Fairfield/Getty program yields impressive results

An impressive-looking zinc discovery has been made west of Watson Lake, Yukon, by Fairfield Minerals and Getty Resources. Only a portion of the structure hosting the deposit has been tested and geological reserves are estimated at 15.4 million tons grading 5.13% zinc and 0.59 oz silver.

Two mineralized zones have been located so far in granitic rocks which is quite unusual for this area, they claim. “It’s strange geology in granodiorite,” says Getty geologist Reg Comeau, who notes that sphalerite and tetrahedrite are the two principal minerals but there is no lead.

The discovery is located about 29 miles from the Alaska Highway but access has been improved with the construction of a 2,300-ft airstrip which is used to service the property. Getty spent approximately $500,000 there last year (a total of 15 holes were drilled) and tripled its budget this season.

Exploration work has included 25,500 ft of drilling in 44 holes in the Main zone, all of which was exploratory in nature. The deposit is bounded by faults on the hangingwall and footwall sides and the zone is about 200 ft wide. The structure has a strike length of three miles but only one-third of it has been explored in any detail, the companies say.

The joint venture recently reported results from the final holes of their 1987 program including: 265.7 ft of 4.97% zinc and 0.4 oz silver; 88.6 ft grading 5.2% zinc and 0.65 oz silver; 262.5 ft grading 5.3% zinc and 0.67 oz silver, 45.9 ft averaging 5% zinc and 0.9 oz silver; 19.6 ft of 5.6% zinc and 2.8 oz silver and 39.4 ft grading 5% zinc and 0.46 oz silver. Higher grade values were reported over narrower widths.

Taking these higher grade sections into account, they have calculated smaller but higher grade reserve blocks in the over-all zone. These include 7.5 million tons of 7.24% zinc and 0.75 oz silver; 3.5 million tons grading 10.3% zinc and 1 oz silver, and 1.5 million tons grading 14.4% zinc and 1.4 oz silver. The 1988 exploration budget, which should cost about $1.25 million, will include geophysics and about 22,000 ft of drilling or about 41 holes. There is a strong geophysical conductor near the West zone and a couple of good showings about one mile from the main zone.

Fairfield President John W. Stollery believes they have the “potential to double what we have now.” Getty has the right to earn a 50% interest in the project and it should be vested this coming year. Cordilleran Engineering is managing the exploration program for the joint venture.