MINING A howling success The Coyote Creek qypsum project may prove to be a gold mine by TANYA LAING MOORE
A PROFITABLE VIEW: The Eagle Plains Rescources mineral claim at Coyote Creek is showing promising results— photo courtesy of Eagle Plains Resources Ltd.
When Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. acquired Coyote Creek, a 1,300-hectare property 50 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook, the original intent was to explore for zinc. While no viable zinc was found in the area, a sizable gypsum deposit was discovered, and the company turned its attention to those prospects. Mike Labach, investor relations spokesperson for Eagle Plains, said this is very encouraging for the company.
“An inexpensive exploration program resulted in outlining a sizable gypsum mineralized zone,” said Labach. “The deposit appears to be fairly high-grade.”
Gypsum is an evaporite—a sediment that is left after the evaporation of seawater—and is a mineral used in various industrial materials such as wallboard, fertilizers, soil conditioners and plaster of Paris.
It is also a mineral for which exploration costs are relatively inexpensive—especially when compared with the costs of other minerals like gold, zinc, lead or copper—and that is what makes it attractive in terms of mining commerce.
The gypsum deposit has attracted the notice of companies looking to explore the claim further. In October of 2006, Eagle Plains announced it had completed an option-to-purchase agreement with CGC Inc., a New Brunswick-registered company. As part of the agreement, CGC Inc. is paying Eagle Plains $30,000 for the right to evaluate the property in terms of gypsum viability. If the results are as significant as expected, CGC Inc. will purchase the property from Eagle Plains—an excellent prospect according to Labach.
“This is a property that was acquired for the cost of staking it,” said Labach. “We explored it from a zinc perspective, found gypsum, got a major company interested in purchasing it from us and they’re going to pay us to explore it further. If they don’t like it, they’re going to give it back to us after doing a significant exploration program. If they like it, they will buy it from us.”
The initial results of the exploration are encouraging, and Labach is fully anticipating the purchase of the claim by CGC Inc.
Key Mining contacts
Teck Cominco Metals Ltd. Teck Cominco is a diversified mining company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company is a world leader in the production of zinc and metallurgical coal and is also a significant producer of copper, gold and specialty metals.
Teck Cominco is committed to creating value for its shareholders while continually improving its performance as a responsible corporate citizen and a leader in its industry. The company pursues development of new technologies that make mining more economically and environmentally sustainable and strives to be a Partner of Choice wherever it operates and with whomever it is associated.
Teck Cominco Metals Ltd Po Box 1000 Trail, BC PHONE: (250) 364-4113
WEBSITE:
Reaching MAX potential Roca Mines Inc. is focused on the outstanding mineral exploration and development potential located within British Columbia. Roca's primary asset is the MAX Molybdenum Project, located 60 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke, B.C. MAX is Canada's first new primary molybdenum mine in more than 30 years and B.C.'s first brand new metal mine in a decade. Regional economic benefits have already been realized, with community well-being and employee health as our primary goals Local environmental protection and community involvement are cornerstones to our success. Initial molybdenum concentrate production from the MAX Mine commenced in late 2007. Roca Mines Inc., and our wholly-owned subsidiary, FortyTwo Metals Inc., thank everyone who has taken part in building this exciting B.C.-based project.
Roca Mines Ltd 490 - 1122 Mainland St Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 684-2900
WEBSITE:
Merit Mining Corp 550-580 HORNBY ST Vancouver, BC PHONE: (604) 694-2344 WEBSITE: www.meritminingcorp.com
Westshore Terminals Westshore Terminals
Located in Vancouver, Westshore Terminals Limited Partnership is Canada's leading coal export facility and the largest dry bulk terminal on the west coast of the Americas. The next two years will be a period of transition for Westshore Terminals. By early 2009, a CDN $45 million equipment upgrade, now underway, will be completed bringing with it greater efficiencies of operation and a higher yearly throughput capacity at 29 million tonnes.
Along the way, Westshore's team will be working hard to meet customer expectations as we fulfill our role as Canada's premier coal export terminal and equip for a better future with faster trail dumping and speedier ship loading.
Westshore Terminals 1 Roberts Bank Delta, BC PHONE: (604) 946-4491
WEBSITE:
Commitment and quality Congratulations to Merit Mining from Logistical Mill Installations Ltd. We are proud to have been the general contractor for the civil, structural, mechanical and electrical installations. Our project management experience with mill installations and expansions includes detailed engineering, fabrications and quality control. Safety is our number one priority and when you hire Logistical Mill Installations our management team is dedicated solely to your project. From start to finish, we provide commitment and quality.
Logistical Mill Installations Ltd. Rock Creek, BC PHONE: (250) 446-2985 WEBSITE:
