The Bonanza Ledge gold mine received its Mines Act permit on December 5, 2011, and Barkerville Gold Mines received an amendment on July 13, 2012, to its Mines Act permit for the mill at the QR Mine to process ore from the new Bonanza Ledge facility.
The QR mill is located southeast of Quesnel in British Columbia and the mill is expected to provide 40 jobs over four years and will directly support mining jobs at the new Bonanza Ledge gold mine. Based on current reserves, up to 300,00 tonnes of ore will be processed at the mill once the facility is up and running.
The design of the Bonanza Ledge Mine is the culmination of geological exploration, engineering and environmental studies undertaken by the company in the Barkerville camp since the deposit was discovered in 2000. Construction of the Bonanza Ledge Mine began earlier this year.
The larger area of Quesnel and region has been hard hit by losses in forestry due to the mountain pine beetle epidemic, and will benefit from the QR mill continuing its operations.