The Up area is underlain by the marine sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Upper Trissic Stuhine Group to the east and Lower Jurassic andestic rocks Unuk River Formation (Hazelton Group). Mineralization is hosted by massive silicified dacite which grades into an orthoclase porphyry (syenite) of Triassic to Jurassic. The mineralized zone is visible as a limonite stained band trending southwest for a length of 140 metres and a width of 75 metres.

The rocks in this zone are extensively fractured, pyritized and silicified. Alteration consists mainly of calcite and sericite. Calcite and quartz are found in fractures. Mineralization consists mainly of pyrite occurring as disseminations and occassionally as massive 2 to 4 centimetre seams along fractures. Chalcopyrite occurs finely disseminated and along fractures in the silicified dacite host. Malachite occurs sparsely and minor galena is associated with calcite in thin stringers that fill fractures.

The content of pyrite and chalcopyrite decreases markedly as the rock grades south into brecciated orthoclase porphyry.

Chip sampling revealed a mineralized area of about 60 by 40 metres, which averaged 0.35 per cent copper and 0.343 grams per tonne gold. One chip sample contained a high of 0.87 per cent copper and 0.686 grams per tonne gold over 3 metres (Assessment Report 3344).

Work History

In the 1960s, Newmont Exploration of Canada investigated the mineral potential of the region and discovered this showing. The map documenting this work became part of the Property File of the BC Ministry of Energy and Mines.

In 1970, a gossan zone was staked for El Paso Mining and Milling Company as the up claims (Assessment Report 3344). A program of channel sampling and geologic mapping was carried out in 1971 for El Paso. The claims were transferred to G. A. Noel of North Vancouver in 1976 an a short program of geological mapping and sampling ensued (Assessment Report 6047).

In 1987 Magna Ventures Ltd collected 488 soil samples on their Divel and Bliss claims.. The work was strictly of a reconnaissance nature to evaluate a property with no known mineralization. The Up showing was covered by the Bliss 2 claim at that time.

In 1989, Echo Bay Mines Ltd, on behalf of Silver Princess Resources Inc and Magna Ventures Ltd, carried out a program of geology mapping, prospecting and sampling on the Doc property, consisting of the Divel and Bliss claims. A total of 40 traverses were completed and 140 grab and rough chip rock samples were taken for analysis.

In 1992, Homestake Canada Inc held the Duke 1-9 claims in the region and collected 75 rock and 87 silts samples. Some of these claims covered parts of lapsed Divel and Bliss claims. The Up showing was covered by the Duke 3 claim at that time. Homestake collected several rock and 2 stream samples in the Up area (Sample Locations map, Assessment Report 22930).

In 2006 and 2007, Hathor Exploration Ltd. completed a 7228.7 line-kilometre airborne geophysical survey on the area as the Gracey claims of the Iskut project. In 2008, Max Minerals Ltd. examined the property.