Preparing potential prospectors

by Karina Hunter

Moses walks participants through submission of a staked claim.

Seventeen participants from Manitouwadge and area, many of which took time off work, attended a free, three day prospecting course this week at the Township of Manitouwadge council chambers; the course was presented by Peter Moses, First Nations Minerals Information Officer from the Ministry of Northern Development Mines and Forestry and hosted by the Township of Manitouwadge Economic Development Department. Participants of Basics of Prospecting and Claim Staking enjoyed hands on learning with such course tools as rock and mineral specimens, prospecting tools, maps, compasses and global positioning systems (GPS).  Having completed the course prospectors received a Certificate of Participation, and also kept the Rocks and Minerals Identification Handbook, Discover Prospecting Manual and Guide to Staking a Mining Claim manual which were used in conjunction with instruction and hands on mine claim staking practice during the course.  The township’s economic development department believed this would assist in preparing prospectors loaning the Beep Mat which the Manitouwadge EDC purchased in September of 2009, most participants intended to loan the beep mat, available to all Northshore residents for a minimal $1/week after deposit, within the next 6 months.

Rock and mineral samples available to students during the course.

Moses explained that in Ontario each year, prospecting generates approximately 650 million dollars in revenue; this includes associated expenses by prospectors such as the moneys spent by those attending the course in Manitouwadge this week.  The prospecting students, both new and experienced, overwhelmingly agreed that Moses’ instruction would serve them well in future explorations, claims staking and registration. While neighbouring communities of Marathon and Terrace Bay have expressed interest in hosting the Basics of Prospecting and Claim Staking workshop, the Manitouwadge EDC has 20 participants on a waiting list for the next class date though it has yet to be scheduled.  In addition to his other duties as First Nations Minerals Information Officer, Moses conducts more than a dozen prospecting courses per year throughout the province of Ontario.   

Front row left to right Grant Goodwin, Pat Dick, John Lavoie, Gary Moeyrs, Glen Curtis-St.Pierre, Ryan Harasym, Leonard Windover, Axton Tourout. back row left to right Pat Sullivan, Peter Moses, Ken Preston, Jen Curtis-St.Pierre, Dairen Hatchenson, Harold Griggs, Owen Belisle, Barney Beraskin.

Submitted to The Echo, the Marathon Mercury and the Chronicle Journal, 01.06.10