DISCOVER THE PROJECT WITH US

This interactive map allows you to explore the property with us. As we collect data in the field or acquire knowledge through research we update the map so you get to see all the data in one place.

TIPS

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Click here (>>) to expand legend and select layers of interest

The rocks at Koocanusa are part of the Purcell Basin Supergroup which underlie southeastern British Columbia and stretch into Montana and Idaho. There are similarities at Koocanusa to several significant mines in Montana, where Cu-Ag is hosted in porous sandstone beds.

• Rock Creek (Hecla): Inferred resource (2020) of 100 million tons grading 1.5oz/tn silver, 0.7% copper (148 million ounces of silver and 659 tons of copper).
• Montanore (Hecla): Inferred resource (2020) of 112 million tons grading 1.6 oz/tn silver and 0.7% copper (183 million ounces of silver and 759,420 tons of copper).

Preliminary prospecting at Koocanusa has highlighted anomalous copper trends that run parallel to bedding in coarser siltstone and sandstone layers, with at least two prospective horizons. In addition to the sedimentary-hosted copper, there is evidence of overprinting epithermal veins which may be contributing to the anomalous historic gold occurrences noted on the claims.

Generalized Cross-Section of the Troy Mine Area 

The Koocanusa Project is an exciting re-imagining of an ancient geological system located 30km southeast of Cranbrook in British Columbia. The project is road accessible year round and enjoys a favorable position close to infrastructure and supply centers.

Hosted in some of the oldest rocks in British Columbia, Koocanusa has both sedimentary copper and epithermal gold and mercury showings with potential for additional cobalt and silver. Placer gold has been panned from Gold Creek since the 1860’s although the source of the gold has not been found. The region was last explored in the 1980’s, and since that time equivalent rocks in the United States have been found to host economic copper, cobalt and silver deposits that are currently being mined or are in the permitting process.

Aeonian is trawling historical data, academic papers and economic assessments of similar projects to build a new model. This coupled with advances in technology, broad geochemical sampling and detailed mapping is increasing our understanding – and the potential – of Koocanusa.

NOTE: The above is for comparative geological purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the mineralization or grades at Koocanusa. Further work needs to be completed at Koocanusa before the full potential can be realized.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

British Columbia is a province on the west coast of Canada. It is regularly thought of as one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world with its openness to exploration activity and mining coupled with rigorous environmental policy, sustainability programs and First Nations inclusion.

The Koocanusa Property boasts a fantastic location, road accessible with a long season and with well developed support services and infrastructure close by.

ACCESS

The closest town to Koocanusa is Cranbrook, which is a 9 hour drive / 1.5 hour flight from Vancouver (4 hour drive or one hour flight from Calgary). From Cranbrook the site is accessed in 45 minutes by Highway 3 then the Newgate-Kikomun Forestry Road. The project area is serviced by an extensive and well maintained network of roads and trails.

LOCAL RESOURCES

Cranbrook and the surrounding area has a long history of mining and forestry services and is therefore extremely well set up for supplies, services and experienced personnel. North of Cranbrook in Kimberly, the Sullivan Mine operated for over 90 years, whilst Teck has a large coal operation to the east at Sparwood. The area has active interest groups including the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines and the regional government office for the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources.

CLIMATE AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

Cranbrook features a humid continental climate, and  Environment Canada reports Cranbrook as having the most sunshine hours of any BC city. It is fairly dry throughout the year,  experiences some of the lightest wind speeds year-round, has few foggy days, and has among the highest average barometric pressure of any city in Canada.  Mean daily temperatures range from −8.3 °C (17.1 °F) to 18.2 °C (64.8 °F).  Overall, its climate is extremely similar to that of Kelowna, in the nearby Okanagan Valley to the west – especially in regard to precipitation patterns and total monthly accumulation.

The Kootenay Region is mountainous; encompassing four maintain ranges, from east to west: the Rocky Mountains, the Purcell Mountains, the Selkirk Mountains, and the Monashee Mountains. The natural features of the region contribute to an economy strongly rooted in natural resources (e.g., forestry, mining, hydroelectric power generation, and tourism).

