Geoscience BC Targets ‘Hidden’ Central Interior Copper-Gold Deposits

Vancouver, BC- December 5, 2019 –  A new collaborative series of Geoscience BC earth science research aims to focus mineral exploration and attract investment across 50,700 square kilometres of British Columbia’s Central Interior by highlighting potential copper-gold deposits hidden below glacial sediments.

The Central Interior Copper-Gold Research (CICGR) series was announced at a Geoscience BC open house meeting on December 5th at the Uda Dune Baiyoh House of Ancestors in Prince George. The $2.9 million series aim to better understand potential undiscovered copper-gold deposits buried below a layer of glacial sediment (till) left by receding glaciers between the Mount Milligan and Gibraltar and Mount Polley mines.

Commenting on the news, Geoscience BC Vice President, Minerals Christa Pellett said: “The till that covers much of the Central Interior makes it hard to see the rocks hidden below. The Central Interior Copper-Gold Research series will help to understand the composition and thickness of the till, and to focus the search for copper-gold deposits.”

As with all Geoscience BC research, CICGR data and reports will be shared publicly and can also be used by communities and Indigenous groups to inform land planning and economic development decisions.

Geoscience BC unveiled the details of two initial projects at the open house. The CICGR: Surficial Exploration Project (Project 2018-050) is combining analysis of new and existing till samples with high resolution satellite imagery to trace till samples and geochemical anomalies back to their source, which may help to identify areas of potential mineral exploration interest.

The CICGR: Identification of New Porphyry Potential Under Cover in Central British Columbia (Project 2018-047) project is using existing Geoscience BC and other publicly available geophysical data to identify, map and model prospective copper-gold deposits.

The results from both projects will also guide future CICGR research, which is expected to include a program of drilling to further understand the thickness and composition of the till and potentially the bedrock beneath.

Accessing Information

View the Geoscience BC project pages and Earth Science Viewer for more information.

View CICGR overview page


View project page 2018-050       View project 2018-050 in Earth Science Viewer


View project page 2018-047        View project 2018-047 in Earth Science Viewer


Supporting Quotes

Lara Beckett, President, North Central Local Government Association: “The North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) congratulates Geoscience BC on the Central Interior Copper-Gold Research initiative. The communities of the NCLGA benefit from the valuable public data on water, energy and minerals that these initiatives provide. NCLGA members have passed resolutions in support of the work of Geoscience BC and look forward to working together on future opportunities to strengthen communities throughout north central British Columbia.”

Kendra Johnston, President & CEO, AME: “Public geoscience programs like Geoscience BC’s Central Copper-Gold Research series are important to AME members because the data and information that they provide inspire new mineral exploration and attract new investment to British Columbia. We look forward to seeing the results from the first two projects, and to learning more about future phases.”

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.

Geoscience BC is a not for profit society incorporated under the BC Societies Act.

Visit www.geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.

For more information, please contact:

Richard Truman
Geoscience BC
604-662-4147 / 778-929-1662 / truman@geosciencebc.com