8,000 km2 of new Kootenay-Boundary geological mapping released

All data and maps from the new research are publicly available, with the aim of encouraging exploration and economic activity

by Keith Powell — February 07, 2019

— Photo courtesy Geoscience BC

Geological mapping covering 8,000 km2 of historic mining areas in British Columbia’s Kootenay Boundary Regional District was recently released by Geoscience BC at the AME Roundup conference. The new information is expected to bring new mineral exploration interest to the area.

The 1:150,000 scale Geology of the Penticton Map Sheet (east half) provides an updated understanding of the relationships between different rock types and their ages in a large area north of Greenwood between Penticton and Trail in southeastern BC, where there has been significant past gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc mining. Within the area are historic mining camps dating back to the late 1800s, including Rossland, Franklin, Greenwood, and Beaverdell.

Geoscience BC Vice President of Minerals and Mining Bruce Madu said: "These large compilation projects are essential because they provide regional-scale perspectives that can be vital to narrowing down the location for new mineral deposits.”

Project lead Trygve Höy said: "New perspectives and technologies for exploration and mining typically bring new attention to these significant, historical mining camps. This map provides data and information to make informed decisions about many opportunities that exist in the region.”

The compilation combines new field mapping conducted by Trygve Höy over several years with rock dating by researchers at the University of British Columbia and previous mapping by the BC and Canadian Geological Surveys to untangle the complex relationships between rock types and when mineral deposits were formed in the project area.

All data and maps from the new research are publicly available, with the aim of encouraging exploration, economic activity and informed land use decisions. The compilation brings together a series of mapping projects in the area funded by Geoscience BC and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR).

This has included:

Greenwood map sheet NTS 082E/02
Almond Mountain Map Sheet NTS 082E/07
Christian Valley map sheet NTS 082E/10
Deer Park Map Sheet NTS 082E/08
Burrell Creek map sheet NTS 082E/09
Grand Forks Map Sheet NTS 082E/01 (funded by MEMPR)

Accessing Information

To view reports and maps for this project, visit the project page on our website or use the Geoscience BC’s Earth Science Viewer online mapping application.

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.