View from the West Stewart and neighbor exhibit true ‘free trade’

Recently, I attended a mineral industry conference and exhibition in Stewart, B.C., a small coastal town of about 1,500, with a strong mining heritage that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The conference is the third of what has become an annual affair held in one of a number of northern British Columbia communities. Next year’s conference will be in Terrace. In what can only be described as discouraging times from a Canada exploration perspective, it was most refreshing and enjoyable to move, along with more than 150 other delegates, into the positive, upbeat and friendly atmosphere created by the organizers of the conference. It began with the announcement by Dave Parker, the M.L.A. for Skeena and minister responsible for northern development, that the British Columbia government will contribute to the development of the Iskut road. Construction is expected to begin this summer.

Among the excellent talks were updates on Eskay Creek, the adjacent Lulu gold-silver discovery, the Kerr copper-gold property and the nearby Sulphurets gold-silver project as well as the long-awaited presentation on the Red Mountain gold property west of Stewart. The detailed assay plan of several Eskay Creek drill logs with metre after metre of double figure values in ounce per ton gold provided a challenge that all in attendance look forward to meeting.

Also reviewed were geological data and research carried out by federal and provincial government geologists as well as by the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at the University of British Columbia relevant to the Eskay Creek deposit and area.

Of particular interest is the large amount of hydrocarbon, including pyrobitumen, present in both the hangingwall and footwall units of the Eskay Creek 21A zone, and the uncertainty of the exact stratigraphic position of these stratbound orebodies. Until proven otherwise, this means that all of the upper part of the Hazelton Group must be considered prospective.

Discussion clearly brought out the fact that both the mining community largely based in Vancouver and individual northern communities must join together to ensure continued access to Crown Lands for exploration. This joint venture requires the mining industry’s commitment to an information transfer on “what’s happening” to local communities including job as well as service and supply opportunities. We are entering into a new age of shared information, ideas and education.

A visit to Stewart is incomplete without a trip to its smaller neighbor just across the border — Hyder, Alaska. Unknown to most of Canada, Stewart and Hyder have been practicing free trade for many years. The Canadian dollar is a common currency.

All medical and school services are in Stewart. Both Americans and Canadians live their lives as if the border did not exist and shop according to what is available. Canadian residents bringing back goods from the U.S. into Canada must contact Canada Customs in Prince Rupert via a toll free line. What a great idea!