The government of British Columbia has published geological maps of mineralized areas in four regions of the province in an effort to attract mineral exploration.
The regions covered are: the Cariboo region, in west-central British Columbia; Copper Mountain, near Princeton; the Atlin area, in the northwest; and the Gibraltar mine area, near Quesnel.
The government says maps of the Gibraltar mine suggest evidence of further mineralization in the same belt.
The Cariboo (or Bella Coola) area reportedly has potential for copper, zinc, gold and silver mineralization. The government released a regional geochemical survey of the area in 2001 that suggested a geological environment similar to the ones hosting the Myra Falls copper-lead-zinc mine and the Eskay Creek gold mine.
“These maps will foster increased exploration throughout the central and northern areas of the province, further fuelling an already-surging mining sector,” says Pat Bell, minister of state for mining.
Exploration spending in B.C. is expected to increase to $90-120 million this year, compared with expenditures of $29 million in 2001.
The Cariboo map was funded and carried out in co-operation with the Geological Survey of Canada and the British Columbia Geological Survey. The other maps are revisions of previous information released by the province’s Ministry of Energy and Mines.
The maps are available by visiting www.em.gov.bc.ca/Mining/Geolsurv
Be the first to comment on "BC government unveils maps"