(official newsletter of the newfoundland and labrador...
TRANSCRIPT
(Official Newsletter of the
Newfoundland and Labrador Prospectors Association)
March 2014, Number 8
17 Nelder Drive, Mount Pearl, NL, A1N 4M2
(709)740-6000 [email protected] www.nlprospectors.org
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hello to All Members:
It is hard to believe that March is here already
and that it is only a few short weeks till the
official start of Spring. Winter still has a
powerful, cold grasp on the land, but the
daylight is lengthening and every day the sun's
rays are gaining more strength and beginning to
slowly melt the vast, thick blanket of billowy
white snow across the province. It is the time of
year when the prospector in all of us begins to
stir and we all start thinking about the upcoming
field season and what potential mineral
discoveries await us, as we begin making plans
and researching possible areas to explore this
year. Gander Lake: Frozen over for the first time in 11 years!
At the time of writing these notes for our
March edition of our Association's
Newsletter, many local prospectors and
mineral exploration company geologists are
in Toronto this week, attending the 2014
PDAC International Convention, Trade Show
and Investors Exchange. Many of our
members are marketing and showcasing their
individual mineral properties in the Atlantic
Canada Rock Room and Pavilion. PDAC
2014 is the largest mineral industry gathering
in the world with over 30,000 registered
delegates, hundreds of Trade Show
exhibitors, and hundreds more Mineral
Exploration and Mining Companies have
booths in the Investors Exchange.
The Who's Who of the Global Mineral
Industry descends on the Metro Toronto
Convention Centre each year in early March
and PDAC is considered by everyone to be Norm rests his weary bones on pillow lava near Bauline
the official kick-off to the next Prospecting Field Season. I have many fond and memorable moments of PDAC dating
way back to the late 1970's and I hope that come 2015, I will again be in attendance at this International Mineral Industry
Gathering! The Provincial Department Of Natural Resources and Mining Industry NL, along with the support of the
Matty Mitchell Prospectors Resources Room are to be congratulated once again for all of their joint efforts in showcasing
our province's world class geology and diverse mineral potential at PDAC and for the tremendous efforts that go into the
Atlantic Canada Rock Room and Pavilion! Congratulations One and All!
In this edition of your Association's Newsletter, we will attempt to bring all hands up to date on the initiatives and
activities of your Executive and Board over the winter months, and also update each of you on the work that several of our
Volunteer Committees have been involved in. Our Association is there to assist and provide supports and advocacy for all
of our members and we welcome your suggestions and feedback as we move forward. This edition will also provide an
update on events and activities which will be coming up in the weeks and months ahead.
PROSPECTORS, HAMMERS AND DOGS
By Christopher Hutchings, P. Geo.
It was rumoured every man and his dog was involved in the Voisey’s Bay mineral play. This humorous statement rings an
element of truth – Labrador’s equivalent to the Yukon Klondike stampede. Prospectors are largely considered by many in
the industry to be the driving force for the provincial mineral exploration sector. Savvy or lucky prospectors are usually
directly linked to that big discovery. Mines would not exist if prospectors did not exist. Motivation for prospecting is
definitely monetary. Longevity of the mining industry primarily can be attributed to the discovery rate of the prospector.
Discoveries are the lifeblood of mining. Having seen a prospector or maybe it was a geologist enthusiastically hammering
an outcrop, some wag once remarked this person may be slightly deranged but otherwise quite harmless. Prospectors and
picks are inseparable – the ultimate partnership. A pick is a prospector’s best friend.
A prospector’s pick or hammer is considered basic equipment to aid in the search for mineralization. Seasoned
prospectors and geologists understand the value of cracking many boulders, optimistically hopeful to trace mineralized
float back to its source. Having a good whack at an outcrop to beat the thing into pieces may have beneficial results, both
observational and analytical.
On the practical side, the average pick may bounce off some rocks which can be exceedingly tough. Bring in the big
fellows; sledgehammers give mighty smacks and are either light or heavyweight depending upon the circumstances.
