The NW (Spartan) occurrence is located at an elevation of approximately 1560 metres on a north-south trending ridge and approximately 2.6 kilometres south west of Mount Graves.

The area is underlain by quartz monzonite of the Early Jurassic Black Lake Intrusive Suite which is in contact with Lower Jurassic andesites of the Toodoggone Formation (Hazelton Group) to the west and undivided Lower to Middle Jurassic sediments and volcanics of the Hazelton Group on the east.

The northern part of the PIL property is represented by the NW zone, which is mainly underlain by a variety of Early Jurassic Black Lake Intrusive Suite rocks that include large areas of silicified and pyritic quartz diorite-quartz monzonite. Drilling indicates it hosts copper-molybdenum plus/minus gold porphyry mineralization. These older rocks are cut by southeast to east-southeast trending dike swarms containing less altered monzonite and quartz monzonite. Most of these dikes appear to postdate the copper porphyry mineralization. Further south, in the plutonic rocks are in either fault or intrusive contact with Toodogone Formation andesitic to dacitic volcanics and tuffs. To the west, the NW and Silver Ridge zones are bounded by a major north-south fault along a deep linear valley. This structure, informally named the “Pillar West Fault”, juxtaposes plutonic and Metsantan volcanic rocks in the east Toodogone Formation (Attycelley member) volcaniclastics to the west.

Mineralization in the NW Zone consists of minor amounts of disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite along with traces of fracture controlled chalcocite, malachite and azurite. Sulphide weathering has produced the extensive goethite plus/minus jarosite plus/minus hematite responsible for the colouration of this and other gossan zones on the Pil property.

Massive to weakly vuggy grey-green and pale to dark grey silica is the most widespread alteration in the NW zone. Mineralization is associated with silicified, variably quartz veined and brecciated quartz diorite and monzonite that has been traced over an area of 400 by 400 metres.

In 1969, drilling yielded intercepts of 0.17 gram per tonne gold, 2.7 grams per tonne silver, 0.06 per cent copper and 0.115 per cent molybdenite over 1.5 metres in hole S-1 and up to 0.23 per cent copper in hole S-2 (Property File - Certificate of Assay - No. A29-399 - DDH S-1 to S-3).

In 2002, a chip sample (RM02PN-30) from a former trench exposing a fractured syenite hosting malachite and azurite along fractures yielded 0.244 per cent copper (Assessment Report 27055).

Drilling in 2004-2005 on the NW zone identified porphyry significant copper-molybdenum mineralization. In 2004, drill hole PN04-09 intersected approximately 300 metres of mineralization with a 168 metre interval grading 0.09 per cent copper and 0.004 molybdenum,(Assessment Report 27602). Mineralization is associated with silicified, variably quartz veined and brecciated quartz diorite and monzonite that has thus far been traced over an area of 400 by 400 metres. In 2005, drill holes PN05-01, 02, and 09 were drilled as step out holes aimed at testing the extent of the mineralization. The farthest step out holes (PN05-02, 09) located 300 plus metres from PN04-09 intersected mineralization. Hole PN05-02 intersected 65.1metres grading 0.140 per cent copper and 0.004 per cent molybdenum while PN05-09 intersected several zones with 155 metres containing 0.064 per cent copper and 0.002 per cent molybdenum; the last 1.70 metres of the hole contained 0.154 per cent copper, 0.013 per cent molybdenum along with 0.46 per cent zinc and 0.009 per cent tungsten (Assessment Report 28083). The NW zone is open to the north, west and to depth

In 2006 two holes (PN06-01, 02) were drilled the first of which tested the area west and beneath Hole PN05-02. The second hole targeted the western and possibly down dropped portion of the NW zone along a prominent north-south fault zone. Hole PN06-01 intersected 34 metres of very altered and pyritic intrusive rocks containing anomalous copper within which 16 metres grades 3.2 grams per tonne silver. PN06-02 ended in a prominent tectonic breccia likely representing a major fault.

The original Spartan showing is encompassed by the NW zone and occurs in an area predominated by plutonic rocks. Lithologies described in the area of the Spartan showing are syenite, trachyte, monzonite, and andesite and feldspar porphyry dikes (Assessment Report 1823). The Spartan showing consists of an altered fracture zone in syenite over a surface area covering 92 by 61 metres and exposed for roughly 61 metres by trenching (Assessment Report 1823).

Mineralization at the Spartan showing consists of disseminated chalcopyrite (up to 1 per cent) and associated malachite staining on surface, hosted in finely fractured syenite and andesite, covering an area 92 by 61 metres. The strong zone of fracturing strikes northwest and dips 45 to 85 degrees to the northeast. Mineralization pinches out to the north but is open southward where it is lost under till cover. A rock sample collected from this showing in 1967 analysed 0.23 per cent copper and 0.01 per cent molybdenum (Assessment Report 1823).

See also NW Extension (NEW MINFILE) located to the immediate northwest.

Work History

In 1968, the Quebec Cartier Mining Company conducted work on its Spart claims and first reported mineralization in the area. In 1969, Cordilleran Engineering Ltd. completed three diamond drill holes on the Spartan claim.

In 1972, Denison Mines Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling on the area immediately west as the NE, GO and RI claims.

In 1980, Great Western Petroleum Corp. staked the GWP claims to cover the former Spartan claims. The following year, a program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock, silt and soil) sampling was completed.

In 1985, Cassidy Resources Ltd. completed a program prospecting, geological mapping, trenching and rock sampling on the G.W.P. 1 claim.

