General Information
Primary Commodities: silver, gold, tungsten
Secondary Commodities: arsenic
Aliases: Rau, Rackla Gold Belt, Rau Trend
Deposit Type(s): Carbonate-Hosted Disseminated Au-Ag (Carlin-type)
Location(s): 64.196970 N, -134.412980 W
NTS Mapsheet(s): 106D01
Location Comments: Coordinates supplied by ATAC 2019
Hand Samples Available at YGS: Yes
Last Reviewed: Aug 3, 2016
Capsule
Last Updated: Aug 3, 2016Work History
Staked as Rau cl 1-64 (YC50268) in July 2006 by ATAC Resources Ltd, which collected reconnaissance soil and rock samples at the same time. The claims were staked to cover the probable source of a highly anomalous gold-tungsten stream sediment sample detected in a 1990 Geological Survey of Canada regional stream sediment geochemical survey.
The company carried out preliminary geological mapping and soil sampling and flew a helicopter-borne magnetic and variable time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey in the summer of 2007. In October 2007, ATAC Resources staked Rau cl 65-96 (YC57529) south and west of the original claim block.
In April 2008, ATAC Resources optioned Rau cl 1-32 (YC50268) and cl 87-94 (YC57551) (referred to as the Wau option) to Yankee Hat Minerals Ltd in return for shares in Yankee Hat and certain work commitments. The option agreement allowed Yankee Hat to explore the area for tungsten mineralization.
In 2008, ATAC Resources carried out property wide geological mapping, soil and stream sediment sampling followed by 18 diamond drill holes (3,423.21m) collared on the Tiger showing. Encouraging surface results and visual evaluation of initial drill core led the company to stake R cl 1-1295 (YC68334) around the existing Rau claim block. Following the enlargement of the property the company flew a helicopter-borne magnetic and variable-time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey over the newly staked area.
In August and September 2008, ATAC Resources staked Rau fractional cl 97-100 (YC69925) and in January 2009 the company staked R cl 1296- 1337 (YC70596). At the end of January 2009, the Rau property encompassed 1,436 claims, occupying an area 30 km long and up to 12.5 km wide and covering portions of topographical map sheets 106D 1, 2, 7 and 8. In February 2009, Yankee Hat Minerals dropped its option without any interest being earned.
ATAC Resources’ 2009 exploration program consisted of prospecting, geological mapping, soil and stream sediment sampling, ground geophysical surveys and 58 diamond drill holes (9,578.3 m). Fifty-four holes tested the newly named Tiger zone and one hole tested a magnetic anomaly located approximately 650 m southeast of the Tiger zone. The remaining holes tested other targets located on the property.
In July, 2009 ATAC Resources staked S cl 1-1154 (YC90801) on the western side of the property and Q cl 1-109 (YC92361) on the northeast side of the property. In September 2009, the company announced the results from preliminary leach tests conducted on oxide gold mineralization from the Tiger zone.
In March 2010, ATAC Resources staked 3,305 additional claims east of the main Rau property to cover projections of favorable structural and stratigraphic settings. The new staking doubled the size of ATAC’s claim holdings, bringing the total to 6,462 claims and provides continuous coverage of a 160 km long belt of Paleozoic carbonate rocks situated between the Dawson and Kathleen Faults.
During the 2010 exploration season, ATAC Resources carried out a large exploration program on their entire claim holdings. Exploration work associated with this occurrence includes 61 diamond drill holes (13,764.39 m) targeting the Tiger zone and 3 exploration holes (1,133.56 m) testing target located within the structural corridor. A further 22 drill holes (3,945.75 m) tested 6 regional targets. The company also flew a helicopter-borne ZTEM and aeromagnetic geophysical surveys over portions of the occurrence area located outside of the immediate area of the Tiger zone.
In October 2010, ATAC Resources announced that they had staked an additional 801 claims on the eastern and northeastern portion of their large property (located approximately 100 km east and northeast of the Tiger zone). The additional staking resulted in a property measuring approximately 185 km long by 15 km wide and encompassing over 1,500 sq./km of claims. This belt of favorable rocks was renamed by the company the Rackla Gold Project. In addition, the claims located in the western half of the property containing the Tiger zone and other originally discovered zones was renamed the Rau Trend. The eastern half of the property containing the Osiris and other zones was renamed the Nadaleen Trend. Both areas are serviced from separate camps and airstrips.
On October 28, 2010, ATAC Resources announced that it had entered into a formal Exploration Cooperation Agreement with the First Nation of the Na Cho Nyak Dun. The agreement provides a framework for future exploration and environmental activities within ATAC’s Rau Gold Project, which lies within the traditional territory of the Na Cho Nyak Dun.
In 2011, the Tiger occurrence saw limited field work, with the company spending the majority of its time preparing an initial resource estimate for the occurrence.
On October 20, 2011, ATAC Resources announced an initial resource estimate for the newly defined Tiger deposit. Using a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t gold the company estimated a combined oxide and sulphide indicated resource of 7,150,000 tonnes grading 2.21 g/t gold and 3.68 g/t silver. In the inferred category, the deposit hosts a resource of 8,280,000 tonnes grading 1.09 g/t gold and 0.94 g/t silver. Within this resource, the company calculated separate resources for both oxide and sulphide mineralized zones.
In 2012, ATAC Resources carried out reconnaissance soil sampling 3 km southeast of the Tiger deposit, continued various metallurgical studies on the actual deposit and commenced collecting environmental, heritage and climate monitoring data needed to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the deposit.
In 2013, ATAC Resources continued to undertake internal evaluations to advance the Tiger deposit towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
On January 14, 2014, ATAC Resources and the First Nation of the Na Cho Nyak Dun announced that they have renewed the Exploration Cooperation Agreement originally announced on October 28, 2010. The agreement provides a framework within which exploration activities and environmental regulatory processes at the Rackla Gold Project have been and will continue to be carried out. The company continued working on a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger deposit and collected addition rock samples during trenching in 2014.
On July 23, 2014, ATAC Resources released a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the oxide portion of the Tiger deposit. The study envisioned a seasonal open-pit mining operation with a hybrid heap leach and carbon in leach (CIL) gold recovery process.
In 2015, ATAC Resources collared 18 diamond drill holes (~ 1,400 m) in and around the Tiger deposit and dug 8 trenches totaling over 400 m to test the near surface extension of the deposit. This program was undertaken to advance the project to a future prefeasibility study. In addition, the company extended soil sample coverage southeast of the deposit. Over the winter of 2015-2016, ATAC Resources began preliminary planning work required towards the permitting of a tote road to the Tiger deposit and surround showings.
In April 2016, ATAC Resources began the permitting process required for the construction of a 69 km all-season tote road to the Tiger deposit, The process will include numerous meetings and discussions with affected First Nations and surrounding communities.
On May 31, 2016, ATAC Resources released an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger deposit. The study incorporated the results of geotechnical and infill drilling conducted in 2015 and metallurgical studies completed in early 2016. Key changes to the 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment include the inclusion of both oxide and sulphide resources and the adoption of a simplified year-round agitated tank carbon-in-pulp (CIL) leaching process (see study for updated financials). A LIDAR survey was also performed over the Tiger deposit in 2016 along the proposed Rau Tote Road route.
In 2017, ATAC Resources completed 1,371.29 m of diamond drilling in 12 holes at the Tiger deposit and performed prospecting along trend of the deposit to identify new targets.
In 2019, ATAC Resources completed 395.02 m of diamond drilling in 4 holes at the Tiger deposit to test oxide material observed at surface SE of the main deposit and commenced an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) (see ATAC Resources news release, 14 Nov/2019). The updated PEA was released on February 27, 2020 and includes the addition of 13 step-out and infill holes, updated metallurgical work and an advanced geological model for the deposit.
Regional & Property Geology
The occurrence is located approximately 11 km southwest of Kathleen Lakes in northeast-central Yukon. In 2010, the Yukon Geological Survey initiated a regional-scale (1:50 000) mapping project in the Rackla Belt in order to upgrade mapping along the northern margin of Selwyn basin in Central Yukon. In 2013, Colpron and others released 5 new bedrock maps (106C/1 to 4 and 106D 1) one of which (106D 1) covered the Tiger deposit and surrounding areas. In 2016 the Yukon Geological Survey released a geological compilation map (Yukon Bedrock Geology Map - Colpron and others 2016) which covers the entire Yukon. Individual 1:250 000 scale maps can be down loaded from the survey’s web site.
The occurrence lies between the Dawson and Kathleen Lakes thrusts which form part of a band of regional-scale thrust faults that imbricate rocks of Mackenzie Platform and Selwyn Basin. The occurrence area lies on the western margin of ancestral North America and is underlain primarily by carbonate platform rocks of Mackenzie Platform which are in turn overlain by Paleozoic Selwyn Basin clastic rocks. The rock package formed a fault-bounded package which was thrust northeasterly during Jurassic to Cretaceous times by the Dawson and Kathleen Lakes thrust faults onto predominantly Proterozoic rocks. Following faulting, Late Cretaceous (94-90 million years), intermediate to felsic plutons of the Tombstone Suite were emplaced. A second intrusive event around 65 million years saw the emplacement of felsic intrusives assigned to the McQuesten Suite.
Other than the immediate area surrounding the Tiger deposit, the occurrence area has not been geologically mapped in detailed. ATAC Resources has mapped 3 main units; Cambrian to Ordovician grey dolostone, Ordovician and/or Silurian silty and massive limestone and Silurian to Devonian dolostone and limestone. The company has assigned all three units to the Cambrian to Devonian Bouvette Formation. Thin volcaniclastic horizons assigned to the Ordovician Marmot Formation are interbedded with Ordovician and/or Silurian limestones.
Colpron’s 2013 geological map generally supports this interpretation; however he uses slightly different age dates and doesn’t include the oldest rocks (Cambrian to Ordovician dolostones) within the Bouvette formation. The 2016 compilation map assigns the Cambrian to Ordovician dolostones, an Upper Ordovician to Silurian age date and assigns them to the Kindle Formation while the younger carbonates are assigned to the Bouvette Formation. The volcanoclastic rocks interbedded within the limestones are too small to appear as a separate unit on the compilation map.
ATAC Resources was originally drawn to the area while following up an anomalous single station, gold silt sample reported in a Geological Survey of Canada regional stream and water survey of topographic map sheet 106D (Hornbrook et al., 1990). The sample returned 150 ppb gold and elevated tungsten values and represents the 99th percentile for gold. Follow-up soil sampling outlined a 600 m long by 100 to 300 m wide area of largely coincident, very strongly anomalous gold and arsenic values that is open to extension to the northwest. The zone is not conductive but did show up as a second-order magnetic high on a helicopter-borne magnetic and variable-time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey. Prospecting located limonite-rich float with occasional residual sulphides in the vicinity of the soil geochemical anomalies, but it has not been found in outcrop. Diamond drilling in 2008 led to the discovery hole (Rau-08-02) which returned an intersection of 68.7 m grading 1.24 g/t Au.
The Tiger deposit, defined in 2010, is centered in a moderate to steep walled valley located 3 km west-northwest of the Rackla Pluton, a granitic intrusion assigned a (U-Pb zircon) age of 62.9 ± 0.5 Ma. It consists of a thick northwesterly trending body of carbonate replacement style gold mineralization hosted by a moderately northeast dipping horizon. The deposit currently measures approximately 800 m long, 100 to 200 m wide and up to 96 m thick. Mineralization is developed within and adjacent to a regionally extensive corridor of highly strain rocks that are manifested as a 40 to 150 m wide zone of small scale folding and shearing. The geometry of the mineralized system is defined by a series of stacked and folded carbonate horizons intercalated with locally extensive mafic flows and volcaniclastic units assigned to the Cambrian to Devonian Bouvette Formation.
The Tiger Deposit consists of three separate horizons; the Discovery, Upper and East horizons. The majority of exploration carried out by ATAC Resources has been directed to the Discovery horizon and it is the only horizon observed at surface. Mineralization is primarily hosted in the Discovery horizon, a carbonate package bounded to the top (northeast) and bottom (southwest) by volcanic units. The intercalated volcanic-carbonate package is truncated to the southwest by a northwest trending high-angle fault. Sulphide mineralization also occurs in the Upper horizon which occurs adjacent to a volcanic unit stratigraphically above the Discovery horizon. East of the Tiger deposit, in a carbonate package the stratigraphic equivalent of the Discovery horizon is a pyrite-rich gold-poor horizon called the Lower horizon.
The prominent high-angle fault structure that bounds the Tiger zone to the southwest is characterized by a thick sequence of white marble in the immediate footwall and a distinctive volcaniclastic unit informally termed the “Leopard unit” in the hanging wall. The Leopard unit is distinctive from other volcanic rocks due to its high calcite content (>50%). Between this unit and the Discovery horizon, a ~50 cm thick magnetite bearing white marble typically occurs in sharp contact with the Discovery horizon and may represent skarn mineralization.
Mineralization & Results
Gold occurs in both sulphide and oxide facies at the Tiger deposit. Sulphide mineralization is accompanied by and developed within limestone that is replaced by ferruginous dolomite and iron carbonate minerals. Sulphide species consist of disseminated to banded pyrite, with subordinate arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite and minor bismuthinite and sphalerite. Small amounts of scheelite are also present. The main sulphide minerals exhibit at least four stages of mineralization. The best intersection from sulphide bearing mineralization averaged 4.04 g/t Au over 96.0 m true width from drill hole Rau-09-66.
Oxide mineralization is completely devoid of sulphide minerals and ranges from very competent, weakly porous limonitic mud to rubbly porous grit. The oxide appears texturally amorphous within most intersections but occasionally exhibits residual color banding that may represent relict sulphide textures. Complete oxidation extends up to 150 m from surface. The best oxide grades (e.g. hole Rau-09-19 assayed 24.07 g/t Au over 28.0 m) and deepest oxidation occurs where northerly trending extensional faults intersect the northwest trending regional shear structure.
Two stages of gold mineralization are present and manifest as: 1) early arsenopyrite-bearing gold, and; 2) a late-stage gold event which is associated with bismuthinite, pyrrhotite, minor base metals and anomalous antimony and arsenic concentrations and are assumed to be related to the adjacent Rackla Pluton. The Tiger deposit is interpreted to have formed by complex multistage fluid-flow which in part is directly associated the emplacement and cooling of the Rackla Pluton. Although the age of the late-stage gold event has been reasonably constrained, the age of the earlier gold-bearing event remains unconstrained.
ATAC Resources refocused their 2009 exploration program towards defining and expanding the Tiger deposit and discovering new areas of mineralization elsewhere on the property. Between 2008 and 2010, the company tested the zone with 133 diamond drill holes (25,562 m). The assay and other data collected were used to complete the initial resource estimate released in October 2011.
