Whitesail Lake Map-Area, British Columbia

Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

Whitesail Lake map-area lies in west-central British Columbia between
latitudes 53° and 54° north, and longitudes 126° and 128° west, and has
an area of about 5,650 square miles.

The presence of lead-zinc-silver deposits on Mount Sweeney has long
been known, and the discovery of gold-bearing quartz veins and tungsten
deposits on Lindquist Peak in 1943 and 1944 created so much interest
that mapping of the whole area was undertaken to provide a modern base
map and to complete mapping the geology. Although part of the area
was previously mapped geologically in a reconnaissance manner, much of
the two-degree quadrangle had never been mapped. Lying as it does
along the eastern margin of the Coast Mountains, the area is favourably
situated for the occurrence of mineral deposits. In 1946 the Royal Canadian
Air Force photographed the area and in 1947 both topographical and
geological survey parties commenced work. Geological field work was
continued by the author each field season until completed in 1952.

Owing to the unfavourable economic position of gold in 1947, explora-
tion of the gold-bearing veins on Lindquist Peak stopped and little prospect-
ing was done in the area in 1947 and 1948. Interest was rekindled when
preliminary surveys of the Aluminum Company of Canada, relative to their
projected smelter at Kitimat, were made during 1948-50, and it was
further stimulated by the Aluminum Company’s decision, early in 1951,
to proceed with the Kitimat project. Accordingly the Emerald Glacier
property on Mount Sweeney pushed forward active development and attained
a small production of lead, zinc and silver. This interest in prospecting
continued through 1952, resulting in the discovery of new gold and copper
deposits and a re-examination of some of the known properties in the area,
including the gold and tungsten showings on Lindquist Peak.

The development of the hydro-electric possibilities of the area by the
Aluminum Company of Canada reached full momentum in 1952. The
greater part of the storage basin for this development lies within the
boundaries of the map-area and the whole economy of the area is thus
directly affected. Parts of the map-area adjacent to the lake system were
flooded by the raised lake levels, and many excellent outcrops made

inaccessible.
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