Northwest prospectors recognize the best people and players in their field

Lifetime achievements, mineral discoveries, and oncoming mine developments were recognized by the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association in Thunder Bay, April 3.

The annual gala took place during the three-day Ontario Prospectors Exploration Showcase held at the city’s Valhalla Inn.

Geologist Robert Chataway received the Dan Calvert Distinguished Service Award to acknowledge his exceptional service to the mineral exploration community. Chataway is a visible member of the region’s prospecting community known for his leadership and organizing ability with the Thunder Bay Mining Day Committee and the Geraldton Trade Show. He’s been a project geologist exploring for gold, uranium, lithium, platinum group metals, iron and other base metals across Canada for 48 years for a multitude of exploration outfits.

Gary Peacock, Bill Spade and Carmen Storey were all bestowed with the Dave Christianson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Peacock, a 1970 graduate of Cambrian College’s geological technician program, was instrumental in the discovery of the Selbaie zinc-copper mines in northern Quebec, and has been involved in diamond, gold and base metal exploration and processing in Australia, Quebec, and across Northern Ontario.

Sioux Lookout native and bush worker Bill Spade began doing seasonal work in the mineral sector in his teens before becoming a prospector, claimstaker, and owner of his own exploration services business. He’s looked for base metals across Canada and works in training First Nation communities who want to pursue mineral exploration in their traditional areas.

Carmen Storey worked as a provincial geologist for 32 years, including as the Red Lake District Geologist from 1992 to 2016 where he became a local pegmatite expert. He specializes in industrial minerals and building stone. He is a fixture in the Red Lake community participating in the local Lions Club and Santa Claus Parade.

The Bernie Schnieders Discovery of the Year Award is shared between Benton Resources and Traxxin Resources for the Bedivere Gold Project, 130 kilometres west of Thunder Bay. Staked in 2010, several samples dug out by the Traxxin exploration team showed signs of visible gold. Benton has since sunk more than $1 million in the project and drilled 21 holes. More work is planned for this year based upon recent drilling results.

Pure Gold Mining was lauded as Developer of the Year for its Madsen Gold Project near Red Lake. As one of the highest-grade, undeveloped gold projects in the world, the company acquired the former producing property from Claude Resources in 2014. A preliminary economic assessment indicated a 14-year mine life, producing 900,000 ounces of gold. The company is investing to recondition the underground ramp and upgrade the infrastructure. Pure Gold is leaning toward making a positive production decision by year’s end.