There is still gold in Barkerville.
A mine site only two kilometres from the historic townsite passed another regulatory hurdle this week and is soon going to paint some modern luster on an old scene.
Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. got approval from the provincial government to mill the ore from the company's Bonanza Ledge deposit within easy walking distance of the storied Cariboo Gold Rush location.
"Next month marks the 150-year anniversary of Billy Barker's original gold strike and we are proud to be able to sustain that legacy going forward while positively supporting the local economy," said company CEO Frank Callaghan. "Bringing a mining property to production from its original discovery through to a permitted operation is an achievement that involves a partnership with government, First Nations, local stakeholders and the investment community."
The milling will happen at a different location than the digging. Bonanza Ledge ore will be trucked to the QR Mine near McLeese Lake, which is already owned by Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. It is about 110 kilometres away by road via Highway 26 and the 500 Forest Service Road through the Cariboo backcountry. No new road building is required.
"The larger area of Quesnel and region has been hard hit by losses in forestry due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, and will benefit from the QR mill continuing its operations," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines. "The QR mill will provide another 40 jobs for the Bonanza Ledge mining project in Barkerville and will carry on the gold mining legacy in the Cariboo region."
The Bonanza Ledge site will employ another 30 to 40 jobs. This deposit is expected to have a four-year life span. Based on current reserves, said the company, up to 300,000 tonnes of ore will be processed at the mill once the facility is up and running, yielding 70,000 ounces of gold.
