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TSX:GPD


GOLD DOME
KEY PROJECTS: YUKON

 

Property Overview  

The Gold Dome property (“Gold Dome”), formerly known as Scheelite Dome, is located approximately 25 km northwest of Mayo, in central Yukon. The project lies within the Tintina Gold Belt: a zone of gold deposits related to mid-Cretaceous aged Tombstone plutonic suite granitic rocks. Notable deposits in this belt include the nearby Dublin Gulch deposit (Indicated resource of 2.69 million oz Au at a grade of 0.849 gpt Au, Jankovic 2009), the Company's Brewery Creek deposit (Indicated resource of 145,000 oz Au at a grade of 1.135 gpt Au with Inferred resource of 143,000 oz Au at a grade of 2.01 gpt Au, Diment and Simpson, 2009), and the Company’s Clear Creek Project. Highet Creek, which transects the property, has produced in excess of 45,000 ounces of placer gold since 1903 (LeBarge et al., 2002), and accounts for almost 25% of all placer gold production in the Mayo area. The project comprises 509 two-post quartz claims within the Mayo mining district, and covers over 105 km2. It has a Class 3 Mining Land Use permit valid until June 2011.

The Company owns a 100% interest in the Gold Dome property, subject to a 4% NSR royalty of which 2% can be bought back for $2,000,000.

The Gold Dome project hosts one of the largest gold-arsenic-bismuth soil anomalies in the Yukon, and is associated with Cretaceous granodiorite and monzonite intrusions of the Tombstone Plutonic Suite adjacent to sourceless placer deposits in Highet Creek. Identified gold mineralization is primarily hosted in Hyland group sedimentary rocks adjacent to the Scheelite Dome composite stock. Mineralization has been found in (1) clinopyroxene-plagioclase retrograde skarn, (2) quartz-sulphide veins, and (3) as replacement of limy horizons within the sedimentary sequence. Exploration efforts on the property so far have identified 14 mineralized zones, however, most exploration programs prior to the Company’s 2009 diamond drilling program were underfunded and the Gold Dome property remains under-explored.

 

Historical Exploration  

Exploration at Gold Dome dates back to the discovery of placer gold in 1903 on Highet Creek. Following the discovery of the Fort Knox deposit near Fairbanks, Alaska in the late 1980s, the property was explored for a similar intrusion-hosted gold deposit. Between 1994 and 1997, Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. conducted a series of field programs that included geological mapping, prospecting, stream sediment and soil geochemical sampling, trenching, airborne geophysics, and core and RC drilling (8 diamond holes totaling 1,035 m and 13 RC holes totaling 1,052 m). In 1998, La Teko Resources Ltd. completed an Induced Polarisation (“IP”) survey, further soil sampling, and a core drilling program (7 holes totaling 1,268 m). In 1999, Copper Ridge Explorations Inc. (“Copper Ridge Explorations”) completed geological studies, a ground magnetic survey and core drilling (13 holes totaling 1358 m). In 2003, the property was optioned to Golden Patriot Mining Inc., who carried out an IP survey and a 310 m five-hole drilling program focused on the Tom Zone. Golden Patriot subsequently terminated its option. Highlights of drilling conducted during the period  of1998-2003 include 6.4 m @ 7.09 gpt Au including 1.7 m @ 24.4 gpt Au (SH03-30); 7.7 m @ 3.67 gpt Au (SH98-12); 4.5 m @ 3.66 gpt Au (SH99-23); and 5.9 m @ 2.41 gpt Au (SH99-24).

During the 2006 field season, Copper Ridge Explorations Inc. carried out a program of line cutting, soil sampling and geophysical surveying over the newly defined Toby Zone. The work defined a 2x1 km area of anomalous coincident bismuth, arsenic, gold and antimony soil geochemistry, located two km south of the Tom Zone. The geophysical program included IP, magnetic and VLF-EM ground surveys on 21 grid km. This work was followed by road building and 1,430 m of mechanical trenching. The trenching program focused on the southeast part of the Toby Zone where the soil anomaly is coincident with a moderate IP chargeability anomaly. The trenching exposed large areas of intense alteration in the metasediments surrounding discrete 1 to 3 m wide zones of quartz-arsenopyrite-bismuthinite veining. A total of 622 grab and chip-channel samples were collected from the trenches. Highlights included 4.2 gpt Au over 2 m from trench 06-2 and 8.1 gpt Au over 1 m in continuous chip samples from trench 06-3.

