The 18,000 acre Silvertip project is located within Nunavut, approximately 110 km east of the Diavik diamond mine, NWT. The property covers the Pale and Minou silver/gold showings as well as over 15 km of prospective volcanic stratigraphy along the western flank of the Back River Intrusive Complex (BRIC). North Arrow minerals are currently earning a 60% interest in the project and are the operator.
Work Conducted
As part of an ongoing review of exploration opportunities in northern Canada, Strongbow conducted an evaluation of the BRIC during the 2006 summer field season. The Company was attracted to the area in part by significant polymetallic concentrations reported by Cominco in the 1970's. The 2006 program confirmed the tenor of previously reported mineralization at the Pale showing with eleven of nineteen samples returning high grade precious and base metal values ranging from 1.98 to 15.7 g/t Au, 380 to 6,162 g/t Ag, 0.55 to 5.5% Pb and 1.18 to 18% Zn. Approximately 2.5 km to the southwest of the Pale showing similar mineralization was documented at the Minou showings. In 2006 seven of twelve samples returned from 1.86 g/t to 14.6 g/t Au and 8.8 g/t to 71.8 g/t Ag as well as anomalous values of lead and zinc.
During the summer and early fall of 2007, geophysical surveys were carried out over the Pale showing and a regional prospecting and sampling program was completed. Induced polarization data collected over the Pale showing exhibited a moderate chargeability response with the depth of the target increasing in a north-westerly direction to the point that known mineralization occurs below the depth of investigation of the survey (75 metres). This supports the interpretation that the mineralized zone plunges to the northwest and that further drilling is warranted. The partners are planning a drill program to further test the Pale showing in early 2008, when equipment availability and logistics are the most cost effective.
Pale Showing
Mineralization at the Pale showing consists of quartz veining and locally significant sulphide mineralization, hosted within a thick northwest striking sequence of variably silicified and carbonate altered felsic volcanic rocks. The showing is interpreted as part of an Archean epithermal system. During 1977 and 1978, Cominco tested the showing with thirteen drill holes (2,541 m). Twelve of the holes intersected significant polymetallic mineralization over a strike length of approximately 300 m and to a depth of 200 m. In particular, the drilling defines a northwest plunging zone of highlight assay values including:
Drill
Hole |
Interval
(m) |
Silver
(oz/ton) |
Silver
(g/tonne) |
Gold
(oz/ton) |
Gold
(g/tonne) |
Lead
(%) |
Zinc
(%) |
P-1 |
72.50 |
3.97 |
136 |
Trace |
-- |
-- |
0.35 |
Incl. |
7.50 |
13.09 |
449 |
0.092 |
3.2 |
0.82 |
1.52 |
And |
8.70 |
10.21 |
350 |
Trace |
-- |
0.25 |
0.71 |
P-7 |
60.10 |
1.17 |
40 |
0.095 |
3.3 |
1.04 |
3.05 |
Incl. |
6.78 |
4.25 |
146 |
0.151 |
5.2 |
3.90 |
11.64 |
P-8 |
39.15 |
2.39 |
82 |
0.025 |
0.9 |
0.55 |
1.19 |
P-9 |
12.90 |
27.50 |
943 |
0.064 |
2.2 |
0.87 |
2.17 |
P-10 |
44.83 |
3.33 |
114 |
Trace |
-- |
0.29 |
0.89 |
P-12 |
8.04 |
7.14 |
245 |
Trace |
-- |
-- |
0.37 |
Minou Showings
The Minou precious metal showings are located approximately 2.5 km southeast of the Pale showings and consist of altered felsic pyroclastic rocks. The area was mapped by Cominco in the mid 1970's and again in the mid 1980's with grab samples returning from background levels up to 17.8 g/t Au, 76 g/t Ag, 3.1% Pb and 24.7% Zn. Seven of twelve prospecting grab samples collected by Strongbow geologists returned from 1.86 g/t to 14.6 g/t Au and 8.8 g/t to 71.8 g/t Ag, as well as anomalous values of lead and zinc. The showings have been identified over a 500 m by 100 m area and are typically associated with narrow (<0.5 m) alteration zones in outcrop, and as discontinuous frost heaved slabs in areas of more extensive overburden.
|
)
)
)
