Mining

The discovery of emeralds near Dryden should jump-start exploration in northwestern Ontario, says a provincial geologist.

A Quebec mining company intends to extract industrial minerals from its recently-acquired pyrochlore property on the James Bay lowlands. Niocan Inc. of Oka, Que.

By IAN ROSS Plans for a traprock quarry on Lake Superior have been temporarily stonewalled by a group of Wawa cottagers fighting to stop industrial development along what they consider sensitive, pristine and protected shoreline.

By KELLY LOUISEIZE Preliminary exploration by De Beers in the Kasabonika region, approximately 400 kilometres west of Attawapiskat, has sparked partnerships with the local First Nation’s community.

Geologists from Laurentian University are joining the effort to find new gold and copper-zinc deposits in the Timmins-Kirkland Lake area this summer.

Mustang Minerals, a major PGM player in the Sudbury mining camp, has optioned the Bannockburn Nickel Project near Timmins from Outokumpu Mines. The project consists of 143 mining claim units located 100 kilometres south of the city.

True North Gems, a Vancouver-based exploration company, reports their Ghost Lake property near Dryden in northwestern Ontario has the potential for gem-quality emeralds. It may be the second potential emerald occurrence in Canada.

KELLY LOUISEIZE For the last 10 years a plethora of diamond kimberlite exploration has been occurring in Northern Ontario and the main impetus behind large- and small-sized mining company exploration is the presence of De Beers in the James Bay Lowla

By ANDREW WAREING Globex Mining Enterprises is awaiting word on private investment for a feasibility study into magnesium-talc mining in the Timmins area. “We’re waiting daily” to hear about private funding, says Globex president Jack Stoch.

By ANDREW WAREING Officials at Rubicon Minerals Corp. are optimistic recent findings of high-grade gold deposits on their McFinley Gold project in Red Lake could potentially lead to the development of a mine within the next five years.