General Information
Secondary Commodities: copper, zinc, lead, silver
Aliases: Squid West, Squid, Hilker, Trident
Deposit Type(s): Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) Kuroko Cu-Pb-Zn
Location(s): 63.516760 N, -140.822130 W
NTS Mapsheet(s): 115N10
Location Comments: Location marks approximate drill collar of drill hole 92-04 which returned highest mineralization.
Hand Samples Available at YGS: No
Last Reviewed: Jan 19, 2018
Capsule
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2018WORK HISTORY
*In Jan/2018 occurrence location was moved approximately 2 km to southwest to collar of drill hole 92-04.
Staked as 50 Bord claims in Sep/77 by Moose Creek Exploration Company Ltd, a joint venture between Inco Ltd & Kennco Explorations. The claim group was broken into 5 groups of 10 claims (cl 501-510, - YA10591, cl 601-610 - YA10601 etc.). In 1978 the joint venture changed its name to Ocean Home Exploration Company. The joint venture carried out geological mapping, prospecting and stream, soil and rock sampling programs in 1977 and 1978. The exploration program was funded by American Copper and Nickel Company Inc, a subsidiary of Inco Ltd.
In Jun/78 Resource Associations of Alaska Inc tied on 16 Lad claims in 4 groups (Lad 597-600, -YA31090, 697-700, - YA31094 etc.) on the west side of the Bord claim block and 10 Mat claims in 5 groups (Mat 511-512, - YA31206, Mat 611-612, - YA31208, etc.) on the east side. The company carried out silt and soil sampling in 1978 and performed a Turam EM survey in 1979.
Restaked in Jun/90 as Bor cl 1-16 (YB30561) and cl 21-42 (YB30577) by YGC Resources Ltd which carried out grid soil sampling and prospecting later in the summer. In Jun/91 YGC added Bor cl 43-62 (YB48005) on the west and northwest side of the claim block and carried out prospecting and additional grid soil sampling in the south-central portion of the claim block.
In Jun/92 YGC added Bor cl 63-74 (YB40858) on the east side of the claim block and entered into an option agreement with Kennecott Canada Inc which funded the 1992 exploration program. Kennecott carried out road building, additional soil sampling, geological mapping and a Max-Min HLEM geophysical survey. In Aug/92 the company collared 5 diamond drill holes (796.1 m) on the southwest side of the claim block. At the end of the exploration season Kennecott dropped its option on the property.
In 1995 Atna Resources Ltd optioned the Bor claims from YGC. In Aug/95 Atna spent one day on the claims collecting soil samples from the southwest edge of the soil grid established previously by YGC.
In Mar/2011 Metals Creek Resources Corp staked Squid West cl 1-66 (YE26955) approximately 2 km to the northeast. The claim block covered the northern portion of the original Bord claims. The company also staked Squid East cl 1-36 (YE26991) (Minfile Occurrence #115N 096) approximately 10 km to the northeast at the same time.
In 2011 Metals Creek collected ridge and spur soil samples over the entire Squid West claim block. In 2012 the company collected several lines of follow-up soil samples over 3 gold spot anomalies detected the previous year. Although Metals Creek continued exploring the Squid East property in 2013, no further exploration work was carried out on the Squid West property.
On December 19, 2016 Strategic Metals Ltd announced a spin-out transaction to segregate some of its assets into a separate company to be called Trifecta Gold Ltd. On the same day, Metals Creek Resources announced that they had optioned a 75 % interest in the Squid East and West claim blocks to Trifecta Gold in return for cash, shares and certain work commitments. The agreement was conditional on Trifecta Gold obtaining a listing of the company’s shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) – Venture Exchange on or before June 30, 2017. Strategic Metals shareholders approved the arrangement on April 21, 2017 and on June 15, 2017 shares of Trifecta Gold were listed on the TSE – Venture Exchange.
As part of the formation of Trifecta Gold, the company optioned CH cl 1-182 (YF25501) (Minfile Occurrence #115N 027) located approximately 9 km to the northeast from Coureur des Bois Ltee Ltd for shares and a 2% Net Smelter Return. Trifecta Gold also staked Squid cl 1-195 (YF52681) to the east and south. Trifecta renamed the consolidated claim package the Trident project. In Mar/2017 Trifecta Gold added Squid cl 196-388 (YF52816) to the east and south.