A high level of biodiversity exists in the region. Plant communities include species such as western hemlock, western red cedar, and lodgepole pine. Wildlife is diverse, characterized by some specific species that have close association with areas of low human influence such as: grizzly bear, gray wolf, marten, wolverine, and mountain caribou, as well as many others.

OVER 1.4 BILLION YEARS OF HISTORY

The rocks at Koocanusa formed during a period that geologists call “The Boring Billion”, which was a time when plate tectonics were just getting started and simple life was establishing itself. The video by PBS is a great introduction to this special era in Earth history, which was anything but boring!

We also provide you a timelines which offers insights to recent and historical activity on the site, as well as proving a window into deep time to explore the formation of the Koocanusa project.

For more information on the geology specific to the project, visit the “Rock Room” section below.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

With the initial prospecting of Koocanusa completed and viable targets established, the next steps for the project will be to develop a detailed exploration assessment program:

• Desktop
  • Continue compilation of historical data, especially on the newly acquired western claims.
  • Relogging of historical core stored in yard near Cranbrook
  • Mineralogical and metallurgical studies from rock samples collected during site work
  • Conversion of field data into interpretations and detailed zone maps and sections

• Exploration
  • Methodical regional reconnaissance, structural mapping and sampling along strike of “alpha” horizons
  • Air-based geophysical surveys to better define sub-surface targets
  • Enhanced mineralogical and petrographic studies of host lithologies and mineralizing events

• Environmental & Socioeconomic
  • Continue to build a dialogue with the Ktunaxa First Nations, specifically their Land Stewardship Guardian.
  • Establishment of wildlife recording protocol, especially in relation to Grizzly and winter ungulate ranges.
  • Water testing in areas of known anomalous mercury to achieve baseline and potential “predisturbance” data.
  • Work with local forestry companies to share access and develop programs based around new trail development.
  • Applications for permits to allow for low-impact trenching or geoprobe exploration

ANCIENT BASINS

The rocks of the Purcell Supergroup cover an area of approximately 15,000 square kilometers from southwest Alberta, southeastern British Columbia and then extending to northwestern United States (Idaho and Montana where it is termed the “Belt Supergroup”).

The layers were deposited in a rift basin that had formed between the ancient North American craton and another, smaller landmass which collectively formed the Columbia / Nuna supercontinent. The rocks are some of the oldest in British Columbia, with the majority being deposited between 1,470 and 1,365 million years ago. At its maximum, the rocks of Purcell have a thickness of over 10,000 meters and host several economically important mines such as the Sullivan Mine north of Cranbrook.

The Belt-Purcell Basin was likely a “pull-apart” basin along a back-arc strike-slip fault system (Ross and Villeneuve, 2003). The volcanic centers of the basin were from a western source which could now be located in Australia, China or Siberia.

DEPOSITIONAL SETTINGS

The earliest rocks observed at Koocanusa are the sediments of the Creston Formation on the western side of the property.

The east is dominated by younger rocks of the Sheppard and Gateway Formations, underlain by Nicol Creek Basalts. Evidence from the field suggests submarine eruptions (pillow lavas) and flows on land (vesicular lava). Sandstone beds have been observed between flows complete with ripple marks implying that the area was inundated by seawater periodically.

The basalt rocks eventually give way to the totally shallow marine environment of the Sheppard Formation. These include fine-grained silts, stromatolites and limestone. At the top of the Sheppard Formation, layers of dolomite persist before passing into the silt and sandstones of the Gateway Formation. These layers also contain features such as mud (desiccation) cracks, salt (halite) casts, rip-up clasts, ripple marks and even rain drop imprints, all formed within a shallow lagoonal environment prone to “drying out”.

The Gateway rocks give way then to purple-red (oxidized) sands of the Phillips Formation which are highly distinct due to their colour. These were deposited by a river one the foreshore of a shallow sea, possibly in a delta.

The entire stack shows a change from a dry, volcanic environment to one of active shallow seas and coastal features. This is a “transgressive” sequence, either caused by rising sea-levels or the sinking of the basin floor at the time. This is most abrupt at the Nicol Creek – Sheppard interface, as sedimentary layers above this suggest receding / shallowing water levels.

