Expanding on the success of Geoscience BC's other QUEST projects, the QUEST-Northwest Project is designed to stimulate exploration interest and investment in the northwest part of the Province, and to enhance the success of exploration activities in the region.

The QUEST-Northwest project currently includes three separate activities: airborne geophysical surveys, a regional ground geochemical program and bedrock geological mapping. In addition to the new high-resolution airborne surveys in the north, an airborne magnetic data compilation project is in development in the Stewart area to the south.

Two airborne magnetic surveys in the Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek areas (Block 1 and Block 2) were flown in August and September 2011. Both surveys were flown at 250 m line spacing, in an east-west orientation using a HeliMAG stinger system. Block 1 was flown by Aeroquest and Block 2 was flown by GeoData Solutions.

New stream sediment and water samples were collected in the Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek areas in August 2011. The reanalysis component of the project will use existing samples collected in 1987 from northwest of Telegraph Creek.

The regional bedrock mapping program in the Dease Lake area is a partnership between Geoscience BC and the BC Geological Survey (BC Ministry of Energy and Mines). Field mapping was led by the BC Geological Survey and was undertaken in July and August 2011. Mapping was conducted by a small team of geologists accessing the area by truck and helicopter.

To access QUEST-Northwest final datasets, brochures, posters and news releases, scroll down below the map.