Sledges are great companions and like to be named. Call yours Rover or Lassie and have a pleasant conversation on
some pulverized outcrop while sharing a squashed sandwich with a jay.
Old dogs cannot be taught new tricks – pure drivel. The Voisey’s Bay discovery indicated a new prospecting environment
existed under everybody’s nose. Old dogs yelped, woofed and bayed in glee. Hounds quickly commenced sniffing for more
of the same stuff. That was certainly a new trick.
A despicable trait of mineral deposits is that they occur where you find them and not necessarily out behind the kennel;
translated, whistling for a mine to appear is a pointless exercise. You have to travel. Transform yourself into a beagle and
sniff out the bunnies. Determined slogging through the woods is required to find mineralization ingeniously concealed by
natural processes. A prospector, despite the wonders of computerization, stills needs sharp eyes + a hand lens, a strong
back, good feet, exploration smarts and a sensitive honker. Sulphides, or bunnies, if preferred, possess a certain scent to
tantalize the olfactory sensors. While in the field, your nose should follow your hammer.
Team up with a Scandinavian sulphide-sniffer dog to improve your prospecting skills.
2013/14 MEMBERSHIP FEES
Most members of the Association have sent along their $20 Membership Fee for this operating year, with some members
opting to pay for 3 years at this time. For those whose fees that I have received, you should have gotten your new
Membership Card for 2013/14 along with a payment receipt in the mail by now. If anyone, who has submitted their
Membership Fee, has not received your new card and receipt, please let me know as soon as possible and I will get them
out to you by mail.
I have tried to do up new cards and receipts on a weekly basis and the majority of members of the Association are now up
to date on their individual payments.
Sincere thanks to all members who have sent along their $20 Membership Fee as these funds go a long way to assist the
NLPA in carrying out its Mission Statement of providing advocacy, education and training along with networking
opportunities for prospector members in all regions of our vast province.
We are making a difference and have gained recognition and support from a number of interested groups, government
agencies and departments, as well as others in representing the interests of the prospecting community in Newfoundland
and Labrador.
I want to sincerely encourage those members who have not as of yet sent along their Membership Renewal Fee for this
year, to please take the time and make your payment and mail it along to me as soon as possible.
By all of us participating and supporting the Association, it will give us the necessary means and resources to most
effectively work on your behalf and fulfill our Mandate and Mission
Statement. Our Annual Membership Fee of $20 is very modest indeed and
we are essentially Volunteer-Driven! A number of members serving both on
the Executive and Board, as well as on several Volunteer Committees have
been working very hard on everyone's behalf over the past several years and
I sincerely ask that you do your best to make your payment over the next
couple of Weeks. Thank You So Much!
WAYS AND MEANS
As I reported back in December of last year, the Association's Fundraising
Goal for 2012/13 was $10,000. Considering how difficult last year was in
the mineral exploration sector, we did do really well and came ever so close
to reaching our financial goal.
Since my last report, several additional donations were received before we
wrapped up our operating year.
Several individual members of the NLPA made the following kind donations
near year's end and they include:
Cyril Hayden of St. John's $20.00
Paul Keel and Cabot Industries of Clarenville $40.00
Total Donations for 2012/13 $9,060.00
Sincere Thanks are extended to Cyril and Paul, along with all others who supported the Association financially during the
2012/13 operating year. Your support is really appreciated!
I am pleased to report that our Bank Account and Financial Records for this past year have been updated and reconciled.
Within the next few days, the Association's Records will be reviewed by a third party, who will be a general member of
the NLPA and not presently active on the Executive or Board. As of Wednesday, February 15th, 2014, the Association's
Bank Account recorded a balance of $24,500.00.
