INNOVATION Mar-Apr 2020

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and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia , all mines— even really old mine sites—must be put back to as close to their original state as possible as soon as they close. That is socially, environmentally, responsible, but at the same time, it means that mining history is just gone. Younger generations won’t know or understand why mines were created, or even where they were, and how much they continue to contribute to the life they live today.” Below BC’s new Digital Geology, Mining and Heritage Museum documents specimens that might otherwise be lost over time, or may be seen only by a few local rock hounds, and makes them available to anyone with internet access. “The specimens can then be used,” says Jacob, “not only by elementary school kids but also for exploration. They can be re-examined and maybe some older prospector like me might find something interesting and decide to explore the spot again.” F rom top : Crystal Lake Mining’s Newmont Lake Project The fossil of a trilobite, part of a group of extinct marine arachnomorph arthropods. Trilobites flourished in what are now the Fort Steele and the Bull River Areas of BC, and represent some of the earliest Cambrian life in Canada—about 513 million years old. This fossil is located at the Cranbrook History Centre. Allegra Whistler, P.Geo., on a Below BC roadtrip.

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