Resource World Magazine

42 www.resourceworld.com F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 5 amarc resources following up on ike porphyry copper discovery by Ellsworth Dickson T here are many promising mineral showings worth exploring; however, more detailed exploration usually results in only a few that qualify as a real discovery. In late November 2014, amarc resources ltd. [AHR-TSXV; AXREF-OTCBB], a member of the Hunter Dickinson group of companies, reported a significant copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry discovery at its IKE Project located about 40 km northwest of Goldbridge, south-central British Columbia. Highlights from Amarc's initial nine-hole discovery drill program include 247 metres grading 0.42% copper equivalent (CuEQ) (0.28% copper, 0.030% molybdenum and 2.0 g/t silver), 234 metres of 0.43% CuEQ (0.26% Cu, 0.040% Mo and 1.7 g/t Ag) and 308 metres of 0.41% CuEQ (0.26% Cu, 0.032% Mo and 1.8 g/t Ag). Other holes returned equally encouraging metal values. The drill holes intersected chalcopyrite and molybdenite min- eralization from surface over a large area 1,200 metres east-west by 600 metres north-south and to depths of about 500 metres. Mineralization, which appears to have been deposited in a very active, multi-stage hydrothermal system that was extensive and robust, remains open in all directions. Diane Nicolson, President of Amarc Resources, told Resource World, "Several major objectives were achieved during our 2014 exploration program, including a significant discovery on our IKE prospect. Within the exceptional mass of mineralized rock indicated by our 2014 drill program, which lies within a larger mineralized system, we believe we have a resource to be delineated." Nicolson added, "We also stepped out from the area drilled and did a series of geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys near the end of the field season. The geophysics included a high- resolution airborne Mag survey and ground induced polarization surveys. As well, we completed a copper and multi-element talus fines geochemical survey and geological mapping." This work established that there is excellent potential to define additional resource volumes outward from the area drilled within a 6 km 2 porphyry system. As a result of this work, Amarc has secured additional mineral claims in the IKE area to cover other prospective and compelling deposit targets. "The very encouraging long and continuous intercepts at IKE have returned copper equivalent grades in the range of those for operating copper mines in the province. We think there is the potential to develop a Highland Valley, BC type of mining camp centred on IKE, " noted Nicolson. The company is now making plans to follow up on its discov- ery in the upcoming field season. "Our program for next year will be to initiate a delineation drilling program on the IKE deposit discovery and also step out to test additional resource potential," said Nicolson. "Within the 6 km 2 IKE porphyry system there are other zones with good potential for porphyry mineralization that we would like to drill test. The drill program will again be helicopter-supported and our crews will be based out one of the local towns to the south. Field work could start at the end of May and run until the end of October." Amarc representatives are engaging with local First Nations and communities in the IKE project area. Nicolson said: "We believe that building mutually beneficial relationships is a long- term commitment that must begin at that must begin at the outset of the exploration process." Among the First Nations groups with an interest in the region is the Tsilhqot'in, which holds aboriginal title to some 1,700 km 2 of land some 50 km northwest of Amarc's mineral claims as a result of a landmark 2014 Supreme Court of Canada decision. Nicolson noted that Amarc had a pre-existing rela- tionship with Tsilhqot'in bands based on its Newton Project west of the City of Williams Lake. She expressed confidence that the company's early engagement with First Nations leaders, as well as the greater certainty about land status and the role of government in resource decision-making arising from the Tsilhqot'in decision, will ultimately benefit the IKE Project. n Michael Galicki, Project Geologist, examines diamond drill core. Photo courtesy Amarc Resources Ltd. MINING

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