Taseko Mines Ltd. says it's proceeding with an on-the-ground $20 million exploration program for its project Aley niobium rare-mineral project north of Mackenzie.
Niobium is used to make high strength, low alloy steels used green technologies, turbines, aerospace, automobiles, oil and gas, the company says.
"To date, all exploration activities have been through helicopter supported programs," company officials said in a press release.
"In order to advance this year's work and support future development, a road clearing contract has been awarded to a local First Nations construction firm and work has started on clearing a 12-kilometre route into the project area."
Goals are to further define the ore body, carry out environmental baseline studies, determine project feasibility and advance preliminary engineering and mine site planning.
The project is located about 20 kilometres northeast of the western arm of Williston Lake, about 370 kilometres north of Prince George.
The metal sells for about $30 per kilogram and world consumption is about 90 million kilograms and rising by five to seven per cent a year. The world market is dominated by three suppliers: two Brazilian mines and Iamgold in Quebec.
