Red Star
Location, Access, Description
Globex’s Red Star project is located in Clark County, southern Nevada, about 60 km in beeline south of Las Vegas. Globex staked 8 unpatented lode claims in October 2023 and expanded the property with 8 additional unpatented lode claims in March 2024. Each claim is 457 m (1500 feet) long and 183 m (600 feet) wide (20.66 acres or 8.36 ha), totaling a surface area of 133.78 ha. The project area is situated at the north-western edge of the Crescent Mining district at the western slope of the McCullough mountain range. The historic, currently inactive Crescent mining district occupies the southern region of the north-trending McCullough mountain range in Clark County, Nevada, but its southern portion extends partly also into the state of California, San Bernardino County. Highest peaks of the McCullough Mountains reach elevation of up to 2143 m, meanwhile the lowermost mountain slopes adjacent to flat basins range in elevation between about 1150 m and 1600 m. Vegetation is typical of the eastern Mojave Desert, sparse pine trees are only present at highest elevations. Climate is dry with a small average amount of rainfall during the year (most rain or snowfall during the winter time). Temperatures range from hot during the summer to short freezing periods in winter time.
Access from Las Vegas is driving 80 km on motorway I-15S heading south (toward Los Angeles), then taking exit 286 and driving 16 km in easterly direction until the small village of Nipton (San Bernardino County, California). Nipton is a station of the Union Pacific Railroad. From here the Red Star vein property can be reached via about 11 km of dirt- and 4WD road heading first north then NE.
Geology and Mineralization
The north-trending McCullough Range is in the Basin and Range physiographic province, a geologic terrane characterized by linear mountain chains flanked by arid basins; it resulted of tectonic extension that began around 17 million years ago in the early Miocene epoch. The southern McCullough Mountain range is dominated by steeply folded high-grade metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age. These consist of paragneiss, orthogneiss, migmatite and amphibolite. In the southern part these Precambrian metamorphic rocks have been intruded by a stock of Cretaceous biotite-granodiorite (Crescent Peak) with associated sub-economic porphyry copper mineralization. Countless dikes and small stocks of andesite, micro-diorite and lamprophyre appear throughout the southern McCullough Mountain range; these subvolcanic rocks could have intruded during Late Cretaceous or early Tertiary time (Paleocene & Eocene). A genetic link to the formation of epithermal vein systems in the Red Star project area is probable.
Epithermal mineralization
Globex’s Red Star project contains two epithermal quartz vein systems, the over 2 km long Red Star vein system and the western, 470 m long, segment of the Double Standard vein system (eastern segment is protected by third-party patented lode claims). The Double Standard vein zone is located 2.5 km south of the Red Star vein system.
Both, the Red Star and Double Standard quartz vein systems are hosted by Proterozoic metamorphic rocks but also by un-deformed subvolcanic dikes and small stocks of andesite, micro-diorite and lamprophyre, probably of Paleocene or Eocene age. The vein systems are enveloped by a 5 to 100 m wide pyrite-phyllite alteration zone (brown iron oxide staining on surface).
The Red Star vein system trends about 100° and the principal Red Star vein dips in average about 55° N. On surface vein outcrops of the Red Star system can be followed up over a lateral distance of 2000 m, but it is indicated that it continues under post-mineral sedimentary and volcanic rocks and alluvium at least until the western limit of the Globex claim RS-1 (resulting in about 2240 m length). Vein width (horizontal) of individual or composite quartz veins (including quartz breccias and stockwork zones with > 30% quartz) vary greatly from less 1 m to 23 m width. Vein widths depend greatly on changes in strike direction and also to some degree on dip. Often well-developed is a hangingwall slickenside. The Red Star vein system developed along an about E-W striking north-dipping normal fault with significant strike-slip movement. Dilatational jogs with wide vein pockets, like the 220 m long Main-pocket (mostly composite vein zones) or en-echelon vein patterns appear where the vein structure bends from NE- or E-direction toward the SE, indicating that quartz veins formed under WSW-ENE extensional stress (causing right-lateral strike-slip movement along the Red Star vein system). About 80 and 100 m north of the Red Star vein appear the Aurum vein and Peak vein, both with vein widths of up to 1 m.
The 1300 m long Double Standard vein system strikes in average 105° and dips in average 70° N. The western vein segment (staked by Globex) is traceable over a length of 470 m. There is present a principal vein and several vein splays, however detail geological mapping has not yet been performed. Quartz veins are 0.2 to about 1.5 m thick.
