Editorial Geological maapping might be better

Geological mapping, a senior Canadian geologist said, is just like the weather. Everybody complains about it, but nobody does anything about it.

Happily, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada is doing something about it. The Association is distributing to its members a questionnaire on the status of geological mapping in Canada, and hopes to learn from the response whether the current level of geological map output by the various agencies in Canada is sufficient or not.

No question about the significance of the subject to the mining industry. Geological mapping is the single most important part of the data base used in exploration, and is particularly important, for instance, to the prospector. “We have the perception,” says the pdac “that mapping of this country is not being done at a rate that would be in keeping with the accelerated exploration activities of the past few years and the needs of the next several years. If we in Canada are to remain competitive in this time of low metal prices, we need to find a new generation of world class deposits that will sustain the mining industry and provide jobs when current orebodies run out.”

Two previous questionnaires of this type, early in the present decade, had indicated that the quality of mapping in Canada is acceptable, if not outstanding. This time around the pdac is trying to establish the situation regarding the quantitative aspects of the availability of geologic maps and of ongoing mapping programs.

We urge anyone who has received the questionnaire to be sure to complete and return it. Others interested could get a copy by calling or writing the Association, at Suite 1002, 74 Victoria Street, Toronto, M5C 2A5, phone (416) 362-1969.