The Pine occurrence is located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of the northern end of Thutade Lake and 1 kilometre south of the Finlay River, about 280 kilometres north of Smithers.

The Pine developed prospect area is underlain by dacite crystal tuff of the Saunders Member of the Lower Jurassic Toodoggone Formation (Hazelton Group). The rocks are commonly quartz and feldspar-phyric and dacitic to andesitic in composition. The volcaniclastics are intruded by coeval quartz monzonite to monzonite porphyry intrusions of the Black Lake Plutonic Suite. Post-mineral trachyandesite to latite dikes trend north to north-northwestward, cutting all earlier stratigraphy and intrusions.

The dominant structures in the area are steeply dipping faults which define a prominent regional northwest structural fabric trending 140 to 170 degrees. In turn, high angle northeast-striking faults (approximately 060 degrees) appear to truncate and displace northwest-striking faults. Collectively, these faults form a boundary for variably rotated and tilted blocks underlain by monoclinal strata.

At the Pine zone, the host quartz monzonite is fractured, and contains 2 to 8 per cent magnetite and 2 to 4 per cent total sulphide including pyrite, chalcopyrite, minor bornite and lesser molybdenite and sphalerite as fracture fillings, disseminations and as quartz-sulphide veins. Study of polished sections of intrusion-hosted hypogene mineralization indicates that gold is commonly associated with chalcopyrite but may also be enclosed in silicate gangue. No native gold or other gold phases were found enclosed in pyrite. Copper-gold-silver-zinc mineral assemblages occur both in the quartz monzonite intrusion and in the host dacite tuff. Higher concentrations of copper and gold are associated with zones of intense quartz stockwork veining accompanied by intensely developed potassium-feldspar vein selvages, locally intense quartz-magnetite flooding and ubiquitous disseminated and fracture-controlled magnetite. Lower copper grades are typically associated with less intense quartz stockwork and moderate to intensely developed sericitization. This phyllic alteration assemblage flanks the Pine mineralized zone on the southeast and grades outwards to a large zone of propylitic alteration typified by ubiquitous epidote and lesser chlorite.

Drilling on the Pine mineralized zone in 2009 showed similar characteristics to the surface expression in the area. There is a strongly potassic altered core to the mineralized zone, represented by quartz-potassium-feldspar-magnetite±biotite, commonly altered to chlorite. This alteration is texturally destructive and most commonly occurs in porphyritic to medium-grained quartz monzonites. Where the hydrothermal fluids encountered more mafic intrusive bodies, the alteration is expressed as quartz-chlorite-magnetite. The diorite host lithology is not as well mineralized as the more felsic hosts. A phyllic alteration overprints the potassic alteration zone from surface to approximately 100 metres depth. This overprint can vary from a weak wash of alteration to an intense replacement by quartz-sericite-pyrite. The south portion of the main Pine zone is moderately to intensely quartz-sericite-pyrite altered, and more distal propylitic alteration assemblages occur with the drillholes at the deposit margins. Propylitic alteration most commonly occurs as fracture-fill epidote and replacement of the mafic minerals with minor chlorite and/or calcite. Argillic alteration occurs in one or two small localities.

During November and December 1979, two diamond-drill holes totalling 377 metres were drilled near the A showing, a zone of copper carbonates coating fractures in an area of quartz stockwork. Drillhole 79-1, collared on the A showing, the largest area of copper-gold mineralization found on the property, was drilled vertically to 177 metres. In drillhole 79-1, stockwork mineralization extends from surface to 51.0 metres and again from 102.0 to 127.5 metres. The alteration assemblage in the quartz stockwork consists of quartz-sericite-pyrite-chlorite with lesser gypsum and epidote. The mineralization consists of disseminated chalcopyrite, molybdenite, pyrite, and magnetite. Both magnetite and pyrite occur as large clusters and veinlets. The largest and most interesting mineralization covers an area 40 by 10 metres and has been called the A showing. The second covers an area 7 by 5 metres. Secondary copper minerals are malachite with minor amounts of azurite and chrysocolla. All mineralization is accompanied by pyrite. The upper mineralized section from drillhole 79-1 averaged 51 metres of 4.1 grams per tonne silver, 0.7 gram per tonne gold, and 0.27 per cent copper (Assessment Report 8331). The lower 25.5-metre section averaged 3.1 grams per tonne silver, 0.7 gram per tonne gold and 0.34 per cent copper (Assessment Report 8331). The mineralized and altered sections in drillhole 79-1 are in sharp contact with unaltered zones. No copper mineralization was found in fresh granodiorite. Hole 79-2 was drilled to test the lateral extension of mineralization. The hole intersected a weakly mineralized zone from 60.0 to 144.0 metres which assayed 1.2 grams per tonne silver, 0.15 gram per tonne gold, and 0.10 per cent copper (Assessment Report 8331).

