Northern Prospector 2019/20

northern

PROSPECTOR 2019-2020

The annual mining & exploration review An official publication of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40934510

Rockcliff Metals Corp.: Building a copper mining company in the largest VMS district in the world CanAlaska: Resources for the transformation to a clean-energy society Northern Manitoba Mining Academy: Creating a knowledgeable, skilled, and sustainable workforce

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Copper Producer in the Making Building a Copper Mining Company in the Largest VMS District in the World

High-Grade VMS Deposits | Excellent Jurisdiction |Low Capital Intensity Highly Experienced Team | Established Private Equity Backing | Blue Sky Opportunities

Intention to become Canada’s next copper producer Hub & Spoke Development Strategy • Rockcliff is advancing its Snow Lake Copper Projects – collection of high grade VMS deposits • Lease over existing permitted mill and excellent infrastructure drives low capital intensity • Modular growth maximizing returns on capital/equity

Near-Term Production • Construction decision expected on the first project in H2 2020 • Targeting 15ktpa of CuEq production commencing H2 2022 • Tower, Talbot and Rail all advancing in parallel • Combined Indicated Resource of 1.9Mt at 4.2% CuEq and Inferred Resource of 5.5Mt at 3.4% CuEq

Sustainable Growth to Become a Mid-Tier Producer • Advance exploration assets at Bur, Copperman, Lon, Last Hurrah and Pen providing future scale and longevity • 100,000m + drill programme underway targeting major resource growth • Pursue M&A opportunities of development or producing assets

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table of

Contents Message from the MSPDA president, Stephen Masson – 8

Sling-Choker Manufacturing:

Rockcliff Metals: Building a copper mining company in the largest VMS district in the world – 14

Men of the Mine – 60

Copper Reef Mining Corporation – 17

and Mining Legend of The Pas – 62

Untapped potential – 25

New solutions for the mining industry – 64

Saskatchewan Exploration and Development Highlights for 2018 – 28

Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd.:

The man behind Porcupine’s core box production – 40 Callinex Mines’ Pine Bay project updates – 41 Paraminerals gets real with Minex Visualization – 42 Orix Geoscience Inc.: Discover the leading geological firm – 44

Pioneers in rigging – 58

Sophie May Ryan: The Diamond Queen

The power of people for over 50 years – 65 New in 2019: Glove impact protection rating standards – 66 Northern Shield Helicopters

Managing Editor

cindy chan cindy@delcommunications.com Advertising Sales Manager

DAYNA OULION dayna@delcommunications.com Advertising Account Manager / Sales

ROSS JAMES ross@delcommunications.com Production services provided by:

S.G. BENNETT MARKETING SERVICES www.sgbennett.com Art Director kathy cable

Cover credit to Rockcliff Metals Corp.

Northern Manitoba Mining Academy:

©Copyright 2019. Northern Prospector.

Handy Hitch designs, manufactures

Mike Muzylowski: Looking back on a monumental career – 56

President & CEO

DAVID LANGSTAFF

Foran Mining mines the gap – 69

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.: Resources for the transformation to a clean energy society – 48

New first impressions are on the horizon for Thompson Airport – 54

is published by DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com

Advertising Art

DAVE BAMBURAK

East Wekusko gold area – 46

The benefits of engaging stakeholders – before you think it’s necessary – 52

Northern Prospector

continues to soar – 68

Doing great things – 71

1911 Gold Corporation: Reimagining the historic Rice Lake Gold District – 50

The Annual Mining & Exploration Review

for mining industry – 74

All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association, as a body of members, is not respon-

A Tale of Northern Tungsten – 76 Lean times: What is your business made of? – 78

sible for statements made or the opinions offered in the publication. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained, and the reliability of the source, neither the publisher nor the association in any way guarantees nor warrants the information, and are not responsible for errors, omissions or

The ROSTA story – 80

forward-looking statements made by advertisers.

Opinions and recommendations made by c ontributors

The legacy of Warren Heidman,Johnny Patterson and Brad and Jackie Gogal – 82

or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the association, or the respective directors, officers or employees. Articles and advertisements in this publication are not solicitations to buy, hold or sell specific

Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project updates – 84

securities; they are for information purposes only. Investors should be aware that risk is associated with any security, strategy or investment, and are advised to seek the counsel of a competent investment advi sor before making any investment, or utilizing any information contained in this publication.

Subscription, advertising and circulation can be obtained from the publisher.

Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, MB R3L 0G5 Email: david@delcommunications.com

Photo courtesy of Foran Mining. Two drills on the McIlvenna Bay property.

6

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

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president’s message

Message from the MSPDA President

By Stephen Masson, M.Sc., P.Geo. President, Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors

In Manitoba, the MSPDA represents

nium have affected Saskatchewan min-

and Developers Association (MSPDA)

by far the majority of the junior sector

eral industry even though it is one of the

represents though it memberships: ju-

which through its members and mem-

favourite jurisdictions to explore in the

nior exploration companies, drill com-

ber companies collectively hold 583,439

world. Relatively in Canada, it continues

panies, quarry companies, exploration

Ha of dispositions (a minimum) com-

to command healthy projected commit-

contractors, service companies and

pared to Hudbay Minerals at 518,789

ments to exploration. From the graph

prospectors. The MSPDA is committed

Ha, or Vale with less than 190,000 Ha.

below, Saskatchewan continues to en-

to fostering exploration and discover-

We believe that far more major deposits

joy relative exploration activity, whereas

ies of mineral deposits in West Central

are waiting to be discovered in Manito-

Manitoba has shrunk to the second low-

Canada so that mining is a sustainable

ba and Saskatchewan and the revenues

est in the country despite Manitoba’s

industry. Saskatchewan and Manitoba

generated from these mines are capable

enormous potential. There are reasons

are endowed with areas of very high

of supporting the northern economy.

for this and most have to do with secu-

potential with proven world class min-

We continue to encourage provincial

rity of tenure and security of investment

ing camps, in commodities of uranium,

governments to adopt policies and regu-

(related to permitting). In here, I have

potash, nickel, rare earths, lithium, dia-

lation that promote mining’s sustainabil-

concentrated on the broken wheel in

monds and gold and copper-zinc depos-

ity.

Manitoba rather that the Saskatchewan

its rich in gold and silver. The organiza-

Commodity prices of metals and mining products especially potash and ura-

tion is in its 95th year.

wheel, although needing a little grease, is functioning well.

CANADIAN JUNIOR MINING SECTOR EXPLORATION SPENDING INTENTIONS FOR 2018 AS REPORTED BY NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA http://SEAD.NRCAN.GC.CA/EXPL-EXPL/EXPLOTABLE.ASPX?FILET=03&lang=en New Brunswick Nova Scotia Newfoundland & Labrador Alberta

Only Nova Scotia posted lower investment intentions than Pre 2008 Manitoba was mid pack

Saskatchewan Nunavut NWT Yukon Quebec Ontario British Columbia Manitoba

0

8

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

50

100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

president’s message Facts For 2018, Manitoba’s senior/major exploration companies represented 2.9 per cent of Canadian Exploration Expenditures and Manitoba Juniors represented 0.7 per cent of Canadian junior expenditures. Natural Resources Canada Information on junior spending intentions for 2019 in Manitoba are stated as $9.1 million and just under $100 million for Saskatchewan. The difference is immense.

Further, Manitoba has seen a decline from 83 junior exploration companies in 2012 to 25 in 2019 of which only half are active and even less have plans for a drill program to date.

Manitoba has seen an exodus of companies from the province mainly because they could not receive permits but also because Manitoba despite its high mineral potential is no longer competitive with neighbouring jurisdictions.

This lack of competitiveness is due to the absence of multi-year permitting, mineral and prospecting assistance for juniors and prospectors, no marketing of its mineral sector and security of land tenure. The recent demands by Heritage Surveys has further added to a slowdown on permits but more importantly added to the base cost of doing exploration where Heritage information is being funded by exploration companies. Take it out of the Heritage budget.

The Conservative government of Manitoba, surprisingly, has done very little to mitigate this hemorrhaging. Investment dollars have significantly dried up for Manitoba, and the province is regarded by brokerages and the TSX-V and CSE exchanges as being the least recommended place for mineral investment dollars. Those that are bucking this trend hold property predominantly in the main mining camps.

The province apparently no longer believes that mining is capable of sustaining northern communities and that mining is a sunset industry in Manitoba.

This deliberate lack of attention to the mining industry may be the influence

of the only two major producing companies in the province that now appear to be scaling down their activities and developing exit strategies instead of planning and implementing exploration programs for the future. Profits earned in Manitoba are being invested elsewhere, mainly outside the country. We need to see this no-win perception of the exploration and mining environment in Manitoba change, which can only be facilitated when the government heeds the recommendations of explorationists that believe we do not have a sunset industry.

Where Are We Now in Manitoba?

MSPDA has many times in letters to the Minister, meetings with the Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Mines and through this magazine, to name a few, offered solutions and recommendations to offset the hemorrhaging of exploration investment in Manitoba.

Last fall, we were told there would be an advisory committee for the mineral industry as was recommended by Manitoba First Nations Mineral Development Protocol, chaired by former Grand Chief Ron Evans and former deputy Premier Jim Downey. Never happened. Then, again, it was to be formed for January of

this year; again, never happened. Then, finally on June 11, the provincial government announced the formation of the Manitoba Mineral Liaison Committee, formed from selected groups in the mining and mineral exploration industry and government departments to recommend solutions to Manitoba broken exploration industry. Not unexpected was the exclusion of MSPDA to join the committee. We had held the fire to the feet of the province too many times for not fixing the issues and exposing shortfalls and they shot the messenger. Then again, neither of the two prospecting associations, MSPDA or MPDA, were invited to join the Look North Committee.

It’s a smug old boys club here where the mining companies have all the answers for exploration.

The good news is that many of the recommendations and suggestions MSPDA had put forward over the last five years are being adopted and proposed by the Mineral Advisory Liaison Committee as their own. Well, imitation is a compliment, and our Association, although not getting any credit, is happy that that we have had a positive impact and at least some of our recommendations are being brought forward to the province for con-

Celebrating years

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9

sideration. We shall see, if mineral policies and regulations as they relate to welcoming investment, will be accepted by this government. I suspect some will and some won’t. They may not have enough talent and experience due to attrition to implement them or in a timely manner.

The other good news is that funding for the Geological Survey Branch has been partially restored so they actually have funds to do field work and apparently we have an assessment geologist or at least funding for one. It has been a while. It was welcoming news to see New Age Metals finally get their exploration permits (waited over three years) on their Manitoba Lithium Project.

Major Concerns in Manitoba TLEs being allowed to be put on top of on Mineral Dispositions One major concern MSPDA has in the imposing of Treaty Land Entitlement Areas (TLEs) on mineral disposition such as mining claims or mineral exploration licenses. They are not allowed to be imposed on hydro areas, farm areas, private land, forestry permits, wildlife management areas or parks, yet they are allowed to infringe on mineral rights of exploration companies and prospectors.

This imposition of TLEs provides no security of tenure for the holder or security from loss of investment and business opportunity and is in violation of the Mining Act. Worse, the province will not issue work permits and the holder loses the disposition because of default on work. This falls directly at the feet of the Minister of Resources and the Director of Mines. It should not have been allowed and would have been rejected outright when Manitoba had real mining recorders. If the province chooses to honour a TLE request on top of mineral dispositions, a notice of expropriation must be issued with a legal mechanism for the holder to receive appropriate compensation. This, although legal, is however a very bad signal to mineral investors across Canada to the security of 10 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Manitoba mineral tenure.

Security of Tenure for mineral dispositions is an agreement with the Crown on acquiring mining claims, that they cannot be taken away from the owner without: a) the owner either defaulting on required work to maintain the dispositions, which work cannot be hampered from being completed because of the company’s inability to carry out the required work because of negligence of the province in issuing work permits in a timely fashion, or b) by expropriation where the holder is given compensation for the claims, on expenditures on the claims and lost time and opportunity.

Security of investment on mineral claims is an understanding with the Crown that money invested in exploration or mineral development cannot be unreasonably held up or halted so that the money invested is lost at no fault of the exploration or mining company relating to permitting. Investment security is critical if the province wishes to attract mineral exploration or development. It is inherent under the Mining Act that the province and the Director of Mines promote exploration and mine development to add to the province’s economy and benefit the residents of the province. Neglect of the province to provide competitive policies that facilitate the discovery and development of the province’s mining economy and resources is gross negligence in the stewardship of the duties of government, especially in those regions mainly dependent on mining. Without security of investment, exploration dollars just will not come.

This is a major problem in areas outside the mining camps, where permits can be held up for years breaking the backs of investors and the companies they have invested in. Again, if this is the case, and the province may have many reasons to avoid the issues directly, either politically or constitutionally, but the option to not address them is irresponsible. It is absolutely inherent that the province outlines these no-go zones where per-

mits are being withheld. It is fraudulent for the province to offer areas for staking or mineral exploration licences if they know full well that permits may not be issued in these areas, because certain communities do not want mineral exploration and can hold up exploration work in an unreasonable time manner as related to company funding. This legally falls on the province to regulate properly and issue permits or alternatively restrict mineral exploration from these areas and compensate disposition owners who have standing claims. The province cannot give the false impression that it is open for business when in reality it is not. That is deception by omission.

In the Mining Act, Section 10(1) C, “the Director shall promote sound management of the mines and mineral resources of the province”. The implication is that this will have Minister and Cabinet support under the Premier, including the Finance Minister. Here in Manitoba, security of investment is under attack and in certain areas security of Tenure has been lost.

MSPDA Recommendations for a Sustainable Mining Industry Recommendations to Increase Exploration “The two Prospector groups, the MSPDA and MPDA, do not represent mine operators as does the Mining Association who likewise cannot represent the overall interest of prospectors and junior exploration companies.” The prospector groups’ concerns centre on policies that facilitate exploration to make discoveries, and the wide availability of land to not limit where a discovery can be made. Prospectors and junior exploration firms’ impacts on the land are minimal compared to a mining company. They take on the most risk and suffer the highest failure rate because Mother Nature hides her treasures well. So the risk-reward is rarely skewed in their favour, which means policy and regulations should be, in order to attract high

president’s message risk investment. A discovery offers a huge reward to the province at the minimum environmental impact.

MSPDA is asking to add further incentives to what we have so that we can really boost junior exploration by 300 per cent in Northern Manitoba, as our mining towns suffer from lack of discoveries to sustain them.

A) Incentives that cost the Government $0 but have a huge impact on attracting funds into the province.

1) Give an extra two years free assessment for a total of four years.

The rationale is companies require more effort in the consultation process, which eats up time. The present regulations are dated and have not taken into account the additional time required under duty to consult and more regulatory requirements related to the environment for permitting.

2) Five-year permitting There is no use getting a drill permit in the summer when drilling is required in winter or having to wait a whole other season. Flowthrough investment dollars do not work that way. It is time-sensitive and carries a heavy tax penalty for junior companies if not spent.

The one-year work permits, their effective application period and the rigid application period have become a deterrent to investment in Manitoba and is out of date with modern financing and logistical realities.

The Jim Downey – Ron Evans Recommendations on Duty to Consult called for multi-year work permits. In truth, MSPDA has no idea why Manitoba has not simply adopted the Saskatchewan permitting System which is highly efficient.

No need to re-invent the wheel here.

OTHER PROVINCES In Ontario, their equivalent to Manitoba work permits are issued within 55 days, with the possibility of additional time if there are community concerns.

Unlike Manitoba, Ontario permits run for three years with an option for an additional year provided the firm requests additional time by the end of the 34th month.

Saskatchewan has a very codified process involving a pre-approved process whereby the community engagement and approval takes place between June and September allowing for firms to take advantage and raising capital for their programs. Temporary work camp permits used for diamond drilling are for three years. Although, not-perfect wait time in the Saskatchewan system is scaled to the amount of proposed work and the degree of impact and is extremely well regulated and timely (http://www.environment.gov. sk.ca/mineralexploration).

Three-to-five-year permitting is not hard to implement for exploration, although it is reported to take as long as three years. This is nonsense; in reality, it could take as little as two months if they have any experience at all.

3) There is no excuse why claims are not being registered after staking.

This is a great deterrent to prospectors trying to sell their properties or prospectors and juniors trying to get permits. The current system has improved somewhat, but many times stakers have went in to stake an area only to find claims have not been put on the map. This is wasted money for negligence.

4) Permits should be issued by the Mines Branch, not Resources.

5) Removal of Land for Exploration Create the perspective from outside that no more land will be removed from exploration and that exploration will be permitted in parks that have high-mineral potential. Believe me, this will be seen as a province that is pro-exploration and development at the risk of upsetting those within the perimeter whose income does not depend on northern development. The above costs the province virtually nothing except a few green votes.

B) Incentives that will cost the government but is overall financially net neutral. This will have a huge impact on attracting funds into the province.

1) Provide incentive grants similar to Saskatchewan (25 per cent of direct drilling costs). And we salute Saskatchewan for their efforts here in the Flin Flon Belt, as well as the Airborne Surveys flown to try and help save the Flin Flon region. Manitoba did nothing.

The 25 per cent rebate will provide the added benefit to junior public companies of converting flow-through funds into hard for corporate purposes expenses not eligible for through funding. Similarly, the grants ceiling should be increased to from $200,000 to $400,000 for juniors only. The nonflow dollars are needed to cover overhead; producers have income.

2) Increase grant to prospectors from $10,000 to $25,000/ prospector.

Provide prospector or helper assistance as part of mentoring – training program (This can be part the MOU between First Nations and MSPDA).

Rationale: We are training First Nations students to be prospectors, but we are not giving them the opportunities or the economic ability 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

11

president’s message to actually make a living doing pros-

way to getting hands-on experience

pecting especially in the first two

to receive mentored instruction on

years after graduation.

correct procedures and techniques.

Government training programs

The prospector’s course offered by

funded apprenticing and mentoring

the province provides only the very

with an exploration company, ge-

basic training. This applies to not

ologist or experienced prospector

just prospecting graduates of UCN

would help in employment of peo-

but university and college geology

ple from the communities where

students as well. We cannot afford

exploration is carried out in their

to be losing trained people. Those

traditional lands. This will go a long

with more of an entrepreneurial

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nature should receive sustained funding of 50/50 prospector grants of $25,000 so their training and enthusiasm does not wither and die as prospecting costs money not just time. It is usually some time before prospectors see a return on their efforts and if they are starving. In the meantime, the graduate attrition rate will be large. Really, this is not a big budget item.

If we cannot offer meaningful assistance to get graduates the needed experience after training, then the prospecting programs and schooling should be shut down because it is just wasting money.

3) Longer Term Incentive If the province is serious about reaching a 300-per cent or more increase in exploration, nothing is better than a staking rush. Such as would be provided by a new airborne survey. This has worked well in Ontario and Quebec and would work well here. We could with promotion see levels of exploration well above 400 per cent.

We are proposing that Manitoba and Saskatchewan fly a new stateof-the-art airborne survey over the sub-Paleozoic as far south as the Saskatchewan River delta and as far east to cover the nickel belt in areas not recently covered by industry.

This region is largely under explored and conceals a portion of the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt as large as the exposed portion. Areas already covered by recent surveys that are public can be excluded to reduce costs.

Mines Branch Changes A) Hire and train a real mining recorder who knows intricately the Mining Act, Mining Regulations and historical precedents.

B) Development of a marketing branch

12 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

president’s message selling Manitoba as a place to invest.

This was very effective and blossoming when Manitoba was the No. 1 province to Invest before it was canned by MaryAnn Mihychuk. This may be a hard sell till after the more basic policy issues are addressed.

C) Creation of a sub-department that provides geological and geophysical

maps of each community’s area to help and provide capacity to chief/ mayor/reeve and their councils to make informed decisions on land planning and economic development areas related to mineral development.

D) Economic development focus on

new commodities or areas of new discoveries.

E) Update the mineral occurrence reports and maps based on new re-

leased information from assessment files. Existing ones are extremely dated and no field work need be done.

F) Re-designation of park land use.

G) MSPDA often gets request to give

comments on new park proposals or re-designation of land use within existing parks. Usually there is some reasoning behind it but generally only species or biology data is pro-

has been the case in the last four years. Exploration companies get monthly or quarterly updates from Saskatchewan. Even Newfoundland sends monthly updates on programs, geological survey results and releases. From the Manitoba Mines Branch, it is extremely difficult to get information. This has to change.

Aspects MSPDA is considering if there is community support 1) Approaching pro-development communities with memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create baselines of meeting each other’s needs so that exploration companies and Indigenous communities can share the wealth of Manitoba to better the quality of life and give exploration companies certainties so that investment is promoted. MSPDA may do this independently of government but in line with the Manitoba –Indigenous Mining Protocol. We are proposing that we will form a committee that will work towards presenting our membership with the basis on which to carry this forward.

