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Big Trout Lake
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Stratabound PGE Model
The Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex is analogous to other major chromium rich intrusions which contain very large stratabound PGE deposits. Such deposits typically contain between 10,000,000 and 100,000,000 ounces of platinum group elements. The stratigraphy of three intrusions containing large commercial PGE deposits (the Bushveld Complex, the Stillwater Complex and the Great Dyke) in comparison to the Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex are shown in the Comparitive Stratigraphy of Large Layered Intrusions.
Four extensive chromitite reefs and one additional stratigraphic interval in the Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex contain highly anomalous to potentially commercial grades of PGE.
Indicators of PGE mineralized stratigraphic intervals or layers can be obtained from chemical monitoring of Cu/Pd and 2Cu/(Pt+Pd) ratios in the layered intrusive environment. (See Magma Depletion Trends)
A rapid increase in the Cu/Pd ratio (from less than 1000 to more than 10,000) in the Bushveld Complex signals the deposition of the Merensky Reef (one of two large ore bearing reefs in the complex). A similar rapid increase in 2Cu/(Pt+Pd) ratios occurs in the Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex near the transition from ultramafic rocks to mafic rocks and is a portion of Target 2. This stratigraphic location is identical to that of the Main Sulphide Zone of the Great Dyke and theoretically is the optimum location for a PGE reef in the Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex. The previous drilling of this stratigraphic interval had poor core recovery and the target may be considered to be untested.
Location and Description
The Property consists of 221 contiguous mining claims and 81 mining leases covering approximately 4,889 ha (12,075 acres), including the 22.3 km long Nemeigusabins Lake Arm of the Big Trout Lake layered complex. All claims are located in the Patricia Mining Division, Kenora Mining District, Ontario. The Property is located approximately 230 km north of Pickle Lake, Ontario (by winter road) and 580 km north of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The Property is covered by NTS map sheet 53H/12 between longitudes 89° 40' and 90° 00' West and latitudes 53° 29' and 53° 43' North.The Big Trout Lake Igneous Complex is a large layered intrusion with an unfolded strike length of up to 90 km and a thickness of up to 7 km. It is tholeiitic, rich in chromium and differentiated analogous to the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa, the Stillwater Complex of Montana and the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. The intrusion is of a critical mass to contain extensive economic concentrations of platinum group elements and is known to host four very large chromium deposits containing PGEs on Platinex's property. (See Comparative Stratigraphy of Large layered Intrusions) (See also 3D Rendering of Pt+Pd)
Exploration and Development History
The Big Trout Lake area was essentially unexplored until 1960. Prior to that time the only work conducted in the area was reconnaissance scale mapping by the Geological Survey of Canada in 1913 and reconnaissance scale geological mapping by the Ontario Department of Mines in 1960. More detailed mapping was done in 1979 for the Ontario Geological Survey.
From 1969 to 1980, Inco Limited carried out airborne magnetometer surveys and limited diamond drilling. Inco's exploration target, however, was initially nickel and later chromite mineralization, and the PGE potential of the area was not recognized until 1980 when P. J. Whittaker carried out a mineralogical research study on chromites of the Inco diamond drill core and speculated on the PGE potential of the chromitites. In the 1970s, Inco also attempted to assess the potential of large chromite deposits in the area.
From 1980 to 1982, Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. carried out ground geophysical surveys and completed three diamond drill holes in 1981 and eight holes in 1982. One of the 1981 holes (Hole BT-2-81) intersected 7 g/t combined Pt+Pd over two m. The Property was dormant until 1985, when Platinum Exploration Canada Inc acquired it by staking.
From 1985 to 1989, Platinum Exploration Canada and its successor companies carried out airborne and ground geophysical surveys and drilled 54 holes to explore the Big Trout Lake layered intrusive complex
A limited Max-Min II EM survey was conducted in 1997.
Diamond Drilling
Between 1970 and 1980 Canico an INCO Ltd. (INCO) joint venture drilled 23 holes for approximately 6,696 metres on Platinex's property. All drill core was removed from the property, and much of it remained in storage at the INCO Core Farm and has just been transferred to Platinex's core storage near Peterborough, Ontario. The main target of INCO's drilling was chromium mineralization with four zones each averaging over 10 metres in thickness and extending for strike lengths of 6 to 12 km.
From 1985 through 1989, 11,885 m of diamond drilling (BQ core) was completed in 54 drill holes.
