Some placer deposits associated with the Quesnel River and some of its tributaries emanating from the north and east contain potentially significant concentrations of platinum group metals (Rublee, 1986). The highest concentration was obtained from a pan concentrate sample collected from Twenty-Mile Creek that assayed 2195 g/t Pt, 2210 g/t Pd and 1440 g/t Os. In this concentrate, the platinum group minerals (PGMs) were found as minute metallic grains within larger grains of magnetite and chromite.

A regional stream survey conducted by the BC Geological Survey during 1980, with results re-analyzed during 1997 by neutron activation, showed anomalous concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, Co and Au in and around areas of ultramafic rocks that are situated partly along the Eureka fault and partly within the Quesnel terrane. An airborne magnetometer survey indicated several strong anomalies associated with ultramafic rocks located along the Eureka fault and at known locations of magnetite-bearing mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Quesnel terrane. During 1984, helicopter-facilitated multi-frequency EM, VLF-EM and magnetometer surveys were conducted in the Maud Lake, Victoria Creek and Trumph areas and many EM and magnetic anomalies were detected and recommended for further geological and geochemical investigation. During the late 1980s, QPX Minerals drilled two holes into ultramafic bodies at its Maude Lake property. Both holes, a few hundred metres apart, contained geochemically anomalous concentrations of Pt. At the bottom of one of the drill holes was a 10-cm intersection of chalcopyrite-pyrite massive sulphide. Mandella Resources conducted ground geophysical and geochemical soil surveys west of this area in the mid-1980's and identified vlf-em geophysical anomalies and Pb, Zn, Cu and Au soil geochemical anomalies, which in some instances were coincident. Some of the PGM contents of the above mentioned Quesnel River placer deposits are probably derived from ultramafic rocks situated along the Eureka fault between the Quesnel terrane and the Barkerville terrane and from mafic and ultramafic rocks in the Quesnel terrane. Barker Minerals' claims in this area were staked because of potentially favorable geology, the recent dramatic increase in the price of PGMs and the apparent lack of previous PGE exploration in this potentially favorable area.

Reconnaissance geological, geochemical and airborne geophysical surveys were conducted over portions of the area by several companies in the 1980s, mainly during exploration for porphyry copper deposits. Some of these studies identified Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag soil anomalies that are coincident with HLEM-indicated conductors.

During 2000, Barker Minerals staked several areas of coincident airborne magnetic anomalies, chromium/nickel/cobalt/gold stream sediment anomalies and mafic to ultra-mafic rocks. The areas staked are near reported occurrences of PGMs in placer concentrates as known from previous unpublished studies and assay results from samples collected from local placer miners during 2000.

Barker Minerals collected and assayed a significant number of rock samples to confirm the presence of the favourable mafic to ultra-mafic rock types, which are host to PGM deposits in other areas of the world. Prospecting by Barker Minerals' personnel resulted in the discovery of a Cu-anomaly in the Geremi Creek area.

Reconnaissance geological mapping and sampling were conducted over portions of these claims in order to identify and confirm the occurrences of mafic and ultramafic rocks. Thin-section petrographic examinations were made on six samples. Geological mapping and rock geochemistry confirmed and characterized the presence of mafic and ultramafic rocks in the property. Several samples collected from hematite-altered amygdaloidal mafic flow rocks are anomalous in Cu, Ag and Hg.

During 2000, several reconnaissance ground magnetometer and VLF-EM surveys were conducted by Barker staff along roads, in order to confirm and locate more accurately the anomalies identified in previous airborne surveys. These confirmatory geophysical survey traverses were conducted near the locations of stream samples that contained anomalous concentrations of PGE's per Rublee (1986). Several ground magnetic anomalies confirmed the results of the airborne survey. Several VLF-EM survey traverses show significant crossovers that should be followed up with more detailed geological and geophysical studies controlled by conventional cut grids. In several of the traverse profiles, magnetic anomalies coincide with VLF-EM crossovers.

Reconnaissance geology and thin section petrology confirmed the occurrences and character of mafic and ultramafic rocks. These are probable sources of some of the PGMs in the placers of the Quesnel River and its tributaries. Several samples from hematite-altered amygdaloidal mafic flow rocks are anomalous in Cu, Ag and Hg.

Exploration Plans
Stream and soil sampling programs will be conducted in drainages near known placer occurrences of PGE minerals, especially in areas of mafic and ultramafic rocks that may be sources of such minerals. Studies will be done in order to characterize the assemblages of PGEs, which could help determine the environment of their origin. Geological mapping will be conducted in areas of mafic and ultramafic rocks in order to better understand the nature of these rocks and their possible association with PGE minerals. Prospecting will continue in drainages that contain known placer Pt deposits or anomalous concentrations of PGEs.

The zone of large copper concentrations in the Mag claims should be studied in more detail geologically, geochemically and geophysically. Other zones of coincident geochemical and geophysical anomalies should be examined once data from previous reports are compiled and interpreted. Some of these areas will require new grids for geophysical and geochemical surveys.