In 2007, Riverside Resources Ltd. optioned the property and completed a five-hole, 600 m diamond drill program targeting bulk tonnage gold potential along the Aorta structure. Results of this program included several ten-metre intervals of >1 gpt Au, including 10.18 m of 2.03 gpt Au and 0.25 m of 22.70 gpt Au (SD07-34) and 10.10 m of 2.21 gpt Au (SD097-37). Historic drill holes into the Aorta structural corridor returned similarly long intervals of gold mineralization including 54.9 metres of 0.45 gpt (RC97-11); 43.4 metres of 0.56 gpt (SH98-10); 20.3 metres of 1.03 gpt (SH99-23); 8.9 metres of 1.81 gpt (SH99-24); and 15.8 metres of 1.88 gpt (SH98-12). The combined results demonstrate continuity of low-grade, near-surface gold mineralization along the Aorta structural corridor.

 

Geology and Mineralization  

Highly deformed metasedimentary rocks and stocks and dykes of the mid-Cretaceous Mayo suite underlie the Gold Dome property. The metasedimentary strata are part of the Neoproterozoic to early Cambrian Hyland Group and comprise strongly foliated muscovite-chlorite phyllites, quartzite/psammite with minor carbonate, calc-phyllite, and graphitic argillites, which were deformed to lower greenschist facies during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous. The Gold Dome, Morrison Creek and Minto Lake quartz monzonite and granodiorite stocks are the most prominent intrusive rocks on the property. Compositionally, these stocks comprise largely medium to coarse-grained hornblende and biotite-bearing granodiorite. The Morrison Creek stock is relatively homogeneous, whereas widespread mafic to felsic dykes intrude the Scheelite Dome stock. Thermal metamorphic aureoles, evident in airborne magnetic surveys and characterized by the development of andalusite, biotite, recrystallised quartz and pyrrhotite envelop the stocks. Narrow lamprophyre dykes, which occupy fracture and fault zones, occur throughout the property. They are typically calcareous and commonly contain fine-grained biotite and minor pyrrhotite. Fine-grained to aphanitic rhyodacite, trachyte and quartz monzonite dykes, likely related to the TPS intrusions, also occur throughout the project area.

The Gold Dome area hosts a number of different mineralization styles including tungsten-rich skarns and sheeted quartz veins, gold-rich skarns and quartz veins, and silver-lead-zinc-antimony–rich veins. Mineralization at Gold Dome is likely related to the intrusion of the Scheelite Dome stock, and is characteristic of intrusion-related gold systems (IRGS), which are important producers of gold in Canada, Alaska and elsewhere around the world.

Gold mineralization on the property is associated with concordant or discordant veins, and skarns, predominantly within the hornfels surrounding the intrusion. Concordant mineralization manifests as either arsenopyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite and pyrite replacements of limey horizons within the metasedimentary package or within and adjacent to structurally-controlled undeformed quartz-arsenopyrite-pyrite tension veins parallel to the regional S2 foliation. Discordant mineralization consists of structurally controlled quartz-sulfide veinlets that crosscut both the metasediments and the Scheelite Dome stock, and are hosted within and external to the contact metamorphic aureole surrounding the intrusion. Tungsten-rich skarns occur on both the northern and southern sides of the Scheelite Dome stock, whereas gold-rich skarns are more extensively developed on the southern side. Gold-rich skarns, such as that identified at Tom, comprise thick (2-15 m) zones of coarse-grained, semi-massive sulfides (arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite) with associated plagioclase-clinopyroxene alteration partially retrograded to tremolite-actinolite. Within the Scheelite Dome stock itself, tungsten-rich, gold-poor sheeted quartz-muscovite-scheelite-tourmaline veins occur. The Sheeted Zone lies along the projection of the Hawthorne vein on the northern side of the dome.

 

Summary of Results  

In 2009, the Company drilled 17 diamond drill holes for a total of 2,416 m on three targets (Tom, Toby, and Hawthorne). The Tom Zone, a skarn-hosted gold target located south of the Scheelite Dome stock within hornfels alteration, returned the best results and was the primary focus of the 2010 exploration field season. Golden Patriot Mining Inc. completed five diamond holes on the Tom Zone in 2003 and intersected several narrow zones of gold mineralization, including 7.09 gpt Au over 6.4 m (SH03-30). The Company was the first to follow up these encouraging results and completed six core holes for a total of 1,216 m. This drilling targeted extensions of the mineralization identified in 2003. Four of the six holes intersected significant thicknesses of partially retrograded calc-silicate (clinopyroxene-plagioclase → tremolite-actinolite) skarn with associated semi-massive to massive arsenopyrite+pyrite+pyrrhotite±chalcopyrite mineralization. Highlights of the Tom drilling include 4.15 m of 6.23 gpt Au from 26.77 m (GD09-005), 1.03 m of 21.64 gpt Au from 13.62 m (GD09-006), and 2.70 m of 52.35 gpt Au from 13.00 m and 10.45 m of 12.96 gpt Au from 25.20 m (GD09-007). The Tom holes also intersected minor gold mineralization at depth, associated with disseminated and vein-hosted arsenopyrite with tourmaline and actinolite alteration.

