News views and opinions on the mineral exploration scene in

March 2002 Issue Date: April 2002

The Explorationist Newsletter is brought to you as a ‘member service’ of the Ontario Prospectors Association. It’s purpose is to share news and information amongst it’s members and also to act as the association’s ‘Political Voice’. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Ontario Prospectors Association, including all of it’s members and Directors. The writers accept full ownership of their contributions.

NE AND NW SYMPOSIA skin Lake. I have a tentative meeting set up ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR for mid - June, in order to get to know them better and to discuss points for an MO U. I'm The organizers of the NE and NW symposia optimistic, I must say. deserve congratulations and a pat on the back I will try to look you up next time that I'm for producing smooth running informative through Thunder Bay. shows that presented the exploration high- Best regards, Doug Hunter lights of the past year. The OPSEU strike did In the NE, I personally was impressed by Ge- play a part in removing the delivery of some rald Riverin’s keynote address on the Risks of the recent geoscience programs but the in- and Rewards of VMS Exploration, Scott Mac- dustry explorers filled the gap with great talks Lean’s review of the North Rim Nickel/ and excellent displays. Copper Discovery and the fact that Kinross

and Placer are forming a JV to take advantage In the NW the talks by Bob Middleton on the of each others property wealth in Timmins. Nipigon area and the exploration highlights of The Timmins show was well balanced high- Northwestern Ontario were excellent and lighting gold, Copper-Nickel, Diamonds and showed the variety of commodities being ex- Industrial Minerals. plored for and the success to date. The dis- plays were, as usual informative and well Both events were upbeat and presented the thought out. The NW also was the host of an wide range of commodities the prospectors Industry/First Nations/Government workshop and explorers of the province are exploring. on Partnering For Success. This workshop Pam Sangster presented at both events and was organized by D’Silva Parker Associates raised eyebrows with her presentation of the and supported by the OPA and the Northern value of mining in Southern Ontario (>$ 2.0 Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. The suc- billion) that equates to >35% of the value of cess of this event is expressed in an email we Provincial Mining. The content of the talk is received: something we need to get out to the Southern- ers so they see they are also part of the Mining “Just a note to let you know that Mark Hall and I really enjoyed the get together in Thunder sequence and that it isn’t only in the north. Bay last week. Thanks for your efforts and I can tell you that it was a real (and unex- The newly appointed Minister, the Honour- pected) bonus to meet the people from Bear- able Jim Wilson made time 3 days into his

We’re easy to get a hold of Contact the Executive Director: Garry Clark By e-mail: [email protected] Phone: 807-622-3284 Fax: 807-622-4156 1 mandate to attend the Timmins event. The Min- Roger Poulin, Geologist Sudbury Prospec- ister walked through the posters/booth displays, tors & Developers Association meet with the PPDA/NPA/OPA representatives and attended a presentation by Bill McGuinty. Neil Westoll, Geologist Association of We compliment the Minister for getting into the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario mix early and look forward to a productive working relationship with him. Patrick Reid, President Ontario Mining As- sociation PA Annual General Meeting 2002 Andy Chater, Geologist Prospectors and

The Annual General Meeting was held in Thun- Developers Association of Canada der Bay prior to the NW Symposium. Approxi- Directors at large mately 40 members attended in person. The OPA Auditor presented the Audited Financial Tor Jensen, Financial Advisor Statements for 2000 and 2001, the Directors-at- Wally Rayner, Geologist Large were elected and some general business Frank Tagliamonte, Geologist was conducted. The AGM minutes are pre- sented on the Website. One important business item discussed was Appointed Directors the Map Staking issue. A lively discussion Roger Dufresne, Prospector Northern Prospec- ensued with the introduction of the topic. tors Association At the end of the discussion the motion put to the meeting was vote d on. Garfield Pinkerton, Prospector Northern Pros- pectors Association The Motion placed was by Steve Stares and stated: Dave Hunt, Geologist N. W. Ontario Prospec- That the OPA oppose map staking. tors Association Seconded by Mike Stares. The resultant vote by a show of right Tom Trelinski, Prospector N. W. Ontario hands was: Prospectors Association In favour 21 Andrew Tims, Geologist Porcupine Prospec- Opposed 2 Abstentions 5 (Garry Clark, Wally Rayner, tors and Developers Association Vivienne Côté, Ken Tylee and Patrick Reid) Bill Waychison, Geologist Porcupine Prospec- tors and Developers Association New Minister of Northern Devel- Vivienne Côté, Prospector Sault and opment and Mines - The Hon- District Prospectors Association ourable Jim Wilson

