Interest renewed in the Matachewan area.

Interest renewed in the Matachewan area

Unprecedented numbers of prospectors have sought claims this year in the rugged bush of Robertson Township near Matachewan.

More than 120 mining claims have been filed and mining companies are assembling land deals, and some are cautiously optimistic about the future.

The area's future definitely looks "interesting," says Bill McGuinty, the exploration manager for Queenston Mining Inc.

Considered to be one of the more aggressive companies in the Kirkland Lake area, Queenston has resumed drilling on a massive deposit in Robertson Township. Known as the Ontario portion of the Blake River group of volcanics, this section of country still needs a lot of exploration, according to McGuinty.

Ontario has taken a back seat to Quebec in exploring this mineral structure. Mining companies in the Rouyn-Noranda and Cadillac areas of northwestern Quebec have successfully worked their part of the region for more than 50 years.

Although minerals were discovered in the Matachewan area early in this century, geological mapping has not been treated in a systematic manner, says McGuinty.

"There has been some work done by the government, but not much has been published," he adds.

But Queenston is not waiting for any government geological maps to be published. It has gone ahead with drilling in the area and has turned up some significant samples.

Drilling has reached 10,000 feet to date. Earlier this year one hole yielded 5.17 per cent zinc and .93 per cent copper over 14 feet at a depth of 605 feet. a second hole produced 1.45 per cent copper and .47 per cent zinc over 30.9 feet at a depth of 552 feet.

The positive results convinced Queenston's management to earmark $500,000 for exploration this year, and more funding is possible.

"The Ontario Mineral Incentive Program (OMIP) allows us to invest more than $500,000 for exploration," McGuinty says.

The Robertson Township site falls within an area which qualifies it for 50-per-cent funding ($250,000) for exploration from OMIP.

Queenston maximizes its potential for exploration work by entering joint agreements with other mining companies such as Lac Minerals, Battle Mountain, Noranda and Inco in Ontario and American Barrick Resources in Val d'or, Que.

Queenston president Hugh Harbinson says the company's strategy has been successful. For example, a deal with Battle Mountain of Houston, Texas concerning a parcel in the Kirkland Lake area paid Queenston $1.1 million in cash over a period of several years.

Royalties from Lac's Macassa Mine generated $250,000 in revenue last year.

PHOTO : Queenston Mining Inc. exploration manager Bill McGuinty points out the company's mineral deposits in the Kirkland Lake area.