Electra Gold
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Copper back on the scene?
By Teresa Bird
Gazette staff
Copper and other minerals may once again contribute to the North Island economy.
Electra Gold, a mining company operating at a new claim at Apple Bay on the north side of Holberg Inlet, is looking forward to a bright future.
"Things are going well on the whole picture," says company spokesman Doug Stelling.
After reaching an unprecedented agreement with the Quatsino Band, the company began mining chalky geyserite, a mineral used in making cement, in the latter half of last year.
Five barge loads were shipped from Port Hardy in 2003, a total of 26,500 tonnes of geyserite that generated just over a half-million dollars. Blushed with success, the company is hoping to move ahead with plans to entrench the geyserite operation while planning to expand to other minerals.
"It's a very positive time," said Stelling, who explains gold, copper and molybdenum are also present in the area. "Gold is the industry everyone sees so much, but it's smaller than copper. Copper prices are up and the Chinese are consuming copper in large amounts. Copper will drive things more than gold.
"And there is the sustainability of industrial minerals," Stelling continued in an interview from his Horseshoe Bay home. "Cement companies are bigger than the whole gold mining business put together, so it is very important."
So far, the company has operated on temporary permits, but a 25-year permit for Apple Bay is expected this month.
Right now, the operation, contracted by Rock Pro in Port Hardy, employs about five people, seven when they are drilling.
"We are very partial to working with local people and local contractors and our agreement with the Quatsino First Nation is clear on giving them a big part of the operations," Stelling stated. "In fact, there is a Quatsino representative on our board."
The mine produces about 10,000 tons of geyserite every three weeks for shipment to Ash Grove Cement in Seattle. Stelling said Electra Gold is working on a long-term agreement with Ash Grove, the largest cement manufacturer in North America.
Stelling said the geyserite operation will sustain the companies other mining interests in the area and provide a long-term economy.
Electra Gold has also signed a letter of intent to purchase 28 mineral claims, known as the Red Dog claims, in the same area.
Stelling said that while the company is excited about the future, the community is important to them.
"It's as important to build community as it is to build cash flow," said Stelling, adding Electra Gold is a member of Canadian Businesses for Social Responsibility. "This isn't just driven by cash flow, but by building the community for our children and grandchildren. Like they say amongst the First Nations, we need to look at seven generations."
It's also about taking care of the environment as well.
"We've got red leg frogs at Apple Bay. They are an important little creature," explained Stelling. "So we are working to protect the land, the trees, the frogs. It's something we're learning from the First Nations people. We can learn from them and they can learn from us."
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