Ecum Secum is attracted by Cobequid Hills geology

A private exploration company, Ecum Secum Enterprises of Truro, N.S., is speculating that the geology of the Cobequid Hills, Colchester Cty., N.S., may be similar to that of the prolific western-states camps of Leadville, Colo., Pioche, Nev., and others.

A number of iron deposits were worked in the Cobequid Hills during 1849-1900. The mined deposits comprised the gossan cappings of large hydrothermal iron carbonate and iron-oxide bodies in Mississippian (Carboniferous) sedimentary rocks. The mineralization is adjacent to granites intruded along a major regional fault.

Some of the iron zones are up to two miles long and 200 ft. wide. At depths of 250-500 ft., the gossan orebodies showed diminished weathering and a subsequent increase in sulphur content. Barium sulphate (barite) and heavy-metal sulphides were responsible for the sulphur contamination and made the ores unsuitable for iron making.

Ecum Secum owns 168 claims in the region. President Avard Hudgins is intrigued by the extensive soil anomalies showing high values in copper, lead, zinc, arsenic, silver and gold. In addition, boulders in the overburden have been found containing up to 3% copper, 10% zinc and 10 oz. silver per ton. The company is currently negotiating joint venture exploration and expects to start work early this spring.