Gold mineralization at Tom appears to be associated with calc-silicate skarn that is partially retrograde altered and contains significant amounts of arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. Preliminary petrographic analyses have identified relict clinopyroxene-plagioclase partly altered to tremolite-actinolite, variable quartz, biotite or phlogopite, local carbonate, and sericite, as well as scheelite. Geochemically there are two distinct mineralization styles at Tom: shallow high-grade mineralization with a strong bismuth-tellurium-tungsten-selenium-antimony metallogenic signature, and deeper, low-grade gold-only mineralization. High-grade mineralization is associated with skarn alteration whereas low-grade mineralization is associated with disseminated and vein-hosted arsenopyrite in sericite-altered phyllite.

Drilling at Toby targeted a coincident IP and gold-arsenic-bismuth soil geochemical anomaly and extensions of mineralization beneath trenches excavated and sampled by Copper Ridge Explorations in 2006. Samples recovered from the 2006 trenches comprised vuggy quartz-arsenopyrite-scorodite veins and returned up to 15.0 gpt Au in grab and trench samples. In 2009 the Company drilled three holes for a total of 664 m; however, drilling at Toby was hampered by poor ground conditions and low recovery. All three holes at Toby intersected abundant quartz-arsenopyrite veins, minor pyrrhotite and a sulphide-altered monzonite dyke, but despite these promising indicators of gold mineralization, the Toby drilling returned no significant gold values. The plan for the 2010 field season is to remap and resample the Copper Ridge trenches to gain a better understanding of the controls on gold mineralization at Toby.

The Hawthorne quartz-arsenopyrite-scorodite vein was discovered and staked by prospectors in 1916. Grab samples from the vein returned up to 64.0 gpt Au, and trenching in the footwall of the vein by Kennecott in 1997 returned 744 m of 0.19 gpt Au (Trench 97-1 & 5, YGS Assessment Report 093791). There had been no previous drilling on the vein. The Company drilled 8 holes for 580 m into the vein and intersected up to 5% arsenopyrite+pyrite with accessory scorodite and stibnite, and minor quartz-sulphide stringers in the vein footwall. Best results from this program included 2.52 m of 5.17 gpt Au (GD09-015) and 2.15 m of 3.79 gpt Au (GD09-012). Geochemically, gold mineralization at Hawthorne is similar to the low-grade gold-only mineralization encountered at depth at the Tom zone.

The Company concentrated its 2010 efforts on six areas: the Tom, Hawthorne Ridge, Harvey Ridge, Aorta and Toby Zones, and the newly identified Swede Zone, with significant gold mineralization encountered in five of six target areas. As a result of the 2010 program, the Company has determined that it will solicit joint venture participation by senior mineral exploration companies to advance Gold Dome. This decision reflects the large mineralized system present, the numerous drill targets within known zones, and as the vast untested exploration potential and the attendant large capital budget required to properly and aggressively explore and develop the property.

During 2010 the Company completed a total of 14 core holes for 3,854 m and 28 RC holes for 4,606 m on targets at Gold Dome. The 2010 program was designed to more fully evaluate the project’s numerous targets through wide-spaced exploration drilling.

Results of the 17 RC holes drilled on the Toby, Tom, Swede, Hawthorne Ridge, and Aorta Zones were released on October 12, 2010. (See the Company’s news release dated October 12, 2010).  Select assay highlights are shown in Table 7 below.

The following table presents significant intercepts from the Company's 2009 Gold Dome drilling program, and highlights of Riverside Resources' 2007 program on the Aorta corridor.

