The Cliff showing is situated on mid ridge sides on the north side of the Fewright Creek valley, approximately 3 kilometres west of Unuk River. The location is 61 kilometres southwest of Bell 2 Lodge on Highway 37, and 69 kilometres northwest of Stewart, B.C.
The Cliff-Nina area is underlain by Upper Triassic marine sedimentary rock and volcanic rock of the Stuhini Group. The Stuhini package is intruded by a north-trending elongate quartz monzonitic mass (Hawilson Monzonite) to the immediate north, which is related to the Mount Dunn occurrence (MINFILE 104B 079). The Hawilson Monzonite complex is correlated with the Texas Creek plutonic suite.
A large gossan containing extensive malachite staining was found to be underlain by dacite to andesite tuff intruded by quartz diorite or monzonite. Rock sampling in 1989 yielded elevated to anomalous gold and copper results; the best results were 4.32 grams per tonne gold and 1.86 per cent copper from quartz diorite containing siliceous bands and 3 to 5 per cent disseminated pyrite (Assessment Report 19703).
In 2017, the Cliff target was described as consisting of north-south trending monzodiorite and diorite porphyry intrusions and igneous breccias with subtle variation in textures, phenocryst shape, size, and proportion of primary and alteration mineralogy. Drill core logging indicated at least 6 distinct intrusive units early-phase monzodiorite porphyry, diorite, intrusive breccia, hydrothermal breccia, feldspar-hornblende porphyry dikes and microdiorite dikes (post mineral). The Cliff porphyry system exhibits a systematic pattern of sub-parallel hydrothermal alteration zones, veins and copper-iron sulphide sulfide mineralization spatially controlled by the emplacement of multiple crosscutting porphyry intrusions. The phyllic alteration of quartz-sericite-pyrite assemblage is widespread and occurred as up to 250 metres thick mask all around Cliff porphyry system.
Drill core logging at the Cliff zone porphyry center revealed a series of crosscutting hydrothermal veins and their relationship with sulfide mineralization and copper-gold grades. Potassic alteration in the monzodiorite porphyry is accompanied by patchy irregular early-dark-mica veins along with patchy and veinlet pyrite-pyrrhotite plus chalcopyrite mineralization. Hole KH-17-08 intercepted 146 metres of this zone grading 0.34 grams per tonne gold and 0.22 per cent copper, including 36 metres grading 0.62 grams per tonne gold and 0.33 per cent copper (Assessment Report 37121).
Metallis reported in 2018, that geological mapping, drill core logging and assays have revealed that the Hawilson monzonite was intruded as NS-trending stocks and dikes with porphyry copper-gold systems preserved at shallow levels. Drilling at the southern portion of the Cliff-Nina porphyry corridor (over about 1.5 kilometres north to south) intersected multiple porphyry intrusions, and igneous and hydrothermal breccias followed by intense potassic and sericitic alteration. All 6 holes in t the southern 1.5 kilometres of the Cliff-Nina porphyry corridor intersected extensive intervals of well-mineralized alteration zones, multi-generational veins, and copper-sulphides. DDH KH18-16 at the Cliff target intersected 141 metres of 0.4 gram per tonne Au and 0.23 per cent Cu, associated with potassically altered monzodiorite dikes and igneous breccias. DHH KH18-14, located 500 metres north of the Cliff showing intersected 37 metres of 1.61 grams per tonne Au, correlated with intense quartz-carbonate veins and highly silicified hydrothermal breccias, mainly along the contacts with porphyry intrusions (Assessment Report 38231).
Work History
From 1968 to 1986, exploration programs were conducted in the vicinity of the Priam property by various companies. This exploration work did not extend onto the property.
In 1987, a limited amount of reconnaissance mapping, prospecting, and geochemical sampling was completed on the Priam property. A shear zone located on the PRIAM 4 claim and siliceous, brecciated volcanics occurring on the ridge south of Fewright Creek was investigated. No mineralization was found.
