From the Stockhouse Forum:
The mystery of Darnley Bay
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
Paulatuk (Nov 29/99) - Why do Leon La Prairie and Hank Vuori care so deeply about what kind of rock lies under the ground near
Paulatuk "For me, it's just because I want to find out what the heck is causing the graviity anomaly," Vuori said. "I've got a lot of
patience. I've been waiting 40 years to find out and it looks like I'll be waiting at least one more," he said. "It's a good challenge. It's
a mystery," La Prairie said. La Prairie is president of Darnley Bay Resources, the Vancouver Stock Exchange-listed company
looking to develop the Darnley Bay anomaly, located in the Inuvialuit settlement area.He has 40 years of exploration experience in
Nunavut and the NWT. In 1955, Vuori, who today acts as an advisor to Darnley Bay, was the first to notice the "kink" on a magnetic
survey map of the Paulatuk area. He discovered the anomaly. The two prospectors were among 450 delegates at the annual
Geoscience Forum in Yellowknife last week. They spoke not only of Darnley Bay but also of their geological work across the Arctic
showing slides taken in the 1950s.As for just what is causing the largest magnetic anomaly in North America, Darnley Bay
Resources may have a better picture next year. It could be a nickel deposit similar to the Sudbury nickel basin, which supports
several resource-based activities, not just one mine. The Darnley Bay anomaly is larger than the Sudbury basin which is 10 times
bigger than Voisey Bay. Whatever it is, it's something big and heavy. The anomaly is also much closer to the surface than the
Sudbury nickel basin. In 2000, Darnley Bay Resources is planning a $12- million drilling program.
Falconbridge and another major mining company are interested in funding the two-year drill program. As for the evolution of the
project, Darnley Bay has not yet reached pre-feasibility. As well as a possible massive nickel deposit, Darnley Bay may also
contain copper and platinum group elements.
The company has also sent till samples away for diamond study.
One good drill hole will go a long way to determining the future of the project.
And if it turns out the way La Prairie and Vuori think it will, lookout Yellowknife, says La Prairie.
"They may just have to move the capital to Paulatuk." |
