Ontario releases treasure maps

There is buried treasure in Ontario and the provincial government is determined to help companies find it.

The Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) has released 115 new map sheets from seven airborne geophysical surveys conducted across the province’s northern region.

Twelve revised maps from eight surveys originally made public more than a year ago are also available.

Among the things released are copies of a 1:50,000 scale hard-copy map from four airborne geophysical surveys flown in the Cochrane, Matheson, Kirkland Lake and Temagami areas, as well as three proprietary airborne geophysical surveys of the Albany River-James Bay, Geco-Manitouwadge and Hemlo regions. Revised airborne geophysical maps cover the areas of Amyot-Browning, Cobalt, Docker, Gowan-Evelyn, Gitche Lake, Kakagi Lake, Temagami South and Temiskaming.

In addition, the public may purchase digital data on CD-ROM for Albany River-James Bay, Geco-Manitouwadge and Hemlo.

“These products will help prospectors identify new mineral targets, which could lead to the creation of new mines and jobs in the north and throughout Ontario,” says Energy and Mines Minister Dan Newman.

The maps and data are part of Operation Treasure Hunt, a 3-year program that uses geoscience techniques to pinpoint high-potential mineral areas. The initiative will also encourage long-term exploration.