Houston Minerals

Ashton Property

Overview

The Ashton property is located within 10 km of Lytton in southern British Columbia, 19 km south of Spences Bridge on the east bank of the Thompson River. It is positioned within a few hundred meters of the Trans-Canada Highway and the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

The property is situated near, and likely a major source for, the famous Nicola placer gold deposits that sparked the Thompson River gold rush. It was staked before the recent rush in the area due to the discovery of epithermal precious metals by Westhaven Gold in the Spences Bridge Formation, which is on the property.
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Hiking near Vancouver. Travel beautiful British Columbia. Hiking trail in Manning Park to Frosty Mountain in autumn to golden larches plateau. BC. Canada.

Ashton Property in Spences Bridge Gold Belt, BC.

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Historical Exploration
  • 1968-1969: A large copper soil anomaly was found.
  • 1989-1990: A very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) survey outlined a prominent north-striking magnetic anomaly.
  • 1992: Geochemical sampling and a limited mapping program confirmed the copper anomaly; a significant chargeable and resistivity target was noted as being coincident with the copper anomaly and altered diorite.
  • 1993: A seven-hole reverse circulation (RC) program of 816 meters was conducted.
  • 1999: A deep-probe induced polarization (IP) survey was completed.
  • 2000: Magnetic surveying showed anomalous magnetism trending north.
  • 2004: A second reconnaissance deep-probe IP survey was completed.
  • 2006: Follow-up rock sampling and prospecting showed anomalous gold pathfinder elements (Te, Hg, As, Sb, Se, and Ag). These results led to a partial-leach (MMI) geochemical survey over two lines.
  • 2007: Additional partial-leach sample lines extended the 2006 MMI anomaly a further 300 meters to the south.
  • 2009: Additional total field magnetic surveying was conducted.
  • 2012-2015: Data revealed a copper-gold-silver anomaly, named the "Ashton Anomalous Zone," with a NNW strike over 1500 meters, open to the NNE and SSE.
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Geological Sampling at Ashton
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Chlorite-epidote altered diorite with calcite veining

Local Geology and Alteration

  • Strong propylitic alteration at Ashton indicates the presence of a concealed porphyry system.
  • Propylitic alteration of a diorite intrusive can be subdivided into the central actinolite dominant zone and a more distal epidote-chlorite-calcite zone.
  • The central actinolite altered zone, containing actinolite, epidote, chlorite, and calcite, covers an area approximately 100 m x 100 m.
  • Correlates with some of the best MMI and soil sample copper anomalies.
  • Minor phyllic alteration is also present in the central zone.
  • The chlorite-epidote-calcite zone extends up to 500 meters from the central actinolite alteration zone.

Porphyry Copper Gold Potential

  • Ashton shows significant potential for porphyry copper-gold deposits.
  • The interpreted porphyry is based on IP and MMI geochemical surveys.
  • The gold skarn target to the east is interpreted from an EM conductor.
  • Ashton is noted as "mafic" diorite with a fractioned quartz-diorite phase.
  • Calcareous country rocks are present, favorable for peripheral (skarn) mineralization.
  • Surface mapping and drill hole logging have identified epidote alteration within limestone units.
Gold_Skarn
Going Forward - Exploration Strategy
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Mapping

Additional geological and surface prospecting of the property. Further mapping and surface sampling will be focused on the southern portion of the Ashton Project where there are extensive gold in soil anomalies.

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Drilling

Drilling to evaluate a potential gold skarn. The propylitic alteration ("green rock") on the project area will be further investigated for other mineralized stocks.

Learn More About the Ashton Property

Interested in learning more about the Ashton Property and its potential?

Contact Houston Minerals for additional details or to explore investment opportunities.

[email protected]