Mining and Exploration
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Rainy Lake
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Importance
Although there are currently no mining operations in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, mineral exploration and future mine development will have economic benefits for the local area and all British Columbians. Therefore, the provincial government has confirmed mining as an accepted and encouraged activity in special resource management zones.
Mineral Resources
The M-KMA has a very diverse geology with a variety of mineral occurrences. In terms of mining resources in the M-KMA, the western North American lead-zinc belt extends throughout the region. Examples of economic potential include: lead, zinc, silver, barite, diamonds, niobium and lanthanum as well as gold, copper and tungsten.
To date, Driftpile Creek located in the Kechika area has been identified as having excellent potential with two defined zones containing significant combined lead-zinc sulphides.
The Churchill Copper Mine, which ceased operations prior to the establishment of the M-KMA is located within the M-KMA Muskwa Ranges in the Foreland Belt, in the Churchill Resource Management Zone. The site has been described as a region known for widespread vein-hosted copper in sedimentary rocks.
M-KMA Mining Practices
The regulatory agency that is responsible for mining in the M-KMA is Ministry of Energy and Mines. For an overview of mining tenures in the M-KMA, please review the 2004 mineral tenures map (1.2MB PDF download).
Mining activity within the M-KMA is subject to current provincial standards as well as to the requirements for special management zones outlined in the Land and Resource Management Plans. The Muskwa-Kechika Management Act and Management Plan do not have specifications for development of a local strategic plan for mining.
Information Resources
For more detailed information about mining in the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area, please visit the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Web Page.
General mineral and mining information can be found at:
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum resources
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