Initial 2010 Drill Hole Highlights from the Gold Dome Project, YT
Select Significant Intercepts
 

Drill Hole

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Au (gpt)

  TOM ZONE                        
 

GDRC10-001

21.34

27.44

6.10

1.64

 

GDRC10-002

6.10

18.29

12.19

0.98

 

including

10.67

18.29

7.62

1.37

 

GDRC10-002

28.96

38.10

9.14

1.05

 

including

33.53

36.58

3.05

2.24

  SWEDE ZONE                     
 

GDRC10-015

83.82

96.01

12.19

1.00

 

including

86.87

91.44

4.57

2.30

 

GDRC10-016

56.39

68.58

12.19

1.49

 

including

64.01

68.58

4.57

3.51

HAWTHORNE ZONE      
 

GDRC10-017

121.92

141.73

19.81

0.77

 

including

121.92

123.44

1.52

5.13

 

GDRC10-019

39.62

44.20

4.58

3.76

 

Results for all 14 core holes drilled in the Tom, Hawthorne Ridge, Harvey Ridge and Aorta Zones and the final 11 RC holes drilled in the Hawthorne Ridge, Harvey Ridge and Aorta Zones were released on November 30, 2010 (See the Company’s news release dated November 30, 2010).

Selected assay highlights are shown below:

2010 Final Round Drill Hole Highlights from the Gold Dome Project, YT
Select Significant Intercepts
 

Drill Hole

From (m)

To (m)

Interval (m)

Au (gpt)

  TOM ZONE                        
 

GDDH-10-018,019

No significant results

 

GDDH-10-020

83.05

92.8

9.75

1.68

 

and

179.5

192.8

13.3

1.29

            HAWTHORNE ZONE                     
 

GDDH-10-021

41.60

55.80

14.20

0.58

 

including

50.20

55.80

5.60

1.22

 

and

211.10

217.10

6.00

0.73

 

GDDH-10-022

58.60

68.60

10.00

0.55

 

and

90.60

94.60

4.00

0.64

 

and

156.92

164.92

8.00

0.68

 

and

212.92

234.87

21.95

1.00

 

and

246.87

258.87

12.00

0.58

 

GDDH-10-023

184.10

186.10

2.00

3.05

 

and

196.10

198.10

2.00

2.33

 

and

250.10

258.10

8.00

0.54

 

GDDH-10-024

No significant results

 

GDDH-10-025

91.70

100.70

9.00

0.73

 

and

242.20

243.84

1.64

1.20

 

GDDH-10-026,027

No significant results

 

GDRC-10-005

111.25

115.82

4.57

0.75

 

and

121.92

128.02

6.10

0.53

 

GDRC-10-006

No significant results

 

GDRC-10-021

74.68

76.20

1.52

3.37

HARVEY RIDGE ZONE      
 

GDDH-10-028

118.10

140.30

22.20

0.65

 

GDDH-10-029

88.00

91.44

3.44

1.12

 

and

163.70

170.69

6.99

0.57

 

GDRC-10-023

12.19

13.72

1.53

1.20

 

and

111.25

117.35

6.10

0.54

 

and

169.16

170.69

1.53

1.73

 

and

201.17

204.22

3.05

1.36

 

GDRC-10-027

No significant results

AORTA ZONE  
 

GDDH-10-030

54.00

58.00

4.00

0.78

 

and

65.05

77.05

12.00

0.51

 

and

93.05

101.05

8.00

0.50

 

and

117.40

121.40

4.00

0.81

 

and

160.50

162.50

2.00

2.03

 

GDDH-10-031

93.35

95.35

2.00

1.16

 

and

127.85

129.7

1.85

1.40

 

GDRC-10-020

59.44

60.96

1.52

2.22

 

and

108.20

112.78

4.58

1.38

 

GDRC-10-022

13.72

15.24

1.52

1.20

 

and

153.92

155.45

1.53

1.13

 

GDRC-10-024

16.76

24.38

7.62

0.74

 

and

70.10

74.68

4.58

0.74

 

and

210.30

213.36

3.05

0.44 gpt Au & 70.9 gpt Ag(1)

 

GDRC-10-026

97.54

102.11

4.57

0.55

 

and

146.30

152.40

6.10

0.64

 

and

184.40

190.50

6.10

0.59

 

GDRC-10-028

150.88

173.74

22.86

0.54

      (1) Interval reported due to high silver value resulting in gold equivalent value exceeding reporting threshold.

 

Property Expenditure  

The Company has incurred exploration costs of $3,312,997 in total to February 28, 2011. Significant funds have not been allocated for this project in the current year.

Gilles Dessureau, MSc, PGeo, employed by the Company as a Senior Geologist, is the Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and verified the information presented on the Company's Gold Dome Property.

 

Maps  

   

   

   

 

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  ADVANCED PROJECTS
  PIPELINE PROJECTS
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  SELWYN BASIN DISTRICT
  LIVINGSTONE DISTRICT

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