Ted Shellhorne, Prospector Sault and District MPP, Simcoe Grey Prospectors Association Jim Wilson has been active in poli- Fred Swanson, Geologist Southern On- tics all of his life. During university and upon graduation, he was an as- tario Prospectors Association sistant to former Ontario Manage- Andrea Rae, Geologist Southern Ontario ment Board Chair George McCague. Prospectors Association Federally, he was Special Assistant to Perrin Beatty in both the National Bob Komarechka, Geologist Sudbury Pros- (Continued on page 3) pectors & Developers Association

2 Defence and Health and Welfare port- the arguments for and against map stak- folios. ing and also the significant dollars that Raised and educated in , On- they generate pursuant to option agree- tario, Mr. Wilson studied political sci- ments. ence and Christian studies at the Uni- versity of Toronto where he also If someone completes a survey of how served on the university's Governing many properties private prospectors have optioned to junior mining companies and Council. how many millions of dollars they He was first elected to the Ontario have generated because of their pros- Legislature as the member for Sim- pecting efforts I think the numbers would coe-West in September, 1990. When knock the socks off the sceptics including he was returned in 1995 to the new those politicians who are marginal at riding of Simcoe-Grey, he was ap- best in their support of mining. pointed to cabinet as Minister of Health. In October of 1997, Premier There are several comments in the most assigned Mr. Wilson to the recent Explorationist Newsletter relative newly-formed Ministry of Energy, Sci- to putting stakers and prospectors out of ence and Technology. He was re- work but there is no mention of how turned to that position after his re- much those prospectors and stakers election in June, 1999. spend on each block staked as an argu- Mr. Wilson is probably best known for ment emphasizing the importance of their having begun and implemented On- contributions. What the little guy spends tario's health care reform process and discovers weighs heavily against re- while he was Minister, and more re- stricting his efforts by introducing map staking. cently, for championing electricity competition as sponsor of the govern- I am a grass roots independent prospec- ment's Energy Competition Act. He is tor and I feel it is important that I show the first Ontario Cabinet Minister to just how much I contribute out of my have been given specific responsibility pocket to the economy of my province. I for Science and Technology, where his don,t want decision makers to think that role is to keep the province on the all there is to lose by converting to map leading edge of technological and sci- staking is the employment offered to entific advancement. claim stakers. Minister Wilson is a member of three Cabinet committees. He sits on the I stake for myself and explore my proper- Economic and Resource Policy Com- ties and If I find sufficient mineralization I mittee, the Privatization and Super- try to option the properties off as opposed build Committee, and the Environ- to others in the field who stake for wages ment Committee. or on a contract basis as often mentioned in the arguments for and against map The following comment is against staking. map staking in the province of On- tario. An average day staking for myself would include the staking of about 8 units. I realize I missed the April 4 deadline but I My costs for staking of these 8 units av- will forward the following comment anyway erages out to be approximately $450 and because I believe it represents a large this cost is based on the following: group of prospectors that have been over- looked with regards to what they spend in The cost of purchasing a 4x4 pickup, 3 snowmachine, all terrain vehicle, boat and play booths at regional symposiums and motor, chainsaw and related insurance, li- attend the main show and tell in Toronto censing and maintenance would be ap- at the annual Prospectors and Develop- proximately $200 per outing. Average dis- ers Convention to show my samples as tance travelled each time out approx 70 well as pay to list my properties in the miles each way or 225 kilometres round trip classified section of the Northern Miner I for a fuel cost of $40 and meals for myself also travel to various com- total approximately $20 for a total travel pany exploration offices to show and cost of $260 per day. The costs would be tell. The related costs increase my daily significantly more if I rented. These costs prospecting costs by at least $50 can be added to either prospecting or stak- ing as outlined below. I also pay to belong to the Ontario Pros- pectors Association. Prior to staking I make at least two trips to South Porcupine to the MNDM office I am sure I have forgotten to include to research the files and purchase maps at other things but even with the above I 30 kilometres return for a cost of $15.00. spend approximately $450 per day and I am not paid to do this, my payday comes Equipment purchases required to only if I find something significant enough stake include Snowshoes, winter and sum- to close an option agreement. I believe mer clothing including expensive boots, there are hundreds of prospectors like rainsuit etc. compass, G.P.S. unit, Personal myself who collectively spend a lot of computer, various types of maps, flagging money in total and I do not see that fact tape,recording fees, axe, corner tags, line related to in the arguments pro and tags, survival kit, satellite phone, nails, note against map staking to date. book, special pencils, pens, scale rules, Firearm including training and refresher The above costs are for an average days courses, aerial photographs, copies of re- staking or prospecting 8 units therefore ports etc. Average cost for a days work ap- the cost would be doubled or proximately $125. $900 for one large claim. These costs must be considered in the decision mak- An average day prospecting either on the ing process. This is an idea of what all of staked claims or in open ground in addition these independent and in a lot of cases to travel as above includes the following old fashioned prospectors spend from costs: assays, hand lens, dynamite, fuses, one side of the province to the electrical detonator, lead wire, rental of other! Thank goodness for gasoline plugger and purchase of fuel, ship- these dedicated individuals for without ping costs of samples, safety glasses, pick, them the provinces mining industry would shovel, water pump rental, camera,film and be piddling at best. developing, rental of geophysical instru- mentation, chisels, hammers, picks etc.and Prospectors and stakers are driven to other prospecting tools for a daily cost of hard work as a result of the potential re- approx. $100. Stripping and trenching us- wards offered and as a result have ing heavy equipment is now out of my staked and prospected more ground than reach since the O.P.A..P program has been companies could ever afford in my view cancelled. and I am sure this could be validated by simply researching the history files. I feel Once I discover mineralization I have to ad- confident that by allowing the status quo vertise and I use the computer to list the to continue there is a greater chance of property internationally and to contact vari- finding minerals and adding many more ous companies around the world. I rent dis- dollars to the economy than there would

