Abstract: A regional till geochemistry survey and Quaternary geology investivations were carried out across poorly exposed terrain of the Finlayson Lake map area. Two sampling teams collected 331 till samples, including regional and deposit orientation samples from Wolverine, Kudz Ze Kayah and the Argus properties. In total, 489 till samples were analysed by ICP-MS, including 158 samples collected in 2000. Quaternary exposures were logged and interpreted in order to reconstruct the Late Wisconsinan glacial history of the area (McConnell Glaciation). Ice-flow patterns during glacial maximum generally trended towards the west-northwest. Basal till is widespread across plateau surfaces and glaciofluvial sand and gravel dominate in low-lying terrain. Multi-element anomalies are present near known mineralized zones. High lead and zinc concentrations are measured in till down-ice from the massive sulphide bedrock mineralization at Kudz Ze Kayah. In addition, multi-element anomalies particularly enriched in base metals are found northwest of Wolverine Lake and southwest of Finlayson Lake, where no mineral occurrences are known.

Results of the 2000 survey indicated the presence of a multi-element anomaly suggestive of epithermal mineralization in the northwest corner of the study area. Staking has ensued in the area. Follow-up sampling on the anomaly confirmed the 2000 results and has yielded highly anomalous gold levels. Another sample collected south (up-ice) from the Kudz Ze Kayah deposit returned an unexpected high gold concentration. Samples with high copper/nickel/ chromium concentrations are located in the northwest part of the study area and southwest of Finlayson Lake.

Authors: Bond, J.D. and Plouffe, A.

Keywords: epithermal mineralization, glacial landforms, mineral potential

NTS Mapsheet(s): 105G

Citation: Bond, J.D. and Plouffe, A., 2002. Finlayson Lake Targeted Geoscience Initiative (southeastern Yukon), Part 2: Quaternary geology and till geochemistry. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2001, Emond, D.S., Weston, L.W., and Lewis, L.L. (eds.), Exploration and Geological Sciences Division, Yukon Region, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, p. 209-228.

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