2) That we approach the pro-develop-

ment Indigenous communities on setting up companies (drilling, geological consulting, geophysical and other services related to exploration) both in partnership with already existing companies or completely new companies so First Nations and Indigenous communities can benefit more fully in the dollars spent to find a discovery in the region of the community. Due to capital outlay, this could be done as a consortium of Indigenous communities owning the company. Some community leaders and economic development officers have expressed an interest in this approach and I feel we should move this and support this approach as part of our MOU or as a separate effort.

3) Moving the Mines Branch to Flin Flon? Or does everything stay within the perimeter. Litmus test to see if province is serious about promoting a northern agenda. The personnel in the Mines Branch is as low as it has ever been and it is less expensive to own a home in the north, and would be an added boost to Flin Flon economy given the impending 777 Mine shut down in 2022. 6

vided. This is unacceptable because no geology or geophysical data is provided to make an informed decision on mineral potential, which is something we did under the former MELC (Manitoba Exploration Liaison Committee) process. Exploration companies don’t have the finances to look into this and generate our own data; we are stretched as it is. This must come out of the parks budget where they can solicit help from the Manitoba Geological Survey, but not out of the Survey Budget that has

C ont i nui ng t o grow wi t h our regi onal and gl ob al communi t i es!

Development of the site commenced 2018 and the new Air Terminal Building construction to begin late 2019.

been depleted enough.

H) It is important that the Mines Branch not be a black hole from which no or

little information comes forth. This

w w w . t h o m p s o n a i r p o r t . c a 204.677.0720

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

13

Rockcliff Metals: Building a copper mining company in the largest VMS district in the world

By Ken Lapierre and Alistair Ross

W

Rockcliff’s leased Bucko Mill.

Bucko Mill.

14 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

ith a new look, Rockcliff Metals Corporation (Rockcliff ) is an exciting company set to become what most juniors only dream of becoming.

With a recently completed major financing and tri-party transaction with cornerstone investor Greenstone Resources, a well-funded, tier-1 private equity mining and metals company in Europe, and Norvista Capital Corporation, a resource merchant bank in Canada, Rockcliff has now positioned its future towards becoming a cash-flowing mining company.

With over $26 million in its treasury, 100,000 metres of drilling underway over the next 15 months, access to a nearby leased 1,000-plus tpd base metal mill and an exceptional property portfolio consisting of over 4,500 square kilometres of some of the best volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) geology in the

Company core shack, Snow Lake.

world, Rockcliff has transitioned from explorer to developer and soon-to-be producer in the world-class Snow Lake mining camp of northern Manitoba.

Rockcliff is the largest junior landholder in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt, home to almost 100 years of continuous mining and 200,000,000Mt of production. It is the most prolific VMS belt in Canada and the largest VMS district in the world. After $25 million spent and 14 years of exploring in this prolific belt, Rockcliff ’s strategic and selective process in de-risking assets gave it a distinct and creative advantage to control and advance only the very best properties.

It now controls nine high-grade VMS deposits that collectively contain over 11.0Mt grading over 4.0 per cent copper equivalent (copper, zinc, gold and silver).

The Tower, Talbot and Rail deposits are the advanced headline deposits competing against each other to be the first one selected to create Manitoba’s newest copper producer by 2022.

A new management team, a new vision and a new strategy Rockcliff ’s new management team and board of directors is well-positioned to transition the company to mine status with over 150 years of experience from grassroots exploration to full-scale mining and in equity and debt financings.

They have raised over $1.0 billion in the resource space, have made significant metal discoveries and have operated over 20 mines.

Rockcliff ’s vision is to become a midtier copper producer in the Snow Lake mining camp, initially targeting 15,000 tpa of copper equivalent (CuEq) production by H2 2022 and ramping up to between 40,000 to 50,000 tpa of CuEq production by H2 2025. Their business model will focus on leveraging their existing infrastructure and using a “hub and spoke development strategy” where “ore-sorted” copper-rich material from selected mines will be shipped initially to their central 1,000-plus tpd Bucko Mill Complex. Priority will be to first develop the lowest risk deposits in the

“Rockcliff Deposit Pipeline” with the shortest time to production and the lowest capital intensity to maximize cash flow and profits.

Rockcliff ’s strategy will centre on growing in a modular fashion, thereby minimizing the need for external equity.

This will result in less dilution to current shareholders and maximum sequential growth of assets.

Next phase of project development: 2019 and beyond Rockcliff ’s future is now underway with the first phase of drilling at the Rail and Talbot deposits, followed by the Tower deposit. A total of 50,000 metres is planned for 2019 on these advancedstage headline deposits. Drilling success will generate sufficient Indicated Resources, which will become part of pre-feasibility studies to assist in the economic assessment of each deposit.

The Talbot deposit, under option with Hudbay Minerals, has a NI 43-101 Inferred Resource of 4.2Mt grading 3.7 per cent CuEq. Over 20,000 metres is planned in approximately 35 drill holes to increase the confidence of the goldrich copper deposit from the present Inferred to an Indicated Resource.

The 100-per cent owned Rail property has a NI 43-101 Indicated Resource of 0.8Mt grading 3.9 per cent CuEq. Approximately 15,000 metres of drilling in approximately 20 holes is underway.

Drilling will attempt to locate additional resources below and along strike of the deposit where, a large geophysical target associated with the near surface deposit extends to a depth of at least 1,000 metres. Results from the first two drill holes into that target intersected 3.6 metres grading 7.1 per cent CuEq and 2.4 metres grading 10.8 per cent CuEq. The 100-per cent owned Tower property has a current 43-101 estimate of 1.1Mt Indicated Resources grading 4.5 per cent CuEq and 1.3Mt Inferred Resources grading 2.5 per cent CuEq. The deposit is open along strike and at depth and several exciting nearby untested targets will be drill-tested to determine

Core splitter cutting drill.

Rockcliff Bucko Mill Complex. Left to right: Bruce Durham(geological advisor), Greg Robinson (senior geologist), Ken Lapierre (VP exploration), Alistair Ross

Talbot Property, Cyr Drilling.

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

15

Rockcliff’s Asset Por0olio Makes it a New Significant Player in a World Class Belt

Rockcliff Metals land position in purple.

their copper bearing potential. Approximately 15,000 metres is planned.

Concurrent multiple studies and permits are being completed on all three properties and at the Bucko Mill Complex. Advanced Exploration Permitting (AEP) studies are underway at the Talbot, Rail and Tower properties. At the Bucko Mill Complex, environmental testing has been completed and studies for a design change and cost to convert from a nickel to a copper mill is anticipated before Q3 2020. Once all ongoing studies, tests and permits are completed Rockcliff will then have a production decision in hand which is anticipated by the end of 2020.

You need size to find size: 4,500 square kilometres of property with exploration upside Rockcliff ’s major drill program is now underway on its 4,500 square kilometres of properties that are associated with some of the best VMS-hosted geology in the world. Over the next 18 months, approximately 100,000 metres of drilling totalling over 400 drill holes are planned on 14 properties, including eight properties with high-grade VMS deposits. The $20.8-million exploration program will 16 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

focus on three main phases of drilling.

The first phase is now underway where 50,000 metres will be completed to upgrade the three advanced NI 43101 Resource compliant deposits (Talbot, Rail, Tower). Presently, these deposits host a combined Indicated Resource of 1.9Mt grading 4.2 per cent CuEq and an Inferred Resource of 5.5Mt grading 3.4 per cent CuEq. The second phase will include 25,000 metres of drilling on Rockcliff ’s six historical deposits. The success of this program will assist in establishing near surface mine opportunities in the sevento-10-year mine life range that when sequenced into a production profile will create the path for Rockcliff to become a mid-tier copper producer. Additional deposits (Bur, Lon, Copperman, Morgan, MacBride, Penex) host historical resources of 4.0Mt grading 5.4 per cent CuEq. The third phase will include 25,000 metres and will centre on known copper zones of interest and in searching for the next big discovery in the belt thought to be buried under a thin veneer of limestone.

The takeaway Rockcliff Metals is set to transition into a high-grade copper mine by 2022 in one of the most prolific and largest VMS districts in the world. Access to its own leased 1,000-plus tpd Bucko Mill Complex underscores the importance of a quick growth path from a developer to a miner. As the largest junior landholder in the belt with over 4,500 square kilometres of geologically endowed VMS properties, the company is poised for longterm growth with nine deposits in its portfolio. Several of the advanced stage deposits are presently being drill-tested as part of its 15-month, 100,000-metre drill program. The success of the drill program will determine future studies where a positive outcome will transition Rockcliff into a low-capex, high-margin copper producer with outstanding bluesky potential.

In summary, a new combination of assets, a cornerstone financial investor, injection of funds and a major drill program has created a rare opportunity for new investors and existing shareholders to be part of Rockcliff ’s vision of nearterm production, long-term growth and becoming Canada’s next copper miner in a world-class mining camp. 6

Rockcliff Metals geological team.

Copper Reef Mining Corporation

By Stephen Masson Corporate information 12 Mitchell Road, P.O. Box 306 Flin Flon, MB R8A 1N1 Phone: (204) 687-3500 Fax: (204) 687-4762 Email: more@mymts.net Listing date: Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 Auditors: McGovern, Hurley,

Cunningham LLP in Toronto Solicitors: Taylor McCaffrey LLP

in Winnipeg

Share Information

Directors, Officers AND ADVISORY BOARD Stephen Masson, MSC, P. Geo,

President, CEO & Director Brent Peters, Director David W. Kendall, FCA, CFO & Treasurer William J. Jackson, B.A.Sc., Director William J. Phillips, Director Warren R. Bates, P. Geo, Director Laara Shaffer, Corporate Secretary Robert Cudney, Advisory Board John Harvey, Advisory Board Ed Thompson, Advisory Board

CSE Canadian Stock Exchange Symbol: CZC Transfer agent: E quity Transfer and

Trust Co. in Toronto Investor relations: 204-687-3500 Shares issued and outstanding: 194,266,300 Warrants outstanding: 46,245,000 Options outstanding: 12,050,000 Fully diluted: 252,561,300

Copper Reef MiningCo

www.copperreefmining.com

in saskatchewan focusing on the hanson lake property

C

opper Reef Mining Corporation, based in Flin Flon, Man., holds polymetallic base metal and gold exploration properties throughout the Lynn Lake, Snow Lake and Flin Flon Greenstone Belts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Copper Reef is developing new targets in the Flin Flon Belt where it holds extensive mineral claim holdings.

Copper Reef ’s 100-per cent owned Hanson Lake Property is on strike with the McIlvenna Deposit and is the site of the past producing Hanson Lake Mine (production of 147,000 tons grading 10 per cent Zn, 5.8 per cent Pb, 0.5 per cent Cu and 137 g/t Ag). An 1,100-metre-long group of north trending airborne electromagnetic anomalies just within the western boundary of the property, known as the South Bay Horizon, forms an exciting target for finding another, possibly larger, Hanson Lake-type orebody.

The company completed its second phase of drilling in 2011, which had encouraging copper, zinc and silver intersections. We have now a compilation of the down-hole geophysical data from the holes drilled in the South Bay Horizon.

This down-hole geophysical survey, performed by Koop Geotechnical Services, is used to indicate the centre of the orebody, and hopefully the best mineralization. The data, along with drill holes, plotted in three-dimensional space, shows a number of conductive plates (mineralized lenses) plunging to the southwest, identifying several new drill targets. (See vertical long section diagram below). Copper Reef plans to drill these targets in 2019.

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

17

Copper Reef MiningCorporation www.copperreefmining.com

HANSON LAKE CLAIM

mer Hanson Lake Mine

SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX

18 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Focusing on Three Major

Project

And One Base Metal Property

In 2017 to 2019, Copper Reef concentrated on its gold prop-

Lake Property. The summer’s prospecting and mapping of the

northern and western portions of the new Albert’s Lake grid

erties.

Copper Reef Corporation, based Flin Flon, Manitoba, holds have returned encouraging gold and silver assays.polymetallic bas Copper Reef holdsMining five primarily gold properties, three of in Inthe 2016,Lynn Copper Lake, Reef summer prospecting greatly which are presently inactive. Theproperties two active projects include diamond exploration throughout Snow Lake andextended Flin Flon G the shower vein (300 metres) for a total strike length of 400 the Gold Rock - North Star Projects in the Snow Lake Camp Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Copper Reef is developing new targets in the Flin Flon B metres, and the Gold Rock Vein by 325 metres to the north for and the Albert’s Lake Property in the main Flin Flon camp. In the second largest claim base next to that aoftotalHudbay.

Copper Reef holds a number of C of 700 metres of strike length.

2018-2019, Copper Reef concentrated mainly on the Albert’s deposits and has developed new targets in the Albert’s Lake Area, 20 km East of Hudba and Processing Plant. These base metal properties are available for option with deals in year Copper Reef has concentrated on its gold properties.

CSE CANADIAN NATIONAL The Albert’s Lake Gold Property STOCK EXCHANGE

CZC Issued and Outstanding Fully Diluted

The Albert’s Lake 2018-2019 prospecting and mapping program completed its objectives of extending the Albert’s Lake Gold Shear Zone to the north and south, as well as investigating the Z4 VTEM anomaly as a prospective drill target.

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

19

1 1

1 81.1 18.79 Alberts LakeLake Gold Shear Zone to theand north and south as well as investigating the Z4ofVTEM anomaly The Alberts 2018 prospecting mapping program completed its objectives extending the as a 2 75.5 11.35 prospective drill target.

Selective high gold and silver assays from this exploration program are Alberts Shear Zone to the north and south as well as investigating the Z4 VTEM anomaly as a 3 73.7 19.48 Lake Gold highlighted in the table below. high gold and silver assays from this exploration program are prospective drill target.

Selective 1 71.2 30.65 highlighted in the table below.

6 48.13 102.1 2 Sample 27.0 Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) 12.83 North of Alberts Gold Deposit 3 14.25 Sample 429.7 Au18.79 (g/t) Ag81.1 (g/t) 5 39.0 14.78537601 North of Alberts Gold Deposit 537602 75.5 11.35 81.1 18.79 7 44.4 22.13537601 537603 73.7 19.48 75.5 11.35 8 57.1 29.59537602 537621 71.2 30.65 537603 73.7 19.48 537626 48.13 102.1 4 21.0 10.32537621 71.2 30.65 537632 27.0 12.83 4 44.1 17.04537626 48.13 102.1 537633 14.25 429.7 537632 27.0 ast of Alberts Gold Deposit 12.83 537635 39.0 14.78 537633 14.25 429.7 7 36.7 16.51537647 44.4 22.13 537635 39.0 14.78 ng East of Alberts Gold Deposit 537648 57.1 29.59 537647 44.4 22.13 537664 21.0 10.32 5 53.0 25.67537648 57.1 29.59 537694 44.1 17.04 6 27.7 13.37537664 21.0 10.32 East of Alberts Gold Deposit 44.1 17.04 7 41.2 21.07537694 537727 36.7 16.51 East of Alberts Gold Deposit 8 28.5 13.72Flanking East of Alberts Gold Deposit 537727 36.7 16.51 537745 53.0 25.67 0 58.6 30.0Flanking East of Alberts Gold Deposit 537746 27.7 13.37 2 32.7 17.47537745 53.0 25.67 537747 41.2 21.07 Quartz 4 62.4 27.7 vein assayed 48.11 g/t Au and 62.4 g/t Ag flanking Alberts Lake Shear Zone 48.11537746 13.37 537748 28.5 13.72 537747 537750 537748 537752 537750 537754 537752 537754

21.07 30.0 13.72 17.47 30.0 48.11 17.47 48.11

41.2 58.6 28.5 32.7 58.6 62.4 32.7 62.4

ts Lake 2011 drilling program completedQuartz its objectives of testing the Gold Shear Zone. Copper vein assayed 48.11 g/t Au and 62.4 g/t Ag flanking Alberts Lake Shear Zone ng Corporation drilled four twin drill holes on the Albert’s Lake gold zone. Previous non 43Quartz vein assayed 48.11 g/t Au and 62.4 g/t Ag flanking Alberts Lake Shear Zone The Albertsoutlined Lake 2011 drilling program400,000 completedtonnes its objectives ces by Granges approximately of 7.5ofgtesting gold.the Gold Shear Zone. Copper

ReefThe Mining Corporation drilled fourcompleted twin drill holes Albert’s Lake gold zone.

Previous non 43The Alberts drilling program completed itson objectives ofGold testing the Gold Shear Zone.

Copper Albert’sLake Lake 2011 2011 drilling program its objectives ofthe testing the Shear Zone.

Copper Reef Mining Corpora101 resources by Granges outlined approximately 400,000 tonnes of 7.5 g gold. tion Mining drilled four twin drill holes on thefour Albert Lake’s goldholes zone. on Previous non 43-101 resources Granges outline non approximately Reef Corporation drilled twin drill the Albert’s Lake gold by zone.

Previous 43400,000 tonnes of 7.5 g gold.

101 resources by Granges outlined approximately 400,000 tonnes of 7.5 g gold.

RESULTS

RESULTS RESULTS

From (m)From To (m) Interval Au (g/t) (m) To (m) Interval Au (g/t)

Average Average 253.2 From 304.7To304.7 1.02 AL-11-61BTW 253.2 51.5 Au 1.02 AL-11-61BTW (m) (m) 51.5 Interval (g/t)

2.4 Ag2.4 (g/t)

AL-11-40TW Average 219.7250.6304.7 250.6 30.951.5 30.9 AL-11-40TWAL-11-61BTW Average Average 219.7 253.2

1.39 1.02 1.39

2.3 2.4 2.3

Average 27.9 AL-11-57TW 219.7206.4206.4 250.6 27.9 30.9 Average Average 178.5 178.5 AL-11-57TWAL-11-40TW

3.46 1.39 3.46

9.1 2.3 9.1

Includes 193.03 205.4 12.37 178.5 206.4 27.9 AL-11-57TW Average Includes 193.03 205.4 12.37 AL-11-72TW Includes Average 193.03 198.1 224.5 12.37 26.4 205.4

AL-11-72TWAL-11-72TW Average Average 198.1 198.1 224.5213.95 Includes 212.1 1.85 224.5 26.4 26.4 Includes Includes 212.1 212.1 213.95 213.95 1.85 1.85

SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX

SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX 20 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Ag (g/t)

Ag (g/t)

6.74 3.46

18.1 9.1

1.14 6.74

2.2 18.1

6.74

1.14 4.55 1.14 4.55 4.55

18.1

2.2 7.1 2.2 7.1 7.1

North Star-Gold Rock Status The North Star Gold Property is located 36 km west of Snow Lake, Manitoba. At both the North Star and Gold Rock properties gold mineralization is hosted in gabbro within a typical Proterozoic shear zone The "North Star Gold Rock Group Property" is an advanced exploration property with more than system. $ 9 North Star-Gold Rock Status a) Five major drilling programs, b) Ramp access and underground and sampling; The North Star Gold Property isdevelopment located 36 kilometres west weather road status with creek crossings improved and adc) Large surface blast hole sampling and trenching together with extensive assaying for gold, of Snow Lake, Man. At both the North Star and Gold Rock joining swamps lowered to improve road quality; trace elements and whole rock geochemistry. Average grade from blast holes and trench properties, gold mineralization is hosted in gabbro within a g) Numerous environmental surveys were completed, includfaces was over 0.35 oz/t gold. typical Proterozoic shear zone system. rare plant, raptor, fish surveys and other surd) Metallurgical testing at Lakefield established 85% recovery of golding byungulate, gravity alone. e) a) A Five largemajor grid drilling covers the gold shear with mapping, prospecting and geophysical surveys programs; veys required for the establishment of tailings facilities; carried The Shear is still open to the north south and the can be extended toairborne survey over the main area b) Ramp out. access and underground development andand sampling; h) grid A digital topographical follow shear on strike (unexplored). c) Large surface blast hole sampling and trenching together of the vein, and potential areas for tailings disposal and waf) Over two km of all-weather road to the site, as well as 15 km of the Dickstone road brought with extensive assaying for gold, trace elements and whole intake; swamps back to all weather road status with creek crossings improved andter adjoining rock geochemistry.

Average grade from blast holes and i) Camp site and storage areas were established and permitlowered to improve road quality. g) Numerous environmental were completed, including: ungulate, rare plant, raptor, trench faces was over 0.35surveys oz/t gold; ted. Permit still valid.

A mill foundation; a concrete slab surveys andtesting otherat surveys required for the facilities. d)fish Metallurgical Lakefield established 85 establishment per cent re- of tailings shop floor and a water waste disposal pond were completed; h) A digital topographical airborne survey over the main area of the vein, and potential areas covery of gold by gravity alone; j) A VTEM survey was carried out over the entire claim group for tailings disposal and water intake. e)

A large grid covers the gold shear with mapping, prospectin still 2010.valid.

