A helping hand for mining exploration
Like gold and silver, diamonds have held human fascination for centuries, their rarity adding to their allure and value. As for base metals like copper and zinc, world demand has been climbing steadily. Mining companies in the Nord-du-Québec region have been stepping up their digging operations throughout this territory dotted by glacial deposits. These deposits, the result of rock erosion caused by glaciers during the Quaternary Period, are invaluable to generating new targets for exploration.
New approaches to mining
The James Bay Joint Action Mining Committee, better known as the Table Jamésienne de concertation minière (TJCM), answered the growing industry need for expertise in Quaternary exploration with a new applied research centre, the Centre d’étude appliquée du Quaternaire ( CÉAQ).
Located in Chibougamau, this Centre builds knowledge on the quaternary deposits in the James Bay area and develops innovative new approaches to sampling and processing these deposits. The CÉAQ is thus able to provide specialized services to large mining companies and young startups directly in the regions where they are carrying out their operations. These activities generate considerable economic and social spinoffs for the region’s communities.
A precious partner
Since 2002, the CÉAQ has carried out annual knowledge-building projects in collaboration with various financial partners, such as the Cree Mineral Exploration Board, Société de développement de la Baie James and Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec, that have allowed it to play a strategic role in Nord-du-Québec’s growing mine exploration activities.
“Canada Economic Development has been there to fund the TJCM and CÉAQ in their efforts to forge partnerships and develop services for the mining industry. Its knowledge-building initiatives are already starting to have a positive impact on the staking out of new mining exploration sites.”
This work has enabled members of the TJCM and CÉAQ to identify a key need in the sector. “Since the upswing in mining activities began a few years ago, analysis laboratories have been faced with a growing backlog due mainly to the time it takes to prepare lab samples,” explained Mrs. Milord. “We therefore set up a full circuit for rock preparation in our facilities in Chibougamau. This has significantly cut the wait time for obtaining analysis results and has reduced the costs of transporting the samples. Companies that opt for this service care about investing in their host community because they know that their projects may take several years and that maintaining good community relations can help them achieve greater headway and easier integration.”
Canada Economic Development has been there to fund the TJCM and CÉAQ in their efforts to forge partnerships and develop services for the mining industry. The Centre, which currently employs between seven and 10 people, is proving to be an increasingly invaluable ally for the mining industry and its partners in the region. Its knowledge-building initiatives are already starting to have a positive impact on the staking out of new mining exploration sites.
