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Robin Luke Webster is the Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Community Relations, Goldeye Explorations Limited
In 1986, a former Inco Geophysicist, Blaine Webster, founded a private company to stake mineral exploration claims near Sandy Lake, 225km north of Red Lake, Ontario. At the time, he could hardly have imagined that it would take nearly 30 years to launch a comprehensive exploration and drilling program on the property. In the ensuing years, the company, Goldeye Explorations Limited, obtained a public listing, explored a number of other mineral properties, and made an exciting discovery at its Tyrrell project near Shining Tree, Ontario.
While Goldeye carried out limited exploration after initially staking its claims at Sandy Lake, the project was put on indefinite hold soon after due to opposition from nearby Sandy Lake First Nation (SLFN). Knowing the significant mineral potential of the Sandy Lake area, however, and the benefits that a discovery could bring for both Goldeye shareholders and the local community, Blaine maintained Goldeye’s interest in the claims and focused on building a positive and mutually beneficial relationship with the members of SLFN. When Goldeye sold the Tyrrell project to Temex Resources Corp. in 2012, its focus returned to Sandy Lake.
Guided by Ontario’s new mining act, Goldeye ramped up its ongoing efforts to advance the project and in 2013, after a process of extensive consultations and discussions, SLFN agreed to the terms of a comprehensive Exploration Agreement that made it possible for the long envisioned work program to commence. At the suggestion of a community member – and highlighting a new phase in the relationship – the project was renamed Weebigee (pronounced WEE-be-GEE), the Oji-Cree word for Goldeye, a fish that is abundant in the lakes and rivers near Sandy Lake.
By early 2014 work was well underway and as drill results rolled in it became obvious that the wait had been worthwhile. In February and March of 2014 Goldeye completed 2,219 metres of drilling. Twenty-three holes were drilled in the Northwest Arm area with drill results confirming the presence of significant gold mineralization at the Knoll, Bernadette and RvG4 Zones. Highlights included: 12.86 g/t Au over 6.85 metres core length in hole BK-14-03 (Bernadette), 12.45 g/t Au over 3.5 metres core length in hole BK-14-05 (Knoll), and 23.15 g/t Au over 3.97 metres core length in hole BK-14-18 (RvG4). Visible gold was noted in 50% of the drill holes.
“To achieve these results on a first drill program is almost unheard of,” commented Blaine, who is President and CEO of Goldeye and also serves on the company’s Board of Directors. “The Knoll Zone has been drilled over 100 metres strike length and remains open in both directions and to depth. Results at Knoll, Bernadette and RvG4 are all compelling and show that the grade and widths of the original gold showings improve at depth and along strike, with widths of mineralized alteration haloes increasing as well.
All three zones are within 500 metres of each other, indicating that the three zones are likely part of one large gold-bearing hydrothermal system. The results also highlight the potential of the larger Sandy Lake Greenstone Belt which to date remains largely unexplored using modern methods. Most importantly, however, we have built a tremendous relationship with Sandy Lake First Nation and have been able to work together, at this earliest of exploration stages, in a manner which is responsible, sustainable, and benefits all parties involved.”
Close collaboration between Goldeye and SLFN has been an important part of Goldeye’s strategy to move the project forward. Goldeye has put significant effort into working proactively with SLFN by engaging in comprehensive consultation activities and information sharing, attending local community events, and training and hiring local workers. It is, however, a two-way street, and SLFN has also served as a tremendous asset for Goldeye. Sandy Lake has a population of approximately 3,000, and the availability of workers close to the project and with local knowledge is a significant plus.
Additionally, infrastructure at Sandy Lake is excellent for a remote community. Sandy Lake has an airport with daily direct flights to Winnipeg, Red Lake and Sioux Lookout and a winter road connection to Red Lake. All weather access roads are located within one kilometre of the Knoll, Bernadette and RvG4 areas. Accommodations for project personnel are available at a motel in town and equipment and supplies can often be sourced within the community. While still at the early exploration stage, Weebigee holds the potential to create significant opportunities for local economic development.
The next steps for Goldeye at Weebigee include an expanded exploration program in the Northwest Arm claim block where Knoll, Bernadette and RvG4 are located. Prospecting, including stripping and channel sampling, is planned for a number of new targets in the Northwest Arm and Goldeye is preparing a fall drill program focused on expanding the zone at Knoll. All work is aimed at preparing for a significantly larger drill program to commence in early 2015.
Commented Blaine, “As the resources sector has struggled in the past couple of years, companies have cut back drastically on exploration. With few exciting new projects in the majors’ pipelines we feel that Goldeye is well placed to attract significant interest as the company adds additional metres of drilling at Weebigee.
Goldeye has put tremendous effort into laying the groundwork for this project’s future success, and while obtaining financing for early exploration is incredibly difficult in the current market, we are confident that we will be able to carry out our planned activities. We believe that additional drilling in the Northwest Arm will reveal a significant gold discovery, and if we are successful the benefits for the company’s shareholders, the people of Sandy Lake First Nation, and the mining hub of Red Lake, will be tremendous. Weebigee is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”