Ten holes were drilled in 1980 to further test the lateral extent of mineralization at the A showing. Drillhole 80-2 was the best mineralized and analyzed 4.5 grams per tonne silver, 0.5 gram per tonne gold and 0.25 per cent copper (Assessment Report 8686). Rock sample W82-54, taken from Trench 2, assayed 0.20 per cent molybdenum, 0.58 per cent copper, 0.032 per cent lead, 0.105 per cent zinc, 4.6 grams per tonne silver, and 10 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 11032).

The best assay results in 1987 were from hornblende granodiorite sample G-405 yielding 0.475 per cent copper, 0.300 per cent zinc and 0.2 gram per tonne silver (Assessment Report 16502).

In 1990, both intrusive and volcanic rock samples assayed anomalous copper, molybdenum, and gold. A sample of diorite assayed 0.952 per cent copper and 0.799 per cent zinc and a sample of granodiorite assayed 0.183 per cent molybdenum and 0.140 per cent copper (Assessment Report 20300).

Stealth Mining Corporation has completed a 12-hole, 2200-metre diamond drilling program in 1997. Historic tonnes estimated by Romulous Resources in 1993 were 40 million tonnes grading 0.57 gram per tonne gold and 0.15 per cent copper (T. Schroeter, personal communication, 1997). Stealth increased the geological resource to 70,000,000 tonnes at higher grades than the initial resources (i.e., 0.15 per cent copper and 0.57 gram per tonne gold) (Information Circular 1998-1, page 25). In 1999, the company drilled three holes totalling about 800 metres.

Kennco Exploration (Western) performed porphyry copper exploration in the Toodoggone region between 1968 and 1973 (Assessment Reports 1846, 1886, 1983, 2035, 2380, 3120, 3031, 4396. 3266). During this period, airborne magnetometer, induced polarization, geological and geochemical surveys were carried out principally over the Fin porphyry prospect (094E 312) located 2.6 kilometres northeast of the Pine. In 1968, stream silt and soil geochemical sampling was completed on the Pine property by Kennco Explorations (Western) Limited (Assessment Report 1846). In 1969, Kennco conducted geological mapping and soil geochemical surveys were completed on the Pine property (Assessment Reports 1886, 1983, 2035, 2326, 2380). In 1970, a soil geochemical survey and ground magnetic survey was carried out by Kennco on the Pine property (Assessment Report 3031). In 1971, a ground magnetic survey was completed for Kennco along 13 kilometres (Assessment Report 3120). In 1971, an induced polarization and resistivity survey was completed by Kennco over the Pine property (Assessment Report 3266). In 1973, a 155 kilometre airborne magnetic survey was completed over the Pine property by Kennco Explorations (Assessment Report 4396). One diamond-drill hole was located on the Fin. Much of the Kennco work covered those areas later known as the Pine (094E 016) and Pinetree (Tree) (094E 045).

In 1979, Rio Tinto Canadian Exploration Ltd. completed a soil grid that covered a 7.5 kilometre northeast-southwest length, roughly centred on the Pinetree occurrence (Showings B, C and D), and extending well past the new Pine zone (Showing A) to the southwest (Assessment Report 7750). While exploring the Fin area in 1979, Rio Tinto Canadian discovered the Pine copper-gold porphyry prospect and drilled two core holes in 1980 on it (Assessment Report 8331). Rio Tinto also conducted a ground magnetometer survey.

In 1980, Rio Tinto drilled ten BQ-diameter diamond-drill holes for a total of 980 metres on the Pine prospect (Assessment Report 8686). In 1981, Cominco also completed work in the area with soil and rock geochemical sampling on the MEX claims.

Electrum Resources acquired the property in 1988. In 1989, Skylark Resources carried out five small soil grids and heavy mineral stream samplings over the Pine-Tree prospects (Assessment Report 18954).

In 1990, Electrum Resources optioned the property to Cominco Ltd. In 1990, Cominco Ltd. contracted Lloyd Geophysics Inc. to conduct a 37.8 line-kilometre induced polarization survey and a 40.1 line-kilometre ground magnetometer survey on the Pinetree property (Assessment Report 21139). Drilling was reported to have found concentrations of sub-economic copper-gold and copper-molybdenum mineralization.

