The Minister of Natural Resources advised CRA that nephrite (a type of jade) to be extracted from the in-situ deposits on the subject property was an industrial mineral contained in non-bedded deposits – but excluding placer nephrite deposits, which were considered to not qualify as “a mineral deposit in respect of which...the principal mineral extracted is an industrial mineral contained in a non-bedded deposit.” CRA itself considered that the placer nephrite deposits did not qualify as a “base or precious metal deposit.”
CRA also noted that the exploration expenses in question might be incurred near existing mines, in which case they could be excluded under subpara. (f)(vi).