![]() MLM (TSX-V) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Communications and power are available along highway 101. The Perry Lake Lodge on Highway 101 provides accommodations and meals for seasonal tourists. HISTORY & PRIOR WORKUnless otherwise specified, the following information
was obtained from the assessment and exploration files, Resident Geologist's
Office, Kirkland Lake.
REGIONAL GEOLOGYIn late August, 1996, Dr. K.D. Card, president of Card Associates, Geosearch mapped the Potter Mine Property. The following was extracted, in part, from his report entitled "Geology of the Potter Mine Property, Millstream Mines Limited, Munro Township, Ontario" and dated October, 1996. Southampton concurs with Dr. Card's findings. The Potter Mine Property is located in the eastern part of the Kidd-Munro assemblage of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Kidd-Munro assemblage is a fault-bounded package of ultramafic and mafic volcanic rocks, subvolcanic intrusions and thin felsic and mafic fragmental volcanic units that extends some 130 kilometers westward from Timmins to east of Matheson. Isotopic age determinations indicate these rocks are about 2,715 million years ("Ma") old and are considered to represent deposits of an ancient volcanic arc or back-arc basin that were tectonically accreted, along with older and younger assemblages of similar origins, during the Late Archean orogenic events that resulted in the formation of the Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. The Abitibi greenstone belt is the world's largest, best-preserved greenstone belt, and is also one of the most mineral-rich. The Kidd-Munro sequence hosts a number of mineral deposits, including the world-class Kidd Creek volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit, the Dundonald and Alexo komatiitic nickel deposits and several major lode gold deposits. In Munro Township, copper and zinc-bearing massive sulphides have been mined at the Potter Mine and the Potter-Doal Mine, gold at the Croesus Mine and asbestos at the Munro Mine. The Potter Mine Property is thus located in one of the most productive lithological assemblages in the Abitibi greenstone belt. On the Potter Mine Property, the main rock types recognized include Archean komatiitic and basaltic volcanic rocks, gabbro, peridotite and pyroxenite of intrusive and/or extrusive origin, and mafic fragmental volcanic rocks. These rocks form relatively continuous stratigraphic units that trend west-northwest to east-west across the Property. The sequence is folded about west-northwest trending axes, and is displaced by northwest, north and northeast trending faults. The Archean rocks and structures are cut by Proterozoic mafic dykes of two ages, an older (2,450 Ma), north-striking Matachewan swarm and a younger (2,167 Ma), northeast-striking Biscotasing swarm (Figure 3). J.A. Satterly and his associates (Satterly, 1951) produced a very accurate map of the area at a scale of 1:12,000. The komatiitic volcanics and associated layered complexes, have been described in detail by MacRae (1969), Pyke et al (1973), Arndt (197b), and others. Paul Coad (1976) did a University of Toronto MSc. thesis on the Potter mine, and more recently M. Shore and R. Theriault, University of Ottawa, completed MSc. theses on the Pyke Hill komatiites and the Centre Hill Complex respectively. PROPERTY GEOLOGYBedrock exposures constitute approximately 30 percent of The Property, mainly in the northeastern and southeastern parts of the area. The remainder is covered by thick, poorly drained overburden with numerous beaver ponds, bogs, and alder swamps. The main rock types, Archean komatiitic and basaltic volcanic rocks, gabbro, peridotite, and pyroxenite, and volcanic fragmental rocks, form an apparently simple lithostratigraphic sequence comprising a lower basaltic volcanic unit, a layered gabbro-peridotite-pyroxenite complex, the Centre Hill Complex, a thin mafic fragmental unit, a peridotite unit, and an upper komatiitic volcanic sequence. This succession is exposed on the northern and southern limbs of a major fold, the Centre Hill Syncline, and is cut by Proterozoic mafic dykes. Lower Mafic Volcanic UnitMafic volcanic rocks are exposed in the southern part of the Property in the axial part of an anticlinal structure adjacent to the Centre Hill Fault. They consist of massive and pillowed basalt which near the fault are sheared and altered to chloritic and amphibolitic schists. Outside the Property, Satterly (1952) mapped thick sequences of basalts and andesitic volcanics with minor dacite-rhyolite layers and mafic and ultramafic sills and dykes. Massive. pillowed, amygdaloidal and spherulitic lavas are present as are units of flow-top breccia, pillow breccia and hyaloclastite There are also thick mafic units with coarse gabbroic or diabasic textures that may be intrusive sills or thick ponded flows. Centre Hill ComplexThe Centre Hill Complex is a layered mafic-ultramafic complex that forms Centre Hill in the south and is repeated on the north limb of The Centre Hill Syncline in the northern part of the Property. The complex is approximately 450 meters thick consisting of a lower cyclical sequence (200 meters) of interlayered peridotite, and pyroxenite units 10 to 50 meters thick and an upper, 250 meter thick, gabbro member. The ultramafic