AWARD WINNING WINE Lt. Governor pays homage to Eau Vivre winery See page 3
BUS DEPOT CLOSING
SHAKESPEARE AT THE MILL
Greyhound needs a new outlet in Keremeos See page 4
“As You Like It” to perform at Grist Mill See page 17
E H T HIGHLIGHTED LABEL MEANS SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRED
www.keremeosreview.com
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Vol.15 Number 31
Serving the communities of Keremeos, Cawston, Okanagan Falls and Kaleden
Prospects SIMILKAMEEN Mining activity slow as national park controversy makes investors wary By Steve Arstad news@keremeosreview.com
T
$1.15 including HST
his past February, shortly after the province of B.C. announced their withdrawl of support for a national park in the South Okanagan-Similkameen, Silver Fields Resources Inc. (TSXV: SF) was granted a drilling permit for their mining property in the South Similkameen. Silver Fields controls the former Dankoe Mine property, located approximately 20 kilometres south of Keremeos, just off Highway 3. It was a hopeful sign for the mining industry in the Lower Similkameen, which has seen difficult times in the last decade due to uncertainty surrounding the prospect for a national park in the area. A number of local prospects are now receiving renewed interest, in an
area known historically for low tonnage, high grade deposits. Silver Fields exploration plans for 2012 include mechanized trenching and sampling as well as up to 2,000 metres of drilling as recommended by Mr. Peter Folk, P.Eng., the mine geologist of the former Dankoe-Utica Silver Mine, and Silver Fields’ project geologist. Cawston Mining Technologist Ron Schneider is the local agent for Silver Fields. He worked at the mine for five years between 1975 and 1980, using the earnings to pay for his farm. “At today’s prices, Dankoe Mine yielded 100 million dollars worth of ore in 25 years. It has provided industrial level jobs to more than 40 people,” Schneider said. He and Grant Crooker of Keremeos have spent close to four decades prospecting, staking and working local mining properties. Schnieder has played an active role in local mining continued on page 12
in the
F
rom the Sunday Summit on the Hope Princeton Highway to the lofty peak of Snowy Mountain, the Similkameen valley is laced with former and producing mines, prospects, quarries and semi-precious gemstone sites. The economy of the valley has been historicially tied to the mining industry, but over the years the importance of this industry has been diminished or downplayed due to market conditions and environmental concerns. Is the time right for the Similkameen to look at this industry more carefully? With the national park debate silenced, a struggling global economy and advancements in mining and exploration technology, are there business opportunities that could add prosperity - and perhaps present opportunities that could someday make the Similkameen a truly unique tourism brand? The Review has put together a four part series of articles that describes some innovative ideas - and projects that could provide numerous economic benefits to the Similkameen. Beginning with this issue, we look at the potential of the largest (former) mining operation in the Lower Similkameen, and a few of the local businessmen who are hoping to bring new life to an old industry.
Photo: Former Hedley Monarch property in Olalla