Mineral Exploration is the official publication of the Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/225045
e d Project. The latter is funded in part by the Island Coastal Economic Trust, focused on an area of demonstrated potential in which local communities hope to reengage the mining industry. The BC Geological Survey, established in 1895, is responsible for the collection, long-term maintenance and delivery of geoscience information in the province. Its primary objective is to stimulate and facilitate exploration for minerals and coal. The Geological Survey Branch had more than 20 field-based projects active in 2013, several in partnership with other agencies. Much of the focus is on porphyry environments, with mapping in the Nicola Arc and KSM-Stewart region. In addition, there are projects focused on exploration methods (porphyry indicator minerals and VMS geochemistry). Staff also undertook mineral deposit studies (Ni-Cu-PGE and specialty metals) and a number of compilation and other officebased projects. Photograph : Government of British Columbia Matrix Diamond Drilling.indd 1 p78-103_BCExploration.indd 103 At the Victoria headquarters, the Branch's sample processing lab is functional again, as is a new XRF lab and a fluid inclusion lab. On the information technology front, the survey's widely used digital geology map saw an update. The new version is based on a framework model that automatically generates polygons based on contacts and faults for a more seamless presentation of data, including new mapping. The next generation of the MapPlace, a series of map-based data portals, is in development. It is designed to improve appearance and performance while preserving the flexibility and search capability that made the original project a world leader in geoscience data delivery. The Branch continues to update Property File, making it an increasingly important repository of exploration data, now with more than 45,000 documents for free download. As with all of its products, the BC Geological Survey encourages its use. Donations of materials are welcome. ■ JoAnne Nelson of the Geological Survey Branch measuring cross-bedding near the Treaty Glacier in northwestern B.C. w i n t e r 2 0 1 3 103 8/3/10 3:40:42 PM 13-11-27 10:13 AM