In September 2009, ATAC Resources announced results from preliminary leach tests carried out on composites of coarse reject material from the oxide zone intersected in drill hole Rau-09-19. One kilogram composites of coarse reject material collected from drill core and subjected to a 24 hour concentrated cyanide leach achieved between 92.8% to 99.3% recovery compared to the original conventional gold assay. The results suggest the oxide mineralization is potentially amenable to simple and low cost extraction processes.
To date the company has identified 7 other significant showings (Condor, Jaguar, Cougar, Panther, Puma, Cheetah, and Serval – MINFILE occurrences 106D 117, 115, 114, 116, 113, 036 and 111) trending northwest of the Tiger deposit. The 7 zones and their related soil geochemical anomalies are located within a 500 m wide belt, which lies 2 to 5 km along strike of the Tiger zone. Anomalous soil geochemical values stretch intermittently for about 22 km northwesterly from the Rackla Pluton along a well-defined structural trend that is also marked by magnetic highs and variable-time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) conductors. The company has also carried out exploration on 5 other existing mineral occurrences located within the Rau trend.
The initial resource estimate for the Tiger deposit, released in October 2011, was initiated by constructing a wire frame 3D model in “Gems” (software) to constrain both the oxide and sulphide zones. The model was constructed based upon lithological boundaries and structural controls. Three-dimensional solids were manually digitized from the available drill data and were used to constrain the interpolation of mineralization. A total of five lithological units were used in the modeling process.
At a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au, the Tiger Deposit hosts an indicated oxide and sulphide resource of 7,150,000 tonnes grading 2.21 g/t Au and 3.68 g/t Ag. Combined inferred oxide and sulphide resources are reported at 8,280,000 tonnes grading 1.09 g/t Au and 0.94 g/t Ag. As part of the initial resource estimate the company calculated separate resources for the oxide and sulfide mineralized portion of the deposit. Employing a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off the Tiger deposit hosts an indicated oxide resource of 4,490,000 tonnes grading 2.71 g/t Au and 5.49 g/t Ag. Inferred oxide resources equal 620,000 tonnes grading 1.42 g/t Au and 5.31 g/t Ag. Within the larger oxide resource, ATAC Resources reported a near-surface high-grade oxide mineralization resource. Employing a 1.60 g/t Au cut-off the deposit hosts an indicated resource of 2,470,000 tonnes grading 4.25 g/t Au and an Inferred resource of 180,000 tonnes grading 3.00 g/t Au.
Employing an identical 0.30 g/t Au cut-off, ATAC Resources calculated that the sulfide portion of the deposit hosts an indicated resource of 2,590,000 tonnes grading 1.38 g/t Au and 0.57 g/t Ag. Total inferred sulphide resources equal 7,640,000 tonnes grading 1.06 g/t Au and 0.59 g/t Ag.
Reconnaissance soil sampling carried out in 2012 approximately 3.2 km southeast of the Tiger deposit, outlined the Bengal showing within a newly defined 5.6 km long intermittent gold in soil anomaly. Hand trenching at one location exposed a package of variably calcareous siltstone sediments in a lower slope to basinal stratigraphic setting. Channel sampling completed in 2012 on an exposure of highly friable interbedded limestone and pyritic siltstone yielded numerous elevated gold results including 3.19 g/t Au over 1 m. Several other channel samples along the 20 m strike length of the exposure returned >1 g/t Au. This discovery is highly significant as it broadens the potential for gold mineralization within the regionally extensive Earn Group stratigraphy.
The July 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) study was mainly limited to the oxide portion of the Tiger deposit. The study envisioned an open-pit mining operation with a hybrid heap leach and carbon in leach (CIL) gold recovery process. Mineral resource figures used were the same as released in October 2011. The 2014 PEA took into account various pit optimization designs (53 in total). Based on various geotechnical parameters the authors chose pit design number 42 as the ultimate pit design. This design calls for 1 year of pre-stripping followed by four years of seasonal production resulting in a Life of Mine production of 6,891,118 gram of gold (~ 221,558 troy ounces). Overall gold recoveries are estimated at 89.8% from hybrid heap-leach (87.8% recovery) and agitated tank (91.0% recovery) carbon in leach (CIL) process. At a base price of US$ 1,250.00/ounce of gold, Pre-tax net present value (NPV) is CAD $52.1 million at a 5% discount rate and internal rate or return (IRR) of 30% with an all-in sustaining cash cost of CAD$626.00/oz. (see actual study for details).
Fourteen of the 2015 drill holes collared on the Tiger deposit were described as shallow infill drill holes designed to better define the high-grade and near surface oxide portion of the deposit. The remaining four drill holes were completed to further geotechnical studies aimed at steepening the pit slope angles to potentially access known oxide mineralization located below the current pit design. Two of these hole were fitted with vibrating wire piezometers to initiate ground water surveys for future studies and permitting. The 8 trenches (400 m) were completed to test the near surface extension of the deposit. Results from both the drilling and trenching programs were comparable to adjacent holes from earlier work. A bulk sample was also collected and stored on-site in preparation for additional metallurgical or process studies.
The updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) released on May 31, 2016 incorporated the results of geotechnical and infill drilling conducted in 2015 and metallurgical studies completed in early 2016. Key changes to the 2014 PEA consist of both oxide and sulphide resources and adoption of a simplified year-round agitated carbon-in-pulp (CIP) leaching process. Based on current plans total project life increases to approximately 9 years, including 1 year of construction and pre-stripping followed by 6 years of owner-operated open pit mining and 2 years of reclamation.
At a base price of US$ 1,250.00/ounce of gold Pre-tax net present value (NPV) is CAD $106.6 million (at a 5% discount rate) and internal rate or return (IRR) of 34.8% before tax and an NPV of CAD $75.7 million (at a 5% discount rate) and an IRR of 28.2% after tax with an all-in sustaining cash cost of US$864.00/oz. (US) (see actual study for details). Compared to the 2014 PEA, the 2016 PEA extends the mine life by 2 years, more than doubles the pre-tax NPV (subject to 5% discount) and increases the pre-tax IRR by 4.8%. Pre-production capital costs are estimated at CAD $109.4 million and life-of-mine (LOM) sustaining capital costs are estimated at CAD $8.3 million.
The 2016 PEA employed a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off for oxide resources and a 1.0 g/t cut-off for sulfide. Measured oxide resources equal 2,600,000 tonnes grading 3.10 g/t Au and 4.77 g/t Ag. Indicated oxide resources equal 1720,000 tonnes grading 2.47 g/t Au and 4.10 g/t Ag. Indicated sulphide resources equal 1,360,000 tonnes grading 2.07 g/t Au and 0.56 g/t Ag. Combined measured and indicated oxide and sulfide resources equals 5,680,000 tonnes grading 2.66 g/t gold and 3.56 g/t Ag. The PEA also identified oxide and sulphide inferred resources. Using the same 0.5 g/t Au cut-off for oxide inferred resources and 1.0 g/t Au cut-off for inferred sulphide resources, the study reported an inferred oxide resource of 280 000 tonnes grading 1.52 g/t gold and 5.67 g/t silver. Inferred sulphide resources were reported at 2,950,000 tonnes grading 1.84 g/t Au and 0.47 g/t Ag. Total combined inferred resources are 3,230,000 tonnes grading 1.81 g/t Au and 0.92 g/t Ag.