4 be if company geologists were FLICTS WITH SURFACE RIGHTS to map stake large tracts of land resulting in HOLDERS, ONLY DELAY THEM UN- those lands quite possibly being under ex- TIL WORK COMMENCES plored and kept in a stagnant condition . 4 – IT WILL DECREASE COMPETI- Staking rushes would also be elimi- TION BY ALLOWING LARGE nated along with the benefits in mega dol- TRACTS OF LAND TO BE CLAIMED lars to both nearby communities and the BY A SINGLE PARTY AT THE province. STROKE OF A PEN

Prospectors explore in the darndest places 5 – IT WILL CREATE NEW OVERLAP and when they make a discovery the com- PROBLEMS OVER MISPLOTTED panies are soon to follow.Red Lake, GROUND STAKED CLAIMS OR SI- Hemlo , Kirkland Lake, Timmins and re- MULTANEOUS APPLICATIONS AS cently the Wawa Diamond rush and the en- HAS HAPPENED IN QUEBEC ( CAUS- hanced Sudbury P.G.E.exploration activi- ING 3 TO 4 MONTH RECORDING DE- ties are good examples. If the prospector is LAY ) removed from the scene because of map 6 – IT WILL BECOME A NEW CASH staking the provinces mining industry is go- COW FOR MNDM AT OUR EXPENSE ing to crawl along at a snails pace and the 7 – IT WILL PREVENT PROSPEC- spin offs from the mining industry will follow TORS FROM ACQUIRING GROUND suit. INEXPENSIVELY FOR THE PRICE OF RECORDING PLUS THEIR LABOUR I am afraid that map staking will hit us even 8 – IT WILL ELIMINATE THE If we do not want it, we do not have political EQUALIZER OF HAVING TO BE IN backing as seen by the Living Legacy let THE BUSH TO ACQUIRE GROUND down and the north is destined to suf- 9 – IT INVITES FRINGE PLAYERS TO fer however I wanted to add a comment from one of many prospectors who do not SPECULATE FROM ANYWHERE IN appear to be represented relative to their THE WORLD WITHOUT EVER SET- monetary contributions in the arguments TING FOOT IN THE BUSH against map staking to date. 10 – INCO WANTS IT

THE POTENTIAL OF WORKING Garry Windsor (M-25212) WITH PPL TO CHANGE PRO- 756 McClinton Drive TECTED AREAS BOUNDARIES Timmins Ontario Building Bridges MIKE’S TOP TEN ARGUMENTS By Monte Hummel AGAINST MAP STAKING Today’s conservation movement is largely urban-based – some would say too 1 – IT WILL GIVE BUREAUCRATS TOO much so. As a result, many plans to pro- MUCH CONTROL OVER LAND ACQUI- tect wildlife habitat and species are typed SITION BY MAKING IT A PAPER/ out on computers in cities, but these plans COMPUTER PROCESS only have meaning when they are actually 2 – IT WILL ONLY DELAY THE INEVI- played out on natural landscapes where TABLE NEED TO MARK BOUNDARIES rural, coastal and northern people live. If ON THE GROUND – THERE IS NO we’re not careful, this can lead to “two REAL COST SAVING solitudes” - one sector of society promot- 3 – IT WILL NOT ELIMINATE CON-

5 ing ideas that must be implemented in prac- both know that that is simply not true. On the tical terms by an entirely different sector. contrary, I have the utmost respect for many WWF prides itself on being a bridge builder of WWF’s goals and objectives and are to- in this respect. That’s why we have offices tally supportive of same. in Prince Rupert, Whitehorse, Halifax, Yel- lowknife, Iqaluit, Cuba and just now we’re When it comes to working and protecting val- getting set up in Inuvik. That’s why we try ues I think we are also very much on the same side. Your ‘President’s Message’ in the to be good “listeners,” supporting conserva- Spring report was bang on ! If that kind of tion concerns that are championed by local spirit can prevail (on both sides) throughout communities, rather than simply arriving in the ongoing deliberations with the Ontario town seeking support for what we want. Prospectors Association re the princ iples and In the end, if conservation measures are future application of areas of PSMP taken arbitrarily, despite strong objections (Provincially Significant Mineral Potential), form the very people who must deliver we will all win for sure. them, they will not last. Modern conservation is about saving nature Happy Headframes: not just across protected lands and waters such as parks, but also across working lands David E. Christianson, Director Emeritus and waters such as forests, farms and fish- ing grounds. In either case, we must work April 4, 2002 cooperatively with people whose livelihood depends on those lands and waters – Abo- Mr. David E. Christianson riginal people, private landowners, loggers, Director Emeritus miners, guides, ranchers, outfitters, farmers, Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Asso- boat captains and commercial fishing inter- ciation ests. Obviously, they all should play a role Dear Dave: in defining where and how their respective activities will take place. Thank you so much for your very states- man-like letter of April 4. I really appre- April 4/02 ciated it.

