Geological surveys reveal gold and copper potential in northwest.

• Author: Krejlgaard, Chris
• Position: Ontario - Gold Mining Report

Geological surveys reveal gold and copper potential in northwest

Gold and a high concentration of copper have been detected by a pair of exploration operations in northwestern Ontario.

Toronto-based Asarco Exploration Company of Canada Ltd. and MinGold Resources Inc. have been conducting exploration work on their respective claims in the Fort Frances-Rainy River area for the past two to three years.

"We did the bulk of our exploration work last summer," said Bob Gray, exploration manager for Asarco, "and we did some winter drilling this year."

Gray said the drilling program did not locate any new gold deposits. However, a high concentration of copper was found in samples taken from the till.

The base metal was found during drilling into the overburden - loose soil and broken-up material - which is common in the bedrock in the area. Gray estimates the overburden reaches an average depth of 100 feet. Because a heavy metal concentrate is used to draw the minerals out, it is difficult to determine the exact grade of the ore.

"It just tells you the copper is there," Gray said. "But we've been unable to trace it back to the bedrock."

Like Asarco, MinGold - which holds 25 claims in the area - has also found some hope in its test holes.

According to company exploration manager Gerry Bidwell, small values of gold were discovered during exploration of the overburden, and the company is also attempting to trace the findings back to the bedrock.

Bidwell said samplings from the explorations site were either hand dug or drilled and results were "general in nature.

"We hope to come up with specific targets soon, so we can have a better handle on what's there," he said.

FOLLOW-UP

Bidwell said the exploration efforts followed up a two-phase survey of the area conducted by the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) between 1986 and 1989.

The project included the mapping of the area's surface materials - through samples from the overburden - and mapping of glacial movements. The latter mapping effort determined that a major ice movement occurred from the northeast and another from the northwest.

According to Cam Baker, supervisor of quaternary geology for the OGS, a number of drill holes had visible gold and copper grains.

"It's a direct indication of mineralisation in the area," Baker said. "It's surprising because the Fort Frances area is not traditionally considered a gold mining area.

"We know about the greenstone belt (in the area), but...