In 1985, 9 holes were drilled to interpret the igneous stratigraphy of the area. Anomalous PGE concentrations included intersections of 1.035 g/t Pt and 0.295 g/t Pd over 1.39 m in Hole BT-85-2, and 0.251 g/t Pt and 0.146 g/t Pd over 1.75 m in Hole BT-85-8.
In 1987, 12 holes were drilled with the objective of completing a stratigraphic cross-section of the Big Trout Lake intrusive complex. PGE mineralization was encountered in both the ultramafic unit of the East Zone and the anorthosite unit of the West Zone. (See Big Trout Lake Exploration Targets Block Diagram for details)
Exploration Targets
Now that the data from the leases and the claims have been merged, the spatial relationship between a narrow but intense magnetic anomaly, the chromite deposits and PGE targets is evident as depicted in the two figures below.
A recent synthesis of all exploration and research data and a valuation of the chromium-iron-PGE deposits on the Big Trout Lake property have greatly improved the focus of future exploration efforts. Currently a two phase exploration program at a total cost of C$2,300,000 is planned to test six targets which have already been shown to be well mineralized with PGE, gold, nickel, and copper; and to test the chromium-iron-PGE deposits confirming previous drill results and logging and reassaying of 17,000 feet of core obtained from an INCO joint venture. Target 1 is a Ni-Cu-PGE prospect at the base of the intrusion. Targets 2 through 6 are stratabound PGE prospects. (See Big Trout Lake Exploration Targets Block Diagram for details)
Target 1 is a geophysical anomaly evidenced by an 800 m long horizontal loop EM anomaly interpreted to be caused by a 2 metre thick steeply dipping massive sulphide body possibly containing nickel, copper, PGEs and gold. This anomaly is at the base of the intrusion. Semi-massive sulphides have been intersected along strike of the base of the intrusion and within the basal portion of the intrusion (See Target 1 Block Diagram). Some very exciting assays have been returned from these intersections. Cu/Pd ratios at the base of the intrusion indicate that the basal ultramafic cycle is depleted in PGE and that the PGE plus copper and nickel may have been scavenged from the intrusion by a sulphide body during emplacement of the intrusion. No resources have been defined in connection with this target. Type deposit models for Target 1 include the Ni-Cu-PGE deposits of Sudbury, Norilsk-Talnakh and many other smaller examples including the Thierry deposit near Pickle Lake. Typically these deposits are located near the base of the intrusion and vary in size from 100,000 tonnes to 100,000,000 tonnes.
Although this target has yet to be drill tested and no resources have been defined in connection with it and the drilling may not succeed in defining a resource, Platinex has constructed a conceptual target model based on dimensions 800 metres long by 2 metres thick assuming 1,000 metres depth and a specific gravity of 4.0. The target potential would be 6.4 million tonnes grading 2.0% nickel, 2.0% copper, 8.0 grams of palladium per tonne, 1.0 grams of platinum per tonne, 0.2 grams of rhodium per tonne and 0.3 grams of gold per tonne. The grades are speculative but based on the upper range of values obtained in previous intersections of semi-massive sulphides along strike.
Target 2 includes the fourth and fifth cycles of the ultramafic basal portion of the intrusion and the transition zone from ultramafic rocks to gabbro composition rocks for a strike length of at least 4200 m and possibly 8600 m on the property. (See Target 2 Block Diagram) Cycle 4 of this target has been minimally tested in an area showing significant Mesozoic weathering and core loss. Cycle 5 had been tested by only one fence of holes where significant core loss occurred. It is believed that possible leaching of PGEs and core loss have contributed to understating of in situ values of PGEs similar to the experience in exploring and mining the Main Sulphide Zone of the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. If this is the case results will be improved with deeper drilling and better core recovery. Theoretically this cycle just beneath the transition zone would be the likely host for a PGE reef comparable to the Main Sulphide Zone of the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. Evidence for this may be seen in the comparison of Magma Depletion Trends for the Bushveld and Big Trout Lake Intrusions. Furthermore several excellent intersections with a best value of 5.4g/t Pt+Pd+Au/1.0m and exceptionally high R-factors (greater than 100,000) were obtained in the 22S area associated with chromitite reefs in Cycle 4. In this vicinity the Pt/Pd ratio becomes greater than one. Outside the one area of testing the zone is untested for an 8.6km strike length.
