The Elizabeth-Yalakom prospect is located approximately 6.7 kilometres west of the confluence of Blue Creek and the Yalakom River in the Shulaps Range.
Regionally, the area is underlain by ultramafic rocks of the Permian Shulaps Ultramafic Complex, which have been intruded by a Paleocene porphyritic quartz diorite (dated at 58.4 million years and informally named the Blue Creek porphyry by Leech, 1953).
Locally, a diorite body, within the Elizabeth 1 to 3 claims, hosts the No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 veins as well as the B, C, D and West veins. These veins are accessed through two portals, one on the Elizabeth 1 claim at 2169 metres elevation and the other on the adjacent Churn No. 1 claim at 1992 metres elevation. A second diorite body to the west, within the Yalakom No. 2 claim, contains the No. 9 vein, which has been explored by a third tunnel with from a portal located at 2261 metres elevation. Two other veins (David and Allison) are reported to the north-northeast of the other veins, on the Elizabeth No.1 claim and at elevations of 2225 and 2150 metres, respectively. The more recently discovered Porphyry and Southwest zones are located on the Plateau No. 2 and 7 claims, respectively. Mineralization has been exposed over an approximate distance of 1.5 kilometres, extending from the lower workings on the Churn No.1 claim to the Plateau No. 2 and 7 claims to the northwest.
The two diorite (feldspar porphyry) bodies are in serpentinized ultramafic rocks of the Permian and older Shulaps Ultramafic Complex and are adjacent to a ridge of quartz-carbonate–altered rocks (listwanite) to the west. Along with the mineralized quartz veins, the (feldspar porphyry) diorite hosts disseminated pyrite and pyrrhotite, ranging from trace to up to 2 per cent or more, with trace chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Quartz stockwork zones are developed in the porphyry with hematite, limonite and jarosite alteration. The listwanite unit hosts disseminated pyrite with minor chalcopyrite.
The No.1 vein occurs in a quartz diorite and hosts visible gold with rare sulphides. The vein varies from a few centimetres to 2.0 metres wide and has been traced by trenching for at least 180 metres along a northeast strike. The vein dips steely north to the northwest.
The No.2 (Main) vein is located 60 metres east and downslope of the No.1 vein and consists of a ribboned quartz vein exposed in two locations approximately 33 metres apart and hosted by diorite. The vein averages 60 centimetres wide and is orientated from 008 to 038 degrees with a dip of 68 to 70 degrees west to northwest.
The No.3 vein, exposed below and southeast of the No.2 vein, has been traced along surface for approximately 30 metres and consists of a fractured quartz vein with minor sulphides that is 0.93 to 1.05 metres wide. The vein is orientated 070 degrees, dips 79 degrees south and is hosted in a fractured quartz diorite.
The No.4 (Tommy) vein exposed 270 metres southwest and below the No.3 vein. The vein consists of a 0.63- to 0.90-metre-wide quartz vein hosting minor sulphides. The vein is orientated at 150 degrees with a dip of 65 degrees to the northeast and is hosted by a quartz diorite.
The West vein is located between the B and C veins and may be a northeast extension of the No.1 vein. The vein averages 0.44 metre in width at surface but widens to an average of 0.9 metre wide, 65 metres below surface, in the 2165 level drift, and has been followed for approximately 300 metres along a strike, varying from due north at surface to 020 degrees at the drift level, and 250 metres vertically along a near vertical dip.
The No. 9 vein, located approximately 500 metres west-northwest of the West and Main veins, is hosted strictly within the second porphyritic quartz diorite; alteration along vein margins is slight, consisting of sericite, albite, ±carbonate and clay. The vein is 0.5 to 1.0 metre wide and continuous for 245 metres. Vein quartz is milky white and contains native gold (visible), arsenopyrite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite, magnetite, molybdenite, chlorite and carbonaceous material. Quartz veins are ribboned; partings consist of carbonaceous material and chlorite and metallic minerals are commonly along or within partings.
The Porphyry (No.9) zone, located north of the No.9 vein and east of the listwanite unit, contains gold-copper-molybdenum mineralization in a highly altered, steeply dipping porphyry dike, approximately 10 metres wide.
The Southwest zone, located west of the listwanite unit and the Porphyry (No.9) zone, consists of a mineralized quartz vein and stockwork (breccia) structure, 1.0 to 7.85 metres in width, hosting pyrite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, arsenopyrite and coarse free gold. Individual veins vary in width from a few centimetres to 2.75 metres. The zone has been traced, by drilling, for 620 metres along a northeast strike and over 286 metres vertically. The zone dips steeply to the west.
In 1958, 8 tonnes of ore yielded 156 grams of silver, 156 grams of gold, 24 kilograms of lead and 8 kilograms of zinc. Work in 1984 resulted in an indicated ore reserve of 3853 tonnes grading 41.1 grams per tonne gold (George Cross News Letter No. 158, 1984).
The area was first staked in 1934. During 1939 through 1941 the Elizabeth 1-4 claims and others were staked by White and Illidge, and Bralorne Mines Ltd. optioned the property. In 1941, Bralorne constructed camp, conducted stripping of veins (533 metres) and diamond drilled five holes, totalling 232 metres. Work was suspended during the war years (1942 to 46). In 1947, Bralorne built an access road from the Yalakom River Valley, commenced a tunnel at 2024 metres elevation on Churn No. 1 claim and drove 381 metres of crosscut westerly to intersect a downdip extension of No. 1 Vein on Elizabeth No. 1 claim. In 1948, Bralorne extended the crosscut 291 metres to a total length of 672 metres, intersecting two veins, each greater than 1.5 metres wide. The first vein (the B vein) was intersected at 491 metres. Drifts were driven along the vein north for 45 metres and south for 40 metres. The second vein (the C vein) was intersected at 641 metres and drifts were driven north for 166 metres and south for 140 metres. In 1949, Bralorne drove a raise for 87 metres in the B vein south drift, approximately 18 metres from crosscut; drove a raise 23 metres in the C vein north drift, approximately 30 metres from crosscut; and drilled 10 flat diamond drill holes totalling 790 metres (eight from surface and two from the end of the crosscut). A 178-metre-deep hole at the end of crosscut intersected a 0.6-metre-wide vein at 66.5 metres and a 2.1-metre-wide vein (D vein) at 133 metres. Float bearing high-grade gold was found in talus on the Yalakom No. 2 claim. Trenching exposed a quartz vein up to 1 metre wide (the No. 9 Vein).
During 1950 through 1952, Bralorne drove an adit for approximately 246 metres along No. 9 vein and an underground drillhole 61 metres from the portal was extended to 135 metres. During 1956 through 1958, Bethlehem Copper drove a crosscut west-northwest at 2204 metres elevation in order to intersect the down dip projection of West vein (No. 1). At 140 metres from the portal, a drift was driven northerly along the West vein for 95 metres. An 8-tonne bulk sample was shipped to the Trail smelter, from which 155 grams gold and 155 grams of silver were recovered. In 1957, a calculated reserve of 1297 tonnes averaging 95.1 grams per tonne gold was reported for the West vein (Property File - Dromedary Exploration Co. Ltd. [1992-01-23]: Press Release - Elizabeth Mine Project).
In 1979, Northern Lights Resources completed a program of road repair, trenching and minor sampling. Five samples of dump material from the No.9 adit yielded from 6.0 to 162.8 grams per tonne gold, with an average of 41.4 grams per tonne gold (Property File - D. Taylor [1979-03-10]: Notes on the Blue Creek Property Inspection).