rocks display well-developed magmatic layering and typically have poikilitic textures with large pyroxene phenocrysts. The primary textures and mineralogy of these rocks are generally well-preserved except for minor serpentinization. Mafic Fragmental UnitSatterly (1952) mapped a number of thin volcanic fragmental units which he described as rhyolite agglomerate and tuft consisting of angular grey rhyolite fragments up to 0.5 meters in length. He noted that these rocks are commonly heavily mineralized with disseminated and massive sulphides. In The Potter Mine Property and surrounding area, the fragmental rocks are mafic, not felsic, consisting of basaltic rock fragments and have a composition intermediate between olivine basalt and picritic basalt. The mafic fragments are commonly silicified and have a bleached, greyish cherty appearance. The mafic fragmental unit, which is host to the Potter mine "ore", is approximately 40 to 70 meters thick and is exposed over a strike length of about 1.5 kilometers in the southern part of the Property. West of the Potter mine, the unit can be traced in outcrop to the middle of Lot 6, Con V, where it is dragged southward along north-trending faults and possibly by folding to the southern boundary of Concession V. Sulphide mineralization is exposed in several old pits in the area. East of the Potter mine, the mafic fragmental unit can be traced in outcrop to the eastern part of Lot 6, Con V, where it is displaced southward along north-trending faults and is exposed again near the Lot 5 - Lot 6, Con V -Con IV corner. Sulphide mineralization is exposed in several pits and there are geophysical anomalies in this area. In the northern part of the Property, the south-dipping, south-facing sequence is similar to that in the south, consisting of massive gabbro overlain by a mafic fragmental unit which is in turn overlain by peridotite and komatiitic flows. The mafic fragmental unit is exposed over a strike length of about 2.5 kilometers and is approximately 15 to 40 meters thick. As In the south, it commonly contains sulphides and graphite and is locally silicified and chloritized. The mafic fragmental unit consists mainly of tuff breccia and tuff, some possibly of hyaloclastic origin, and a variety of graphitic, chloritic, siliceous and sulphide-rich rock that probably represent altered tufts, epiclastic rocks and chemical (exhalative) sediments. The tuff-breccia and tuff consist mainly of close-packed basaltic fragments ranging from millimeters to 0.5 meters in maximum dimension; most are 2 to 5 centimeters. Crude stratification is imparted by variations in fragment size, packing and alignment of the long axes of the fragments1 Layer-parallel foliation is present in some localities. The mafic fragmental rocks generally contain disseminated sulphides, commonly 1% to 5% pyrrhotite and pyrite, and not uncommonly, chalcopyrite. Massive sulphides, which occur sporadically in meter-scale pods, consist of layered pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite. The mafic fragments and matrix are commonly silicified and have a bleached, greyish, cherty appearance. Zones of chlorite alteration are present9 notably in the Potter mine area. Massive sulphide mineralization, notably with chalcopyrite and sphalerite, may correlate with zones of silicification and chloritization. There are also altered mineralized gabbroic rocks within and marginal to the fragmental unit. The upper part of the gabbro unit commonly contains 1 - 2% sulphides and the mafic minerals are chloritized. There are sill-like and dyke-like bodies of gabbroic rocks within the mafic fragmental unit. The mafic fragmental rocks and the gabbro are compositionally similar, closely spatially related and probably genetically related. No good evidence was found to suggest that the gabbro-mafic fragmental contact is a fault. The mafic fragmental unit is probably a breccia or hyaloclastite formed at the top of a large ponded mafic extrusive complex. Upper Peridotite and Komatiitic Volcanic RocksThe massive peridotite above the mafic fragmental unit probably represents the base of a thick succession of komatiitic volcanics that overlies the Centre Hill Complex. The peridotite is generally serpentinized. The komatiitic volcanic rocks have been described in detail by Pyke et al (1973). They consist of a series of ultramafic flows 0.5 meters to 15 meters thick with chilled, fracture type and well-organized internal structure comprising lower olivine-cumulate and upper olivine-spinifex zones. STRUCTURAL GEOLOGYThe structure of the Abitibi greenstone belt, though complex at regional scales, is probably relatively uncomplicated at local scales. Regionally, the belt consists of a large number of juxtaposed panels with differing isotopic ages, and structural and metamorphic histories. Within these fault bounded panels, however, the rocks are relatively unstrained and commonly have simple, open folds and well preserved primary structures and textures. The Potter Mine Property lies in the central part of one of these panels, bounded on the south by faults of the Porcupine-Destor system and on the north by faults of the Lake Abitibi system. On the Potter Mine Property, the dominant structure is the Centre Hill Syncline, here interpreted as a simple, upright fold with limbs dipping at 70 degrees and a subhorizontal axis striking west-northwest. The southern limb of the fold, and a satellitic anticline, are truncated by the Centre Hill Fault. The Centre Hill Fault strikes west northwest and has apparent left-lateral displacement of unknown magnitude. It is probably a member of the Porcupine-Destor-Lake Abitibi fault system. There are also north, northwest and northeast trending cross faults. In the south, north-striking faults at either end of Centre Hill displace the mafic fragmental unit southward approximately 100 meters. In the north, the mafic fragmental unit is offset approximately 200 meters by a northeast striking fault with left-hand apparent displacement. SULPHIDE MINERALIZATIONMost of the sulphide mineralization in the area occurs within the mafic fragmental unit, which generally contains 1 to 5% sulphide minerals, mainly pyrrhotite with some pyrite, and, locally chalcopyrite and sphalerite. These are; however, a great variation in sulphide mineral content. For example, east of the Potter mine, the mafic fragmental unit is poor in sulphides, generally containing 1% or less pyrrhotite. West of the Potter mine, the unit is more heavily mineralized with disseminated and massive sulphides. In the north, the mafic fragmental unit generally contains 1 to 5% sulphides and there are meter-scale pods with 25% or more sulphides. The sulphide minerals, mainly pyrrhotite and pyrite with minor chalcopyrite, occur as disseminations in altered (chloritic, graphitic, silicified) rocks and as massive lenses which commonly have millimeter-scale banding. Graphite is associated with sulphide mineralization and may be present in amounts of 5% to 10% or more. In the graphitic rocks, pyrite and pyrrhotite commonly form framboids, zoned circular to elliptical bodies up to 3 centimeters in diameter. Zones of chlorite alteration and silicification are also closely associated with sulphides, notably in the Potter mine area. Plans of the underground workings at Potter mine show that massive to disseminated sulphides form a number of bodies, mainly within the upper part of the mafic fragmental unit. These bodies are lenticular 1 to 3 meters thick, 40 to 100 meters long, and extend for at least several hundred meters down dip (70 deg.) within the mafic fragmental unit. The ore shoots resemble the fingers of a glove in that they thicken and coalesce downward forming larger bodies of mineralization. It appears that there is considerable mineralized material in the lower levels of the mine and that even more may exist at depth. One of the best ore shoots was on the 6th (850') level, approximately 30.5 meters west of the shaft. The ore shoot measured approximately 3.5 meters x 30.5 meters and reported grades of 5% copper and 2% zinc. RECENT EXPLORATIONThe recent exploration of the Property was carried out during 1996, 1997, and 1998. This exploration included diamond drilling a 3-D Borehole TEM survey and a Real Section IP survey. DIAMOND DRILLING PROGRAMDuring the period of recent exploration twenty-eight holes totalling 11,274.8 meters were drilled and were surveyed with a Sperry Sun Gyroscopic instrument for accurate location control. Drill hole information is presented on Table 2. During 1997 and 1998 deep drilling programs were carried out to test the prospective area down dip from the old stopes and the mineralization exposed on the bottom level of the Potter mine. The shaft center is located on the imperial underground mine grid at 10,015 ft. N and 9,315 ft E. This also corresponds to 13+65mW and 3+74mS on the surface metric grid. The drill holes have provided geological information west of the Potter shaft from approximately 15+00mW section (8,800 ft. E mine imperial grid) to 17+25mW section (8,100 ft. E mine Imperial grid) and from 1+00mS to 6+75mS on the surface metric grid. The following geological interpretation was' prepared, in part, by Mr. D. Gamble, geological consultant to Millstream. The geological setting as defined by the currently drilled area of the mine consists of an east to east-southeast striking and -85 deg. north dipping assemblage of komatiitic ultramafic to mafic layered volcanic flows, volcaniclastic and/or hyaloclastite fragmentals, and minor intercalated carbonaceous mudstone sedimentary intervals. The entire mine sequence TABLE 2DIAMOND DRILL HOLE INFORMATION
stratigraphically faces north and lies on a south limb of a regional synclinal structure. The trace of synclinal axis transects the Property north of the mine. The immediate mine geology can be divided into three main lithostratigraphic regimes. The first stratigraphic regime is a "lower" komatiitic layered ultramafic flow sequence with gabbro intrusives that form a stratigraphic footwall assemblage south of the mine. The second stratigraphic regime is the "middle" sequence, that hosts both the past producing Potter mine and the larger currently identified mine sequence mineralized corridor. This "middle" mineralized corridor is host to the previously mined areas of the Potter mine as well as the new ore grade intersections currently drill defined beneath the old underground workings. The lithologies consist of a series of conformable to semi-conformable stacked horizons of sulphide mineralized mafic to siliceously altered hyaloclastite and/or volcaniclastic fragmental rocks. The hyaloclastite