In 1988, an airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey was flown over the property (Assessment Report 18585). Two series of en echelon conductive zones with coincident resistivity and magnetic lows were delineated along the east end of the PRIAM 1 and 4 claims, the intensity of response terminating at Fewright Creek.
The 1989 exploration program consisted of helicopter-supported reconnaissance prospecting, geological mapping, and geochemical sampling by Winslow Gold Corp (Assessment Report 19703). A total of 24 rock, 5 stream silt, and 7 heavy mineral samples were collected. Four showings were reported which are documented as the Priam 1, Priam 2, Priam 3NE and Priam 3NW
In 1990, Daiwan Engineering Ltd and Ross Resources Inc conducted a program of sampling in which a total, 5 rock and 12 heavy mineral sediment samples were collected on the Loki 4-7 claims, which covered the area of the lapsed Priam claims. A sample from 1990, in the Priam 1 showing area, assayed 0.44 gram per tonne gold, 1.4 grams per tonne silver and 0.12 per cent copper (Assessment Report 21111).
In 2010, two float samples were collected beneath mineralized zones at the Cliff showing producing assay results of 0.55 per cent copper, 1.3 grams per tonne gold, and 0.57 per cent copper, 0.8 gram per tonne (Ruks, 2010 (as reported in Assessment Report 34299)).
In 2013, Metallis Resources commissioned a 210 line-kilometre airborne geophysical (VTEM, magnetics and radiometrics) survey over a portion of the Kirkham property. A number of TEM anomalous zones are identified across the property. A major radiometric anomaly zone and several radiometric anomaly trends are observed across the block. The major radiometric anomalous zone in the western side of the block is thought to be a granitoid formation. Flight lines and results are shown to cover Mount Dunn (104B 079), Eric 2 (104B 152), Cole (104B 209), Achilles (104B 480) and King (104B 522), (Assessment Report 34299).
In 2015, Metallis Resources conducted an exploration program on its Kirkham-Mount Dunn claims. Prospecting and chip sampling on the Cliff Showing was completed to follow up on rock sampling from 1989 and 2010 that produced anomalous gold and copper values (Assessment Report 35930). Metallis reported the Cliff Showing to be a mineralized zone, hosting the southern extent of the Evan Dike (Hawlison Porphyry), located in a steep drainage on the north side of Fewright Creek and centered at 398741 East, 6257136 North. The Cliff is probably the previously documented MINFILE showing Priam 1 (104B 620). The Cliff Showing is characterized by a large gossanous rock buttress that faces west and wraps around to the south. It is approximately 100 metres high and 300 metres in width. Malachite and/or azurite rich zones observed on the upper sections of the showing were inaccessible Due to its sheer nature, only the base of the cliff is accessible without the use of ropes and proper safety equipment. A total of 17 rock samples were collected in 2015 and produced elevated values up to 0.517 gram per tonne gold, 4.2 grams per tonne gold silver, and 0.18 per cent copper (Assessment Report 35930). These results, along with historic results from 1989 and 2010, were reported to be consistent with the theory that mineralization of the Evan Dike (Hawlison Porphyry) is increasing at lower elevations.
In 2016, Metallis Resources engaged Geotech Ltd. to conduct a VTEM/magnetic/radiometric survey over a 6,000-hectare portion of the property, not surveyed in 2013. The 2016 survey identified four anomalies, which continue several hundred metres below the surface. One of these, the Fewwright Creek anomaly, occurs over the Cliff area and features an arcuate resistivity and magnetic anomaly surrounding a magnetic low. A small felsic plug has been mapped within this target. A large gossan occurs on the western side of the target. See the Metallis website to see an image showing the above Fewright Creek anomaly (http://metallisresources.com).