WWF-Canada Needless to say, I agree with every word Attention: Monte Hummel, President you wrote. And I want you to know that 245 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 410 there is no sense of “victory over the bad Toronto On M4P 3J1 guys” with respect to the recent decision by Ministers Newman and Snobelen re- garding staking on untenured lands in the Dear Monte: Living Legacy sites. On the contrary, the I just finished reading the Spring 2002 issue of “ Working for Wildlife” . Partnership is absolutely committed to What an excellent read ! My wife and I have working collaboratively with Garry Clark been members of the WWF for a number of and the OPA to now deal with pre- years and continue to follow your continuing existing tenure fairly. endeavours with much interest. ( she’s a better Birder [sees stranger birds] than you !) I don’t know if anyone told you, but I took my “Keep mining in Canada” button In the past some folks may have perceived you into the discussions that we had with the and I as being on ‘different’ sides of fence re the OPA and PDAC, the very same button protection of Natural values. I think you and I you gave me some years ago! I wear it

6 often, to assure people that I really would out: American environmental organizations like to keep mining in Canada, but not just are making the land use decisions in Northern everywhere Dave. Ontario for the Province of Ontario. I think it is illegal for the Province to divest its author- Best regards, ity, especially when dealing with mining Monte Hummel rights, and I believe the Forest Accord is also President illegal. The Province does not have the au- thority to transfer its mandate to groups like World Wildlife Fund Canada the World Wildlife Fund, or the Planning

ANOTHER OPINION OF THE OLL Partnership.

PROBLEM Surely you have access to a legal firm that

could explore this situation. Hello Garry,

I sensed your tiredness in the closing remarks My name is John Hodgson and I am the CAO in your article and understand fully. I have for the Municipality of Temagami. I just read been the CAO in the Municipality of Tema- your news and views article that came out in gami for ten years and have argued, de- the February issue of THE EXPLORATION- manded and begged successive Ministry rep- IST . You noted correctly that the Province of resentatives from land clerks to Ministers to Ontario, particularly the Ministry of Natural of stop this nonsense. I am not giving up don’t Resources, has broken promises in the Living you. Legacy process.

John Hodgson The Mining fraternity has to accept some of the blame when it comes to more land base being removed from mining. It was a mistake to walk THE ISSUE OF STAKING away from the table during the early days of the IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO Living Legacy process. I know and understand that it was distasteful to sit at the table knowing that the World Wildlife Fund and their col- Group issues warning (Perth Cou- leagues were calling the shots. rier)