KOOCANUSA: COPPER-BEARING LITHOLOGIES

Copper mineralization has been observed at a variety of locations across the property, but are most dominant in the Creston and Sheppard Formation rocks. Minerals are found along bedding planes, fracture fill or as as disseminations throughout the rocks, appearing as black-brown speckles.

Pathfinders in the field include growths of garnets in a coarse sandstone, and the presence of iron or copper oxide dendrites along fracture surfaces. Exploration activities over the past few years at Koocanusa have led to the discovery of several “fertile” horizons across the project area.

CRESTON FORMATION

The Creston Formation is a thick series of siltstones and argillites which underlie the western side of the Koocanusa project. This unit runs continuously south into the United States (where it is called the Ravalli Group) and hosts the copper mineralization at the Hecla-owned mines (Troy, Spar Lake, Montanore).

Mineralization consists of copper-bearing minerals such as chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bornite, but also hosts other elements such as galena (lead sulphide) and various silver sulphosalts.

Example of Creston Formation mineralization

SHEPPARD FORMATION

The Sheppard Formation are tens of millions of years younger than the Creston Formation rocks, and are dominated by siltstones, dolomites and large stromatolitic (algal) reefs. The Sheppard Formation has not been as extensively explored for economic copper as the Creston, yet we has discovered several horizons in the field.

Mineralization within the Sheppard Formation tends to be the more “obvious” weathering minerals such as malachite, azurite and chrysocolla, although the host units have disseminated chalcocite, pyrite and occasional chalcopyrite.

Example of Sheppard Formation mineralization

PHILLIPS FORMATION

The Phillips formation is a relatively minor bed at Koocanusa and has only been observed in the southwestern part of the property.

It comprises of a purple to red, fine-grained and micaceous sandstone with occasional argillite layers nearer the top of the formation.

Volcanic ash from the equivalent formation in the United States (the contiguous Bonner Formation) has a Uranium-Lead isotopic age of 1,401 million years (+/- 6 million years).

SHEPPARD FORMATION

The Sheppard Formation is comprised of fine-grained sandstone and dolomitic limestone, and unconformably overlies the Nicol Creek Formation. Sedimentary facies of the Sheppard Formation grade from siliciclastic sediments at the formation base, to stromatolitic and oolitic, dolomitic limestones at the top. A series of massive stromatolitic and oolitic dolomitized limestone beds mark the formation top.

Left: Large Stromatolite

The sample shown here represents one of the larger stromatolites found on the property. When complete, it would have been about 40cm in diameter and stood 30cm tall off the seabed.

Stromatolites (photosynthetic cyanobacteria) in a silty dolomite unit found near the contact with the underlying Nicol Creek Basalts. These are significant as they indicate shallow marine environments.

Buff siltstone, silicified with chlorite along fracture planes

Polished slab of small stromatolites

Polished section through large stromatolite mound

Ripple marks preserved in Sheppard Formation siltstones, indicative of shallow, tidal waters.

Sheppard Formation rocks above the Nicol Creek Basalt contact. Extensive chlorite formation along fracture surfaces. Buff siltstones and maroon mudstones.

Detailed shot of large stromatolite

Detailed shot of smaller stromatolite colony

VEIN STYLES

A wide range of veins occur across the property, from thin quartz-carbonate stockworks to half-meter-wide quartz / barite / magnetite veins.

The majority of the large vein systems have been observed in the Nicol Creek Basalts where the brittle rocks allowed for the formation of wider fractures. In the overlying Sheppard Formation, these veins quickly become more diffuse as fluids pass into porous sandstones or the reactive dolomites. The theory is that these veins are “synsedimentary”, i.e. they are forming at the same time as the sediments are deposited and so these rocks do not have a brittle fracture.

The veins observed in outcrop contain extensive mineralization and oxidized “ghosts” of crystals, sometimes replaced by later infill. Studies are underway to determine the full mineralogy, genesis and potential of these veins.

