Hellroaring Creek Intrusive Complex, St. Mary Lake, Kimberley, Fort Steele Mining Division, British Columbia, Canadai

Regional Level Types
Hellroaring Creek Intrusive Complex	Prospect
St. Mary Lake	- not defined -
Kimberley	City
Fort Steele Mining Division	Division
British Columbia	Province
Canada	Country

Latitude 049º 34' 00'' North; Longitude: 116º 10' 35'' West. Note that this is a central reference point for the complex, which covers several square kilometres. The complex lies about 20 kilometres south-west of Kimberley, British Columbia.
Giles Peatfield comments:
There is a description of the property, listed as a developed prospect, on the British Columbia “Minfile” site, current to 2014. Portions of this description relative to geology are quoted below:
“The area [of the Hellroaring Creek pegmatite stock] is underlain by quartzite and argillite of the Creston Formation and argillite, quartzite and mica schist of the Aldridge Formation, both of the Helikian Purcell Supergroup. These metasediments are intruded by sills and dykes of granodiorite of the Proterozoic Moyie Intrusions, which are in turn intruded by pegmatite of the Middle Proterozoic Hellroaring Creek stock. The east trending St. Mary fault separates this area from the area underlain by Creston Formation metasediments to the south. The Aldridge Formation is folded into an open northwest plunging anticline with the Hellroaring Creek stock emplaced in the core.”
“The stock is comprised of medium to coarse grained white to light grey pegmatite typically containing 60 to 70 per cent feldspar, 20 to 30 per cent quartz, 0 to 10 per cent muscovite and 0 to 10 per cent tourmaline. Beryl, garnet, pyrite, pyrrhotite, galena and arsenopyrite occur in minor to trace amounts. The feldspar occurs in distinct microcline and albite rich zones. Quartz occurs in massive lenses several metres thick that are free of feldspar. Muscovite forms fine flakes along fractures and books, up to 13 centimetres across, in irregular patches. Thin needle-like tourmaline crystals (3 by 10 millimetres) and blades up to 3 centimetres long occur in patches. Beryl forms erratically scattered very pale bluish green and white crystals and irregular masses up to 7.5 centimetres in diameter and 15 centimetres in length that tend to be associated with plagioclase, quartz and muscovite. Garnet is present as pink to red grains 1 to 2 millimetres across in addition to occasional veinlets of pyrite, pyrrhotite, galena and arsenopyrite. Iron and manganese staining is common on outcrops and in drill core.”
There are no formal resource estimates for this property. Smith and Brown (1998) wrote that “The Hellroaring Creek Stock was originally located by Rice (1941), during a regional study, and a more detailed map was published by Leech (1957). It was [subsequently] regarded as an intrusive of possible economic interest with exploration projects focusing in on the potential for beryllium and industrial minerals.” Soloviev 2012 wrote that “. . . it was staked as a beryllium prospect and explored by various operators (i.e., Richfield Oil Corp. etc.) by stripping, blasting, sampling and mapping; as a result, it was estimated that the northern end of the stock contains [a] no[n] NI 43-101 compliant resource of 500 000 tonnes of the mineralized material grading 0.1% BeO (Wasylyshyn, 1984; MINFILE, 2011).”
Regarding the potential of feldspar production from the pegmatites, the following quote is from the Bearcat Explorations Ltd. Annual Report 1986. “Lumberton Mines Limited [a subsidiary of Bearcat] conducted a very active exploration and development program on the Hellroaring Creek feldspar project during the past year with very positive results. An extensive diamond drill program delineated substantial drill proven reserves of commercial feldspar. Indicators during the year have exhibited very improved current and future market potential for this product. The Company intends to construct a 600 tonne/day mill in 1987.” The report contains the following estimates: “In excess of 5 million drill proven tons to date; indicated potential additional minimum of 20 million tons plus.” These figures are of course not compliant with current NI43-101 standards, and there is no available backup for the numbers – they must be regarded as purely speculative. Nothing further is available in the record regarding this economic possibility.
Finally, at the Warhorse/Boy Scout deposit (B.C. Minfile No. 082FNE061), according to Minfile “Work by previous operators had indicated approximately 23,000 to 27,000 tonnes at 6 per cent lead, 8 per cent zinc, 171 grams per tonne silver (Northern Miner, Dec. 30, 1965).” These figures are of course not compliant with current NI43-101 standards.