In 2017, Metallis Resources carried out a comprehensive exploration and drilling program focused on porphyry copper-gold mineralization in the Cliff target, shear-vein gold in the King prospect and magmatic nickel-copper sulphide mineralization in the Thunder North grass roots target. Metallis drilled 1 hole on the King prospect with no significant economic mineralization found. A total of 42 surface samples including 29 selective and 13 continuous rock-chip samples were collected for analysis on the greater Kirkham property (Assessment Report 37121).
In 2018, Metallis conducted a technical review of the historical data, geological and alteration mapping and geochemical sampling along the Hawilson Monzonite in Cliff, Nina, Cole, Etta and King East areas of their Kirkham property. Following this program, Metallis drilled 12 DDH totaling ~5094 m including six drill holes in the Cliff target, one in Nina, three in Cole and two drill holes in the Thunder North prospect.
In 2019 Metallis conducted a phase 1 program consisting of 3D geological modeling and field mapping over the Cliff-Nina porphyry trend, discovering a 600 by 300 metre wide porphyry stock called the “Miles zone”, approximately 2 kilometres north of the Cliff showing. The monzonite porphyry stock shows systematic patterns of potassic alteration surrounded by sericitic and outer propylitic alteration zones. The geological team excavated two 20m-long trenches and collected 21 continuous rock-chip samples for geochemical analysis. The assays reported anomalous gold-copper values highlighted by 3.7 grams per tonne Au and 0.87 per cent Cu over 2 metres in the southern trench. Phase 2 consisted of 3 diamond drill holes comprising 1,464 metres at the Cliff Target (Metallis Resources Press Release, November 28, 2019).
2019 drilling highlights on the Cliff zone consisted of confirmation of an 1,800 metre long zone of near surface gold-rich mineralization. Extensive intervals of gold-rich mineralization such as 126 metres of 0.52 gram per tonne AuEq in KH19-30, associated with potassic altered Monzodiorite porphyry intrusions. Higher grade gold intercepts, as in KH19-28, correlated with intense silicification and massive sulphide veins along syn-mineral tensional faults. Interpretation of the updated 3D geological modelling has revealed two sub-parallel zones of copper-gold mineralization striking northeast and dips 70 degrees to the east leaving a substantial gap of untested area open laterally and vertically. (Metallis Resources Press Releases, January 17 and February 20, 2020).
In 2020 the phase 1 Metallis exploration program produced preliminary results of the IP survey conducted between the Cliff and Miles porphyry systems, identifying a 2 kilomtre zone of resistivity and chargeability anomalies that increases in size and strength as it moves northwards. These coincident anomalies are related to extensive porphyry style mineralization. Two clear Porphyry rock types within the Hawilson Monzonite (“HM”) were identified: 1) the well mineralized Porphyry (“MP”) commonly present near the western margin with higher-grade copper/gold mineralization with the grades increasing with depth and 2) a secondary coarse-grained porphyry (“CP”) which carries rafts and xenoliths of the highly mineralized MP and siltstone units upwards from lower depths (Metallis Resources Press Releases, August 27 and November 16, 2020).
Relogging of greater than 10,000 metres of drill core revealed a calcareous siltstone unit forming an approximate 1 to 2 kilometre long halo of high-grade gold mineralization. Gold grades as high as 14.2 grams per tonne over 3 metres (KH18-14) are associated with stockwork quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins, hydrothermal breccias and carbonate replacement textures. The 2020 drill program consisted of 3,820 metres in 5 holes spread out from the Cliff to the Nina areas. All five drill holes intersected broad intercepts of sulphide mineralization and pervasive silicification, attributed to higher gold grades within the Porphyry and surrounding calcareous siltstone units. Significantly, the altered and mineralized zone has now been traced over a vertical extent of one kilometre (Metallis Resources Press Releases August 27 and November 16, 2020).
See KGE2 (104B 720), Mount Dunn (104B 079) and King (104B 522) for details of related historical work done and geological information concerning the Kirkham/Mount Dunn property.