I am pleased to report that the NLPA has enough monies on hand to sustain the activities of the Association for 3 years, so
we are doing really well and I will be suggesting to the Executive and Board that we look at a major fundraising campaign
in the 2014/15 operating year, in other words next year! This can be in the form of another major Letter Writing
Campaign seeking financial support from the Operating Mines, Developing Projects, as well as from many of the junior
and mid-tier Mineral Exploration and Service Companies in the Province as we undertook in our inaugural year. We could
also look at putting a skidoo and trailer, or all- terrain vehicle and trailer up on tickets province wide. So, there are a
number of fundraising projects that we could consider going forward, but that is for another year.
PROSPECTING FOR MIRACLES
It was decided at the last NLPA Annual General Meeting held in Clarenville in late September of 2013, that our
Association would participate in the 2014 Provincial Janeway Hospital Telethon. All of our members throughout the
province have either had their own children, or grandchildren avail of the tremendous medical services at our Provincial
Children's Hospital located in St. John's. We all have had family members, or children of our neighbours and friends who
have been touched by the great caring and professional services provided by this first-class
Provincial Medical Facility.
Our members have indicated that we want, as an Association, to get involved in a provincial
undertaking so that We Can Give Back To Community! So that we do our part like so many
other organizations and raise monies for a very worthy cause, and there is nothing more
important than the health and well being of the children of this wonderful province. After all
they are our Future!
This year, it is planned to make a modest financial contribution of $500 from the Association in this our first year of
supporting the Janeway Telethon. This cheque will be presented live on Television during this major fundraising drive
which will be held later this spring. Also, we are looking for several Volunteers to staff the phone banks for several hours
during the event. We may get a few T-Shirts with our NLPA logo placed on them, along with our Catch Phrase
“Prospecting for Miracles” also emblazoned on the front or back!
We will seek a sponsor for these T-Shirts and acknowledge them during the event!
If you are interested in volunteering to staff the phone banks during the Telethon for a couple of hours either on the
Saturday or Sunday, then please let me know over the next few weeks. What we hope to do is build on our initial modest
effort in the years ahead and hopefully we can channel some significant monies into the Janeway Hospital Foundation and
do our part to support this amazing facility and all of the great work that happens there each and every day. It truly is a
place where Miracles do happen!
NLPA MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE
Your Association is rolling out a new initiative over the next few weeks, as we develop a Contact List of experienced
Prospectors and Exploration Geologists who have a variety of backgrounds and knowledge which will be of benefit to our
many members all across the province. Individuals, who come forward to volunteer to act as Mentors, agree to do so on a
Confidential Basis and their names, skill sets and contact e-mail addresses will be placed up on our Association's Website
for every member to access going forward!
At this time, we are seeking members or others who would be willing to volunteer to act as Mentors and be willing to
provide guidance and share their knowledge with other members of the NLPA. We are looking for individuals who have a
wide variety of prospecting and mineral exploration experience, or you may have a lot of experience using computers in
plotting and preparing sample location maps, or laying out recce grids, for instance. The list of skill sets is endless and can
include using geophysical equipment, or interpreting geophysical and geochemical results. Also, you may have skills and
knowledge in organizing private prospecting companies and be aware of how prospecting and exploration expenses are
treated by Revenue Canada.
Already, we have a number of individuals who have volunteered to act as Mentors for our many members from all across
the province on a Confidential Basis!
They include the following individuals:
Gordon E. Cooper of Mount Pearl, former geologist (in the territories and all provinces except PEI) and retired science
teacher, who has a wide variety of mining, mineral exploration, prospecting, consulting and teaching experience. E-mail:
Peter M. Dimmell of St. John's, prospecting geologist and President of an active local junior exploration company, who
has a wide variety of geological, mining, mineral exploration, prospecting and managerial experience. He is a Past
President of the National PDAC. E-mail: [email protected]
Robert Freeman of Port Rexton, Experienced Prospector and Mineral Exploration Field Program Manager, with
experience and work both in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Manitoba. Knowledge of a variety of types of
Mineral Deposits and a wide variety of Mineral Exploration Survey Techniques and Equipment. E-mail:
Wayde Guinchard of St. John's, active prospector with over 30 years experience in the banking sector, who has a wide
variety of managerial and financial experience with knowledge in marketing and promotion of mineral properties and in
structuring private prospecting companies. E-mail: [email protected]
Norm Mercer of Mount Pearl, active prospector and former Provincial Government geologist, who has a variety of
geological and mineral exploration, prospecting experience along with knowledge of promotion and public awareness. E-
mail: [email protected]
Len Muise of Gambo, Experienced Prospector and Senior Executive Manager and Part Owner of several Private NL
Junior Mineral Exploration Companies. Wide array of knowledge in structuring Private Mineral Exploration Companies,
Prospector Training Programs, Variety of Mineral Deposits and in planning and conducting Mineral Exploration and
Prospecting Programs. E-mail: [email protected]
Ray Penney of Gambo, Experienced Prospecting and Mapping Geologist and Retired Science Teacher having worked
with a variety of mineral exploration and mining companies in a number of provinces and one territory, across Canada.