The subject of radiometric dates for the Hellroaring Creek rocks is a complex one. The following is a summary of dates for intrusive rocks within and in the immediate area of the Hellroaring Creek Stock, beginning with early work by the Geological Survey of Canada. Lowdon (1961) reported a K-Ar age of 705 Ma for muscovite from granodiorite 1.8 miles south of St. Mary Lake. Lowdon (1962) reported a K-Ar age of 675 Ma for muscovite from pegmatitic granodiorite on Angus Creek. Leech (1962) noted that this was from “. . . a small stock just to the east of the Hellroaring Creek stock; . . . .” This is now considered to be part of the Hellroaring Creek complex. Leech (1963) wrote extensively about the ages of metamorphism affecting micas in sedimentary strata in the region, which show a complex pattern of younger ages. Detailed discussion is beyond the scope of this review. Ryan and Blenkinsop (1971) reported that “Present Rb–Sr isotope measurements indicate an approximate age of 1260 m.y. [Ma].” for the stock. Smith and Brown (1998) quoted Ryan and Blenkinsop’s age (1260 ± 50 Ma), and added that “. . . more recent work has produced a ~1370 Ma U-Pb monazite age (Mortenson, written comm., 1997) . . . .” Smith and Brown (1998) commented, regarding the much younger dates provided by the early work, that “These ages could reflect K-Ar resetting due to a metamorphic event.” Finally, Rioseco et al. (2020) performed 40Ar/39Ar dating on micas in the general region. They analyzed two muscovite samples and one biotite sample from Aldridge Formation metasediments in the immediate area of the Hellroaring Creek Complex. The results for muscovite were 674 ± 6 Ma and 704 ± 2 Ma; that for biotite was 316 ± 4 Ma.
Giles Peatfield Comments on the Minerals Reported:
Note that these comments refer to minerals found within and adjacent to the intrusive complex, including at the adjacent Warhorse/Boy Scout deposit.
Amphibole group: Soloviev (2001) reported actinolite and hornblende in the gabbro of the Moyie intrusions.
Apatite group: Soloviev (2001) noted that the pegmatites commonly contain bright orange fluorescent fluor-apatite.
Arsenopyrite: Soloviev (2001) reported that arsenopyrite is a common trace constituent of the various rock types. See also note below for chalcopyrite.
Beryl: This is the mineral of most interest in the complex. The earliest descriptions were by Mulligan (1968) who wrote that “The beryl seen by the writer is very pale, nearly white, but boundary surfaces are commonly stained green or red. Some smaller crystals are well formed, but larger ones are irregular. The largest mass found was about 3 inches across. Most of the beryl seen was intimately associated with muscovite near the boundaries of quartz segregations.” Legun (2004) wrote that in the Hellroaring Creek Body “Beryl occurs as sparse clusters of hexagonal prisms or as single crystals in the northern part of the Hellroaring Creek body. Crystals about a cm wide and 5 or more centimeters long are typical. A 15 cm long dihexagonal crystal is exposed in a pegmatite on the northwest side of the main body. The crystal is white with a very pale patchy bluish hue. Elsewhere very pale whitish-green crystals occur as well as crystals which are more or less translucent. Completely opaque crystals are common.” Soloviev (2012) wrote that “Beryllium mineralization appears to be more widespread in the pegmatites and nearby granites of the Hellroaring Creek stock exposed on the surface, where large beryl crystals attaining 5.5 kg in weight and over 30 cm in length were noted . . . .” Although there are, as noted here, large individual crystals of beryl, there is a wide range of grain sizes, down to very small.
Calcite: Soloviev (2001), describing an altered graphitic [graphic?] pegmatite, reported “. . . widely scattered and rare tiny crystals of calcite.” The mineral was not reported by other workers, but this may simply be that it was not considered important enough to mention.
Cassiterite?: This has not been positively identified here, but Soloviev (2012) commented that “The pegmatites contain also elevated tin grades . . . that may reflect the presence of fine disseminated cassiterite and/or other Sn-bearing minerals (nigerite, etc.).”
Chalcopyrite: Hedley (1952) reported that the mineralized structure on the Warhorse/Boy Scout property “. . . is mineralized with pyrrhotite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, arsenopyrite, and a little chalcopyrite.”
Chlorite group: Soloviev (2001) reported “chlorite” as an alteration of feldspar, but gave no specific data.
Columbite-tantalite?: Mulligan (1968) reported that “Columbite-tantalite occurs in crystals more than an inch across and minor amounts of tin were reported ( GSC spectrographic laboratory) in composite samples of pegmatite.” Soloviev (2001) reported fine black specks in feldspar, that he thought might be columbite. Soloviev (2012) reported that “Assaying of the core from the historical drillholes drilled in 1985-86 by Lumberton Mines Ltd. in the northwestern sector of the Hellroaring Creek stock indicated the presence of elevated tantalum contents at deeper levels of the stock . . . . However, the intervals encountered at the higher (shallower) level of the pluton still bear greater Ta values. The high variability in the Ta/Nb ratios suggests the presence of (besides of columbite-tantalite) other Ta-Nb minerals and/or the presence of various generations of columbite-tantalite with respectively variable Ta-Nb contents.”
Feldspar group: The following feldspar species have been reported: perthite; albite; microcline; K-feldspar (orthoclase?). Soloviev (2001), discussing programs for delineating feldspar resources, wrote that “The work delineated three surface areas with significant high-grade ceramic feldspar. Potential by-products are high-grade mica, high-grade silica, and a minor amount of beryllium in the form of beryl. Tests carried out by CANMET indicate that the pegmatite can be processed to produce feldspar and mica concentrates that meet industry standards with full liberation at 50 mesh.” Unfortunately, there are no specific mineral data given.
