Bell Mine (Newman Mine), Granisle, Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia, Canadai

Regional Level Types
Bell Mine (Newman Mine)	Mine
Granisle	- not defined -
Omineca Mining Division	Mining Division
British Columbia	Province
Canada	Country

Posting prepared 09 December, 2025.
The Bell past-producing copper mine is located on the Newman peninsula in Babine Lake, about 13 kilometres north of the settlement of Granisle, and 64 kilometres west-southwest of Smithers, B.C., in the Omineca Mining Division.
There is an extensive description of the property on the British Columbia Minfile site, current to 2015. This includes a summary of the history of the property as well as a comprehensive description of the geology, selected parts of which are quoted below. There is much more information available on the Minfile site, to which interested readers are referred. Many of these details are treated in the ‘Minerals reported’ and ‘Rock types reported’ sections below. In abbreviated summary:
“The Bell mine is a porphyry copper deposit hosted primarily in a biotite-feldspar porphyry stock of the Eocene Babine Plutonic Suite. The stock is crosscut by the northwest trending Newman fault which juxtaposes the two groups that host the intrusion. These groups are the Lower Jurassic Telkwa Formation (Hazelton Group) and the Lower Cretaceous Skeena Group. Telkwa Formation rocks are primarily fine-grained tuffs and andesites and the younger Skeena Group rocks are mostly fine-grained greywackes. The deposit overlaps onto both of these assemblages. The mineralization has been dated at 51.0 million years (Bulletin 64) [Carter (1981)].”
“Chalcopyrite and lesser bornite occur as disseminations in the rock matrix, in irregular quartz lenses and in a stockwork of 3 to 6 millimetre quartz veinlets which cut the feldspar porphyries and the siltstones. Molybdenite is rare, and occurs in the feldspar porphyry in the northern part of the mineralized zone. Gold occurs as electrum [see note in minerals reported section] associated with the copper mineralization. Specular hematite and magnetite are common in quartz veinlets and hairline fractures. There is also significant supergene enrichment with chalcocite coating chalcopyrite. A supergene chalcocite zone capped the deposit and extended to depths of 50 to 70 metres. Some gypsum together with copper-iron sulphate minerals and iron oxides were also present . . . .”
The ore zone has pervasive potassic (mainly biotitization) alteration with a surrounding concentric halo of chlorite and sericite-carbonate alteration (propylitic and argillic) which corresponds to the two kilometre pyrite halo which surrounds the deposit. A late quartz-sericite-pyrite-chalcopyrite alteration has been superimposed on part of the earlier biotite-chalcopyrite ore at the western part of the orebody. A number of late-stage breccia pipes cut the central part of the ore zone near the Newman fault and alteration associated with their intrusion has apparently depleted the copper grades in the area of the pipes. Veinlets of gypsum are present in the upper part of the orebody. Anhydrite is a significant component in the biotite-chalcopyrite zone but is not present in other alteration facies.”
“The copper mineralization occurs in a crescent-shaped zone along the western contact of the porphyry plug. Better grades of copper mineralization are contained in a 60 by 90-metre thick flat-lying, blanket-like deposit which is connected to a central pipe-like zone, centred on the western contact of the intrusive. The pipe-like zone of copper mineralization is 150 metres in diameter and extends to a depth of at least 750 metres.”
Giles Peatfield comments:
The Bell mine was a relatively small open pit porphyry copper deposit, from which there was substantial production over a twenty year period. The mine suspended operations in 1992, the pit is now flooded, and there appears to be no chance of a resumption of operations.
According to the British Columbia Minfile production records, there was production at the Bell mine during the period 1972 to 1992, with one short interruption in 1982 to 1985. A total of 177,146,088 tonnes of ore yielded 304,795,539 kilograms of copper, 12,888,964 grams (414,293 Troy ounces) of gold and 38,319,730 grams (1,232,008 Troy ounces) of silver. Note that the production figures vary very slightly from those given by Dirom et al. (1995), but not enough to be significant.
As the mine was nearing the end of production, Noranda examined the possibility of an expansion. Dirom et al. (1995) reported on this work, and wrote that “To improve cash flow, a floating cutoff grade ranging from 0.21% to 0.25% Cu was applied to the Pit 8 expansion. This increased the grade of the resource but reduced the tonnage and increased the strip ratio. The "final" open pit resource at Bell was 70.4 million tonnes of ore grading 0.44% Cu and 0.20 g/t [gram per tonne] Au at a 1.9:1 strip ratio. This resource did not satisfy Noranda Minerals' minimum financial requirements for development in March, 1992.”
Regarding the age of the deposit, Carter (1991) presented K-Ar dates for biotite from two samples of late-stage biotite feldspar porphyry at the Bell mine. These were 51.0±3 and 49.8±2.1 Ma (million years before present).