horizons are interbedded with minor thin carbonaceous mudstone to argillaceous horizons. The hyaloclastite units are volcaniclastic in character and exhibit black carbonaceous argillaceous chips and fragments that indicate a re-working and re-sedimentation of the hyaloclastite in some sections. Intervening to the staked hyaloclastite intervals are ultramafic to mafic flow horizons and high level mafic sills and/or dikes. The hyaloclastite intervals host a large volume of matrix style sulphides that consists primarily of pyrrhotite and lesser chalcopyrite and sphalerite. The concentration of sulphides in the hyaloclastite intervals can vary from low concentrations up to massive sulphide proportions. The intervening ultramafic flows within the mineralized corridor also host significant massive Cu-Zn sulphide horizons at flow/flow contacts. The massive sulphides seen to date contain a minor carbonaceous mudstone component suggesting subaqueous sea floor accumulation typical of VMS style deposits. In contrast, the matrix style sulphides appear to be a massive replacement in the interstices of the porous hyaloclastite that has effectively acted like a large sponge or favorable trap for sulphide fluid circulation and replacement sulphide deposition. In addition, subaqueous sea floor accumulation of sulphides are also associated with thin intercalated carbonaceous sedimentation in the hyaloclastite horizons. At the stratigraphic top of this mineralized corridor is a remarkable siliceous chert cap (less than 1 meter in thickness) of finely laminated chert that exhibits delicate exhalative less than millimeter lamellae of brown sphalerite, and pyrrhotite plus or minus chalcopyrite thin seams at the upper most contact. The presence of this mineralized exhalative layer coupled with thc grey bleaching and silicification seen in both of the hyaloclastite and associated sill-like intrusions is evidence for a silicification event having taken place during and at the close of the mineralizing event. In addition to the late stage cherty exhalite cap, the massive sulphides also carry a very fine grey cloudy microcrystalline quartz indicating that silica rich fluids were also present at the time of sulphide formation. Throughout the hyaloclastite stratigraphy synvolcanic mafic basalt sills (or dikes) and a grey altered silicified equivalent have injected as high level sills into their corresponding extrusive hyaloclastite. These high level sub-seafloor intrusions have injected in a cannibalistic way into their own extrusive hyaloclastite that at the time were water saturated and easy to intrude. Intrusive breccia contacts, bleached and chilled irregular contacts, and peperitic textures near contact margins have been produced that are typical of high level subsurface magma interaction with wet sediment or in this case wet hyaloclastite. Some of the dike and sill magma may have also made their way to the sea floor to form either flows and/or more hyaloclastite. The "middle" mineralized stratigraphic corridor is presently drill defined as 440 meters along strike and varying from 170 meters - 270 meters in stratigraphic thickness and is open in both directions along strike and as well is open to depth. The dimensions of this mineralized corridor1 with an impressive stratigraphic thickness of sulphide mineralization seen to date, suggests that a large mineralizing system was in place and makes this corridor a prime exploration target for the discovery of additional lenses of economic sulphides. The third stratigraphic regime is an "upper" komatiitic layered flow sequence, a hanging wall sequence to the "middle" mineralized corridor. This upper assemblage similar to the lower assemblage consists of multiple layered ultramafic to mafic flows exhibiting good spinifex flow textures, polysuturing, cumulate olivine and intercumulus to oikocrystic pyroxene represents the variability of hanging wall sequence that overlies the mineralized mine/hyaloclastite corridor. Throughout the ultramafic komatiitic flow sequences of both the "upper" and "lower" ultramafic assemblages serpentinization of olivine varies in intensity from unaltered olivine to completely serpentinized olivine. During the serpentinization of olivine magnetite is formed that creates a magnetic deviation problem with magnetic bearing drill hole survey equipment. It is for this reason that all drill holes have been gyroscopically surveyed. The best results of economic Cu-Zn sulphides occur in DDH's S97-08A, S97-09, S98-01, S98-05, and S98-06 (Table 3 and Figure 4 through 14). The thickest interval occurs in S98-06 where 2.57% Cu, 1.68% Zn, 0.082% Co, 0.61 oz./t Ag occurs over 26.76 meters and includes 4.34% Cu, 2.18% Zn, 0.122% Co and 0.94 oz./t Ag over 11.60 metres and occurs some 225 meters below the 335.2 meter (1, 100 foot) or 8th level of the mine at 550 meters below surface. The highest tenor intersected to date was in S98-01 where 7.81% Cu, 4.76% Zn, 0.096% Co, 1.69 oz./t Ag over 5.25 meters occurs some 259.1 meters below the 8th level of the mine at 594.4 meters below surface. TABLE 3 SIGNIFICANT DEEP DRILLING INTERSECTIONS
