The Mount Polley mineralization is classified as an alkalic porphyry copper-gold deposit. The deposits are located in the Quesnel trough, a Mesozoic volcanic arc in the Canadian segment of the North American Cordillera. Precious metal mineralization in the two Mount Polley deposits occur the felsic stock occurred during the Jurassic-Triassic period. The copper-gold mineralization occurs within crackle and inclusion breccias.