Restaked as Hilker cl 1-36 (YF06831) in Mar/2017 by L.Y. Shandalla.
In Jun/2017 Trifecta Gold released a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report on the Squid East and West claim blocks. The report also briefly summarized work completed to date on the CH claims. The report was prepared to support requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange in relation to the Listing Application by Trifecta Gold.
During the 2017 exploration season Trifecta Gold carried out grid soil sampling on the Squid claims located immediately south and east of the Squid West claim block. The company also carried exploration programs on the Squid East, and CH claims. No work was carried out on the Squid West claim block. On December 15, 2017 Trifecta Gold dropped its option on the Squid East and West claim blocks and returned the properties to Metals Creek Resources.
GEOLOGY
The Squid West property is located in west-central Yukon approximately 85 km southwest of Dawson City, Yukon and 12 km east of the Alaska-Yukon border. The property can be accessed via the Top of the World Highway to the Sixty Mile road which follows the Sixty Mile River. After fording the river, the 4-wheel drive Matson Creek road is traveled southwards for approximately 89 miles to the seasonal Matson Creek placer camp (~519492 E, 7040757 N), where a local road to the North Ladue placer camp accesses the southern end of the Squid West claim block. Alternatively the property can be accessed by helicopter or by fixed wing to one of the many airstrips operated by neighboring placer mines.
Metals Creek Resources did not carry out any geological mapping on the Squid West claim block. The claim block is underlain by Permian Klondike Schist, interpreted to be a metamorphosed volcanic succession. Porphyritic coeval meta-intrusive rocks assigned to the Permian Sulphur creek plutonic suite occur in the north-central portion of the claim block. The Sulphur Creek plutonic suite includes feldspar augen orthogneiss and meta-porphyry.
On the Squid West claims the Klondike Schist consists of a felsic metavolcanic member and a more chloritic, intermediate member which may still be part of the felsic metavolcanic unit. The Squid claims appear to host the same Klondike Schist and Sulphur Creek Plutonic units, although separate mafic and clastic metavolcanic units may also be present.
Soil sampling carried out by Moose Creek and Ocean Home Exploration outlined a strong lead-zinc-copper anomaly approximately 915 m long running in an en-ecolon east-west direction. Prospecting outlined a limonite gossan and scattered pieces of quartz-muscovite-sericite schist containing disseminated pyrite which were interpreted to represent a metamorphosed rhyolite. No in situ mineralization was found. The original occurrence location (~ 511178 E, 7043795 N) represented the approximate mid-point of the strongest soil anomaly.
The relationship between Resource Associates and Moose Creek/Home Ocean is uncertain, however Resource Associates assayed all of the soil samples collected by Moose Creek/Home Ocean and used the same base maps as the above mentioned companies. It’s more than likely that Resources Associates held an unreported option on the Bord claims as their soil sampling program was based on results reported by Moose Creek/Home Ocean. Resource Associates’ soil sampling enlarged the soil anomaly to the east and west.
Soil sampling completed by YGC confirmed Moose Creek/Home Ocean’s earlier results and increased the anomaly to 7 km in length reaching as far east as Minfile Occurrence #115N 027. The lead-zinc-copper anomaly parallels compositional layering in the Klondike Schist unit and appears to increase in strength to the west. Prospecting located boxwork-textured schist float containing oxidized disseminated sulphides which was interpreted to be significant indicators of possible volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization.
Kennecott's 1992 drilling targeted a series of recessive, decomposed and very limonitic quartz-sericite schist en-ecolon horizons located north and east of the local airstrip. Three holes (92-03, 04 and 05) were collared north of the airstrip. These holes are presently located within the Hilker claim group. Two holes (92-01-02) were collared approximately 600 m east of the airstrip on or near the western boundary of the present Squid claims. All of the holes intersected low grade sulphide mineralization. The best results were obtained from drill hole 92-04 (occurrence location) which returned 4.1 m grading 0.08 % zinc, 1.10 % lead, 0.9 % copper and 2.7 g/t silver.