Barite-Quartz-Magnetite vein with hematized wall rock, boiling textures and oxidized suphides within the vein. This sample was hosted in Nicol Creek Basalts.

Barite-Quartz-Magnetite vein with hematized wall rock, boiling textures and oxidized suphides within the vein. This sample was hosted in Nicol Creek Basalts.

Sample D00033046 as collected in the field

Geodes within Nicol Creek Basalt – open voids, well developed quartz and barite crystals with hematized / magnetite altered wall rock.

Quartz vein with jasperized basalt clasts

Detailed image of jasperized fragments in quartz-calcite vein

NICOL CREEK FORMATION

The Nicol Creek Formation is comprised of amygdaloidal and phenocrystic basalt flows, shallow marine volcaniclastic to siliciclastic sediment, and minor tuff. Zircon from a rhyolitic tuff within the contiguous Purcell Lava in the USA has a U-Pb age of 1443 +/- 7 Ma.

CRESTON FORMATION

The Creston Formation is a series of shallow subtidal rocks (argillites, siltstone) with a maximum thickness of 2,350m (7,710ft) in the Purcell Basin. This unit hosts one of the main sources of copper in the area, with highly crystalline chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bornite found along fractures surfaces and bedding planes.

Closer to the Moyie anticline, the rocks have been fractured due to the stresses applied to them during folding, and the resulting fractures are filled with copper mineralization, giving a similar appearance to a sheeted vein system. This also adds density of mineralization resulting in grades up to 4% copper.

Away from the Moyie anticline, the mineralization follows along bedding planes and can be iron, lead-silver or copper dominant.

Looking down on the bedding plane of a Creston sample, and the horizontal fractures are infilled with copper mineralization

EXPLORE! 

A range of maps, images and sections are presented in this section.

You can browse all maps, or sort using the headings at the top of the section.

Paleogeography

Cu-bed Formation

Mineralizing Events

Key Targets

Geochem & Mag Profiles

Key Target Areas

USGS Target

Known Cu-Ag Anomalies

12km Gravity + Cu Anomaly

Pan Concentrates (Gold)

Historic Copper Assays

Wildlife Zones (BC Government)

Stratigraphy

Snowberry: a member of the honeysuckle family and is an important plant for browsing animals such as deer, sheep, elk and moose. The berries are high in saponins which are toxic to some animals but are consumed by bird species and bears. The shrub can provide good cover which is important for ground nesting birds, rabbits or other small mammals.

Balsamroot: a member of the sunflower family and grows in clumps up to 75cm tall. It can take 5-10 years to establish itself but once settled becomes a strong and drought-resistant plant, and can withstand “top burning” through forest fires. It is a food for grazing animals and its tough leaves make it resistant to trampling.
Balsamroot also has uses amongst First Nations, as a food source or as a cure for headaches when the roots are burned.

Lewis’s Woodpecker: This is a large species of woodpecker, measuring up to 11 inches in length.

It is locally common and the species is ranked as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It has a wide range of food habits, from the traditional “boring” into trees, to catching flying insects in mid-air and consuming berries and fruits. They nest within hollow dead tree branches and typically lay between 5-9 eggs per year.

Western Screech Owl: This is a small species of owl, which comes in several colour morphs varying from grey to brown. It is locally common and the species is ranked as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This owl species breeds in open wooded areas and along forest edges, using holes in trees as natural dens, including those opened by woodpeckers.
They feed on small animals such as mice and frogs, but can also swoop to catch insects in flight. They have excellent night vision and are most active at dawn, dusk or during the night.

Williamson’s Sapsucker: This is a medium-sized species of woodpecker, found in open coniferous forest areas. They nest within tree hollows and often return to the same location each year.

GRIZZLY BEARS

The local Grizzly Bear population is part of a transnational group that ranges across the Canada-US border and is largely fragmented due to human activity.

The BC government outlines an area of Grizzly habitat that passes between the Lilo and Twin 5 areas of the property and as such further staking in that zone will be restricted to avoid future habitat conflicts.

