The Morrison deposit is classified as a calc alkaline copper-gold porphyry with an alkalic trace element signature (Ogryzlo et al., 1995), which may reflect a mixed alkaline/calc alkaline parentage for the Babine Igneous Suite. The geologic settings of the host rock relationships, structural development, and the general style of the hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Morrison are similar to other porphyry deposits in the northern Babine Lake area.

Hydrothermal alteration at Morrison is similar to that at other Babine porphyry copper deposits (Carson and Jambor, 1974). Alteration is concentrically zoned with a central biotite (potassic) alteration core surrounded by a chlorite-carbonate zone. A third alteration facies, clay-carbonate alteration, is considered retrograde and associated with major faults and shears and subsidiary fracture zones. No well developed phyllic zone has been identified.

Sulphide mineralization at Morrison shows strong spatial relationships with the underlying intrusive (BFP) plug and associated alteration zones. The central copperrich core is hosted mainly within a potassically altered BFP plug with intercalations of older siltstone. This plug was initially intruded into the siltstone unit as a near-vertical subcircular intrusion approximately 700 m in diameter. It was subsequently disrupted by the East and West Faults and now forms an elongated body extending some 1,500 m in the northwest direction.

Chalcopy ........

The open pit mine has been designed for four phases of pit development by conventional truck-shovel methods. The overall life-of-mine (LOM) strip ratio is relatively low at 0.825:1.0 waste to ore.

The current development concept for the mine is as follows:
- Phase I: West pit starter pit with a ramp that commences on the north side counter clockwise
- Phase II: East pit with stand alone access road from the north clockwise
- Phase III: West pit expansion with multiple switch backs
- Phase IV: East pit expansion.

When the pit bottom of Phase I and Phase II are mined, the pit bottom will be approximately 40 m wide.

Phase III and Phase IV pit expansion phases are typically no less than 60 m in width, which should provide adequate room for efficient mine operations.

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