Atna extended YGC soil grid 500 m westward, in order to determine if soil anomalies previously detected by YGC continued westward. The sampling program confirmed the continuance of coincident lead-zinc-copper soil anomalies to the west. Atna geologists recommended the company re-evaluate all previous geochemical data in order to target areas for further follow-up exploration.
Metals Creek staked the Squid West and surrounding properties to explore for orogenic gold vein type mineralization typical of gold mineralization discovered at the White Gold deposit (Minfile Occurrences #115O 165 and 166) located approximately 70 km southeast and the Coffee deposit (Minfile Occurrences #115J 110 and 111) located approximately 100 km southeast.
Preliminary soil sampling carried out in 2011 outline 9 individual gold-in-soil spot anomalies ranging in value from greater than 10 ppb to 57.8 ppb gold. Several separate weak to moderate lead and zinc anomalies were also identified. In 2012 the company carried out follow-up soil sampling of the three best spot anomalies (anomalies B, C and D). Results did not extend the anomalies.
At the time of writing Trifecta has not yet filed an assessment report for their 2017 exploration season. Maps published on their website show that the company carried out soil sampling on the Squid claims south and east of the Squid West claims and near the south-central boundary of the Squid claims. No sampling appears to have occurred on the Squid West claims. Soil sampling identified several promising multi-element soil anomalies on the Squid claims which warrant follow-up.
On December 15, 2017 Trifecta terminated its option on the Squid East and West claim blocks and returned the claims to Metals Creek Resources. The company maintains its 100 % interest in the Squid claims and its option on the adjoining (to the east) CH claims.
*In Jan/2018 occurrence location was moved approximately 2 km to southwest to collar of drill hole 92-04.
Staked as 50 Bord claims in Sep/77 by Moose Creek Exploration Company Ltd, a joint venture between Inco Ltd & Kennco Explorations. The claim group was broken into 5 groups of 10 claims (cl 501-510, - YA10591, cl 601-610 - YA10601 etc.). In 1978 the joint venture changed its name to Ocean Home Exploration Company. The joint venture carried out geological mapping, prospecting and stream, soil and rock sampling programs in 1977 and 1978. The exploration program was funded by American Copper and Nickel Company Inc, a subsidiary of Inco Ltd.
In Jun/78 Resource Associations of Alaska Inc tied on 16 Lad claims in 4 groups (Lad 597-600, -YA31090, 697-700, - YA31094 etc.) on the west side of the Bord claim block and 10 Mat claims in 5 groups (Mat 511-512, - YA31206, Mat 611-612, - YA31208, etc.) on the east side. The company carried out silt and soil sampling in 1978 and performed a Turam EM survey in 1979.
Restaked in Jun/90 as Bor cl 1-16 (YB30561) and cl 21-42 (YB30577) by YGC Resources Ltd which carried out grid soil sampling and prospecting later in the summer. In Jun/91 YGC added Bor cl 43-62 (YB48005) on the west and northwest side of the claim block and carried out prospecting and additional grid soil sampling in the south-central portion of the claim block.
In Jun/92 YGC added Bor cl 63-74 (YB40858) on the east side of the claim block and entered into an option agreement with Kennecott Canada Inc which funded the 1992 exploration program. Kennecott carried out road building, additional soil sampling, geological mapping and a Max-Min HLEM geophysical survey. In Aug/92 the company collared 5 diamond drill holes (796.1 m) on the southwest side of the claim block. At the end of the exploration season Kennecott dropped its option on the property.
In 1995 Atna Resources Ltd optioned the Bor claims from YGC. In Aug/95 Atna spent one day on the claims collecting soil samples from the southwest edge of the soil grid established previously by YGC.
In Mar/2011 Metals Creek Resources Corp staked Squid West cl 1-66 (YE26955) approximately 2 km to the northeast. The claim block covered the northern portion of the original Bord claims. The company also staked Squid East cl 1-36 (YE26991) (Minfile Occurrence #115N 096) approximately 10 km to the northeast at the same time.
