Molybdenite, a soft metallic mineral resembling graphite, is the most common ore of molybdenum and is the only one of economic significance found in Ontario.

[3][2] This led to the formation of a 15 m (49 ft) shaft with headframe, hoist and pump, several test pits and rock trenches in molybdenite showings, as well as a mining camp and boiler house.

[5] However, it was not widely used until World War I when molybdenum was urgently needed to manufacture guns, as well as armour plating for military machines.

[2] In 1956, Aumo Porcupine Mines Limited did a self-potential survey for copper and nickel mineralization at Barton.

[3] In 1965–1966, Myteque Mines Limited carried out geological, electromagnetic and geomagnetic surveys, as well as extensive surface work.

[7] This is a 2.7 billion year old sequence of metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks that forms part of the much larger Superior craton.

The belt is exposed through the Huronian Supergroup and it might be an isolated southern exposure of the Abitibi Subprovince.

Feldspar-phyric basalt lava flows contain tabular feldspar phenocrysts that range up to 2 cm (0.79 in) in cross section.

Sills and dikes are widespread throughout the Arsenic Lake Formation and range in composition from ultramafic to felsic.