Vast Knowledge and Experience of planning and conducting Prospecting and Mineral Exploration Programs for a variety
of Mineral Deposits including Precious and Base Metals, Iron Ore and other Specialty Metals. Diamond Drill Hole
Logging Experience along with Report Writing. E-mail: [email protected]
Kevin Ryan of St. John's, active prospector and former Federal Government / Private Industry professional, who has a
variety of experience in marketing and promotion of mineral properties and projects. E-mail: [email protected]
Andy Thomas of CBS, Prospecting and former Provincial Government, Labrador Mapping Geologist with many years of
experience with the Labrador Mapping Section with the NL Geological Survey out of St. John's, NL. Extensive Field
Experience and Office Geoscience Report Writing and Map Preparation. Has worked with several Junior Mineral
Exploration Companies in Labrador as a Senior Project Geologist. Has significant knowledge of a variety of Mineral
Deposits associated with Intrusive and High Grade Metamorphic Rocks in Labrador. E-mail: [email protected]
We thank the above members for agreeing to step forward and volunteer as Mentors
with our Association and we sincerely seek others from amongst the membership, or
from outside, who would be willing to share some of their knowledge or experience
with the over 325 members of the NLPA who live in over 125 rural and urban
communities all across this vast resource rich province. Any time and support that
you are willing to provide to this New Mentorship Initiative would be greatly
appreciated.
On behalf of the Executive, Board and all of the volunteer Committee Members in
our Association, I eagerly look forward to hearing from a number of our Regular
Members, as well as from a number of our Complimentary Associate Members. By
all of us working together, we can make this effort a great success, which will be of
benefit to the prospecting community of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Please give this matter serious consideration and think about putting your name
forward to act as a Volunteer Mentor with the Association!
Necessity is the Mother of Invention! RECENT MINERAL CLAIM STAKING IN THE PROVINCE
For everyone's information regarding the most recent claim staking in Newfoundland and Labrador, which is updated by
the Mineral Lands Division of NL Department of Natural Resources on a daily basis, please click on the link below to see
who is staking and where:
Shortcut to: http://gis.gov.nl.ca/mrinquiry/new_claims_w.asp
PROSPECTING TIP
As we all know, winter storms and gales along with intense wind storms throughout
the year can be very powerful and quite damaging! Many times these high winds
will topple over mature and even younger stands or individual trees in many areas,
especially in more open terrain.
When you are prospecting in areas where outcrop exposure is very limited and most
of the area is covered by glacial till, forest cover or bogs it is difficult to locate
exposed bedrock or glacial boulders, some of which may be altered or mineralized.
It is very important when you are prospecting in such areas, to keep a sharp eye out
for blow downs and trees toppled over as a result of recent wind storms.
Underneath these blow-downs, you may discover some newly revealed bedrock that can provide more clues to the
geological setting of your prospecting area. In other instances, you may see both angular and more rounded glacial
cobbles and small boulders. It is important to remember, that the more rounded the cobble or boulder is, then the further it
has been transported by the ancient glaciers as they slowly moved across the land scrapping and scouring the bedrock
below the masses of ice.