In 1980, Prism Resources optioned the property and completed a program of surface sampling on the West vein and rehabilitation and underground sampling of the upper (No.9) adit. In 1982, Southern Lights Resources examined the property. Chip samples from the back (roof) of the No.9 adit yielded 21.0 grams per tonne gold over 15 centimetres at 20 metres from the adit portal, 17.4 grams per tonne gold over 21 centimetres at 23 metres from the adit portal, 17.0 grams per tonne gold over 21 centimetres at 29 metres from the adit portal and 10.4 grams per tonne gold over 45 centimetres at 41 metres from the adit portal (Property File - R.W. Phendler [1982-12-10]: Report on the Yalakom Gold Property). A 12-metre zone, from 20 to 32 metres south of the adit portal, averaged 8.9 grams per tonne gold over a width of 15 centimetres (Property File - R.W. Phendler [1982-12-10]: Report on the Yalakom Gold Property).
In 1983, Cal-Denver Resources completed a program of underground sampling on the No.9 adit. In 1984, Southern Lights Resources completed a program of underground sampling and three diamond drill holes on the No.9 adit. Drillhole 84-1 intersected 37.65 grams per tonne gold over 0.7 metre, wereas underground sampling yielded up to 529.4 grams per tonne gold over 39 centimetres (Property File - Southern Lights Resources [1984-08-07]: Drill Hole Log - Hole No. 84-1 to 84-3 - Yalakom). The No.9 adit was rehabilitated at this time and three mineralized zones or ‘shoots’ were identified. The zones averaged 44.3 grams per tonne gold over 0.39 metre width and 48 metres length in the no.1 zone, 25.3 grams per tonne gold over 0.61 metre width and 15 metre length in the no.2 zone and 20.6 grams per tonne gold over 0.43 metre width and 10.5 metres length in the no.3 zone for a possible reserve of 3854 tonnes averaging 41.0 grams per tonne gold (Property File - Southern Lights Resources Ltd. [1984-08-16]: News Clippings - Elizabeth and Yalakom).
In 1986, Southern Lights Resources examined and sampled the property. In 1987, Carson Gold Corp rehabilitated the No. 9 adit and carried out sampling. Four diamond drill holes, totalling 600 metres, were completed. In 1989, Balsam Resources examined the property. The following year, they drilled one hole, totalling 123.7 metres, in which numerous narrow veins were intersected over 19 metres of core length. In 1990, Blackdome Mining Corp. upgraded the road system and rehabilitated upper and lower portals; completed surface trenching, mapping and sampling of West, Main, Allison and Tommy veins; conducted detailed sampling of West vein in the upper adit drift; and carried out surface and underground surveying. Sampling of the West vein at surface yielded 82.1 grams per tonne over 0.42 metre width and 24.6 metres length, whereas sampling from the 7230 level, located approximately 64.5 metres below surface, yielded 44.5 grams per tonne gold over 0.87 metre width and 27.6 metres length (Property File - Dromedary Exploration Company Ltd. [1992-01-23]: News Release - Elizabeth property).
In 1992, Mark V Petroleums & Mines Ltd., later Dromedary Exploration Company, acquired the property. The No.11 vein, originally discovered by Bralorne Mines, was relocated on surface and sampled, yielding 16.8 grams per tonne gold over a width of 0.9 to 1.2 metres (Property File - Mark V Petroleums & Mines Ltd. [1992-02-12]: No. 30 (1992) - Yalakom Gold Project To Be Further Explored).
In 2002, J-Pacific Gold Inc. performed geochemical soil and rock sampling on two grids covering historic showings and surrounding areas. A diamond drilling program consisting of 16 NQ holes, totalling 1642 metres, was carried out in the West and Main vein areas. Hole 02-02, drilled on the West vein, returned the best intercept: 7.74 grams per tonne gold over 3.3 metres (Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2002-12-30]: Report on the geochemical and diamond drilling programs - Elizabeth property). Underground sampling of the West vein, from the upper adit, yielded up to 144 grams per tonne gold over 0.4 metre (sample VA-4; Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2002-12-30]: Report on the geochemical and diamond drilling programs - Elizabeth property).