The 2016 PEA recommended the construction of a single-lane, radio-controlled tote road to link the project site to Mayo, Yukon, the nearest town located on the Yukon’s public road system. Construction of the road would provide year round access to the deposit and improve access to neighboring occurrences. The road will be 69 km long with 17 km of construction along the existing winter trail/road and 52 km along new terrain. It is expected that the road will be temporarily closed for approximately one month during spring thaw and one month during fall freeze. As the private road connects to the public road networks, gates will be placed that restrict access to the tote road. ATAC Resources is continuing discussion with various First Nation and other affected groups and is gathering together the various studies need to submit the tote road proposal for environmental screening.
In 2017, ATAC completed 1,371.29 m of diamond drilling in 12 holes at the Tiger deposit to expand the high-grade oxide gold mineralization along the Tiger Fault and performed prospecting to identify new drilling targets. Significant results of the 2017 drilling program include up to 5.23 g/t Au over 37.12 m in RAU-17-157 and 4.08 g/t Au over 56.77 m in hole RAU-17-156 (see ATAC Resources news release, 14 Nov/2019).
In 2019, ATAC completed 395.02 m of diamond drilling in 4 holes at the Tiger deposit to test oxide material on surface southeast of the main Tiger deposit. Highlights from the diamond drilling in 2019 include 13.4 g/t Au over 3.04 m in hole RAU-19-166 and 3.32 g/t Au over 8.18 m, including 13.8 g/t Au over 1.4 m in hole RAU-19-164 (see ATAC Resources news release, 14 Nov/2019). Preliminary work on an updated PEA for 202 was also announced.
On February 27, 2020, ATAC Resources announced an updated PES and Mineral Resources for the Tiger deposit that incorporated the step-out and infill drilling from 2017 and 2019, as well as updated metallurgical work and an advanced geological model. The mineral resources are reported at a 0.75 g/t Au cut-off for open pit material and a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off in underground material. See the Resource/Reserve table below for details on Measured, Indicated and Inferred oxide and sulphide resources for the Tiger deposit as of 2020.
Staked as Rau cl 1-64 (YC50268) in July 2006 by ATAC Resources Ltd, which collected reconnaissance soil and rock samples at the same time. The claims were staked to cover the probable source of a highly anomalous gold-tungsten stream sediment sample detected in a 1990 Geological Survey of Canada regional stream sediment geochemical survey.
The company carried out preliminary geological mapping and soil sampling and flew a helicopter-borne magnetic and variable time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey in the summer of 2007. In October 2007, ATAC Resources staked Rau cl 65-96 (YC57529) south and west of the original claim block.
In April 2008, ATAC Resources optioned Rau cl 1-32 (YC50268) and cl 87-94 (YC57551) (referred to as the Wau option) to Yankee Hat Minerals Ltd in return for shares in Yankee Hat and certain work commitments. The option agreement allowed Yankee Hat to explore the area for tungsten mineralization.
In 2008, ATAC Resources carried out property wide geological mapping, soil and stream sediment sampling followed by 18 diamond drill holes (3,423.21m) collared on the Tiger showing. Encouraging surface results and visual evaluation of initial drill core led the company to stake R cl 1-1295 (YC68334) around the existing Rau claim block. Following the enlargement of the property the company flew a helicopter-borne magnetic and variable-time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey over the newly staked area.
In August and September 2008, ATAC Resources staked Rau fractional cl 97-100 (YC69925) and in January 2009 the company staked R cl 1296- 1337 (YC70596). At the end of January 2009, the Rau property encompassed 1,436 claims, occupying an area 30 km long and up to 12.5 km wide and covering portions of topographical map sheets 106D 1, 2, 7 and 8. In February 2009, Yankee Hat Minerals dropped its option without any interest being earned.
ATAC Resources’ 2009 exploration program consisted of prospecting, geological mapping, soil and stream sediment sampling, ground geophysical surveys and 58 diamond drill holes (9,578.3 m). Fifty-four holes tested the newly named Tiger zone and one hole tested a magnetic anomaly located approximately 650 m southeast of the Tiger zone. The remaining holes tested other targets located on the property.
In July, 2009 ATAC Resources staked S cl 1-1154 (YC90801) on the western side of the property and Q cl 1-109 (YC92361) on the northeast side of the property. In September 2009, the company announced the results from preliminary leach tests conducted on oxide gold mineralization from the Tiger zone.
In March 2010, ATAC Resources staked 3,305 additional claims east of the main Rau property to cover projections of favorable structural and stratigraphic settings. The new staking doubled the size of ATAC’s claim holdings, bringing the total to 6,462 claims and provides continuous coverage of a 160 km long belt of Paleozoic carbonate rocks situated between the Dawson and Kathleen Faults.
During the 2010 exploration season, ATAC Resources carried out a large exploration program on their entire claim holdings. Exploration work associated with this occurrence includes 61 diamond drill holes (13,764.39 m) targeting the Tiger zone and 3 exploration holes (1,133.56 m) testing target located within the structural corridor. A further 22 drill holes (3,945.75 m) tested 6 regional targets. The company also flew a helicopter-borne ZTEM and aeromagnetic geophysical surveys over portions of the occurrence area located outside of the immediate area of the Tiger zone.
In October 2010, ATAC Resources announced that they had staked an additional 801 claims on the eastern and northeastern portion of their large property (located approximately 100 km east and northeast of the Tiger zone). The additional staking resulted in a property measuring approximately 185 km long by 15 km wide and encompassing over 1,500 sq./km of claims. This belt of favorable rocks was renamed by the company the Rackla Gold Project. In addition, the claims located in the western half of the property containing the Tiger zone and other originally discovered zones was renamed the Rau Trend. The eastern half of the property containing the Osiris and other zones was renamed the Nadaleen Trend. Both areas are serviced from separate camps and airstrips.
On October 28, 2010, ATAC Resources announced that it had entered into a formal Exploration Cooperation Agreement with the First Nation of the Na Cho Nyak Dun. The agreement provides a framework for future exploration and environmental activities within ATAC’s Rau Gold Project, which lies within the traditional territory of the Na Cho Nyak Dun.
In 2011, the Tiger occurrence saw limited field work, with the company spending the majority of its time preparing an initial resource estimate for the occurrence.
On October 20, 2011, ATAC Resources announced an initial resource estimate for the newly defined Tiger deposit. Using a cut-off grade of 0.30 g/t gold the company estimated a combined oxide and sulphide indicated resource of 7,150,000 tonnes grading 2.21 g/t gold and 3.68 g/t silver. In the inferred category, the deposit hosts a resource of 8,280,000 tonnes grading 1.09 g/t gold and 0.94 g/t silver. Within this resource, the company calculated separate resources for both oxide and sulphide mineralized zones.
In 2012, ATAC Resources carried out reconnaissance soil sampling 3 km southeast of the Tiger deposit, continued various metallurgical studies on the actual deposit and commenced collecting environmental, heritage and climate monitoring data needed to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the deposit.
In 2013, ATAC Resources continued to undertake internal evaluations to advance the Tiger deposit towards a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).
On January 14, 2014, ATAC Resources and the First Nation of the Na Cho Nyak Dun announced that they have renewed the Exploration Cooperation Agreement originally announced on October 28, 2010. The agreement provides a framework within which exploration activities and environmental regulatory processes at the Rackla Gold Project have been and will continue to be carried out. The company continued working on a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger deposit and collected addition rock samples during trenching in 2014.