No resources have been defined in connection with this target as more drilling would be required to define a possible resource. However, Platinex has constructed a conceptual target model based on dimensions four kilometres long by three metres thick to a depth of 1,000 metres and a specific gravity of 3.5. The deposit potential for the model is 42.0 million tonnes grading 3.0 grams of platinum per tonne, 3.0 grams of palladium per tonne, 0.5 grams of rhodium per tonne, 0.3 grams of gold per tonne, 0.2% nickel and 0.10% copper. The grades are speculative but based on the upper range of values obtained in previous intersections in Cycle 4. Considering the total extent of this zone on the property, there is an untested strike length of 19 kilometres that, consistent with the target model, has the potential to contain 190 million tonnes. The target is believed to correlate with either the Zone 3 or the Zone 4 Chromite underlying the leases.
Target 3 This target is the cycle 3 horizon of the basal ultramafic portion of the intrusion in the 20N area of the property (see Target 3 Block Diagram). A chromite-rich horizon, identified as the gamma horizon occurs approximately 66 m stratigraphically above the chromite-rich phi horizon in hole 89-22. At this location the gamma horizon contains 8.4 g/tonne combined Pt+Pd over 2.3 metres (14g/t over 0.9m) in a layer that contains 11.94% Cr2O3/3.3 m. Intersections on both the phi and gamma horizons display exceptionally high R-factors (greater than 100,000). Two other intersections in this area were incomplete because of cross cutting dikes. Other intersections on both chromitite horizons returned very anomalous PGE concentrations. Evidence of local weathering (Mesozoic), possible leaching of PGEs and core loss along chromitite layers suggests that the returned assay values may improve with better core recovery and deeper drilling. The Magma Depletion Trends Diagram actually hints at a possible local PGE depletion trend in the upper part of cycle 3. Several additional portions of the 8.6 km strike length may also be prospective but are not included in this analysis.
No resources have been defined in connection with this target, more drilling would be required to define a possible resource. However, Platinex has constructed a conceptual target model based on dimensions one kilometre long by two metres thick to a depth of 1,000 metres and a specific gravity of 3.5. The target potential of this model is 7.0 million tonnes grading 2.0 grams of platinum per tonne, 7.0 grams of palladium per tonne, 0.8 grams of rhodium per tonne, 0.8 grams of gold per tonne, 0.25% nickel and 0.10% copper. The grades are speculative but based on the upper range of values obtained in previous intersections in this area of Cycle 3.
Target 3 correlates with the Zone 2 Chromitite underlying the leases. As such where tested the chromium deposits have been found to contain significant amounts of PGE's as noted above and also indicated by the few assays by INCO in the 1970's which returned up to 5.0 g Pt +Pd /tonne over 0.4m.
Target 4 is similar to Target 3 in that it is a portion of Cycle 3 of the ultramafics in the 20 S area. and is therefore correlative with the Zone 2 Chromitite. (see Target 4 Block Diagram) Pervasive weathering in the core in combination with core loss suggests that values obtained to date in core may be understated and improved with deeper drilling and better core recovery. The Magma Depletion Trends Diagram actually hints at a possible local PGE depletion trend in the upper part of Cycle 3.
No resources have been defined in connection with this target, more drilling would be required to define a possible resource. However, Platinex has constructed a target model based on dimensions 1.2 kilometres long by two metres thick to a depth of 1,000 metres and a specific gravity of 3.5. The conceptual target model potential is 8.4 million tonnes grading 2.0 grams of platinum per tonne, 7.0 grams of palladium per tonne, 0.8 grams of rhodium per tonne, 0.8 grams of gold per tonne, 0.25% nickel and 0.10% copper. The grades are speculative but based on the upper range of values obtained in previous intersections in this area of Cycle 3.
Target 5 The Canoxy discovery area has been drilled intensively in an effort to correlate high grade PGE values between drill holes within Cycle 3 of the basal ultramafics. (see Target 5 Block Diagram) Potentially commercial grade concentrations (9.308 g/t (PGE+Au), 6.698g/t (PGE+Au), 4.511 g/t(PGE +Au) and 13.987 g /t(PGE+Au) occur in the phi, alpha and delta chromitite horizons in cycles 3 and 2 respectively. Extremely high R-factors (exceeding 100,000) are associated with these intersections.There appears to be an alignment of intersections in an EW direction crossing chromitites.In addition to the possibility of a stratabound reef or cluster of reefs, ballroom structures, where the intensively mineralized interval becomes thicker, similar to those found in the JM reef in Montana, may exist in this area. Other highly anomalous chromitite intersections tend to cluster in an area correlating with a magnetic high.
