Huntington discovery has epithermal characteristics

The gold discovery on Huntington Resources’ (VSE) Brett property near Vernon, B.C., is not your typical epithermal gold deposit, says project geologist Werner Gruenwald.

One of the things that makes it different is the fact the gold is not confined to vein material within a large shear structure; this is predominantly the case at the Blackdome mine near Clinton. At the Huntington property, the gold often occurs adjacent to the zone and the company is trying to determine the extent of this “halo mineralization,” Gruenwald explained at a recent meeting in Vancouver.

Although recent results from shallow drilling have been disappointing, Gruenwald confirmed the program is “proving continuity of structure,” which is required for gold deposition. The mineralization is controlled by lithology and structure and he said values sometimes occur 50 ft into the wall rock at times. And the site often contains small veinlets with coarse gold and the more permeable tuffaceous rocks typically host the disseminated material, he noted, adding that neither of these horizons appear to terminate.

Gruenwald said they are trying to establish potential within 500 ft of surface, adding that deeper drilling will be required to the north. Rig capacity has limited the company’s ability to drill deeper than it already has, he conceded. Future exploration plans could include a combination of diamond and reserve circulation drilling.

The main shear zone is over one- half mile long and Huntington and its joint venture partner, Corona Corp., may consider an underground program after the next exploration phase which will be decided in a few months.

A road is being constructed to a zone discovered in 1987 which has the same geological characteristics as the main shear zone. Indeed, the company is exploring the theory that both systems could converge at depth.