technical report on the nechalacho deposit, thor lake project ...
technical report on the nechalacho deposit, thor lake project ...
technical report on the nechalacho deposit, thor lake project ...
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6. HISTORY<br />
The history of <strong>the</strong> <strong>project</strong> site has been described in <strong>the</strong> Technical Report completed by Scott<br />
Wils<strong>on</strong> RPA in 2010 (Scott Wils<strong>on</strong> RPA, 2010) and <strong>the</strong> informati<strong>on</strong> will be summarized here.<br />
The Thor Lake site area was first mapped by J.F. Henders<strong>on</strong> and A.W. Joliffe of <strong>the</strong> Geological<br />
Survey of Canada (GSC) in 1937 and 1938. The first staking activity at Thor Lake dates from<br />
July 1970 when Odin 1-4 claims were staked by K.D. Hannigan for uranium. Shortly after, <strong>the</strong><br />
Odin claims were opti<strong>on</strong>ed to Giant Yellowknife Mines Ltd. and subsequently, in 1970, were<br />
acquired by Bluemount Minerals Ltd.<br />
In 1971, <strong>the</strong> GSC outlined a radioactive anomaly over <strong>the</strong> Thor Lake area (GSC Open File<br />
Report 124). A. Davids<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong> GSC initiated mapping of <strong>the</strong> Blatchford Lake Intrusive<br />
Complex. It has subsequently become clear that this radiometric anomaly is largely due to<br />
elevated <strong>thor</strong>ium levels in <strong>the</strong> T-Z<strong>on</strong>e within <strong>the</strong> Thor Lake site.<br />
In 1976, Highwood discovered niobium and tantalum <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> Thor Lake property. From 1976 to<br />
1979, explorati<strong>on</strong> programs included drilling, geological mapping, sampling and trenching <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Lake, Fluorite, R-, S- and T-z<strong>on</strong>es. This work resulted in <strong>the</strong> discovery of significant<br />
c<strong>on</strong>centrati<strong>on</strong>s of niobium, tantalum, yttrium and REEs. Recognizing a large potential resource<br />
at Thor Lake, Placer Development Ltd. (Placer) opti<strong>on</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> property from Highwood in March<br />
1980 to fur<strong>the</strong>r investigate <strong>the</strong> tantalum and related mineralizati<strong>on</strong>. The explorati<strong>on</strong> included<br />
drilling twenty <strong>on</strong>e holes in 1980 – 1981. Preliminary metallurgical scoping work was also<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ducted, but Placer relinquished its opti<strong>on</strong> in April 1982.<br />
From 1983 to 1985, <strong>the</strong> majority of <strong>the</strong> work <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> property was c<strong>on</strong>centrated <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> T-Z<strong>on</strong>e<br />
and included geochemical surveys, berylometer surveys, surface mapping, significant drilling,<br />
surface and underground bulk sampling, metallurgical testing and a detailed evaluati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong><br />
property by Unocal Canada. However, seven holes were also drilled in <strong>the</strong> Lake Z<strong>on</strong>e<br />
(Nechalacho <strong>deposit</strong>) to test for high grade tantalum-niobium mineralizati<strong>on</strong>. In August of 1986,<br />
<strong>the</strong> property was joint-ventured with Hecla Mining Company of Canada Ltd. (Hecla). However,<br />
in 1990, Hecla withdrew from <strong>the</strong> <strong>project</strong>. In 1990, c<strong>on</strong>trol of Highwood passed to C<strong>on</strong>west<br />
Explorati<strong>on</strong> Company Ltd. (C<strong>on</strong>west) and <strong>the</strong> Thor Lake <strong>project</strong> remained dormant until 1996.<br />
Through subsequent ownership changes, Highwood ended up c<strong>on</strong>trolled by Royal Oak Mines<br />
Ltd.<br />
Royal Oak’s subsequent bankruptcy in 1999 resulted in <strong>the</strong> acquisiti<strong>on</strong> of <strong>the</strong> c<strong>on</strong>trol block of<br />
Highwood shares by Dynatec Corporati<strong>on</strong> (Dynatec). In 2000, Highwood initiated metallurgical,<br />
marketing and envir<strong>on</strong>mental reviews by Dynatec. Through 2001 to 2004, Navigator Explorati<strong>on</strong><br />
Corp. opti<strong>on</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> property and c<strong>on</strong>ducted additi<strong>on</strong>al metallurgical research <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> possibility of<br />
Technical Report 43-101 – March 13, 2011 Page 6-1<br />
Prepared by Aval<strong>on</strong> Rare Metals Inc.