Partnership Brings New Data on Northwestern BC's Mineral Potential

Vancouver, BC July 2, 2019 - A partnership between the British Columbia Geological Survey (BCGS), Geoscience BC and the University of British Columbia’s MDRU-Mineral Deposit Research Unit has resulted in new information about bedrock geology and potential mineral deposits in northwestern British Columbia.

The information is shown in new maps from the project Extracting Geological Value from Search Airborne Magnetic Data, West Central British Columbia, which has extracted geological components from Geoscience BC’s Search Phase I geophysical survey data published in 2016, and from satellite imagery. This has been followed up with ground-truthing and targeted field mapping led by Joel Angen of MDRU and JoAnne Nelson of the BCGS to produce the following map products:

  • Bedrock Geology, Search Phase I Project Area, Western Skeena Arch, West-Central British Columbia
  • Aeromagnetic Correlation with Bedrock Geology, Search Phase I Project Area, Western Skeena Arch, West-Central British Columbia
Geoscience BC-funded researchers from MDRU also produced a separate map using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data from the NASA’s Earth Observing System Terra satellite:
  • Mineral Mapping Using ASTER Data, Search Phase I Project Area, Western Skeena Arch, West-Central British Columbia
The Extracting Geological Value from Search Airborne Magnetic Data, West Central British Columbia project builds upon the first phase of Geoscience BC’s Search project. This flew an airborne geophysical survey across a 6,700 km2 area between Terrace, Kitimat and Smithers. The latest project includes a collaboration agreement between the BCGS, Geoscience BC and MDRU that has seen researchers funded by both organizations conducting fieldwork together.

All of the new information is public, and can be used by resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and governments to better understand and inform future decisions about mineral exploration and development in the Terrace, Kitimat and Smithers areas.

As with all Geoscience BC minerals research, maps and data are being made available through Geoscience BC’s website and Earth Science Viewer tool, as well as through the BCGS.

Interim research papers for the Extracting Geological Value from Search Airborne Magnetic Data, West Central British Columbia project were published in the BCGS’ Geological Fieldwork 2016 and in Geoscience BC’s Summary of Activities 2017: Minerals and Mining. A final report for the research project is expected to be available later in 2019.

Accessing Information

View the project pages for more information.



About Geoscience BC

Geoscience BC generates independent, public geoscience research and data about British Columbia’s minerals, energy and water resources. This advances knowledge, informs responsible development, encourages investment and stimulates innovation.

Our collaboration with the resource sectors, academia, communities, Indigenous groups and government develops and shares unbiased and credible earth science research and data.

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For more information, please contact:

Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147
truman@geosciencebc.com