Summary:
The Property is a Noranda-type VMS (Volcanogenic massive sulfide) hosted by Cambrian-Ordovician metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks of the Pacquet Harbour Group. The style of mineralization, alteration, host rock, and tectonism most closely resembles other VMS deposits throughout the world. This deposit type is referred to as type G06 by the British Columbia Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Deposit Profiles.
The polymetallic sulphide deposits in the Ming Mine area are known to contain copper, zinc and minor lead, gold and silver along with traces of other metals. Mineralization in the deposits has been classified in the past as either massive sulphide, footwall stringer, or disseminated ore.
More recent exploration on the Ming deposit has identified distinct zones of sulphide mineralization. This, in conjunction with ongoing academic studies, imply a somewhat greater complexity in orogeny of the Ming Mine and other deposits in the area based on distinct alteration and sulphide assemblages, mineralogical and textural variations and the structural setting of mineralization. For the current documentation there remain two dominant types of mineralization in the Ming deposit:
- Stratiform volcanogenic massive sulphide (MMS); and
- Disseminated stringers of sulphides (LFZ).
The MMS is recognized as a horizon which is open at depth, locally up to three metres in thickness with a strike length of at least 100 metres. Like other deposits in the area, it follows D2 planar fabric and is roughly parallel to the D2 extension lineation plunging 30 to 35 degrees northeast to a vertical depth of at least 1,000 metres. Several textural varieties of mineralization are recognized in the MMS horizon including massive pyrite ore, banded ore, massive chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite ore, and breccia ore.
The MMS has three different ore types. Massive pyrite ore, which is less than 70% pyrite, with chalcopyrite and minor amounts of galena, sphalerite, and silicate minerals. Banded ore consists of alternating bands of pyrite and chalcopyrite-quartz-actinolite-biotite. Massive chalcopyrite-pyrrhotite ore occurs as lenses and layers with up to 80% chalcopyrite. Minor amounts of arsenopyrite, galena, tetrahedrite, native gold, tennantite, and cubanite occur locally. There is up to 10% disseminated pyrite in the immediate footwall.
The LFZ is another mineralized horizon that lies approximately 100 metres below the MMS horizon. The LFZ strike length is approximately 1,700 metres and has a thickness that varies from 200 metres to 290 metres. Base metal assays from drilling are variable indicating that there are clusters of chalcopyrite and pyrite / pyrrhotite stringers which are separated by less mineralized rock. Gold values in the LFZ are generally less than 0.5 g/t and only trace amounts of zinc have been reported. The LFZ is transected by fine to medium grained basic dykes interpreted as feeder dykes to a mafic sequence in the hanging wall above the MMS.
The LFZ is an alteration zone consisting dominantly of chloritic schist that contains varying percentages of chalcopyrite and pyrite which occur as stringers with lesser amounts of pyrrhotite and sphalerite. The LFZ is parallel to the D2 planar fabric and extension lineation, appears to be conformable to the overlying MMS and as such, can be interpreted as the feeder or stockwork alteration zone to the MMS a relationship consistent with the VMS model. The exact location of the hydrothermal conduit responsible for alteration in the LFZ and mineralization in the overlying MMS has been obscured through deformation; however in its plunge direction the LFZ itself may represent a structural conduit that allowed the ascent of hydrothermal fluid. The extent of the LFZ is unknown as it is open both up and down plunge. Recent drilling has traced mineralization 1,500 metres down plunge.