Unfortunately this particular Provincial Govern- Cautions that staking of mineral claims in ment has handed over the North to the World townships could affect Perth Wildlife Fund to complete the Wildlands Pro- ject. Ontario and B.C. have both bought into By Maureen Pegg this concept, and the people in the North of On- Perth councillors voted last Tuesday in favour tario will be the biggest losers as the Project un- of providing moral support to a group of peo- folds. Living Legacy and Conservation Re- ple who are seeking to pressure the province serves are just a small part of the bigger picture to update the provincial mining act. now being painted in the U.S. for us. At a town council meeting held late last month, councillors were briefed on the im- You just have to look at the Forest Accord to pact on the town if properties in surrounding know that the Forest Industry sold out the North townships are mined for graphite. for cash. Their bottom line will look good but The presentation was made by two represen- the communities and people who want to work tatives of the Citizens Mining Action Group in the resource industry will be the losers. which was formed in January. Members of the group had discovered that The Mining industry has to go on the offensive their properties in Bathurst Burgess Sher- in a very public manner to get the message brooke township had been staked by a mining company. 7 At the committee of the whole meeting held last The group hopes to pressure the provincial Tuesday, councillors voted in favour of support- government to change the Ontario Mining ing the group, but stopped short of assigning a Act, which was formulated in the late 1880s. councillor to the committee. It wants to work towards “levelling the pla y- “We would support them in their efforts to have ing field between landowners and mining the mining act changed, but we will not have a companies,” Ms. Towaij said. council representative on the committee,” The action committee has contacted cottage Mayor Lana March said. “We already have associations in the area to alert them that min- enough committees to cover.” ing claims have been staked in the area. Graphite Mountain Inc. has staked in excess of The action group says many property owners 100 mining claims in BBS and South Frontenac have filed a dispute against the mining com- townships. pany. The deadline to do so was March 27. In the Perth area alone, 22 claims have been Graphite Mountain Inc. is a wholly owned made on cottage and residential properties in the subsidiary of Diamond Lake Minerals of Black Lake, Pike Lake, Long Lake and Otty Utah. Lake areas. The company has staked claims on Rideau Val- THE FOLLOWING LETTER WAS FOR- ley Conservation Authority lands and property WARDED TO ME FROM THE FED- traversed by the Rideau Trail. ERATION OF ONTARIO COTTAGERS “We take exception to the trespassing, which ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF THE the prospectors can do legally,” explained Lorne MINISTERS MINING ACT ADVISORY Rodenbush, who is vice-chair of the citizens’ COMMITTEE committee. “They can go on an owner’s prop- erty without permission. Dear Mr. Gammon, “Once a mining company decides to look for ore, it needs only to give 24 hours’ notice. I have recently had the pleasure of meeting a Land- owners would be compensated, but only group of people who collectively call them- for damage to their land. selves the Bedford Mining Alert (BMA). I “Eventually they can dig trenches, and big have asked, and been told by the BMA that roads, drain lakes. That would have a negative you are a person in authority on the topic of effect on wildlife and tourism.” this letter at the Government of Ontario, and