A mining company with Fox tungsten exploration programs going on northeast of 100 Mile House, which is employing local workers and contractors, is offering hope for yet more jobs in the community.
Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. president/CEO David Blann says it has been working on a seasonal basis for more than 10 years in the area around and east of the Boss Mountain Mine.
"While we are still exploring the Fox tungsten prospect, it has returned results that are consistent with and even better than most tungsten mines found elsewhere in the world, which has encouraged us to continue."
During its decade of work in the South Cariboo, Happy Creek has engaged numerous local people to work for them, he adds.
Blann notes Happy Creek provides direct employment/training opportunities, and has also hired a couple of Canim Lake Band members for its Fox project.
"...we have, on occasion, participated in job fairs that the band has asked us to participate in, and have provided them site access via helicopter to review our areas of work."
Happy Creek is registered as owning 100 per cent of the mineral rights, the president/CEO says, adding that might be comparable to how local forest companies own timber harvest rights.
"In general, I am pleased with the services provided by merchants in 100 Mile House, such as for fuel, propane, groceries, motels, helicopters (Sarvair Aviation), Kingsgate Excavating, Kal Tire, clothing, hardware, lumber, [transportation and so on]."
As the project advances and "de-risks" the mining company's investment, this could mean a greater level of opportunities for the community, he explains.
"I have reached out to the District of 100 Mile House Council to see if they would like me to meet with them to discuss what we are doing and planning to do."
Blann says Happy Creek does hire locally "as much as is feasible."
"If we are successful with this project, then the people and community will continue to see benefits."