In 1991, Electrum collected 21 rock and 11 stream sediment samples in a prospecting program over a broad area immediately northwest of Finlay River (Assessment Report 22324). The area later gave rise to the Ryan (094E 243) and Pine North (094E 252) occurrences.

In 1992, Romulus Resources optioned the Pine-Tree-Fin property, expanded the claim holdings and performed line cutting, induced polarization surveys, soil and rock geochemical sampling, detailed geological mapping, aerial photography, survey control, additional sampling of 1980-81 drill core, and compilation of all pre-existing data. Romulus drilled 780 metres large diameter HQ core in four drillholes on the Pine zone (Assessment Report 22873). The regional work was successful in identifying the Northwest Breccia, Pine West, and Pine North prospects. Romulus Resources Ltd. carried out an induced polarization survey (Assessment Report 22873).

Additional drilling by Romulus in 1993 involved nine diamond-drill holes for a total of 1702.3 metres. A Pine deposit non-compliant National Instrument (NI) 43-101 resource of 40 million tonnes of material grading 0.15 per cent copper and 0.57 gram per tonne gold was published by Rebagliati, et al. (CIM Special Volume 46, Paper 29).

In 1995, Electrum Resources Corp. carried out rock and soil geochemical and sampling of the Kath claims, and Landsat imagery of the prospect was prepared (Assessment Report 24641). The Black claims were staked, and a stream silt geochemical survey of the claims was carried out (Assessment Report 25268).

In 1997, claims covering the Pine-Tree-Fin zone and adjacent porphyry prospects were optioned by Stealth Mining Corporation, the predecessor to Stealth Minerals Ltd., from Electrum Resources Corp. Additional claims were staked to cover the Goat, Wrich (094E 047, 48), VIP and Electrum prospects. Stealth drilled 1903 metres of NQ diamond drilling in twelve drillholes on the Pine prospect, initiated a sludge sampling program, and carried out minor additional rock and soil geochemical sampling of the area (Assessment Report 25517). During 1998, Stealth performed 1290 metres of NQ diamond drilling in seven drillholes on the Pine prospect and made reconnaissance traverses of the Mex prospect (Assessment Report 25908). In early 1999, about eleven line-kilometres of magnetometer survey were carried out on the Far Southwest portion of the Pine property, south of the VIP prospects (Assessment Report 25919). In 2000, three NQ drillholes totalling 745.4 metres were drilled on the Pine prospect and reconnaissance prospecting, mapping and rock sampling on the Pine Southwest, Goat, VIP, Nub North and Nub West prospects were completed (Assessment Report 26251). During 2000, Stealth further evaluated the potential of the Pine Southwest, VIP, Goat and Wrich Hill prospects with geological mapping, detailed prospecting, and rock sampling (Assessment Report 26545).

Standard Metals Exploration Limited conducted the 2002 Toodoggone Project field exploration program under contract to Stealth Minerals. The 2002 exploration program consisted of a silt and soil geochemical survey, prospecting, rock sampling, line cutting, grid establishment, machine trenching, geological grid mapping, geological trench mapping, rock chip sampling of excavator trenches, and ground geophysical surveys (magnetometer, induced polarization, and resistivity surveys). In August, additional blocks of ground were staked and prospected on favourable regional geological and geophysical trends to the north and west of the main claim block. The program was, in part, helicopter-supported from a road-accessed camp located on Fin Lake near the east central part of the main claim block (Assessment Report 27160). Stealth carried out induced polarization surveys on Wrich Hill, McAburn Creek, Mex and VIP prospects (private reports).

In 2003, on the vast Pine property, Stealth Minerals Ltd. embarked on an extensive program of prospecting and sampling. Most previous work on the property focussed on its porphyry gold-copper potential (094E 016, 45), but the grassroots program discovered a number of very prospective high and low sulphidation epithermal gold prospects (e.g., BeeGee, Sickle Creek (094E 237) and Mess), several polymetallic skarn occurrences, and additional porphyry gold-copper showings (10K and Pine North). The 2003 exploration program consisted of silt and soil geochemical, and ground and airborne geophysical surveys, prospecting, geological mapping, rock sampling, PIMA alteration studies, line cutting and grid establishment, access trail construction, machine trenching, and diamond drilling (Assessment Report 27429). Stealth carried out magnetometer surveys on 10K and Dry Pond and 3D-inversion induced polarization surveys on 10K and Ryan Creek zones (S.J.V. Consultants Ltd., 2004 (private report)). The company also trenched a number of showings and drilled the Wrich Hill (094E 082) and Electrum/Beaver Pond (094E 125) epithermal gold prospects, and the VIP (094E 047, 48) auriferous skarn system. Trenching at Wrich Hill and VIP generated encouraging assays, such as 9.4 grams per tonne gold, 22.75 grams per tonne silver, and 0.72 per cent copper across 6 metres (Exploration in British Columbia 2003).