He pointed out that Perth residents should be so I am writing to you today. concerned because of the negative impact caused by convoys of trucks loaded with ore My family (myself, my wife and two young travelling down the Scotch Line and to a proc- children) has been looking for a modest sea- essing plant on the Rideau Ferry Road owned sonal cottage property in the Land O'Lakes by a sister company of Graphite Mountain. area partially covered by Bedford town- Property values would decline, he said, meaning ship. We have found a small property for that BBS would lose assessment revenue and sale on Crow Lake (adjacent to Bobs Lake) consequently would have less money to contrib- that we want to put an offer on. After reading ute to joint funding projects such as Conlon an article in the Ottawa Citizen a Farm and the library. while ago I discovered an innocuous looking Maureen Towaij, who is chairing the group, warning to potential purchasers of cottage prefaced her remarks by pointing out committee property of the threat posed by mining inter- members understand that mining is an important ests in Ottawa's prime cottage country areas industry in Canada, but some things in the act of Eastern Ontario. need to be changed. This caused me to begin an internet search “We are looking for a moratorium to all graph- for more information related to the rights of ite mining in BBS and South Frontenac,” Ms. property owners with respect to mining inter- Towaij explained. “We’d like to see the act ests. It was during my search on the internet changed to give rights to property owners.” for additional information on this topic that I

8 ran across the BMA group. I very much appre- ciated the information on the BMA website and I would appreciate a response to my ques- several other non-government websites. I was tions Mr. Gammon. Please don't send me a unable to find much information from the Min- form letter response. Your answers may help istry of Northern Development & Mines that my family decide whether or not to proceed discussed the rights of property owners. with the offer on the Crow Lake property and maybe any property in this region. Our What I have discovered in my search for infor- dream was not to buy a little nightmare. mation on this threat is truly frightening and will quite possibly cause us to look elsewhere in If you think my questions would be best di- Ontario (or Quebec) for cottage property. This rected at someone else within your ministry, is unfortunate because we consider the many please let me know whom that might be. fine lakes in the Bedford area to be prime cot- tage country for the city of Ottawa on a par with I will send a copy this email to the Bedford the Rideau Mining Alert group. They may be interested Lakes Region. What I discovered of course is in this also. the topic of mineral rights, surface rights only (SRO), staking on SRO property etc. In more Best Regards, than one article I have read on the web, land- owners have referred to the situation as a night- D. Scott Whitmore P. Eng. mare. I am sure that you are quite a lot more knowledgeable than I am on this topic Mr. THE OPA WEBSITE HAS BE- Gammon - and I do not wish to discuss the nu- COME A VERY BUSY SITE. I ances of the subject. WOULD LIKE TO STRESS Mr. Gammon, my two simple questions are THAT THERE IS A SECTION these: FOR POSTING YOUR PROP- ERTIES FOR OPTION. THIS 1. Why should my family risk (financially and emotionally) purchasing a cottage property on SERVICE IS FREE TO ALL Crow Lake when there is the very real threat of MEMBERS. ALL THAT IS RE- a mine being created on the SRO land next door QUIRED IS A WORD DOCU- possibly only 100 meters away? MENT THAT CAN BE PLACED

