October 10, 2024 – In a town hall hosted by Barrick Gold Corporation, a major player in the global gold and copper mining industry, local residents and stakeholders gathered to learn more about the recent developments in Southwest Idaho’s mining landscape.
The event featured Chris Paul, CEO and Director of Hercules Metals Corp., who reintroduced himself to the crowd and highlighted the company’s expanding partnership with Barrick Gold. Hercules Metals has already made waves in the region, with previous town halls covered by local media outlet Living In The News. (https://youtu.be/N7jZBxQ9zPg, https://youtu.be/LHklCtuoo8k & https://youtu.be/oL8Sl9-Ndhk)
In this latest meeting, Paul spoke enthusiastically about the growing collaboration between Hercules and Barrick Gold, emphasizing the potential of the region’s rich mineral resources. The partnership is focused on the copper find by Hercules Metals while they were looking for silver in the area and has now caught the attention of one of the world’s largest mining companies. Barrick Gold’s Vice President of North American Discoveries, Kevin Creel, was on hand to discuss the joint venture and to clarify the competitive dynamic between the two companies. “We’re not just partners,” Creel remarked. “We’re also competitors”. Creel introduced his exploration team, including Gerry Griesel, Senior Exploration Geologist; Glenn Asch, Manager of North American General Exploration; and exploration geologists Joe and Carli Ghiorso, some of whom are supporting the dual ventures of Barrick and Hercules. The team was attracted to the area following the significant copper discovery by Hercules Metals.
This part of Idaho, including Washington County, has seen a surge of interest in its mineral potential since the Hercules discovery. Barrick Gold has staked approximately 5,000 claims on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, covering areas from Hornet Creek near Council to Rock Creek northwest of Weiser. The region is now considered a hotspot for mineral exploration, with over 6,000 claims staked in Washington County alone. However, Creel and Paul stressed that the process of turning these claims into viable mining operations is still in its early stages. “Discovery is just the beginning,” Creel noted, underscoring the years of work still ahead before any mining could potentially begin. Barrick Gold’s involvement in the region underscores the high interest in the potential copper deposits, but it also serves as a reminder of the slow and deliberate process required to bring these resources to market.
Both companies are committed to ensuring that their exploratory work is done responsibly and in collaboration with the local community. As the town hall concluded, residents left with a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, as well as the potential for economic growth that could come from successful discoveries in this promising region of Idaho.
