TO REPORT OF THE MINISTER OF MINES, 1929.

Four miles farther north there are three claims owned by Divelbliss, Mackenzie & Buck, showing
gold values at $40 to the ton. Six miles north of the boundary-line seven claims have been
located and some tunnel-work done on them; this ledge is 100 feet wide and runs the entire
length of the seyen claims, carrying silver, copper, gold, and lead. At what is known as Glacier
creek, about 9 miles north of the boundary-line, there are two claims located; carrying free gold
on the surface to the amount of $10 to the ten; on the opposite side of the river two claims
were located this summer, showing a high percentage in copper. Twelve miles up from the
boundary-line is a group of fiye claims owned by Ceperley, Rounsefell & Company, of Vancouver,
on which several hundred feet of tunnel-work has been done, showing a large amount of mineral,
carrying gold, silver, and lead. L. T. Watson also has some claims located near the Ceperley
group, the value of which I am unable to state. Three miles farther north the Unuk River
Mining and Dredging Company owns five quartz claims, on which a large amount of work has
already been done, much ore now being in sight on the ground. This company also holds a lease
for dredging and prospecting of 5 miles in the bed of Unuk river; machinery is on the ground
and work was started drilling and prospecting it this summer, the company expecting to continue
next summer. This tract of dredging-ground consists of about 6,000 acres of land. The work
done on the ground this summer showed good value. Mr. Divelbliss also holds a lease of 4 miles
of the river-bed; while there is still unlocated in this country many well-defined ledges and a
large area of country not prospected. Once this road is opened up the country will, in my
opinion, fast develop into one of the most promising mining districts in British Columbia. On
the Unuk river there is ample water-power to run any machinery necessary for mining or even
for electric railroad.”

In 1905 F. E. Wright, of the United States Geological Survey, visited the Unuk River region
and submitted a report to the Canadian Government. The following extract is that part of this
report dealing with the economic geology of the area :—

Mineral Deposits.

The occurrence of placer gold near the headwaters of Unuk river and its tributaries has been
known for many years. In the earlier eighties prospectors discovered gold-bearing gravels up Sulphide
creek and spent several seasons profitably in extracting the gold by means of rockers and other
primitive methods. The difficulties of transportation, however, were so great that they ultimately
abandoned their claims. In the succeeding years occasional prospectors visited the region, relocated
the placer deposits, and also discovered well-mineralized veins carrying good values in silver, gold, and
lead. A primitive trail was built along the north bank of the river and access to the region thus
facilitated. The present wagon-road follows approximately the blazes of this old trail.

The most promising claims which have been staked are situated on Sulphide creek and have been
acquired by the company interested in construction of the wagon-road. Other locations have been
made near the head of South Fork, also near Boulder creek and Canyon creek.

Sulphide Creek.

Recent discoveries have been made on this creek near its mouth and consist of two veins which
have been developed by several short drifts and open-cuts. One of the veins outerops along a narrow
gulch and has been traced about 1,000 feet up the gulch. It strikes usually N. 25° W., dips 30°-60°
N.E., and varies in width from 2 to 8 inches. The vein-minerals are chiefly tetrahedrite (grey copper),
pyrite, sphalerite, galena, and native silver; near the surface they are usually altered and enveloped in
a soft ferruginous matrix of weathering products. The native silver is a product of the surficial
alteration of grey copper. About 100 tons of ore are reported to have been taken from this vein and
to have given high assay returns, particularly in silver. The country-rock consists of altered limestone
and breccia with some quartzite and slate, cut by intrusives of several types. The second yein out-
crops a short distance south of the first vein, and is exposed along the face of a steep cliff where it is
easily recognized by its brown oxidized coating. At the surface it appears to be 20 to 80 feet wide and
is heavily mineralized in spots with pyrite, fine galena (steel galena), and occasional sphalerite and
chalcopyrite. Native gold is said to have been observed in the oxidized portions of this vein, which
has been prospected by a short tunnel 25 feet long, at 1,400 feet elevation above sea-level. The vein
shows distinct banding and strikes N. 5° W., with dip 80° to 85° BE. A fine-grained basic dyke is
exposed along the west side of the tunnel. On both these veins the development-work which has been
accomplished is not sufficient to permit definite statements in regard to their future. The indications,
however, appear sufficiently favourable to warrant the test which the company plans to give the
property in the near future. .

At the junction of Sulphide creek and Unuk river the river-gravels contain some free gold, and
fine colours can be seen in every pan of material tested. The gold is flaky and considerably worn.
No thorough sampling has yet been done and depth to bed-rock is unknown. As the river-valley, how-
ever, is wide and has passed through a long period of glacial erosion, it is probable that bed-rock is at

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