Regional Geology and Economic Potential
The Tchentlo and Choo projects are situated within the Quesnellia Terrane, a belt of Mesozoic aged alkaline volcanic and intrusive rocks known as the Quesnel Trough. The Quesnel Trough hosts numerous porphyry copper-gold+/-molybdenum deposits, the majority of which are associated with the intrusion of early Jurassic-aged, potassically-altered diorite, monzonite, and syenite bodies. Many of the important deposits in the region are associated with east-west and northwest trending, prominent aeromagnetic features. The most significant porphyry deposits in the Quesnel Trough include the former Kemess and current Mt. Polley Mines, the Mt. Milligan mine development project, as well as the Kwanika and Woodjam deposits.
The Choo-Tchentlo project area is located in a highly favourable tectonic setting as it lies within a 60 km long, east-west trend clearly evident in regional aeromagnetics. This regional cross structure is one of the most pronounced features in the Quesnel Trough and is anchored by the Mt. Milligan deposit to the east. Several regional aeromagnetic and radiometric anomalies have been identified in the Tchentlo and Choo project areas that are similar to those associated with Mt Milligan.
The Choo and Tchentlo properties have been worked since pre-1960 with the discovery of copper-gold skarn mineralization at Taylor Creek. Since then, various workers including Placer Dome and Noranda, have completed geochemical soil surveys, airborne and ground based geophysical surveys, and limited wide spaced drilling. Prior drilling encountered pyritized and propylitized andesites and diorites and potasically altered monzodiorites and monzonites with local low grade copper-gold mineralization.
In May 2011, Serengeti entered into an Earn-In Agreement for the Tchentlo and Choo projects with Freeport-McMoRan of Canada Limited (Freeport), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold. Freeport funded $1.5 million in exploration expenditures on the properties in 2011-2012 before withdrawing from the agreement in September 2012.
Serengeti continues to consider the Tchentlo and Choo properties prospective to host alkalic porphyry copper-gold deposits. Past exploration has been hampered by the presence of glacial till, providing both an exploration challenge as well as the opportunity to conceal buried porphyry deposits. From 2005 to 2011, Serengeti consolidated the mineral tenure and completed geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys, as well as limited diamond drilling on the properties.
In 2011, Serengeti and Freeport completed an extensive exploration program consisting of 60 line km of IP surveying along with mapping, prospecting, and collection of 1400 Ah soil samples. In conjunction with knowledge from prior work, this program identified numerous porphyry copper drill targets
Drill Program and Results
A total of 2842 meters was drilled in 12 holes testing seven separate targets in a program completed from mid-June to mid-July 2012. Three of the holes at Tchentlo tested a strong induced polarization and magnetic anomaly with coincident Cu-Mo-Au-Pt soil anomalies encountering structurally controlled copper-moly-gold mineralization in two holes.
On the Choo property, three very widely spaced holes (up to five kilometers apart) encountered gold-anomalous intervals (1.53 g/t Au over 4 meters, 0.55 g/t Au over 8 meters and 0.66 g/t Au over 5 meters) at or near the contacts of andesite or feldspar porphyry dykes.
The results from this recently completed drill program are being integrated with the balance of the exploration data and evaluated to determine an appropriate follow-up program.
Serengeti is actively seeking potential partners for the project.