Separate research done on the magnetic data by McMaster University has resolved the data into cylindrical magnetic bodies which individually have an EW strike and a dip to the south of 70º. One of these bodies correlates with the magnetic high and the anomalous intersections.
Most of the drill core in the Canoxy discovery area evidences minor to intense levels of Mesozoic weathering, shearing and core loss. It has been established that possible leaching of PGEs and core loss have contributed to the understating of in situ values of PGEs similar to the experience in exploring and mining the Main Sulphide Zone of the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe. If this is the case results will be improved with deeper drilling and better core recovery.
No resources have been defined in connection with this target, more drilling would be required to define a possible resource. However, Platinex has constructed two different conceptual target models:
- Based on dimensions 200 metres long by two metres thick to a depth of 1,000 metres and a specific gravity of 3.5 the target potential is 1.4 million tonnes grading 2.0 grams of platinum per tonne, 7.0 grams of palladium per tonne, 0.8 grams of rhodium per tonne, 0.8 grams of gold per tonne, 0.25% nickel and 0.10% copper. This may be repeated along strike or in a parallel reef.
- Based on dimensions 200 metres long by 100 metres thick to a depth of 1,000 metres and a specific gravity of 3.5 the target potential is 70.0 million tonnes grading 1.0 grams of platinum per tonne, 3.5 grams of palladium per tonne, 0.4 grams of rhodium per tonne, 0.4 grams of gold per tonne, 0.25% nickel and 0.10% copper.
All grades are speculative but based on the range of values obtained in previous intersections in this area of Cycle 3.
Target 5 is also correlative with the Zone 1 Chromitite layer underlying the leases.
Target 6 The West Zone (where drilled) is a 20 to 60 metre thick anomalous concentration of PGE mineralized rock within the gabbro- anorthosite sequence. Pt + Pd concentrations range from 200 ppb to 1.4 g/t. The rock in the drilled sections has been subjected to high grade thermal metamorphism, and tectonic deformation. (See Exploration Targets Block Diagram) The West Zone stratigraphy represents a classic magma roll over zone comparable to the JM reef and Merensky reef (the world's main reserves and resources of PGEs). this is enhanced by the comparison of Magma Depletion Trends link in the two intrusions. There is a significant increase in the 2Cu/(Pt+Pd) ratio west of the West Zone. Moderately high R-factors in excess of 10,000 are associated with the West Zone. Along strike of the West Zone drilled area a weak HLEM anomaly has been detected in a MaxMin II survey at 3+50W on line 20+00S. It is proposed to test this target with one drill hole. The prospective horizon covers a 22 Km strike length on the property and has the dimensions to host a large PGE resource.
Two fences or sections of drill holes 6 km and 12 km north of the recorded West Zone drilling were completed in 1980 by the Canadian Nickel Company (INCO). Platinex now has possession of this core and is in the process of logging and sampling it.
No resources have been defined in connection with this target, more drilling would be required to define a possible resource. However, a more typical narrow reef with commercial grades analogous to the Merensky reef or a higher grade section of the mineralization already intersected could occur along strike in either direction.
Chromium Deposits
The lateral persistence of chromite mineralization in ultramafic intrusions is well documented, and drilling to date along the Nemeigusabins Lake Arm of the Big Trout Igneous Complex, has indicated this is true on the property. Airborne magnetic data also provides evidence of continuity along strike disrupted on occasion by fault displacement.
Chromium mineralization has been partly defined in four zones each averaging over 10 metres in thickness and extending for strike lengths of 6 to 12 km. (See R-Factors, and Regional Geology figures and Chromite Deposits Intersection Summary Table) Zone 1 has been correlated over a strike length of 13 km and over 9 km of that length averages 11.70% Cr2O3 over 7.98 m from a low of 5.86%Cr2O3/7.4m to a high of 13.94% Cr2O3/21.36m . Over a strike length of 9 km Zone 2 averages 10.62% Cr2O3/8.03m from a low of 5.99% Cr2O3/17.77m to 21.78%/10.7m although it has been correlated for 13 km. Zone 3 averages 9.19% Cr2O3/4.31m from a low of 3.47% Cr2O3/2.84m to 15.39%/6.55m for a strike length of 6 km. Zone 4 averages 6.00% Cr2O3/20.43m from a low of 4.82% Cr2O3/14.05m to 6.40%/43.25m over a strike length of 6 km.
