Sona Resources Corporation SREZF

Elizibeth mine history..1934 to 1987

[satongcollector]

.this area is very rich in history.......And Gold.......

.........................................................................................................
approximately 18.5 kilometres west of Lillooet. All workings

are at or above treeline (1980 metres elevation).

EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT

HISTORY

Auriferous quartz veins were first discovered in 1934

(Hedley, 1941) and subsequently rediscovered and staked in

I940 and 1941 as the Crown-granted Elizabeth mineral

claims. Surrounding claims staked at this time include the

optioned the Elizabeth and adjoining claimasn d staked addi-

Yalakom, Chum andP lateau claims. BralomeM ines Limited

drilling at five sites and 534 metres of surface stripping was

tional claims in the vicinity. A total of 232 metres of diamond

completed, to explore four quartvze ins (the Nos. 1,2, 3 and

4 veins) exposed on the Elizabeth 1 and 2 claims (Minister of

Mines, B.C., Annual Report, 1941).

which time a portal was collared on the Chum1 c laim at 2025

Wartime conditions delayed further work until 1947, at

metres elevation (6640 feet). A crosscut was driven nearly

due west toward the Elizabeth I claim, to test the downward

extension of the No. 1 vein (also later known as the Highgrade

or West vein) 230 metres below its surface exposure

(Peck, 1948). By 1948, this main crosscut was extended a

total length of 672 metres. Two quartz veins, the B and C

tively from the portal. In addition to 266 metres of diamond

veins, were intersected 490 metres and 6 4 1 metres respecdrilling,

drifts were put in to follow these veins (Figure

surface and their relationship to No. 1 vein, the intended

2-6-1; Merrett, 1948). The B and C veins are not exposed on

target, is not known.

The following year a raise was driven up a 1.2-metre

section of the B vein to a point 82.5m etres above thele vel. In

addition, a raise was driven 23 metres up the C vein. No

significant gold concentrations were encountered during this

work. At this time, surface work on the Yalakom 2 claim

uncovered a q u am vein 0.6 to 0.9m etre thick and continuous

for more than 61 metres, known as the No. 9 vein

(Merrett and Stephenson, 1950).

collared on the Yalakom 2 claim at an elevation of 2299

During 195 I and 1952 a drift was excavated from a portal

metres (7537 feet) southward along the No. 9 vein for a

assays as high as 17.5 grams per tonngeo ld over a length of

distance of 246 metres. Gold content of the vein is variable;

8.5 metres and a thickness of 0.6 metre, and 15.4 grams per

tonne gold over a length of 19.8 metres and thickness of 0.8

metre were reported (National Mineral Inventory 92012-

AU2). Surface trenches exposed the No. 9 vein in two cuts

auriferous quartz vein was considered to be too narmw and

north of and below the portal. Overall, the thickness of the

the gold distribution too erratic to constitute ore (Merrett

doned the option and its adjacent claims in 1953 (Merrett,

1952, 1953). Bralome Mines Limited subsequently ahan-

1954).

Work was resumed by the owners (T.W. Illidge and W.

claim at an elevation of 2205 metres (7230 feet)w as driven at

White) in 1956 and a crosscut collared on the Elizabeth I

azimuth 110 degrees for 142 metrteos f,u rther explore quartz

veins exposed on surface. The Maivne in and West vein (No.

from the portal respectively (Patterson, 1956; Figure 2-6-1).

1 vein) were intersected at 33.5 metres and 138.8 metres

The following year the West vein was followed an additional

study of surface and underground workings was carried out

97.6 metres (King, 1957). During this time a geological

by R. Thompson (Thompson, 1957a, h). Nine tons (8.2

tonnes) of rock excavated from the West vein drift was

custom processed at Trail, British Columbia and yielded 155

grams gold, 155 grams silver, 24 kilograms lead and 8

kilograms zinc (King, 1959). No further work has been done

on the Elizabeth claims and the portals have subsequently

caved.

Lights Resources Ltd. acquired the Yalakom claims and did

The claims remained dormant until 1978 when Southem

additional staking in the area. In 1983 an option to e m a 40-

per-cent interest was given to Cal-DenveRr esources Ltd. and

the same year thNe o. 9 vein drift was rehabilitated, sampled

and subsequently drilled. Both drift sampling and drilling

yielded encouraging results (George Cross News Letter,

August 26, 1984; Culbert and Leighton, 1986). During the

summer of 1987 a total of 600 metres of diamond-drill core

down-dip extension of the veins (Vancouver Stockwatch,

was recovered from four holedsr illed from surface to test the

1987a). During a visit by the authors, the No. 9 vein portal

(Plate 2-6-1) was being de-iced as a prerequisite for further

conjunction with Vanguard Mining Exploration Ltd. (Vanunderground

exploration planned for the fall of 1987 in

couver Stockwatch, 1987b).

Plate 2-6-1. The No. 9 portal, 2297-metre (7537-foot) elevation,