On July 23, 2014, ATAC Resources released a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the oxide portion of the Tiger deposit. The study envisioned a seasonal open-pit mining operation with a hybrid heap leach and carbon in leach (CIL) gold recovery process.
In 2015, ATAC Resources collared 18 diamond drill holes (~ 1,400 m) in and around the Tiger deposit and dug 8 trenches totaling over 400 m to test the near surface extension of the deposit. This program was undertaken to advance the project to a future prefeasibility study. In addition, the company extended soil sample coverage southeast of the deposit. Over the winter of 2015-2016, ATAC Resources began preliminary planning work required towards the permitting of a tote road to the Tiger deposit and surround showings.
In April 2016, ATAC Resources began the permitting process required for the construction of a 69 km all-season tote road to the Tiger deposit, The process will include numerous meetings and discussions with affected First Nations and surrounding communities.
On May 31, 2016, ATAC Resources released an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger deposit. The study incorporated the results of geotechnical and infill drilling conducted in 2015 and metallurgical studies completed in early 2016. Key changes to the 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment include the inclusion of both oxide and sulphide resources and the adoption of a simplified year-round agitated tank carbon-in-pulp (CIL) leaching process (see study for updated financials). A LIDAR survey was also performed over the Tiger deposit in 2016 along the proposed Rau Tote Road route.
In 2017, ATAC Resources completed 1,371.29 m of diamond drilling in 12 holes at the Tiger deposit and performed prospecting along trend of the deposit to identify new targets.
In 2019, ATAC Resources completed 395.02 m of diamond drilling in 4 holes at the Tiger deposit to test oxide material observed at surface SE of the main deposit and commenced an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) (see ATAC Resources news release, 14 Nov/2019). The updated PEA was released on February 27, 2020 and includes the addition of 13 step-out and infill holes, updated metallurgical work and an advanced geological model for the deposit.
Regional & Property Geology
The occurrence is located approximately 11 km southwest of Kathleen Lakes in northeast-central Yukon. In 2010, the Yukon Geological Survey initiated a regional-scale (1:50 000) mapping project in the Rackla Belt in order to upgrade mapping along the northern margin of Selwyn basin in Central Yukon. In 2013, Colpron and others released 5 new bedrock maps (106C/1 to 4 and 106D 1) one of which (106D 1) covered the Tiger deposit and surrounding areas. In 2016 the Yukon Geological Survey released a geological compilation map (Yukon Bedrock Geology Map - Colpron and others 2016) which covers the entire Yukon. Individual 1:250 000 scale maps can be down loaded from the survey’s web site.
The occurrence lies between the Dawson and Kathleen Lakes thrusts which form part of a band of regional-scale thrust faults that imbricate rocks of Mackenzie Platform and Selwyn Basin. The occurrence area lies on the western margin of ancestral North America and is underlain primarily by carbonate platform rocks of Mackenzie Platform which are in turn overlain by Paleozoic Selwyn Basin clastic rocks. The rock package formed a fault-bounded package which was thrust northeasterly during Jurassic to Cretaceous times by the Dawson and Kathleen Lakes thrust faults onto predominantly Proterozoic rocks. Following faulting, Late Cretaceous (94-90 million years), intermediate to felsic plutons of the Tombstone Suite were emplaced. A second intrusive event around 65 million years saw the emplacement of felsic intrusives assigned to the McQuesten Suite.
Other than the immediate area surrounding the Tiger deposit, the occurrence area has not been geologically mapped in detailed. ATAC Resources has mapped 3 main units; Cambrian to Ordovician grey dolostone, Ordovician and/or Silurian silty and massive limestone and Silurian to Devonian dolostone and limestone. The company has assigned all three units to the Cambrian to Devonian Bouvette Formation. Thin volcaniclastic horizons assigned to the Ordovician Marmot Formation are interbedded with Ordovician and/or Silurian limestones.
Colpron’s 2013 geological map generally supports this interpretation; however he uses slightly different age dates and doesn’t include the oldest rocks (Cambrian to Ordovician dolostones) within the Bouvette formation. The 2016 compilation map assigns the Cambrian to Ordovician dolostones, an Upper Ordovician to Silurian age date and assigns them to the Kindle Formation while the younger carbonates are assigned to the Bouvette Formation. The volcanoclastic rocks interbedded within the limestones are too small to appear as a separate unit on the compilation map.
ATAC Resources was originally drawn to the area while following up an anomalous single station, gold silt sample reported in a Geological Survey of Canada regional stream and water survey of topographic map sheet 106D (Hornbrook et al., 1990). The sample returned 150 ppb gold and elevated tungsten values and represents the 99th percentile for gold. Follow-up soil sampling outlined a 600 m long by 100 to 300 m wide area of largely coincident, very strongly anomalous gold and arsenic values that is open to extension to the northwest. The zone is not conductive but did show up as a second-order magnetic high on a helicopter-borne magnetic and variable-time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) survey. Prospecting located limonite-rich float with occasional residual sulphides in the vicinity of the soil geochemical anomalies, but it has not been found in outcrop. Diamond drilling in 2008 led to the discovery hole (Rau-08-02) which returned an intersection of 68.7 m grading 1.24 g/t Au.
The Tiger deposit, defined in 2010, is centered in a moderate to steep walled valley located 3 km west-northwest of the Rackla Pluton, a granitic intrusion assigned a (U-Pb zircon) age of 62.9 ± 0.5 Ma. It consists of a thick northwesterly trending body of carbonate replacement style gold mineralization hosted by a moderately northeast dipping horizon. The deposit currently measures approximately 800 m long, 100 to 200 m wide and up to 96 m thick. Mineralization is developed within and adjacent to a regionally extensive corridor of highly strain rocks that are manifested as a 40 to 150 m wide zone of small scale folding and shearing. The geometry of the mineralized system is defined by a series of stacked and folded carbonate horizons intercalated with locally extensive mafic flows and volcaniclastic units assigned to the Cambrian to Devonian Bouvette Formation.
The Tiger Deposit consists of three separate horizons; the Discovery, Upper and East horizons. The majority of exploration carried out by ATAC Resources has been directed to the Discovery horizon and it is the only horizon observed at surface. Mineralization is primarily hosted in the Discovery horizon, a carbonate package bounded to the top (northeast) and bottom (southwest) by volcanic units. The intercalated volcanic-carbonate package is truncated to the southwest by a northwest trending high-angle fault. Sulphide mineralization also occurs in the Upper horizon which occurs adjacent to a volcanic unit stratigraphically above the Discovery horizon. East of the Tiger deposit, in a carbonate package the stratigraphic equivalent of the Discovery horizon is a pyrite-rich gold-poor horizon called the Lower horizon.
The prominent high-angle fault structure that bounds the Tiger zone to the southwest is characterized by a thick sequence of white marble in the immediate footwall and a distinctive volcaniclastic unit informally termed the “Leopard unit” in the hanging wall. The Leopard unit is distinctive from other volcanic rocks due to its high calcite content (>50%). Between this unit and the Discovery horizon, a ~50 cm thick magnetite bearing white marble typically occurs in sharp contact with the Discovery horizon and may represent skarn mineralization.