Some of the cobbles and boulders may have sharp edges or may even
show alteration and mineralization.
This is very important to note, as the bedrock source of these may be
close by, or within a few hundred metres back-up ice of their present
location.
Be very observant and always check out the areas of blow downs and
tree storm damage as they may reveal significant clues and new
mineral showings and prospects in their immediate area. You never
know what signs of mineralization may be lurking under these places!
So, please check them all out!
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Education and Training Committee is now waiting for an official response from College of the North Atlantic
regarding our proposed Weekend Based Introductory Level Prospector Training Courses which we are recommending be
offered in a number of Regional Centres both on the island and in Labrador. A draft of CONA's official response to our
Association has been prepared and we have been advised that it is now being reviewed by Senior Officials with the
College and that it has been given a Priority and we hope to hear something within the next couple of weeks.
As soon as we receive the response, the members of the Committee will meet to review the proposal and make
recommendations to the Association's Board. (Newsflash! CONA proposal just received!)
Another initiative that several of the Committee Members have
been working on was a One or Two Day Weekend Wilderness
Survival and First Aid Training Course to be held in Central
Newfoundland. This was put on hold until this spring, as our
main priority has been the CONA Proposal regarding
Weekend Based Introductory Level Prospector Training
Courses. After Easter, we will be sending along a Notice to all
members to gauge interest in a possible Wilderness Survival
and First Aid Training Course and if numbers warrant, then we
will organize such a project.
An Educational Lunch and Learn was conducted during late
January with MUN Earth Science students at the Alexander
Murray Geology Building on the North Campus. Over 30 earth
science students participated and the Power Point Presentation
consisted of a brief overview of the Association and the role of
the prospector in the early exploration and discovery of many
of this province's new mineral showings and prospects, some
of which lead to mines being developed in the province.
Throughout the presentation, special emphasis was placed on
the minimal impact and footprint that prospecting has on the
environment and that all prospectors have a true love and
respect for the outdoors and natural setting. It is the greatest
classroom in the world to learn and come to appreciate the
interaction of all living things in a myriad of ecosystems.
Nicolai and Dylan preparing to do a Magnetometer Survey
Another initiative that the Education and Training Committee has been working on is in partnering with the SEG Student
Club of MUN's Earth Sciences Department. The SEG [Society of Economic Geologists] Student Club is made up of
Graduate Students who are doing their research in the field of Economic Geology. They are very interested in partnering
with the NLPA going forward, by preparing and delivering Prospector Short Courses for our members, on a variety of
Economic Mineral Deposits. They had hoped to be in a position to deliver a Half-Day Short Course on Volcanic Massive
Sulphide Deposits [VMS] for early spring, but due to university research and course commitments, this Half Day
Prospector Short Course will now be offered in the early fall.
In the meantime, one of the Economic Geology Presentations by an SEG Student Club Member on" Some Aspects of
Volcanic Massive Sulphide Deposits" will be offered on Wednesday, April 16th, 2014 here in St. John's. It is planned to
kick start the 2014 Series of NLPA Regional Meetings and Educational Workshops on this date, so please stay tuned for
location, time and details which will be sent out to all members in a couple of weeks. This will be a great opportunity to
pilot this first SEG Student Club presentation to our members here in Eastern Newfoundland and to gain evaluation and
membership feedback.
I am hoping to travel to Happy Valley/Goose Bay later in the spring, to hold a Regional NLPA Meeting and Educational
Work- shop with our members in this
part of the Big Land. Unfortunately, due
to a number of reasons, I was unable to
hold such an event in this region during
2013, but it is a priority event for the
spring of this year. I hope to include an
Educational Workshop covering
"Economic Mineral Deposits in
Intrusive and Metamorphic Settings".
