Challenger conducts EM survey at Marshall Lake property

A surface pulse electromagnetic (EM) survey is under way on Challenger Minerals’ (TSE) Marshall Lake base metal property, 160 miles northeast of Thunder Bay, Ont. The survey is searching for the down-plunge extension of mineralization in the North zone.

Previous operators identified seven significant copper-zinc occurrences on the 5,000-acre property. Exploration work focused on the main zone, which contains geological reserves of up to 2.2 million tons of 1.2% copper, 4.2% zinc, 2.45 oz. silver per ton and 0.012 oz. gold.

Company director James Gill says that although the main zone has received a lot of the work, it is not the best target. A geological compilation by Challenger suggests that much of the mineralization occurs in shallowly plunging fold structures. Gill suspects that many of the best targets are in fold noses down-plunge from surface occurrences.

The company will test these possibilities using diamond drilling and geophysical testing. A 10,000-ft. drill program is scheduled for 1993. Challenger can earn a 100% interest in the property (subject to a 5% net smelter return) from Giant Gripp Mines by completing 40,000 ft. of drilling by December 31, 1995. Aur Resources (TSE), which is acting as a consultant to Challenger, has an option to earn half of Challenger’s interest by bringing into production any deposit found.