Three new establishments this summer – mining is hot
Written augusti 17th, 2010 by inger
We at VIA are proud to announce that during the summer 0f 2010 Västerbotten has had three new establishments from foreign companies. Two of these are green investments and one is an acquisition of a local company by a larger international company. We, and all of Västerbotten, welcome these new investments and we are positive that all of these three will prosper and grow as they all bring something new to the market.
One of them is a South African gold exploration company, Horizon Blue;
- From my first visit to the heartland of gold mining in Europe in October 2009, it is obvious to me that Sweden contains some of the most attractive and prospective unexplored geology with the huge potential for discovery of new precious and base metal deposits, says Chris McKnight, CEO and founder of exploration company Horizon Blue.
In the early winter of 2010 McKnight applied for exploration permits over 2,770ha of prospective geology associated with the 1.75Ga Gallejaur volcanic structure in Västerbotten Province, northern Sweden. The permits are known as Petträsket 1 to 4, and the first 900ha permit was recently awarded.
Horizon Blue was registered in Sweden June 1st with the business objective of tapping into the vast unexplored potential in north Sweden. Horizon Blue will initially focus on the Skellefteå Belt and Arvidsjaur volcanic provinces that stretch out to the North West.
Chris McKnight is a highly qualified entrepreneurial geologist from South Africa with vast experience from numerous successful precious metal exploration projects managed by his Johannesburg-based Horizon Blue Resources Company.
- Exploration methodology is based on the unique ability to see the significance and new eyes bring a new interpretation. We are driven by a passion for new discoveries, and a focused dedication. Our goal is that Horizon Blue will grow into a significant gold exploration company, McKnight said.
- We must find the big deposits in this investor-friendly, vastly under-explored region, which will help to build on the existing mining potential of northern Sweden, McKnight continues as he reflects upon his new quest.
The permit area lies within the heart of the Skellefteå Gold Belt some 30km east of Malå and 80km inland from Skellefteå in the northern part of Västerbotten. This easily accessible exploration area is surrounded by well-known past and present base metal mines such as Holmtjärn, Rakkejaur, Näsliden and Maurliden. All these deposits have consisted of near vertical volcanogenic base metal sulphide deposits with a variable gold and silver content. The Holmtjärn mine, owned by Boliden, was particularly gold rich.
We at Västerbotten Investment Agency are of course more than happy to assist all of our new investors and wish them all a warm welcome to Västerbotten!
