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ICET boosts mine project

A data-collection project to attract mineral exploration is boosted by a grant from ICET.

A mining data collection project on North Vancouver Island received a big boost last week when Island Coastal Economic Trust announced a $400,000 contribution.

The funds will be matched with the $530,000 already committed by Geoscience BC to geological mapping of the region for potential mining sites.

“This type of project continues the Trust’s tradition of funding projects in the region that lead to long-term employment and complements many other initiatives funded by ICET in the North Island, such as the North Coast Trail at Cape Scott, the Quatse Salmon Interpretive Centre in Port Hardy, the harbour expansions in Port McNeill, Port Hardy and Coal Harbour and many more economic investments in the North Island,” said Camela Tang, ICET vice chair.

Geoscience BC is an industry-led not-for-profit society tasked with the collection, interpretation and marketing of geoscience data.

It plans to provide new data for potential sites near Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Port Alice, Zeballos and Campbell River.

The information will then be used to try to attract mineral exploration interest and investment, increase understanding of the mineral potential, and provide local First Nations and communities with more information on the geology of the region.

“Project activities will include an airborne magnetic survey and stream sediment geochemical sampling. Both programs will begin this summer, with data collected through the fall.