The 'Nova Gold maps' continue to flag a hellicopter low altitude geophysical survey know as a VTEM survey. Most would consider this of little importance as PRB continues to fly the 'gold flag'. Somehow the VTEM flag has occupied its position on PRB's maps for a couple of years so perhaps it has some significance. VTEM refers to a survey used by exploration companies in the search for sulphide minerals but it can be useful in gold exploration if there is significant pyrite and arsenic [both sulphide] minerals present with the gold. Generally the survey is flown when a company is searching for copper, nickel, cobalt and rare earth minerals.

As the VTEM flag has been on Nova Gold's maps along the Island Garden Fault for a couple of years prehaps there is some significance, the underlying rock includes 'Ultramafics', a rock unit that is important for sulphides such as copper, nickel and cobalt, one could look at Sudbury where for many years [50+] nickel/copper has been mined, a more recent example is Noront's huge Northern Ontario find of high grade copper, nickel and rare earth and the nearby huge chromate deposits.

There was also a VTEM program completes on the Megiscain T. claim block but unlike the VTEM survey immediately east of the Island Garden Fault there is no flag that shows such a geophysical program was completed.

Very little discussion was published about either the Island Garden or Megiscain T. so am left speculating, was the results positive for one much better than the other and is that the reason why the Island Garden Fault has a VTEM flag while the Megiscain has none. Meanwhile the new Croinor claim block has an historic drill hole that intersected semi massive sulphides suggesting a 'hydrothermal system at depth, but there has been no follow up mentioned in news from the former company.

Maybe for most this is a nothing post, I get it, but for some the absence speaks volumes but it seems little will come to answer questions so speculation rules.

mh