2. Why do the tax paying residents of the prime DIRECTLY ON THE SITE. cottage country region of Eastern Ontario known as the Land O'Lakes region come under Website visitors divided per weekday: this kind of intimidation and seeming perpetual 2002-04-02: 71 threat from the mining sector? Surely this kind 2002-04-03: 46 of arrangement is more suitable 2002-04-04: 52 for sparsely populated northern regions of On- 2002-04-05: 54 tario and not prime cottage country? Unfortu- 2002-04-06: 8 nately I am quite ignorant of geology. Is there 2002-04-07: 13 some type of valuable mineral available only in 2002-04-08: 52 this region? 2002-04-09: 43 2002-04-10: 28 As an aside, and in contrast, I note from the 2002-04-11: 32 MNDM website that the residents of the Mus- 2002-04-12: 26 koka district from Toronto do not seem to be 2002-04-13: 14 exposed to this risk. Is this region exempt for 2002-04-14: 24 some reason? 2002-04-15: 40

9 mining companies to Ontario. What is the rational in reducing the OGS staffing IN NAME ONLY levels to that of housekeeping duties?

Welcome Minister Wilson to the Ministry The foundation of any exploration pro- of Northern Development and Mines. This gram involves prospecting. This grass- portfolio will test your ability to institute roots work is generally unrewarding and a practical and reasonable policies while costly venture but lays down the basics weathering inter-ministry politics and other requires to discover a new mine. Ontario influences outside of your control. Some of is the only province, other than Prince your predecessors have been successful in Edward Island, that does not provide an this balancing act while others are not worth incentive to the prospecting community mentioning at all. as a means to keep a healthy mining in- dustry. The lack of an incentive infers the The title of your new ministry is the main government does not desire the new source of conflict with current government wealth generated by the mining industry policy. “Northern Development” suggests in Ontario. Finally land access is the life- the goal of your portfolio is to encourage blood of northern resources-based com- the economic prosperity of northern com- munities. The imposition of 378 Ontario munities. The latest census data reveals that Living Legacy sites expropriating 12% of government policy to date is lacking in this the land mass has affected a large number endeavour as most northern communities of mining claims holders. The parked have seen a 3-14% decrease in population. claims holders are now unable to promote The second half of your ministry’s title uses their properties and the value the invest- the term “Mines” to cover a wide range of ments in the property has been lost. responsibilities from administering the Min- ing Act to the activities of the Ontario Geo- The Porcupine Mining Camp is being logical Survey. Regardless of the attempts threatened by this policy of unilateral by local governments to diversify their land expropriation. On one front an On- northern economies these communities still tario Living Legacy river park threatens rely the resources-based industries as their the Montcalm Nickel project operated by major employers and revenue sources. Falconbridge Limited. The potential $600 million injection into the Timmins The future economic health of most north- economy over a 7-yr period is in peril due ern communities is being threatened by the to a 200 m wide park about the Ground- continual erosion of the technical expertise hog River – a river which meets the Min- of the provincial geological survey, the istry of the Environment requirements for elimination of all mineral exploration incen- the discharge of treated waters from tives and the expropriation and alienation of Montcalm Project site. crown land. In simple terms the Ontario Treasure Hunt funding the Ontario Geologi- All of the gold mines in Timmins occur cal Survey has been utilizing over the last within six kilometres of an ancient fault – three years should be the normal operational the Destor Porcupine Fault Zone. This 6 funding level and not the exception. The kilometre wide corridor from west of surveys carried out through OTH funding Timmins to the Quebec border produced have succeeded in initiating staking rushes over 70 million ounces of gold from nu- and have encouraged the return of junior merous mines over the last 95 years.

