56

CHAPTER V
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
tENERAL STATEMENT

Although McConnell Creek map-area attracted the attention of
prospectors as early as 1899 it has since aroused only very casual, inter-
mittent interest, and the most promising mineral occurrences have been
found since geological mapping was started there by the Geological Survey
in 1941. Except for a little placer gold no minerals have been derived from
the area and, with a minor exception on McConnell Creek, development to
the end of 1946 was limited to inconsequential surface work. Ample evidence
of the almost complete lack of a previous efficient search for metalliferous
deposits is afforded by the number of interesting gold occurrences located
by a few prospectors in 1946, during their first season in the area.

The following metals have been recognized in the known mineral
deposits: gold (placer and lode), platinum (with placer gold), mercury
(with placer gold), vanadium (with placer gold), copper, silver, lead, zine,
beryllium, molybdenum, and chromium.

Coal seams have been discovered in beds of the upper division of
the Takla group and in the Sustut group.

METALLIFEROUS DEPOSITS
PLACER GOLD DEPOSITS

McConnell Creek

References: Robertson (1908); Lay (1982).

Gold-bearing gravels on McConnell Creek have been known since 1899,
but despite a brief influx of gold seekers in 1907 and 1908 and again in 1932,
have in general provided only intermittent employment for a few persons.
However, the discoverer, P. Jensen of Takla, appears to have staked a
singularly productive gravel deposit, which he has worked annually from
1906 until forced to abandon it recently because of failing health. About
thirty men are reported (Lay, 1932) to have been employed on the creek
in 1932. During 1945 only H. and J. Hundry, C. Fredrikson, and J. Olson
were engaged in placer mining operations, and, partly because of an inade-
quate water supply, operated for only part of the summer. Essentially all
gold has been recovered in sluice-boxes into which gravel was shovelled
by hand. The amount of gold recovered from the creek is not known,
but P. Jensen, from all accounts the most successful operator, is reported1
to have recovered as much as 220 ounces of gold during a single season,
with the assistance of several labourers. It is doubtful if current operations
afford reasonable wages after transportation and other operating expenses
are deducted.

2? Fredrikson C.: McConnell Creek; personal comraunication.