191 GENESIS

The association of the magnetite with garnet and epidote in a country characterized by intrusive contacts of diorite with limestone, along with the garnetization of these contacts, indicates a contact metamorphic origin for the magnetite. It would, therefore, be expected to occur in irregular aa masses of varying purity and extent at various places along such contacts.

ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

_ Eine deposits have no value, as they stand today. Their occurrence in a zone that may possibly be a continuation of the zone of iron mineral- ization on Bugaboo creek may, however, make them of speculative interest, particularly since there is not sufficient work done on them to show even their local boundaries. Bibliography See page 158 for further details 14. Anon., p. 104. “

ALBERNI MINING DIVISION BARKLEY SOUND AND ALBERNI CANAL

Barkley sound, with Alberni canal at the head of it, is one of the great indentations of the west coast of Vancouver island. It is 16 miles wide at the entrance, about 16 miles long, and is roughly triangular in shape. It is abundantly studded with islands, arranged for the most part in two groups, and the spaces between them constitute the three main channels. Alberni canal extends inland in a northerly direction. for 25 miles from the head of Barkley sound, to Port Alberni, and may be traversed for its entire length by sea-going vessels of deep draught. Excel- lent anchorages may be found at very many places within the sound and the canal, so that no hardships would be encountered in the shipment of ore.

Near Barkley sound and its tributary waterways, including Alberni canal, Uchucklesit harbour, and Henderson lake, are located the following deposits of magnetite: (a) Sarita River deposit, near Numukamis bay, (b) Copper or Tzartus Island deposit, (c) Sechart Peninsula deposits, between Effingham and Pipestem inlets, (d) Darby and Joan deposit at Smiths landing, Alberni canal, (e) Defiance group on Handy creek, Alberni canal, (f) Black Prince No. 3 and Sunshine group on Cascade creck, near Kildonan, Uchucklesit harbour, and (g) Magnetic No. 1 on Henderson lake.

(47 a) Sarita River Deposit

(See Figure 31) LOCATION

The Sarita River group of Crown-granted mineral claims is located along the south shore of Sarita river about one mile from its mouth, and consists of the following locations: Black Bear, Union, Eureka, Southern Cross, United, Midday, and British Pacific. As far as can be ascertained, the magnetite deposit occurs on the Union and Black Bear claims or on adjoining land of the Indian Reserve, near the western end of a ridge, where it drops off sharply into the valley of a small creek tributary to Sarita river.

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