A three dimensional model created using Gemcom software outlined the four chromite mineralized zones between three drill fences over an approximate 6 km strike length with two of the zones (possibly all four) persistent over an additional 3 km to the south (see Regional Geology). A conceptual model based on 50 m extrapolations of each intersection in each dimension and extended laterally between the four fences demonstrated the possibility of 140,000,000 tonnes of chromite mineralization with an average grade of approximately 8.4 percent Cr2O3 and a Cr:Fe ratio of approximately 1.0. If this model was extrapolated between the 22N drill fence through the three former INCO drill fences to the north end of the property, consistent with the magnetic anomaly and to a depth of 1,000 m, the gross dimensions of the mineralization would result in approximately 1,715,000,000 tonnes. If confirmed, it would be one of the largest deposits in the world. There is however, no certainty that further drilling will confirm the potential in either of the above models or the grades or thicknesses of drill intersections.
For more data, see Summary Table of Chromite Intersections with Related Pt-Pd Values
Prospecting, Exploration, Development and Operations by the Company
The Company has expended approximately $1,500,000 on the Big Trout Lake Property to date, carrying out an airborne magnetometer and electromagnetic survey, various remote sensing surveys, and a computer assisted synthesis of all drill hole and geochemical data on the property.
An airborne magnetometer and electromagnetic (EM) survey by Fugro Airborne Surveys Ltd. over a portion of the Big Trout Lake Property during June 2000 has outlined the PGE - associated linear magnetic structure in the east part of the Big Trout Lake Property and a semi-continuous magnetic pattern along the west margin of the Big Trout Lake Property.
EM conductors of varying strength and strike length are associated with both of these linear magnetic anomalies in the eastern and western parts of the Big Trout Lake Property. Previous drilling of targets that correspond in location to some of the conductors in the eastern magnetic structure intersected Pt-Pd mineralization. Numerous conductors associated with interpreted structures in the eastern and western parts of the Big Trout Lake Property remain to be evaluated.
A review of the Cu/Pd ratios in 1,879 composite samples from previous drilling indicates that the West zone Anorthosite/Pyroxenite horizon and the entire East zone ultramafic horizon are geochemically favourable to host PGE mineralization.
The R-factor is a useful tool in recognizing whether a magma could host a primary reef type PGE deposit or a low grade bulk tonnage Ni-Cu deposit with accessory PGE. Generally, a low R-factor suggests that a magma will have undergone a significant depletion of Cu and Ni, and this would result in a low PGE content to any associated sulphide metal deposit. Conversely, a magma that has a high R-factor is more likely to have associated a primary reef type PGE deposit. (PGE-reef type mineralization is associated with the highest known R- factors in layered intrusions.) A total of 5,647 Big Trout samples were plotted on a scatter diagram of Cu:Pd ratio versus Pd with calculated R-factor mixing lines plotted. The data (see R-Factors figure) indicates that a significant proportion of the samples collected from past drilling programs on the Big Trout Lake Property have R-factors greater than 10,000. Also many plots are comparable to or would yield higher R-factors than the PGE producing Merensky and UG2 reefs. A persistent systematic enrichment in PGEs, as evidenced by very high R-factors, occurs in various chromitites of the Big Trout Lake East Zone. The R-factors in the West Zone are also above 10,000. A comparison of Cu/Pd ratios and 2Cu/(Pt+Pd) ratios in Big Trout Lake reveals three depletion trends in the Big Trout Lake data comparable to Bushveld data near the Merensky reef. Such a depletion trend indicates the conditions precedent to the formation of a PGE-bearing reef deposit. One of these depletion trends is near the top of Cycle 5 in the ultramafics. One is between the top of the ultramafics and the West Zone and the last is the West Zone. (See Depletion Trends)
It has long been recognized by workers on the property that the basal ultramafic layers of the intrusion have been variably but strongly serpentinized. Identification of the protolith sequence except for chromitite horizons is difficult. The computer assisted synthesis of drill data completed earlier this year accompanied by a new qualifying report have provided new insights into the geology of the Ultramafic East Zone and exploration potential of the intrusion.
The study used the chemical signature of the igneous stratigraphy to identify five cycles within the Ultramafic Zone of the intrusion on the property and to distinguish the many, PGE-mineralized, chromite-rich horizons. Four chromitites were correlated over a 4.2 km strike length on the property and at least nine additional chromities have been distinguished as more limited in distribution or insufficiently explored. As a result six prominant and promising drill ready exploration targets have been identified.
