Mining projects were already afoot in the country, but far to the north on Great Slave Lake.
What was known as the "Helpman Party" was formed in England by Captain Alene, who died of pneumonia in December, 1898, three days after his arrival at Edmonton.

The party consisted of a number of retired army officers, including Viscount Avonmore, with a considerable capital, $50,000 of which was expended.
They brought some of their outfit from England, but completed it at Edmonton, and thence went overland late in the spring.

But sleighing being about over, they got to Lesser Slave Lake with great difficulty, and there the party broke up, Mr.Helpman and others returning to England, whilst Messrs.

Jeffries and Hall Wright, Captain Hall, and Mr.Simpson went on to Peace River Crossing.

From there they descended to Smith's Portage, on the Great Slave River, and wintered at Fort Resolution, on Great Slave Lake.
In the following spring they were joined by Mr.McKinlay, the Hudson's Bay Company's agent at the Portage, and he, accompanied by Messrs.