COAL IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1912, Page 2

COAL IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

GREAT ANTHRACITE DEPOSIT

There is reason (to believ that one of the grea&est deposits of anthracite coal in the world exists in the northern part of this province (recently stated the Vancouver correspo/nident of the Standard of Empire). The. presence of such coal measures has long been known, and the economic importance of the field is now believed to be established "Ground Hog" is the popular name of 'the district, which is now reached by a trail of two hundred miles from Hazelton, on the Grand Trunk Pacific, or from the coast at the mouth of the Naas. or Stikine. Rivers;

Mr. Campbell .Johnstone, a wellknown mining eng-ineer has spent the s'umWr im this coalfield, actling for one of several companies whicli have interests in that region. From his reports it appears that the coal region extends over an area of seventy miles b\; thirty, and contains many seams which may tbe easily worked. Tests of coal show 80 to Sp per cent:, carbon, with very little msh. . The coal is marketable, and is characterised as anthracite eqxial to the Wclsli product. '

What seems to have impressed the explorers is the immense quantity of coal in sight and available, and the freedom from geological conditions interfering with the working of*, the mines. It is stated that the produce 'of this field may be delivered at tide water at the mouth of the Naas River or the Nesago Gulf, by the construction of a line of railway down to the valley for a distance of about 150 miles. ,

One . compapny composed largely of Montreal and Quebec capitalists, propose the establishment of sucji a line, with an extensive (barge service on the Pacific. Another means of pproach Will be the Mackenzie £-nd Mann line to Stewart), 'wha en*. no doubti the Grand Tiru^c Pacific will run a branch to connect, with the Transcontinental tat Hazelton or some neigh bouring point. ' -