Ferberite-hübnerite series: Wasylyshyn (1984) mentioned that “wolframite” was found in one location, but gave no further data.
Galena: This has been reported as a minor occurrence in several rock types in the complex. See also note above for chalcopyrite.
Garnet group: Most workers reported varying amounts of generally pink garnets. Soloviev (2012) reported that at least some of the garnets are Mn-rich.
Hematite: Soloviev (2001) wrote that “Marginal facies of the pegmatite are locally enriched in fine-grained hematite . . . .”
Hyalite: This opaline silica was reported by Soloviev (2001), who identified it in pegmatite, based on its bright green fluorescence.
Limonite: White (1988) reported minor iron staining in pegmatite in diamond drill core. Soloviev (2001) reported limonite staining in pegmatitic granite in drill core.
Mica group: The following mica species have been reported: muscovite - common; biotite - in Aldridge Formation metasediments; sericite as an alteration product in metasediments.
Molybdenite: Wasylyshyn (1984) reported possible traces of molybdenite in drill core. Soloviev (2001) reported that “The contact aureole [of the stock] also incorporates various altered and hydrothermal rocks. Among them, thin bedded lenses of altered pyroxene-garnet skarns (with molybdoscheelite and molybdenite), . . . .”
Molybdoscheelite: See note above for molybdenite. Is this the same material that Legun (2004) suspected was scheelite?
Pyrite: This was reported by all workers, generally in trace or small amounts.
Pyrolusite?: Soloviev (2001) reported possible pyrolusite in drill core. Wasylyshyn (1984) noted numerous examples of “Mn stain” in drill core.
Pyroxene group: Soloviev (2012) wrote that “The contact aureole [of the stock] consists of various altered lithologies including thin bedded lenses of altered pyroxene-garnet skarns . . . .”, but gave no specific data.
Pyrrhotite: White (1988) noted that the Hellroaring Creek pegmatite “. . . may include garnet and/or pyrite, pyrrhotite and galena.” Soloviev (2001) noted disseminated pyrrhotite in various rock types, including pegmatite, gabbro, metasediments, etc.
Quartz: This is ubiquitous, as a constituent of various rock types and in veins and lenses.
Scheelite?: Legun (2004) wrote that “A small area of skarn adjacent to a pegmatite sill is present on the north side of Hellroaring creek. It is rich in garnet with grey wollastonite. Fluorescence under UV suggests the presence of scheelite.” See also note above for molybdoscheelite.
Siderite: Wasylyshyn (1984) reported, in drill core logging, one example of siderite in a quartz vein.
Smectite: White (1988) reported, in X-ray diffraction results from one sample from pegmatite, “Quartz with trace feldspars ± smectite.”
Sphalerite: Soloviev (2012) noted that “The contact aureole consists of various altered lithologies including . . . quartz-sulphide veins with sphalerite, galena, etc.” Sphalerite is well developed at the Warhorse/Boy Scout deposit, where according to Minfile “Work by previous operators had indicated approximately 23,000 to 27,000 tonnes at 6 per cent lead, 8 per cent zinc, 171 grams per tonne silver (Northern Miner, Dec. 30, 1965).”
Tourmaline group: Tourmaline is abundant in the complex rocks, often up to several percent by volume. It has variable grain size, and is mostly black. White (1988) noted that “Tourmaline detected in this suite of rocks appears to be iron-rich.” Smith and Brown (1998) simply reported tourmaline. Soloviev (2001) noted that the tourmaline is generally black. Soloviev (2012) provided more information, when he wrote that “Ethier and Campbell (1977) determined the tourmaline composition as shorl with characteristically high iron and low calcium content. However, some tourmaline crystals show a distinct color zoning from black to dark olive-green, thus indicating more evolved (toward shorl-dravite and dravite (?) compositions[)].” Finally, Jiang et al. (2000) noted that “Granitic and pegmatitic tourmalines from the Hellroaring Creek stock are schorls . . . .” They went on to say that “In contrast, tourmalines from a tourmaline-muscovite schist near the margin of the Hellroaring Creek stock are dravites with low Mn contents . . . .”
Wollastonite: Legun (2004), describing an area toward the north-west end of the complex, wrote that “A small area of skarn adjacent to a pegmatite sill is present on the north side of Hellroaring creek. It is rich in garnet with grey wollastonite.”
Giles Peatfield Comments on the Rock Types Reported:
These rock names refer to the Hellroaring Creek stock and satellite bodies and to the surrounding rocks, as reported by numerous workers.

Giles Peatfield
BASc. (Geological Engineering) University of British Columbia 1966.
PhD Queen's University at Kingston 1978.
Worked for Texas Gulf Sulphur / Texasgulf Inc. / Kidd Creek Mines - 1966 to 1985.
Consultant 1985 to 2016

Other Databases

Link to British Columbia Minfile:	082FNE110

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References