The sale of a motel in the Greenstone area near Jellicoe is being seen as more confirmation of a mining exploration boom in the region.

Kodiak Exploration has confirmed that it has purchased the motel formerly known as the Travel Air along with the restaurant on the property, formerly known as Ann's Cafe. Both the restaurant and the motel will be used privately by employees of the company.

Until recently Kodiak employees have been lodging at a nearby tourist camp but with more workers coming to the region this spring, the mining company needed more space. The company is expecting to have about 35 employees working full time in the Beardmore-Geraldton area this spring.