The Elk Gold Project is indicative of a reduced intrusive-related, structurally controlled quartz vein system. The gold- and silver-bearing quartz veins have historically been characterized as mesothermal based on fluid inclusion studies. The fluid inclusions within quartz crystals in the veins indicate gold mineralization formed at a minimum temperature of 250°C and a pressure of 2.5 kbar, corresponding to lithostatic pressure at a depth of 7 km (Geiger, 2000). Considerable open space within the veins, not related to weathered pyrite, suggests a much shallower vein emplacement, and more study will be needed to resolve the apparent conflict. The vein systems consist of structurally controlled; narrow, pyritic quartz veins hosted in granitic as well as volcanic rocks near the contact between these two primary lithologies. Emplacement of quartz veins is thought to be related to Tertiary Otter intrusions.
The Property hosts nine zones containing gold mineralization, including Siwash North, Siwash East, Gold Creek, Lake, End, Discovery, South, Bullion, and Nicola.
Gold mineralization occurs within quartz-sulphide veins and stringers, most often within phyllic- and silica-altered Osprey Lake rocks and adjacent phyllic- and silica-altered Nicola volcanic rocks. Pyrite is the most common sulphide (Conroy, 1994), ranging from 5% to 80%, with higher percentages often associated with chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite. Gold occurs asfine-grained free gold (typically le ........