In 2011 Metals Creek collected ridge and spur soil samples over the entire Squid West claim block. In 2012 the company collected several lines of follow-up soil samples over 3 gold spot anomalies detected the previous year. Although Metals Creek continued exploring the Squid East property in 2013, no further exploration work was carried out on the Squid West property.
On December 19, 2016 Strategic Metals Ltd announced a spin-out transaction to segregate some of its assets into a separate company to be called Trifecta Gold Ltd. On the same day, Metals Creek Resources announced that they had optioned a 75 % interest in the Squid East and West claim blocks to Trifecta Gold in return for cash, shares and certain work commitments. The agreement was conditional on Trifecta Gold obtaining a listing of the company’s shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) – Venture Exchange on or before June 30, 2017. Strategic Metals shareholders approved the arrangement on April 21, 2017 and on June 15, 2017 shares of Trifecta Gold were listed on the TSE – Venture Exchange.
As part of the formation of Trifecta Gold, the company optioned CH cl 1-182 (YF25501) (Minfile Occurrence #115N 027) located approximately 9 km to the northeast from Coureur des Bois Ltee Ltd for shares and a 2% Net Smelter Return. Trifecta Gold also staked Squid cl 1-195 (YF52681) to the east and south. Trifecta renamed the consolidated claim package the Trident project. In Mar/2017 Trifecta Gold added Squid cl 196-388 (YF52816) to the east and south.
Restaked as Hilker cl 1-36 (YF06831) in Mar/2017 by L.Y. Shandalla.
In Jun/2017 Trifecta Gold released a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report on the Squid East and West claim blocks. The report also briefly summarized work completed to date on the CH claims. The report was prepared to support requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange in relation to the Listing Application by Trifecta Gold.
During the 2017 exploration season Trifecta Gold carried out grid soil sampling on the Squid claims located immediately south and east of the Squid West claim block. The company also carried exploration programs on the Squid East, and CH claims. No work was carried out on the Squid West claim block. On December 15, 2017 Trifecta Gold dropped its option on the Squid East and West claim blocks and returned the properties to Metals Creek Resources.
GEOLOGY
The Squid West property is located in west-central Yukon approximately 85 km southwest of Dawson City, Yukon and 12 km east of the Alaska-Yukon border. The property can be accessed via the Top of the World Highway to the Sixty Mile road which follows the Sixty Mile River. After fording the river, the 4-wheel drive Matson Creek road is traveled southwards for approximately 89 miles to the seasonal Matson Creek placer camp (~519492 E, 7040757 N), where a local road to the North Ladue placer camp accesses the southern end of the Squid West claim block. Alternatively the property can be accessed by helicopter or by fixed wing to one of the many airstrips operated by neighboring placer mines.
Metals Creek Resources did not carry out any geological mapping on the Squid West claim block. The claim block is underlain by Permian Klondike Schist, interpreted to be a metamorphosed volcanic succession. Porphyritic coeval meta-intrusive rocks assigned to the Permian Sulphur creek plutonic suite occur in the north-central portion of the claim block. The Sulphur Creek plutonic suite includes feldspar augen orthogneiss and meta-porphyry.
On the Squid West claims the Klondike Schist consists of a felsic metavolcanic member and a more chloritic, intermediate member which may still be part of the felsic metavolcanic unit. The Squid claims appear to host the same Klondike Schist and Sulphur Creek Plutonic units, although separate mafic and clastic metavolcanic units may also be present.
Soil sampling carried out by Moose Creek and Ocean Home Exploration outlined a strong lead-zinc-copper anomaly approximately 915 m long running in an en-ecolon east-west direction. Prospecting outlined a limonite gossan and scattered pieces of quartz-muscovite-sericite schist containing disseminated pyrite which were interpreted to represent a metamorphosed rhyolite. No in situ mineralization was found. The original occurrence location (~ 511178 E, 7043795 N) represented the approximate mid-point of the strongest soil anomaly.
