In June 1973, abundant dolostone rubble and stream debris mineralized with sphalerite was found in several tributaries of Goz Creek in a remote part of the eastern Yukon near the headwaters of the Bonnet Plume River. Sediment from these streams also contained concentrations of up to 7,700 ppm zinc and 360 ppm lead. These indications were subsequently traced to extensively mineralized outcrops of carbonate strata on east trending ridges about six miles in length. Twenty closely spaced diamond drill holes were bored in the general vicinity of the most promising outcrops in 1974 to determine the continuity and form of the richest mineralized zones. In 1975 a further 35 holes were bored on a wider spaced pattern to provide an estimate of the tonnage potential and overall distribution of the mineralization. The total length of the fifty-five drill holes is 20,448 feet. The Goz Creek prospect, owned by Barrier Reef Resources Limited, became conspicuous because of spectacular high grade outcrops which were easily examined by many geologists who visited the area. Also, the presence of large amounts of silica and smithsonite were considered unusal relative to other known carbonate hosted zinc and lead deposits in western and northern Canada.