The deepest intersection occurs in S98-01 where 2.95% Cu, 5.42% Zn, 0.05% Co, 0.61 oz./t Ag over 2.15 meters occurs some 320.1 meters below the 8th level of the mine at 655.3 meters below surface. It appears that the mineralization seen in holes S97-08, 08A, S97-09, and S98-01 represent the downward extension of the mineralization reported on the 8th level at the 8-4 stope area (Figure 15). On the 8th level this stope averaged 2.26% Cu, 7.22% Zn over the 103.6 meter long stope that averaged 5.0 meters wide. During the current drilling program several sample batches of massive sulphide mineralization underwent multi-element ICP analysis to ascertain the presence of possible other prime elemental concentrations and/or geochemical signatures. As a result it was discovered that the sulphide system hosts significant cobalt concentrations that was previously unknown. As a result all core samples have been and are routinely analyzed for Cu, Zn, Co, Ag and Au. Throughout the mineralized hyaloclastite intervals and within and bordering the massive sulphide intervals late fracture filling chalcopyrite stringers have only minor chloritic envelopes locally. It also follows that at present the drill intersected sulphides are "rootless" where drill tested, and that an extensive chlorite alteration zone and/or stringer footwall zone that would normally correspond to the hydrothermal vent area, has yet to be discovered. In addition, the nature of the large volume of pyrrhotite in much of the hyaloclastite members, as opposed to a chalcopyrite-rich content, suggest that the presently located pyrrhotite rich sulphides in the hyaloclastite intervals represent a lateral zone flanking the vent area, where a slightly lower temperature mineralizing regime would be prevalent, In contrast, zones with higher copper grades would reflect a higher temperature mineralizing regime and would either lie within or very proximal to a hydrothermal vent area. No footwall hydrothermal vent area has been recognized in the drill core. The ongoing exploration program includes detail examination of all drill core for facies variation in the hyaloclastite members, eventual metal zonation studies, eventual whole rock analysis for alteration and chemostratigraphic characteristics, eventual 3-D computer visualization of the geometry of the system. All these parameters are focused upon localizing the alteration center and possible mineralizing vent areas for the "hottest" part of the system where an increased volume and tenor of sulphide mineralization could be deposited. The significant volume and stratigraphic thickness of the stacked hyaloclastite horizons coupled with the extensive sulphide mineralization suggests that a large mineralizing hydrothermal vent system had taken place in the area. The porosity of the hyaloclastite host is significant in that it has provided an effective trap or sponge-like host receptor for the base metal fluids either through a sub sea floor replacement process or as contemporaneous sea floor mineralization. A structural trap or graben related basin or paleochannel is envisaged for the thick accumulation of the hyaloclastite and sulphide mineralization. The intervening flows to the hyaloclastite intervals also host massive sulphides at flow contacts with a minor carbonaceous sedimentary association. It is evident that the sulphides/carbonaceous sediment association is a sea floor accumulation and the sulphides are envisaged to have formed from a center or "black smoker" emanating a metal plume Into the water column producing a VMS lens or series of stacked lenses. Millstream believes, and Southampton agrees that the potential to host a number of stacked sulphide lenses in this mineralized corridor is excellent both along strike in both directions and at depth. The Indication of increased Cu - Zn tenor at depth as exhibited in the deep intersection in DDH S98-01 enhances the potential for further substantial Cu-Zn massive sulphide discoveries both along strike and in the depth dimension. QUANTEC - 3-D BOREHOLE TEM SURVEYDuring the period of February 14 - 15, 1998. Quantec consulting Inc performed a 3-D Transient Electromagnetic Borehole Survey (BHTEM) of hole S97-10 on the Property. Although the hole was known to he extensively mineralized, the objectives of the survey was to test the capabilities of the BHTEM technique in both: a) characterizing the nature/geometry of mineralization intersected by drilling (In-hole anomalies); and, b) defining possible additional mineralized zones which could potentially exist within a 150 meter periphery of the DDH's (Off-hole anomalies). In response to the survey objectives, the borehole TEM technique in DDH S97-10 has been successful in characterizing the nature and geometry of In-hole mineralized zones intersected in the drill hole and, more importantly, defines several Off-hole conductors which potentially represent sulphides which were missed in the drilling. The borehole TEM signatures are marked by their relative complexity and unusually high field strengths which is consistent with the wide, massive and pyrrhotitic nature of the mineralization at the Potter mine. All three known mineralized zones correspond exactly with prominent, moderate to large surface are In-hole conductors (365 - 370 meters, 420 meters, 455 - 465 meters), as well as two other minor In-hole and two small surface area Off-hole conductors within the same package. More importantly, at least two significant Off-hole conductive responses are also identified: i) the first (240 