We understand however that ranges are not fixed and so are using documents produced by the “Trans-Border Grizzly Bear Project” which offer further insights into the local population. Their goal is to use scientific research to reduce human-caused mortality, enhance and re-establish inter-population connectivity, improve habitat security and educating the public.

To date, no Grizzly bears have been sighted at Koocanusa, although we remain diligent in order to protect the animals and not to disturb their natural activities.

As part of our commitment to learn about our impact on climate change, we are monitoring emissions based on all work at about Koocanusa, from direct field activity to desktop work. We do this by tracking fuel use, computer time and waste disposal, then apply standardized calculations to track the amount of carbon dioxide produced, which we then convert to a carbon weight. To read more about our Carbon planning, visit this page.

First Nations peoples share a common interest in the protection and conservation of the land, and therefore are an integral part of any planning or development. The Koocanusa claims lie within traditional territories or treaty lands of the Ktunaxa Nation and the Shuswap Indian Band.

Please note that the nations listed below represent those listed by the government as having a potential interest in the area at the time of staking. We endeavor to ensure that all groups are included in our consultations.

Aeonian believes in transparency and therefore is happy to provide data collected from the project for general review and use. We especially encourage the use of the data for educational purposes and welcome questions about the property or ideas for projects to be completed on site. We will endeavor to update the files as soon as new information becomes available.

REFERENCES

Bapty, M., 1991,  Assessment Report on Reconnaissance Prospecting, Lilo Group, LL1 – LL12: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 21726

Klewchuk, P., 1991, Assessment Report on Soil Geochemistry, Geological Mapping and October 1990 Airborne Geophysical Survey, Gold Creek Property: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 21294

Gardner, D. W., 2008, Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, and Provenance of the Upper Purcell Supergroup, southeastern British Columbia, Canada: Implications for Syn-depositional Tectonism, Basin Models, and Paleogeographic Reconstructions: University of Victoria MSc Thesis

Hartlaub, R. P., Davis, W. J., Dunn, C. E.,  2011, The Characteristics, origin and exploration potential for sediment-hosted Cu+/-Ag mineralization in the Purcell Supergroup, Canada: Geoscience BC Report 2011-16

Hoy, T., 1993, Geology of the Purcell Supergroup in the Fernie West-half Map Area, Southeastern British Columbia: Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources, Mineral Resources Division, Geological Survey Branch, Bulletin 84

Kennedy, C., 2006, Assessment Report Prospecting Program, Mad Hat, Fort Steele Mining Division: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 28482

Klewchuk, P., 1989, South Kootenay Goldfields Assessment Report on Diamond Drilling Gill and Flathead Mineral Claims: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 18748

Klewchuk, P., 1991, Assessment Report on Soil Geochemistry, Geological Mapping and October 1990 Airborne Geophysical Survey, Gold Creek Property: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 21294

McDonald, L., 2009, Survey of Selenium in Water, Zooplankton and Fish in Lake Koocanusa, British Columbia, 2008: Elk Valley Selenium Task Force

Napolean, V., 2018, Secwépemc Lands and Resources Law Research Project Shushwap Nation Tribal Council & Indigenous Law Research Unit Team, University of Victoria

Proctor, M., Servheen, C., Kasworm, W., Radandt, T., 2008, Habitat security for grizzly bears in the Yahk Grizzly Bear Population Unit of the south Purcell Mountains of southeast British Columbia: The Trans-Border Grizzly Bear Project March 2008 Report

Raffle, K. J., 2018,  Assessment Report for the Robocop Property, Southeastern British Columbia: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 37745

Ryley, J., Klewchuk, P., Bapty, M., 1990, Property Development Report, Gold Creek for South Kooteney Goldfields Inc.: BC Geological Branch Assessment Report 19965

ACKNOWLEGDEMENTS

Precision Petrographics, Langley, BC. – Thin sections for mineralogy studies

SGS Labs, Burnaby, BC. – QEMSCAN, mineralogy studies and assaying

SGDS Hive – Geological consulting services, claims acquisition

Below BC – Specimen photography, regional collections and data

Ktunaxa First Nation – ecological, land use and history information