Importance of Mining and Exploration to the Bulkley Valley
Since 1905, the Bulkley Valley has been host to numerous and varied exploration and mining projects. Gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, coal, cadmium, and molybdenum have been found and extracted from the ground. This created jobs, contributed to economic development, supported families, and gave us access to some otherwise inaccessible, stunning areas of the province in our ever-present quest for recreational activity.
From exploration to development to remediation, companies and contractors who do this work can be found based out of or living in the Bulkley Valley. Their work and families provide strong support to the local economies be it through taxes, shopping, schools, supply networks, and volunteerism. For example, the Smithers Exploration Group (www.smithersexplorationgroup.com) has created a large networking group of individuals involved in the industry and is proactive in public education, post-secondary training, providing scholarships for high school students, hosting local conferences and events, and working to create new opportunities within exploration and mining.
Cronin, Hunter Basin, Silver King Basin, Duthie, and the Telkwa coal beds are just a few of the numerous old mine sites locals and tourists alike explore on a regular basis. The Telkwa coal beds were the reason the first bridge in Telkwa was constructed back in 1909.
Ongoing remediation/reclamation at Cronin, Duthie and Hazelton mine sites provide jobs and encourage innovation as the companies involved seek new ways of fixing old problems.
Exciting new mining projects such as KSM, Kitsault, Big Onion, Brucejack, Dome, and Red Chris have and will continue to provide employment, training and economic support to our local towns as we, in turn, play host to their regional offices and provide supplies and labour for their projects.
We are lucky to have so many different minerals found in our region; while occasionally minerals may be found together, most are hosted individually in a particular rock type and thus each mine yields a unique product. On average, it takes 28 years for a property to go from initial prospecting to a mine site. Add to that, of every 2500 prospects discovered, only one (1!) will make it to mine status. The opportunities for exploration in our region continue to be encouraging, particularly as new areas are opened up through infrastructure development. Responsible development ensures we will all continue to live and prosper in this, our own beautiful part of the world.
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