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Alberta.
Oil and gas top the list of valuable resources being extracted in Alberta, but there are other stories in the mining and exploration industries here, including coal and precious gemstones.
103 stories
Aecon awarded AB and Sask mining and energy contracts worth $275 million
Aecon Group has been awarded approximately $275 million in mining and energy contracts for major projects in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The contracts include $200 million for K+S Potash Canada's Legacy mining project and $75 million for the NWR Sturgeon Refinery project.
Calgary Economic Development brings Calgary Be Part of the Energy™ campaign
Calgary Economic Development launched its 'Calgary Be Part of the Energy™' campaign in Ontario and Quebec, led by Mayor Naheed Nenshi on a four-day speaking tour. The campaign aims to attract qualified workers and businesses to Calgary amid continued labour shortages and economic growth expectations through 2017.
CertainTeed Gypsum looks to open new mine site near Canal Flats
CertainTeed Gypsum is planning to open the Kootenay West Mine near Canal Flats, BC, with a projected start date of 2017. The new mine will employ around 18 people and is being developed as their current Elkhorn Quarry West property near Windermere has only 7-12 years of remaining lifespan.
Controlling interest in Grande Cache Coal sold for $2 dollars
Asian owners of Grande Cache Coal Corp. have sold controlling interest in the Alberta metallurgical coal mine to Chinese company Up Energy Development Group Ltd. for just $2. Marubeni Corp. and Winsway Coking Coal Holdings originally paid $1 billion for the mine in 2012 during the coal boom, highlighting the dramatic collapse in coal asset values.
Fluor secures Canadian oil sands contract
Fluor Corporation was awarded a $1.3 billion engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction contract for the utilities scope of the Fort Hills oil sands mining project in Alberta. The project is expected to produce 180,000 barrels of bitumen per day at full production with first oil targeted for Q4 2017.
Coalspur’s Vista project
Coalspur Mines is developing the Vista thermal coal project near Hinton, Alberta, which could become the largest export thermal coal mine in North America with 12 million tonnes per annum capacity. The company has secured major contractors and regulatory approvals but is conducting a strategic review to determine full funding options ahead of March 2015 repayments to EIG Global Energy Partners.
Business case for Northern Gateway too compelling for it not to be built
Jim Prentice, candidate for Alberta PC leadership, states that the Northern Gateway pipeline must be built despite opposition, citing the compelling business case for West Coast oil access. He suggests the project may undergo changes through Enbridge's re-engagement with First Nations. Prentice emphasizes Alberta's economic vulnerability from having only one major oil customer (the U.S.) and the need to diversify markets.
Ritchie Bros. sells more than CA$104 million of equipment in Edmonton, AB
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers achieved a record-breaking equipment auction in Edmonton, selling over CA$104 million of heavy equipment and trucks from June 11-13, 2014. The auction set a new one-day sales record of CA$75 million and featured over 5,350 equipment items from 863 sellers, with strong participation from 5,800 bidders across 50+ countries.
Energy News: Government of Canada accepts recommendation to proceed with Northern Gateway Proposal
The Government of Canada has accepted the Joint Review Panel's recommendation to proceed with the Northern Gateway pipeline project, subject to meeting 209 conditions. The proposed twin pipelines would transport crude oil between Alberta and Kitimat, BC, following an extensive review process that included input from over 1,450 participants across 21 communities.
Leader in Materials Engineering & Testing (Metro Group) re-brands
Metro Testing Laboratories Ltd. (Metro Group) has rebranded to Canadian Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Ltd. (CCMET) after 27 years in business. The company operates 14 strategically located companies across Western Canada with 12 mobile laboratories, providing materials testing, geotechnical engineering, environmental services, and concrete restoration.
Energy News: Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway buys AltaLink for $3.2B from SNC-Lavalin
SNC-Lavalin has agreed to sell AltaLink, Alberta's largest regulated electricity transmission company, to Berkshire Hathaway Energy for $3.2 billion. The transaction involves Alberta's largest transmission grid operator serving 85% of the province's population and is expected to close December 31st pending regulatory approvals.
Ritchie Bros. sells more than CA$143 million at Canada’s largest equipment auction
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers achieved record-breaking results at Canada's largest equipment auction in Edmonton, selling over CA$143 million worth of trucks and heavy equipment from April 23-25, 2014. The auction broke multiple company records including online sales of CA$64+ million and attracted 9,400+ registered bidders from 49 countries, demonstrating strong demand for heavy equipment in Alberta's oil sands sector.