In 2003, J-Pacific Gold Inc. conducted a three-phase exploration program consisting of road construction (5 kilometres), trenching, mapping and rock and soil sampling of the SW vein, No.9 and Ella zones. As a result of the new road construction and trenching, several quartz veins were exposed along four roadcuts, approximately 400 metres southwest of the area that was drilled in 2002. Along one road, four separate veins were uncovered over a 55-metre length. This new zone of mesothermal gold-quartz veins was named the Southwest vein zone. These veins are considered to be new discoveries as there is no evidence of previous work in the area (J-Pacific Gold Inc., Press Release July 29, 2003). In 2004, J-Pacific Gold completed 11 diamond drill holes, totalling 1438 metres.
In 2003, surface sampling of the West and Main veins yielded up to 134.4 grams per tonne gold over 0.65 metre (sample WV-01) and 34.73 grams per tonne gold over 3.20 metres (sample MV-01C), respectively (Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2003-12-09]: New Gold and Copper Discoveries at Elizabeth Project). Also at this time, sampling of the newly identified Southwest and Porphyry (No.9) zones yielded up to 26.14 grams per tonne gold (sample SA-TR-02) and 14.91 grams per tonne gold, respectively, over a 2 by 2 metre area (sample RMR-0002) (Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2003-12-09]: New Gold and Copper Discoveries at Elizabeth Project).
In 2004, drilling on the Southwest zone yielded up to 88.47 grams per tonne gold over 2.00 metres, including 257.89 grams per tonne gold over 0.65 metre in hole 4-10, whereas drilling on the Porphyry zone yielded up to 1.2 grams per tonne gold over 13.25 metres in hole 04-01 and 0.187 per cent copper with 0.043 per cent molybdenum over 9.9 metres in hole 04-02 (Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2004-08-12]: Gold Mineralization Extended and Porphyry Copper Target Identified at Elizabeth Gold Project).
The 2005 program intersected gold values throughout the Southwest vein. The drilling extended the north-trending strike of the Southwest vein by 240 metres for a total of approximately 620 metres and traced it over 286 metres vertically within the mountain. Drilling on the Southwest zone yielded 68.0 grams per tonne gold over 0.30 metre in hole E05-19 and 4.92 grams per tonne gold over 3.0 metres, including 9.35 grams per tonne gold over 1.0 metre, in hole E05-32 (Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2006-01-24]: Press release - J-Pacific corporate review). Drilling on the Porphyry zone yielded up to 0.64 per cent copper over 0.51 metre in hole E05-27 and 0.598 per cent molybdenum over 0.81 metre in hole E05-35 (Property File - J-Pacific Gold Inc. [2006-01-24]: Press release - J-Pacific corporate review).
In 2007, J-Pacific Gold Inc. completed 14 diamond drill holes yielding intercepts of up to 37.52 grams per tonne gold over 11.18 meters (5.65 metres estimated true width) in hole E07-43 from the Southwest vein (Harrop, J. (2008-05-22): Technical Report on the Elizabeth Property).
In June 2009, J-Pacific Gold Inc. reported an initial inferred mineral resource estimate for the Elizabeth property of 522 900 tonnes grading 12.3 grams per tonne gold (Stockwatch News Release June 8, 2009).
In 2009, J-Pacific Gold Inc. changed their name to Sona Resources Corp. In 2011, Sona Resources Corp. carried out a 23-hole drill program, totalling 2561.06 metres. In 2013, Sona Resources Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding with China Machinery Engineering Corp. (CMEC) to gain financial aid to bring the Blackdome (MINFILE 092O 055) mine and mill back into production, running at a rate of 200 tonnes per day, with feed from Blackdome mine, and later feed trucked from the Elizabeth gold deposit, 30 kilometres south of Blackdome.
In 2018 and 2019, Sona Resources Ltd. completed a soil sampling program on the area as part of the Blackdome-Elizabeth Gold project. The soil sampling program on the Elizabeth area, located approximately 4 kilometres east of the occurrence and on a northwest-southeast–trending ridge, identified a 150- by 250-metre gold-in-soil anomaly with multiple samples yielding greater than 0.1 gram per tonne gold (Tempus Resources Ltd. [2020-10-09]: NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Blackdome-Elizabeth Gold Project, British Columbia, Canada).
In 2020, Tempus Resources Ltd. drilled 12 diamond drill holes totalling 2006 metres.