglomerates, breccias and lappili tuffs that belong to the Upper Triassic Moosevale Formation of the Takla Group.
These rocks are intruded by feldspar diorite porphyry dykes. The flows are moderately fractured and jointed. The structures strike 155 to 80 degrees with subvertical dips (Assessment Report 21064). Amygdules within the flows are filled with feldspar, epidote, zeolite, carbonate, chlorite and rarely quartz. Weak to moderate, pervasive epidotization and weak pervasive chloritization of mafic minerals is common within the volcanics. Intense epidotization appears to be most common on fractures which strike 80 degrees (Assessment Report 21064). Magnetite is also a common constituent in the hairline fractures.
Regionally the Takla Group has undergone regional greenschist metamorphism, includes fault bounded masses of ultramafic rock, and and is intruded by Early Jurassic quartz diorite to granitic bodies.
Structurally, the area lies west of the north-northwest trending Ingenika-Findlay fault and east of the north-northwest trending Moose Valley fault.
The original showings consists of 2 silica rich veins at a tuff/andesite contact. These were identified by Legun (Open File 2001-2) and are also reported in Assessment Report 4593 and maps of Superior Exploration. Some mineralization is found in adjacent tuffs.
In 1990 to1992, Arbor Resources discovered new showings on their Copper King 1 and 2 claims. These include the No.2 showing, the No.1 showing (located approximately 250 metres to the north-northeast of the No.2 showing) and the Al showing (located approximately 100 metres to the south of the No.2 showing (Assessment Report 21064). The No.1 showing is about 1 kilometre west from the Copper King occurrence.
The No.1 showing consists of a 0.3-metre wide fracture zone striking 80 degrees and dipping 80 degrees to the south in pyroxene basalt porphyry. The porphyry has been epidotized and the fracture zone extends for 6 metres in a cliff exposure. The fracture zone is malachite stained, epidote filled and contains a disseminated black mineral (possibly chalcocite) (Assessment Report 21064). A chip sample across 0.3 metre assayed 0.0937 per cent copper (Assessment Report 21064).
The No.2 showing is described as a 0.4-metre wide fracture zone striking 80 degrees and dipping 75 degrees to the north. The zone cuts an epidotized pyroxene basalt porphyry and extends for more than 4 metres. Malachite and azurite staining are prominent along the epidote fracture-filled zone. The zone contains irregular disseminations of bornite. A composite of two 0.4-metre wide chip samples across the fracture zone assayed 0.76 per cent copper, 7.9 grams per tonne silver and 0.115 gram per tonne gold (Assessment 21064)
The Al showing consists of a strongly limonite-stained and vuggy zone of intensely epidotized pyroxene basalt porphyry. The zone, 4.5 to 2.7 metres wide, is malachite and azurite stained. The zone contains a disseminated black, earthy mineral (possibly chalcocite) (Assessment Report 21064). A 4.5-metre chip sample across a strongly malachite stained portion of the zone assayed 0.1952 per cent copper and 0.048 gram per tonne gold (Assessment Report 21064).
In 2015, Pacific Empire Minerals Corp completed an IP line that trended southeast from the Copper King showing (094D 149) towards ING (094 151). In 2016/2017, the airborne magnetic survey conducted by Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. revealed a magnetic low anomaly in the “North Valley target” area (Target Area A), an area which contains the D.S. (094D 004) and Copper King (094D 149) showings. In 2018, Pacific Empire conducted reverse circulation drilling targeting magnetic anomalies near the D.S. occurrence, about 500 metres east-southeast of Copper King
WORK HISTORY
C.S. Lord of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) conducted geological mapping of the 94D sheet in 1941, 1944 and 1945, locating the copper, silver, gold occurrences of D.S. (094D 004) Bornite (094D 037) and many others (Geological Survey of Canada Memoir 251).
The D.S. group of claims was held in 1962 by W.D. Savage and G.L. Bolbrooke. The surrounding area was staked by Texore Mines Eimited in 1965. In 1965, Texore Mines Limited staked 42 claims in the Am and Jim groups. Additional staking was done in 1966 to a total of 126 claims, extending the property northward to surround the D.S. group and southward across Johanson Creek; adjoining ground to the south was staked by an associate company, Black Giant Mines Limited, as the Sil and Jim groups. Work by Texore during 1966 included geological mapping, trenching, and 303 metres of diamond drilling. Results were disappointing and the claims were allowed to lapse in 1968.
