Resource World Magazine

40 www.resourceworld.com a p r i l / m a y 2 0 1 5 bOOk r e v i e w s THE NISSElINkA ClAIMS Mineral exploration saga an informative and fun read by Ellsworth Dickson There are many historical accounts of mineral discoveries in Canada but not many nov- els detailing the adventures of three generations of a family of explorers. Some may argue why bother with a novel when accurate historical accounts are available. The answer can be found by reading other novels covering several generations of a family. For example, the novels of James A. Michener or Wilbur Smith bring dry historical facts to life and provide the reader with the human aspect along with their feelings and perceptions of a particular time and place. Such is the case Robert Longe's new novel entitled The Nisselinka Claims that follows the travails of prospector Edward Wickford and his descendants beginning in the 1880s and his exploration of crown granted mineral claims near Hazelton, British Columbia. Although fictional, some interesting maps are also included. Having been in and associ- ated with the mining industry for many years as a mining reporter, it was interesting to get "into the bush and boardrooms" of the highly competitive, rough and ready, junior exploration sector as described in Longe's book. For readers not familiar with this sector of the mining industry, it will be an eye- opener, especially the parts on how promoters operating in the twilight zone of ethics can manipulate stock prices. Longe describes the achievements and heartbreaks of the Wickford family through the years up to modern times in a compelling, readable style. I can't say for sure, but I think I recognized aspects of some of the characters in people I have known or met. While this will be entertaining for those in the junior mining industry, it should also be an informative book for those not engaged in mineral exploration. The Nisselinka Claims is expected to be available for ordering on-line from FriesenPress (http://www. friesenpress.com/bookstore) the last week of March, or on-line from Amazon and most major book stores about two weeks later. The Silver Manifesto The Silver Manifesto by precious metals analyst David Morgan is a just-off-the-press comprehensive textbook covering all aspects of the world of silver. Morgan is a well known precious metals consultant and a popular speaker at investment conferences around North America. His book starts by reviewing the historic role silver has played as money for the past 5,000 years and why it will become more important and more valuable in the future, noting that silver has both monetary and industrial uses. Morgan makes it clear that he is no fan of how past and present governments have failed their citizens with inad- equate monetary policies – which is why he places more faith in precious metals. For investors in mining stocks and precious metals, there is a ton of interesting infor- mation on supply and demand side dynamics, price suppression in the silver and gold markets and how to build a precious metals portfolio. There is also excellent informa- tion on analyzing mining stocks. For those interested in profiting from silver-related investments, Morgan's book is required reading. The book can be ordered online for about US $30 from www.TheSilverManifesto.com n golDcorp coMplEtEs probE MiNEs acquisitioN Goldcorp Inc. [G-TSX; GG-NYSE] has completed the previously announced acquisition of Probe Mines Ltd. Probe's main asset is the 100%-owned Borden gold project near Chapleau, northern Ontario. The Borden Project, about 160 km west of Goldcorp's Porcupine Mine, hosts underground constrained indi- cated resources of 1.6 million ounces of gold (9.3Mt grading 5.39g/t) and inferred resources of 0.4 million ounces of gold (3Mt grading 4.37g/t) at a 2.5g/t gold cut-off grade. The deposit remains open down-plunge. The deposit is located within a large land package comprising 70 km of contiguous claims in a geologic setting not previously thought to host gold deposits. "The acquisition of Probe and the Borden gold project is consistent with Goldcorp's ongoing strategy of enhancing our portfolio by providing a new source of low-cost, high qual- ity gold production for our Porcupine Mine thereby leveraging the important investments we have already made in people, infrastructure and stakeholder partnerships," said Chuck Jeannes, Goldcorp President and CEO. "In addition, Borden is a new discovery that remains open, and is located in a very prospective new district. We look forward to immediately advancing exploration efforts in this area." Probe shareholders overwhelm- ingly voted in favour of the plan of arrangement under which they were issued 13,264,133 Goldcorp shares and 31,368,363 shares in Probe Metals Inc. [PRB-TSXV], a new exploration company containing Probe's mineral properties in the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario, as well as C $15 million in cash and certain other assets currently owned by Probe. Goldcorp now owns 6,177,846 Probe Metals shares, or 19.7% of the outstanding shares. n

• Cover