In 2004, Cascadero Copper Corporation, a newly formed sister company to Stealth Minerals, acquired much of the Pine property from Stealth Minerals Limited (094E 016, 45, 47, 48, 82 and 237). Stealth Minerals' exploration focus shifted to the Sickle-Sofia property (094E 237) to the immediate north of the Pine. In 2005, Cascadero conducted a diamond drilling program on the Mex (094E 057) (three holes), Ryan Creek (four holes), and Pinetree (Fin) (094E 045) (eight holes) areas. A helicopter-supported diamond drill program of BTW-sized core included four drillholes at Mex and four at Ryan Creek. A skid-drill supported program of HQ/NTW sized core was completed on eight drillholes in the Pinetree (Fin) area; 117 rock samples were collected for geochemical analysis from the Fin, Tree, 10K, Canyon Creek, Pine North, Steel, and Dry Pond prospects. Geological mapping was conducted on the above prospects at 1:10,000 scale. The mobile metal ion soil sampling survey was employed between on Ryan Creek and Pine North (Assessment Report 28071). The eight holes drilled on the Pinetree target intersected interesting, but sub-economic concentrations of copper, molybdenum, and gold.

In 2007, a small helicopter-supported drilling program was employed to test a mobile metal ion soil anomaly in Pine North (Assessment Report 30200). The Ryan Creek prospect, identified by Stealth Minerals Ltd. prospecting in 2003 and drilled in 2005, was interpreted as the zinc-rich periphery of a porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit centred about two kilometres to the northeast at Pine North. The target was manifested by copper, molybdenum, gold, and zinc soil anomalies, and airborne magnetic, Th/K radiometric and induced polarization chargeability anomalies. Only one NQ diamond-drill hole totalling 137.31 metres was completed on the Pine North prospect (Assessment Report 30200).

In 2009, Gold Fields Toodoggone Exploration Corporation and Cascadero Copper Corporation entered into an Option and Joint Venture Exploration agreement. The primary focus of the exploration activities was to expand known and locate new porphyry copper-gold targets. Most of the road accessible prospects were reviewed regardless of target type. Program activities included a 2778 line-kilometre airborne magnetic survey over most of the claim group, a 180.8 line-kilometre induced polarization survey covering most of the Finlay River Valley corridor, a prospect-specific field mapping and sampling program (soil, rock, talus fines and stream sediment samples) completed in the Pine, Tree, Canyon Creek, Mex, 10K, VIP and Electrum areas, and a 4672-metre diamond drilling program (Assessment Report 31564). Fourteen diamond-drill holes were completed across the property including seven drillholes in the Pine deposit area, three in the Tree prospect, three in the area west of Canyon Creek, and one in the 10K area. Twenty-eight historic drillholes from 1992-99 were re-logged with a focus on the alteration system in the Pine and Tree zones. Anomalous zones were identified across the property, on surface and at depth, as a result of the exploration program, confirming the area has potential for porphyry, epithermal and/or skarn style mineralization. The Pine and Tree areas were mapped in detail at 1:2000, closer to 1:1000-scale was chosen for the Pine ‘discovery zone’ and the area southwest of Pine camp. The Pine area is defined by a large northeast trending aeromagnetic anomaly. This magnetic anomaly is distinct from others in the region as it is oriented perpendicular to the regional trend. A magnetic anomaly within the Tree (Pinetree, 094E 045) trends roughly northwest within the regional trend and is separated from the dominant Pine anomaly by a moderate low.

In 2011, Gold Fields Toodoggone Exploration Corp. ran a drill program at the Mex (094E 057), part of the Toodoggone project under option from Cascadero Copper Corp., to test a magnetic anomaly and explore deeper (to 332 metres). A total of 2477.9 metres was drilled in seven holes; and a total of 36 rock samples were also collected.