Projects

Thorn, BC

Property Overview

High-sulphidation, copper-gold-silver epithermal vein system

The exploration target at the Thorn property is a large epithermal alteration system hosting massive pyrite-enargite-tetrahedrite veins.

In general, these deposits consist of a series of structurally-controlled pyrite-enargite-tetrahedrite veins that vary in width from a few centimetres to 20 metres wide. Alteration consists of strong clay and sericite often surrounding a zone of vuggy silica or strong alunite alteration. A well known example of this type of deposit is the El Indio Deposit in Chile. Production and reserves at El Indio total 23.2 million tonnes averaging 4% copper, 6.6 g/t (0.19 oz/ton) gold and 50 g/t (1.4 oz/ton) silver. El Indio also produced 191,000 tonnes of direct shipping ore that averaged 209 g/t (6.1 oz/ton) gold. Kiska has no direct or indirect interest in the El Indio Deposit.

Oban Breccia Zone

Three holes tested the Oban Breccia Zone, where previous work outlined gold-silver-copper-lead-zinc mineralization hosted in a breccia measuring at least 300 metres in diameter but remaining open to the east and under glacial till. Drilling in 2003 and 2004 returned results including 77.8 metres averaging 110.1 g/t silver and 0.68 g/t gold in THN03-22. Hole THN11-60 was collared 20 metres northeast of THN03-19 (38.6 metres of 103.2 g/t silver and 1.22 g/t gold including 14.0 metres of 190 g/t silver and 1.97 g/t gold) and was drilled at an azimuth of 220 degrees with a dip of -65 degrees to a total depth of 243 metres. Starting at a depth of 6 metres, THN11-60 intersected 95.08 metres of 628 g/t silver, 1.71 g/t gold, 0.12% copper, 3.31% lead and 2.39% zinc. The high grade silver-lead-zinc interval of 9.25 metres averaging 2,984 g/t silver, 3.04 g/t gold, 0.53% copper, 11.60% lead and 3.42% zinc starts 55.40 metres down the hole. Mineralization is comprised of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, sulphosalts and chalcopyrite hosted in a hydrothermal breccia matrix.

THN11-57 is a vertical hole collared on the same section, approximately 50 metres southwest of THN11-60. This hole intersected 103.91 metres of 66.84 g/t silver, 0.26 g/t gold 0.22% lead and 0.27% zinc in breccia-hosted mineralization from 73.39 metres depth and an additional 37.72 metres of 60.76 g/t silver, 2.08 g/t gold, 0.46% copper, 0.25% lead and 0.55% zinc from 186.48 metres depth. This intercept included 7.8 metres of 197.03 g/t silver, 6.13 g/t gold, 1.38% copper, 0.49% lead and 0.38% zinc.

Oban Breccia Zone — Significant Intersections

Hole	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (%)	Pb (%)	Zn (%)
THN11-60	6.00	101.08	95.08	1.71	628	0.12	3.31	2.39
including	6.00	29.84	23.84	2.54	495	0.13	3.22	2.00
and	55.45 215.50	64.70 221.29	9.25 5.79	3.04 0.21	2984 663	0.53 -	11.65 2.62	3.42 1.21
THN11-57	73.39	177.30	103.91	0.26	66.8	-	0.22	0.63
including	76.39	104.00	27.61	0.33	110.2	-	0.29	0.63
	201.00 240.53	219.58 264.00	18.58 23.47	4.10 4.44	103.0 0.3	0.93 0.07	0.33 -	0.30 0.09
THN11-53	168.54	243.79	75.25	0.44	14.75	0.05	0.09	0.52

 

Maps & Figures- Updated January 6, 2012

Oban Plan Map

Oban Cross Section

 

 

Talisker Zone

Nine holes tested the Talisker Zone and its intersection with a geological unconformity at its northeastern extent. Drilling has now intersected gold-silver-copper bearing quartz-sulphide vein mineralization over a 700 metre strike length. This mineralization was first identified in 2004 and 2005 drilling and includes 56.1 metres averaging 1.27 g/t gold, 16.7 g/t silver and 0.19% copper in THN04-29 and 4.2 metres averaging 4.44 g/t gold, 407.9 g/t silver and 2.95% copper within a larger interval of 43.93 metres averaging 0.76 g/t gold, 48.9 g/t silver and 0.36% copper in THN05-37, 100 metres along strike from THN04-29.