10 Again it is obvious that the economy of the der Bay, the position requires periodic north is of little importance to pervious pol- travel throughout the region and between icy makers as there are two large Ontario Thunder Bay and Sudbury or Toronto. Living Legacy sites within this six- kilometre corridor immediately west of The successful candidate will have the Timmins. The largest of these two site, the following minimum qualifications: Tatachikapika River Plain Conservation Re- · Strong geological background in serve (Denton and Thorneloe Twps), were exploration, research and report- the site of a major gold rush with explora- ing tion work injecting of a minimum 6 to 10 · Integrated project and fiscal man- million dollars into the local economy . The agement experience work that was completed on those parked · Written and oral communication claims is now valueless as a recent policy and presentation skills change by the pervious Minister of MNDM · Computer literacy specifically us- has deemed that high potential area un- ing Microsoft Office touchable. · Contract negotiation, preparation

So, Minister Wilson you enter into a portfo- and management experience lio where the goals of your ministry are at · Team leadership of private sector, odds with the past actions of the govern- university and government techni- ment. We wish you all the luck and support cal and management personnel in your tricky balancing act. · B.A or B.Sc. degree in geology or closely related field Program Director · Eligibility to become a Profes- Lake Nipigon Region Geoscience Pro- sional Geologist in Ontario. gram This is a contract position that terminates The Ontario Prospectors Association (OPA) in December 2003. Salary is commensu- seeks a professional to manage the develop- rate with experience and qualifications. ment and delivery of the Lake Nipigon Geo- science Initiative, in support of the mineral Interested candidates should apply by sector in the Lake Nipigon Region. May 24 to:

Reporting to the Chair of the Management Mail: Ontario Prospectors Association Committee for the Lake Nipigon Region 1000 Alloy Drive, Geoscience Initiative, who represents the Thunder Bay, ON OPA, the Program Director negotiates and P7B 6G5 manages contracts and provides leadership ATTN: G. Clark and coordination of activities related to fi- nance and administration, project manage- Fax: 807-622-4156 ment, technical and stakeholder meetings, Email: [email protected] and communication and publication. The Initiative and the position is funded by the THIS POSITION IS CONDITIONAL Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corpora- ON FUNDING tion. ONLY THOSE CHOSEN FOR IN- TERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED Based out of the OPA head office in Thun-

11

Thank you to our 2002 Symposium Sponsors: SYMPOSIUM: CORPORATE: ALS Chemex GLR Resources Inc. Ashton Mining of Canada Inc. Goldcorp Inc. Red Lake Mine Atikokan Resources Inc. Ministry of Northern Development & Mines Beck Creek Minerals Ltd. Berland Resources Ltd. HALL: Ian Campbell Avalon Ventures Ltd. Clark Exploration Consulting Bowater Forest Products Division Bob Fairservice Geocanex Ltd. Garden Lake Timber Gear Up For Outdoors Ltd. SESSIONAL: Historical Prospecting Freewest Resources Canada Inc. Landore Resources Inc. North American Palladium Ltd. Mtec Geophysics Ltd. Thunder Bay Branch - CIM Norex Drilling Ltd. Ontario Prospectors Association COFFEE BREAK: Placer Dome (CLA) Limited Campbell Mine Boart Longyear Inc. Sharpstone Geoservices Ltd. Chaltrek Stares Contracting Corp. Chibougamau Diamond Drilling Ltd. The Mealey Group Metalore Resources Limited

AUDIO VISUAL: SOCIAL: Falconbridge Limited RJK Explorations Ltd.

GIFTS: LANYARDS: Chaltrek Goldcorp Inc. Ruby Lake Marble Ron Tweedie

12