So, for our members in the Central and
Eastern Regions of Labrador, please
stay tuned for details as I am expecting
to be in your area during the month of
May 2014. Lunch and Learn with MUN Geology Students
Your Association wants to also
use this opportunity to meet with
a variety of First Nations and
Aboriginal Groups to discuss a
number of important topics with
them on such matters as,
prospecting on their lands,
prospector training and any
environmental issues that they
wish to raise. The Association
wants to use this opportunity to
come and listen to their
suggestions and ideas on how we
can partner going forward. So,
again please stay tuned for
further details as plans are
finalized over the next few
weeks. Norm presenting an Education and Training Workshop in Labrador City in December 2013
GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROGRAMS
We are pleased to advise that we had our 2nd
.Government/NLPA committee meeting on February 25th, 2014.
Unfortunately, only 2 of the Government Representatives were available because others were preparing for PDAC. The
following representatives were in attendance;
NR STAFF NLPA
Jim Hinchey, Director Wayde Guinchard
Justin Lake, Recorder Kevin Ryan
We discussed all issues and while Jim and Justin gave us updates from their standpoint, since key individuals weren’t
available we cannot give you definitive answers at this time. Most of the officials were at PDAC and we had planned a
full group meeting to finalize some details, however, Minster Dalley and his group changed their visitation schedule to
PDAC and we could not reschedule, so we hope to meet later this month in St. John’s
.
Here are some notes on what Jim and Justin had to say:
- Jim Hinchey advised that Guidelines regarding The Genuine Prospector Designation are being drafted for Part 1
(1 –5 years Initial) and Part 2 (beyond 5 years) designations and will be delivered by mid-April. The results will
be delivered to the Minister for signing after the draft has been cleared through the various levels of Government.
-
- Jim and Justin advised that Administering and processing of Prospector Grant Applications (PGAs) are subject to
directives from the Auditor General’s office. The past 3 years have seen delays in the processing PGAs due to
staff shortages and internal audits by the AG. This year we should see reasonable processing time and
turnaround of PGAs.
-
- Justin is still in the process of collecting and reviewing Assessment Report policies of the other Provinces. He will
summarize his findings for future presentation to us.
-
- Jim and Justin suggested that Work Shop / Presentations around Compilation Reports and Permitting might be
organized around Regional NLPA meetings and Mines Branch Staff field activities.
-
We did raise the issue of lateness of security deposit refunds and this has been
addressed earlier.
They did confirm that they appreciated our prompt response to the issue
around the 20-year expiry of claims.
While we are not happy with the speed at which these issues are being dealt
with, you have our assurances that we are on top of it and they will not be
dropped until we have responses that we feel comfortable in communicating
to the membership.
A long way to go, but we will get there.
RESOURCE INVESTORS FORUM 2014
Your Association's Board has submitted a proposal to Ed Moriarity, Executive Director of Mining Industry NL, seeking
support from Ed's Board for our participation in their upcoming Provincial Resource Investors Forum which will be held
in early fall of 2014. We are seeking an opportunity to present on behalf of the NLPA in the Forum's Technical Program,
as well as be given the opportunity for a number of our members' to showcase and promote their available mineral
properties in one of the adjoining Meeting Rooms at the
Sheraton Newfoundland Hotel, St. John's, NL.
In our proposal, we also indicated that we would
encourage several of our members to volunteer with their
Organizing Committee and also as an Association make a
modest financial contribution to the event. Resource
Investors Forum 2014 takes place from the 22nd to the
23rd of September, 2014 at the Sheraton Newfoundland
Hotel at 120 Cavendish Square, and for more details,
please visit Mining Industry NL's Website at
www.miningnl.com
Registration for the Technical Presentations is free and
all interested members of the general public, particularly
investors are cordially invited to attend!
Peter Dimmell conducts Educational Workshop
for members in June 2013
NLPA BOARD SUPPORTS MINERAL EXPLORATION ACCESS ROAD
Eagleridge International Limited, a local private mineral exploration company which is owned and operated by Albert
Chislett and his son Bradley Chislett, are seeking approval from the Provincial Department of Environment and
Conservation to construct a mineral exploration resource access road on mineral claims it holds near Big Triangle Pond,
located to the south of the town of Holyrood, Conception Bay, NL. Eagleridge International Limited has filed an
Environmental Preview Report as requested by the Provincial Government regarding the construction of this 11 km long
access road, which will parallel at some distance the Salmonier Highway coming off the Trans Canada Highway in a
southerly direction.