The relationship between Resource Associates and Moose Creek/Home Ocean is uncertain, however Resource Associates assayed all of the soil samples collected by Moose Creek/Home Ocean and used the same base maps as the above mentioned companies. It’s more than likely that Resources Associates held an unreported option on the Bord claims as their soil sampling program was based on results reported by Moose Creek/Home Ocean. Resource Associates’ soil sampling enlarged the soil anomaly to the east and west.
Soil sampling completed by YGC confirmed Moose Creek/Home Ocean’s earlier results and increased the anomaly to 7 km in length reaching as far east as Minfile Occurrence #115N 027. The lead-zinc-copper anomaly parallels compositional layering in the Klondike Schist unit and appears to increase in strength to the west. Prospecting located boxwork-textured schist float containing oxidized disseminated sulphides which was interpreted to be significant indicators of possible volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralization.
Kennecott's 1992 drilling targeted a series of recessive, decomposed and very limonitic quartz-sericite schist en-ecolon horizons located north and east of the local airstrip. Three holes (92-03, 04 and 05) were collared north of the airstrip. These holes are presently located within the Hilker claim group. Two holes (92-01-02) were collared approximately 600 m east of the airstrip on or near the western boundary of the present Squid claims. All of the holes intersected low grade sulphide mineralization. The best results were obtained from drill hole 92-04 (occurrence location) which returned 4.1 m grading 0.08 % zinc, 1.10 % lead, 0.9 % copper and 2.7 g/t silver.
Atna extended YGC soil grid 500 m westward, in order to determine if soil anomalies previously detected by YGC continued westward. The sampling program confirmed the continuance of coincident lead-zinc-copper soil anomalies to the west. Atna geologists recommended the company re-evaluate all previous geochemical data in order to target areas for further follow-up exploration.
Metals Creek staked the Squid West and surrounding properties to explore for orogenic gold vein type mineralization typical of gold mineralization discovered at the White Gold deposit (Minfile Occurrences #115O 165 and 166) located approximately 70 km southeast and the Coffee deposit (Minfile Occurrences #115J 110 and 111) located approximately 100 km southeast.
Preliminary soil sampling carried out in 2011 outline 9 individual gold-in-soil spot anomalies ranging in value from greater than 10 ppb to 57.8 ppb gold. Several separate weak to moderate lead and zinc anomalies were also identified. In 2012 the company carried out follow-up soil sampling of the three best spot anomalies (anomalies B, C and D). Results did not extend the anomalies.
At the time of writing Trifecta has not yet filed an assessment report for their 2017 exploration season. Maps published on their website show that the company carried out soil sampling on the Squid claims south and east of the Squid West claims and near the south-central boundary of the Squid claims. No sampling appears to have occurred on the Squid West claims. Soil sampling identified several promising multi-element soil anomalies on the Squid claims which warrant follow-up.
On December 15, 2017 Trifecta terminated its option on the Squid East and West claim blocks and returned the claims to Metals Creek Resources. The company maintains its 100 % interest in the Squid claims and its option on the adjoining (to the east) CH claims.
