Minister announces the awarding of grants to Newfoundland prospectors

June 26, 1998
(Mines and Energy)

Charles Furey, Minister of Mines and Energy, is pleased to announce the awarding of 45 prospectors grants by his department's Prospectors Assistance Program.

Two hundred and ninety-two projects, involving a wide variety of prospecting targets, will have been funded during 1990 through 1998. Approximately 15 per cent of these projects involved significant discoveries that resulted in option agreements and joint ventures with junior and major mineral exploration companies. Approximately $4.5 million has been spent by the private sector exploring these properties.

"The $100,000 funding for this year's prospectors grants represents a 30 per cent increase over last year," says Furey. "Because of the success of this program, funding for prospectors' grants has been increased for this field season. Although the mineral resource sector is experiencing some cyclical economic difficulties, it is important to continue the high-risk search for mineral commodities as a basis for continued mineral development. The quality and effectiveness of local prospectors is steadily improving, due in part to our Prospectors Training Course which is delivered by the College of the North Atlantic at their Bay St. George Campus." Twenty-six of this year's grant recipients have completed this course.

Furey added: "These grants are an excellent example of how limited public funds can be used effectively to stimulate mining activity for economic growth and jobs in Newfoundland."

The grants are provided to eligible, resident prospectors involved in independent mineral exploration activity anywhere in Newfoundland and Labrador. Approved projects on Crown land or the proponents' registered claims are supported by grants up to $4,000 for eligible prospecting expenses. Additional assistance of $1,000 for projects involving credible, newly discovered prospects may also be available.

Contact: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-4890.

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Following are the names of the grant recipients

Wilbert Bailey Shoal Harbour, NF	Thomas Gosine Mount Pearl, NF	Brian Kent Bell Island, NF	Calvin Miles Mount Pearl, NF	Donald Rice Hampden, NF
George Burridge New Perlican, NF	Stephen Greene Fogo, NF	George Lannon Placentia, NF	Darren Moore Pasadena, NF	Larry Rogers Dover, NF
Lai Lai Chan Mount Pearl, NF	Larry Hicks Steady Brook, NF	Gary Lewis Grand Falls-Windsor, NF	Leonard Muise Stephenville, NF	Peter Rogers Labrador City, NF
Patrick Connors Labrador City, NF	Todd Holloway Labrador City, NF	Thomas Lush St. John's, NF	Edwin Northcott Ramea, NF	Alexander Stares Benton, NF
Paul Crocker Cape Broyle, NF	Gerald Hull Paradise, NF	Gilbert Lushman Ramea, NF	Hayward Pardy Corner Brook, NF	Albert Stone Marystown, NF
James Day Burin, NF	Cyril Jenkins St. John's, NF	Harold Mahar Bird Cove	Ashley Phillips Cape St. George, NF	Alex Turpin Mount Pearl, NF
Herb Froude St. John's, NF	Arthur Kaplan Mount Pearl, NF	Owen Marsden Burgeo, NF	Keith Poole St. Lewis, Labrador	David Turpin Corner Brook, NF
Timothy Froude St. John's, NF	Allan Keats Benton, NF	Augustus Melbourne Burgeo, NF	Larry Quinlan Birchy Bay, NF	Denis F. Walsh Paradise, NF
Troy Gordon Deer Lake, NF	Daniel Kelly Marystown, NF	Jamie Meyer Pasadena, NF	Jeffrey Ralph St. John's, NF	Joseph Walsh Marystown, NF

1998 06 26 4:15 p.m.

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