Brisk exploration activity reported in New Brunswick

Mineral exploration in New Brunswick for the first five months of 1991 was brisk, the province’s Department of Natural Resources and Energy reported.

In the Bathurst-Newcastle mining camp, a drilling program by Noranda (TSE) outlined what appears to be two new zinc-lead-copper sulphide discoveries near the Heath Steele “C” zone. Brunswick Mining and Smelting (TSE) is investigating claims near the mined-out No. 6 open pit, and Rio Algom (TSE) is exploring properties near the Stratabound Minerals (ASE) CNE sulphide deposit and the old Wedge mine.

The Sewell Brook zinc-lead discovery in the Silurian-Devonian Tobique volcanic belt sparked much claim staking late in 1990 and early 1991. NovaGold Resources (TSE), which found this interesting massive sulphide deposit, recently signed an agreement with Kennecott Canada whereby Kennecott may acquire 50% of the Sewell Brook prospect by spending $3 million on exploration work.

Several other companies are also exploring this favorable terrane, including BHP Utah Mines, Placer Dome (TSE), Teck (TSE) and Noranda Exploration. An airborne EM survey was recently completed over part of the area. On the northeast end of the Tobique belt near Chaleur Bay, Falconbridge continues to explore its Nash Creek zinc-lead prospect.

In southern New Brunswick, Acadia Mineral Ventures (TSE), a subsidiary of Hecla Mining (NYSE), is conducting a drilling program on the Mispec Resources (ME) gold property in the Caledonia Zone along the Bay of Fundy coast southeast of Saint John.

Other companies actively exploring for gold and/or platinum in the Caledonia Zone include Noranda, PGE Resource (ASE) and Maritime Resource Research Ltd. Noranda recently conducted a drilling program on the PGE platinum-palladium prospect at Mechanic Settlement.

Prospector Clifford Griffen recently discovered a gold- and

chalcopyrite-bearing quartz-carbonate vein in the Caledonia Zone about 25 km southwest of Saint John. The vein yielded assays of 7.5 grams and 21.2 grams gold per tonne.

Gold and base metal sulphide exploration continues to be active in the Annidale Belt, about 30 km northwest of Sussex. The recent discovery of Ordovician felsic and mafic volcanic rocks containing numerous mineral occurrences provided the impetus for base-metal exploration. This article was prepared by the Geological Surveys Branch of the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy.