Geoscience BC launches QUEST-West Airborne Electromagnetic Survey
August 1, 2008 - Geoscience BC is pleased to announce the launch of the QUEST-West airborne electromagnetic survey. This survey will help exploration geologists better understand the geology and mineral potential of central British Columbia, hopefully leading to increased mineral exploration investment in an area that has been heavily affected by the Mountain Pine Beetle.
"Geoscience work like the QUEST-West survey holds great promise for unlocking the mineral potential in areas coping with the effects of the mountain pine beetle," said Minister of State for Mining Gordon Hogg. "Exploration and mining can help diversify rural economies and offers investment opportunities throughout British Columbia."
This survey is being flown by Aeroquest Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aeroquest International, and will cover an area of over 40,000 square kilometers of central British Columbia including areas around Vanderhoof, Burns Lake, Houston, Granisle, Smithers, Terrace and Kitimat.
"Geoscience BC's technical team believes that the QUEST-West region has great potential for copper, gold, molybdenum and silver mineralization," said 'Lyn Anglin, President and CEO of Geoscience BC. "We expect the results of this survey to be available to the public in early 2009."
Aeroquest's proprietary AeroTEM™ airborne electromagnetic system collects data using a large loop suspended beneath a helicopter that flies at low altitude. There is one such system currently based out of Smithers and a second system is on its way to the region in a few weeks.
"We're very pleased that our technology has been chosen to perform this important survey" stated Roy Graydon, President and CEO of Aeroquest International. "Our significant history of flying in BC's challenging, mountainous environment allows us to deliver the highest quality survey data. That will provide Geoscience BC with the best opportunity to spur exploration activity."
Other QUEST-West programs include an airborne gravity survey (recently completed by Sander Geophysics Ltd.), and a new ground geochemical survey which will start later this summer. In addition, Geoscience BC is supporting partnership geochemical projects in the region with the BC Geological Survey and the Terrace Economic Development Authority.
Geoscience BC's QUEST-West Project activities have been funded by a generous $6 Million grant from the Province of BC, and $0.75 Million from the Northern Trust Pine Beetle Recovery Fund as proposed by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako to expand project work in the Bulkley-Nechako region.
Geoscience BC is an industry-led, industry-focused not for profit society. Its mandate includes the collection, interpretation and marketing of geoscience data and expertise to promote investment in resource exploration and development in British Columbia. Geoscience BC works in partnership with industry, academia, government, First Nations and communities to attract mineral and oil & gas investment to BC.
For more information on QUEST-West and other Geoscience BC projects, please see Geoscience BC's website at www.geosciencebc.com.
For more information, please contact:
Geoscience BC
'Lyn Anglin
President and CEO
(604)-290-1194
www.geosciencebc.com