Mineralization & Results
Gold occurs in both sulphide and oxide facies at the Tiger deposit. Sulphide mineralization is accompanied by and developed within limestone that is replaced by ferruginous dolomite and iron carbonate minerals. Sulphide species consist of disseminated to banded pyrite, with subordinate arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite and minor bismuthinite and sphalerite. Small amounts of scheelite are also present. The main sulphide minerals exhibit at least four stages of mineralization. The best intersection from sulphide bearing mineralization averaged 4.04 g/t Au over 96.0 m true width from drill hole Rau-09-66.
Oxide mineralization is completely devoid of sulphide minerals and ranges from very competent, weakly porous limonitic mud to rubbly porous grit. The oxide appears texturally amorphous within most intersections but occasionally exhibits residual color banding that may represent relict sulphide textures. Complete oxidation extends up to 150 m from surface. The best oxide grades (e.g. hole Rau-09-19 assayed 24.07 g/t Au over 28.0 m) and deepest oxidation occurs where northerly trending extensional faults intersect the northwest trending regional shear structure.
Two stages of gold mineralization are present and manifest as: 1) early arsenopyrite-bearing gold, and; 2) a late-stage gold event which is associated with bismuthinite, pyrrhotite, minor base metals and anomalous antimony and arsenic concentrations and are assumed to be related to the adjacent Rackla Pluton. The Tiger deposit is interpreted to have formed by complex multistage fluid-flow which in part is directly associated the emplacement and cooling of the Rackla Pluton. Although the age of the late-stage gold event has been reasonably constrained, the age of the earlier gold-bearing event remains unconstrained.
ATAC Resources refocused their 2009 exploration program towards defining and expanding the Tiger deposit and discovering new areas of mineralization elsewhere on the property. Between 2008 and 2010, the company tested the zone with 133 diamond drill holes (25,562 m). The assay and other data collected were used to complete the initial resource estimate released in October 2011.
In September 2009, ATAC Resources announced results from preliminary leach tests carried out on composites of coarse reject material from the oxide zone intersected in drill hole Rau-09-19. One kilogram composites of coarse reject material collected from drill core and subjected to a 24 hour concentrated cyanide leach achieved between 92.8% to 99.3% recovery compared to the original conventional gold assay. The results suggest the oxide mineralization is potentially amenable to simple and low cost extraction processes.
To date the company has identified 7 other significant showings (Condor, Jaguar, Cougar, Panther, Puma, Cheetah, and Serval – MINFILE occurrences 106D 117, 115, 114, 116, 113, 036 and 111) trending northwest of the Tiger deposit. The 7 zones and their related soil geochemical anomalies are located within a 500 m wide belt, which lies 2 to 5 km along strike of the Tiger zone. Anomalous soil geochemical values stretch intermittently for about 22 km northwesterly from the Rackla Pluton along a well-defined structural trend that is also marked by magnetic highs and variable-time domain electromagnetic (VTEM) conductors. The company has also carried out exploration on 5 other existing mineral occurrences located within the Rau trend.
The initial resource estimate for the Tiger deposit, released in October 2011, was initiated by constructing a wire frame 3D model in “Gems” (software) to constrain both the oxide and sulphide zones. The model was constructed based upon lithological boundaries and structural controls. Three-dimensional solids were manually digitized from the available drill data and were used to constrain the interpolation of mineralization. A total of five lithological units were used in the modeling process.
At a cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t Au, the Tiger Deposit hosts an indicated oxide and sulphide resource of 7,150,000 tonnes grading 2.21 g/t Au and 3.68 g/t Ag. Combined inferred oxide and sulphide resources are reported at 8,280,000 tonnes grading 1.09 g/t Au and 0.94 g/t Ag. As part of the initial resource estimate the company calculated separate resources for the oxide and sulfide mineralized portion of the deposit. Employing a 0.30 g/t Au cut-off the Tiger deposit hosts an indicated oxide resource of 4,490,000 tonnes grading 2.71 g/t Au and 5.49 g/t Ag. Inferred oxide resources equal 620,000 tonnes grading 1.42 g/t Au and 5.31 g/t Ag. Within the larger oxide resource, ATAC Resources reported a near-surface high-grade oxide mineralization resource. Employing a 1.60 g/t Au cut-off the deposit hosts an indicated resource of 2,470,000 tonnes grading 4.25 g/t Au and an Inferred resource of 180,000 tonnes grading 3.00 g/t Au.
Employing an identical 0.30 g/t Au cut-off, ATAC Resources calculated that the sulfide portion of the deposit hosts an indicated resource of 2,590,000 tonnes grading 1.38 g/t Au and 0.57 g/t Ag. Total inferred sulphide resources equal 7,640,000 tonnes grading 1.06 g/t Au and 0.59 g/t Ag.
Reconnaissance soil sampling carried out in 2012 approximately 3.2 km southeast of the Tiger deposit, outlined the Bengal showing within a newly defined 5.6 km long intermittent gold in soil anomaly. Hand trenching at one location exposed a package of variably calcareous siltstone sediments in a lower slope to basinal stratigraphic setting. Channel sampling completed in 2012 on an exposure of highly friable interbedded limestone and pyritic siltstone yielded numerous elevated gold results including 3.19 g/t Au over 1 m. Several other channel samples along the 20 m strike length of the exposure returned >1 g/t Au. This discovery is highly significant as it broadens the potential for gold mineralization within the regionally extensive Earn Group stratigraphy.
The July 2014 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) study was mainly limited to the oxide portion of the Tiger deposit. The study envisioned an open-pit mining operation with a hybrid heap leach and carbon in leach (CIL) gold recovery process. Mineral resource figures used were the same as released in October 2011. The 2014 PEA took into account various pit optimization designs (53 in total). Based on various geotechnical parameters the authors chose pit design number 42 as the ultimate pit design. This design calls for 1 year of pre-stripping followed by four years of seasonal production resulting in a Life of Mine production of 6,891,118 gram of gold (~ 221,558 troy ounces). Overall gold recoveries are estimated at 89.8% from hybrid heap-leach (87.8% recovery) and agitated tank (91.0% recovery) carbon in leach (CIL) process. At a base price of US$ 1,250.00/ounce of gold, Pre-tax net present value (NPV) is CAD $52.1 million at a 5% discount rate and internal rate or return (IRR) of 30% with an all-in sustaining cash cost of CAD$626.00/oz. (see actual study for details).
Fourteen of the 2015 drill holes collared on the Tiger deposit were described as shallow infill drill holes designed to better define the high-grade and near surface oxide portion of the deposit. The remaining four drill holes were completed to further geotechnical studies aimed at steepening the pit slope angles to potentially access known oxide mineralization located below the current pit design. Two of these hole were fitted with vibrating wire piezometers to initiate ground water surveys for future studies and permitting. The 8 trenches (400 m) were completed to test the near surface extension of the deposit. Results from both the drilling and trenching programs were comparable to adjacent holes from earlier work. A bulk sample was also collected and stored on-site in preparation for additional metallurgical or process studies.
The updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) released on May 31, 2016 incorporated the results of geotechnical and infill drilling conducted in 2015 and metallurgical studies completed in early 2016. Key changes to the 2014 PEA consist of both oxide and sulphide resources and adoption of a simplified year-round agitated carbon-in-pulp (CIP) leaching process. Based on current plans total project life increases to approximately 9 years, including 1 year of construction and pre-stripping followed by 6 years of owner-operated open pit mining and 2 years of reclamation.
