NORTHERN BC – Geoscience BC‘s recently revealed project data will spark investment in mineral exploration and guide land planning in northern BC.
The Search Phase III project data more accurately highlights the location of mineral deposits in the search area. This will help the exploration sector, communities, First Nations, and governments to plan future land use and attract investment.
Search Phase III covered a remote 9,600 square kilometre area of north central and northeastern BC, starting from the proposed Kemess Underground mine south to near Mackenzie.
Helicopters equipped with ultra-sensitive magnetometers flew at a constant elevation of 80 metres for more than 40,000 kilometres in the area. The flight distance was the equivalent of flying around the Earth. The data was then collated and released at the Association for Mineral Exploration BC conference in late January.
“Globally, the increased demand for technologies like smartphones and electric cars is also increasing the demand for metals and minerals produced in British Columbia. Geoscience BC projects like this are critical to sparking exploration, discovery and ultimately the production of metals such as copper which are used for these items,” said Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Michelle Mungall.
Commenting on the release of the results, Geoscience BC Vice President of Minerals and Mining Bruce Madu said: “Search Phase III highlights new potential deposits containing metals like copper in a region that has been home to several mines in the past. It’s an exciting example of how new science can be used to drive investment and stimulate our economy.”
Search Phase III received $250,000 in approved funding support from Northern Development through the Economic Diversification Infrastructure program. The entire $1.7 million project was funded by Geoscience BC and Northern Development Initiative Trust. Core funding for Geoscience BC is provided by the Province of British Columbia.
Northern Development Initiative Trust CEO Joel Mackay said: “The mining sector in British Columbia is gaining as commodity prices recover, creating new potential investment opportunities that will benefit communities across northern B.C. This data is critically important to informing mineral exploration decisions, and helping our region capitalize on global trends. We continue to value our partnership with Geoscience BC and commend them for their work on Search Phase III.”
Now that results are published, Geoscience BC will continue to work with First Nations and other communities in the project area to demonstrate how they can best use the new data. All results – from raw data to a series of summary maps – are available publicly for free.
