A8 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 3, 1996 Mine search accelerates THERE’LL BE more money spent in the northwest this year on mineral ¢x- plozation than in 1995 but it’s too ear- ly lo say how much, says a mines ministry geologist. Last year’s $30.5 million was down by 37 per cent from 1994 but there’s every reason to believe it'll increase this year, says Paul Wojdak. He's particularly buoyed by renewed activity at Red Mountain, a gold showing close to Stewart. Ownership changed hands three times in the past couple of years and now resis with Royal Oak Resources. Previous owners halted exploration fast year but Royal Oak is back on site this year with a program worth mil- lions. “T think itll be a fairly good year,’’ said Wojdak, In 1994 northwest expenditures of $49 million made up half of the $100 million spent across the province that year for exploration, But it was still a tong way from the $100 million-plus seasons of the late 1980s and early 1990s, Those years were marked by the gold search frenzy in the Eskay Creek area and by tax laws, now gone, which favoured exploration expendi- tures. That has now resulted in one new mine — the Eskay Creek gold mine owned by Homestake — which opened fast year. And two new mines — the Huck- leberry copper-gold one south of Exploration to hit new high Houston and the Kemess gold project northeast of Smithers — passed their environmental approvals and are 10 begin the construction phase this year. Last year was marked by ait least five projects beginning the new provincial environmental approval process needed to gain all the permits required to begin mining operations. Wojdak is also encouraged by two deposits in the Yukon in that they may spur additional searching in B.C, This often happens when tbe ore- bearing structure in one claim area alsa exists in other places. There were 26 projects undertaken last year worth more than $200,000 cach compared to 30 the year before. Mines ministry statistics indicate ihat total exploration drilling dropped to just under 150,000 metres in 1995. That, according to Wojdak, shows a higher level of drilling on intermedi- ate and advanced exploration projects. One downside to the exploration in- dustry is a decrease in the number of active claims in the narthwest. An atiempt by Columbia Gold Mines Lid. to work a gold prospect 30km west of the village of Iskut was halted. The company needed road access to the site through Mount Edziza Park but failed to get approvals. Columbia has since sold the proper- ly to an Australian firm, Natives, companies link up THE MINES ministry has begun to act as a connecting point between na- tive groups and mining companies. Last year ihe mines ministry hosted a session between the Wet’suwet’en, who claim land in and around the Smithers-Hazelicn area, with mining and exploration companies. ‘We see our role as a catalyst to bring together the various interests,"’ says Smithers-based ministry geolo- gist Paul Wojdak. In March, the ministry was in on a session between the Kaske Dene and mining companies in Watson Lake. More of these sessions are planned as more than a dozen northwest native groups begin the long process of treaty making, Even before land claims negotia- tions became formalized mining com- panies were reaching out to natives. The Tahltan Native Development Corporation, for example, builds and maintains roads for companics. Its contracts include the road to the Golden Bear mine outside Dease Lake and the route into the Iskut Valley. Companies have also undertaken specific programs to train and hire na- tive workers. Westfair, gov't planners to meet The Blue Maxx Building Experience. Foam Wall Forming System mies 3 4 STOPS: Cold, heat, water, fire, bugs, drafts, rot, sound, deforestation and pollution. BLUE MAXX FOUNDATION HAS A MINIMUM R25 INSULATION RATING A PROPOSED Real Canadian Warehouse Club outlet will be one of a long list of developments debated when city councillors meet for Thursday’s noon planning committee meeting. Westfair Foods Ltd., highways ministry officials and residents have all been invited to attend. So far highways officials have been at odds with the company over issues of access of Hwy 16. Highways planners can veto the subdivision plan for the land, which is necessary for the development to go ahead. Other proposed developmenis on the agenda Thursday: WA 6,500 square foot office/warchouse building at 5235 Keith Ave. to be built by Emii Wirtl Construction Ltd. for Public Works Canada. The building would house various federal government employees, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Environment Canada. @ An addition to SNT Mini Storage at 5043 Keith Ave. by Shane Palahicky. @ Denis Gagnon pians to build a laundromat replacing- the former comer store at Kalum St. and Loen Ave. It would be at least 2,000 square feet and would have résidential space on the top floor, A 10-by-40 foot addition to add a solarium to Mr. Mike's restaurant. wKkekkk A Series of proposed subdivisions are also on the agenda. The E.T.V. Phase [0 subdivision plan for the west bench THE FOREST PRACTICES CODE. Is Now ONE YEAR OLD OF, G he Forest Practices Cade has been the law of the forest for one year. In that time: + More than 15,000 forest sector workers actoss B.C. have been involved in Forest Practices Code training. * More than 800 cade infractions and subsequent penalties have occurred since june 95, * 7,000 calls were answered on the Ministry of Forests’ 1-800 line. me code aulidebooks have been published "and distributed. One year remains in the Forest Practices Code transition petiad, All forest operations must be In full compliance by [une 15, 1997. To order guidebooks anywhere In 8.C., call the Ministry's code hotline: 1-800-565-4834. In Victoria, call: 356-0057. Guidebooks are also onthe Ministry's web alte: httpy// wiv. fof goube.ca mh FOREST J PRACTICES CODE MINISTRY OF FORESTS, PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA area is being considered. It's a 22-lot extension of Cory Drive to near Joliffe Ave. City staff say there would be enovgh new homes there to require a north-south road con- nection from McConnell Ave, down to Mountainvista. But they won’t require the raad link to be paved yet, as it’s ex- pected storm and sanitary sewcr lines won't go in along it uatil future subdivisions go in. Fred and Barbara Seiler want a rezoning of land to Ri residential at 3712 Bailey St. to allow for future subdivi- sion. Another subdivision under application by Isabel King- Johnston would create two new Jots and a remainder at 4823 Twedle Ave. The developer is being required to designate a portion of the land fora future cul-de-sac. A larger 22-lot subdivision near the old chicken farm on North Eby already bas approval and is now being cleared. Kakfilah Projects Inc.’s development is located cast of North Eby, just north of Dairy Ave, The solid strength and permanence of steel reinfarced concrete, with the fabu- lays insulating copacity of dual two and half inch thick slabs of expanded poly- styrene foam in a system that is fast, cost efficient and virtually fool praok to construct from the basement up to 10 or more stories high. 5. A wide variety of block farms allows the architect to create sophisticated visual treatments without having to fiddle with custom cutting blocks to fit. ch ot 4 Maximum Stopping Power. 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