Mining leases make permitting easier. There has i) Camp site and storage areas were established and permitted. Permit A mill ing and geophysical surveys carried out.

The Shear is still been no problem getting permits to do work in this area to foundation; a concrete slab shop floor and a water waste disposal pond were completed. j) Aopen VTEM survey was carried out over the entire claim group in 2010.

Mining leases make to the north and south and the grid can be extended to date; permitting easier.

There has been no problem getting permits to do work in this area date.Sufficient Assessment credits to follow shear on strike (unexplored); k) The group holds 21 to claims k) The Group holds 21 Claims: Sufficient Assessment credits to keep claims in good standing f ) Over two kilometres of all-weather road to the site, as well keep claims in good standing till approximately 2071, intill approximately 2071, includes 2 Mining Leases. as 15 kilometres of the Dickstone road brought back to all cludes two mining leases.

Copper Reef MiningCorporation www.copperreefmining.com

Copper Reef MiningCorporation www.copperreefmining.com

North Star “South Face 21” Visible Gold from muck pile

Face assayed 0.49 oz/ton Au across 11.5 ft.

SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX

Near North End of North Star Vein—Face 7

North Star “South Face 21” Visible Gold from muck pile

Face assayed 0.49 oz/ton Au across 11.5 ft.

Near North End of North Star Vein—Face 7

Underground North Star “North face 18”

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

21

Copper Reef MiningCorporation www.copperreefmining.com

The Gold Rock Property is 800 meters northeast of the North Star Property. Selected Drill the gold holes from Gold rock Rockproperty 2010 Winter Drilling are listed in the Table Below: The Gold Rock Property is 800 metres northeast of the North Star Property. Selected Drill holes from Gold Rock 2010 winter drilling are listed in the table below:

Copper Reef MiningCorporation

Selected drillholes from Gold Rock 2010 winter drilling www.copperreefmining.com

Hole # Au (g/t) Length (m) From (m) To (m) The Gold Rock Property is 800 meters northeast GR-10-114 14.41 3.3 23.0 26.3of the North Star Property. holes from Gold Rock 2010 Winter Drilling are listed in the Table Below: GR-10-115 15.65 1.5 65.0 66.5 GR-10-119 7.79 2.1 114.3 116.4

16.31 0.9 119.2 120.1 GR-10-122 2.94 3.65 249.05 249.45 GR-10-125 7.01 2.3 143.4 145.7

Selected Drill

South end of Gold Rock Vein where it narrows to 30 cm.

Grades of over 2 oz obtained from two grab samples South end of Gold Rock Vein where it narrows to 30 cm.

Grades of over 2 oz obtained from two grab samples South end of Gold Rock Vein where it narrows to 30 cm.

Grades of over 2 oz obtained from two grab samples

North Star-Gold Rock and Jupiter-KU-New Discovery Structures -

North Star-Gold Rock and Jupiter-KU-New Discovery Structures

Selected Drillholes from Gold Rock 2010 Winter Drilling Selected Drillholes from Gold Rock 2010 Winter Drilling

Hole #

Hole #

GR-10-114

GR-10-114

Au (g/t) Length (m) From (m)

14.41 14.41

3.3

23.0

To (m)

To (m)

23.0

GR-10-115 GR-10-115 15.65 15.65

1.51.5

65.065.0 66.5 66.5

GR-10-119 GR-10-119

7.79 7.79

2.12.1

114.3 114.3 116.4 116.4

16.31 16.31

0.90.9

119.2 119.2 120.1 120.1

2.94

3.65

249.05

249.45

7.01

2.3

143.4

145.7

GR-10-122

2.94

GR-10-125

7.01

GR-10-125

3.65 2.3

26.3

26.3

3.3

GR-10-122

22 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Au (g/t) Length (m) From (m)

249.05 143.4

249.45 145.7

North

www.copperreefmining.com

The Otter Lake Gold group of claims is located 6 km northwest of the town of Cranberry Portage and 20 km south of Flin Flon, Manitoba. It consists of three main quartz veins carrying up to 3.33 ounces of Au and 13.9 ounces of Ag. The Otter/Twin Lake Property

The Otter/Twin Lake Property

The Otter Lake Gold group of claims is located 6 km northwest of the town of Cranberry Port

The Otter Lake Gold group of claims is located sixof kilometres of It theconsists town ofofCranberry Portage 20 carrying kilometres km south Flin Flon,northwest Manitoba. three main quartzand veins up to 3.33 oun south of Flin Flon. It consists of three main quartz veins carrying up to 3.33 ounces of Au and 13.9 ounces of Ag. and 13.9 ounces of Ag.

Grab samples from the Parres Gold Vein Sample # Au (g/t) 539410 7.17 539401 0.83 539402 33.9 539403 33.89 539404 49.5 539405 114.2 539406 46.61 539407 24.61 539408 3.1 539409 <.03

Ag (g/t) 39.6 6.8 165.1 179.3 245.7 477 357.1 140 5.3 1.5

Pb (%) 0.13 0.11 0.59 1.86 3 0.64 0.32 0.65 0.01 0

Grab Samples from the Parres Gold Vein.

Grab Samples from the Parr

Big Island EAST Property • One VMS zone, diamond drilling between 1987-1991 delineated a deposit (Non 43-101) ranging between 100,000150,000 tons at 10-15 per cent zinc, 1-2 per cent copper, 1-3 oz/ton Ag and 0.05- 0.09 oz/ton Au. The best intersection was 22.44 per cent Zn, 0.58 per cent Cu, 2.73 oz Ag and 0.17 oz Au/ 40.67 feet.

• Untested spectrum airborne on same horizon toward Trout Lake Mine.

• Two kilometres east from HBMS’ Trout Lake Mine (>20,000,000 tons).

• Has on-strike stratigraphy and same lithologies as the McBratney Lake (PGE) occurrence 500 metres to the south, best drill intercept of 8.9 g/t Pd, 1.6 g/t Pt , 1.6 per cent Cu and 1.2 per cent Ni (Hudbay’s McBratney Occurrence).

• Recently flown (2010) by a VTEM 35 Airborne Survey.

• Callinex currently drilling.

SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX

SYMBOL: CZC: CNSX

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

23

Royalty Holdings in Hanson Lake Belt, Sask. and Flin Flon and Snow Lake, Man. is on strike with the McIlvenna Deposit and is the site of the Copper Reef Mining Corporation has an underlying roypast producing Hanson Lake Mine (production of 147,000 tons alty of $0.75/t from Foran’s McIlvenna Bay Deposit (currently grading 10 per cent Zn, 5.8 per cent Pb, 0.5 per cent Cu and with estimated resource estimate of 22.95 million tonnes in the 137 g/t Ag). indicated category and a further 11.15 million tonnes in the Copper Reef also holds royalties in Callinex’s Pine Bay, Cabin inferred category for a total of 34.1 million tonnes, both at a Zone and Sourdough deposits in the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt US$60 per tonne NSR cutoff ). Copper Reef also holds a two and any new discoveries. In the Snow Lake Camp, Copper Reef per cent NSR on the Bigstone copper deposit (historic estimate holds a two per cent NSR on the Morgan Lake and Woosey 3.75mt grading 2.03 per cent Cu at a one per cent Cu cutoff ), Properties and a one per cent NSR on the Cook Property. the Balsam deposit, the Hanson property, the Sam property and More information on any of the active projects can be found the Comeback property. www.copperreefmining.com Copper Reef ’s 100-per cent owned Hanson Lake Property at our website at www.copperreefmining.com. 6

Copper Reef MiningCorporation

24 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Untapped potential Manitoba mining and exploration industry moving forward

By Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade

I

n December 2018, Manitoba launched a new Economic Growth Action Plan to deliver a renewed and reinvigorated approach to economic development in Manitoba.

Built on extensive public and business consultation, the plan harnesses the collective ideas, strengths and talents of Manitobans to strengthen Manitoba’s economy for the future. The plan envisions greater co-ordination between government and the private sector to support a more nimble approach to economic development decision-making.

The goals of the plan will of course extend towards the mining and exploration industry in our province, a vital sector that provides jobs, investment and growth to our economy and a quality of life to many remote communities.

The Manitoba government’s Manitoba Works plan is tightly tied to the Economic Growth Action Plan, with the goal of creating 40,000 private sector jobs over the next four years. Manitoba Works aims to build on our strengths to grow trade, investment and job creation, and to ensure that policies in areas like permitting, infrastructure investment and regulatory reform align with the Economic Growth Action Plan. As the mining and exploration industries are key contributors to Manitoba’s economic capacity, the Manitoba government is working closely with both industry and Indigenous and northern communities to reset the climate for investment in Manitoba with the introduction of the Mineral Development Protocol, and a new industry advisory table for policy renewal.

Mineral Development Protocol Following engagement with First Nations leadership and industry representatives, the Manitoba government

Ac#ve Mineral Disposi#ons Percentage by Area

Mineral Explora7on Licenses. 62%

Mining Claims. 37% Mineral Leases. 1%

Ac#ve Mineral Disposi#ons Percentage by Number

Mineral Leases. 1% Mineral Explora7on Licenses. 1% Mining Claims. 98%

Dispositions Mining Claims Mineral Leases Mineral Exploration Licenses Total

Number 5,267 52 54 5,373 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

25

LEGEND Mineral Exploration Licence Mining Claim / Mineral Lease

302B 302B 302B 302B

301B

301B

1092B

54M

64P

64O CHIPEWYAN

209B 300B 166B

236B

Mining Restricted

ZONE B

299B

Zone A Zone B

Fox Lake First Nation Seasonal Land Use Area First Nations Traditional Land Use Area

247B

Northlands Consultation Area

166B

First Nations Resource Management Area

64J

166B

Churchill

Community Interest Zone

54K

54L

BROCHET 64K

CHURCHILL

64I

64F

Mineral Exploration Licence Zones (Revised Manitoba Regulation 64/92)

64G

54F 64H

SOUTHERN INDIAN LAKE

LIMESTONE

54E

York Factory RMA

Fox Lake Seasonal Use Area

Lynn Lake

Fox Lake RMA

SPLIT LAKE RMA

54D

64A

CLAIM STAKING ONLY

54B

Gillam

64C 64B

PUKATAWAGAN

1067A 1118A

Thompson

389B

PIKWITONEI 63N

63O NELSON HOUSE RMA

63N

1045A 1046A

1023A 1023A

63P

Flin Flon

WABOWDEN

1074A 1051A 1064A

Cross Lake Trapline Zone

Snow Lake

53O

SHAMATTAWA

OXFORD HOUSE

THICKET PORTAGE

1072A

CLAIM STAKING ONLY

380B

53M

1073A 1059A

1060A

53N

1069A

1080A

GOD'S LAKE

1079A 1077A 1057A 1081A 395A 1065A 1053A 1058A 1075A 1062A

426A

63K 1083A 1055A 1056A

1084A

1054A 1086A

1085A 1085A 1085A

1086A 1088B 1088B

1088B

1087A

1050A 417A

63I 53L

ISLAND LAKE

63H

Moose Lake RMA

OCN Traditional Use Aea

1044A 1044A

53E

1104A

1089B

Norway House RMA

ZONE A

Cedar Lake RMA

63F

Grand Rapids

Asatawisipe Aki Planning Area 1094B

63A

1061B

53D Island Lake RMA

ZONE B

63C

Little Grand Rapids RMA Bloodvein RMA 62N

62P

62O

52M CLAIM STAKING ONLY

Dauphin

Gimli

62K

62J

52L

62I

Neepawa

Brandon

Virden

Portage la Prairie

1114A 1114A 1114A

1112A

Winnipeg

62H

1114A 1114A 1114A 1113A

¯

Steinbach

52E

Winkler

1111A 1111A

0

25

1026A 1026A

1117A 1116A 1107A 1106A 1099A 1096A 1103A 1101A 1107A 1106A 1117A 1091A 1117A 1098A 1107A 1103A 1093A 1116A 1095A 1097A 1108A 1109A 1119A 1100A 1110A 1035A 1105A 1035A

50

100

150

kilometres

396A

418A

Mineral Exploration Licences

53K 53F

Zone A MEL No. 1051A 1052A 1058A 1062A 1063A 1064A 1065A 1074A 1077A 1079A 1080A 1081A 1050A 1059A 1060A 1073A 1026A 426A 1023A 1067A 1072A 396A 417A 418A 1035A 1083A 1084A 1085A 1086A 1087A 395A 1054A 1055A 1056A 1057A 1066A 1091A 1045A 1046A 1053A 1075A

Licence Holder Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Adia Resources Inc. Alix Resources Corp.

Alto Ventures Ltd. Alto Ventures Ltd. Alto Ventures Ltd. BWR Exploration Inc. BWR Exploration Inc. Callinex Mines Inc. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. DG Resource Management Ltd. Gossan Resources Limited Gossan Resources Limited Gossan Resources Limited Hudbay Minerals Inc. Hudbay Minerals Inc. Hudbay Minerals Inc. Hudbay Minerals Inc. Hudbay Minerals Inc. Hudbay Minerals I nc.

James Cruise Campbell Qmc Quantum Minerals Corp.

Qmc Quantum Minerals Corp.

Qmc Quantum Minerals Corp.

Timothy N. Tuba Timothy N. Tuba Timothy N. Tuba White Cap Exploration White Cap Exploration Yamana Gold Ontario Inc. Yamana Gold Ontario Inc.

Zone B MEL No. 380B 389B 166B 236B 247B 299B 302B 209B 300B 301B 1088B 1089B 1061B

Licence Holder Auriga Gold Corp.

Auriga Gold Corp.

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. East Resource Inc. East Resource Inc. East Resource Inc. Hudbay Minerals Inc. Hudbay Minerals Inc. Kenneth Marlin Klyne

INDEX MAP 2A ACTIVE MINERAL EXPLORATION LICENCES

Compiled By T. Davis Revised September 2019

released the Manitoba – First Nations Mineral Development Action Plan in May of 2019 as a detailed response to the 2018 Co-Chairs’ Report on the Manitoba – First Nations Mineral Development Protocol. The Action Plan defines how Crown–Indigenous consultations will occur during all phases of mineral development, helping to create certainty in order to advance projects in a timely manner and ensure First Nations can be actively involved in all phases of development projects within their traditional territories. The Action Plan takes a shared management approach to iden26 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

tify opportunities to work in partnership with First Nations, thereby ensuring that all stakeholders will be able to create and share in the benefits of growth in Manitoba’s mining sector.

“There is tremendous potential for wealth and job creation in mineral development in Manitoba, and we are working together with First Nation communities to ensure they can help create and share in the benefits of growth in this sector,” said Blaine Pedersen, Minister of Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade (GET). “While the template will be consistent for First Nations who choose to

take part, it can include customized aspects to reflect the unique governance, administrative and communication protocols of each community.”

Minister Pedersen has also confirmed the province’s commitment to $500,000 in funding that has been set aside to support First Nations in the development and implementation of protocol agreements.

The Government of Manitoba will also continue to work collaboratively with the federal government and First Nations to facilitate trilateral discussions with respect to resource revenue sharing, including increasing First Nations’ fiscal powers to support direct financial benefits to First Nations on mineral development projects within their traditional territories.

Collectively, these engagement efforts are geared towards improving communication and relationships between stakeholders, building trust, and ensuring a complete understanding of any project proposed.

Minister’s Liaison Committee on Mining and Exploration To support the establishment of protocol agreements and advise the government on priority policy issues concerning mining and mineral exploration in Manitoba, the province has recently established a Liaison Committee on Mining and Exploration. The mandate of the Committee is to make Manitoba one of the most exploration and mining-friendly jurisdictions in the world, and provide recommendations to the Government of Manitoba that supports sustainable development and reconciliation with the goal of attracting responsible mineral exploration and mining activities.

The Committee is working with government’s Resource Development Division in collaboration with the province’s Economic Development Office and regional economic development partners to suggest initiatives that will support the goals of the Economic Growth Action Plan.

The Committee is comprised of representatives from private industry, academia and the Government of Manitoba. The Committee is tasked with identifying solutions for challenges facing the industry, including Indigenous relations, permitting, government capacity and incentives. The Commit-

tee meets monthly and has engaged in very productive discussions thus far.

“I am pleased to lead this committee of stakeholders and government,” said Shastri Ramnath, Committee Chair and CEO of Exiro Minerals Corp. and Chair of Orix Geoscience. “Mining generates significant economic opportunities, and large areas of high-mineral potential in the province remain under-explored.

The goal of this working group is to position Manitoba to attract the investment it needs to discover and develop new mineral deposits in order to create economic opportunities for all Manitobans.”

sustained the north for close to 80 years, and with the right support and investment could sustain the north for a long time to come. Through the Economic Growth Action Plan, the Communities Economic Development Fund (CEDF) has been identified as the regional partner organization who will work collaboratively with partners in the province to deliver programs, services and economic development programming in northern Manitoba. Accordingly, CEDF will function as the lead entity for Look North to co-ordinate the implementation of the northern strategy going forward.

Look North

Manitoba Mineral Development Fund

The Manitoba – First Nations Mineral Development Action Plan and the Liaison Committee both complement the Look North Report and Action Plan, which identifies the northern mining industry and its mineral potential as the single most likely source of sustainable, long-term economic development prosperity in northern Manitoba. The Look North report notes that the industry has

During the recent provincial election, Premier Brian Pallister recognized the importance of growing the mining industry and creating additional jobs

to support families and local communities. Along with providing resources to formalize new mineral protocol agreements with First Nations and advancing all phases of mineral development in the north, Premier Pallister also spoke towards the establishment of a new $20-million Manitoba Mineral Development Fund as part of the Manitoba Works jobs plan, which aims to add 40,000 private sector jobs over four years.

Through these efforts and the strategic priorities identified as part of the Economic Growth Action Plan, the Manitoba government is committed to ensuring that our province is a place where the mining and exploration industry can thrive and will continue to foster an environment where businesses can invest, build and grow.

Related links:

Economic Growth Action Plan – www.manitobagrowth.ca Manitoba – First Nations Mineral Development Action Plan www.manitoba.ca/iem/mines/fnmdp.html Look North – www.looknorthmb.ca. 6

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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights

Saskatchewan Exploration and Development Highlights for 2018 By the Government of Saskatchewan

I

n 2018, Saskatchewan was once again recognized as one of the best jurisdictions in the world for mineral exploration and mine development. According to the Fraser Institute’s 2018 Survey of Mining Companies, which evaluated 83 jurisdictions, Saskatchewan ranks first in Canada and third in the world for mining investment attractiveness. In particular, Saskatchewan was lauded for its transparent, stable regulatory environment and its ease of access to high-quality geoscience products. Over the past year, Saskatchewan remained the world’s largest producing potash jurisdiction and the second largest producer of primary uranium. Saskatchewan also continued to produce coal, gold, salt, sodium sulphate and potassium sulphate, as well as clay products. Significant deposits of diamonds and base metals are also undergoing advanced evaluation. The value of mineral sales for 2018 was about $7.0 billion (B), which is up slightly from $6.7B in 2017 and $6.4B in 2016.

A survey conducted by the Ministry

of Energy and Resources showed that $229 million (M) was spent on exploration and development programs in 2018 compared to $170M in 2017, $199M in 2016 and $211M in 2015. Exploration spending continues to be well above historic averages, and it is estimated that $281M will be spent on exploration and development in 2019.

In the summer of 2018, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources launched a Mineral Development Strategy (MDS) intended to support the diversification of the province’s mineral sector by helping realize Saskatchewan’s significant potential for base metals, precious metals and diamonds. The four-year program consists of three initiatives: (1) airborne geophysical surveys in the Creighton-Flin Flon area; (2) focused geoscience investigations; and (3) a Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive (TMEI), which offers a rebate of up to $50,000 on direct drilling costs for eligible projects.

As of the end of August 2019, active mineral dispositions in Saskatchewan

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(issued pursuant to The Mineral Tenure Registry Regulations) totalled 5.66M hectares (ha), down slightly from the 6.15M ha held at the same time one year ago. Active potash dispositions (comprising permits and leases issued pursuant to The Subsurface Mineral Tenure Regulations) totalled ~2.44M ha, compared to 2.89M ha one year ago. In total, about 8.24M ha of land was held in Saskatchewan under the mineral, potash, coal, quarry and alkali disposition regulations.

Uranium Saskatchewan produced approximately 13 per cent of the world’s primary uranium supply in 2018, which totalled 18.2 million pounds (M lb) U3O8. The majority, 18M lb U3O8, came from the Cigar Lake (operator Cameco Corporation [Cameco]) – McClean Lake (operator Orano Canada Inc. [Orano]) operation. Production from McArthur River – Key Lake (operator Cameco) was only 0.2M lb U3O8 due to the shutdown of this operation in early 2018. Total pro-

duction for 2019 is forecast to be 18M lb U3O8, with all uranium concentrate coming from the Cigar Lake – McClean Lake operation. The McArthur River – Key Lake and Eagle Point – Rabbit Lake (Cameco) operations will remain in a safe state of care and maintenance pending improvement in market conditions.