Highlights from the 2011 program include drill hole THN11-51 which returned 49.78 metres of 1.41 g/t gold, 19.0 g/t silver and 0.25% copper from a 25 metre step-out from THN04-29 to test the downdip extension of mineralization intersected in 2004. Hole THN11-56 was collared approximately 400 metres northwest of THN05-37, at an azimuth of 145 degrees with a dip of -70 degrees. This hole intersected 19.78 metres averaging 1.02 g/t gold, 35.50 g/t silver, and 0.30% copper, including 0.90 meters of 12.35 g/t gold, 130 g/t silver and 0.49% copper. The hole tested the northeast extension of the Talisker Zone and the potential for lateral expansion of the Talisker mineralization where its controlling structures intersect a geological unconformity. As this hole intersected significant precious and base metal mineralization at the unconformity, potential for further mineralization of this style exists along its lateral extents.

Talisker Zone — Significant Intersections

Hole	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (%)
*THN11-41	72.93	83.08	10.15	1.71	37.7	0.04
including	79.98	81.02	1.04	5.91	15.4	0.04
*THN11-42	117.82	152.64	34.82	0.63	22.4	0.14
*THN11-43	141.91	144.82	2.91	0.43	18.3	0.55
THN11-51	52.16	101.94	49.78	1.41	19.0	0.25
including	73.95	86.94	12.99	3.21	38.6	0.60
THN11-56	82.3	102.08	19.78	1.02	35.5	0.30
THN11-61	113	115.2	2.02	1.40	52.5	0.74

 

Maps & Figures- Updated January 6, 2012

Talisker Plan Map

 

 

Camp Creek Corridor Targets

Nine holes tested targets over a 900 metre trend in the Camp Creek Corridor. Highlights of this drilling include the Feeder Zone target which returned 1.2 metres averaging 0.73 g/t gold, 189.0 g/t silver and 3.13% copper from 52.75 metres depth in hole THN11-44. THN11-45, drilled from the same setup, but steepened from -50 degrees to -75 degrees, returned 0.74 metres of 1.22 g/t gold, 384.0 g/t silver and 4.14% copper from a depth of 43.37 metres. Both holes intersected multiple narrow high grade silver and copper-bearing intersections in addition to the quoted intervals.

Camp Creek Corridor Targets — Significant Intersections

Hole	Target	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t)	Ag (g/t)	Cu (%)
THN11-44	Feeder	52.75	53.95	1.20	0.73	189.0	3.13
THN11-45	Feeder	40.42	40.87	0.45	1.41	343.0	6.63
		43.37 112.73	44.11 113.20	0.74 0.47	1.22 0.98	384.0 181.0	4.14 0.98
THN11-54	Lagavulin	91.3	107.13	15.83	1.25	54.08	0.16
including		102.40	104.15	1.75	7.14	245.43	0.35

 

 

Property Highlights

The Thorn Target

Breccia-hosted high-grade gold and silver mineralization

The Oban Breccia Zone was discovered in 2002 by field crews investigating the source of a very strong multi-element (silver-gold-arsenic-lead-antimony-zinc) soil geochemical anomaly. The discovery float boulder, located within the bounds of the anomalous geochemistry, assayed 6148 g/t (179 oz/t) silver, 3.5 g/t gold, 43% lead and 3.5% zinc. Further work in the area identified the outcrop source of the mineralization, and it was determined that it is hosted within a sericite-pyrite-ankerite altered heterolithic breccia. Mineralization consists of sulphides/sulphosalts (boulangerite-sphalerite-galena-pyrite) in the matrix between breccia clasts. High grade gold and silver mineralization was located over a 160 metre north-south trend. The southern-most outcrop (consisting of silicified breccia) yielded 25.9 g/t (0.75 oz/ton) gold and 391 g/t (11 oz/ton) silver from a grab sample.

The 2011 program consisted of 21 holes (5,682 metres) which tested multiple targets over a 1,900 by 1,750 metre area and highlights include hole THN11-60 at the Oban Breccia Zone which returned 95.08 metres of 628.3 g/t silver, 1.71 g/t gold, 0.12% copper, 3.31% lead and 2.39% zinc including 9.25 metres averaging 2,984.4 g/t silver, 3.04 g/t gold, 0.53% copper, 11.60% lead and 3.42% zinc.

