HISTORICAL EXPLORATION (1968 – 1983)

Historical and current exploration activities at the Roche Bay Magnetite Project site were summarized by Golder (2007), as follows.

Roche Bay Magnetite Iron formation deposits, first discovered by the Geological Survey of Canada, were targeted during the initial exploration program in 1968.  Borealis Exploration Limited (Borealis) conducted exploration programs on the Roche Bay Magnetite Deposit in 1968, 1969, and 1970 under the direction of geological consultants Norman H. Ursel Associates Limited (Ursel).  These exploration programs included reconnaissance surface geological mapping, limited ground and airborne magnetometer, and sample collection, which led to the discovery of extensive exposures of magnetic iron formations on the Melville Peninsula.  The strike length of the Roche Bay Magnetite Deposits (Areas A, B, C, and D) was determined to each be approximately 120 m (400 ft) wide and 1,200 m (4,000 ft) in length.  From this initial field program, a project expansion was justified the following year.

Ursel conducted a second field program in 1969, involving sampling of iron formation, and mapping and magnetometer surveys.  The Roche Bay Area E iron formation was also identified during the 1969 field season.  The exploration program continued in 1970 which was the final year for the prospecting permit areas.  In addition to geological mapping, a geophysical survey was conducted over the areas of interest.

During the 1982 field season, a detailed ground magnetometer survey was conducted over Areas A and B, with a small northern portion of Area C also surveyed at a later date.  The magnetometer survey coincided with surface geological mapping and was most helpful in delineating the magnetite iron formation/ wall rock contacts.  Information gained from the survey was also helpful in depicting relative magnetic intensities, thereby enabling a delineation of certain horizons within the iron formation and was consequently used to choose drill hole locations and their collar orientations for the 1982 drilling program.

In total the 1982 drill program consisted of 3,214 m (10,542 ft) of BQ core in Areas A and B.  The aim of the diamond drilling program was to determine the grade of iron down hole in Areas A and B as well as its consistency along strike. A single hole (C82-1) was also completed within a mineralized section of Area C.

Composite samples of core from the 1982 drilling program were sent to the Ontario Research Foundation (Melnbardis and Lakshmanan, 1983) for acid soluble iron content testing, Davis Tube (DT) testing, and gold/silver testing.  By the end of the 1982 field season, it was clear that Area C had the highest grade of the three deposits, and was wider and larger than earlier estimated.  

 

A, B and C Zones of the Roche Bay mineral leases conveniently located directly at a natural
deep water harbour.

 

RECENT EXPLORATION (2006 – Present)

The 2006 exploration program was described based on a report from Hendrik Bosman (Bosman, 2006b), the airborne geophysical survey (Goldak, 2006), and observations from an on-site visit conducted by Golder on October 15, 2006.  A description of recent exploration at the Roche Bay Magnetite Project was provided by Golder (2007).  

 The 2006 exploration program consisted of an airborne high resolution magnetic gradiometer geophysical survey on Areas A, B, and C; bedrock confirmation mapping; subsurface drilling; and sample collection from current and historic drilling for metallurgical testing.

Goldak (2006) compiled the data from the airborne magnetic gradiometer geophysical survey and deemed it of suitable quality for the purposes of geological interpretation.  The field mapping program, confirmed that the geophysical signature from the aeromagnetic survey correlates very well with the actual outcrop extents as mapped (Golder, 2007).  The field mapping program also confirmed the bedrock extents of deposits A, B, and C, as outlined by previous exploration programs from 1968 and 1982.

Objectives of the 2006 drilling program were to collect shallow core samples from Area C for metallurgical testing.  Although the geophysical anomaly was primarily covered with overburden, most of the underlying material was thought to be magnetic BIF.  Three holes (for a total core length of 53.94 m) were completed between September and October 2006 using a Winkie drill.  

  

REFERENCES

Borealis Exploration Limited (Borealis).  1982b.  Summary Document (December, 1982).  22 pp.

Golder Associates Ltd. 2007. Technical Report - Roche Bay Magnetite Project. Submitted to Advanced Explorations Inc. February 4, 2007. (filed on SEDAR June 4, 2007) - View full report here. (pdf)