The JR occurrence is located at the northern end of the Sechelt Peninsula, between Earls Cove and Egmont. The zone of precious-metal–bearing mineralization is exposed approximately 770 metres east of Agamemnon Bay and 500 metres north of the west end of North Lake.

Regionally, the area is underlain by a series of northwest-trending volcanic and sedimentary rocks comprised of basaltic volcanic rocks of the Upper Triassic Karmutsen and Quatsino formations (Vancouver Group), argillite, greywacke, wacke and conglomerate turbidites of the Lower to Middle Jurassic Bowen Island Group and volcanic and marine sedimentary rocks of the Lower Cretaceous Gambier Group, which form roof pendants that have been intruded by diorite and quartz diorite of the Jurassic to Cretaceous Coast Plutonic Complex.

Locally, hornblende biotite quartz diorite that locally grades into gabbro, diorite and granodiorite comprises hostrocks of the JR occurrence. These intrusive rocks have been intruded by younger feldspar porphyry rhyodacite, diorite and andesitic to basaltic dikes. Dike widths vary from a few centimetres to several metres. The dikes are associated with strong northwest-trending, moderate northeast and weak west-trending fractures. Overall, dikes have a strike of 283 degrees.

The JR occurrence consists of a number of closely spaced mineralized zones: the JR zone, T-PC zone, 3V zone and DF zone.

The JR zone consists of a series of subparallel quartz-marcasite-epidote stringer veins in altered and sheared granodiorite. The zone strikes 065 degrees over an exposed length of 20 metres and dips nearly vertically. Exposed widths vary up to 1.5 metres. The zone is cut by several narrow andesitic dikes.

In 1985, surface samples yielded values of up to 6.86 grams per tonne gold and 6.72 grams per tonne silver, while diamond drilling intersected a section of massive marcasite with electrum in quartz averaging 31.3 grams per tonne gold and 21.4 grams per tonne silver over a core length of 2.7 metres in hole JR DDH-9 (Assessment Report 14736).

In 1988, two chip samples (WH-011 and WH-012) from mineralized veins on the JR zone yielded values of 1.08 and 1.60 grams per tonne gold over 0.45 and 0.50 metre, respectively (Assessment Report 17941).

In 1993, a sample (no. 5) from the JR vein yielded 7.1 grams per tonne gold and 5.8 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 23354).

In 2019, four rock samples (DA19-JR-1 to -3 and DA19-S0008) from the JR zone yielded from 1.5 to 14.9 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 39205).

In 2021, a rock sample (JR-2) of quartz vein material from the JR zone assayed 5.74 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 39676).

In 2022, a rock sample (DA2022-S0002) from a new roadcut in the JR zone exposing a granodiorite in contact with an andesite hosting narrow, 3- to 5-centimetre wide, quartz veins with pyrite and marcasite assayed 2.02 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 40899). This area is located approximately 50 metres north of the main JR zone.

In 2023, diamond drilling yielded intercepts of up to 1.40 grams per tonne gold over 0.74 metre in hole DA2023-JR-01 (Assessment Report 42138).

The T-PC zone hosts two closely spaced veins, referred to as the T and PC veins, and are located approximately 300 metres southwest of the JR zone. The veins strike at 115 and 065 degrees with dips of 75 and 35 degrees north, respectively, in a granodiorite host.

In 1982, sampling of the T and PC veins yielded 1.7 and 2.3 grams per tonne gold, respectively (Samples RT and RPC; Assessment Report 11129).

In 2010, a sample (no. 8) from the T vein yielded 0.70 gram per tonne gold and 8 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 31885).

The 3V zone, consisting of a quartz vein stockwork and outcropping over a 30 by 5 metre area, lies approximately 260 metres northeast of the JR zone. The stockwork consists of a number of subparallel anastomosing quartz-marcasite veins trending 080 to 090 degrees. Individual veins vary from 0.06 to 0.3 metre wide. A northwest-trending, andesitic dike swarm offsets and complicates the mineralization trend. The zone is reported to have been partially covered by a new or widened logging as of 2022.

In 1985, samples from the zone yielded values up to 183.2 grams per tonne gold and 347.6 grams per tonne silver, and drilling yielded intercepts of up to 2.3 grams per tonne gold with 5.1 grams per tonne silver over 0.6 metre in hole 3V-6 (Assessment Report 14736).

In 1988, six samples (WH-003 through WH-008) of vein material from the 3V zone yielded values from 0.7 to 77.2 grams per tonne silver and 0.47 to 26.25 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 17941).

In 1993, two samples (no. 1 and 2) from the 3V zone yielded an average of 37.4 grams per tonne gold and 60.5 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 23354).

In 2010, a float sample (no. 4) mineralized quartz from historical trenches on the 3V zone yielded 2.44 grams per tonne gold and 7 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 31885).

In 2011, a chip sample (87646) from the 3V zone yielded 9.58 grams per tonne gold and 20 grams per tonne silver over 1.0 metre (Assessment Report 32343).

In 2018, two samples (DA18-3V-S1 and -S2) from the 3V zone yielded 9.30 and 3.95 grams per tonne gold with 21.0 and 12.0 grams per tonne silver, respectively (Assessment Report 39205).

Approximately 100 metres south of the 3V zone, a historical trench (No.2) exposes a porphyry-gold occurrence comprising disseminated pyrite and marcasite in an epidote-altered granodiorite. The granodiorite is cut by narrow basaltic dikes. The mineralized zone has been traced over an area of approximately 6.1 by 18.3 metres and is reported to be open in all directions.

