The JW Central prospect is underlain by a fine-grained, green, massive subvolcanic monzonite of the Juro-Cretaceous Coast Plutonic Complex which intrudes Upper Triassic Stuhini Group amygdaloidal volcanics of andesitic to basaltic composition. The monzonite is strongly magnetic and carries widespread pyrite as disseminations and fracture-fillings. Mineralized outcroppings are exposed along a small gorge on the north fork of a west-flowing tributary of Jack Wilson Creek. Sulphide mineralization occupies prominent northerly trending shear zones and vein systems marked by well-developed gossanous zones. Mineralization comprises chalcopyrite and pyrite in schistose, propylitically altered greenstones and crystal tuffs. In the creek valley, gold values are associated with sericitized, pyritized and silicified zones in andesites. Gold-bearing quartz veins and silicified shear zones cut the monzonite. A 13 metre sample across the monzonite returned 0.76 per cent copper with 6.8 grams per tonne silver and trace gold (Annual Report 1965, page 32).
This area was worked from 1988-1990 (inclusive) as the Central zone by Bellex Mining. Disseminated pyrite (up to 3 per cent), occurs peripheral and parallel to the Central zone. These pyritic zones are seen on surface as gossanous outcrops trending northwards along the sides of the North Fork Creek valley from the Saddle Ridge to the Boundary zone. Widespread fracture controlled chlorite-epidote alteration with associated disseminated chalcopyrite (plus/minus gold) mineralization occurs throughout the North Fork Creek valley. Diamond drilling has shown that quartz- anhydrite-K-feldspar alteration occurs below the propylitic alteration of the Central zone. The extent of this alteration is unclear; however it could extend northwards to the Boundary zone. Drill hole 90JW-3 intersected 45 metres of 0.237 per cent copper and 0.38 gram per tonne gold within highly sheared and chlorite-epidote altered andesite lapilli tuff (Assessment Report 20843).
Work History
The JW property consists of 14 recorded claims named J.W. 1 to 14 extending north-south along the north fork of Jack Wilson Creek, which is a westerly flowing tributary of the Stikine River.
Kennco Explorations (Western) Limited apparently staked the J.W. claims 1-14 in about 1963. The property was subsequently surrounded by claims staked by Conwest Exploration Company Limited early in 1964. Magnetometer and geochemical work was carried out by Kennco i n the summer of 1963. During 1965 a program of line cutting, magnetometer and induced polarization surveys, and geochemical soil-sampling was carried out.
In 1988, Bellex Mining collected 180 rock and 13 silt samples. In 1989, Bellex collected 315 rock and 326 soil samples. They found or investigated the Boundary zone, North Fork Creek (Central) zone, Boundary zone and Devils Club zone. Six old trenches at the Devil's Club Showing were located and sampled.
Bellex identified a strong coincident Cu-Au soil anomaly measuring 500 by 1400 metres. A 1990 diamond drill program by Bellex consisted of 5 NQ drill holes totalling 1392 metres. Maps 5 (Assessment Report 20843) shows these holes are situated on or around the Central zone.
In 2007, Romios Gold drilled 3 holes (481.50 m) within the core of the Bellex soil geochemical anomaly. The 2007 drilling established that the anomalous copper and gold soil geochemical signature in the valley of Jack Wilson Creek, which appears to be covered in think mantle of alluvial material exceeding 80 metres in thickness, is unlikely to represent bedrock metal values.
