2

1933 and 1935, Omineca Gold Quartz Mines, Limited, is developing a gold
prospect on Zymoetz river, and Nicholson Creek Mining Corporation is
doing some development work on a molybdenum prospect on Hardscrabble
creek. During the last few years several new prospects have been discovered
and a new interest is being shown in the area.

Although outside of the placer belt the district has produced consider-
able placer gold. Gold placer deposits were discovered as early as 1884 on
Lorne, Chimdemash, Fiddler, and Kleanza creeks and some placer gold is
still being taken from Lorne, Kleanza, Phillips, and Douglas creeks.

Most of the deposits in this area have been described from time to time
in the Annual Reports of the Minister of Mines of British Columbia.
Reconnaissance geological work has been done by Leach, McConnell,
Hanson, Marshall, and Kerr for the Geological Survey, Canada, and their
reports are listed in the bibliography. It has been the writer’s endeavour to
supplement the work already done by detailed examination of the deposits
and of the geology in their immediate vicinity. Geological maps of those
properties on which considerable development work has been done are pre-
sented in this report. A number of assay returns from samples collected
by the writer at the individual deposits are given as a guide to the grade of
ores. The report is designed to assist the prospector and investor and to
attract the attention of mining companies to the economic possibilities of the
area.

Compass readings given in this report refer to true or astronomic
north. The average magnetic declination in the area is 30 degrees east of
true north. Assays of ore samples mentioned in the report unless otherwise
designated are assays made by the Ore Dressing Division, Department of
Mines and Resources, Ottawa.

The author was given efficient assistance in the field by J. H. Radcliffe,
A. F. Killin, and J. W. Hoadley. Acknowledgment is also made to the
officers of the Canadian National Railways and to the Forest Branch at
Terrace for assistance given in transporting equipment and supplies via
gasoline speeder from Terrace to Usk during the period when railway service
had been suspended by the floods on Skeena river.

The area is commended as worthy of careful prospecting. Of those
properties examined during the 1936 season the Fiddler, Victor, Grotto, and
Bermaline prospects are recommended as warranting development work.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Dawson, G, M. (1880): Report on an Exploration from Fort Simpson on the Pacific
Coast to Edmonton on the Saskatchewan; Geol. Surv., Canada, Rept. of
Prog. 1879-80.

Leach, W. W. (1910): Skeena River District; Geol. Surv., Canada, Sum. Rept. 1910,
pp. 91-101.

McConnell, R. G. (1912): Geological Section Along the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway
from Prince Rupert to Aldermere, B.C.; Geol. Surv., Canada, Sum. Rept.
1912, pp. 55-62.

MacKenzie, J. D. (1915): Telkwa Valley and Vicinity; Geol. Surv., Canada, Sum. Rept.
1915, pp. 62-69.

Hanson, George (1922): Reconnaissance Between Kitsault River and Skeena River,
B.C.; Geol. Surv., Canada, Sum, Rept. 1922, pt. A, pp. 35-50.

——(1923): Reconnaissance Between Skeena River and Stewart; Geol. Surv., Canada,
Sum. Rept. 1923, pt. A, pp. 29-45,