The owners of the Rock Candy Mine are looking for answers after an incident of vandalism on the property has left them with damages.
Bob Jackson, who owns the Rock Candy Mine with with his wife Carole, said rocks were thrown in the windows of the caretaker’s cabin sometime between June 19 and 20, based on when tours run at the mine. Jackson said he estimates there is about $500 worth of damage.
“It doesn’t appear that anything was taken, so I think this was an act of anger, which is so odd for Grand Forks,” Jackson said. “We’ve been here 30 years… I think every child in Grand Forks has been to the mine at least once or twice, many of them many times.”
Jackson is offering a $1,000 reward for coming forward with information that will lead to charges.
“I think someone who knows [who did it] might come forward, $1,000 is a motivator,” he said.
Sergeant Jim Fenske confirmed the RCMP is looking into the incident, and is currently following up on information. Fenske said he does not yet know what charges will be laid, but it will likely include theft and or mischief.
Jackson bought the mine while working at the University of British Columbia, and fixed it up to start running tours. The mine now sees around 1,500 visitors every summer.
He said this kind of vandalism is an “anomaly”—this is the first problem he said he’s ever had at the remote mine, located about 40 minutes north of Grand Forks.
“It’s a commitment to go out there, particularly if your only objective is to break windows,” he said. “I’d like to see it not happen again.”Anyone with information can contact Bob Jackson at bob@geologyadventures.com