Location and History
The Thor Project, owned 100% by Taranis Resources Inc., is located in southeastern British Columbia, Canada, centered on the historic Silver Cup Mining District near the communities of Ferguson and Trout Lake. This area sits within a 5‑kilometre mineralized corridor that includes several historic mines and is the focus of Taranis’ modern exploration and bulk‑sampling work.
The Silver Cup Mining District emerged in the 1890s as one of British Columbia’s notable silver‑ and gold‑producing regions, stretching roughly 40 miles from southeast of Revelstoke toward Trout Lake. Early development focused on high‑grade vein systems hosted along major geological structures such as the Silver Cup Anticline and Finkle Syncline, which controlled mineralization across the district.
By the early 1900s, several underground mines—including Silver Cup, Triune, Meridian/Eva, and the cluster of workings now known as Thor—were active, though many saw only limited production due to the technological constraints of the era. The district’s mines produced significant silver and smaller amounts of gold, lead, zinc, and antimony, with operations peaking before the 1930s.
After decades of inactivity, the district has seen renewed interest in the 21st century as modern exploration methods reveal the potential for larger, deeper, and interconnected mineral systems that historic miners could not access. Recent consolidation of historic mines and new drilling campaigns—particularly around the Thor Project—have positioned the area for a modern resurgence.
By the early 1900s, several underground mines—including Silver Cup, Triune, Meridian/Eva, and the cluster of workings now known as Thor—were active, though many saw only limited production due to the technological constraints of the era. The district’s mines produced significant silver and smaller amounts of gold, lead, zinc, and antimony, with operations peaking before the 1930s.
After decades of inactivity, the district has seen renewed interest in the 21st century as modern exploration methods reveal the potential for larger, deeper, and interconnected mineral systems that historic miners could not access. Recent consolidation of historic mines and new drilling campaigns—particularly around the Thor Project—have positioned the area for a modern resurgence.
The Thor project is located in some of the most rugged terrain in British Columbia, near the towns of Trout Lake and Nakusp
Ferguson began in the 1890s when prospector David Ferguson arrived in the Lardeau Valley and established a ranch near the confluence of Ferguson Creek and Lardeau Creek. By 1896, he formally announced the new townsite, and within just a few years it grew into a lively mining‑service centre supporting nearby operations such as the Broadview, True Fissure, Nettie L., and Silver Cup mines.
By 1899, Ferguson had a bustling main street lined with hotels, shops, and saloons, and a population of around 800 people. The town even had its own newspaper—The Ferguson Eagle—which later merged with Trout Lake’s paper to form the Lardeau Mining Review. Like many boomtowns tied to early hard‑rock mining, Ferguson declined rapidly after the early 1900s. By 1920, it was nearly deserted, and today only scattered residences and remnants of the original townsite remain.
Trout Lake—often called Trout Lake City during its peak—was one of the major hubs of the Lardeau mining region. By the 1890s, it had developed into a key supply and transportation centre, with sternwheelers, freight teams, and wagon roads connecting it to surrounding mines and nearby towns like Ferguson.
Historic photos show a thriving community with hotels, stores, homes, and active freight operations hauling ore from mines such as the Nettie L. The town also had its own newspaper, the Trout Lake Topic, which later merged with Ferguson’s paper.
Trout Lake remained a prominent settlement longer than Ferguson, and several historic buildings—such as the Windsor Hotel—still stand today, though not all are open to the public. The area retains a strong heritage identity tied to early mining, sternwheeler transport, and pioneer life.
History of Ferguson, B.C.
History of Trout Lake, B.C.
The town of Trout Lake was once a booming area of commerce along the west end of Trout Lake. Stern wheelers were used to transport high-grade ore from the many silver mines in the area.