meters) corresponds to a mineralized zone lying at least 50 meters east of the drill hole (centered at 150 meters DDH-depth) and which has likely been intersected in adjacent DDHs; ii) whereas the second (545 meters) appears to represent the lower edge of the lowermost mineralized horizon (intersected at 435 - 475 meters) lying 50 meters behind the drill hole. At least two other smaller Off-hole conductors are also interpreted at depth, both of which support the presence of a narrow conductor intersected by the drill hole at 640 meters and extending from 585 - 710 meters; yet remains unexplained in the drill core, possibly representing a narrow, shear-like zone. Finally, the continued depth extension of the "ore" bodies below 650 meters is supported by the strength of the TEM fields in the lower part of the hole. Although no major Off-hole conductors were identified west of the DDH, the most significant of the In-hole conductors is interpreted to be centered below and west of the current exploratory drilling, which therefore supports the downward and westward extension of the "'orebody". The summary interpretation of the 3-D TEM borehole survey prepared by Quantec is presented in Appendix IV. QUANTEC - REALSECTION IP SURVEYThe recently completed Real Section IP surveys of depths of 300, 600 and 900 meters have produced a number of very interesting strong chargeability with low resistivity targets for drill testing. The success in S98-01 on Section 17+75W, discussed above, shows a direct correlation between the high grade Cu-Zn massive sulphide mineralization and the strong IP target at 600 meters below surface. A number of these targets extend to 900 meters depth providing excellent exploration potential for a major Cu-Zn-Co base metal VMS discovery in this unique geological setting on this Property. PROPOSED EXPLORATION PROGRAM & BUDGETTo further define the mineral resource potential of the Property Millstream has proposed a comprehensive phased deep diamond drilling program. Phase I includes 35 holes totalling 33,400 meters and Phase II includes 21 holes totalling 19,600 meters for an aggregate total of 56 holes totalling 53,000 meters. TABLE 4PROPOSED DIAMOND DRILL HOLE LOCATIONS
The total cost of the program has been estimated to be $5,300,000 as
summarized below:
Notes: ' The diamond drilling unit cost of $100/m is an all inclusive estimate based on Millstream's prior drilling experience on the Property. Southampton has reviewed the proposed deep diamond drilling program and budget with Millstream and recommends that the program be carried out. VALUATION METHODOLOGY & APPROACHESBasis In considering how to value the Property, Southampton examined a number of possible approaches. For its primary valuation conclusions, Southampton relied on a combination of the Appraised Value Method and the Farm-In Commitment. The following is a brief description of these methods: Appraised Value Method The appraised value approach involves two assumptions: 1. A property's value is either enhanced or diminished by an exploration program. 2. Funds already expended on a property have value, and those to be expended in future (normally as budgeted for one year; but with properties of exceptional merit, a premium may be applied), will produce value in today's dollars, which will be no less than the expenditures. In the case of the past producing Potter Mine Property, we not only considered the cost of the recent exploration work and evaluated the results achieved or expected as a result of these expenditures, but also considered the historic costs related to the development and production history of the mine in light of a residual value added component of these expenditures should further exploration and development be warranted. This approach is very subjective, but is one of the best ways to arrive at a valuation in the absence of a comparable transaction in the area. The exploration data on the Property is reviewed by an experienced exploration geologist to gain an understanding of: (a) the geological setting; (b) previous exploration programs; and (c) the exploration procedures used. The results are then evaluated to determine to what degree the exploration either enhanced or diminished the value of the Property. A decision is then made as to which expenditures to retain as value. Expenditures are not retained on ground which was later abandoned. Where exploration results are positive, expenditures are retained as value added to the Property. Between these two extremes, there are instances where incomplete or inconclusive results are obtained. In such cases, a subjective judgment is made based on the geologist's experience and knowledge. The intention of the owners, with regard to ongoing activity and expenditure on the Property is also important. Funds committed to exploration work in the next phase of exploration are also taken into account. Farm-In Commitment Analysis The terms of an arm's length transaction for a Farm-In or option agreement by a third party to cant an equity interest in the Property can be analyzed to calculate a value for the Property. These terms usually consist of expenditure commitments over a number of years. Equity is earned by the incoming participant paying all of the exploration expenditures during that period. Such Farm-In commitments are not absolutely