Comments on the minerals reported:
The identities of the minerals given here are from various sources, as detailed below. For details of the rock types mentioned in this section, refer to notes below in the ‘Rock types reported’ section. Note that six of the minerals reported here are first Mindat occurrences for British Columbia.
Anhydrite: Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Anhydrite is apparently a significant component in the biotite-chalcopyrite assemblage, but has not been recognized in other alteration facies, . . . .” Further, they wrote that “Monomineralic veinlets of anhydrite are rare. The mineral is typically disseminated in BFP [biotite feldspar porphyry] and is also a minor constituent in quartz veinlets. The anhydrite in both characteristically occurs along grain boundaries.”
Baryte: Carson et al. (1976) noted that, in the paleo-oxidation zone, “White barite prisms, averaging 1 mm in length, were present in limonite-coated fractures, . . . .”
‘Biotite’: This is commonly reported for the mine, both as a rock-forming mineral and as an alteration product – see, e.g. Carson et al. (1976).
Bornite: Smith (1965) identified bornite in polished sections from the Newman property. Carson et al. (1976) wrote that “Minor to moderate amounts of bornite occur throughout the orebody, but a well-formed zone of bornite is not apparent.”
Brochantite: Carson et al. (1976), describing the minerals of the paleo-oxidation zone, wrote that “. . . in addition to the iron oxides, the sulphides, and the brochantite and malachite mentioned previously, traces of intergrown devilline, . . . and serpierite, . . . occurred as minute flaky coatings on brochantite-coated pyrite and chalcocite. Associated with some devilline and serpierite were coatings and aggregates of poorly formed crystals, averaging 0.2 mm in length, of deep blue posnjakite, . . . . Other supergene minerals identified are kaolinite, thin coatings of montmorillonite on chalcocite, minute yellow clusters of framboidal siderite and clear calcite crystals up to 0.5 mm in width. Green to chocolate-brown mitridatite, . . . was found as millimetre-thick coatings on one specimen from the pit.”
Calcite: See note above for brochantite. Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Dolomite, calcite and some siderite are common in all rocks in the chlorite-carbonate and sericite-carbonate zones.”
Chalcanthite: Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Several supergene minerals on the pit walls obviously have been precipitated since mining began. Among these are pale green and pale blue water-soluble sulphates, chiefly chalcanthite, . . . . Greenish ferroan varieties are common, and some cuprian siderotil, . . . has been found. Also present on the walls are prismatic crystals, averaging 1 mm in length, of cuprian melanterite, . . . .”
Chalcocite: Smith (1965) identified chalcocite in polished sections from the Newman property. Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Primary sulphides were supplemented principally by sooty chalcocite, with common covellite and minor digenite. The supergene sulphides were deposited in small pits and as coatings on chalcopyrite, pyrite and marcasite.”
Chalcopyrite: Smith (1965) identified chalcopyrite in polished sections from the Newman property. This is the principal copper mineral in the deposit.
‘Chlorite group’: Carson & Jambor (1973) and Dirom et al. (1995) both mentioned ‘chlorite’ as an alteration product, but gave no details.
Chrysocolla?: This mineral is listed on the present Mindat posting, but a detailed review of reports on the Bell deposit has not found any reference to it. It must be regarded as tentative for the deposit.
Covellite: Smith (1965) identified covellite in polished sections from the Newman property. See also note above for chalcocite.
Devilline: See note above for brochantite. Note that this is a Mindat first for British Columbia.
Dolomite: See note above for calcite.
Digenite: Smith (1965) identified digenite in polished sections from the Newman property. See also note above for chalcocite.
Epidote: Carson & Jambor (1973) wrote that “Epidote is present in minor amounts throughout all the alteration zones at Bell, but is most conspicuous in the outer parts of the chlorite-carbonate zone where it imparts an apple-green colour to many of the rocks.”
‘Feldspar Group’: Most workers have reported ‘plagioclase’. Carson et al. (1976) provided more detail, noting that “Unaltered BFP south of the Bell alteration zone is medium grey, with abundant ¼ to 5-mm phenocrysts of zoned oligoclase-andesine, biotite and hornblende in a fine-grained to aphanitic matrix of the same minerals plus quartz and K-feldspar . . . .”
Galena: Dirom et al. (1995), describing the mineralization at Bell, wrote that “Minor galena and sphalerite occur in late quartz carbonate veins that cut the deposit and surrounding rocks.”
Gibbsite: Carson et al. wrote that “One of the last minerals precipitated as coatings in this porous environment [the paleo-oxidation zone] was white to cream-coloured gibbsite, . . . which represented the residuum of aluminum-bearing minerals leached above the paleo water table.”