In 1986, Cyprus Metals Ltd. completed a program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock and silt) sampling on the G.W.P. claims.

During 1992 through 1998, Electrum Resources Corp acquired the Pil claims and began a long methodical period of stream sediment, soil sampling, prospecting, rock sampling, Landsat imaging, and limited geophysical (VLF and magnetics) work (Assessment Reports 22750, 23313, 24356, 25054, 25282, 25811, 26104, 26383).

The Pil property of Electrum and Finlay changed in outline and contained at various times 094E 007 (Spartan), 094E 029 (Theban), 094E 083 (Arg), 094E 089 (Sun), 094E 147 (Pillar), 094E 200 (Reef), 094E 201 (Paul), 094E 202 (Ian), 094E 209 (Bishop), 094E 214 (GWP), 094E 213 (Atlas), 094E 215 (Michel), 094E 216 (Brook) and 094E 217 (Lar).

In 1999, Finlay Minerals purchased the property and conducted a major exploration effort including IP and magnetic surveys, soil/rock sampling and detailed geological mapping.

In 2000, rock sampling and hand trenching on the Pil South area.

In 2001, work focused on Pil North area with the completion of 8.3 kilometres of induced polarization (IP) and magnetic surveys, soil and rock sampling, and geological mapping.

In 2002, Finlay Minerals continued exploration efforts on Pil North (Assessment Report 27055) with the completion of 13.1 kilometres of induced polarization and magnetic geophysical surveys soil and rock sampling, trenching and geological mapping. Late in 2002 a lead-zinc silica-barite occurrence (WG Zone) was explored by hand and blast trenching. Prospecting in the area led to the discovery of quartz float containing 4.93 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 27055). Lloyd geophysics conducted a ground magnetometer and induced polarization (IP) and resistivity survey over a copper-gold porphyry prospect, on the Pil North claim group (Assessment Report 27055B). Geophysical surveying in 2002, on more closely spaced lines, has confirmed the continuity and size of both the Northeast and West Central high chargeability zones.

In 2003 Finlay Minerals completed a helicopter supported drill program consisting of four NQ holes totalling 707 metres on the Pil South property. Drilling targets were geophysical and geochemical anomalies. Results were inconclusive and did not fully explain the geochemical and geophysical anomalous zones. A total of 16.6 km of IP and soil sampling were completed along eight newly cut lines on the Pil North property. Prospecting, mapping and hand trenching were completed on the Pil North property. Gold bearing float discovered at the WG Zone in late 2002 was traced easterly for 300 metres. Additional quartz float containing visible gold and grading up to 16.8 grams per tonne was discovered nearly one kilometre east (WG Gold Zone) (Assessment Report 27055, 27310). Examination and reporting on the Central-Milky zones were reported. It was reported in 2003 that geochemically, as well as geophysically the Milky Creek and Central zones merge, giving a combined target of about 4000 metres length.

In 2004, Finlay Minerals constructed a 7.5 kilometre access road, a fully serviced camp and 13.9 kilometres of drill access (exploration) trails. A reconnaissance diamond drilling program of 26 holes totalling 6,168 metres focussed on five zones referred to as the Northeast, WG Zones, Northwest (NW) (Holes PN-04-07 to 12), Milky Creek and Central Zones. Exploration targets were: (1) copper-gold porphyry deposits and (2) epithermal gold-silver deposits. Geological mapping and sampling were conducted over much of the property. Prospecting late in the season resulted in the discovery of boulders grading up to 3.22 grams per tonne gold and 80.6 grams per tonne silver near a large gossanous zone 800 metres east of the Serem trenches (Assessment Report 27602). This new area is referred to as the Atlas East Zone. The best intersection obtained is reported to by that encountered in hole PN-04-09 within the NW zone which graded 0.128 per cent copper over 57.95 metres (Exploration and Mining In BC, page 43).

In 2005, Finlay Minerals constructed 5 kilometres of drill access roads on the NW Zone and established 10 kilometre of grid along which prospecting, soil and rock sampling were completed. Geophysical surveys (Magnetometer, VLF-EM) were completed along new and historic grid lines from the Silver Ridge Zone to the NW zone. Geological mapping was completed on the NW, Silver Ridge, NE, WG Upper and Atlas East zones. Diamond drilling consisted of 12 holes totalling 3,090 metres were completed on the NW (Holes PN05-01, 02 and 09), Silver Ridge, and Atlas East zones. Ten drill sites and 3.3 kilometres of roads from 2004 were reclaimed. Fill-in soil sampling was conducted on the existing grid from the Silver Ridge zone to the NW zone. Stream sampling follow-up of historic anomalies was completed. Detailed soil and rock sampling completed on the Atlas East zone identified numerous float and bedrock occurrences of epithermal gold and silver mineralization.

In 2006, Finlay Minerals constructed access road to Atlas East and West zones. Grid based soil, magnetic and VLF-EM surveys over a portion of the Atlas zones along with geological mapping and prospecting. Fourteen diamond drill holes (1945 metres) completed with twelve drilled on the Atlas and two on NW zones.

In 2007, Finlay Minerals Ltd continued exploration of its Pil property, concentrating on the Atlas East epithermal gold-silver target. Soil and rock geochemistry, and an IP program, provided context to a 7 hole 2410 metres drilling program, the results of which have not yet been released.

In 2015, Finlay Minerals completed a program of geological mapping and geochemical (rock and soil) sampling on the Pil claims.