In the recent E-newsletter by the British Columbia Geological Survey, George J. Simandl released GeoFile 2011-10, providing background information regarding rare metals and rare earth elements in British Columbia. (see GeoFile 2011-10)
The map accompanying the GeoFile is 1:2 000 000 scale and shows the location and geological setting of 106 rare metal and rare earth element occurrences throughout the Rocky Mountain Rare Metal Belt.
Specialty / Rare Metals in British Columbia, Canada
The occurrences have been grouped into seven geological categories based on the association between mineralization and host rock or key lithological units. The seven are as follows:
- Carbonatite/syenite-related deposits
- Peralkaline/alkaline intrusion-related deposits
- Skarns
- Pegmatites/granite hosted
- Placers and paleoplacers
- Phosphate-hosted REE deposits
- Others
The two most advanced rare metal projects identified were the Aley Niobium Project of Taseko Mines, and the Blue River Tantalum & Niobium Project of Commerce Resources.
Other rare earth element occurrences such as those in the Wicheeda Lake area were also highlighted. (Companies actively exploring the Rocky Mountain Rare Metal Belt)
Carbonatite/syenite-related deposits appear to be the primary exploration targets for niobium and rare earth element exploration in British Columbia.
For more information:
Arctic Star Exploration provided 
Northcore Resources 
During September there was significant exploration for rare metals (tantalum and niobium) and rare earth elements in the Rocky Mountain Rare Metal Belt. The exploration ranged from new work programs to the announcement of a significant new mineral resource calculation. A summary of these are as follows:
Canadian International Minerals announced that mineralized carbonatite and related alkaline rocks were intercepted in significant widths during drilling at the company’s Carbo Rare Earth Element Property. The Carbo Rare Earth Project is located 80km northeast of Prince George,British Columbia, within the Wicheeda-Carbo carbonatite camp and is directly contiguous with Spectrum Mining Corp.’s Wicheeda Rare Earth Discovery. The area drilled is defined by distinct airborne magnetic and radiometric anomalies, coincident rare earth element and pathfinder soil geochemical anomalies, and newly mapped carbonatite surface exposures. Samples have been sent for assaying and the final results will be released when available.
Canadian International Minerals also announced that they have entered into an amending agreement with 
Critical Elements updated its exploration work program at their rare metal and rare earth elements properties within the Rocky Mountain Rare Metal Belt. An airborne survey was completed, and using preliminary Mag and radiometrics data, the company planned traverses for the Hiren, Trident, Kin and IRC properties. Critical Elements has also collected silt-stream samples for the Kin, Trident and Hiren properties.
Bolero Resources reported the commencement of drilling at their Carbonatite Syndicate Property. Drilling on the Carbonatite Syndicate will consist of approximately 2,000 meters and will target multiple coincident airborne radiometric and magnetic anomalies with anomalous rare earth and indicator element soil geochemistry identified through soil sampling in 2010. A 2011 airborne survey over the property is also now complete and the final interpretation of airborne data is expected to be available shortly.
International Montoro Resources retained Aeroquest International Limited to conduct multiple large-scale geophysical and radiometric airborne surveys over the highly prospective “Tacheeda NW” and “Chuchinka NW” prospects. The airborne surveys will assist in identifying and prioritizing drill targets for planned upcoming drill programs. The surveys will consist of approximately 1,400 line kilometers and will be flown at 50 meter line spacing.
Electric Metals is focused on defining priority drill targets on its Chuchinka Property. Geochemical sampling of soils and bedrock, together with ground-based geophysics in the form of precision magnetometer and scintillometer surveying are being applied to identify the most prospective rare earth element targets in preparation for drilling.
Arctic Star Exploration Corp. (TSXv: ADD)
Rare earths are used in cell phones, televisions, lighting, speakers, computers, lasers, and are also utilized for electricity generation and military applications. According to their various applications, demand for rare earth elements is different for each rare earth.
Some explorers have been active along the belt for several years, while others have recently joined this select group of companies. For example, Taseko Mines Ltd. (
This discovery prompted a staking rush in the region and over a dozen companies are currently conducting exploration programs. There was further encouragement when Canadian International Minerals (
Prospecting results at the Kin Property are very encouraging with four syenite boulder samples over a 700 x 700 metre area returning up to 5.26% TREO and 2.7% Nb2O5. Silt samples from the property are also exceedingly anomalous. Out of silt samples collected from this drainage, the single highest value of 2622 ppm TREE (Total Rare Earth Elements) was returned. The sum of the boulder and silt anomalies indicates excellent prospective regions up-hill and up-ice within underexplored areas proximal to the Trident Property, located 10 km to the northwest.
The Munroe Property is located near Canal Flats in British Columbia’s southeast corner and was acquired by the company in 2010. After reviewing historical data on the property, Critical Elements will be conducting ground prospecting and geological and geochemical surveys. This work will be completed during the summer of 2011 at which time the results will be analyzed. 
