Prospecting in British Columbia

The British Columbia has a program in which grubstakes can be done up to a maximum amount of $500 that are to be used for food, clothing, shelter, along with an allowance for travel. This is put at the disposal of a few qualified prospectors that agree to prospect in British Columbia in areas that are thought of as favorable areas according to the long range arrangement for the expansion of the Province. There is a restricted amount of experienced prospectors that will be granted a minimum amount of $300 for traveling costs where prospecting is done in remote areas where air transportation is necessary. There is a list of certain items that are not considered legitimate charges against the grant and that need to be provided by the person applying; these items include guns, fishing gear, boats, and outboard motors. The ones that can be considered are necessities for horse and pack saddles though. The grant is normally provided for in two payments by the British Columbia Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources, Victoria, B.C. The first payment is made at the beginning of the season and the second is made after a report has been provided to the field supervisor or when the prospector has carried out sixty days of prospecting. Those interested need to send their applications by the 30 of April. If the applicant has been grubstaked before and is competent he will be able to have access to the program, those that have not though will be require to take a test of their abilities to identifying specimens of rocks and minerals that are normally found in the area. This person will need to be British and should be between the ages of eighteen and seventy years and will need to be a resident of the British Columbia throughout the year previous to the date of application. This person will also need to have bush experience and should be physically and mentally fit. This person will need to be a legitimate prospector with a Free Miner’s Certificate that is up to date.