GEOLOGY OF THE INEL DEPOSIT, ISKUT RIVER AREA, NORTHWESTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA (104B/ll)

The Bmnson Creek area (Figure 2-15-I) contains several significant mineral depnsits and showings, including Snip, the largest currently operating gold producer in British Columbia, owned by Cominco Metals (60%) and Prime Resources Group Inc. (40%). These occurences underscore the imponancr of understanding controls on mineralization as a guide to further exploration. For example, the Snip. Johnny Mountain and lnel deposits are all examples of structurally controlled deposits spatially associated with syntectonic porphyry intrusions. Work by D. Rhys on the Snip deposit (Rhys and Godwin, 1992) and recent mapping by P. Metcalfe and James Moors (1993: this volume) is presently defining the stratigraphic and structural evolution of the entire western lskut River area. and a comprehensive isotopic and geochemical examination of Mesozoic plutons in the area is in progress (Macdonald ?‘I <I/., 1992). The 1x1 property was originally staked by R.G. Gifford in 1969, and subsequently acquired by Skyline Explorations Limited. Surface exploration was carried out under option by Texasgulf Inc. in the mid-1970s. and later by Skyline. In 1987 the property was optioned, and later acquired by lnel Resources Ltd. Between 1987 and IYYO, two adits were driven (AK and Discovery levels; Figure 2-15-l). and a total of 1200 mews of drifting nod I I 500 metres of diamond drilling were completed (Gifford, 1991). During 1990. lnel Resources amalgamated with Gulf International Minerals Limited. which is now the sole property owner. To better constrain the geological evolution of the lnel deposit and explore possible similaritei with the nearby producing Snip and past-producing Johnny Mountain deposits, we examirled the underground workings during the 1992 field season. Thr underground program included sampling and structural mapping at I :500-scale through most of the two exploration drifts. Low oxygen levels at the end of the Discovery drift limited access.