Vein-hosted high-grade copper-gold-silver mineralization

The most common style of mineralization at the Thorn consists of copper-gold-silver mineralization dominantly hosted within, but not limited to, a strongly sericite and clay altered feldspar-quartz-biotite porphyry. Alteration occurs over an area of 1,400 by 2,000 metres. This alteration assemblage is consistent with that of high-sulphidation epithermal deposits throughout the world.

Previous workers had recognized the high grade copper-gold-silver veins at the Thorn as early as 1963. Impressive areas of strong clay and sericite alteration characterized by bright yellow, orange and buff-coloured rock exposed in creek canyons drew them into the area. Subsequently, numerous vein occurrences were identified and sampled. Since that time sporadic work was done on the property, culminating in an eight hole, 688 metre diamond drill program in 1986. Little work was done from 1986 until 1997 when Kohima Pacific Gold Corp. acquired the property. In early 2000, Kiska obtained an option on the Thorn, and completed a work program that summer.

Vein Mineralization Within the altered porphyry:

1. High-grade copper-gold-silver bearing massive pyrite, enargite and tetrahedrite veins. Examples of this type of veining include the Tamdhu and Catto veins and float boulders found in the vicinity of these veins. The Catto Vein assayed 3.05% copper, 1.1 g/t gold and 132 g/t silver over a true width of the 2.25 metres exposed in a chip sample (full width could not be determined due to overburden cover). Float boulders collected from the area averaged 19.3% copper, 7.6 g/t gold and 1285 g/t silver from three samples in 1999.

   Massive pyrite-enargite-tetrahedrite boulder from Tamdhu showing area - 12.05 % copper, 22.1 g/t gold and 2413 g/t silver

2. High-grade gold-silver mineralization hosted in quartz veins and breccias with pyrite and minor enargite and tetrahedrite. Mineralization at the B and F Zones are examples of this mineralization style. One 1986 drillhole, testing B Zone mineralization, intersected 7.8 metres of 0.08% Cu, 3.6 g/t gold, and 44 g/t silver.

3. High-grade gold-silver in quartz-pyrite-tetrahedrite sheeted veins. Zone I consists of numerous 10-70 centimetre quartz-pyrite-tetrahedrite veins across a true width of approximately 25-30 metres. Samples of this mineralization returned 0.7 metres of 0.3% copper, 9.3 g/t gold and 760 g/t silver. Drilling of this target 2002 intersected 2.3 metres of 99 g/t (2.9 oz/ton) Ag and 3.5 g/t Au within a 7-metre fault in hole THN02-09 . Hole THN02-10 cut 1.50 metres of 70.7 g/t (2.1 oz/ton) Ag and 1.4 g/t Au within the same zone.

Mineralization hosted within volcanic/ sediment package:

1. High-grade gold-silver hosted in quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins. Zone G, located a few hundred metres north of the porphyry contact exemplifies this style, with a 2.0 metre grab sample assaying 0.29% copper, 57.4 g/t gold, and 90 g/t silver.

Strong clay-sericite altered (bright yellow and buff coloured) feldspar-quartz-biotite porphyry. Looking NE up Camp Creek.

Past Exploration Highlights

The 2005 program at Thorn culminated in drilling of Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical anomalies thought to represent parallel mineralized corridors similar to the Camp Creek Corridor, where the majority of the gold-silver-copper bearing vein mineralization has been found.

The Talisker Zone had been intersected in drilling in 2004, confirming that coincident chargeability high/resistivity low anomalies can be used to target buried vein targets. A follow up hole in 2005 intersected 4.44 g/t gold, 407.9 g/t silver and 2.95% copper over 4.2 metres within a broad zone of 0.76 g/t gold, 48.9 g/t silver and 0.36% copper over 43.9 metres.

Other exploration highlights include very thick occurrences of silicified volcanic rocks in drill holes from the Cutty Sark Zone. This alteration includes <2% sulphide (pyrite with rare tetrahedrite-enargite). Further work is required to determine the significance of this alteration. Other targets, such as a high grade gold bearing baritic float found in a creek bed that assayed 265 g/t gold and 631 g/t silver.

