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File Created: 19-Sep-1985 by Tom G. Schroeter (TGS)
Last Edit:  04-Apr-2022 by Karl A. Flower (KAF)

Summary Help Help

NMI
Name EAST OUTLAW, OUTLAW, THORN Mining Division Atlin
BCGS Map 104K057
Status Prospect NTS Map 104K10E
Latitude 058º 32' 09'' UTM 08 (NAD 83)
Longitude 132º 43' 24'' Northing 6490615
Easting 632540
Commodities Gold, Silver, Lead, Zinc, Copper Deposit Types H08 : Alkalic intrusion-associated Au
H04 : Epithermal Au-Ag-Cu: high sulphidation
K02 : Pb-Zn skarn
Tectonic Belt Intermontane Terrane Stikine
Capsule Geology

The Outlaw Target represents a 4-kilometre-wide sediment-hosted gold-silver target in three zones, East Outlaw (104K 083), Central Outlaw and West Outlaw. Mineralization is at or near surface and is hosted within multiple stacked horizons of sub-horizontal sediments as interbedded siltstone-graywacke with both stratigraphic and structural controls. The consistent nature of the gold mineralization is thought to be associated with rhyodacite dikes. The area of the original Outlaw claim group worked by Chevron in the 1980s was later (in 2020) encompassed by the East Outlaw zone of Brixton Metals Corp.

The Outlaw Target areas are underlain Carboniferous volcaniclastics of Stikine Assemblage consisting of interbedded siltstone and greywacke intruded by Cretaceous biotite-hornblende diorite stock related to the Windy Table Complex. These rocks are cut by Eocene rhyolitic augite-feldspar porphyry dikes of the Sloko-Hyder Plutonic Suite.

Mineralization is associated with a coarse silicified stockwork zone within a hornfels. The hornfels was originally a series of shales, mudstones, siltstones, sandstones and rare conglomerate all of which have been metamorphosed by contact with the diorite. Subsequently the hornfels has been subjected to silica and chlorite-epidote alteration and local clay alteration. Montmorillonite, sericite and pyrophyllite are observed. Quartz veining is minor in the altered hornfels but common in the unaltered hornfels. Mineralization occurs as disseminated pyrite, up to 2 per cent, with traces of chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, stibnite and sphalerite. Less commonly the fine sulphides occur as veinlets.

The East Outlaw zone alteration zone, which is located on the north side of the diorite stock, also contains two types of mineralized quartz veins. The first, are quartz veins cutting rhyolitic augite-feldspar porphyry. The vein system strikes east-west, occurs over a length of about 800 metres and contains arsenopyrite, pyrite, tourmaline, and stibnite. A one metre chip sample, across a fracture zone, from Trench 3 assayed 16.4 grams per tonne silver and a one metre chip sample from Trench 5, 300 metres to the east, assayed 1.7 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 12654). Three hundred metres to the east of Trench 5, drilling in the clay altered zone yielded intersections of 8.3 grams per tonne gold over 0.95 metre and values of silver to 89 grams per tonne, antimony to 0.1 per cent and arsenic to 0.75 per cent (Assessment Report 16726). The gold values are associated with the clay altered porphyry dikes and the coarse silicified stockwork in the hornfels. The second type of mineralization contains massive pyrite-pyrrhotite-sphalerite veins with minor galena within limestone. They are up to 1.5 metres wide and contain no significant gold or silver values.

In 2005, Cangold mapped a small (250 by 150 metre) section in the central part of the Outlaw soil anomaly and areas to the east and west were prospected. Calcareous sedimentary rocks at the Outlaw show widespread fracture-controlled skarn characterized by fine-grained black pyroxene (diopside-hedenbergite?) with minor reddish garnet (spessartine?). Locally skarnification is pervasive and the rock is completely replaced. Overall, this skarn system is large, consistent with the size of the soil-talus fines anomaly. Two main styles of mineralization were observed at the Outlaw Zone: (a) fracture-controlled to massive replacement sphalerite plus/minus galena that is locally associated with massive pyrrhotite-pyrite and (b) disseminated fine-grained arsenopyrite in silicified sandstone. Both styles of mineralization carry 1 to 2 grams per tonne gold and the sphalerite material contains up to 15 per cent zinc (Assessment Report 28151). The zinc-lead mineralization is closer to the Outlaw granodiorite and is hosted by skarn-altered calcareous sediments. The arsenopyrite mineralization, by contrast, is hosted by sandstone without strongly developed skarn.

