Geoscience BC launches a new project in the East Kootenays

Geoscience BC, in partnership with the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines, is pleased to announce the launch of the SEEK (Stimulating Exploration in the East Kootenays) Project. The goal of the SEEK Project is to increase economic activity related to mineral exploration by acquiring, compiling and adding value to public and private sector mineral exploration information.

"There are many indications of significant undiscovered potential and under-explored prospects in the East Kootenays," said Ross Stanfield, president of the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines. "The SEEK Project will help attract interest to our area and provide new information on mineral potential to support and increase exploration activity and investment and hopefully lead to new discoveries and developments in the region."

The East Kootenays have a long and successful history of mineral exploration and mining. One of the world's largest lead-zinc mines, the former Sullivan Mine, sustained the economy of Kimberley and the East Kootenay region for almost 100 years. The initial phase of the SEEK Project will capitalize on the region's rich exploration history, concentrating on compiling existing mineral prospect and exploration information with a particular focus on capturing knowledge from local prospectors and exploration geologists. This local knowledge represents invaluable information that is not yet in the public domain.

"The component of the SEEK Project to capture local exploration knowledge represents an innovative approach to increasing the mineral information database in the public geoscience record," said 'Lyn Anglin, president and CEO of Geoscience BC. "The wealth of information that resides in the local exploration community is an invaluable resource and we look forward to the results of the SEEK Project as a test case of this type of approach."

A major project goal is to attract new interest in East Kootenay exploration projects. To help accomplish this, project results will be highlighted and distributed with new marketing materials that target investors and active exploration companies. In addition, it is anticipated that this project will identify future geoscience and mineral exploration research projects that will further contribute to economic development in the region.

Dr. Russell Hartlaub, faculty member in the department of Mining and Mineral Exploration at BCIT, will manage all activities as project co-ordinator. He will be working closely with Geoscience BC staff and the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines to deliver this project. Geoscience BC's Minerals Technical Advisory Committee will provide technical oversight on the project. More details on specific project activities will be posted as they become available at www.geosciencebc.com.

For more information, please contact:

C.D. ('Lyn) Anglin
President & CEO
Geoscience BC
604-290-1194