Midland Exploration Inc. and Altius Minerals Corp. discovered a high-grade massive sulfide zinc showing, dubbed O'Connor, as part of their exploration alliance focused on the James Bay region of Quebec.

The companies went on to jointly acquire 538 new claims, called the Shire project, covering more than 60 kilometers of the favorable stratigraphy, according to an Aug. 10 release.

Grab sampling in the area returned 7.53% zinc and 4.5 g/t of silver from coarse-grained sphalerite and 2.79% zinc and 4.4 g/t of silver from massive coarse pyrrhotite-pyrite-sphalerite. The mineral sphalerite is the main ore of zinc and usually also contains iron.

Midland and Altius defined the mineralized horizon over 150 meters, with mineralization remaining open along strike to the west and east.

The companies noted that geological mapping of the host rocks to the zinc-silver-cobalt mineralization identified a new, regional-scale and bimodal meta-volcanic package and the greenstone belt does not appear on government geological maps.

Reconnaissance prospecting undertaken by Midland also identified other interpreted exhalative horizons rich in iron sulfides, which indicate additional massive sulfide potential.

The alliance is planning follow-up fieldwork, with Midland acting as exploration manager.