By 2016, the Outlaw zone represented a large sediment-hosted gold target to Brixton Metals Corporation. Drilling at the Outlaw Zone (Central and East Outlaw zones), in 2016 confirmed near surface gold mineralization along a 450 metres strike length at approximately 150 metres spaced drill hole collars and remained open. Several holes in 2016 intersected significant gold mineralization within separately identifiable sedimentary horizons. Mineralization appeared to be structurally and stratigraphically controlled and the source of the mineralization was yet to be determined though possibly related to the intrusive bodies to the north. The mineralization is hosted predominately within interbedded siltstone and greywacke. Primary sulphides are pyrrhotite and pyrite which occur as semi-massive to disseminated styles as well as veinlets, and lesser sphalerite plus/minus chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite disseminations and veinlets.

A 2016 weighted average over 18 metres of drill core from Central Outlaw zone graded 1.61 grams per tonne gold and 12.30 grams per tonne silver; and 52 metres graded 0.94 gram per tonne gold and 5.95 grams per tonne silver, including 10 metres of 3.61 grams per tonne gold and 23.75 grams per tonne silver from 78 metres depth (Drill hole THN16-132, Assessment Report 36638). Overall, 2016 drilling and sampling efforts extended the Outlaw Gold Zone to 450 metres along strike.

A hole drilled in 2019 0n the East Outlaw zone (Hole THN19-159) assayed 1.23 grams per tonne gold over 37.78 metres including 3.46 grams per tonne gold over 12 metres, including 24.10 grams per tonne gold over 1 metre ((Press Release, Brixton Metals Corp., Dec.19, 2020).

Work History

Chevron conducted soil and rock geochemical surveys across the Outlaw (later the East Outlaw zone area) and dug several trenches in the early 1980s and followed up by drilling 4 holes (550 metres) on the eastern part of the anomaly in 1987. Their focus was a “clay altered” zone with quartz-galena arsenopyrite-pyrite veins. The best intersection was 8.3 grams per tonne gold over 0.95 metre but several 1 to 3 grams per tonne values occurred throughout the holes. The two deepest holes intersected an “altered diorite” at depth which contained 1 to 2 grams per tonne gold. A strong gold-arsenic-antimony-silver-lead-zinc soil geochemical anomaly covers 400 by 2200 metres of alpine terrain at the Outlaw occurrence. The original Chevron work was conducted on their Outlaw claims which were later encompassed by the East Outlaw zone of Brixton Metals Corp in 2020.

In 1988, Shannon Energy Ltd optioned the Outlaw property and carried out heavy mineral analysis of talus and silt samples, but no work was filed.

Glider Developments drilled two holes in 1991 within the western part of the Outlaw soil anomaly. The holes targeted pyritic gossanous zones with quartz and calcite veins. Only low gold grades were encountered with a best return of 2.5 grams per tonne gold over 1.0 metre (Assessment Report 21756).

Rimfire Minerals Corporation optioned the Check-mate and Stuart claims in February 2000, carried out an airborne magnetic/EM geophysical survey. The 2000 survey showed that the Outlaw soil anomaly is underlain by an east-west resistivity low with scattered electromagnetic conductors.

First Au Strategies Corp. (which became Cangold Limited) optioned the Thorn property in March 2002. During 2003, Cangold conducted two stages of exploration on the Thorn property with a skeleton crew conducting mapping and prospecting near the Cirque and Outlaw zones. Prospecting in 2004 by Cangold in the Outlaw area was focused within Howl and Gale Creeks. The only significant geochemical result was obtained from a float sample (276479) within Howl Creek. In 2005, Cangold conducted mapping on the Outlaw zone.

A 60 by 60 kilometre Aster scene covering the Thorn claims was acquired in 2012 (Assessment Report 33578). The purpose of this process was to map out potential hydrothermal alteration zones within the area covered by the Thorn claims. Three alteration minerals were mapped: kaolinite, alunite and illite. The results of the Aster alteration mapping highlighted a potential strong kaolinite/alunite/illite alteration assemblage at Amarillo Creek zone and alunite alteration at Outlaw zone.

