An Overview of the Lynn Lake Greenstone Belt.
The community of Lynn Lake was carved out of the Northern Manitoba wilderness to serve a mine. The community is comprised of homes that were transported from Sherridon, MB to Lynn Lake on sleighs that were pulled by Caterpiller tractors and Linn Tractors. When the move was completed in 1953, a total of 208 buildings were relocated to Lynn Lake, including a bank, a post office, a school, two churches, more than 150 homes, a crushing plant, a milling and concentrating plant, a headframe, warehouse; more than 40,000 tons in total were moved. The Lynn Lake Mining Town Museum documents the move with artifacts, a display of an actual Linn tractor used during the move along with a home on a sleigh, and many others items of historical significance.
The Lynn Lake/Greenstone Belt at the moment does not have an operating mine nor is there one in northwestern Manitoba. Consequently, the local and regional economy is hurting. For reasons such as the exodus of residents leaving a community for employment reasons, and to the degree that a mine supports a community (i.e. water, electricity, recreational facilities), a mine closure can devastate a community. In Lynn Lake, sustainable economic development and business retention and expansion efforts are on-going as are community redevelopment efforts. Tourism with a focus on the regions world class fishing and hunting endowments, and non-timber forest products each offer viable options for sustainable development. Still, few persons can argue against the economic benefits of having an operating mine in a small, remote northern community, originally built to serve a mine.
Lynn Lake serves as the regional service centre for northwestern Manitoba. A local R.C.M.P. detachment provides law enforcement to Lynn Lake and to outlying communities, and the Lynn Lake Hospital and the West Lynn Heights School (kindergarten to grade 12) also provide services. Furthermore, a 5,000 foot paved runway with fueling facilities, daily bus service to Thompson and a collection of small businesses provide goods and services to Lynn Lake and region. Lynn Lake’s current population is estimated at 800 residents with the population rising during the summer from tourists. Many of the remaining residents have previous direct or indirect experience related to the mining industry. For more information on the community, including viewing a community profile, visit www.lynnlake.ca
The “A” mine, the “El” mine and the “Farley” mine are evidence of the mineral riches in the Lynn Lake Greenstone Belt. In 1964, the ore body at the “El” mine had been exhausted and the mine shut down. Production of the “A” mine was completed in 1969 and the salvaging was finished in 1972. After twenty years of mining, “Farley” was shut down. These mines prospered during their time and were responsible for driving the growth of Lynn Lake (SOURCE: Enriching Earth’s Riches. Sherritt Gordon Mines, 1969). In the early 1970's, the population had reached to 3,500 and a community evolved to serve the needs of the population (i.e. school, hospital, airport, etc.).
Paul Pawliw, Blackhawk’s local Site Manager, geophysicist, and long-time resident of Lynn Lake, states that in addition to the nickel-copper production which commenced in 1953 and ended in 1976, the Fox copper-zinc mine operated 1970 – 1986; and the gold mines of MacLellan from 1986 to 1989, BT from 1993 to 1996 and the Farley Lake from 1996 to 1999, there are perhaps an additional further dozen sub-economic but significant base metal and a half dozen gold deposits (including the residual potential I the vicinity of the three previous gold producers) and a variety of lesser occurrences.
The Future of Lynn Lake’s Greenstone Belt is Promising
Along with the some 65 kilometer length of the favorable North Belt, there is a roughly 100 kilometer length of promising area in the South Belt along the Johnson Shear. “The BT Mine is not likely to be the largest deposit to be found along this feature”, say Paul Pawliw (SOURCE: Interview between Paul Pawliw and Mark Matiasek on August 22nd, 2004). Furthermore, he is of the opinion that the MacLellan Mine located very close to Lynn Lake could possibly be brought back into operation some time in the near future following de-watering, re-electrification and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits. More drilling would be required to expand the existing ore reserve and to assess the mineralization to greater depth. Although the remaining unmined 15 million tons of 0.60% nickel and 0.31% copper from the earlier Sherritt Gordon operation is likely not currently economic utilizing conventional mining practices, it nevertheless represents metal in the ground waiting for development.
