Geologist Bob Jackson purchased an abandoned, turn-of-the-century mine from Cominco, a large Canadian mining company. Rock Candy Mine was named for the colourful fluorite, barite & quartz crystals miners found there while producing fluorite ore for industrial processes. Operated from 1916 to 1929, the mine provided fluorite for flux used in Cominco’s Trail smelter. Flux helps separate desirable metals from waste products. In the 1920’s, miners threw away the pretty, but worthless, crystals they found after every blast.

Fast forward 80 years. Today fluorite and barite crystals are highly prized by collectors, making the mine’s former waste product more valuable than the fluorite ore ever was. Left behind on the mine property is a sponge-like network of holes laden with golden barite, green and purple fluorite, and sparkling quartz crystals. Jackson worked with the M.Y. Williams museum at UBC to create a small scale mining plan which included filling in the scars in the landscape left over from the original mining. All collecting today is done outside the original mine, which is being filled in as the collecting progresses.

Today, where miners once toiled, tourists discover treasures of the earth. “We took what was an eyesore in the 1980’s, and turned it into a tourism destination,” says Jackson. Rock Candy Safaris opened in May, 2000. Visitors start with an escorted 30 km. drive from downtown Grand Forks, exploring local history and geology along the way. Once on the Rock Candy property, hammers and safety glasses are distributed, and soon the place sounds like you’ve stepped into a popcorn popper. Kids especially enjoy whacking rocks apart to find the hidden treasures within. Everyone is welcome to keep everything they find

In 2001, Tourism BC chose Rock Candy Safaris for its prestigious “Outside the Box” award, presented annually to the province’s most innovative tourism project. In 2004, Moonlight Rocks, an evening tour was added, so visitors can find minerals which glow in the dark when illuminated by an ultraviolet light. Tours are held several times each week in July & August. For more information, or to book a trip, call Grand Forks Visitor Info at: 1-866-442-2833 or visit www.rockcandymine.com

Contact the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Grand Forks for more info: gfchambe@sunshinecable.com 1 866 442 2833
Websites to visit:
www.grandforkschamber.com - www.city.grandforks.bc.ca - www.boundarycf.com - www.boundary.bc.ca