NL-Outsidethebox [confederation]

I emailed this to our elected officials but as is the norm I received neither conformation of receipt nor correspondence regarding the subject contained within. So here it is for all to judge comment or pass along as you see fit.

Dear Elected officials

It is my understanding that the native soap stone carvers in Labrador have to buy their soap stone from outside sources because they don't have the ways or means to mine their own native soap stone. This lowers the value of their carvings as well as means we are not utilizing a valueable resource to the best of it's potential in Native carvers and native soapstone.

I'm sure the reason they are not mining their own soapstone is because they either don't have the expertise or resources in explosives to make the soapstone accessable. It isn't mining as such more like explosive work to fracture the face of a outcropping and allow for the smaller pieces to be handled. One shot a year should suffice to fracture of enough stone for a whole year of carving I'm thinking.

This one shot a year could be done by the military engineers or militia from St John's. Better still some of the Northern rangers could be taught how to drill the holes and prep the charges over the next few years by the Military engineers so they can become self sufficient in case there are years the Military engineers don't have the time or man power to do the shot.

IMHO this is a enterprise that should be supported and built upon by government help and investment. It would go along way in showing your support for Labrador as apart of the province.

Similarly labradorite could be exposed by some explosive work to allow for further jewelry production in Labrador with Rock tumblers and jewelry manufacturing training.

Here is a good book on the basic principles of mining.
http://www.nob.on.ca/industry/mining/02-06-engineering.asp

Dremels tools and hand held grinders have made this industry much more productive and as such a great source of income for our northern economy.

Regards


PS: I have no solid facts to back up this just a show I saw on CBC about native northern carvers having to but their stone from outside sources. This show stated that the local Co-op provided the stone and helped sell the carvings so taxes could be collected. Ebay would be a great way of getting some higher prices for these carvings IMHO, plus more exposure.

PSS: I may be way of base on this so please don't take my word for it.