binding, as there are usually rights to withdraw. However, once the Farm In is arranged, the expenditure commitments must be met in order to earn the equity. In this type of analysis we review the terms of the agreement along with the geological potential to determine the probabilities that all or some of the expenditure commitments would be met. We then discount the expenditure commitments to take such probabilities into account. VALUATION OF THE POTTER MINE PROPERTYAppraised Value Method As a basis for the Appraised Value Method, Southampton held discussions with Millstream to achieve an understanding of the exploration, development and production philosophy as a prerequisite to evaluating the past exploration/development programs and the results. It is our opinion that the exploration programs were well conceived and carried out in accordance with industry standards and completed in a professional and workmanlike manner. In addition, Southampton reviewed the historic and recent past exploration expenditures made on the Property. The purpose of the review was to apply a "reasonableness test" to the expenditures in light of the work completed and to establish if the work completed added value or detracted value from the fair market value of the Property. It is important to note that in many cases the accounting book value of a Property bears no relationship to the fair market value of the Property. The exploration and development of the past producing Potter mine on the Property is well documented in the assessment work library of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. From the reporting of the discovery outcrop in 1930 to the mine closure in 1972 an extensive amount of diamond drilling and underground development has taken place. One hundred and ten surface diamond drill holes were drilled for a total of 16,813.7 meters. Extensive underground drilling was also completed comprising 14,439.9 meters in 280 holes for an aggregate total of 390 holes totaling 32,167.9 meters. In addition, 387.7 meters of shaft sinking, 4,643.0 meters of drifting, 469.1 meters of cross-cutting and 2,613.7 meters of raising was completed in support of the underground development of the Potter mine. Southampton estimates the cost of this work in current dollars would be in the order of $12.5 million. Most of this money was expended to define, develop and exploit the known ore bodies above the 8th level, which is the lowest level in the mine; therefore, the majority of the valued added component of this work was to the benefit of the production at a specific point in the development/production history of the mine. However, Southampton believes that there is a residual value added component to this work which should be considered in the appraised value method. The residual value is made up of several components. i) The strike, dip and plunge of the various ore bodies has been demonstrated by the configuration of the mined-out stopes; thereby, establishing the probable geometry of extension of these ore bodies. This in our opinion has value because it will focus future drilling and underground exploration/development in areas which have the highest probability of success. Based on the very favorable results of the recent deep drilling program the value of this work has been demonstrated. We have assigned a value equal to the cost of four 775 meter drill holes which we believe would be the minimum footage required to establish the geometry of a potential ore shoot without the aid of prior development work. Therefore, a minimal value added component of $300,000 has been assigned to this segment of historic work; ii) Given the success of the deep drilling program the need for underground access becomes increasingly important. In our opinion this represents a significant potential savings in not only direct drilling costs, i.e. footage cost, but also in the ability to possibly save a hole which may have otherwise missed the target. In assigning a value to the underground access we determined the replacement cost for the 1,272 foot shaft, estimated to be $3.7 million, and the 3,780 feet of lateral development on the 4th and 8th levels estimated to be $1.3 million which provide underground access to the most prospective areas of the Potter mine. We have applied a 20% discount to reflect the potential cost saving of having underground access if required. Therefore we have appraised the value of this work at $4.0 million; and iii) Building on the success of the deep drilling, the potential for
underground access to delineate further resources/reserves leads us to
believe that certain existing surface structures have a residual value
which we have estimated on a replacement cost basis to be $260,000 as itemized
below:
