Caleb Nickerson
WALTHAM Sept. 15, 2017
Several local prospectors are hoping that their claim north of Waltham will prove large enough to attract a company to extract it.
Situated near the Black River off of chemin Rochon, the site boasts an unusually large type of “jumbo flake” graphite, which the team members were eager to show off to several media representatives on Sept. 15. The prospectors have done work on several other claims in the area but discovered a high-grade zone in 2016 using electromagnetic surveying equipment, known as a Beep-Mat.

After a short jaunt up a steep and rough trail through the woods, the group stopped at a trench that had been dug out of the forest floor, revealing soil that glittered brilliantly. The vein is estimated to be around one kilometre long and roughly 400 m wide.
Jean Philippe of Luskville, who served as the main guide for the trip explained that the group had also conducted resistivity testing of the site and they were hopeful it would be large enough and high enough quality to attract a larger mining company to set up shop.
He explained that a geologist that had inspected the claim was enthusiastic about the quality of their graphite, though he advised the group to hold off on any further exploration of the site such as drilling until a commercial mining outfit was brought on board. As it stands, the group has spent around $70,000 on what’s known as the Sempels Mining Project, named in honour of a member that passed away.
“It’s the mother lode for graphite right here,” Philippe said. “There’s valuable stuff here, we just need to make sure it’s deep enough.”
He added that while they had gotten some interest from the companies they showed samples to, actual follow-through has yet to happen. He said that site should be attractive compared to other deposits due to its relative proximity to the highway as well as ports along the St. Lawrence River.