Report on EL 27380 for the period 9 March 2011 to 8 March 2012

Abstract

An extensive study of previous exploration work completed in the Francis Creek area concluded that there had not been any programme dedicated to the discovery of alluvial gold and-or tin. The alluvium in this area has continued to be by taking samples on a random pattern to a depth of 7-800mm and gravity concentrated by hand washing in a prospector's dish. In addition, four samples of 200 litres each were taken and a concentrate produced. Initially this was intended to be done off site using a Wiffley table but this item was not available at the required time. The samples were instead treated on site by hand as this was considered the quickest in the long run. The first two samples were taken from the bank of Francis Creek near the road crossing. The concentrate from these samples were examined under a hand held microscope for visible gold and-or tin particles. A quantity of Iron was also observed. The concentrates were then covered with HCl in the presence of zinc which has the effect of turning the Cassiterite particles to a silver gray colour. This makes them easy to separate from the iron particles present. The net result was a 'head grade' of approx. 200 grams Sn per cubic metre from the northern side of the creek and approx. 150 grams Sn per cubic metre from the south side. Having removed the Cassiterite from the concentrate, the bulk of the remainder was dissolved in hot HNO3, the residual particles were removed to leave the gold which when calculated back to the original sample provided a grade of approx. 0.5 grams Au per cubic metre in both samples. These results were considered a little disappointing as it had previously been considered that this area would be better than this, however, more sampling is required to prove, or otherwise, the viability of this area. The second two samples were taken from the east and western sides of an area identified by CSR and later drilled by Dominion located approx. central to the EL and east of the Francis Creek gold mine. They were treated in the same manner as the first two and showed little in the way of tin and the gold was a little weaker at approx. 0.3gm Au per cubic metre. EL 27380 is still considered to hold good potential for a workable alluvial deposit in addition to the possibility of a hard-rock gold resource being located.