In 1971 Falconbridge Nickel, (Wesfrob Mines) discovered the Sustut Copper developed prospect (094D 063) and exploration interest exploded. Numerous junior and major resource companies acquired ground, looking either for Sustut-style replacement or porphyry copper mineralization.
In the mid-1970's, Canadian Superior and BP Minerals explored the Z claims, over what is now the Copper King 2 claim and adjacent ground to the south, for Sustut-style copper replacement in porous Takla Group tuffs. Numerous copper occurrences over narrow, discontinuous epidote/chalcocite/bornite veinlets were located. Canadian Superior Exploration Limited held the Z 1-60 claims in this vicinity. Work during 1973 included geological mapping and a reconnaissance geochemical survey comprising 80 soil and 40 silt samples over 6.4 line-kilometres. Silt geochemistry showed generally high copper background values in the 200 to 500 parts per million copper range (Assessment Report 4593). Numerous creeks were anomalous, particularly in the east-central and north-west portion of the Z claims. In addition, 80 soil samples were collected at 200 foot intervals along 5 reconnaissance lines and the samples were analyzed for copper. The results showed widespread copper mineralization, values ranging from 15 ppm to 660 parts per million with the anomalous threshold at 100 ppm copper (Assessment Report 4593).
BP Minerals Limited held an option on the property in 1974 and carried out an induced potential survey over 4.2 line-kilometres, a ground magnetometer survey over 14 line-kilometres, and a geochemical soil, silt, talus fines survey and seepage samples (1,848 samples) aver 14 line-kilometres covering all claims (Assessment Report 5255). An IP anomaly identified in the northwest corner of the grid was possibly caused by disseminated bornite and hematite. Geological mapping, geochemistry work was also conducted on the Z claims by BP (Assessment Report 5256). This sampling survey defined 5 zones of anomalous copper that were characterized by more intensely sheared and mineralized lithologies. In 1975, BP drilled one hole diamond on the D.S. Occurrence totaling 150.3 metres on the Z claims. Hole ZD-1 intersected locally epidote altered intermediate to mafic flows and tuffs. Anomalous copper mineralization was associated with epidotized zones. From 112.8 m to 131.1 metres, an interval of 0.11 per cent copper over 18.3 metres was reported (Assessment Report 5662). In 1976, two additional holes were drilled by BP; DDH ZD 76-1 (106.1 metres) was located about 450 metres east of Bornite (094D 037); and ZD 76-2 (18.6 metres) was located about 750 metres north-northwest of ZD 76-1 (Assessment Report 6034). No assays results were reported but chalcocite plus/minus bornite was noted in the drill logs as being associated with epidotized zones.
In October of 1990, Arbor Resources conducted a 4-day reconnaissance mapping and prospecting program on their Copper King 1 and 2 claims ( Assessment Report 21064). Although snow covered the ground the program was reported to be successful in locating three new showings of fracture-controlled epidote-malachite plus/minus bornite plus/minus chalcocite mineralization. Up to 0.76 per cent copper copper, 7.9 grams per tonne silver and 0.12 gram per tonne gold was assayed over a 40 centimetre wide interval. One rock chip sample of high grade float material graded 2 per cent copper, 10.8 grams per tonne silver and 0.2 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 21064).
In 1992, Arbor Resources Inc. collected a total of 11 rock chip samples in an area of copper anomalous talus (fines?) anomalies on their Copper King 1. Two samples of intensively epidotized augite porphyry basalt contained elevated copper values of 0.35 per cent and 0.05 per cent; the other, less altered samples returned only background copper values (Assessment Report 22835). The two copper-gold anomalous rock chip samples collected in the 1992 program correspond to narrow fracture controlled epidote-calcite quartz veinlets and thought to have had little potential for commercial orebodies. Sampling on previous years program anomalies the plan for 1992.