Epithermal mineralization of low- and intermediate sulfidation type (or adularia-sericite type) took place in at least three multi-quartz-generation pulses:
Pulse A1 has been observed only in the Double Standard Vein system and the Peak vein. It is characterized by massive granular quartz and late comb quartz, by low to very high gold values, low Ag/Au ratios, low to moderate silver, high Pb and Zn values. Globex assayed up to 9.6 g/t Au and up to 70 g/t Ag. If preserved, coarse crystalline galena and sphalerite are observed. Pyrite is often abundant in the vein and in wallrock alteration (pyrite-chlorite-phyllite). Pulse A1 is of the intermediate sulfidation epithermal style. Indications for boiling fluids have not been observed (but a fluid inclusion study could prove otherwise).
Pulse A2 is volumetrically the most important within the Red Star vein system, but is present also in the Double Standard veins, the Aurum vein and possibly also in the Peak vein. It is characterized by locally very thick massive crystalline quartz veins, sheeted veins, stockwork zones and quartz breccias, as late stage appear drusy comb quartz veinlets. Coarsely to fine banded and cockade textures (around phyllic altered or silicified wallrock fragments) are also common. The A2 pulse is associated with pyrite-phyllite wall rock alteration. But small, locally abundant amounts of pyrite are generally present in these quartz veins. Geochemically it exhibits, in certain vein segments over considerable width, anomalous to low gold values, low Ag/Au ratios, low silver, insignificant Pb, Zn. Pyrite-phyllite-(clay) wallrock alteration may extend up to 100 m away from the Red Star vein structure. Pulse A2 is of the low sulfidation epithermal style. Indications for boiling fluids have not yet been observed (but a fluid inclusion study could prove otherwise). Samples with significant elevated gold values collected exclusively from A2 quartz along the Red Star vein are as follows: R-21 over 3 m width with 0.73 ppm Au and 4.1 ppm Ag; R-51 over 4.5 m width with 0.558 ppm Au and 3.8 ppm Ag, R-40 over 1.22 m width with 2.01 ppm Au and 46.2 ppm Ag.
Pulse B represents most likely the latest multi-generation epithermal stage. It is present only in the Red Star vein, especially in its hangingwall portion as massive quartz bands from 1 to about 5 m wide. Chalcedony, crustiform-colloform quartz banding, high-grade grey and black ginguru quartz (these dark-grey to black bands are referred to as ginguro layers, which is the Japanese word for black silver) and rarely quartz after platy calcite indicate precipitation from boiling epithermal fluids. Geochemically it exhibits often weakly anomalous Au-Ag values, but in vein material rich in ginguru quartz it may return very high Au and silver grades. Ag/Au ratios are high, Pb and Zn are locally anomalous to high, often present is a moderate to high Hg anomaly (suggesting a high level in the epithermal system) and a moderate to high Sb anomaly. Pyrite has not been observed in the quartz. Pulse B appears to represent a low sulfidation epithermal style with occasional injections of intermediate sulfidation epithermal fluids (precipitating ginguro quartz). So far only 5 samples had been collected from ginguru-rich quartz vein material yielding gold equivalent values of 5.67 g/t (sample C-3), 20.4 g/t (sample C-6), 4.83 g/t (sample C-9), 20.1 g/t (sample R-9) and 11.42 g/t (sample R-10). Nevertheless ginguro quartz is present along the entire hangingwall portion of the Main-pocket and in numerous isolated outcrops in the eastern vein segment.
As there have not been observed clues for boiling of hydrothermal fluids responsible for the pulses A1 and A2 it is difficult to estimate emplacement depth or to establish a hydrothermal model. Epithermal stage A1 deposited probably from relatively hot saline brines and Au-Ag-Pb-Zn minerals precipitated due to cooling or mixing fluids. Low-sulfidation epithermal pulse A2 formed probably from low salinity near neutral pH fluids, Au and Ag were probably transported via the bisulfide complex. Unfortunately at the current stage of knowledge the mechanism of Au and silver precipitation remains uncertain for this stage (further studies are required).
