Active exploration scene at Quebec’s Benoit Twp.

Despite a claim dispute that still hangs over the area, Benoit Twp. in northwestern Quebec is poised for a second burst of exploration activity.

Under a recently signed agreement with Freewest Resources (TSE), Minnova (TSE) will launch a $600,000 program, including 20,000 ft. of drilling, on Freewest’s Lac Pusticamica property at the beginning of February. In order to earn a 51% interest in the 368-claim package, Minnova must spend $4 million within four years and make staged cash payments.

This time last year, excitement was brewing over the Benoit discovery hole, which returned separate intervals of 53 ft. grading 0.18 oz. gold per ton and 20 ft. grading 0.23 oz. gold for Freewest (T.N.M., Feb. 11/91). But not long after a second hole cut 162.5 ft. grading 0.15 oz. gold, the project became entangled in a claim dispute.

The dispute, launched by Forbex Mining Resources (ME) over 39 of Freewest’s claims, remains unresolved. The gold discovery lies under Lac Pusticamica and outside the disputed area.

Next door to Freewest, Golden Tag Resources (VSE), which recently raised $248,000 through a private placement, is already drilling its claim package. The property lies immediately east and along strike of the Benoit discovery. The market also appears to be getting in on the area play. After Beaufield Resources (TSE) announced drilling plans for its 71-claim property in Benoit Twp. recently, its shares jumped 2 cents to 8 cents on a daily volume of over 500,000 shares.

Soquem, a government-owned exploration concern, can earn a 50% interest in the property from partners Beaufield, Beauchamps Exploration (VSE) and Murgor Resources (VSE) by spending $125,000 on exploration before the end of 1992. The three programs will take advantage of the thick ice that makes lake drilling possible.

Benoit Twp. is underlain by a northeast trending greenstone belt cut by granite intrusives and a number of regional faults. The discovery zone itself is hosted by silicified volcanic tuffs.