Virtually the entire Sechelt Peninsula has been staked for mining claims using a new online system opened by the B.C. government in January.
The B.C. government's map of mineral tenure at www.mtonline.gov.bc.ca shows a solid blanket of mining claims covering the peninsula from downtown Sechelt north, most of them staked online by Pan Pacific Aggregates on Jan. 12.
Other claim-stakers include Global Industrial Services Inc., Mineral Hills Industries Ltd. and Garrett Ross Munroe, who filed their claims in early January as well. The claims are valid for one year.
In a press release April 20, Pan Pacific said its aggregate and industrial mineral holdings on the Sunshine Coast total about 52,000 acres.
"Pan Pacific is aiming to become the preferred supplier of high quality specialist and non-specialist construction minerals and performance minerals to customers throughout the Pacific Rim," said Don Nicholson, Pan Pacific's board chair and CEO, in the press release. "Our business focus is for long-term growth of this area based on sustainable development - we're here for many generations to come."
That news wasn't entirely welcome to the board of the Sunshine Coast Regional District. John Rees, regional director for Pender Harbour and Egmont, said he's waiting to hear more information about Pan Pacific's plans.
"My own personal home has been staked," said Rees, along with all other private property north of Sechelt. "At this stage, no one knows what to do about it. It's all rather mysterious. Personally, I tend to feel this is a stock promotion."
Rees said he learned of Pan Pacific's mining claims March 29 at the public hearing for Pender Harbour's official community plan. Pan Pacific geologist Richard Munroe told the hearing his company has no specific plans for the Pender area yet, but if they do uncover substantial mineral opportunities, there could be a rush by interested parties.
"They didn't state specifics. The indication was gold - precious metals," Rees said. "There's a small history of gold activity in this community."
At the SCRD's planning committee meeting April 14, regional directors voiced concerns about the potential for expanded mining on the Sunshine Coast.
"The word is out that there are a lot of mining applications," said Adrian Belshaw, director for Roberts Creek. He commented the potential impact of mining "goes far beyond what we've seen with logging, and that's bad enough."
John Marian, director for Halfmoon Bay, said, "We don't envision ourselves as a mining community. We envision ourselves as primarily a residential community with a lot of tourism interests."
However, under the Mines Act, the regional district and private landowners have limited power to restrict mining.
"It's quite amazing, the power of the Mines Act - the fact they can have mineral rights under a private home," said Rees.
