The Handel area is underlain by a sequence of folded and faulted upper Triassic andesitic volcanic and clastic sedimentary rock units of the Stuhini Group. The sequences of clastic layered rocks consist of volcanic wackes, andesitic flows, and argillite interbeds.
The central part of the property is underlain by a 600 to 800 metre thick volcaniclastic-andesitic tuff unit. To the west it is interbedded with black argillite that exhibits rusty weathering due to disseminated pyrite. A lesser member in this unit is a grey limestone up to 5 to 10 metres thick. East of the main Handel fault, within Snippaker Ridge saddle, the limestone hosts fossils that are reported to be of Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic age.
Underlying the volcaniclastic-andesitic tuff unit along the western part of Snippaker Ridge is a fine to medium-grained greywacke that is at least 600 metres thick. Where it underlies the Bronson grid the greywacke carries 1 to 4 per cent pyrite mineralization disseminated and along fractures (refer to Bronson, 104B 300).
The Handel fault, which strikes 055 degrees and dips 055 degrees southeast, crosscuts the property. This is a regional fault and appears to extend 20 kilometres from the Iskut River, through Snippaker Ridge to Bronson Creek and continues west across Johnny Mountain to the Craig River. Along the north face of Snippaker Ridge, a series of splays, off the main Handel fault, strike an average 040 degrees. One of these splays hosts the Handel showing. Mineralization in the Handel showing may be controlled by a second east-west trending fault.
The Handel mineralized zone lies within the volcaniclastic-andesitic tuff unit with interbedding argillite. The mineralized zone exhibits hydrothermal alteration caused by meteoric waters passing through shear zones and fracture systems. Mineralization includes pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite and galena and is most massive at the intersection of an east-west trending splay off the main Handel fault. Alteration products include limonite, jarosite, possibly scorodite and an abundance of clay. Gangue minerals include quartz with only minor calcite.
In 1983, a 1.5 metre sample of massive arsenopyrite and sphalerite from the Handel showing assayed 0.01 gram per tonne gold, 89.0 grams per tonne silver, 2.15 per cent lead, 3.35 per cent zinc, 0.03 per cent copper and 3.6 per cent arsenic. Another 3.0 metre sample of massive sphalerite and galena assayed 0.003 gram per tonne gold, 21.0 grams per tonne silver, 0.36 per cent lead, 1.5 per cent zinc, 0.02 per cent copper and 2.4 per cent arsenic (Assessment Report 11326).
The mineralization is apparently concentrated at the intersections of specific fracture and shear sets. Three dominant lineations were reported, as follows: east-west/steep north 055 degrees/55 degrees southeast (left lateral fault) which terminates the mineralization to the west; 350 degrees/80 east, reflected by gullies; 290 degrees/80 degrees north lineations that appear to control the overall strike of the mineralization. The highest concentration of sulphides is restricted to intersections of a 240 degree fracture set with a 290 degree and/or 350 degree fracture set.
During 1988, the Handel Showing was subjected to a drilling (8 holes) and detailed chip sampling program. Sampling along the zone assayed up to 15.98 grams per tonne gold across 1 metre. Unfortunately, during 1990, it was determined that many of these samples were collected parallel or subparallel to the mineralized structure. The 1988 chip sampling program also included 9 sample sections across the Main Handel Face, over a vertical distance of some 150 metres. The results from these sample sections revealed numerous significant gold values, ranging from 32 parts per billion to 26.74 grams per tonne across one metre. Although no geological mapping of the face was completed, it does appear that the auriferous sections are lensoidal and erratic in grade, down dip.
During 1990, field personnel checked the effectiveness of the 1988 program and collected 26 chip samples along the Handel zone between the 1,000 and 1,130 metre elevation. The crew also conducted further exploration in the area in an attempt to locate extensions of the Handel zone and new occurrences. No attempt was made to confirm the sample results down the Main Handel Face. The Handel zone was traced, discontinuously, for approximately, 300 metres along strike. Grassy slopes along the zone and an inaccessible gully to the east hampered complete delineation. The Handel zone pinches out on the west, to the east of the Handel Break. The zone also appears, as viewed through binoculars, to extend, approximately 140 metres, east of the 1990 sampling, to just beyond the inaccessible gully. The zone is hosted by bedded sandstone/greywacke. The bedding was measured at 022-060 degree/21-50 degree southeast. The Handel shear vein was measured at 114-121 degrees/70-73 degees north. The zone consists of erratic sulphide mineralization, intensely silicified and bleached sandstone and quartz lenses and veins. It varies from 5 metres wide at the 'Main Handel Face' to 0.4 metre at its' western extent, displays sharp contacts and locally splits into two parallel structures. The sulphide mineralization consists of 4-19 per cent pyrite, less than 1 per cent arsenopyrite, less than 1-4 per cent sphalerite and less than 1 to 3 per cent galena. The wall rocks, in close proximity to the zone, typically carryless than 1 to 7 per cent disseminated and fracture filling pyrite.
See Bronson (104B 300) for details of a common work history.