Goethite: Smith (1965) identified goethite in polished sections from the Newman property. Carson et al. (1976) wrote that “Less certain in origin, but probably formed during recent weathering, are small amounts of hematite, malachite and jarosite, abundant goethite and limonite, and traces of wad.”
Gypsum: Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Veinlets of gypsum have been observed in the upper part of the orebody.”
Hematite: This was reported by Owens (1974) in polished section, but he did not specify specularite. See note above for goethite.
var. Specularite: Smith (1965) identified specularite in polished sections from the Newman property.
Illite: Jambor and Delabio (1975) performed a series of X-ray determinations on 80 samples of material from the Bell mine, in order to study the variations in relative contents of illite, montmorillonite and kaolinite. They found that the contents varied widely, in many cases illite was the principal or only clay phase present.
Jarosite: See note above for goethite.
Kaolinite: Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Clay minerals other than illite are not abundant at Bell Copper. Jambor and Delabio (1975) have shown that minor to moderate amounts of kaolinite are present in most of the Bell alteration zone, whereas montmorillonite is restricted to the orebody.”
‘Limonite’: See note above for baryte.
Magnetite: Smith (1965) identified magnetite in polished sections from the Newman property. See also note below for rutile.
Malachite: See note above for goethite.
Marcasite: See note above for chalcocite.
Melanterite: See note above for chalcanthite. Note that this is a Mindat first for British Columbia.
‘Mica Group’: Various writers have reported biotite, sericite and muscovite. See note above for biotite.
Mitridatite: See note above for brochantite. Note that this is a Mindat first for British Columbia.
Molybdenite: Smith (1965) identified molybdenite in polished sections from the Newman property.
Montmorillonite: See note above for kaolinite.
Muscovite: Carson and Jambor (1973) wrote that “BFP from the sericitic zone typically has both the phenocrysts and matrix extensively replaced by fine-grained muscovite.”
Native Copper?: This mineral is listed on the present Mindat posting, but a detailed review of reports on the Bell deposit has not found any reference to it. Although it is certainly possible to occur here, it must be regarded as tentative for the deposit.
Native Gold: Owens (1974) examined samples of copper concentrate, and observed that “Six grains of native gold were identified in two of the products prepared from the copper concentrate. Three of these grains were liberated, two were enclosed in chalcopyrite, and the sixth was in contact with pyrite. Electron Microprobe analyses show that the gold contains from 3.7 to 4.2 wt % silver. The above occurrences, together with assays of various products of the copper concentrate . . . indicate that the gold occurs as the native metal, as liberated grains and as inclusions in chalcopyrite, and associated with pyrite.
var. Electrum?: This mineral is also listed on the present Mindat posting, but given the data presented for native gold, it seems unlikely that electrum sensu stricto occurs at Bell.
Posnjakite: See note above for brochantite. Note that this is a Mindat first for British Columbia.
Pyrite: Smith (1965) identified pyrite in polished sections from the Newman property.
Pyrrhotite: Carson et al. (1976) noted that “Pyrrhotite blebs in pyrite extend from surface to at least 300 meters.”
Quartz: Quartz is common, both as a rock-forming mineral and as sulfide-bearing veins and veinlets.
Rutile: Carson et al. (1976) wrote that “Microprobe analyses of a few grains of primary magnetite indicate that its TiO2content is variable and averages about 0.5%. Thus, most of the microscopic rutile crystals, and turbid granular aggregates of rutile which are common in the non-potassic alteration zones, have apparently been derived by the release of titanium from amphibole and both primary and hydrothermal biotites. Altered mica phenocrysts are accompanied by rutile granules and some are sagenitic.”
Serpierite: See note above for brochantite. Note that this is a Mindat first for British Columbia.
Siderite: See notes above for brochantite and calcite.
Siderotil: See note above for chalcanthite. Note that this is a Mindat first for British Columbia.
Smithsonite: Carson et al. (1976) wrote that “Smithsonite, ZnCO3, is present as pulverulent white coatings on sphalerite at the lead-zinc showings on the lake shore west of the deposit”. These showings were the original mineral discovery for the deposit, with initial work dating to 1913.
Sphalerite: Smith (1965) identified sphalerite in polished sections from the Newman property..
‘Tetrahedrite Subgroup’: Owens (1974) wrote that “Chalcopyrite is the principal copper-bearing mineral. The abundance of the other copper-bearing minerals (bornite, digenite, covellite, tennantite and tetrahedrite) in proportion to the chalcopyrite, is minimal. Microprobe analyses of a few grains of tetrahedrite showed that it contains approximately 11 wt % silver.”
‘Tourmaline’: Carson et al. (1976) wrote that “Tourmaline occurs predominantly as microscopic sunbursts in the western part of the ore zone, but is also present in the middle part of the pyrite halo.” There is no information regarding the specific species of tourmaline.
‘Wad’: See note above for goethite.