Given that there is some uncertainty as to whether these surface facilities will be required and used as they exist, we have applied a 50% discount to the replacement cost of these facilities to arrive at an appraised value of $130,000. Based on our review and assessment of the historic costs we have appraised the value added residual component of the historic work to be as follows: i) historic drilling and development to establish deposit geometry at $300,000; ii) potential for underground access at $2.5 million; and, iii) potential to utilize existing surface structures at $130,000 for a total of $3,930,000. Millstream has expended $2,629,000 on exploration of the Property, as summarized on Table 5. Southampton has reviewed the Millstream exploration program, results and costs and it is our opinion that the programs were well conceived and executed, the results encouraging, and the costs reasonable. It is also our opinion that the work completed to achieve these results has added value to the Property in an amount equal to the documented expenditures. We have therefore appraised the value of this work at $2,629,000. As part of the appraised value method we also reviewed the exploration program and budget proposed by Millstream to further define the encouraging results of the latest deep drilling programs. Millstream has proposed an aggressive but, in our opinion, justifiable phased exploration program. Phase I includes 35 deep diamond drill holes totaling 33,400 meters to be completed at a cost of $3.34 million. Phase II Includes 21 deep diamond drill holes totaling 19,600 meters to be completed at a cost of $1.96 million. It is our opinion that on completion of Phase I a major milestone in the future development of the Potter mine will be reached enabling Millstream and its advisors to make a decision on the future direction of the project. For this reason we have assigned full value to the cost of the work to be completed in Phase I and have appraised the work to be completed at $3.34 million. Phase II is contingent on the favorable results from Phase I. Given this fact, it is our opinion that there is a 50% chance that the project will proceed and we have assigned a value equal to 50% of the estimated cost of the Phase II program of 1.96 million which equates to an appraised value of $980,000. The appraised value of the exploration potential for the Property phased exploration program proposed by Millstream includes Phase I at $3.34 million and Phase II at $980,000 for a total of $4,320,000. Based on our understanding and depiction of the past and proposed expenditures we have appraised the value added components of the work to be historic expenditures at $3,930,000, recent past expenditures at $2,629,000, and proposed expenditures at $4,320,000 for a total appraised value of $10,879,000. Farm-In Commitment Analysis Based on the encouraging results of the recent deep diamond drilling program several major exploration/mining companies have approached Millstream with the desire to "Farm-In" to the project and to earn an interest in the project by expending funds over time on the Property to advance the project. A typical Farm-In proposal is usually based on an agreed exploration program. Based on discussions with Millstream it is our understanding that thc phased exploration program proposed by Millstream could provide the basis for a Farm-In agreement. As referenced earlier, Phase I includes 35 deep diamond drill holes totalling 33,400 meters to be completed at a cost of $3.34 million. Phase II includes 21 deep diamond drill holes totalling 19,600 meters to be completed at a cost of $1.96 million. On completion of the phased exploration program and on expending $5.3 million on exploration of the Property the major exploration/mining company would earn a 50% interest in the Property. Based on this "Farm-In" scenario the deemed value of the Property on vesting would be $10.6 million. As noted in the appraised value method we believe that a major project milestone will occur following Phase I which will enable the interested parties to make a decision on the future of the project. We also believe that there is at least a 50% chance that the parties will initiate and complete Phase II. We acknowledge the fact that for a variety of geological, economic and corporate reasons the major exploration/mining company may not wish to proceed to Phase II. In recognition of this risk we have discounted the value of the Phase II program by 50% to reflect this uncertainty to arrive at a value of $980,000. It should be mentioned at this point that if the major exploration/mining company did not wish to continue with the program Millstream may elect to either initiate and complete the Phase II program; initiate a prefeasibility study on the project based on resources/reserves outlined on completion of Phase I; or, elect not to proceed with the project. We believe that if a small deposit is outlined the "economy of scale" factors would favour Millstream. Given this "Farm-In" scenario it is our opinion that the deemed fair market value for the Property would be based on the Phase I value of $3.34 million plus the Phase II discounted value of $980,000 for a total of $4,320,000 which equates to a 50% interest in the Property. Therefore, the deemed value for 100% interest in the Property would be $8,640,000. Based on our Farm-In commitment analysis it Is our opinion that the fair market value of the Property would equate to the deemed value of $8,640,000. CONCLUSIONS
It is our opinion that the fair market value for
the Property, as of July 31 1998, would be in the range of $8.0 to $10.0
million.
REFERENCES
Arndt, N.T. (1976) Geol. Assoc. Can. Spec. Paper 14, p.617-657
| ![]()
| ![]() |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| info@millstreammines.com © 2005 Millstream Mines. All rights reserved | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||