Regional Geology
The Big Trout Lake Property covers parts of the Big Trout Lake ultramafic-mafic intrusive complex ("BTL Complex") which is situated within the God's Lake Subprovince of the Archean Superior Structural Province of the Canadian Shield. The western and central parts of the complex are underlain by a poorly exposed ultramafic to mafic intrusive sequence of the Nemeigusabins Lake Arm, which comprises basal peridotite, pyroxenite, dunite and chromitite layers in its eastern part, and an upper gabbroic and anorthositic sequence in its western part. These rocks are interpreted to comprise the eastern arm of a syncline, with an east trending axis in the north and a north-trending axis in the Nemeigusabins Arm of Big Trout Lake, where the rocks are steeply east dipping to sub-vertical.
Property Geology and Mineralization
The Big Trout Lake Property covers most of the 22 km length of layered intrusive rocks which constitute the Nemeigusabins Lake Arm of the BTL Complex. The current geological interpretation relies almost entirely on diamond drill hole data. In this area an 1,850 to 2,060 m thick sequence of rocks covers some 90% of the Big Trout Lake Property. From the original base to the top, the sequence is subdivided as follows:
- An ultramafic basal sequence about 400-600 m thick.
- A 330 m thick gabbroic zone.
- A 1,100 m thick anorthositic zone which includes a 450-500 m thick layered subzone of gabbro, anorthosite and minor pyroxenite.
- A thin, 15-20 m, upper ultramafic zone that may be a separate late stage sill.
In the area of the Nemeigusabins Lake Arm of the BTL Complex, stratigraphic top direction is to the west. This is largely based on the overall east to west succession of ultramafic rocks to anorthosite representing a typical differentiated sequence. (See Comparative Stratigraphy of Large Layered Intrusions)
Within the basal ultramafic unit of the BTL Complex sulphide mineralization commonly occurs as fine disseminations locally comprising 0.5% of the rock. In places, however, sulphide content may reach 2% to 5%. Narrow semi-massive to massive sulphide zones occur along the basal contact and within the underlying mafic volcanic rocks. Sulphide constituents are pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pentlandite. Anomalous amounts of Pt and Pd are commonly associated with sulphides.PGE mineralization has been encountered along a six km long trend of a magnetic high defined by several "thumbprint" magnetic anomalies within the BTL Complex. The magnetic high extends for more than eight km along the strike. Two anomalous trends of PGE mineralization have been recognized. These are the more extensive East Zone and the West Zone some 700 m to one km further to the west. The East Zone occurs in the 600 m wide Ultramafic Zone. Mineralization ranges from 0.6 g/t combined PGE over one m to 8.4 g/t combined PGE over 2.3 m. In the West Zone, PGE mineralization occurs as 0.2 g/t to 1.6 g/t combined PGE over 20m to 60m, with Pt:Pd ratios generally in the range from 1:1 to 1:1.5. Eight of the drill holes (25% of those testing East Zone stratigraphy) intersected values of at least 5.0 g/t of Pt, Pd and Au combined.
An intensive computer assisted synthesis of drill data and remote sensing work completed earlier this year accompanied by a new qualifying report have provided new insights into the geology of the Ultramafic East Zone and exploration potential of the intrusion.
The chemical signature of the igneous stratigraphy was used to identify five cycles within the Ultramafic Zone and to distinguish the many, PGE-mineralized, chromite-rich horizons. Four chromitites having individually distinct chemistry have been correlated over a 4.2 km strike length. Nine additional distinct chromitites are either limited in strike continuity or have received less exploration coverage. As a result six prominant and promising drill ready exploration targets have been identified.
This document has been prepared in reference to geological data in the Company's qualifying report, "2004 Qualifying Report Big Trout Lake Exploration Property, Revised November 2006, District of Kenora, Ontario NTS 53 H/12" by F.W. Gittings and J.R. Walls. Mr. James R. Trusler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Platinex Inc., is the Qualified Person who prepared this document. Mr. Walls and Mr. Gittings both reviewed the document for technical accuracy.
Currently the 5000 m (17,000 ft) of core recovered from the INCO core storage is being relogged and analysed for PGE. The work has thus far shown that the southern fence or section of INCO holes on line 8+00S of the INCO grid exhibits the same transition from oversaturated PGE to undersaturated PGE in the transition zone. This has extended Target 2, which is a potential PGE reef 3 km to the north for a total potential length of 12 km. It is hoped that the current work will extend the total potential length of the reef to 18 km. Petrographic examination of the core is also being conducted currently.
The belt is prolific for layered intrusions which all appear to carry anomalous PGE-Cu-Ni occurrences.
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