At a base price of US$ 1,250.00/ounce of gold Pre-tax net present value (NPV) is CAD $106.6 million (at a 5% discount rate) and internal rate or return (IRR) of 34.8% before tax and an NPV of CAD $75.7 million (at a 5% discount rate) and an IRR of 28.2% after tax with an all-in sustaining cash cost of US$864.00/oz. (US) (see actual study for details). Compared to the 2014 PEA, the 2016 PEA extends the mine life by 2 years, more than doubles the pre-tax NPV (subject to 5% discount) and increases the pre-tax IRR by 4.8%. Pre-production capital costs are estimated at CAD $109.4 million and life-of-mine (LOM) sustaining capital costs are estimated at CAD $8.3 million.
The 2016 PEA employed a 0.5 g/t Au cut-off for oxide resources and a 1.0 g/t cut-off for sulfide. Measured oxide resources equal 2,600,000 tonnes grading 3.10 g/t Au and 4.77 g/t Ag. Indicated oxide resources equal 1720,000 tonnes grading 2.47 g/t Au and 4.10 g/t Ag. Indicated sulphide resources equal 1,360,000 tonnes grading 2.07 g/t Au and 0.56 g/t Ag. Combined measured and indicated oxide and sulfide resources equals 5,680,000 tonnes grading 2.66 g/t gold and 3.56 g/t Ag. The PEA also identified oxide and sulphide inferred resources. Using the same 0.5 g/t Au cut-off for oxide inferred resources and 1.0 g/t Au cut-off for inferred sulphide resources, the study reported an inferred oxide resource of 280 000 tonnes grading 1.52 g/t gold and 5.67 g/t silver. Inferred sulphide resources were reported at 2,950,000 tonnes grading 1.84 g/t Au and 0.47 g/t Ag. Total combined inferred resources are 3,230,000 tonnes grading 1.81 g/t Au and 0.92 g/t Ag.
The 2016 PEA recommended the construction of a single-lane, radio-controlled tote road to link the project site to Mayo, Yukon, the nearest town located on the Yukon’s public road system. Construction of the road would provide year round access to the deposit and improve access to neighboring occurrences. The road will be 69 km long with 17 km of construction along the existing winter trail/road and 52 km along new terrain. It is expected that the road will be temporarily closed for approximately one month during spring thaw and one month during fall freeze. As the private road connects to the public road networks, gates will be placed that restrict access to the tote road. ATAC Resources is continuing discussion with various First Nation and other affected groups and is gathering together the various studies need to submit the tote road proposal for environmental screening.
In 2017, ATAC completed 1,371.29 m of diamond drilling in 12 holes at the Tiger deposit to expand the high-grade oxide gold mineralization along the Tiger Fault and performed prospecting to identify new drilling targets. Significant results of the 2017 drilling program include up to 5.23 g/t Au over 37.12 m in RAU-17-157 and 4.08 g/t Au over 56.77 m in hole RAU-17-156 (see ATAC Resources news release, 14 Nov/2019).
In 2019, ATAC completed 395.02 m of diamond drilling in 4 holes at the Tiger deposit to test oxide material on surface southeast of the main Tiger deposit. Highlights from the diamond drilling in 2019 include 13.4 g/t Au over 3.04 m in hole RAU-19-166 and 3.32 g/t Au over 8.18 m, including 13.8 g/t Au over 1.4 m in hole RAU-19-164 (see ATAC Resources news release, 14 Nov/2019). Preliminary work on an updated PEA for 202 was also announced.
On February 27, 2020, ATAC Resources announced an updated PES and Mineral Resources for the Tiger deposit that incorporated the step-out and infill drilling from 2017 and 2019, as well as updated metallurgical work and an advanced geological model. The mineral resources are reported at a 0.75 g/t Au cut-off for open pit material and a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off in underground material. See the Resource/Reserve table below for details on Measured, Indicated and Inferred oxide and sulphide resources for the Tiger deposit as of 2020.
Location Map
Last Updated: Apr 23, 2020
Work History
| Year | Work Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Studies: Preliminary Economic Assessment | Updated PEA . |
| 2019 | Drilling: Diamond | Four holes totaling 395.02 m to test oxide material on surface SE of the main deposit. |
| 2017 | Drilling: Diamond | Twelve holes totaling 1,371.29 m. |
| 2017 | Other: Prospecting | |
| 2016 | Remote Sensing: LIDAR | |
| 2016 | Studies: Environmental Assessment/Impact | Began public consultants for tote road. |
| 2016 | Studies: Preliminary Economic Assessment | Released updated PEA. |
| 2015 | Drilling: Diamond | Eighteen holes (~1,400 m) in and around Tiger deposit, four of holes were for geotechnical studies. |
| 2015 | Geochemistry: Soil | Expanded coverage southeast of deposit. |
| 2015 | Studies: Environmental Assessment/Impact | Began background work for proposed tote road. |
| 2014 | Studies: Preliminary Economic Assessment | For Tiger deposit. |
| 2014 | Trenching: Mechanical | Eight trenches (~ 400 m) on Tiger deposit. |
| 2013 | Studies: Heritage/Archeological | Continued collecting background data. |
| 2012 | Geochemistry: Soil | Reconnaissance soil sampling southeast of Tiger deposit. |
| 2012 | Lab Work/Physical Studies: Metallurgical Tests | |
| 2012 | Studies: Heritage/Archeological | |
| 2011 | Studies: Resource Estimate | Initial Resource Estimate calculated for Tiger Deposit. |
| 2010 | Airborne Geophysics: ZTEM | Magnetics also flown. The survey was flown over other parts of property. |
| 2010 | Drilling: Diamond | Sixty-one holes (13,764.39 m) were collared on Tiger Deposit, nine other holes (3,502.1 m) tested other tagets. |
| 2009 | Drilling: Diamond | Fifty-four holes (9,578.3 m) tested the Tiger deposit. |
| 2009 | Geochemistry: Soil | Property wide. |
| 2009 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | Property wide. |
| 2009 | Lab Work/Physical Studies: Column Leach Test | Preliminary Leach Test results announced for samples collected from Tiger deposit. |
| 2008 | Drilling: Diamond | Number of holes drilled = 18 (3,423.21 m). |
| 2008 | Geochemistry: Silt | Property wide. |
| 2008 | Geochemistry: Soil | Property wide. |
| 2008 | Geology: Bedrock Mapping | Property wide. |
| 2008 | Airborne Geophysics: Magnetic | |
| 2008 | Airborne Geophysics: VTEM | |
| 2007 | Airborne Geophysics: Magnetic | Also VTEM survey. |
| 2006 | Geochemistry: Rock | Reconnaissance scale. |
| 2006 | Geochemistry: Soil | Reconnaissance scale. |
Regional Geology - Terrane
Group: Ancestral North America
Affinity: W Laurentia
Name: North America - basinal strata
Realm: Laurentia
Regional Geology - Bedrock
Supergroup:
Group/Suite:
Formation: Mount Kindle?
