Veteran of Eskay dispute seeks job as claims inspector

A director of Waterford Resources (VSE), a company prominent in recent claim disputes in northwestern British Columbia’s Eskay Creek gold camp, has resigned to “pursue career goals” with the province’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

Rick Conte, deputy director of the ministry’s Mineral Titles Branch, told The Northern Miner that former Waterford director James Wetherill applied and is being considered for a position as a mineral titles inspector.

“He’s a good bushman and well qualified, and I would probably hire him,” Conte said.

Waterford has interests in a number of properties in northwestern British Columbia, but is best known for the involvement of several of its directors in Tagish Resources’ overstaking activity in the Eskay Creek region north of Stewart.

Waterford’s property interests include the Aftom 9 claims adjacent to Eskay Creek which were acquired by Tagish, a private company, through overstaking and challenges under Section 35 of British Columbia’s Mineral Tenure Act.

Waterford also recently reported that property acquisition negotiations are also under way “in order to improve the company’s land position in the Eskay Creek area.” Tagish and backer Lytton Minerals (TSE) are still challenging a recent ruling by the province’s chief gold commissioner that dismissed Tagish’s claim to the TOK 3-6 claims which host the bulk of reserves at Eskay Creek.

Waterford also announced that “due to present market and financial conditions,” the company and Exponential Holdings “mutually terminated” their agreement to finance and develop the Goldwedge property formerly held by Catear Resources (T.N.M., March 25/91).