Mineral Exploration is the official publication of the Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia.
Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/468124
S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 29 Schroeter says northwestern B.C. offers many opportunities, but also many challenges. In addition to the harsh cli- mate and geography, which means many new roads and bridges will be needed, challenges include the high cost of power, the need to increase the capac- ity of the Port of Stewart, the need for upgraded telecommunications, the high cost of drilling and the lack of skilled labour in the region. Regarding the three projects in question, Rob McLeod, president and CEO of IDM Mining Ltd., says KSM and Valley of the Kings are two of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world, with significant concentra- tions of copper and silver. "Valley of the Kings, in particular, hosts some of the highest gold and silver grades on a worldwide basis, and could become one of the richest mines in the world," McLeod says. "In the case of Kitsault, B.C. mines have long been an impor- tant worldwide source for molybdenum, a metal used in numerous steel alloys, particularly natural gas pipelines. All three projects would have a significant impact on the overall economy of the province, particularly for the rural resi- dents in northwest B.C." McLeod says all three projects have near-term production potential, as they are all advanced in the permitting and feasibility processes. "Kitsault has fund- ing in place to commence construction, and KSM and Valley of the Kings are not far behind," he says. "Kitsault has an excellent location near existing infra- structure, since it is a past producer. The biggest challenges for the adjacent KSM and Valley of the Kings is unquestion- ably location and weather – huge annual snowfalls, mountains and glaciers. Made-in-B.C. ingenuity will be required to overcome those challenges." The projects are expected to provide a big boost to both the regional and pro- vincial economies. "They would all be large mines, each requiring hundreds of millions to billions of dollars to con- struct, with similar figures for annual gross cash flow," says McLeod. "Each project by itself could represent single- digit increases to the provincial GDP." In addition, McLeod says, the high- paying resource jobs that would come with the projects would provide a big boost to the local economy, with Red Chris and Huckleberry mines the only currently producing operations in the northwest. MBI Pacific Drilling Products Ltd. Full line manufacturer of wireline parts and accessories Drill Rods & Casing, Corebarrels & Spares Adapters, Diamond Products, Pump Parts, Rod Grease Drilling Additives, Absorbent Products, Sur veying Tools Official BC Distributor of Reflex Instruments and AMC Drilling Fluids Kelowna • SaSKaToon • SmiTherS • whiTehorSe Ph: 778-753-5670 jcampbell@mbidrillingproducts.com www.mbidrillingproducts.com MBI Pacific Drilling.indd 1 13-10-30 3:35 PM