Touquoy gold project given nod, coal attracts interest

摘要

In 2007, mineral exploration activity in Nova Scotia continued on the upward trend that started in 2003. Exploration expenditures for 2007 were just short of 10 million dollars, a significant increase from 2006. The total area under exploration licence in 2007 stood at 7,500 sq. km, with 46,327 claims under 1,198 licences. Diamond-drilling activity for 2007 remained strong with 28,000 metres in bedrock and more than 2,600 metre of percussion drilling. Gold exploration is always at the top of the commodity list in Nova Scotia, mostly owing to a legacy of 64 past-producing gold districts and several hundred known gold occurrences in the province. In 2006 and 2007, however, base metals and coal also attracted significant attention on the exploration and development scene. Industrial minerals are the mainstay of Nova Scotia mining, with numerous mines across the province. This sector has also seen significant exploration for commodities such as marble, quartz and silica sand, limestone and gypsum, as well as expansion of operations.