The 8 Reef claims in the Fairchild district of Churchill County are in the heart of an old silver mining district with production dating back to the late 19th century. The geologic formation is volcanic. Anomalous gold and silver have been detected along a siliceous reef which runs about half a mile. The claims were staked in 1986 and cover much of the exposed mineralized zone which shows evidence of pits, shallow shafts and trench work from prior examinations. The claims are surrounded on all sides with land staked by a major mining conglomerate.