Deposit genesis (Post Fault)

Airbore apparent conductivity map shows that there are two conductive segments displaced by the Thor Fault Zone along a sinistral fault that hosts the Thor epithermal deposit. The conductivity features are related to carbonaceous and pyritic alteration of the Sharon Creek Formation in the core of the Silver Cup anticline. The displacement is 2.53 km.

As one would expect, the Thor epithermal deposit occurs in a unique structural setting that has a large fault zone, and intrusive bodies that appear to have played a role in the formation of the deposit. The oldest feature found at Thor is the Silver Cup Anticline, a west-northwest trending fold feature that hosts most of the deposits in the Silver Cup Mining District, and was believed to have been formed in the late Paleozoic (Mississippian).

Geology, field mapping and geophysics have shown that this anticline was likely intruded by a granodiorite or similar intrusive body on the southeast side of the Silver Cup Anticline. This intrusive hydrothermally altered the Sharon Creek Formation, and led to the formation of conductive carbonaceous and pyritic material. Subsequently, the Silver Cup Anticline ruptured along a fault zone (Thor Fault Zone) that trends north-northwesterly. This fault is sinistral in nature, and has a measurable displacement of 2.53 km. The intrusive body (which may be mineralized itself and is called the 'Elephant') formed the Thor epithermal deposit within the Thor Fault Zone.