Although industry is grappling with depressed uranium prices, uranium exploration remains robust in the province, with actual expenditures of $146M in 2018 and anticipated spending of $163.5M in 2019, maintaining an upward trend since 2017. Major programs have continued in both the east and southwest Athabasca Basin regions.

In the southwest, activity is mainly focused in the Patterson Lake area, where Resource estimates suggest there is approximately 490M lb U3O8 hosted by the Arrow and Triple R deposits. Arrow deposit owners, NexGen Energy Ltd., completed a Pre-Feasibility Study and an updated Mineral Resource estimate that contains 256.6M lb U3O8 at a grade of 4.03 per cent in the Indicated category, and 91.7M lb U3O8 at a grade of 0.86 per cent in the Inferred category. The mine plan is currently slated to be underground, with an operating life of nine years. Mining would include a unique tailings strategy for the Athabasca Basin, with processed waste material being stored in underground workings. Work on the Feasibility Study will include a 125,000-metre (m) drill program that is designed to promote Mineral Resources to higher categories of confidence, as well as to improve geotechnical understanding of the deposit.

The other major deposit holder in the southwest Athabasca Basin, Fission Uranium Corp. (Fission), is progressing the Triple R deposit, which contains 87.76M lb U3O8 grading 1.82 per cent in the Indicated Resource category and a further 52.85M lb U3O8 grading 1.80 per cent in Inferred Resources, to Feasibility status. Drilling is focused on geotechnical and engineering studies, including defining extents of a ring dyke in Patterson Lake, monitoring holes and managing

a tailings facility. Results from the PreFeasibility Study indicate operational expenditures of US$6.77/lb of U3O8, almost half of what the 2015 Preliminary Economic Assessment indicated. There is also a high predicted uranium recovery rate of 96.7 per cent, a four-year construction period, and an 8.2-year mine life for a hybrid open-pit – underground strategy. A Pre-Feasibility Study for an underground-only mining plan has also been completed. This model has the potential to be more financially attractive than the already-proposed hybrid openpit – underground plan. At both of these deposits, drilling has intersected mineralized areas outside the current shells of the modelled Mineral Resources, suggesting that each deposit has room for growth. Just to the east of NexGen’s property, Purepoint Uranium Group, operator of the Hook Lake joint venture with partners Cameco and Orano, continues to explore the Spitfire deposit.

On the east side of the Athabasca Basin, Denison Mines Corp. and joint venture (JV) partner, JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (JCU), are working on improving confidence in the ISR (In-Situ Recovery) mining method planned for the extraction of the highgrade Phoenix deposit, on the Wheeler

River property. The technique, which is typically utilized to recover uranium from low-grade sandstone deposits such as those in Kazakhstan, has up until now never been attempted in the Athabasca Basin region. Results of initial testing of the approach have been positive, with hydraulic conductivity recorded between injection/pump wells and observation wells in the first of several test areas in the ore zone. About 50 kilometres to the northeast, UEX Corp and JV partner JCU announced a maiden Resource Estimate for the Christie Lake project.

The Inferred Mineral Resource includes mineralization from three deposits, the Paul Bay, Ken Pen and Ōrora, with a total metal content of 20.35M lb U3O8 at a grade of 1.57 per cent. Approximately 60 kilometres north-northeast of the Cigar Lake mine, IsoEnergy Ltd. (IsoEnergy) announced assay results from its recently discovered Hurricane zone on the Larocque East property. The best intersection grades 10.4 per cent U3O8 over 3.5 metres at a depth of 316 metres.

IsoEnergy’s aggressive step-out drilling has provided significant growth to the strike length of the deposit, now ~500 metres (previously 250 metres) with uranium intersected in the latest round of drilling.

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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights Potash In 2018, Saskatchewan produced a record 22.8M tonnes (t) of potash (KCl) with a sales value of $6.0B. This exceeded the previous production record of 20.3Mt KCl set in 2017. Potash sales volumes surpassed record levels throughout 2018, while average potash sales prices continued to show modest gains.

Production and sales volumes were anticipated to remain robust in 2019; however, poor weather conditions in much

of the U.S. this past spring hampered application of potash-based fertilizers, resulting in slower domestic sales and some operators announcing upcoming production curtailments. A survey conducted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources showed that approximately $35M was to be spent on potash exploration and development projects in the province in 2019.

The Saskatchewan potash industry is nearing the completion of expansions

Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive (TMEI) Grant of up to $50,000 per year for drilling for base metals, precious metals and diamonds undertaken in a targeted geographic region of Saskatchewan.

Application deadline is December 31, 2019 for drilling done between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020.

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valued at $13.5B, which have substantially increased productive capacity in preparation for continued growth in the market. In late 2018, The Mosaic Company (Mosaic) commissioned the production hoist on the new K3 shaft at its Esterhazy mine, and sent the first bucket of potash via overland conveyor to the K2 mill. The new shaft’s hoist will be capable lifting 60-ton skips of potash, or 10 million short tons of potash ore per year.

The K3 expansion is expected to be at full operational capacity by 2024.

BHP Billiton’s Jansen project remains the most-developed greenfield underground mining project in the province.

In March of 2019, it was reported that the production and service shafts were 82 per cent complete and were expected to be completed over the following 18 to 24 months. Approximately US$240M was budgeted for Jansen capital expenditures in 2019. Speaking at a mining conference in June of 2019, BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie acknowledged that the company “over-invested” in the Jansen project but noted that having a completed, fully lined set of shafts allowed them to wait and watch potash markets. In May of 2019, Ken Smith, BHP’s manager of corporate affairs for potash, provided more context to Mackenzie’s comments. Smith noted that while current potash market conditions may have changed BHP’s level of urgency spending, the company was still confident in the long-term attractiveness of the project. Smith reiterated that BHP had been active in the province for over a decade now, and when the service and production shafts are completed the company will have spent around US$3.9B on the site. BHP has yet to commit to a timeline for board approval of the project, and is continuing to evaluate the possibility of bringing on a partner to help shoulder the remaining capital cost burden. It is estimated it would require US$5.3B to US$5.7B to compete the first phase of the mine.

Western Potash Corp. (Western) has continued to advance the Milestone so-

lution project, which in early 2019 underwent the development of heavy haul roads, site runoff ponds, power infrastructure, water pipelines, piling foundations and laydown areas in preparation for construction of a small-scale, 146,000-tonne-per-year (tpa) selective solution mine. This pilot project will test the viability of selective dissolution of potash by utilizing horizontal drilling techniques and preferential leaching of individual potash beds, while leaving salt byproducts underground. Proponents of this innovative new mining method suggest it would minimize environmental impacts by significantly reducing water consumption and by negating the need for a surface tailings pile. In July 2019, Western started drilling the first of six wells that will develop the initial three caverns, each consisting of an injection well under the potash bed and a withdrawal well that will return the brine to surface. Western estimates that the processing plant will be ready to receive potash harvested from crystallization ponds by mid-2020. If the pilot project is successful, Western plans to implement two additional phases, adding an additional 1.4 Mt of capacity.

CanPacific Potash (CanPacific), a Saskatoon-based joint venture between North Atlantic Potash Inc. (68 per cent; a subsidiary of PJSC Acron) and Rio Tinto Potash Management Inc. (32 per cent; a subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc.), is continuing to make progress on its Albany potash solution mining project located approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Regina. The partners are evaluating the feasibility of a 3.25M tpa traditional solution mine at Albany and have completed substantial exploration, including 13 drillholes and 300 km2 of 3D seismic surveying. In September of 2019, CanPacific received Ministerial approval of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment. PJSC Acron is one of the world’s largest multi-mineral fertilizer producers, and Rio Tinto is among the world’s largest metals and

mining corporations.

Yancoal Canada Resources Co., Ltd. (Yancoal) is continuing to evaluate its Southey project, located approximately 60 kilometres north of Regina, where the company has proposed building a 2.8M tpa potash solution mine. Yancoal has been exploring and evaluating the property since 2012, and last year received provincial approval of its EIA. Yancoal has completed a full Feasibility Study on the project and is awaiting an investment decision by its board of directors.

Canada Golden Fortune Potash Corp.

(CGFPC) announced they have received a positive decision on their provincial EIA for the Broadview potash project.

CGFPC will now focus on sourcing funding for the proposed 1M tpa solution mining project.

Other potash explorers such as Encanto Potash Corp. (Muskowekwan project), Karnalyte Resources Inc. (Wynyard project) and Gensource Potash Corp.

(Vanguard project) continue to evaluate the feasibility of their projects while exploring options for financing.

Gold The Seabee gold operation, owned

by SSR Mining Inc. (SSRM), remained Saskatchewan’s sole gold producer in

the past year. The Seabee operation comprises commercial production at the Santoy underground mine and ore processing at the Seabee mill facility.

The operation achieved its fifth consecutive year of record production this past year. In 2018, the operation milled 352,000 tonnes (t) of ore at an average grade of 9.16 grams per tonne (g/t), and produced a record 95,602 ounces (oz) of gold. The Seabee operation’s strong performance continued into 2019 due to higher mined grades, as well as better recovery and mill throughput. In first half of 2019, the Seabee operation produced 57,722 ounces of gold, and the year-end production guidance is between 95,000 and 110,000 ounces of gold.

The total gold exploration expenditures for 2018 were $14.1M, nearly double that of 2017 ($7.2M). Estimated expenditures for 2019 are $17.1M and reflect a positive outlook for gold exploration in Saskatchewan. In the past year, much of the exploration activity carried out by SSRM and other exploration companies focused in and around the Seabee operation and in the La Ronge gold belt area. SSRM’s main objective for exploration was to convert Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves near the Santoy Mine.

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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights At year-end 2018, SSRM had completed a total of 52,500 metres of underground drilling at the Seabee operation to infill the Santoy 8A and Santoy Gap deposits. In addition, SSRM also completed 24,389 metres of surface drilling exploring the Santoy Gap targets; highlights include the discovery and exploration of the Santoy Gap Hanging Wall, a mineralized structure situated adjacent to the Santoy main ore zones. At year-end 2018, the Seabee operation culminated

in Mineral Reserves of 608,000 ounces gold and Probable Mineral Reserves of 513,500 ounces, reflecting a 39-per cent increase in Mineral Resource to Reserve conversion. In the 2019 exploration period, 190 drillholes, totalling 75,921 metres of core drilling, were completed during underground and surface programs.

Highlights include consistently positive results from the Santoy Gap Hanging Wall drill program, where, of 77 completed drillholes, 44 yielded more than

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three g/t gold over three metres. SSRMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greenfields exploration near the Seabee operation included drilling that intersected mineralized zones at the Batman Lake target, which is located about 800 metres south of the Santoy mine.

Exploration activities at the Fisher property, owned by Taiga Gold Corp. and under option to SSRM, are located south of and contiguous to the Seabee operation, and consist of a 20-hole drill program totalling 7640 metres. The program intersected mineable width and abovecut-off-grade gold mineralization at the Mac vein target. Extensive soil geochemical sampling and mapping were undertaken at three high-priority areas. Taiga Gold also conducted a Phase 1 exploration program on their Leland property that is situated 23 kilometres southwest of the Seabee operation. The field program produced 494 soil and 141 rock samples, from which analyses are pending.

Several exploration companies were active in the La Ronge area. Comstock Metals Ltd. completed a 810-metre drill program on the Preview SW project at the Preview North zone, located about 40 kilometres north of La Ronge. Multiple occurrences of visible gold were identified in four of five drillholes. MAS Gold Corp. (formerly Masurparia Gold Corp.) conducted a winter drill program designed to duplicate historical drill results at their Preview Lake and North Lake properties, situated about 60 kilometres northeast of La Ronge. Their drill program of 23 drillholes totalling 3551 metres successfully confirmed significant zones of gold mineralization at both properties. Eagle Plains Resources Ltd.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Olson project, 120 kilometres east of La Ronge, saw a field program in 2018 that generated some anomalous geochemical soil results. Searchlight Resources Inc. acquired the high-grade English Bay gold project, located 10 kilometres north of La Ronge, with multiple historical gold drill intersections over 400 metres strike length.

Farther north in the province, near Stony Rapids, the Pine Channel project,

owned by Eagle Plains, returned positive geochemical results ranging from seven ppb gold to a maximum of 77.5 g/t gold from their inaugural 2019 field program.

These surface findings, along with limited drilling results by past operators, will be helpful in testing the continuity of mineralization at depth.

Base Metals The anticipated base metal exploration and development expenditures in Saskatchewan in 2019 are $3.1M, which is significantly reduced relative to last year’s actual expenditures of $15.0M. To date, significant field work has been announced on nine base metal projects in the province, and three National Instrument (NI) 43-101 reports have been released since mid-October 2018.

Foran Mining Corp. (Foran) released a NI 43-101 report in 2019 on its wholly owned McIlvenna Bay property, located in east-central Saskatchewan approximately 65 kilometres west of Flin Flon, Man. The deposit is a Cu-Zn-Pb-Au-Ag volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit. The technical report outlines that Indicated Resources have increased 65 per cet, from 13.9 Mt in 2013 to 22.95 Mt. The grades reported are 1.17 per cent Cu, 3.05 per cent Zn, 0.19 per cent Pb, 0.44 g/t Au and 16.68 g/t Ag. Thus, the Indicated Resource contains an estimated 1.5 billion pounds zinc and 590 million pounds copper. Inferred Resources are now 11.15 Mt, with grades of 1.38 per cent Cu, 1.83 per cent Zn, 0.10 per cent Pb, 0.47 g/t Au and 14.81 g/t Ag. The Inferred Resource estimate is 450 million pounds zinc and 340 million pounds copper. Foran conducted a summer drill program to further expand and/or upgrade the resources on the project. The program was to include at least 11 holes totalling 7,000 metres of drilling. The McIlvenna Bay Deposit remains open, with potential to further increase the size of the resource with additional drilling.

In October of 2018, Murchison Minerals Ltd. (Murchison) released a NI

43-101 technical report for its wholly owned Brabant-Mackenzie deposit that outlined an Indicated Resource estimate of 2.1 Mt at 9.98 per cent zinc equivalent (Zn Eq) and an Inferred Resource estimate of 7.6 Mt at 6.29 per cent Zn Eq. In January 2019, Murchison tripled its mineral land holding in the area, and continued to stake more land in February and March. The property is located 175 kilometres northeast of La Ronge, Sask., three kilometres from the com-

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munity of Brabant Lake. The deposit is a metamorphosed VMS deposit, which comprises two massive to semi-massive sulphide lenses (Upper Zone and Lower Zone).

Murchison had an electromagnetic VTEM-Max and airborne magnetic survey completed on the property, and have identified more than 30 strong EM/mag anomalies, which are currently being systematically evaluated to define individual anomalies. Six of the anomalies

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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights are located within the geological horizon associated with the Brabant deposit, and four of the anomalies are coincident with, or in close proximity to historical sulphide-bearing mineralized showings. Modelled depths of the anomalies vary between sub-cropping (very close to surface) to 184 metres below surface.

A number of other EM/mag anomalies have been ground-checked, with grab and channel samples yielding up to 4.84 per cent Zn, 52.4 g/t Ag and 2.81 per cent Cu. Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (RTEC) conducted geological and geophysical exploration on the Janice Lake Cu-Ag project. RTEC has entered into an agreement with Forum Energy (Forum) and Transition Metals Corp. to acquire 80 per cent of the project by making cash payments and spending $30M in exploration over seven years.

In July, RTEC completed a 430 km2 airborne magnetic survey and began a 7,000-metre, 25-to-30-hole diamonddrilling program. Initial drilling was to be concentrated on the areas of known copper mineralization, while the data from the airborne magnetic survey was being interpreted by RTECâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geophysical team. The high-grade chalcocite mineralization previously discovered at Janice

Lake remains open in all directions and has the potential for significant highgrade, near-surface copper.

Rockridge Resources Ltd. (Rockridge) released its first NI 43-101 technical report for the Knife Lake Cu-Ag-Zn-Co VMS deposit in August 2019, which includes data from this winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diamonddrilling program plus data from historical drill core. The report for Knife Lake detailed Indicated Resources of 3.8 Mt at 1.02 per cent copper equivalent (Cu Eq; 0.4 per cent Cu Eq cut-off ) and Inferred Resources of 7.9 Mt at 0.67 per cent Cu Eq (0.4 per cent Cu Eq cut-off ).

The Knife Lake project, optioned from Eagle Plains Resources, is located 50 kilometres northwest of Sandy Bay. The project is interpreted to be a near-surface VMS deposit starting a few metres below surface, with a known down-dip length of up to 400 metres and a current strike length of 3,700 metres. The deposit remains open at depth and along strike. In their 2019 winter drill program, Rockridge intercepted high-grade copper in six of the 12 drillholes, and they commenced another drilling program at the end of August. They have identified 11 targets. Exploration of all targets will include geologic mapping, lithogeochemical sampling, prospecting

and soil sampling.

CoEX Metals Corp. (CoEX) completed an 11,412-metre, 126-hole drill program on its West Bear Co-Ni project, located in the eastern Athabasca Basin.

The deposit is within the West Bear fault structure, below the Athabasca Basin unconformity, and is along strike to the west and below the West Bear uranium deposit. The West Bear Co-Ni deposit currently has a strike length of over 600 metres and extends to a depth of over 100 metres.

Forum Energy Metals Corp. (Forum) acquired, by staking, the Love Lake Ni-Cu-PGM project located approximately 60 kilometres northeast of the Janice Lake sedimentary Cu/Ag project.

The Love Lake project contains historical occurrences of nickel, copper, zinc, platinum, palladium and gold. Recent grab samples from a trench in the Korvin Lake area returned 0.33 per cent Cu, 1.33 per cent Ni, 2735 ppb Pt, 2685 ppb Pd and 70 ppb Au, and 0.43 per cent Cu, 0.23 per cent Ni, 3580 ppb Pt, 4275 ppb Pd and 200 ppb Au. Shine Minerals completed its first drill program on the Watts Lake Zn project, consisting of seven holes totalling 907 metres. All seven holes targeted a 50-metre section of the historically de-

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THE ROSTA STORY THE ROSTA STORY

SolutionS

Thanks to an innovative product idea, ROSTA is the world‘s leading manufacturer of rubber spring and damping systems. Since 1944, our consistent customer-centric approach has had top priority and Thanks to an innovative product idea, ROSTA is the world‘s leading contributes significantly to the sustained success of the company – manufacturer of rubber spring and damping systems. Since 1944, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. our consistent customer-centric approach has had top priority and AUTOMATIC ROSTA TENSIONERS FOR EFFECTIVE BELT AND CHAIN DRIVES contributes significantly to the sustained success of the company – In addition to its headquarters and production site in Switzerland, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

ROSTA has 6 subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, Canada, the USA, China and Australia. Our global network includes 33 partners and In addition to its headquarters and production site in Switzerland, covers more than 40 countries.

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The combination life,wide more range production time due to less maintenance interrupts, reduced life Benefits: Longer / pulley cycle cost, self-adjusting, maintenance-free, automatically compensates for belt slippage and lengthening of many years of experience, plus ongoing research and developOur components are maintenance-free, noiseless, have a long service ment in our own laboratory in Switzerland is an important basis for life and are usedMOTORBASE for a wide range of applications.

The combination SELF-TENSIONING ROSTA FOR ALL FRICTION BELT DRIVES being able to offer innovative solutions, now and in the future. of many years of experience, plus ongoing research and development in our own laboratory in Switzerland is an important basis for Many customers from all industries already benefit from our comprehenbeing able to offer innovative solutions, now and in the future. sive know-how, becoming more profitable and competitive thanks to ROSTA products.

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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights fined Main Zone of the Bory’s Lake mineralized complex. Six holes intersected zinc and silver mineralization, including high-grade intervals in multiple holes.

Of particular note, drillhole WL19-006 returned 30.5 metres of total composite mineralization, including intervals such as 11.44 per cent Zn and Pb and 15.76 g/t Ag over six metres. Importantly, the results confirm that mineralization shows continuity and extends from surface to a depth of >100 metres.

Diamonds In 2018, actual expenditures for diamond exploration projects were approximately $29.7M. Spending in 2019 is estimated to be $61.4M, much of which will be focused on the Star-Orion South Diamond project about 65 kilometres east of Prince Albert.

In October 2018, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment approved an EIA for Star Diamond Corp.’s (SDC) Star-Orion South diamond project.

“Specializing in TOUGH CORING Conditions” 38 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Over the subsequent year, joint venture partner Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (RTEC) continued working on this project. Throughout the winter, RTEC conducted sonic overburden drilling and HQ core drilling on the Orion South kimberlite as precursor holes to bulk sampling. Drilling indicated that the overburden is between 88.4 and 108.2 metres thick, and that the kimberlite is between 101.6 and 449.5 metres thick.

