Project Title:

Northern Vancouver Island Geoscience Exploration

Project Organization:

Geoscience BC

Project Investment:

  • Island Coastal Economic Trust: $400,000
  • Geoscience BC: $530,000
  • Total Budget: $930,000

Project Highlight:

Within a year of Geoscience BC publishing the airborne magnetic survey in January 2013, there were 237 new, expanded or changed mineral claims covering 503 square kilometres. Data from another survey was published in January 2020 and covered +6,000 square kilometres. By the end of February 2020, +30 new minerals claims had been staked in the area.

The Northern Vancouver Island region has faced a serious decline in the natural resource sector which has led to a population decline in most of its communities. The region is now focused on finding new high value employment opportunities to retain its residents and attract new families. With a strong history of mineral exploration and mining, a Geoscience exploration project was a good fit for the region.

Developed in collaboration with all the communities and First Nations of the North Island area, the Geoscience exploration project, completed in 2014, included a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey of the northwestern tip of the Island, as well as a geochemical and stream sediment sampling and analysis program. The project also included First Nations and community workshops related to exploration and mining.

The results of the airborne survey and geochemical program were released in early 2013. Despite falling commodity prices, there were 237 new, expanded or changed mineral tenures in the area within 12 months with claims staked by multinational corporations and local prospectors. With input from the Vancouver Island Exploration Group and communities, Geoscience BC completed an additional airborne geophysical survey to the east covering more than 6,000 square kilometres. Data was published in January 2020, with more than 30 new minerals claims staked by the end of February 2020.

Island Coastal Economic Trust funded this project on 2014 through the Capital and Innovation program.