The first relates about gold in Newfoundland appeared in 1868 when Alex Murray mentioned the formation of quartz veins at sundry places in the peninsula of Avalon, from their resemblance to the recognized auriferous strata of Nova Scotia. The formation in some parts is serpentine, which belongs to the “Quebec group” of the Lower Silurian basis, the great metalliferous formation of North America. Where no serpentine exists, it was vain to look for ore. The ore in Newfoundland occurs in beds or pockets, not in veins.
The north shore of Conception Bay, 3.2km from Brigus, and in the immediate neighborhood of Brigus Lookout was the main scene of exploration during the last years of the XIX century. Some old prospectors selected a ledge of quartz which seemed the most promising. A hole was drilled underneath it, and the first blast detached 2 or 3 cub. ft. of quartz, with chloritic patches. In this mass, within an area of a single cubic foot, 10 sights of gold were obtained. The fragments of quartz were put into bags and on shaking it out afterwards, a small piece of gold weighing 4 grams was found, which was detached by friction in carrying it to Brigus. The quartz veins, in one of which the gold was found were reticulated over a considerable area, and intersected a green felsites magnesian slate of Huronian age. They varied from 2.5 cm to 30 cm in breadth.
According to the old gold prospectors, the veins frequently intersect one another, and at the points of intersection form a knot or boss. It was in one of these knots that the god was found. The quartz holding the gold particles was associated with dark green chlorite and in the chlorite patches the gold was seen finely distributed. The reticulated veins of quartz are chiefly limited to an area of country nearly 1.5 km in breadth and 4.5km in length, extending from Brigus Lookout in a south west direction. Various reports are in circulation to the effect that gold was found at a much greater distance inland, in the same direction.
In Fox Hill, about 3 km from the former locality, a gold specimen was obtained by a resident. From an examination of the district, and the evidence furnished, many gold prospectors considered the existence of an area of 9 km in length and 1.5km in breadth, which was the main potential indication to find gold. Ti was considered that the large area of country in the region referred to is auriferous. The specimens that were obtained were an unquestionable evidence of the presence of gold. At that time, it was considered important to get capital and skilled workers to explore the zone.