Member:
Terrane: Laurentia
Period Max: Ordovician
Age Max: 458 MA
Period Min: Silurian
Age Min: 423 MA
Rock Major: limestone
Rock Minor:
Reference: Abbott (1990) - YGS OF 1990-1
Geological Unit (1M): OSK
Geological Unit (250K): OSK1
Assessment Reports that overlap occurrence
| Report Number | Year | Title | Worktypes | Holes Drilled | Meters Drilled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 096936 | 2015 | Assessment Report Describing Geochemical Sampling, Prospecting and Diamond Drilling at the Rau Trend - Rackla Gold Property | Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry | 20 | 1814.23 |
| 096939 | 2015 | Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger Deposit, Rackla Gold Project | VTEM - Airborne Geophysics, ZTEM - Airborne Geophysics, Mill/Concentrator Construction - Development, Surface, Tailings Pond - Development, Surface, Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Gravity Survey - Ground Geophysics, IP - Ground Geophysics, Resistivity - Ground Geophysics, Metallurgical Tests - Lab Work/Physical Studies, Data Compilation - Pre-existing Data, Data Compilation - Pre-existing Data, Environmental Assessment/Impact - Studies, Preliminary Economic Assessment - Studies, Resource Estimate - Studies | 150 | 26846.60 |
| 096732 | 2014 | Assessment Report Describing Metallurgical Test Pits, Metallurgical Auger Drilling, Geotechnical Auger Drilling, Geotechnical Study, Environmental Baseline Studies, Heritage Evaluation, and Water Quality and Climate Monitoring Surveys | Auger - Drilling, Water - Geochemistry, Metallurgical Tests - Lab Work/Physical Studies, Environmental Assessment/Impact - Studies, Geotechnical - Studies, Heritage/Archeological - Studies | 9 | 96.77 |
| 096728 | 2013 | Assessment Report Describing Geochemical Sampling, Hand Trenching, Prospecting and Geological Mapping at the Rau Trend | Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other, Hand - Trenching | ||
| 096607 | 2012 | Assessment Report Describing Metallurgical Testing, Wildlife Monitoring, Heritage Evaluation, and Water Quality and Climate Monitoring Surveys | Water - Geochemistry, Metallurgical Tests - Lab Work/Physical Studies, Environmental Assessment/Impact - Studies, Heritage/Archeological - Studies | ||
| 096597 | 2012 | Assessment Report Describing Geochemical Sampling, Auger Sampling, Geological Mapping, Diamond Drilling, and Geophysical Surveys | Air Strip - Development, Surface, Auger - Drilling, Diamond - Drilling, Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, EM - Ground Geophysics, Gravity Survey - Ground Geophysics, Magnetics - Ground Geophysics, Prospecting - Other, Hand - Trenching | 172 | 37340.37 |
| 095938 | 2011 | Assessment Report Describing Geochemical Sampling, Geological Mapping and Remote Sensing Surveys at the Rackla Gold Property | Rock - Geochemistry, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, LIDAR - Remote Sensing, Heritage/Archeological - Studies | ||
| 095721 | 2010 | Assessment Report Describing Geophysics, Soil Geochemistry and Diamond Drilling at the Rau Property | Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Electromagnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, Diamond - Drilling, Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Downhole Survey - Ground Geophysics, Gravity Survey - Ground Geophysics, IP - Ground Geophysics | 170 | 36900.84 |
| 095684 | 2009 | Geological Mapping, Prospecting, Soil Geochemistry and Diamond Drilling at the Rau Property | Interpretation - Airphotography, Diamond - Drilling, Drill Core - Geochemistry, Rock - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Water - Geochemistry, Regional Surficial Mapping - Geology, IP - Ground Geophysics, Metallurgical Tests - Lab Work/Physical Studies, Petrographic - Lab Work/Physical Studies, Data Compilation - Pre-existing Data, Process/Interpret - Pre-existing Data, Biophysical Mapping - Studies, Environmental Assessment/Impact - Studies, Geotechnical - Studies, Heritage/Archeological - Studies | 58 | 9578.30 |
| 095131 | 2008 | Geological Mapping, Prospecting, Soil Geochemistry, Diamond Drilling, and Geophysical Surveys at the Rau Property | Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, VTEM - Airborne Geophysics, Diamond - Drilling, Silt - Geochemistry, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other | 18 | 3423.21 |
| 095130 | 2007 | Geological Mapping, Prospecting, Soil Geochemistry, and Geophysical Surveys at the Rau Property | Magnetic - Airborne Geophysics, VTEM - Airborne Geophysics, Soil - Geochemistry, Bedrock Mapping - Geology, Prospecting - Other | ||
| 093987 | 1998 | Digital Topography, Landsat, and Colour Air Photo Survey over the Clark Claims] | Orthophoto - Airphotography, Rock - Geochemistry, Landsat - Remote Sensing |
Related References
| Number | Title | Page(s) | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| YEG2008_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2008 | 7-8, 31, 36. | Annual Report |
| YEG2009_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2009 | 22, 54, 58. | Annual Report |
| YEG2011_10 | Upper age constraint and paragenesis of the Tiger zone, Rau property, central Yukon | 151-164. | Annual Report Paper |
| YEG2010_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2010 | 23-24, 60, 65. | Annual Report |
| YEG2011_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2011 | 36, 73. | Annual Report |
| 2003Heon | Yukon Regional Geochemical Database - Stream sediment analyses | Database | |
| 1990-1 | Geology of the Mt. Westman Map Area (106D/1) | Open File (Geological - Bedrock) | |
| 1990-3 | Geology of 106D/8 & 7 (East Half) Map Areas | Open File (Geological - Bedrock) | |
| 2013-13 | Geological map of the Rackla belt, east-central Yukon (NTS 106C/1-4, 106D/1) | Open File (Geological - Bedrock) | |
| YEG2013_OV | Yukon Exploration and Geology Overview 2013 | p. 26. | Annual Report |
| YEG2015_OV2 | Yukon Hard Rock Mining, Development and Exploration Overview 2015 | p. 28-29. | Annual Report Paper |
| Citations |
|---|
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, Aug/16. Website: www.atacresources.com |
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, Feb/2020. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger Deposit, Rackala Gold Project, Yukon Canada. By H. Ghaffari et al. (Available on SEDAR) |
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, May/2016. Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger Deposit, Rackala Gold Project, Yukon Canada. By H. Ghaffari et al. (Available on SEDAR) |
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, News Release, 23 Jan/2013; 9 Apr/2013;17 Jun/2013; 14 Jan/2014; 15 Apr/2014; 23 Jul/2014; 4 Sep/2014; 25 Aug/2015; 6 Oct/2015; 26 Oct/2016; 10 Feb/2016; 22 Apr/2016; 31 May/2016; 14 Jun/2016; 14 Jul/2016; 14 Nov/2019; and 27 Feb/2020. |
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, Nov/2011. Preparation of the Tiger Zone Mineral Resource Estimate on the Rau Property Yukon Territory, Canada. Technical Report using 43-101 Guidelines. by R. Stroshein, G.H. Giroux and W. Wengzynowski, (available on SEDAR). |
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, Nov/2019. Assessment Report #097311 by A.B. Coulter & A. Carne. |
| ATAC RESOURCES LTD, Sep/2014. Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Tiger Deposit, Yukon Territory, Canada. By D. Kappes, et al. (Available on SEDAR). |
| HORNBROOK, ET AL., 1990. National Geochemical Reconnaissance Stream Sediment and Water Geochemical Data, East Central Yukon (106D; parts of 106C, 106E and 106F), Geological Survey of Canada Open File 2175. |
| KINGSTON, S.P., 2009. Nature and origin of gold-rich carbonate replacement deposits at the Rau occurrence, central Yukon, unpublished B.Sc. thesis, University of British Columbia, 56 p. |
| YANKEE HAT RESOURCES, News Release, 10 Apr/2008. |
Drill Core at YGS Core Library
| Number | Property | Year Drilled | Core Size | Photos | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAU-08-11 | Rau | 2008 | BTW | 0 | 3 |
| RAU-08-18 | Rau | 2008 | BTW | 0 | 3 |