For epithermal pulse B there is plenty of evidence for boiling fluids. Geology, vein textures and mineralogy indicate that the distance of the paleo-surface to the current outcrop level of the Red Star vein was roughly about 500 m during pulse B. Therefore it can be classified as the favorable deep boiling epithermal type (after Albinson T. 2001), where the vertical extend of economic mineralization (the ore zone or ore band) may approach 400 to 1000 m. It is interpreted that the intermediate sulfidation ginguru quartz stage of epithermal pulse B precipitated from boiling fluids that had been occasionally injected at greater depth, as rather saline brines, into the Red Star vein system. The current outcrops of ginguru ore might represent the tops of an undulating high-grade Ag-Au-(Pb-Zn) ore zone/band that should bottom into a quartz-poor polymetallic Au-Ag zone (below lower boiling level) at greater depth.
In case that the above hydrothermal model should be confirmed with deep core drilling several million tons of moderate and high grade Ag-Au-Pb-Zn ore (of pulse B) could be discovered only in the Main-pocket and eastern vein segment of the Red Star vein system. In addition there exists potential for a multi-million tonnage of low-grade Au resources (of pulse A2) in the wide Red-Star vein pockets and adjacent stockwork zones.
Sample Collection & Sample Preparation
Globex collected a total of 65 rock samples (mostly grab samples and linear chip samples) from the Red Star property and two samples outside the property. These include 60 samples from the Red Star vein, 3 samples from the Double Standard veins, 1 sample from the Peak vein and 1 sample from the Aurum vein.
Samples were placed in labelled plastic bags, sealed with a plastic zip and shipped to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) in Sparks, Nevada, USA for preparation and geochemical analysis. AAL is an ISO 17025 certified laboratory. Samples are crushed and a 300 g subsample pulverized to >85% -75 micron. All samples underwent ICP-OES analysis of a 0.5 g subsample after 5-acid digestion (HNO3, HF, HClO4, HCl and H3BO3) for 11 elements including silver. 5-acid treatment results in near total digest (resistant phases e.g. corundum, ilmenite, rutile are not digested). Gold was analyzed via fire assay of a 30 g subsample and analyzed with ICP-OES. Obtained gold values above 10 ppm and silver above 100 ppm were re-analyzed via fire assay of a 30 g subsample and gravimetric determination. Typical internal standards and checks were completed by AAL during analysis.
History
Prospecting began in this district in about 1894, but no important discoveries were made. The period of greatest activity was from 1905 to 1907, when at least 10 incorporated companies were working in this area. Late in 1936 metal mining was revived, stimulated by the increased price of precious metals. Most of this work was carried out by small companies or lessees until 1942. Most of the historic production included turquoise (around the porphyry copper occurrence at Crescent Peak), gold, silver, copper and lead. However no complete production data are available for the Crescent Mining district. In the early 1980’s the Crescent Mining Ltd. exploited the Rest Mine and extracted gold via a heap leach operation. However no grade or production data are available.
Initial historic mining and exploration at the Red Star vein system dates back to the period 1907-1914. At that time it was staked by 5 unpatented lode claims (Red Star Group) owned and operated by the Red Star Mines Company (probably active 1906 to 1910). In addition this company also had purchased the high-grade Ag-Au vein system at the Double Standard mine (3 patented claims), located 2.5 km south of the Red Star Group. For the Red Star Group the old reports describe an about 270 m long and up to 30 m wide ore body “from all of which panning showed gold”. This historic geological description could be roughly confirmed from geological mapping: the largest quartz vein lens (Main-Pocket) is about 220 m long and up to 23 m wide. The company sunk a shaft to a depth of 30 m with an 18 m long crosscut at the bottom of the shaft. In 1937 another group started sinking a second shaft that was planned for a depth of 60 m. However this newer shaft never reached its target depth, work was most likely stopped already in 1937.
The historic Double Standard mine still is protected by 3 third-party patented mining claims. The vein system extends over a length of 1300 m. Globex staked with two mining claims the western segment of this vein system, protecting a length of known veining of about 470 m. Historic sources describe two parallel veins at the Double Standard mine, one rich in silver, the other rich in gold. Veins strike about east-west and range in width between 0.1 and 2.0 m. Between 1905 and 1910 and around 1937 to 1940 high-grade silver & gold ore was mined along 260 m length from 4 shafts, up to 30 m deep. Ore was hand-sorted and highest silver grades approached 12.8 kg/t and gold values reached around 1 oz/t. Gold-silver mineralization is associated with some Pb, Zn values and traces of Cu. Also for this mine no complete production data are available. Only the western portion (Globex property) was visited. Six small mines and collapsed shafts in addition to several prospect workings have been encountered. It is estimated that these workings date back to the period between 1907 and 1914.