Geoscience BC Survey Detects Gold and Copper in Beetle Kill Area of Central BC

Vancouver, BC - September 25, 2006 - Regional geochemical surveys sponsored by Geoscience BC in the Anahim Lake and Nechako River areas, east of Tweedsmuir Park in central BC, have detected significant concentrations of gold and copper.

Release of data from these surveys has attracted immediate attention from exploration companies targeting prospective copper and gold deposits in the area. This region of central BC is at the heart of the mountain pine beetle infestation where forest-dependent communities are seeking new opportunities for economic diversification.

Stream sediment and water samples collected from 1,957 sites covering 19,500 square kilometers in 2005, detected gold values of up to 694 parts per billion (ppb) and copper values of up to 1,536 parts per million (ppm) in sediment samples in central BC.

Geoscience BC supported an additional geochemical survey in the Cariboo region of central BC this past summer to help complete the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources' (MEMPR) Regional Geochemical Survey (RGS) database in this area. Results from the 2006 survey will be available in mid 2007.

Regional geochemical surveys (RGS) provide a representative measurement of the concentration of metals in the environment. Currently, the RGS database contains data for approximately 50,000 sample site locations in the province. .Unusual metal concentrations in these samples often lead to discovery of new mineral prospects and showings. "A geochemical survey of water and sediment samples is often one of the first pieces of information mineral exploration companies review when deciding where to target their exploration spending," said Dr. Lyn Anglin, President and CEO of Geoscience BC. "These new data in central BC will help focus mineral exploration on new targets in a relatively unexplored part of the province."

The Geoscience BC report on regional geochemical stream sediment and water survey data from Anahim Lake and Nechako River (Geoscience BC report 2006-4) is publicly available through the MEMPR Map Place.

One of Geoscience BC's priorities is to accelerate data collection to help attract mineral and oil and gas exploration investment in forest-dependent areas of central BC impacted by the mountain pine beetle.

About Geoscience BC

Geoscience BC is a not-for-profit, non-government organization formed in the spring of 2005 and funded by a $25 million start-up grant from the provincial government. In partnership with industry, academia, government, and communities, Geoscience BC funds projects such as geological mapping, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and the development of new geoscience techniques and methods designed to improve understanding of the province's geological features and stimulate investment by mineral exploration and oil and gas companies.

Geological maps and reports produced by geoscience surveys are the fundamental tools used by exploration companies to select promising areas in which to invest. In other jurisdictions, it has been shown that geoscience funding generates between 4 and 5 times the invested amount in mineral exploration spending, and 25 times that in the value of new discoveries.

For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Lyn Anglin
President and CEO
Geoscience BC
604-290-1194

Martin Livingston
Living Communications Inc.
604-657-8234

File: