Funding announced to expand Buchans Core Library Facility

Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews is pleased to announce $390,000 in this year�s budget for the expansion of the Buchans Core Library Facility.

The Department of Mines and Energy operates six core library facilities across the province which contain core samples from various geological areas obtained from all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Minister Matthews said that the expansion of the Buchans Core Library Facility will ensure that more valuable core samples will be available and preserved for public use.

"There are currently thousands of core samples that are left outdoors to be affected by the elements," said Minister Matthews. "This expansion will ensure that previous exploratory work will not be discarded or destroyed."

The province�s core libraries are used primarily by mineral exploration companies, geologists and prospectors who want to analyze previous core samples taken from a specific property. The results gained from this activity are often used to generate new exploration activity.

Minister Matthews stated that drill core samples are very expensive to obtain by normal drilling projects. Government receives samples which individuals or mining companies no longer have an interest in maintaining, and makes these samples available to the general public for their viewing or research.

"New technologies and mining theories are encouraging the re-evaluation of past core samples," said Minister Matthews. "The Duck Pond property is one example where a previous core sample was analyzed and subsequently led to the discovery of the Duck Pond ore body."

The minister said that central Newfoundland is currently a hotbed of exploration activity and providing previous core samples will help companies with their exploratory work.

The minister noted that industry, local development associations and the local MHA, Minister Anna Thistle, were strong supporters of expanding the Buchans core library.

Media contact: Gary Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4890.

2001 03 22          4:30 p.m.