Albert has been active in the Big Triangle Pond area at various times over the past 25 years searching for gold and copper
mineralization through another of his private mineral exploration companies, Vinland Resources. In the past, several
mining and exploration companies including Inco Exploration Ltd. and the former Cominco Ltd., along with others, have
optioned claims in this area from Albert and conducted a variety of mineral exploration surveys including airborne
geophysics, ground geophysics and geological mapping, soil surveys and limited trenching and diamond drilling in
several locations on the property.
Eagleridge expects to spend $6 to $8 million dollars on the property over the next 5 to 6 years and after careful evaluation
and review has concluded that the best way to move forward with the least environmental footprint and disturbance is
with the proposed Class C Resource Access Road. After careful consideration and review of the Environmental Preview
Report as submitted by the proponent which can be viewed on the Provincial Government Website. Your Association's
Executive and Board are in full support of this project. At the time of preparing this Newsletter, a Letter in Support of the
proposed resource access road is being drafted and will be submitted to the Minister within a few days.
If you are interested in learning more about the Big Triangle Pond Mineral Exploration Access Road Environmental
Preview Report that was submitted by Eagleridge International Limited, then please visit:
http:///www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/env_assessment/projects/Y2013/1725/index.html
PROMOTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Prospecting Awareness Seminars / Great Northern Peninsula:
In early February, MHA Jim Bennett and his staff organized a series of Prospecting Awareness Seminars in 3
communities in his District on the Great Northern Peninsula. Jim is very interested in nurturing more local people in his
area to take up prospecting and hopefully enrol in the Two Week Prospector Training Course that the College of the North
Atlantic delivers at their Stephenville Campus each spring, in partnership with the Mines Branch of NL Department of
Natural Resources.
On hand for the Seminars, was Mines Branch geologist Dale O'Reilly, who is responsible for the Prospector Training and
Assistance Program, along with representatives of local geochemical assaying company, Eastern Analytical Limited of
Springdale, NL.
The 3 Prospecting Awareness Seminars were well attended with a total of nearly 75 local people in attendance from many
of the communities along the Great Northern Peninsula. Our Association provided Jim and his staff with copies of our
NLPA Brochure, Website Promotional Cards, and Business Cards along with our Membership Forms. We hope to build
on this partnership with Jim and possibly other elected officials, as well as Community or Regional Economic
Development Boards in raising awareness about the opportunities and supports for Prospecting in regions such as the
Great Northern Peninsula and elsewhere in the province.
Jim is fully aware of the benefits that resulted from a prospecting discovery in the Daniels Harbour area, back in the mid-
1960’s, which resulted in the opening of the Daniel's Harbour Zinc Mine. During its 15 years of operation by Teck Mining
Limited, the mine provided close to 150 stable, high paying jobs and new technical skills were transferred to local people
in the region, who for the most part were previously employed in the fishing and forestry industries on a seasonal basis.
The Daniel's Harbour Mine produced well over 1 billion pounds of zinc and when it first opened it had a projected mine
life of 7 years, but further underground mining and exploratory drilling extended the actual mine life to 15 years.
There is still much untapped mineral potential in this vast region and what is key and fundamental is to get trained Boots
on the Ground up on the Peninsula to prospect for a variety of mineral commodities and with local people gaining some
knowledge and training, it is possible that another Daniel's Harbour or two could be the result of this new effort. Such
mineral discoveries and future mine developments would be a great economic boost for a region that has seen its share of
economic ups and downs. On behalf of the NLPA, I want to commend Jim and his staff for initiating this excellent
economic development effort!
After all, Prospecting Success leads to Sustainable, Vibrant Communities!
