The first phase, Geoscience BC said, will collate and analyze existing information from current and historic mining operations to identify sites for future laboratory and fieldwork studies, looking to identify potential sources of critical metals and minerals that were not considered recoverable or valuable at the time of extraction — but that may now prove otherwise.
“Demand for independent information about critical minerals and metals opportunities in jurisdictions like BC is at an all time high. The Critical Minerals and Metals in BC Mine Tailings and Waste Rock program has commenced, and Phase 1 with desktop research to assess the scale of potential benefits and risks,” Geoscience BC CEO Gavin C. Dirom said in a news release.
Following a competitive bid process, Victoria-based geological information management specialist Purple Rock Inc. has been awarded the contract to carry out Phase 1 of the program.
Several…