During the 2013 exploration program 1,386 soil samples were collected; 1,264 were collected during phase one and 122 during phase two. During phase one, 674 were collected from the Outlaw Zone, 298 were collected in the Oban-Camp Creek area, 49 were collected in the Amarillo Creek area, 44 were collected southwest of La Jaune Creek, 11 were collected along a ridge north of Camp Creek approximately 2 kilometres due east of the upper Amarillo Creek area, and the remaining 188 were collected over a large chargeability anomaly in the vicinity of Eh Creek. The Outlaw zone geochemical anomaly was expanded, now measuring up to 2,500 metres long in an east-west direction and by up to 900 metres wide in a north-south direction (Assessment Report 34506)

In 2014, Brixton Metals drilled 8 holes totalling 1,287.46 metres at the Outlaw zone, collected 16 soil samples, and completed further reclamation and physical work. During this field season, sediment-hosted gold observed in drill core collected from the Central Outlaw zone (THN-14-128) returned 59.65 metres of 1.15 grams per tonne gold and 5.64 grams per tonne silver from a depth of 76 metres (Assessment Report 35192). This interval also included 9.00 metres of 3.08 grams per tonne gold and 10.77 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 35192). Holes THN14-127 and 128 were drilled on what was later (in 2020) called the Central Outlaw zone while drill holeTHN14-129 and 130 were drilled on the East Outlaw zone.

In 2016, Brixton Metals collected a total 2303 soil and 247 rock samples on 5 zones or mineral occurrences, including the Outlaw zone. Brixton collected 437 soil sample at the Outlaw Zone, 69 with gold values greater than 100 parts per billion and 9 with values greater than 1000 parts per billion, the highest being 3030 parts per billion gold (Assessment Report 36638). A second new gold-in-soil anomaly (1000 metres by 600 metres) was identified that is located about 800 metres west from the Outlaw Zone. It was unclear if this second new anomaly is an extension of the Outlaw Zone. Brixton completed 5 drill holes (THN16-131-135) on the Outlaw Zone for a total of 1,189.86 metres. Holes 131 to 134 were drilled on what later (in 2020) called the Central Outlaw zone while drill hole THN16-135 was drilled on the East Outlaw zone.

In 2017, the Brixton Metals Corporation exploration program on its Thorn property consisted of 2455 metres diamond drilling in 10 holes, the collection of 517 soil and 56 rock samples, a 176.60 square kilometre aerial Lidar geophysical survey and detailed geological and alteration mapping at a 1:2,500 scale. All drill holes targeted the Chivas zone. The majority of rock and soil samples were collected from the Chivas Zone (104K 180). Some rock and soil samples were also collected at the Cirque Zone (104K 030), as well as in unexplored areas located north of the Sutlahine River, and northeast and south of the Chivas Zone. No work was done on the Outlaw in 2017 (Assessment Report 36829).

In 2019, Brixton conducted geological mapping and soil and rock geochemistry at the Chivas zone expanding the porphyry target to 3 kilometres along strike which remains open. Brixton completed a 9.1 line-kilometre IP-magnetotelluric survey across the Camp Creek copper corridor, which also contains the Oban diatreme breccia pipe and Glenfiddich zone. This survey showed a chargeability high over the Oban zone. Two holes, THN19-159 and 160 were drilled on the East Outlaw zone.

In 2020, Brixton Metal Corporation completed 3,025 metres of drilling in 16 core holes, 8 holes on the Central Outlaw zone and 8 holes on the new West Outlaw zone. On the Central Outlaw, a 27 metre interval in hole THN20-176 (from 69 metres to 98 metres depth) assayed an average of 0.8 gram per tonne gold equivalent, including 6.9 metres of 2.3 grams per tonne gold equivalent with a 1 metre interval of 5.9 grams per tonne gold equivalent. (Press Release, Brixton Metals Corp., Dec.1 2020).

Refer to Thorn (104K 031) and Chivas (104K 180) for details of the work history of the Thorn property, of which the Outlaw is part of.

Bibliography
EMPR EXPL 1981-319; 1983-545; 2018-130; 2019-33
EMPR FIELDWORK 1985, p. 182
EMPR PF (RPTS by Lefebure, D. (1987))
GSC MAP 6-1960; 1262A
GSC MEM 362
PR REL Brixton Metals Corporation, Dec. *1, *10, 2020
Chevron File
Baker, D. (2010-10-28): 2010 Technical Report on the Thorn Property
Burrell, H., Deiss, A.M. (2021-06-23): Thorn Property NI 43-101 Technical Report Sutlahine River Area, British Columbia, Atlin Mining Division

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