A significant copper-gold-silver bearing system

Exploration largely focused on the gossans exposed in Camp Creek has identified numerous mineralized showings. Below is a summary of some of these occurrences:

• Oban Zone: Discovered in 2002. Prospecting to investigate an area of highly anomalous silver, arsenic and gold soil geochemistry identified in 2000, Kiska crews found massive sulphide float boulders (15x15x15cm). One boulder assayed 6149 g/t (179 oz/ton) silver, 3.5 g/t gold, 40% lead, and 3.5% zinc.
  
  

  Oban Float - 6149 g/t (179 oz/ton) silver, 3.5 g/t gold, 40% lead and 3.5% zinc. Sample in photo is approximately 5 centimetres across. 27 KB, approx. 6 seconds at 56.6Kbps

  Two chip samples averaging 3.05% copper, 1.1 g/t gold and 132 g/t silver over a length of 2.25 metres. Full width of vein could not be determined due to overburden cover (left side of photo). 55 KB, approx. 11 seconds at 56.6Kbps

• Catto Vein: Discovered in 2000, the recessive Catto Vein consists of massive pyrite, enargite and tetrahedrite in a fault paralleling the nearby contact between the porphyry and older andesites. A chip sample assayed 3.05% copper, 1.1 g/t gold and 132 g/t silver across a true width of 2.25 metres. The full width of this zone could not be determined due to overburden cover. The Catto Vein is in the same area where three cobbles collected in 1999 averaged 19.3% copper, 7.6 g/t gold and 1285 g/t silver.

• Tamdhu Vein: Discovered in 2000, the Tamdhu Vein consists of chalcedonic quartz, pyrite, enargite and tetrahedrite; a chip sample assayed 1.26% copper, 4.2 g/t gold and 320 g/t silver across a true width of 2.1 metres. The vein has been traced for 30 metres on surface. A sample from a massive sulphide float boulder thought to be derived from the Tamdhu structure returned 12.05 % copper, 22.1 g/t gold and 2413 g/t silver. 2002 drilling intersected 1.65m of 3.65% Cu, 3.1 g/t Au and 454 g/t Ag.

• Glenlivet Vein: Discovered in 2002, the Glenlivet Vein extends for 220 metres from the western end of the F Zone. At its eastern end, a grab sample returned 2.97 g/t gold with 1298 g/t (38 oz/ton) silver and 12% copper. A 20 cm grab sample at the western end of the structure assayed 20.4 g/t (0.6 oz/ton) gold, 2580 g/t (75 oz/ton) silver and 23.9% copper.

• MP Vein: The MP Vein, which may form part of a wider system covered by boulders, is a 50 centimetre vein of massive pyrite and enargite exposed in Camp Creek. A grab sample across the vein (50 cm) contained 8.73% copper, 0.8 g/t gold and 224 g/t silver. A float boulder, in a side drainage 260 metres up Camp Creek, assayed 9.19% copper, 24.2 g/t gold and 1067 g/t silver.

• B Zone: The B Zone is a 30 metre wide zone of vuggy silica, chalcedonic veining and quartz breccia with relatively minor pyrite, enargite and tetrahedrite, which has been traced for about 300 metres along strike. Five 1986 drill holes tested the B Zone, with the best intersection grading 0.08% copper, 3.6 g/t gold and 44 g/t silver across 7.8 metres.

• F Zone: F Zone is a broad zone of intense alteration with quartz-sulphide veining that can be traced for 200 metres. A sample from this structure has returned 0.31% copper, 4.6 g/t gold and 389 g/t silver across 1.2 metres.

• I Zone: The I Zone comprises numerous parallel 10-70 centimetre quartz-pyrite-tetrahedrite veins in sericitized porphyry, across a true width estimated at 25-30 metres. A 70 centimetre quartz vein sample assayed 0.30% copper, 9.3 g/t gold and 760 g/t silver. Drilling in 2002 intersected 2.3m of 99 g/t (2.9 oz/ton) Ag and 3.5 g/t Au.

• G Zone: The G Zone is an argillite-hosted quartz-carbonate-sulphide vein, located a few hundred metres north of the porphyry contact. A 2.0 metre grab sample across the vein assayed 0.29% copper, 57.4 g/t gold and 90 g/t silver.