Comments on the rock types reported:
Basalt: In the Jurassic Telkwa Formation; see the map (Figure 3) in Dirom et al. (1995).
Biotite plagioclase porphyry: This is main intrusive rock for the deposit., described in detail in Dirom et al. (1995).
Breccia: These interesting rocks were described by Carson et al. (1976), who wrote that “A cluster of small breccia pipes occurs in the western part of the BFP plug . . . .”, and further reported that “The Bell breccia pipes appear to have been localized along a major conduit, the Newman fault, and along smaller subsidiary joints or fractures. The pipes are post-ore, but adjacent rocks seem to have been depleted in copper.”
Greywacke: In the Jurassic Smithers Formation; see the map (Figure 3) in Dirom et al. (1995).
Quartz biotite plagioclase porphyry: This is a variant of the biotite plagioclase porphyry.
Rhyodacite: In the Eocene Babine Igneous Suite; see the map (Figure 3) in Dirom et al. (1995).
Rhyolite: See note above for rhyodacite.
Sandstone: In the Jurassic Telkwa Formation; see the map (Figure 3) in Dirom et al. (1995).
Shale: In the Cretaceous Skeena Group; see the map (Figure 3) in Dirom et al. (1995).
Siltstone: See note above for shale.
Tuff: See note above for shale.


Research by Giles Peatfield, Courtenay, British Columbia.
Edited by Doug Scott, Ottawa
Posting prepared 09 December, 2025.

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Link to British Columbia Minfile:	093M 001

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