First results from Geoscience BC’s Central Interior Copper-Gold Research (CICGR) program have been published, and the new maps and geochemical reanalysis of more than 1,000 till samples will help to focus mineral exploration between Prince George and Mackenzie.

An online community open house meeting about current and upcoming CICGR research

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CICGR is a program of collaborative minerals earth science projects designed to highlight potential mineral deposits buried under glacial deposits between the Gibraltar (near Williams Lake) mine in BC’s South Central Region and northwest of the Mount Milligan (near Mackenzie) mine in the North Central Region.

The first report, Geochemical Reanalysis of Archived Till Samples CICGR Project Interior Plateau, Central BC (Parts of NTS 093A, B, G, J, K, O), includes analytical results for over 1,000 till samples collected in the 1990s and 2000s from sites in the northern part of the CICGR area and stored in Geological Survey of Canada and the BC Geological Survey archives.

Project researcher and Palmer Senior Surficial Exploration Specialist Dave Sacco said: “The surficial geology interpretations and derived products help to efficiently locate till for sampling, and to distinguish areas that are suitable for surface till sampling from those where other mineral exploration methods are more suitable.”

The second report includes surficial geology, till sampling suitability and drift thickness maps for six map sheets between Mackenzie and Prince George. The maps inventory and characterize surficial materials and landforms in the region, which in turn can inform the interpretation of the new geochemical data and mineral exploration. Additional maps for the area between Prince George and Williams Lake, new digital data and updates including results of fieldwork across the entire project area, are expected in early 2022.

Commenting on the report and maps, Geoscience BC Vice President, Minerals, Christa Pellett, said: “As we look to a post-COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery, major public earth science initiatives like Central Interior Copper-Gold Research can play a vital role in supporting and encouraging responsible mineral exploration and investment throughout British Columbia. These two reports support the CICGR goal to improve understanding of surficial geology of central British Columbia.”

Accessing Data

View the project pages (2018-050) for more information.

View project page              View project in Earth Science Viewer

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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.

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