RTEC is utilizing a custom-fabricated Bauer BC 50 cutter rig, designed specifically to recover a bulk sample of kimberlite while minimizing diamond breakage.

The rig cuts a 1.5-metre-by-3.2-metre trench down to a maximum depth of 250 metres, recovering up to 10 tonnes of kimberlite for each metre drilled.

Thus far RTEC has completed nine of the 10 bulk sample holes planned for the Star kimberlite and plans to move onto bulk sampling the Orion South body in the summer of 2020. Each hole took between 10 and 16 days to cut trenches to

between 225 and 250 metres depth; 14 to 15 samples were collected from each trench. Samples are being stored until the on-site bulk sample plant has been assembled and commissioned. Once the kimberlite has been processed, the heavy mineral concentrates will be sent to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) for final diamond recoveries.

The SRC has designed a custom recovery circuit specifically for this project.

In March of 2019, SDC released a study confirming that a high proportion of Type IIa diamonds were recovered from the Star and Orion South kimberlites, including a 11.96-carat diamond valued at US$11,333 per carat from Star. RTEC is also undertaking a brownfields exploration program to evaluate and prioritize a number of the approximately 60 other Fort à la Corne kimberlites outside of the Star and Orion South bodies. The program was to include core drilling, an extensive airborne gravity gradiometry and LiDAR survey, detailed core log-

Bud Chisholm (306) 270-4894

Bus. (306) 975-1523

ging, indicator mineral abundance and composition studies and studies of the diamond results.

In the Deschambault Lake area, in late 2018, North Arrow Minerals Inc. staked additional claims in the vicinity of its Pikoo diamond project, increasing the project area to nearly 40,000 ha.

In the western Athabasca Basin, CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. concluded that at least 40 of the 695 magnetic features previously explored have the discrete circular nature of classical kimberlite bodies and it continued modelling of these kimberlite-style targets.

Industrial and Specialty Minerals Appia Energy Corp. continued to produce significant results from exploratory work done in 2018-2019 on its Alces Lake REE (rare earth element) property.

Bedrock surface sampling and shallow drilling, focused on seven high-priority targets identified by prior surface strip-

ping and geophysical surveys, confirmed the presence of high-grade rare earth oxides (REO) (>4 wt.%) extending vertically from the surface to a depth of ~20 metres. The high-grade REO values in the zones (named Bell, Charles, Dante, Dylan, Ivan, Wilson and Wilson SouthCentral), which measure up to ~two metres wide at the surface, coincide with monazite-rich lenses distributed over an area of roughly 100 by 100 metres. Examples of exceptionally elevated REO values reported from surface channel sampling and drilling of these zones include 22.35 wt.% total rare earth oxides (TREO) over 6.21 metres at the Ivan zone, 41.53 wt.% TREO over 1.02 metres at the Dylan zone and 22.34 wt.% TREO over 0.66 metres at the Dante zone.

Similarly elevated REO values were reported by the company from diamond drilling: 24.22 wt.% TREO over an interval of 0.45 metres from 4.35 metres in diamond-drill hole (DDH) CH-18-001 (Charles zone); 18.47 wt.% TREO over

an interval of 1.05 metres from 16.8 metres in DDH Wl-18-004 (Wilson Central zone); and 16.06 wt.% TREO over an interval of 15.55 metres from 8.7 metres in DDH IV-19-012 (Ivan zone), including 31.34 wt.% TREO over an interval of 7.9 metres from 9.7 metres. The company reported that the Ivan zone remains open along strike.

Saskatchewan coal producer Westmoreland Coal Company, the operator of the Estevan and Coronach mines, has entered into a restructuring debt agreement with a group of their major creditors that will provide a US$110M loan to support continued operations while the restructuring process is completed.

Westmoreland has simultaneously filed for Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Saskatchewan is the third-largest coal producer in Canada, with annual production of about 10 Mt of thermal coal or lignite, and resources in excess of five billion tonnes. 6

GMR ELECTRIC MOTORS GMR Electric Motors Ltd., Saskatoon, SK was established (1979) as a 100% locally owned and operated company, whose purpose was to provide industry in the prairie provinces with complete repair facilities for a wider range of electric motors, pumps and generators.

Since that time, we’ve grown to run offices in both Saskatoon and Estevan and become the most trusted repair, rewind, testing and service shop for both local business and many of the largest corporate entities that operate in Saskatchewan today.

Main Office, #817 – 46th Street East, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0X2 | PHN: (306) 931 – 8456 | FAX: (306) 668 – 2881

www.gmrelectric.com

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

39

the man behind

PORCUPINE’S

CORE BOX PRODUCTION

By Marilyn Jonas

G

rampa starts early and ends late, never keeping his eyes off the ball. The ball, in this case, is the wood

production program at Porcupine Opportunities Program (POP) in Porcupine Plain, Sask.

The program, which supports adults experiencing disability, has been operating since the early 1980s with its primary focus on building core boxes and associated products for the mining sector.

Grampa, otherwise known as Len Pelletier, is the heart of today’s wood production program at POP. Len joined the agency as an assistant production manager in July 2011 and moved to his current position as production and maintenance manager in 2014. Prior to joining the agency, Pelletier spent over 30 years in the plywood industry, working in progressively senior positions in plants in Hudson Bay, Sask. and Golden, B.C. from 1969 until 2001. In 2001, he left the industry and worked as a contractor and renovator in a home-based business. He moved to a maintenance position with a housing developer in Prince Albert before joining POP. Pelletier’s interest in supporting adults experiencing disability is personal. He and

Pelletier brings his personal experience to POP where he and his staff work with as many as 12 of POP’s program participants on a daily basis. his wife Carol care for their 34-year-old son, Brian, who is challenged with both physical and intellectual disabilities. Pelletier brings this personal experience to POP where he and his staff work with as many as 12 of POP’s program participants on a daily basis. A key component of the program is identifying the skill sets and interests of each individual and matching them with different tasks within wood shop. As part of the initiative, he has built numerous “jigs” in the workplace to support the work of both program participants and staff.

Grampa’s background in the wood industry, combined with his engagement with the individuals he works with, has enabled him to create a supportive work environment that meets the varied needs of POP’s program participants while meeting the requirements of POP’s business clientele. This creates a win-win for the individuals POP serves, our business clientele and the agency as a whole. 6

Callinex Mines’ Pine Bay Project updates

C

allinex Mines Inc. (TSXV: CNX) has a purpose-driven mission to discover and develop base and precious metal-rich deposits in Canada. The Company’s endeavours in the Flin Flon Mining District of northern Manitoba and the Bathurst Mining District in New Brunswick have positioned Callinex as a leading Canadian mineral exploration company.

Callinex’s Pine Bay Project, located a half-hour drive from Flin Flon, Man., was recently consolidated with individual claim blocks previously owned or operated by Placer Dome, Newmont, Hudbay and Cameco. In addition to its rich mining history, the project benefits from access to power and water, proximity to processing facilities and ease of accessibility by paved and all-weather gravel roads.

The project area is underlain by the Baker Patton Felsic Complex, which is one of the largest and most highly altered packages of felsic rocks within the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt. Within this felsic rock package is a large alteration zone mapped at surface that spans 1,500 metres long and up to 740 metres wide.

Nearly all of the volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits mined in the Flin Flon Mining District are hosted in felsics and are immediately related to a chloritic alteration zone, the extent of which is typically directly related to the deposit size.

Callinex is the first company in the Pine Bay Project’s history to consolidate and analyze all of the project’s historical drilling data. This data has allowed Callinex to further understand the key geologic structure of this project. Historic exploration activities have outlined four mineral deposits, three of which are located within a mineral lease that has advanced permitting status and includes the right to conduct mining activities.

Regarding expectations for the project’s future, Max Porterfield, president and CEO of Callinex, stated, “We’re very excited about the prospects of finding the next flagship mine in the Flin Flon Mining District at the Company’s Pine Bay Project.

We believe utilizing our new approach will lead to success in our upcoming exploration campaign planned for this upcoming winter.”

The initial exploration strategy deployed by Callinex for the project was to complete widely spaced drill holes and complete borehole electromagnetic (EM) surveys to cover a wide area in search of a highly conductive VMS deposit. Through this process, the Company discovered multiple pyrite-sphalerite-chalcopyrite rich massive sulphide intersections that were either non-conductive or very poorly conductive and had not been

identified by the conventional EM surveys.

To identify these lowly conductive pyrite-massive sulphide intersections, Callinex has recently completed an OreVision Induced Polarization (deep IP) survey along the three already identified VMS horizons. Deep IP surveys are efficient up to four times deeper than the conventional Induced Polarization surveys. This new approach allows Callinex to utilize the Project’s historical drilling data along with modern technologies as the Company looks to discover the Flin Flon Mining District’s next mine.

The geological pedigree of the Pine Bay Project and Callinex’s technical team’s proven track record in making worldclass discoveries, coupled with a new exploration strategy that has not been utilized in the camp, provides a unique opportunity for Callinex to discover the next anchor mine in Flin Flon. 6 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

41

Paraminerals gets real with Minex Visualization

By Andrew Jeffrey

A

ndrew Jeffrey, technical visualization specialist and proprietor of Paraminerals Consulting, feels that a certain aspect of the mine development process hasn’t been getting its fair share of attention.

“These exploration companies, their efforts to create new mines are very, very real,” he points out. “They expend incredible amounts of time and resources into acquiring land, doing countless seasons of field work, taking endless samples. If, against all odds, they actually do find something, they spend more years and tens or hundreds of millions of dollars on building a reputable deposit. And then, after all that, all they have is usually just a little black and white [P.E.A. con-

42 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

ceptual mine site] line diagram to show everyone what the project will look like!”

“I want to bridge that reality gap and put way more focus on the end product. Let’s actually see the mine site, the open pits, all the haul trucks. The idea is to make the project far more tangible and relatable by bringing the future to life and giving people a proper look into what it’ll evolve into.”

Jeffrey describes an inevitable turning point in his pursuit of project visualization, “I realized one day that no matter how good computer graphics get, and even if I somehow became the best digital graphics artist in the world, real-life video footage and actual photographs of the landscape are always going to be better than what I can do. You can’t

beat reality. So that’s where the drones come in.”

“It’s come to the point that RPASes [Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems] are part of almost all the visualization products that I do now. Whether it’s a detailed 3D map of a key area of interest, or a 360-degree panoramic image, or some interesting airborne video, it’s sometimes really difficult not to recommend using one for the task.”

The increasing importance of this technology is evident to Jeffrey, who has been flying ‘unmanned aerial vehicles’ since 2015 and is a Transport Canadacertified RPAS pilot. After working with a number of different operators, he eventually elected to take matters into his own hands.

“These days, I prefer to do my own flights so that I can get the exact footage that I need for the end-product,” he explains. “It’s one thing to pre-plan the shots back at my desk, but that exact same view often looks quite different when you’re actually there. And same goes for the 3D terrain models; I like to fly the surveys myself just so that I know for sure that the quality and accuracy is up to par and that it’ll work nicely in the overall project workspace.”

And are people taking notice of this merging of real-world video with digital animation?

“I’m starting to hear from clients that some people weren’t sure if parts of the video productions are real, or digital, or from a drone, or what. And that’s exciting for me. It means I’m starting to blur that line between reality and visualization, and that’s exactly where I want to be.”

extensively on Canadian and interna-

winning Fission Uranium technical

tional mineral exploration projects for

consulting team from 2008 to 2017,

over 20 years. He travelled across the

participating in the discoveries of the

Arctic in the original historic search

Waterbury Lake and PLS uranium

for northern diamonds with Kennecott

deposits in northern Saskatchewan’s

Canada and DiamondEx Resources

Athabasca Basin. Jeffrey founded Para-

and was a core member of the award-

minerals Consulting in 2006. 6

About Andrew Jeffrey, B.Sc. (Geology) [Queen’s University, ’98] has worked 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

43

Orix Geoscience Inc.: Discover the leading geological firm

O

rix Geoscience Inc. (Orix) is a geological consulting firm that partners with exploration and mining companies providing geological and geo-

all aspects of a project, from data or-

tion, fieldwork, QAQC and reporting.

ganization, interpretation and target

Orix services also include marketing

generation, through to boots-on-the-

materials which can showcase a proj-

ground mapping and drill program ex-

ectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s potential to investors, as well as IT

matic expertise for grassroots, brown-

ecution.

access where our secure server can be

Our experience with large historical

fields and advanced-stage projects. A

used as a data storage solution.

paper and digital datasets enables us to

Our geomatics division focuses on

master efficient processes for reviewing

spatial data cleaning, mine grid con-

large quantities of information. Aspects

version, analysis, management and raw

of project work may include scanning

data collection. Our ability to collect

and cataloguing paper data, data orga-

new spatial data for clients soared to

Orix works collaboratively with our

nization, digitizing, data entry, database

new heights this summer when Orix

clients as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the arm of their exploration

management, GIS compilation, inter-

purchased a Fixed Wingtra 1542 Drone

teamâ&#x20AC;?. We provide strategic support on

pretation, 3D modelling, target genera-

with vertical takeoff and landing capa-

healthy workplace culture, high quality of work and strong industry partnerships are values that dominate our business.

44 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

bilities. Our newly launched “O-Drone

ronto, Winnipeg and Sudbury, and has

tion. We were very excited to be part

Team” of UAV Pilots/GIS Analysts now

a diverse team of 60-plus employees, of

of this initiative and will be partnering

which 54 per cent are female and 13 per

again this year to co-host an even bigger

cent were born outside of Canada.

and better CCMEC on November 18th-

provides our clients with high-resolution video and georeferenced imagery to collect elevation data, plan traverses, receive a first pass geological overview of a property and use as marketing material. Mining applications include calculating stockpile volumes, monitoring tailing ponds and assessing of road, flood and slope conditions.

At Orix, we believe in ongoing com-

Orix proudly supports exploration

19th in Winnipeg.

and mining in Manitoba. In November

Orix strives to provide an easy and ef-

of 2018, Orix co-hosted the inaugural

ficient solution for companies who need

Central Canada Mineral Exploration

multi-faceted project support. Our vi-

Convention (CCMEC), an industry-led

sion is to be the leading geological firm

convention, alongside the Manitoba

of choice in terms of culture, quality of

Prospector and Developers Associa-

work and creative partnerships. 6

munication between our team and clients, through detailed weekly progress updates and an open-door policy. Our deliverables are available in a variety of

DISCOVER THE LEADING GEOLOGICAL FIRM DISCOVER THE LEADING GEOLOGICAL FIRM

formats and are presented in a simplified way. We are your one-stop-shop for geological support.

Orix was co-founded in 2012 with a creative business model in mind, to make an impact on the industry through collaborative partnerships and oper-

Comeforfor Science.

Come thethe Science.

Stayfor forthethe Culture.

Stay Culture.

ate with a strong workplace culture, all while thriving in a cyclical industry. At Orix, we understand the importance of both hand interpretations and utilizing computers to understand and model geological controls. We encourage our geologists to go back to paper and pencil first when doing interpretations and recognize the importance of boots on the ground field work. Our senior associates provide additional expertise related to resource modelling, exploration targeting, structural geology and geochemistry.

Seven years after incorporation, Orix’s top achievement is attaining continual growth and a positive reputation during one of the mining industries’ most significant downturns by looking at business in a creative way. In 2014, we acquired Zone 14, a well-known Winnipeg-based GIS services com-

GEOLOGY GEOMATICS GEOLOGYDEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE GEOMATICS BUSINESS SUPPORT

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orixgeo.com

pany with aligned values to Orix and complimentary GIS expertise. To date, Orix operates out of three offices in To2019-2020 Northern Prospector

45

East Wekusko gold area An underexplored gold belt with structural similarities to the Snow Lake gold belt, Northern Manitoba

By Daniel V. Ziehlke, BSc.H., MSc., P.Eng P.Geo. (1974 -2016)

Simplified Geology of Manitoba

46 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

T

he East Wekusko gold belt is located 20 kilometres east of the mining community of Snow Lake, Man., along the east side of Wekusko Lake (Figures 1 and 2). Strider Resources Limited has been accumulating property in the area since the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formation in 1988 and presently has a contiguous claim group totalling over 22,000 hectares (86 square miles).

The past producing Rex-Laguna gold mine (58,962 oz/Au at a recovery grade of .51 oz/ton) occurs just off the Strider property along the shore of Wekusko Lake. Deposits located on the Strider ground are the developed but not mined Ferro gold deposit (87,741 tons/.422 oz/t to the 160-metre level), the McCafferty gold vein and the more recently discovered (1989) Gold Dust zone, adjacent to the Ferro gold mine (Figure 3).

The East Wekusko gold belt occurs in what is believed to be a regional scale, structural geologic setting similar to that of the gold deposits at Snow Lake. The Snow Lake deposits are spatially related to the crustal scale Berry Creek fault, while the East Wekusko gold deposits are spatially associated with the similar crustal scale Crowduck Bay fault (Figures 2 and 3).

The Snow Lake gold deposits consist of the New Britannia (Nor-Acme) deposit (~1.6 million oz Au), plus a number of smaller deposits including the No. 3 zone, the Birch zone, the Boundary zone and the Squall Lake deposits. The Snow Lake deposits are structurally controlled, and occur as second and third order splay faults off the McLeod Road thrust fault, which itself is a regional scale structure off the crustal scale Berry Creek fault (Figure 2). The Berry Creek fault is traceable for over 130 kilometres south and west of Wekusko Lake, into Saskatchewan.

Similarly, the East Wekusko gold de-

Figure 2. Regional structural controls of gold mineralization in the Wekusko belt. posits are structurally controlled shear zone hosted, epigenetic, mesothermal deposits, spatially related to second and third order faults off the crustal scale Crowduck Bay fault. East Wekusko contains not only the near vertical dipping Rex/Laguna, McCafferty and Ferro style deposits, but also has real potential for larger tonnage, shallower dipping, New Britannia type and tonnage deposits. The Crowduck Bay fault, similar to the Berry Creek fault, is another major crustal scale fault over 100 kilometres long, extending ~N-S below the Paleozoic cover south of Wekusko Lake (Figure 2).

The known Wekusko deposits are near vertical dipping, higher grade, (>10 g/T Au) and of smaller size than the thrust fault related, ~40-degree dipping, lower grade (~5 gm/T) Snow Lake deposits.

The Wekusko high-grade deposits usually occur within or adjacent to felsic quartz and/or feldspar porphyritic intrusive rocks, both subvolcanic and postvolcanic. Such altered felsic intrusive rocks, often contain sheared, fracturecontrolled quartz stringers with both arsenopyrite and gold. These occurrences have been traced well beyond the McCafferty deposit, both three kilometres north and six kilometres northeast to Roberts Lake, along the Laguna trend (Figure 3).

The East Wekusko area is poorly exposed, due to excessive glacial drift cover, plus the fact that the area has not been burned in over 70 years. Thus, outcrops are usually lichen and deep moss covered and difficult to map geologically.

Work on the East Wekusko property indicates that additional gold deposits are

likely located in recessive, larger scale, drift covered shear zones, now marked by recessive linear topographic structural features. The bare earth Lidar survey flown in 2014 over the property clearly shows the relationship of early prospector discovered gold showings in outcrop, to adjacent drift covered structural lineaments along both the Laguna and the Ferro gold trends (see bare earth Lidar map on file and Figure 3).

The Lidar survey over the Strider property also exposed the westward extension of the Roberts Lake thrust fault complex, associated with new surface gold showings (up to 67 g/Au, over kilometres) and in the vicinity of numerous

hanging wall secondary splay structures.

This indicates real potential for Snow Lake/New Britannia type larger tonnage, thrust fault related gold deposits.

Over the years, Strider has accumulated a large geochemical database of MMI (mobile metal ion) soil samples and Tag alder twigs, plus geophysics, geology and limited drilling. All work done since 1988 has been filed at the Manitoba Mines Branch. This extensive database is available to the public. Portions or all of this large, high-potential, underexplored gold property are available for option.

For more information, contact dziehlke@mts.net. 6

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

47

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.: Resources for the transformation to a clean energy society

By Peter Dasler

T

he past 10 years have seen a worldwide transformation in thought concerning the supply and our personal use of energy. New names and abbreviations such as Tesla, Volt, hybrid, EV and “reduce carbon footprint” are now commonplace comments, thoughts and actions. Society is demanding changes to our electrical and transportation infrastructure and our lifestyles, which will require new mineral resources and mines to be found.

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSX CVV) is a publicly listed company trading on the Toronto Venture Exchange. The company is active in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as a mineral explorer and project generator. The key focus of the company is new mineral resources to help supply the demand for clean energy infrastructure.

