By Jamie Hyland, MiningIR
11 March 2026
The mood across the mining sector was noticeably stronger at this year’s Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto, and Golden Cariboo Resources (CSE: GCC | OTCQB: GCCFF | WKN: A0R2CQ | FSE: 3TZ) believes the renewed energy comes at the right time for the company’s exploration efforts in British Columbia’s historic Cariboo Gold District.
At PDAC 2026, Steve Hyland of TheDeepDive.ca caught up with Golden Cariboo VP of Business Development Scott Young to discuss the company’s progress and outlook for its flagship Quesnelle Gold Quartz Project.
Young, a 30-year veteran of the mining industry, said the atmosphere at the conference reflects a major shift in sentiment compared with recent years.
“Having been in the industry for about 30 years, the buzz right now is as good as I’ve ever seen it,” Young said. “You walk down these aisles and everyone is very interested in what companies are doing.”
The difference from just a couple of years ago is significant, he added, noting that attendance and engagement throughout the convention halls have rebounded as investors and industry participants return to the sector.
“A friend of mine said two years ago you could fire a cannon through here,” Young said. “Now it feels like the world has taken off again for mining.”
The renewed interest comes as Golden Cariboo continues advancing exploration at its Quesnelle Gold Quartz Project near Hixon, British Columbia. Located within the prolific Cariboo Gold District, the property sits in a region known for both historic production and modern exploration success.
One of the key announcements made during PDAC was the company’s plan to complete a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate, a milestone Young believes could significantly increase market attention.
“We put out a press release today that we’re going to do a 43-101 resource estimate, and I think we’re going to surprise the market,” Young said.
Part of that confidence comes from the leadership behind the company. Golden Cariboo CEO Frank Callaghan has an established history of building and advancing mining projects in British Columbia.
“Frank has such a wonderful history,” Young explained. “There are very few people in this room who have put two mines into production in British Columbia.”
While exploration progress remains the company’s immediate focus, Young also pointed to broader changes within the industry that could support long-term growth.
One of the most encouraging developments he observed at PDAC was the number of younger professionals attending the conference and exploring opportunities in the sector.
“What I really like seeing is the amount of young people walking up and down these corridors,” Young said. “Mining has traditionally been an older generational industry, so seeing that next generation getting interested is exciting.”
As global demand for precious metals and critical minerals continues to grow, Golden Cariboo believes projects in stable jurisdictions such as British Columbia could attract increasing attention from investors.
With exploration ongoing and a resource estimate now on the horizon, the company is positioning the Quesnelle Gold Quartz Project as a potential new chapter in the evolving story of the Cariboo Gold District.