New local ownership group purchases Regina Pats includes Brandt owners
A new ownership group called Queen City Sports & Entertainment Group has announced the purchase of the Regina Pats hockey franchise, with the group including Shaun and Gavin Semple who own Brandt. The sale is contingent on approval from the WHL Board of Governors on April 30th.
Ritchie Bros. prepares for its largest Canadian auction of 2014
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers announced its largest Canadian auction of 2014, scheduled for April 23-25 in Edmonton with over 5,350 equipment items. The unreserved public auction includes heavy construction and mining equipment, with significant consignments from oilfield construction companies including Lakeshore Contracting Ltd. from Fort McMurray.
Coalspur announces Alberta Energy Regulator approval of Vista project
Coalspur Mines received Alberta Energy Regulator approval for its Vista thermal coal project in Alberta's Hinton region. The approval represents a significant regulatory milestone and positions the company to finalize detailed permits and secure remaining development funding. The AER stated the project will provide significant socioeconomic benefits to the local region and province.
Ritchie Bros. to sell more than 3,500 equipment items at first Canadian auction of 2014
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers will conduct its first Canadian auction of 2014 on February 26-27 in Edmonton, selling over 3,500 equipment items including significant oilfield hauling equipment. The auction reflects increased activity in Western Canada's oil and gas sector as companies upgrade fleets amid steady oil production and rising gas prices.
Altitude Resources acquires strategic new coal lease applications
Altitude Resources acquired new coal lease applications covering 5,244 hectares near Grande Cache, Alberta, expanding its total land position to approximately 22,000 hectares. The company plans to conduct field work on the new Altitude North property in 2013, though regional conservation policy changes under the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan may impact future development.
Suncor and partners set to develop Fort Hills
Suncor Energy and partners Total E&P Canada and Teck Resources have committed to developing the Fort Hills oil sands project in Alberta, with a $13.5 billion capital investment. The project has 3.3 billion barrels of bitumen resources and is designed for 180,000 barrels per day production, targeting first oil in Q4 2017.
Sherritt sells coal assets for $946 million and focuses on core businesses
Sherritt International announced the $946 million divestiture of its entire coal business to focus on core nickel and oil operations. The sale includes $481 million from Altius Minerals for royalties and development assets, plus $465 million from Westmoreland Coal for operating assets. The transaction simplifies Sherritt's portfolio and provides liquidity for debt reduction and growth in its base metals and Cuban oil businesses.
Remembering the Hillcrest mine disaster
This article commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Hillcrest Mine disaster of June 19, 1914, which killed 189 men in the worst mining disaster in Canadian history. The tragedy prompted major changes to workers' compensation and mining safety regulations in 1918. A commemorative event was held in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta from June 18-20, 2014 to honor the victims and their families.
Canadian Dewatering L.P. provides full-service fluid-management services
Canadian Dewatering L.P. provides comprehensive fluid-management and dewatering services to mining, oil and gas, and construction industries across Western Canada. The company operates eight branches including locations in British Columbia, handling complex projects like moving 17 million gallons of water over 1,200 feet of elevation at a coal mine near Sparwood.
Draft recommendations on implementing mandatory reporting standards released
The Revenue Resource Transparency Working Group released draft recommendations on June 14, 2013, for implementing mandatory reporting standards for Canadian mining companies. The collaborative effort between industry groups and civil society aims to create transparency in mining company payments to governments, with public consultation extended until September 2013.
This new refinery will turn Alberta oil sands into diesel fuel
North West Upgrading Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Limited are developing the North West Redwater bitumen refinery, the first built in Canada since 1982 and largest in North America since 1977. The facility will convert Alberta oil sands bitumen into diesel fuel with completion targeted for Q1 2016, featuring carbon capture technology to sell CO2 to enhanced oil recovery operations.
Hinton’s proactive campaign for affordable housing
The Town of Hinton is proactively addressing housing challenges in anticipation of Coalspur Mines' proposed Vista Coal Project, which could bring 500 jobs and 2,000 new residents to the community. The town has implemented innovative housing strategies including perpetually affordable housing developments and housing reserve funds to manage potential strain on the local housing market.