The company is strategically placed for new uranium discoveries in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan. More uranium is needed to satisfy the accelerating worldwide growth of nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy has an almost-zero carbon footprint and currently supplies over 10 per cent of world energy supply. In developed countries, we have been using nuclear power for decades. In Ontario, over 60 per cent of the electric power is generated from nuclear power stations. In France, over 85 per cent of electric power comes from nuclear. In the United States, 97 reactors supply 19 per cent of the country’s electrical energy. Developing countries are now embracing the prospect of lowcost, portable, continuous, carbon-free

48 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

energy from fourth-generation nuclear power plants. China is building the largest nuclear power fleet in the world. The country has built 47 nuclear plants and is planning or proposing another 213 power plants. Russia has now launched the first floating nuclear power station, and we are seeing lots of activity with SMRs (small modular reactors). To satisfy this buildout, the world will need another 200 million pounds of uranium each year (i.e. almost twice the current worldwide mine supply).

CanAlaska has multiple advanced projects and some of the largest and strategic land positions in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Athabasca Basin region. The company is currently focused on a new highgrade uranium discovery at its West McArthur joint venture project with Cameco. Recent drilling has returned multiple high-grade uranium samples.

These have shown that there are multiple new zones that could host more uranium. The drill samples match the style of event which led to Camecoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s discovery of the adjacent Fox Lake high-grade uranium deposit, the latest discovery in the Athabasca.

CanAlaska has uranium exploration projects in northwestern Manitoba, but strategically also acquired significant landholdings in the Thompson Nickel Belt in Manitoba, starting in 2017. In early 2019, the company drilled highgrade sulphide nickel at its Manibridge project. The company then acquired the nearby past-producing Manibridge nickel mine. The company has already identified new zones of nickel in and

around the mine, and is now planning for further exploration and partnerships.

Nickel is a key component of EV batteries, and there is a lack of supply of sulphide nickel, which is the preferred source of the battery-grade nickel. For the past 15 years, nickel supply has been dominated by the low-cost laterite (oxide) ores, which are mined from extensive open pits. This was an inexpensive supply of nickel for stainless steel products. The nickel price was subsequently too low to incentive new underground sulphide mines. From 2005, the low nickel prices curtailed worldwide nickel exploration. The rapid rise in nickel price in 2018 and 2019 has justified new exploration in Canada, and specifically in Manitoba where there is extensive infrastructure along the belt of nickel rich rocks. CanAlaska is positioned to capitalize on this new opportunity at the Manibridge project. CanAlaska also has two further nickel properties in strategic geology and with large targets north of the Thompson nickel-mining complex in northern Manitoba.

Since 2006, CanAlaska has partnered with multiple international mining companies to finance exploration on its projects. The company has a strong shareholder base, and significant management involvement. The company is ready, with our strategic shareholders, to take advantage of the growing focus on clean energy, and the uranium and nickel discoveries that will be required to produce and store this energy. 6 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

49

1911 Gold Corporation: Reimagining the historic Rice Lake gold district

By Scott Anderson

1911

Gold Corporation (the “Company” or “1911 Gold”), formerly Havilah Mining Corporation, began publicly trading in July 2018, following the spinout of

the Canadian operations from Klondex Mines Limited as part of the acquisition by Hecla Mining Company. The Company owns the True North mine and mill complex in Bissett, Man., and several exploration projects most notably in the prospective Rice Lake and Timmins gold districts of Manitoba and Ontario, respectively.

In June of 2019, the Company rebranded as 1911 Gold Cor-

poration (TSX-V: AUMB) in recognition of True North’s history and the Company’s focus on assets within the Rice Lake gold district in southeastern Manitoba. Both the name and logo honour the initial discovery of gold at Rice Lake (presentday site of Bissett) by Duncan Twohearts, an Indigenous trapper from Sagkeeng First Nation, who wrapped his find in a 50 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

piece of blue denim, marking the first significant discovery of gold in Manitoba.

Presently, the Company holds more than 54,000 hectares of mineral dispositions along a crustal-scale break known as the Wanipigow Fault – an ancient tectonic suture that defines the north margin of the Rice Lake greenstone belt. This belt is the western extension of the Uchi Subprovince of the Archean Superior Province, which includes the prolific Red Lake gold camp, located approximately 100 kilometres to the east along strike, and boasts more than 30 million ounces of past gold production. The land package is located within the traditional territory of the Hollow Water First Nation, signatory to Treaty No. 5 (1875-76), and the Company continues to benefit from open, co-operative and respectful relationships that have been maintained with all stakeholders over the years. The favourable geological setting, coupled with the company’s consolidated land position in the historically fragmented Rice Lake gold district, present considerable strategic and exploration advantages.

Within this geological setting, the Company is focused on an aggressive program of regional exploration with the goal of identifying additional sources of ore to augment the existing mineral resource within the True North deposit, estimated to contain approximately one million ounces of gold in all categories. Historically, this deposit has produced more than two million ounces of gold, making it the largest gold-only deposit in Manitoba. As well, the Company is continuing to operate the True North milling facility, producing approximately 5,500 ounces of gold annually from seasonal reprocessing of historical tailings.

1911 Gold’s ongoing exploration program includes geological mapping, prospecting, channel sampling, structural analysis and surficial geochemistry. The Company has also acquired high-resolution aeromagnetic and LiDAR data to complete

the existing data coverage and to focus exploration on second and third order splays off the Wanipigow Fault. Current projects are located both east and west of Rice Lake, and in the vicinity of the historic Gunnar, Central Manitoba and OgamaRockland mines, which collectively produced approximately 300,000 ounces of gold. The 2019-2020 exploration program, which is planned to include an initial phase of at least 5,000 metres of surface diamond drilling, has been funded from proceeds of a $4 million non-brokered private placement financing that closed in March of 2019.

In July 2019, the Company also acquired the remaining 50 per cent interest in the Tully deposit from 55 North Mining Inc. (formerly SGX Resources Inc.). This high-grade gold deposit, now 100-per cent owned by the Company, is located approximately 30 kilometres north of Timmins, Ont., along a splay of the famous Porcupine-Destor Fault. Despite considerable previous work, this deposit retains substantial exploration upside and the Company is continuing to evaluate strategic options for this property.

With an experienced management team, clear corporate strategy, clean balance sheet, well-funded exploration program, strong project portfolio in a safe operating jurisdiction and systematic approach to exploration, the Company is well positioned to generate significant value through discovery. 6

Reimagining the historic Rice Lake gold camp

Flagship asset: True North project • Historic gold production 2M oz. @ 8-10 gpt Au • 1M oz. Mineral Resource @ 5.8 gpt Au

$120M in existing surface infrastructure • State-of-the-art 1,200 tpd mill • Permitted tailings facility

District-scale exploration play • World-class West Uchi gold belt (>30M oz. Au) • Consolidated land position (>54,000 hectares)

Well funded exploration program, multiple targets • Brownfield and Greenfield opportunities • $4M exploration budget 2019-2020

Not your au.dinary business model

www.1911gold.com TSX-V: AUMB

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

51

The benefits of engaging stakeholders – before you think it’s necessary

By Mark Liskowich, P. Geo., Principal Consultant (Environmental)

M

ost mining companies miss out on significant benefits to their projects by not developing and initiating a Stakeholder Engagement

Management Plan early enough in their project’s evolution.

With the exception of consultations completed to meet regulatory requirements for exploration permits and

C

meetings requested by community

M

leaders, the typical approach to such

Y

planning is to delay stakeholder en-

CM

gagement to coincide with the initia-

MY

tion of the Environmental Assessment

CY

of a project. A plausible explanation

CMY

for overlooking this step is simply that

K

the professionals driving the engineering studies of a new project specialize in the technical aspects of the project.

Stakeholder engagement is a project component they are aware of, but it is a task that typically falls outside their wheelhouse or area of expertise. Therefore, the tendency is to delay it until a decision is made to advance the project into the environmental assessment process, which typically involves professionals specializing in engagement. This usually results with stakeholder engage-

Stakeholders are looking for the op-

The optimal time to initiate stake-

portunity to provide input to the design

holder engagement is at the completion

of the project at all levels, but generally, this input is focused on environmental protection. As an example, it is not uncommon for stakeholder groups to have strong opinions on where effluent is discharged, based on existing uses of the environment. However, making a change of this magnitude at this

of a project’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (with positive results) so the engagement runs concurrently with the Prefeasibility Study. This start time allows for considering and possibly integrating stakeholder feedback into the project’s design. It allows ample time for relationships based on trust and respect

ment beginning at the completion of

late stage of the project is difficult. It

the prefeasibility engineering phase or

needs to be technically vetted and if the

after the Environmental Assessment of

change is significant enough, it could

the project has been initiated. And this

delay and/or restart the regulatory pro-

means that valuable input gathered dur-

cess. The results are a reluctance to en-

ing stakeholder engagement is much

tertain change and a perception from

more difficult to integrate into the de-

stakeholders that their opinion isn’t re-

capitalize on future opportunities if the

sign of the project.

ally wanted.

project proceeds to production. 6

52 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

to develop and it provides these communities with valuable time to develop strategies with and without the operator’s support – time to develop capacity that increases their ability to be ready to

Now

2015

Ore Waste

TÄąmes change.

Has your mine plan? .com 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

53

New first impressions are on the horizon for Thompson Airport

By Penny Byer

I

n 2017, Curtis Ross, CEO and president of the Thompson Regional Airport Authority (TRAA), wrote â&#x20AC;&#x153;the first impression we currently present to people of the world and region when they arrive at our airport is that of a poor and aging city.â&#x20AC;? That impression is about to change, thanks to a $28-million funding grant from the federal Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund (DMAF).

The grant will make possible construction of a new airport terminal and new parking lots and roads, in addition to construction of the new water treatment plant and sewage treatment facility.

For years, Ross and his board have been strategically planning and implementing upgrades to runways, aprons and other infrastructure in anticipation of and preparation for a new terminal.

The past year has been particularly busy with construction of the new water treatment plant that started in May, as well as clearing, grubbing and preliminary civil work for the new airport.

The upgrade and construction momentum is not limited to the TRAA. Sky North, a medivac company, built

54 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

a new hangar on the north side of the runway. North Star Air continues to expand and develop its freight handling and logistics capabilities. A new climate change environmental monitoring station is being installed at the airport.

Keewatin Airlines was awarded the provincial contract for court transfers.

Requests for retail and franchise venues are growing for both the old and new airport terminal buildings. In addition, Thompson Airport continues to be the global winter weather test site for Ford, as well as catering to several other vehicle and aviation companies.

With more than 100 flights on a typical day, it is no wonder the TRAA and its partners are expanding and upgrading. Nearly a dozen airlines regularly fly people and freight to remote communities in the region, as well as to Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Business consultants from large urban centres, tourists from as far away as Europe and Asia, college students, people on medical appointments and people seeking employment are among those that walk through the doors of the airport terminal. Food is flown to outfitting camps, regional communities and the far north.

Medical supplies, mine equipment and food staples are among the items that regularly make up the freight flights.

Thompson Airport has the capacity to handle this type of movement because it can handle most commercial aircraft. The primary paved runway 0624 is 5,800 feet long by 150 feet wide.

The crosswinds gravel runway 15-33 is 5,079 feet long by 100 feet wide. Shell Aviation provides fuelling services. In addition, the staff that maintains the runways and other infrastructure, ensures standards are met or exceeded and creates a positive environment for travellers is a dedicated and committed team.

Nearly a dozen airlines currently operate out of Thompson Airport: Calm Air, Perimeter Airlines, Keewatin Air, North Star Air, Fast Air, Wings Over Kississing, SkyNorth Air, Custom Helicopters, Canadian North, Missinippi Air and Babcock Canada.

Thanks to the efforts of Ross, the TRAA board and agencies such as the DMAF, the airlines will be able, in the foreseeable future, to give a new first impression to their clients. 6

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Mike Muzylowski: Looking back on a monumental career

By Cindy Chan

M

ike Muzylowski is entering a new, well-deserved chapter of his life.

The former chairman of Callinex Mines Inc. has retired from his position, as well as a member of the company’s board of directors after many years – five decades worth, in fact – of hard work. His career highlights include discovering 22 producing mines, as well as receiving the 1988 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) Developer of the Year award for his role in the advancement of the Hycroft mine in Nevada. In 2011, Muzylowski was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame for his contributions to the mining industry.

Muzylowski’s entrance into the world of mining didn’t happen overnight. He navigated through different subjects beforehand. After rejecting botany and zoology when he was younger, he eventually encountered geology and was immediately hooked.

He submerged himself into all there was to learn to about geology.

“The university textbook was not up to date and I learned a great deal at the library,” he recalls.

One of Muzylowski’s favourite moments from his 50-year career includes receiving a phone call from Anders Swartling from Granges AB in Stockholm, Sweden.

“He offered me a job to work as a manager with a $1 million annual budget with which to acquire, explore and develop mineral properties in Canada and the U.S.,” Muzylowski says. “The only job requirement is that

56 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

you have to move to Vancouver. And it has changed our whole family’s life for the better.”

He also looks fondly on Afton Mine, an open-pit copper mine in Kamloops, B.C., in which Teck Corporation is still mining.

Muzylowski was instrumental in discovering the Trout Lake mine, which was rich in copper, zinc, silver and gold.

Trout Lake mine operated from 1982 to 2012. He was also involved in the discovery of 12 VMS mines in the Flin Flon district of Manitoba.

Muzylowski says his team at Callinex was wonderful, but it was time to leave – and leave the company in very capable hands.

“I believe in Max Porterfield, President and CEO,” Muzylowski says, adding he will continue to stay on the Callinex team as a consulting geologist and advisor. “I will always love and appreciate the mining profession and community.”

During his retirement, Muzylowski has plans to spend more time with his wife, Lesia, who he met when he was 14 years old at a community dance hall.

“It was love at first sight,” he says, adding they began dating in Grade 12.

He also plans to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

For more information, visit callinex.ca. 6 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

57

Sling-Choker Manufacturing:

Pioneers in rigging

By Daniel D’Amours

S

ling-Choker Manufacturing was founded in 1975 to fill a void in the rigging and wire rope industry in Sudbury, Ont. Paul Villgren, while working as a sales representative selling mining supplies and equipment, noticed that much of the wire rope, chain and other rigging were shipped in from elsewhere and that there was a need from local mines and foresters for a faster solution.

The first products sold by Sling-Choker were rigging and slings for the local mines and construction companies and chokers for the forestry sector.

Next came the manufacturing of nylon and chain slings. As the company grew, it became known as a one-stop shop for all rigging supplies in North-

ern Ontario. New locations were eventually opened in communities where no other similar businesses operated, from Thompson to Val D’or. This way, SlingChoker could provide locally available products and contribute to the local economy. Each location adapted to the demands of their local community, stocking innovative products and offering new services for the needs of local industry, and becoming experts in their own individual fields. This philosophy has carried over to all 14 Sling-Choker locations and has given the group a shared expertise in a wide range of products and industries.

It is our intent to grow to fulfil our customers’ needs with cost-effective, innovative and safe products to help support and grow their businesses. For example, Sling-Choker Manufacturing offers a wide variety of products to prospectors and exploration drillers from gloves and boots to bits and propane heaters; we have what you need to get the job done.

LEADERS IN RIGGING AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT SOLUTIONS

slingchoker.com 58 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

We also support the broader mining community with products ranging from overhead cranes to slurry pumps and have added dedicated departments to service these products in many of the communities that we serve. We are always expanding our product offerings and we are pleased to have recently started to stock ATOM Bits, Unibond Lighting and Kito Cranes, just to name a few.

An aspect of the business that has always been important to us is providing safe information and products for our customers. Whether you are simply looking for a shackle, a fully engineered crane or a pumping system, our sales team and technicians always follow the safety information and specifications provided by our suppliers and by bodies such as ASME, AWRF, WSTDA or CSA. For more information about the products and services we provide, please visit our website at www.slingchoker.com. 6

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Men of the Mine

By Harry C. Hobbs

E

arly prospectors apparently came seeking gold but instead discovered copper and zinc.

They were a hardy breed and thought nothing of travelling from here to Churchill on foot. Their discoveries might have come to nothing without the financial support of the Whitney family. While not disputing the importance of either of the prospectors or the financiers, one cannot underestimate the importance of the hard physical labour and sense of endurance displayed by the men who worked the mines. They sowed the seed for what our community has become today.

Before the railway was built, there was no coal and the smelter burned wood. There was still a lot of bush here and plenty of tall timbers. In those days, it took as many men to cut logs as it did to work in the open pit. Tamarack was the predominant tree. Tamarack was difficult to cut, but very slow-burning.

Trees were cut from as far away as Cranberry Portage. The timbers were cut by hand and most by the use of a Swede saw with only one man per saw.

Flin Flon Lake was drained and this became the open pit. The size of this lake is now legendary and, according to some, extended from the filtration plant on the Perimeter Highway down as far as the current Super K Convenience Store. Some of the company’s current buildings sit on what was once the bottom of the lake. I’m sure there are tales about the actual draining of Flin Flon Lake, which now seems nothing short of miraculous considering the lack of technology at the time.

Some men worked as “rock pickers.” They picked up rock that wasn’t crushed and threw it back into the open pit. It is claimed that the pile extended the length of the open pit. As with the

60 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

size of the lake, one wonders if legend

the open pit because the rock was piled

has also stretched the actual size of the

too close to the edge. One man was res-

rock pile. As an interesting side note,

cued because his foot moved. At first,

students who decided they wanted to

they thought he was dead and they were

quit school and work at the company

going to move on and look for others.

were given, as their first job, the task of

After his rescue he decided that min-

searching for rocks containing unpro-

ing wasn’t for him and he sought work

cessed ore and then throw them back

elsewhere.

in for crushing. Most of these students

In the early days, men shovelled the

were quite anxious to return to school

ore into the cars. Old-timers claim that

afterwards!

before there were hoists powered by

In 1931-1932, there was a big slide at

electricity, horses were used to pull the

ore out. This was a major feat, considering the sharp incline of the Flin Flon Lake mine. Disaster struck when an ore car fell into the open pit. All the ore had to be removed before the car could be moved. There was explosive powder and dynamite in the car, but fortunately there was no spark.

Twice a day, Flin Flonners heard the blast at Triple Seven. But in the early days, blasting was very dangerous for

miner and citizen alike. Even as late as 1940, there were accidents as a result of blasting. In a 1940 accident, a man lost his leg from the knee down. He drilled into some dynamite that had not been exploded. Rock pieces did not respect the boundaries of the open pit and rock could fly over rooftops and on to adjoining streets creating danger for anyone outdoors at that time.

Residents also had to put up with

the smelter smoke from the old smoke stack. Early smelting was not totally efficient. It is claimed that 12 tons of copper per hour went up through the stack.

The air turned red from the copper in the smoke. In the days when there was both a stack for the smelter and a stack for the zinc plant, it is said that sometimes the smoke from each would blow in different directions. People had to watch the direction of the smoke and rescue laundry off clotheslines lest their laundry turn black.

One cannot help but admire the hardy breed of men who came to live in Flin Flon in the hungry days of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;30s.

Many were farmers with no mining experience. They were people striving to make a better life for their families.

Their work was physically exhausting yet they found time to build homes, schools, churches and the recreational facilities that we all enjoy today.

Originally published in Rocks and Rumours Flin Flon Stories and Poems by Glenda Walker-Hobbs and Harry Hobbs (Lighthouse Publishers 2002). Used with permission from the author. 6 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

61

Sophie May Ryan: The Diamond Queen and Mining Legend of The Pas

By Ralph McLean

T

he history of The Pas and area shows us it took tough men but even tougher women to build up the north. This is a story about one of those

women.

“Famous Story Dies With Diamond Queen”, an obituary in the Nov. 26, 1952 edition of The Northern Mail told of the death of “the North’s fabulous Diamond Queen.”

Who was this Diamond Queen?

Where did she come from? How did she acquire the title and what was she doing North of 53?

She had no direct involvement in mining. Unlike Viola MacMillan, she had never organized a mining company, and unlike Manitoba’s Kathleen Rice, she had never staked a mineral claim (although a Manitoba prospector had named a claim after her). Nevertheless, she was closely associated with mining people in both South Africa and Canada.

She was Sophie May Ryan, born in London, England, the day after Christmas in 1876. A beautiful girl, she had a lovely singing voice which was said to very powerful considering her height of a mere five feet. Sophie performed on the London Music Hall stage in her early teens. Sometime in the mid1890s, the troupe with whom she was appearing went on a tour of South Africa. She was enthusiastically received at Kimberley, in the heart of the dia-

62 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

mond field. The miners applauded her singing by showering her with rough diamonds from the diggings that were tossed on the stage. She became known as “the Diamond Queen,” a sobriquet she kept for the rest of her life.

