EXPLORATION ’94 — Search on for gold, base metal deposits at

During the previous few years, mining people here have not seen significant exploration activity in the Red Lake area. In 1994, however, several major and a few junior resource companies have again focused their energy upon the quest for economic mineral deposits in the world famous gold camp.

Surprisingly, while there is a continued interest in gold exploration, much of the activity centres around the identification of minable base metal deposits.

The big Red Lake mining news this year is, of course, the recently announced $46.1-million deep development program at the Campbell gold mine of Placer Dome (TSE).

Coupled with that announcement was a corporate goal statement delivered by Placer President Douglas Fraser at the Balmertown-based facility. Fraser told most of the Campbell workforce that the company was not only involved in a Minex program (the joint mine and exploration geologists’ reassessment of existing property) but that an active Campex program — the acquisition and exploration of contiguous or adjoining property in the Red Lake camp — was in progress.

Neighboring Goldcorp (TSE), through its exploration division, Goldquest, has been busy in the field, recently completing a significant drill program. Working to define the Chevron zone — the newest major gold find in the camp that was originally uncovered by Chevron Minerals on Goldquest-optioned ground and which subsequently reverted to the title holder when the oil giant withdrew its mining efforts — Goldquest has punched about 20 holes into the zone.

Favorably situated in what is locally known as the East Bay deformation zone, and bordered to the north by the past-producing Abino mine and to the south by McMarmac mine and the now dormant (but major past-producing) Cochenour-Willans mine, Goldcorp (known formerly as Dickenson) appears optimistic about the deposit’s potential.

Madsen Gold (TSE), in the process of a phase-one rehabilitation of another previous major past producer — which poured about 2.4 million oz. between 1938 and 1976 — is taking another kick at the can with an underground drill program in the upper levels to determine the economics of the “230 zone.” Early in 1994, Inco (TSE) undertook a small drill program on its Trout Bay property at the west end of Red Lake. The copper-zinc deposit, with some precious metal mineralization, is hosted by mafic volcanic and sedimentary rock.

Also back was Santa Fe Pacific Gold (NYSE), to take a look at its joint-venture Springpole project about 115 km northeast of Red Lake; Santa Fe’s partners are Akiko Gold Resources (VSE) and Gold Canyon Resources (VSE). U.S.-based Santa Fe (the “recycled version” of Goldfields), has confidence in the tonnage of the well defined “portage zone” and plans to return this winter to drill the less defined and more northerly “porphyry zone.” Longtime Red Lake prospector Charlie Peterson is still hunting for the motherlode and making progress drilling the Charlene zone in the Dome Stock from his Skookum Bay properties adjacent to the Red Lake townsite. Peterson has been working the property, previously optioned by Goldfields and Chevron, for more than a decade. Coupling the previous years’ information with the results of a drill program this year sponsored by the Ontario Prospectors Assistance Program, Peterson has defined 11 veins and returned several high-grade assays.

Increased activity in grassroots base metal exploration, as well as some drilling, took place this year at the south side of the Trout Lake batholith in a dominantly felsic volcanogenic arch. Starting around the past-producing South Bay mine, heading in a southwesterly direction and covering much of the bottom of the Red Lake camp, the hunt for significant volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits is being undertaken by some serious players. Companies including Noranda (TSE), Metall Mining (TSE), Inco and Rio Algom (TSE) have staked significant claim blocks and entered into option agreements with independent prospectors in order to hedge their bets in what could turn out to be a major base metal play.

Noranda’s Joy property in this attractive base metal zone was drilled in 1994 by Major General Resources (VSE), with the best intersection indicating 2.26% copper and 1.81% zinc over 4.2 metres.

According to Red Lake resident geologist Brian Atkinson of the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, not only has this past exploration season been the most active in recent years, but ongoing gold exploration and determined base metal activity indicates a recognition of the Red Lake camp’s broad-based mineral potential.

Atkinson recently told The Northern Miner that “the great historic gold production from the Red Lake camp means the area still remains one of the most attractive places to find big, new, Archean gold deposits. And, there still remains a very good opportunity to find a large VMS deposit in the felsic stratigraphy.

“In fact, several major resource companies have indicated that Red Lake is considered as one of the highest priority targets for base metal mineralization in the province.”

— The author is a freelance writer and resident of Red Lake, Ont.