In 1985, a sample from trench no. 2 yielded 7.5 grams per tonne gold and 11.6 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 14736).

In 2010, two float samples (no. 5 and 6) of mineralized quartz vein material from the historical Trench no. 2 area yielded 48.35 and 4.95 grams per tonne gold with 49 and 10 grams per tonne silver, and a sample (No. 7) of silicified granodiorite hosting minor sulphides yielded 1.00 gram per tonne gold and 7 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 31885).

Another quartz vein stockwork zone, referred to as the DF zone, is exposed for a length of 25 metres, approximately 300 metres northwest of the JR zone. The mineralization consists of quartz veins with sporadic to abundant pyrite and marcasite, occasional galena and chalcopyrite, and minor tetrahedrite developed in a faulted andesitic dike and altered granodiorite.

In 1985, a chip sample taken across 2 metres assayed 46.96 grams per tonne gold and 83.0 grams per tonne silver, and diamond drilling yielded 3.20 gram per tonne gold over 0.3 metre in hole DF DDH-2 (Assessment Report 14736).

In 1988, a grab sample (WH-018) from the DF zone assayed 170.2 grams per tonne silver and 90.72 grams per tonne gold (Assessment Report 17941).

In 2010, three samples (no. 1 to 3) of mineralized quartz veins from the DF zone yielded from 3.01 to 58.69 grams per tonne gold and 13 to 79 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 31885).

In 2012, two chip samples (2012-022 and 2012-028) from the DF vein area yielded 64.9 and 42.1 grams per tonne silver with 66.55 and 48.25 grams per tonne gold over 0.2 and 1.0 metre, respectively (Assessment Report 33765).

In 2015, a sample (2015-004) comprising a collection of rocks from a 1.5 metre diameter area of granitic rocks from the DF vein area assayed 8.68 grams per tonne gold and 29.0 grams per tonne silver (Assessment Report 35627).

Work History

The earliest record of exploration in the area occurred in 1913 when R. Dunsford Jr. drove a tunnel (Stein adit, MINFILE 092GNW061) near Earls Cove. In 1937, the Cambrian Chieftain (MINFILE 092GNE011) property was discovered 7 kilometres to the south. Additional massive sulphide mineralization was discovered in about 1952 at the Skookum (MINFILE 092GNE008), on the shores of Agamemnon Channel.

In 1982, Chalice Mining Inc. staked the area as the Chalice claims and conducted a program of rock sampling and geological mapping. Mineralization in the JR occurrence area was first identified at this time. The following year, a program of prospecting, geological mapping and geochemical (rock and soil) sampling was completed on the surrounding area as the Wally and Bacon claim groups. In 1984, a further program of geological mapping and geochemical sampling was conducted on the Chalice claims. In 1985, Chalice Mining Inc. completed a program of prospecting, trenching, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling, an induced polarization survey and diamond drilling totalling 572 metres in 21 holes on the Wally 3 and Chalice 1 claims.

In late 1987 and early 1988, Blue Chip Resources Inc. conducted a program of geological mapping, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling and a 7.7 line-kilometre induced polarization survey on the Chalice 1, Stein and Wally 2-3 claims of the Egmont property. In 1990, Blue Chip Resources Inc. completed a program of geological mapping, geochemical (rock and soil) sampling and a 4.0 line-kilometre ground electromagnetic (VLF) and magnetic survey on the Chalice 1, Bacon 2 and HD claims of the Egmont property. In early 1992, Chalice Mining Inc. completed a 1.2 line-kilometre induced polarization survey on the JR zone of the Chalice 1 claim.

In 1993, a prospecting program and a 3.62 line-kilometre self-potential survey was conducted on the area as the Windancer and Taj claim groups. In 1995, Menika Mining Ltd. completed a program of prospecting and a 13.2 line-kilometre self-potential survey on the Windancer, Taj and JR claims of the Ruby Group.

In 1996, four diamond drill holes, totalling 725.6 metres, were completed by Charles R. Boitard on the area as the Ruby 3 claim. The following year, a further four diamond drill holes, totalling 527.6 metres, were completed on the Ruby 1-3 claims. No significant intercepts were reported in either drill programs.

In 2004, the area was prospected as the Dancer 1-4 claims by Justin Cloud and Justin LaRue. In 2006, a 1.6 line-kilometre ground magnetic survey was conducted on the Dancer claims. The following year, a 0.9 line-kilometre self-potential survey was completed on the claims. In 2008, a further 0.6 line-kilometre self-potential survey was completed on the Dancer claims. Also at this time, the area immediately north and east were prospected as the JI and Rhiannadancer claims by Donald Bragg and John LaRue, respectively.

During 2009 through 2015, Donald Bragg conducted programs of prospecting, geological mapping and geochemical (rock, soil and silt) sampling on the JI and Jay claims. Also in 2011, 2015 and 2017, Ama Gold Exploration Ltd. conducted minor geochemical and metallurgical sampling programs on the Dancer claims. In 2019, a prospecting and rock sampling program was conducted on the surrounding area as the Chalice property by William McKinney.

During 2018 through 2023, Ama Gold Exploration Ltd. conducted programs of prospecting, geological mapping, rock sampling, remote sensing surveys, a 0.3 line-kilometre self-potential survey and seven short diamond drill holes, totalling 229.3 metres, on the area as the Dancer/Chalice project. The drillholes were completed on the JR zone.