BC & Yukon Chamber Recognizes DRC Resources

Mining safety doesn’t begin as the cage descends, it begins with exploration. In recognition of an accident-free year, DRC Resources is the recipient of the Mines’ Exploration Safety Award for 2003 from the BC and Yukon Chamber of Mines. The award is presented to those companies engaged in mineral exploration in Western Canada that have one year and at least 800 hours of exploration activity without a lost workday accident. DRC had no lost day accidents for 24,800 hours of work, a commendable achievement.

According to the BC and Yukon Chamber’s Safety Report, the annual workforce in Western Canada currently averages an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 explorationists, of which the Chamber’s safety-related statistics probably represent 60 to 80%. Exploration spending in British Columbia and the Yukon increased from $40 million to $60 million between 2002 and 2003.

DRC Resources is currently conducting advanced exploration at the Afton copper-gold project 10 km west of Kamloops, B.C. The deposit reportedly has 68.7 million tonnes of measured and indicated resources grading 1.68% Cu equivalent or 2.61 g/t Au equivalent. The former Afton copper mine and other nearby deposits were run by Teck Cominco from 1978 to 1991. The site was the home of western Canada’s only copper smelter. DRC is also evaluating the nearby Ajax and Pothook properties.