Moreover, a gold property such as the Lasthope deposit owned by Peter Dunlop and located just 20 kilometers from Lynn Lake could become economic if a period of favorable precious metal prices develops. Drill results indicated proven, probable and possible mineable reserves of 888,000 tons grading 0.303 ounces per ton cut and undiluted to 1,600 feet. Potential of the deposit is estimated at more than 2,200,000 tons to a depth of 3,000 feet.
Prices for precious metals, such as gold, copper, nickel and diamonds have steadily increased, and investments in exploration have followed suit. “Junior explorers are having an easier time raising capital in the marketplace and we’re seeing that play out here in Manitoba too. In 2004, we’re expecting expenditures to be around $29 million, up from $25 million in 2003”, says Gary Ostry, Manager, Minerals Policy and Business Development for the Manitoba Industry, Economic Development and Mines (SOURCE: Canadian Commerce and Industry, June/July, 2004. p. 9.). Metal prices influence mining exploration and development investments, and Lynn Lake offers historical evidence, along with proven and probable reserves worthy of further investment and development. The time is now; consider the Lynn Lake Greenstone Belt in your next investment.
Dan McSweeney, superintendent of public and government affairs, INCO Limited in Thompson, Manitoba (located 311 kilometers south from Lynn Lake) acknowledges the ore body that operations were founded on is finite. INCO’s Thompson operations are cognizant of the need to find new sources of feed located close to Thompson in order to reduce expenses of using feed transported from great distances. McSweeny adds “In the meantime, we’re continuing to explore for new ore sources at Thompson, although no new ore bodies have been found to date.” (SOURCE: Canadian Commerce and Industry, June/July, 2004. p. 12.). Lynn Lake’s proven history of producing mines along with the potential for further developments positions Lynn Lake favorably.
The long history of operating mines in the Greenstone has created tailings areas. This year, a special committee has been formed that is composed of representatives of previous mining companies, the Town of Lynn Lake, the Marcel Colomb First Nation and the Province of Manitoba. Chaired by Dr. Christine Kaszycki, Assistant Deputy Minister, Mineral Resources Division of the Ministry of Industry, Economic Development and Mines in the Province of Manitoba, the committee strives toward integrating sustainable development into decision-making pertaining to the tailings. The committee believes that non-renewable natural resource development - mining and sustainability - can and do go hand-in-hand.
Previous differences between Blackhawk Mining and the Town of Lynn Lake have recently been resolved. Implications are such that it effectively opens the area more to even more exploration and development. Also, the construction of the new Reserve at Hughes Lake is progressing, as are Marcel Colomb First Nation TLE negotiations. Together, these two factors combine to create a conducive environment for mining exploration and development investments in the Lynn Lake/Greenstone Belt.
Rare Earth Metals Corporation (Symbol: REM) hold multiple interests in the Lynn Lake/Greenstone Belt. Altogether, REM holds five properties that together form the Lynn Lake Gabbros Nickel-Copper project. Lynn Lake in particular has much going for it from the exploration company's perspective. The area is prospective for an unusually wide variety of mineral deposit types from (Nickel - Copper - Gold to Specialty metals) which may be targeted. Further east we have the South Bay Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Platinum group project which is a new nickel discovery and one of the few outside of a known nickel belt such as the one at Thompson. A thirty minute drive east of Lynn Lake to Eden Lake, REM is actively exploring for Carbonatite Complexes, which are a distant geologic cousin to the kimberlite pipes that are hunted for diamonds. If successful, says John Roozendaal, President CEO & Director, Rare Earth Metals Corp., it may one day prove to be a new exploration belt for nickel hunters around the world.
Dr. Chris Beaumont-Smith of the Manitoba Geological Survey has spent multiple summers completing the fieldwork portion of his annual research agenda in the Lynn Lake/Greenstone Belt. Dr. Beaumont-Smith’s opinion of the Greenstone Belt is that it lacks thorough systematic exploration. After spending years of exploration in the Belt, that included reviewing data from previous exploration efforts, he believes the area remains grossly under explored in light of the favorable crustal architecture. As Dr. Beaumont-Smith questions, “What else is out there?” (SOURCE: Person-to-person interview between Mark Matiasek and Dr. Beaumont-Smith on August 18th, 2004).