Location Map
Last Updated: Jan 19, 2018
Work History
| Year | Work Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Geochemistry: Soil | Grid sampling carried out on Squid claims, east and south of Squid West claims. |
| 2017 | Pre-existing Data: Research/Summarize | Technical report prepared for option agreement. |
| 2012 | Geochemistry: Soil | Follow-up sampling to verify previous anomalies. |
| 2011 | Geochemistry: Soil | Ridge and spur sampling of entire claim block. |
| 1995 | Geochemistry: Soil | West of previous sampling. |
| 1993 | Trenching | |
| 1992 | Drilling: Diamond | Five holes, (796.1 m) southwest side of claim block. |
| 1992 | Geochemistry: Soil | Grid sampling on west side of claim block. |
| 1992 | Geology: Regional Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1992 | Ground Geophysics: EM | Max-Min HLEM survey. |
| 1991 | Geochemistry: Soil | Grid sampling on south-central part of claim block. |
| 1991 | Other: Prospecting | South-central part of claim block. |
| 1990 | Geochemistry: Soil | Grid based, reconnaissance scale. |
| 1990 | Other: Prospecting | |
| 1979 | Geochemistry: Soil | Also minor silt sampling. |
| 1979 | Ground Geophysics: EM | Turam EM. |
| 1977 | Geochemistry: Rock | Also silt sampling. |
| 1977 | Geochemistry: Soil | Grid sampling. |
| 1977 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | |
| 1977 | Other: Prospecting |
Regional Geology - Terrane
Group: Intermontane
Affinity: W Laurentia
Name: Yukon-Tanana
Realm: peri-Laurentian
Regional Geology - Bedrock
Supergroup:
Group/Suite: Klondike
Formation:
Member:
Terrane: Yukon-Tanana
Period Max: Permian
Age Max: 271 MA
Period Min: Permian
Age Min: 251 MA
Rock Major: ms-chl-qtz-feld schist
Rock Minor:
Reference: Gordey & Ryan (2005) - GSC OF 4970
Geological Unit (1M): PK
Geological Unit (250K): PK1
Assessment Reports that overlap occurrence
| Report Number | Year | Title | Worktypes | Holes Drilled | Meters Drilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 095959 | 2011 | Assessment Report on the 2011 Soil Geochemical Survey on the Gemini Property, Yukon | Soil - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry | ||
| 095305 | 2009 | Assessment Report Describing Soil Geochemical Sampling at the GEM Property | Soil - Geochemistry | ||
| 093099 | 1992 | Summary Report on 1992 Exploration Matson Creek Property | Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, EM - Ground Geophysics, Line Cutting - Other, Prospecting - Other | 5 | 796 |
| 120154 | 1991 | [1991 Placer Geological Survey Compilation Report on the North Ladue River Tributary - Gemini Creek] | Detailed Surficial Mapping - Geology, Property Evaluation - Other, Surveying - Other, Data Compilation - Pre-existing Data, Research/Summarize - Pre-existing Data | ||
| 093000 | 1991 | Summary Report on 1991 Exploration Matson Creek Property | Soil - Geochemistry, Line Cutting - Other, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 120100 | 1988 | Placer Gold Evaluation Report on North Ladue River Tributary, Spud Creek, Sixtymile Gold District, Yukon Territory | Percussion - Drilling, Panning - Placer Processing, Sluicing - Placer Processing | 22 | 277.36 |
| 090531 | 1979 | Geochemical Survey Report for the MAT and LAD Claim Groups | Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry |
Related References
| Number | Title | Page(s) | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIR1978 | Mineral Industry Report 1978 | p. 27. | Annual Report |
| YEG1992 | Yukon Exploration and Geology 1992 | p. 3, 5. | Annual Report |
| YEG1979_80 | Yukon Geology and Exploration 1979-80 | p. 271. | Annual Report |
| YEG2012_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2012 | p. 53, 63. | Annual Report |
| YEG2013_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2013 | p. 36-37, 43, 47. | Annual Report |
| Citations |
|---|
| METALS CREEK RESOURCES CORP, News Release. 11 Mar/2011, 7 Jul/2011, 1 Dec/2011, 23 Oct/2012, 19 Dec/2016. |
| METALS CREEK RESOURCES CORP., 2012. Geological and Geochemical Report on the 2012 YMIP-Funded Exploration Program on the Squid Property, Matson Creek Area, Dawson Mining District by D. Heerma. (Available in the EMR Library, YEIP 2012-029). |
| METALS CREEK RESOURCES CORP., Feb/2012. Assessment Report #095972 by D. Heerma. |
| STRATEGIC METALS LTD. News Release. 19 Dec/2016. |
| TRIFECTA GOLD LTD, Jun/2017. Technical report on the Squid Option in the Matson Creek area, Yukon Territory, by J. Pautler. (Available on SEDAR under Trifecta Gold Ltd). |
| TRIFECTA GOLD LTD, Mar/2017. Notes to the Interim Financial Statements, Unaudited – Prepared by Management. For the months ended March 31, 2017. (Provides details of Squid option agreement for Squid East and West properties). |
| TRIFECTA GOLD LTD, News Release. 13 Nov/2017, 15 Dec/2017. |
| TRIFECTA GOLD LTD, Web Site. www.trifectagold.com. |