Legend has it that Sophie had many suitors. One of the most ardent was the diamond magnate Barney Barnato, arch rival of Cecil Rhodes for control of diamond mining. When her troupe returned to England, she remained in the country and married Captain Law, a British army officer stationed in South Africa. In 1902, they immigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto. When her husband died, she decided to move west, arriving in The Pas sometime in 1911.

In those early days, The Pas was a rough, tough frontier town whose main activities were logging, trapping and fishing. The mining boom was still a few years away. Why she chose The Pas as her home base is a mystery, but she was to spend the next 40 years in the area.

Innumerable stories about the Diamond Queen have been told over the years. One of the better-documented tales follows. Sophie began bootlegging shortly after she reached The Pas. Northerners took a tolerant view of bootlegging and the Manitoba provincial police had the unenviable task of enforcing the highly unpopular liquor law. One day, the town council ordered a raid on the Queen’s place, news of which was leaked. A large crowd was on hand to watch the fun, and they saw more than they anticipated. When the police squad started pounding on the door and demanded admittance, some of the Diamond Queen’s guests became worried that their names might appear on the court docket as “found-ins.” “Relax and enjoy your drink,” the Queen said. “I can handle this situation.” As she headed for the door, she began removing various pieces of clothing, and when

she opened the door and, making out that she was being assaulted, grabbed one of the policemen and yelled: “Rape!

Rape!” The cops, startled by this unexpected counterattack, retired in some confusion to the jeers of the spectators.

Needless to say, the Diamond Queen would not be an acceptable role model for a Sunday school teacher.

In 1915, she formed an alliance with Gilbert Lacroix, a blacksmith, with The Pas Lumber Company. This alliance was to last for more than 30 years.

She began calling herself Mrs. Lacroix and, when it looked as if Herb Lake would have producing mines, in 1917 they opened a roadhouse on the Hudson Bay Railway, along the trail to Herb Lake. The trail was dubbed the “Gordon Highway” after The Pas politician who later was to give his name to the Sherritt-Gordon mine. When the two mines in the boom district, the Laguna and the Bingo, closed down the railway siding was moved to Wekusko at Mile 81 in 1922. Sophie Ryan stayed on at Mile 82. Some reports have her being pushed out at the railway siding at Mile 81 because of the rent the Hudson Bay railway was trying to charge the railroaders building the rail line and the local area prospectors. It seems she was deemed unladylike and her liquor sales were not approved of, and thus her move to Mile 82, where most of her business followed.

At Wekusko, she was on the platform when Premier Douglas Campbell visited. She shook hands but gave him no further thought as she scanned the faces searching for someone she knew.

“Premier, you say? How come you’re Premier? Where’s Bracken anyway?”

Premier John Bracken often visited that little town of Wekusko; it was he that the Diamond Queen had looked for on that railway car.

Defiant even in her later years, she clearly never cared that much for local

laws or what people would say since various newspaper reports over the decades that followed mention her and partner Gilbert Lacroix being hauled into jail sometimes for months at a time either in Portage or Brandon for the sale of bootleg alcohol or public intoxication.

Her partner Gilbert Lacroix passed away March 23, 1948 and is buried in The Pas (Lakeside) Cemetery in Plot 2, Block 1, Section 7B. He has a simple wooden cross over his grave that was erected in the 1990s. Sophie May Ryan passed away Nov. 25, 1952 and is buried in The Pas (Lakeside) Cemetery in Plot 2, Block 4, Section 24B. She has a sheet wood marker that has remarkably stood up against the elements over the years but it incorrectly states her first name as Sophia. 6

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2019-2020 Northern Prospector

63

Archaeological Site observed on a landform using High Resolution Satellite Imagery (30 cm imagery from Maxar.

New Solutions for the mining industry Western Heritage invests heavily in research and development

By Jim Finnigan, president of Western Heritage

T

he mining industry recognizes the needs for new ways of meeting their social and environmental requirements. The future of mining is dependent on meeting and exceeding these requirements while remaining cost competitive.

Terms like the digital mine and block chain are beacons on the road to change.

The mining industry is driving this innovation.

Innovation is a central pillar of the culture of Western Heritage. Our staff recently won a innovation challenge to help land users connect with land owners (check out www.sasklander. ca). Much of our ongoing innovation is directed at helping mining companies manage cultural heritage risk and environmental risk, the latter through effective monitoring (www.footprintmonitoring.ca).

Managing cultural heritage risk Cultural heritage continues to be a large component of risk for the mining industry both in Canada and certainly in South America. Traditionally, cultural heritage studies are siloed with archaeology, community and traditional land use studies being well-separated.

In order to understand the impact of a mine on cultural heritage, all aspects of cultural heritage must be integrated.

Our Cultural Heritage Risk (CHR) assessment and management services look at the cultural heritage that will be affected by a proposed development, in64 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

cluding information on the number of Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, history of settlement, historic sites and communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; views on which components of their cultural heritage hold the greatest value. Archaeology, the legislated component of CHR, is assessed by looking at previous studies in the area and looking at the types of landforms in the development area that would have the potential to contain archaeological sites. Based on this, we can assess the total risk and suggest appropriate management strategies.

New developments for the EFMP The Environmental Footprint Monitoring Platform, or EFMP, was first introduced to industry in 2012. The platform extracts environmental information from medium- and high-resolution satellite images and delivers that information in an easy-to-access web platform. The platform incorporates historical imagery to provide comparative information from the past to the present.

In 2019, significant research and development was undertaken in the development of EFMP V2. Some of the new features include the ability to simultaneously compare the health of sample plots located upwind and downwind of a stack or other mine feature, and the ability to integrate ground sensor data.

One of the significant advantages of the EFMP is, aside from the mining client owning all of the data and information products, is that the mining client can

share the data with anyone whom they know will benefit from its use. There are no limitations or user-based charges with the EFMP platform. Additional information on the benefits can be found at www.footprintmonitoring.ca.

UAV solutions Satellite imagery provides detailed information on the environment of the mine and its surrounding area. However, for certain applications higher resolution images or different sensor packages are required. While anyone can buy a UAV (drone), Western Heritage has been experimenting with different RGB, lidar and thermal sensors.

Our staff holds an advance license from Transport Canada enabling us to appropriate UAVs at your site. Western Heritage can find and integrate different sensor packages depending on your requirements.

Current applications include mapping reclamation areas and lidar mapping. 6

Lidar sensor being installed on UAV.

Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd.: The power of people for over 50 years

S

tarted by the late F.A. MacIntyre in 1958, later evolving into Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd., the company has earned and maintained a reputation for tackling and successfully completing some of Canada’s more difficult mining projects throughout its his-

tory.

Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd. has been supplying mine contracting services to the mining industry for over 50 years.

With a head office, CWB certified shops and equipment yards located in Kirkland Lake, Ont., MacIntyre has successfully completed shaft sinking and mine development contracts throughout Canada, the United States and South America.

Mining clients in recent years include Vale, De Beers, Barrick Gold, Kinross Gold, Agnico Eagle, Sudbury Contact, Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting, Canadian Malartic, Armistice Resources and Kirkland Lake Gold.

“We are really proud of our history being one of Canada’s oldest mining contractors and that translates into a great resource of experience in very diverse projects,” says James Mc-

success is our success; that’s just how we look at the projects we take on.”

McDougall continues, “Our commitment to safety and the results of this commitment also speak to our success. We have always strived to be the best when it comes to safety; there’s no other goal anyone should ever shoot for than that. It’s been very honouring to win some prestigious safety awards over the years, but for us it comes down to the sustained quality of life our people have working for us. People in many industries talk about ‘safety culture’ and it is the cornerstone of a successful safety program. We are currently over 2.5 million hours worked with no lost time incidents. That means our people home safe to their families every day.”

Alex MacIntyre and Associates Ltd. is a uniquely diverse mining contractor as it provides services in all areas of mining, from shaft sinking, mine development and production, mine construction, electrical mechanical installations, mechanized raise mining, mine dewatering to mine closures. They are also involved in surface mining and pits.

Dougall, manager of operations for MacIntyre. “I think being

“We pride ourselves on being a full-service solution for

around as a successful mining contractor for this long also

our clients’ mining projects and we have the experience and

speaks to the kinds or relationships we have with our clients

people to understand the projects needs and see it through,”

and the level of quality work we always aim for. Our clients’

McDougall says. 6

"Proudly Serving Mining Operations in Manitoba for 31 Years."

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

65

New in 2019: Glove

By Michele Moore

W

ork site injury statistics prove just how costly injuries are for both the company and the employee.

We know that after back injuries, the hands, wrists and fingers are the most injured part of the body on a work site. This is where gloves come in.

Thirty per cent of hand injuries occur because workers are wearing the wrong gloves for the task, and 70 per cent of hand injuries occur because workers are wearing inadequate or worn out gloves.

Modern materials and technology are changing the glove world faster than ever before. We now have standards that need to be adhered to with independent testing bodies for verification. Gloves that have been tested are marked with ratings so the consumer can be sure they are properly protected. There are tests for cut resistance, abrasion resistance, tear resistance, puncture resistance and chemical risk. New this year is a North American testing standard and rating system for gloves that claim impact resistance.

The Ansi/ISEA 138 Impact standard was ratified this past April, and this is very good news for the end-user. This standard was created as a collaboration between ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and the ISEA (International Safety Equipment Association), hand surgeons, glove manufacturers and raw material suppliers. Watson Gloves was invited to participate as part of the working group to review, comment and vote on the drafts of the standard during the ratification process.

The Ansi/ISEA 138 Impact standard is a voluntary standard for the North American market designed to classify different levels of impact protection of gloves that are claiming impact resistance in the market. This is important because there was no way to rate impact

66 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

Impact Protection Rating Standards protection before. Anyone could apply a thin piece of rubber on the back of the glove and call it “impact resistant”. Now there is a rating system to help consumers decide which glove actually provide proper impact resistance as the gloves must pass the new impact testing standard in order to bear the rating icon.

Many hand injuries can be completely avoided with the proper hand protection. This is why it is so important to choose the right glove for the task being performed. The design of the gloves is of the utmost importance. By placing impact resistant TPR components on the most vulnerable spots of the hand, Watson Glove provides the perfect balance between protection and performance.

Among the many impact resistant styles that have recently been developed is the No. 9585 Commander, which is lined for winter. It has the highest level of impact resistance at Ansi/ISEA 138 Impact Level 3.

This glove also features: • Cold

MX insulation – compact insulation that is windproof and anti-bacterial, and provides excellent thermal efficiency without the bulk;

• Polariz inner lining – microfleece lining coated with aluminum dots that reflect the body’s radiant heat back towards body; • D3OiA Impact Additive back of hand components – D3O Impact Additive loaded into the TPR will allow 30 per cent better impact resistance compared to regular TPR at the same thickness; and • An unlined version (Style number: No. 585).

In addition, Watson Gloves has partnered with the Wounded Warriors Canada and will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every pair of No. 585 and 9585 Commander gloves to the foundation.

For applications that do not require Level 3 impact resistance, Watson Gloves also has a variety of Ansi/ISEA 138 Impact Level 2 gloves available.

Whatever you do, as an employer or as a consumer, it is important to ensure hands are properly protected. Contact Watson Gloves at 1 (800) 663 9509 or find out more at www.watsongloves. com. Don’t become a work site accident statistic. 6

2019-2020 Northern Prospector

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Northern Shield Helicopters continues to soar Supplied by Transwest Air

A

lot has changed over the past 50-plus years for Northern Shield Helicopters. But what hasn’t changed is the safety, reliability and service that Northern Shield Helicopters delivers.

The company continues to deliver and serve its customers with an experienced crew that brings value to the customer. Northern Shield Helicopters is the rebranded rotary division of Transwest Air and has been delivering helicopter services across Canada for over 50 years. The company started with a Bell 47G and continues to maintain a Bell fleet ever since that first helicopter.

In July 2016, Transwest Air and Northern Shield Helicopters were purchased by Westwind Aviation. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Westwind Aviation. Westwind Aviation is 87 per cent Aboriginal-owned and 13 per cent employee-owned. Northern Shield Helicopters is very proud of the majority First Nations’ ownership of the company.

Northern Shield’s six high-tech helicopters transport people and/or cargo to the most inaccessible locations. They support a wide variety of industries – taking oil and gas seismic crews their equipment to exploration site; delivering mining employees to drilling locations to assess development viability; and taking firefighters and their gear, along with water bucketing, to areas and communities suffering from forest fires. They also rescue people in medical distress from isolated spots – where planes can’t land – and deliver them to the nearest health facility. As well, our

68 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

407 line of helicopters has served the Heli-skiing industry during the winter season.

The Northern Shield fleet is provided

by Bell Helicopters, which is one of the largest helicopter manufacturing companies in the world. The fleet contains one Bell 206 light category units (capacity of four passengers and up to 1,000 pounds), one Bell 206L4 unit (capacity of six passengers and up to 1,400 pounds), two Bell 407 intermediate category units (capacity of six passengers and up to 2,500 pounds) and two Bell 205 medium category units (capacity of 14 passengers and up to 4,000 pounds).

The qualities associated with Northern Shield Helicopters are consistent with those of Transwest Air. This is a company whose fixed wing segment (on wheels, skis and floats), for example, is not only the largest in the province, containing over 20 diverse planes, but has provided reliable, safe and efficient flights (both scheduled and chartered, carrying passengers or cargo and for personal or corporate use) for over 60 years. It is the forward thinking of the company that led to the creation of a redesigned passenger/cargo combination aircraft to service the needs of the communities it serves in Northern Saskatchewan.

For more information about Northern Shield Helicopters, you can contact Marcus Lorenzen, chief pilot and director of flight operations, at (306) 764-1404 or mlorenzen@nsheli.ca.

Visit our new website at www.northernshieldhelicopters.ca. 6

Foran Mining mines the gap

By Kylie Williams

D

emand for copper and zinc is set to peak, just as mine supplies shrink. Developing the massive projects major mining companies are looking for will require huge capital investment. Can we fill the impending gap between supply and demand set to hit in two years by developing smaller mines which are less capital intensive?

Industry analysts predict that copper and zinc production from existing mining operations will peak around 2022.

In addition to the usual demands for these key base metals in electrification, transport, and infrastructure, demand for copper is buoyed by electric vehicle manufacturing and charging station infrastructure and zinc by increased battery demand. Time is tight for locating, permitting and bringing new mines into production.

According to Keval Dhokia, commodity analyst for S&P Global Market Intelligence, demand for mined copper will begin to outpace committed supply by 2022. In a July 2019 Mining Beacon webinar, Dhokia said that more

financing of uncommitted projects is required for mine supply to keep pace with copper-intensive demand trends.

Zinc stocks are also being depleted, according to recent Wood Mackenzie commodity market reports, and set to remain low until 2020. The zinc market is impacted heavily by trade tensions between the US and China, and the zinc smelting industry’s inability to physically meet demand.

Bottom line Mines come to the end of their lives when their finite supply is exhausted or when it is no longer economic to mine them. Current global supplies are impacted by declining ore grades at existing mines, difficulty permitting and building new mines in challenging locations, politically unstable jurisdictions or remote locations and smelters restricted by environmental concerns.

In 2017, Canada produced 604,481 tonnes of copper and 344,294 tonnes of zinc. But Canadian zinc and copper production has fallen over the last decade, with established mines closing

their doors after decades and few new projects coming online.

What is the answer? According to Dhokia, it is time for the “rise in mammals after the dinosaurs”. With reserves declining at the world’s largest copper mines – the so-called dinosaurs – now is the opportunity for small- and midsize mines to take their place, just as mammal diversity exploded 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs were wiped out.

Rise of the mammals Foran Mining’s flagship McIlvenna Bay copper-zinc deposit in east-central Saskatchewan is one such mid-size deposit, poised to step into the space that will be left when Hudbay’s Flin Flon mine, across the border in Manitoba, closes in 2021. McIlvenna Bay is a volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposit in the Hanson Lake District on the western edge of the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt, one of the most prolific mining belts in the world.

Foran released an updated resource estimate in May 2019 that increased the 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

69

indicated resource at McIlvenna Bay by 65 per cent to 22.95 million tonnes, compared to the 13.9 million tonnes announced in the 2013 report. The 2019 indicated resource, based on drilling completed in 2018, contains 1.5 billion pounds of zinc and 590 million pounds of copper.

“We now believe we have the second largest VMS deposit in the Flin Flon camp,” said Foran Mining president and CEO Patrick Soares. “It’s smaller, higher grade, less capital intensive to build and has a variety of metals beside copper, including zinc and gold. And, just like in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.”

Aside from all-season accessibility and proximity to existing hydropower infrastructure, the McIlvenna Bay project is in mining-friendly Saskatchewan, ranked Canada’s top mining jurisdiction by the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2018. The survey ranked Saskatchewan the third most geologically attractive place to invest globally, with progressive policies that encourage exploration and investment.

Soares said, “We like working in Sas-

70 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

katchewan because the government is supportive of the mining industry and understands its role in the economy.

Plus, we are about an hour by road from Flin Flon, Man., where Hudbay’s century-old 777 mine is set to close in 2021.

Bringing a few new projects like ours online in the next five years would tap into the trained workforce and smelter facilities in Flin Flon, keeping the mining sector in this part of Canada alive and thriving.”

Foran’s next key milestone, said Soares, is the feasibility study, scheduled for release before the end of 2019.

“We’re determined to bring McIlvenna Bay to production.”

In order to satisfy global demand for copper and zinc beyond 2022, and mine the looming gap between demand and supply, new resources need to be identified, developed and accelerated toward production. Deposits such as McIlvenna Bay, in responsible mining jurisdictions, are poised to fill the gap left by the giant mines coming to the end of their lives, if we have the foresight to advance them before the next mass extinction hits in 2022. 6

Northern Manitoba Mining Academy: Doing great things

By Craig Cowper, Operations Manager, Northern Manitoba Mining Academy

M

ining is an industry of exploration. Twelve men from the northern community of Cross Lake, Man. took the challenge of exploration and found exactly what they were looking for at the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy (NMMA).

The NMMA, in Flin Flon, Man., is a collaborative venture of industry, educational and governmental partners and a variety of community stakeholders.

The mandate is to provide increased access to industrial and mining-related training, specifically for Northern Manitoba residents, like the 12 men from Cross Lake. The objective is to create a knowledgeable, skilled and sustainable workforce.

In spring 2019, the NMMA partnered with the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, employer Hudbay Minerals and other stakeholders to offer mining and industry training for the community of Cross Lake. Applicants were screened, assessed and interviewed, resulting in 12 successful candidates be-

ing admitted to the program.

Training started in Cross Lake with three weeks of life skills education, followed by four weeks of essential skills learning conducted by Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM).

“The students were hard-working, diligent and committed to success,” commented WEM instructor Guy Row. “Many of them exceeded the essential skills training objectives, demonstrating their abilities and commitment to learning.”

The program then shifted to the NMMA in Flin Flon for two weeks, where students were provided with an opportunity to learn about exploration, minerals and mining.

The collaborative nature of the program gives it a strong foundation for outreach. It is led by a board of directors and established and authorized by the University College of the North (UCN).

The NMMA develops and implements strategic training initiatives for new hires, and skills enhancement for those already employed. The NMMA also 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

71

develops teaching, research and educational linkages with other institutions related to mining and its associated disciplines and northern economic development. Outreach and career-awareness activities are directed at career options within the mining, mineral exploration and skilled trades sectors.

Hands-on activities with the Cross Lake group included practice time operating heavy equipment in the underground mining simulator and the use of geology laboratory equipment, including PetroCut and slab saws, to cut and examine mineral samples. The students demonstrated enthusiasm with their newfound knowledge and skills by bringing their own mineral samples from Cross Lake, following a weekend trip home, for further analysis and discussion.

Additional training sessions and presentations from Hudbay personnel provided the students an opportunity to learn and ask questions of a prospective employer, while increasing confidence in their own abilities.

The program concluded with two days of safety training and site tours at Hudbay operations in Snow Lake.

Students stayed overnight in camp accommodations, which provided an opportunity “to get a flavour of the living and working conditions”, explained Rob Assabgui, vice-president of Manitoba 72 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

business operations at Hudbay Minerals. He proudly added “all 12 candidates successfully passed the Hudbay hiring assessment.”

“We all have personal struggles that we had to overcome in order to complete the training,” stated Cross Lake student and class spokesman Dean Garrioch, “but we have helped each other in different aspects of the training.”

An emotional graduation ceremony in front of friends and family demonstrated how proud the students were of their accomplishments. In recognition of their efforts, all 12 students were presented with conditional offers of employment from Hudbay Minerals.

Building on the success of this program, the NMMA anticipates collaborating with industry and governmental partners on future similar projects.