Prospecting Awareness / Radio Call-In Talk Shows:
As we move forward this year, your Association will become more active in the
area of public awareness, as many in the general public do not know a whole lot
about prospecting and the role of the prospector in the early exploration and
discovery of new mineral deposits.
Most members of the general public including municipal and provincial
government staff and elected officials know little about the types of field
activities that prospectors undertake as part of their mineral exploration
programs and as well, do not realize the minimal footprint of such activities on
the local environment.
Over the past 10 days, on 3 different occasions members of the general public called in to several of the VOCM Radio
Call In Talk Shows to voice their concerns about what they saw as unregulated prospecting and mineral exploration
activities that were being conducted in the Lamaline and Goobies areas, along with similar activities on the Avalon
Peninsula. Several callers left the impression that the provincial government did not have a good handle on this activity
and that they were concerned about possible damage to the environment in these areas. One caller went even further to
suggest that and I quote "Bagfuls of Gold and Silver" were being removed off the Burin Peninsula.
On behalf of the Association, I called in on 2 different days to address these incorrect statements and impressions that had
been left with many of the listening audience. Both Pete Soucey on Back Talk and Paddy Daly on Open Line were very
receptive to my calls and gave me ample time to address the earlier callers' comments. To set the record straight and both
Radio Talk Show hosts were very interested in learning more about prospecting and the role of the prospector in the
province's mineral industry. I explained to each of them that first and foremost, prospectors have a great love and respect
for the Outdoors and that many of the prospecting field activities have a minimal impact on the environment. Also, I
pointed out that the Provincial Government regulates the various field activities and that there is reporting requirement
back to Government on mineral claims that you have staked or as required under a Prospectors Grant. Both Pete and
Paddy invited me to call back again in the future as they were both keen to learn more about Prospecting and how to get
involved in this excellent Outdoor Activity.
Our Association will be doing much more of this type of Communication as we proceed and we will look at all and any
opportunities to raise public awareness either on Radio, Television or in the various Weekly Regional and Community
Newspapers that are distributed all around the Province. If any member has any ideas or suggestions, or would like to
volunteer with this ongoing effort, please take a few minutes and send along an e-mail to me, or please give me a call at
your convenience.
CONCLUSION
At this time, I want to again extend my sincere appreciation to Shirley Cooper for all of her help and assistance in
preparing this issue of our Association's Newsletter. I also want to sincerely thank Prospecting Geologist, Chris Hutchings
of Carbonear for his enjoyable and interesting article for our March Newsletter. Again, I want to encourage other
members to share Prospecting Stories and Opinion Pieces and submit them for inclusion in future issues of The Claim
Post. If you have any funny Prospecting Tales to tell or photos that you would like to share with all members, then please
send them along as this is your Association and this is your Newsletter.
If you have any comments or suggestions about the content or layout of the Newsletter, then please let me know, as I want
to ensure that this Newsletter is of value in providing information and updates on the various initiatives and activities of
the Association. The same can be said for our Association's Website and again please send along your comments and
feedback to Sandy Duffitt in Clarenville as he is our Volunteer Coordinator for the Website. If you have materials or other
information that you think should be placed up on the Website, then Sandy would like to hear from you!
As noted earlier in another section of the Newsletter, our 2014 Series of
Regional Meetings and Educational Workshops will begin around the
middle of April, so please stay tuned for Notices that will be sent out in
advance of the various events. If you are one of our members that has not
sent along your Renewal Fee for Membership this year, I would encourage
you to do so as we need all of your ongoing support as we move forward on
behalf of all of our members in the province!
Finally, I want to wish each one of you along with your family, A Very
Happy St. Patrick's Day Weekend!
Please don't drink too much Green Beer and if you do, please have a friend
or a taxi take you home! As the 2014 Prospecting Season begins, I want to
extend Good Luck and Best Wishes to each of you on behalf of the
Executive and Board of the Association! May this be the Field Season
where you find the Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow! Chase your
Individual Dreams!
All the Best!
Yours in Prospecting,
Norm
President NLPA.