In 1995, Consolidated North Coast collected and analyzed 2 10 soil samples, 97 moss mat stream sediment samples, and 1 rock sample. Surface sampling indicated the presence of mineralized systems anomalous in gold and silver in the area. Consolidated North Coast prepared a grid which was used to conduct an Induced Polarization (IP) survey, by Lloyd Geophysics. It was reported that three good porphyry style targets were located in two main zones. In 1996, Consolidated North Coast Industries Ltd. carried out an exploration program consisting of six diamond drill holes on the Goldvale property. Drilling in six holes totaled 915 metres and was focused on Induced Polarization targets. DDH GV9604 intersected copper mineralization of 0.12 per cent over 6.1 metres with a 64.0 metre drill interval grading 0.048 per cent copper (Assessment Report 24737). Several elevated gold intercepts were reported in holes GV9601, GV9602 and GV9604; one such intercept (from DDH GV9602) yielded 0.294 gram per tonne gold over 3.05 metres (Assessment Report 24737).
In 2014, Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. staked the Copper King 1-3 and CK Fraction claims. Following acquisition PEMC compiled and digitized all available historical data. In 2014, a reconnaissance exploration program PEMC was conducted on the Copper King property that consisted of rock sampling for verification purposes. One day was spent on the property at various locations. The 2014 work program confirmed the presence of copper-gold-silver mineralization on the property and the presence of widespread propylitic alteration. The best of three samples graded 3.1 per cent copper, 0.45 gram per tonne gold and 21.4 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 35402). See Pacific (094D new in 2021), Empire (094D new in 2021) and update to Jo (094D 153).
In 2015, Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. Two separate exploration programs were completed on the Copper King property. The initial exploration was conducted in July and consisted of rock chip sampling and prospecting. Fifteen rock samples were collected. The second program was carried out over 6 days starting August 31 and consisted of a 4 line-kilometre IP survey over the main target area (Assessment Report 35685). The IP line trended southeast from the Copper King showing (094D 149) towards ING (094 151). Rock samples were collected southwest of Copper King and D.S. (094D 004) and north and northeast of Bornite (094D 037). Samples about 300 metres south of D.S. graded 7.5 per cent copper, 52.68 grams per tonne silver and 1.51 grams per tonne gold (Sample 2086935, Assessment Report 35685). Sample 21086931, about 900 metres northwest of Bornite (094D 037) graded 39.70 per cent copper, 220 grams per tonne silver and 0.3 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 35685). Samples about 400 metres west were in the 2 to 3 per cent copper range.
In early 2017, Pacific Empire completed ASTER data processing and analysis on the Copper King property, covering 4178.2 hectares (Assessment Report 36615). Raw ASTER data was processed and analyzed for several porphyry type alteration assemblages. A spatially coincident phyllic-argillic alteration assemblage ASTER signature was outlined in the northeastern portion of the property. The survey covered all occurrences on the Copper King Property including D.S. (094D 004), Bornite (094D 037), Copper King (094D 149), Nika (094D 150), ING (094D 151), Geni (094D 152) and Jo (094D 153).
In 2016 and 2017, airborne magnetic surveys were flown on behalf of Pacific Empire Minerals Corp over the Copper King Property totaling 109 line-kilometres (Assessment Report 36613, 36815). The survey covered all occurrences on the Copper King Property including D.S. (094D 004), Bornite (094D 037), Copper King (094D 149), Nika (094D 150), ING (094D 151), Geni (094D 152) and Jo (094D 153). The first attempt in 2016 was cut short due to poor weather. The 2017 work completed the survey grid and the datasets were merged. A magnetic low anomaly was outlined in the “North Valley target” area (Target Area A), and an east-northeast trending magnetic anomaly, spatially associated with the east-northeast trending ASTER anomaly outlined in 2017, was outlined in the “NE Valley target” area. The D.S. (094D 004) and Copper King (094D 149) showings occur in the “North Valley target: area.
In 2018, Pacific Empire Minerals Corp. (PEMC) conducted a Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program on their Copper King property consisting of 459 metres. Three holes (RC 001, 003 and 004) targeted magnetic highs and coincident chargeability highs; RC hole 002 targeted a magnetic low and coincident chargeability highs Drilling intersected anomalous copper mineralization in 3 of 4 RC holes, with significant mineralization being encountered in hole RC18COP003 where disseminated chalcocite was intermittent from surface to a depth of 138.7 metres. The most significant interval encountered in RC18COP003 was 64.0 metre grading 0.17 per cent copper (Assessment Report 37698). RC holes 001 and 002 were located about 400 and 150 metres north of the D.S. occurrence (094D 004), respectively. RC holes 003 and 004 were located about 350 metres south and 400 metres south-southeast of the D.S. occurrence, respectively.
