Ireland TwpIn 1970, H.L. Lovell, OGS Resident Geologist Kirkland Lake, and T.W. Caine wrote a report titled Lake Timiskaming Rift Valley, suggesting the recognition of "remarkable similarities between the Lake Timiskaming rift system and the African (Zimbabwe) rift system. The distinct bedrock-controlled topographic feature extends from near Temiscamingue, Quebec, northwest to the Kapuskasing Gravity High in the vicinity of Smooth Rock Falls" (Ontario Department of Mines MP 39).
Then in 1999, Northern Shield Resources staked the Faint Hope claims (RTM's Ireland Twp Complex) based upon the location of the property with respect to the Timiskaming Rift (Assessment File 42H11SE2002).
"The Faint Hope target was originally identified in 1999 during preparation for PGE exploration in the Fraserdale area. A conspicuous anomaly was observed on the regional aeromagnetic maps in the centre of Ireland Township in an otherwise magnetically quiet region. The horseshoe-shaped anomaly is approximately 2.5 km in diameter and occurs next to a dyke swarm. Careful scrutiny of air-photos also revealed a cluster of sub-circular topographic features below the magnetic anomaly. In September 1999 it was decided to stake the anomaly and pursue it as a kimberlite target".
Two ice directions for the region have been mentioned in the literature, one at 220*-240* and a second at 165*-185* (Assessment File 42H11SE2003/42H11SE2003).
In 2001, the Ontario Geological Survey carried out an alluvium sampling survey in the Smooth Rock Falls region (Open File Report 6044), which included Ireland Township. The study was to determine the number of VMS, Skarn and Nickel/Copper indicator minerals. However, no samples were taken in the immediate area of RTM's Ireland Twp property. The best results are about 18 km to the south, down ice. The results of 4 samples are as follows:
Number of grains picked
VMS Skarn Ni/Cu Gold Chromite
1508 5 0 6 0 32
1511 1 1 7 0 47
1512 6 6 7 1 4
1707 6 6 5 2 0
As a result of the OFR 6044 data, more claims were staked by Northern Shield Resources in 2002. Remember, they were after kimberlite.