Additionally, NMMA programming has expanded to include professional development topics such as project management and short-duration video conference workshops. Expanding educational, research and outreach opportunities for the people of northern Manitoba will continue to be the primary objective of the NMMA. For more information, visit miningacademy.ca. 6

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Handy Hitch designs, manufactures for mining industry

By David Wallwin

H

andy Hitch Manufacturing Inc. is one of three companies in Rancan Group of Companies, alongside Rancan Fertilizer Systems Inc. and Minic Industries Ltd. Handy Hitch is responsible for designing and manufacturing road construction and maintenance equipment.

According to David Wallwin, Handy Hitch provides products and services all over the world. Wallwin explains,

74 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

“What we focus on in the mining industry is the compaction of the roads above and below ground.”

Wallwin also mentions that Handy Hitch designs and manufactures oneoff road maintenance equipment for different applications.

“If there is somebody in a mine that needs something a little different, we are able to work with the customer and design and manufacture what they require,” Wallwin says.

One example is a Contour machine, which is around 12 feet wide. It was a machine for a customer that needed something very specific for a road stabilization project they were working on.

Handy Hitch is able to engineer very compact equipment to suit the size constraints of the underground mining industry. For more information, visit handyhitch.com. 6

reception@rancangroup.com reception@rancangroup.com

A Tale of Northern Tungsten

By Edgar Wright

Bart Kobar with bagged Tungsten concentrate.

T

his story starts in Hunan, China and ends with the Jack Nutt property in Manitoba, a sequence of events illustrating the importance of outside investment to prospecting and development, along with examples of external pressures and the internal responses to them that drive and encourage investment in mineral exploration.

The first character in the story is the “Tungsten King”, Li Kuo Chin, or Dr. K.C. Li. Depending on the era, his name may be found spelled as Li Kuoching, Kuo-ch’in, Li Guoqing, or Li Guoqin. Li was born in Hunan Province, China in 1887, and after graduating from the mineral smelting program at the High School of Industry in Changsa in 1911, he conducted a field survey for tin prospects for the Huachang Refinery Company. During the survey, Li found some rocks of unusual appearance used to construct the stove, after being asked to help fan its flames, at the Wayside Inn in the hamlet of Ta-Ling perched at 1,800 metres in the Wuling mountain range. After talking to the innkeeper about the rocks, Li found the outcrop above the inn and “after a cursory examination, I concluded that

76 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

PHOTO BY PETER KOBAR.

it was well-mineralized though not with the tin-bearing mineral, cassiterite, for which I was commissioned to prospect.”

With the support of Liang Huankui, the chairman of Huachang, Li continued with advanced studies at the Royal Mining Institute in London in 1912 where he analyzed one of his samples from the outcrop and confirmed it contained tungsten. Li’s work there on the extraction of high-temperature metal culminated in the Li Smelting Technique for calcified tungsten.

When the First World War started, it was expected Germany would use up its stockpiles of munitions within six months. However, as British intelligence uncovered, unlike the Allies, the German use of high-speed steel made with tungsten, and tungsten cutting tools, allowed munitions production to be increased so that by the end of 1914 Germany had more munitions than when the war started. A global search for tungsten began. In 1915, Li returned to China and jointly with his relatives organized the Yu Hou Tungsten Company, later reorganized as Wah Chang, which quickly acquired the mineralized property by the Wayside Inn. By year’s end, the first shipment of exception-

ally pure wolframite concentrate reached the United States. China had become the leading source of the strategic metal tungsten. Every firm with representatives in China started importing Chinese concentrate into the United States, even American Express.

By 1916, Li had established a branch office of Wah Chang Trading Corporation in New York to import tungsten as well. With the end of the war, the price of tungsten fell and Li, as a world authority on tungsten, guided Wah Chang from an importer and exporter to an international engineering firm.

Much like in the First World War, where it turned out Germany had stockpiled tungsten from Cornish mines in England, the Engineering and Mining Journal reported in 1941 that a survey of imports showed the Germans had started stockpiling tungsten and other strategic metals seven years before the Second World War broke out. Once again, there was a rush to find tungsten. The situation was critical for the Allies because most of the supply came from South China over the Burma Road, a target of the Japanese. The Canadian government encouraged prospectors to look for strategic minerals to supply metals that were in short supply; one metal was tungsten. By 1941, tungsten-bearing scheelite was being shipped from gold mines in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia, but none was being mined at a profit. Nothing came of prospects in Manitoba during the war; meanwhile, Wah Chang grew to refine all types of tungsten concentrates from around the globe and became a monopoly for the only tungsten available to the United States government and industry.

In 1944, with Paris being liberated in August, Li boldly forecast to the Wall Street Journal in October that “the tungsten industry is still in its infancy. Despite developments made during two world

wars, it is a mistake, I think, to assume that tungsten is only a war material. The much talked of fastest plane, which will take us from New York to Chungking in 14 hours, will require a large amount of tungsten. The world is moving forward rapidly and is fast becoming one civilization. Such progress is dependent on swift transportation and swift transportation is dependent on engines and highaltitude flying, all of which will demand super-quality tungsten.”

In a seemingly ironic sequence, victory in Europe was celebrated May 8, 1945, and the next day Jack McKay recorded claims P8555 and P8556 by Squall Creek about 0.8 kilometres north of the west end of Snow Lake. They quickly passed to Jack Nutt, a celebrated prospector and developer, the day after that, then to A. G. Derby and E. Stern, and finally on Oct. 30 to Leedoro Snow Lake Mines Limited.

On Dec. 2, MacArthur accepted Japan’s surrender, formally ending the Second World War. Again, the price of tungsten slumped; a magnetic and a geological survey were conducted on the Leedoro property in 1946 but the claims were cancelled in 1947.

With the end of the war, struggles between the Chinese nationalists and communists resumed and through 1948 the communists had a series of important victories. In September, Gaspard Richards, a prospector in the Herb Lake area for 30 years, recorded claims P19716 and P19717, which were quickly optioned

by Jack Nutt due to current events. As reported in the Dec. 1 issue of the Winnipeg Tribune, “The new discovery of scheelite has been underlined by communist victories in China, which have cut off from western use one of the few large supplies in the world. This development alone is expected to focus considerable interest on the new find, under Canada’s industrial preparedness plan.”

Nutt had control of the claims in June 1949 and followed with stripping, trenching, a shallow open cut and a diamond drill program. In 1950, the discovery of three high-grade lenses was reported

Northern Tungsten mine site.

and Nutt had sent out 954 kilograms of ore that averaged 32.68 per cent WO3.

Soon after that, all interests were transferred to Leedoro Snow Lake Mines Limited.

Following the start of the Korean War in June, the price of tungsten started rising. Korea was an important supplier of tungsten and its price rose fivefold between 1950 and 1955.

By March 1951, Seoul had changed hands for the fourth time and Canada’s national defense program was calling for stepped up steel production. By August, Atlas Steels in Welland, Ont., was seeking scrap “alloying elements, particularly nickel and tungsten are in very short supply. That’s why we urgently require every ton of alloy scrap available”. Still, in October, the only tungsten producer in Canada was the Outpost Island, Northwest Territories, property of Tungsten Corp. and only since the start of September. On Oct. 16, Mr. C. Hall of Wah Chang arrived to organize a development program conducted by Northern Tungsten Ltd. under the terms of an agreement with Leedoro. Subsequently The Precambrian, Vol 30-31, 1957, reported, “The Wah Chang Corporation optioned the property in 1951 and drove a short adit on the scheelite-bearing zone. In 1952, a small mill with two small Wilfley tables was erected and it was operated sporadically during that summer.

The scheelite-bearing zone is in and parallel to the foliation and bedding of a band of gneissic quartz-amphibolite.

The zone lies close to the lower contact

PHOTO BY PETER KOBAR.

of a wide band of argillites which have been converted to graphitic schist and staurolite schist. It strikes almost due north and dips 45 degrees east. The scheelite occurs as irregular masses in discontinuous veins of white quartz and disseminated in the wall rock of these veins.” Young Bart Kobar, who would become another notable entrepreneur, prospector and developer, and be on the executive of the MSPDA, helped with the mining development and diamond drilling program. By December, the U.S. government was approving loans to help expand tungsten production in Bolivia.

Despite the demand for tungsten and the metallurgical prowess of Wah Chang, ultimately the project was abandoned in 1952, in part because the Wilfley tables gave concentrates contaminated with sulphides but mainly due to the low grade of material mined. Jack Nutt died in December at 61 years old, and Northern Tungsten Ltd. ceased operations in 1964. The property continued to get staked and is presently held

by Peter Dunlop. People in Snow Lake have various memories of the “Jack Nutt Mine”; in the summer, campers found the adit made a good cooler for storing food. Dan Ziehlke reports it was quite interesting to explore the adit with a shortwave UV and see the glow from the scheelite. There was some discussion of making it a tourist attraction but it is reported plans were scuttled in the 1980s when the Manitoba mines branch blasted the adit shut due to safety concerns. 6 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

77

Lean times: What is your business made of?

By Sarah Jensen

M

any Saskatchewan businesses have found themselves in a crunch lately. Whether they are already feeling the pinch of a tightening belt or are conserving resources for an uncertain future, there is no denying that the economic landscape is thinning.

This province has seen more than its fair share of cut backs, layoffs and projects put on hold while the natural resources sector waits to see which way the winds of change are blowing.

And, well, it blows.

It can be nerve-wracking, especially for the little guys who rely on strong natural resource performance for their livelihood. Just ask Northern Resource Trucking, which has built its business model on service to the uranium mining industry.

This is Canada! We have some of the richest sources of water, lumber, oil, gas, metals and minerals in the world. When the world isn’t buying, though, it’s tough to transform that natural

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wealth into cold hard cash.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The fact is, we still have the goods and — even if they aren’t buying right now — the world still needs them. In the meantime, many Saskatchewan businesses are stuck playing the waiting game. Moaning and complaining is fun, but it doesn’t accomplish much. So, what are we to do while we bide our time?

Here are three things struggling businesses can do to make themselves more competitive: 1. Trim the Fat – Downsizing and layoffs are an unfortunate reality during an economic slump. Whether the changes

become permanent or not will depend upon the business, but this can be an excellent opportunity to identify key players, streamline operations and define company objectives. If you strip away the excess, what do the bones of your business look like? What do you need to support these essential functions?

“At NRT, we’ve right-sized our fleet and purchased more versatile equipment,” president Dave McIlmoyl explains.

2. Take out the Trash – This can be a tough one, and is particularly important for small businesses that have grown rapidly. Often, newly successful companies accumulate hangers on of both the employee and customer variety. Whether it’s an underperforming employee who has been able to coast while profits were high and time was scarce, or a customer who continues to expect the discounts and freebies offered during the company’s startup years, sometimes it’s best to say goodbye. When funds are low, it is essential to invest in the people — employees and customers — that you want to keep around. Make every dollar count!

Saskatoon Office

P: (306) 933-3010 F: (306) 242-3156 E: nrtinquiry@nrtlp.com

3. Think Outside the Box – Are you maximizing your company’s reach? Maybe your product or service could be used outside of the market niche you’ve carved out for your business. Businesses in the natural resource sector are often highly specific, so a blow to the industry can hit hard. But often the team and skillset that make a company successful can be easily adapted to other markets. “NRT has recognized that the downturn in the uranium mining industry is an opportunity for us to diversify our customer base,” McIlmoyl says, “using the expertise of our people, our knowledge of industry and our equipment to expand our operations from northwestern Ontario to northern B.C.” It is easy to become bogged down by the negativity and uncertainty of the current economic climate. But these lean times can present opportunities, as well. Let the excess waste away; hack at it yourself, even. You might be surprised to discover what your business is made of underneath it all. 6

La Ronge Training Center

Winnipeg Office

P: (306) 425-2148 F: (306) 425-5311 E: rmihilewicznrttc@sasktel.net

P: (204) 235-4013 F: (204) 233-2929 E: dgravatt@nrtlp.com

w w w. n r t l p . c o m 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

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The legacy of Warren Heidman, Johnny Patterson and Brad and Jackie Gogal

By Stephen Masson

O

n On Sept. 15, 2018, Warren Heidman, a member of our Manitoba-Saskatchewan Exploration and Developers Association, was staking a claim with his helper, Johnny Patterson, near the Tyrell Rail Siding in the Ponton area. At around 3.30 p.m., he was ap-

proximately half a mile south of the railway track. He heard a train coming down the track and, shortly after, a loud bang. At the time he did not realize it was a train crash. He assumed the train had stopped on the track and the cars knocked together.

He finished staking the claim, and a helicopter was on its way to pick him up. He was roughly a quarter mile from the track, waiting for pickup. The pilot, Brad Gogal, and his wife, Jackie, called him on the radio while in the air and told him they had spotted a derailed train. Heidman realized the bang he had heard was the train wreck.

The pilot picked Warren up at approximately 5:30 p.m. Once in the air, they flew over the wreck. The pilot had seen a hand waving from the window of the front locomotive. Apparently the bridge had washed out and the train drove into the creek bank.

The helicopter landed in a shallow creek just north of the train wreck. Once they landed, Heidman and his helper climbed up to the track on the west side of the crossing. Heidman started

At this time, Jackie made her way to the front locomotive and the three of them told the injured and trapped men that help was on the way, as well as giving them water. Shortly after the 911 call, Gogal left the scene in the helicopter to get RCMP officers in Ponton.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., Gogal returned in the chopper with two RCMP officers. The helicopter landed in the shallow creek once again. Heidman had found a easier route to the front of the locomotive by partly cutting a trail and escorted the RCMP up to the track in front of the head locomotive. The RCMP then took control, and Gogal again left with the helicopter to Ponton. Heidman, Patterson and Jackie were assuring the men that Gogal was bringing paramedics to the train.

Heidman later cleared out a landing pad on the railroad to accommodate those that might come by helicopter to rescue the men. The trees along the track were too close for a safe landing by chopper. Heidman continued to check on the men with Patterson and Jackie.

Tired and in some shock by the event, the RCMP suggested Heidman, Patterson and Jackie return to base and they would handle things forward. For this heroic effort as a first responder, Heidman took on the code and tradition of the wilderness as many a trapper, explorationist and woodman had done before:

crawling and scrambling on top of the wreck, making his way

to do what he could to save a life and help as best he could.

to the front. He yelled, “Hello, can anyone hear me?” He heard

For this heroic action, Heidman, Patterson and Brad and Jackie

a yell back. He worked his way forward, followed by his helper.

Gogal have been awarded the St. John Ambulance Gold Medal

Once in the front, he found two men, badly injured but alive.

Award for Life Saving which will be given to them by the Lieu-

Heidman and Patterson managed to get down on the ground,

tenant Governor of Manitoba on Nov. 26, 2019.

and were able to talk to both men, but were not able to get

The MSPDA is extremely proud of Heidman and Patterson,

them out as they were pinned inside the locomotive. At this

as should we all be, for holding up the honour of the exploration

time, Gogal was making the 911 call on top of one of the tanker

and bushmen and for the person Heidman’s parents brought

cars at approximately 5:30 p.m. Heidman obtained information

him up to be in his heroic efforts here. We also salute Brad and

from the injured men and passed that onto Gogal on the 911

Jackie Gogal and Gogal Airways, an intricate part of our explo-

call.

ration in Manitoba. All four of them bring honour to all of us. 6

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Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project updates

By Jennifer L. Boyle

S

atori Resources Inc. holds a 100-per cent interest (subject to an NSR) in the Tartan Lake Gold Mine Project, which produced 47,000 ounces of gold between 1987 and 1989. The Tartan Lake surface facilities include a process plant, shops, offices, mine dry and tailings impoundment, and the underground portion is accessed by a portal and decline.

The property is currently being evaluated for re-commissioning, which includes an assessment of processing options

84 2019-2020 Northern Prospector

conducive to ore recovery and operating cost tradeoffs, and a proposal for mill design and milling operations to support the results of a metallurgical study completed in 2018.

An independent NI 43-101 resource estimate states that the deposit has indicated mineral resources of 1,180,000 tonnes at 6.32 g/tonne gold (240,000 ounces) and an additional inferred mineral resource of 240,000 tonnes at 4.89g/tonne gold (37,000 ounces), using a 3.0 g/t cutoff. 6

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PotashWorks

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60

of

Fall 2019

Review

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www.potashworks.com Potash and Canadian mining – A rock-solid relationship

Mining in Northwestern Ontario

Goldcorp’s Coffee project brewing in the Yukon

ATAC sees serious size potential at Rackla gold property

2019-2020

2019

M-PIN, one year later The new golden age of the Superior East Region

MANITOBA Mining Review

Canada’s premier publication dedicated to the promotion, production and distribution of potash.

2019

Exploration continues to add value at Keno Hill silver district

BHP’s Jansen shafts reaches bottom

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at Bigstone Lake

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PROSPECTOR Also in this issue

Companies committed to the highest safety standards

• MPDA Member property profiles • New Age Metals’ lithium projects • Rockcliff Metals’ new vision • Lynx Diamond Project update

2019-2020

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publication of the Man itoba-Saska tchewan Pro spectors and Developers Association

Aperçu et mise à jour : la fiscalité minière au Québec Mining tax incentives in Quebec

Quebec Precious Metals Corporation progressing Sakami to the resource estimation stage

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Granada Gold permitted for open-pit mining with resource growth potential

Corporation Métaux précieux du Québec : Progrès du projet Sakami au stade de l’estimation des ressources

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Rockcliff Me tals Corp.: Bu ild company in the largest VM ing a copper mining S district in the world CanAlaska: Re sources for the transformati to a clean-en on ergy society Northern Ma nitoba Minin Creating a kn g Academy: owledgeable, skilled, and sustainable workforce

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Index to Advertisers 1911 Gold Canada Corporation ............................................................. 51

Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc. ................................................. 40

Aggressive Drilling Ltd. ......................................................................... 38

Prairie Crane ......................................................................................... 32

Alair / MHA Enterprises Ltd. ................................................................... 9

Prairie Helicopters Inc. ......................................................................... 83

Alex Macintyre & Associates Ltd. ......................................................... 65

Rax Enterprises Inc. .............................................................................. 36

Association for Mineral Exploration ....................................................... 4

Rockcliff Metals Corp. ............................................................................. 3

Central Canada Mineral Exploration Convention ................................. 55 Dimatec Inc. ........................................................................................... 58 Exploration Tents & Arctic Camp Supplies .............................. 29, 31, 33 Foran Mining Corporation ..................................................................... 27 GMR Electric Motors ............................................................................. 39 Handy Hitch Manufacturing Inc. ........................................................... 75 Heli-Lift International Inc. ....................................................................... 5 John Deere Canada Ltd. (Hitachi) ........................................................... 7 Major Drilling ......................................................................................... 83

Ross Industries Ltd. ................................................................................ 1 Rosta Inc. ................................................................................... 37, 80, 81 Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists ......................................... 28 Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources ............................... 30 SaskTel ..................................................................................................... 2 SIMSA ..................................................................................................... 12 Sling-Choker Mfg. (Thunder Bay) Ltd. .................................................. 58 SRK Consulting ..................................................................................... 53

Northern Resource Trucking ................................................................ 79

Thompson Airport Authority ................................................................. 13

Nuna Logistics Partnership .................................................................. 35

Transwest Air ......................................................................................... 34

Orix Geoscience ..................................................................................... 45

University College of the North ............................................................. 73

Osprey Wings Ltd. .................................................................................. 33

Watson Gloves ................................................................................. 67, 88

Paraminerals Consulting Ltd. ............................................................... 43

Western Heritage ................................................................................... 34

PDAC ...................................................................................................... 59

XPLOR .................................................................................................... 87

RAX

ENTERPRISES INC.

In business since 2002, RAX Enterprises Inc., operates from a base location in Calgary, Alberta, and is actively involved in the sourcing of used mining equipment, attachments and major components. This includes all makes and types of mobile surface mining equipment such as electric cable shovels, draglines, hydraulic excavators, mining trucks, wheel loaders, crawler tractors, motor graders, scrapers, rotary drills, and railway locomotives.

Chances are at least one older piece of equipment is in operation on your site. Possibly, it is even a machine that is no longer produced and for which support is no longer available.

RAX Slew Ring Supply and Replacement

ENTERPRISES INC.

USED MINING MACHINERY AND COMPONENTS

Are you looking to save on machine operating costs? Looking for used attachments and/or major components for our older mining equipment?

Increasingly, mine maintenance and materials management personnel are turning to the used or surplus attachments/ components market.

Components, perhaps surplus to another property, are available to those who can find the them and are generally available at a substantial savings.

With a little care and proper use, much of this older machinery will be productive and profitable to operate for many years.

Old, New, Common or Rare – if it’s out there, RAX will find it.

Address: 451 Mahogany Terrace S.E., Calgary, AB T3M 0X4 Telephone: 403

452 6666 or Toll Free in North America 1 866 772 7770 Contact: Dan Rachiele – email rax@shaw.ca, Cell Phone 403 614 9696

Fuel/Lube Trucks

Toll free fax 1 855 286 8005

www.rax.ca