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British Columbia.
British Columbia is a province with a rich mining history and a wealth of mining potential yet undiscovered. Early mining operations brought gold and coal to the surface; today, these and many other valuable minerals are bringing prosperit...
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New mine reclamation technique uses eDNA to detect elusive animals
Hemmera Envirochem Inc. is pioneering environmental DNA (eDNA) technology for mine reclamation monitoring in British Columbia, completing seven species inventories in 2014. The technique detects aquatic wildlife through water sample analysis, offering cost-effective monitoring compared to traditional methods. This represents the first formal application of eDNA in B.C.'s environmental assessment process.
Top 10 hydroelectric dams in Canada
Canada ranks as the world's third-largest hydropower producer with over 82,000 MW of installed capacity across 600 stations, generating 60% of the country's electricity from hydroelectric sources. Major recent developments include BC's $16-billion Site C dam reaching full operation in 2025 and the landmark Churchill Falls contract renegotiation between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Teck announces appointment of Lawrence Watkins as Vice President, Health and Safety
Teck Resources Limited announced the appointment of Lawrence Watkins as Vice President, Health and Safety. Watkins has been with Teck since 2014 as Director, Health and Safety, bringing extensive mining industry experience across operations and management systems.
The biggest mines in BC by revenue
Highland Valley Copper in Logan Lake topped British Columbia's mines by revenue in 2014 with $943 million, representing a 6% increase over 2013. The copper and molybdenum operation led a ranking published by Business in Vancouver despite overall sector revenue declining due to commodity downturn.
College of the Rockies introduces students to geology
College of the Rockies geology students toured the Bull River Mine site owned by Purcell Basin Minerals Inc as part of their educational program. The mine, active in the 1960s-70s, is currently working toward receiving permits to reopen operations.
Murray River Coal project granted environmental assessment approval
HD Mining International Ltd. received environmental assessment approval for its Murray River Coal project near Tumbler Ridge, BC, subject to 24 legally-binding conditions. The $668 million underground coal mine will produce 4.8 million tonnes annually over 25 years and create 780 jobs during operations.
MGX Minerals agrees to buy former Cranbrook Tembec mill site for $3.7M
MGX Minerals has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Tembec's defunct 98-acre Cranbrook mill site for $3.7 million to process industrial minerals from its Driftwood Creek magnesium project. The fully serviced industrial site includes existing buildings, processing infrastructure, and access to natural gas, water, power and rail, positioning MGX to advance its magnesium oxide production plans in British Columbia.
Electra Stone ships first 18 tonnes of BC Jade to China
Electra Stone completed its first direct shipment of 18 tonnes of BC Nephrite Jade from Port of Tsawwassen to Shanghai, marking a milestone in the company's vertical integration strategy connecting BC jade mining to Chinese end buyers. Management will travel to Shanghai to meet with jade carvers, manufacturers and resellers in the region that represents the largest import market for BC Nephrite Jade.
Inuktun Services provides pipe inspection systems for energy companies
Inuktun Services Ltd, a Nanaimo-based robotics company, manufactures specialized pipe inspection systems used by major energy companies worldwide. The company is expanding with a new U.S. subsidiary in Houston and has achieved 100% reliability inspecting the Escondida mine's 170-kilometre copper concentrate pipeline since 2010.
APEGBC and AME BC sign Memorandum of Understanding
APEGBC and AME BC signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize cooperation between the two professional organizations. The agreement aims to advance engineering and geoscience professions in BC while promoting unified positions on professional practice and development in the mineral exploration sector.
Pretium Resources Inc. raises US$540 million in construction financing for Brucejack Project
Pretium Resources secured US$540 million in construction financing to develop the underground Brucejack gold mine. This substantial funding package will cover a significant portion of the project's development costs.
Fording River Operations Swift project granted environmental assessment approval
Teck Coal Ltd. has received environmental assessment approval for its Fording River Operations Swift project expansion in British Columbia's Elk Valley. The approval comes with 19 legally binding conditions and amid challenging coal market conditions that make the timing of project development uncertain.
Gold Hill property hopes to hit originating source of Wild Horse Gold
American Creek Resources has acquired the Gold Hill property in British Columbia's historic Wild Horse Creek gold rush area, where $15-30 million worth of gold was extracted starting in 1864. The company has begun initial field work and is evaluating multiple partnership offers for the 418-hectare property.
24% of BC’s fastest growing companies in mining and energy sectors
Business in Vancouver released its Top 100 fastest-growing companies list, with 24% from mining and energy sectors. Turquoise Hill Resources topped the list with 2,110% revenue growth over five years, increasing from $82 million in 2010 to $1.85 billion in 2014. The company operates one of the world's largest copper mines in Mongolia.
Update on the Pretium Resources Brucejack Project
Pretium Resources has received all major regulatory permits required to begin development of its Brucejack gold project in northern British Columbia. The permits allow construction of a 2,700 tonnes per day processing plant and underground mine development, with commercial production targeted for 2017.
TNDC and the Tahltan Nation invest in Imperial Metals
The Tahltan Nation Development Corporation has invested in Imperial Metals Corporation through convertible debenture financing to support the Red Chris mine operations. This investment strengthens the partnership between the Indigenous nation and the mining company, with Red Chris employing approximately 40% Tahltan workers and providing additional contract opportunities. The move advances TNDC's strategic plans to diversify revenue streams while reinforcing their co-management agreement.
Caliper builds solutions
Caliper Machine and Hydraulics, a Cranbrook-based manufacturer with 40+ years of mining industry experience, has developed the Soleco LED light tower as an environmentally friendly alternative to diesel-powered lighting for mining operations. The hybrid solar, wind and small-diesel unit reduces lighting costs by 50% in remote locations and cuts installation time from 30 minutes to three minutes.
Power your home with solar and sell the excess
BC Hydro's net metering program allows homeowners to install solar panels and sell excess power back to the grid at 9.9 cents per kilowatt. More than 500 property owners in B.C. are currently participating in the program, which can offset up to 100% of electricity bills.
The hydropower boom in British Columbia
British Columbia is undergoing a major hydroelectric infrastructure boom with six major projects totaling over $12 billion in upgrades and new capacity. The largest is the $8.3 billion Site C dam project on the Peace River, which will provide 1,100 megawatts of capacity when completed in 2024. These projects represent both modernization of aging 1930s-era facilities and new construction to meet growing electricity demand.
BC’s Eldorado Gold Corp’s CEO highest paid mining and energy executive
Paul Wright, CEO of Vancouver-based Eldorado Gold Corp, was BC's highest-paid executive in 2014 with total compensation of $13.7 million, representing a 147% increase year-over-year. The mining and energy sectors dominated BC's executive compensation rankings, representing 59% of the province's top-paid executives according to Business in Vancouver's annual survey.
Regenerating the Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse
BC Hydro is investing $748 million over six years to seismically upgrade the 85-year-old Ruskin Dam and Powerhouse in Mission, BC. The project will enable the facility to withstand a one-in-10,000-year earthquake and continue providing clean energy to 33,000 homes for the next 75 years.
Minerals South 2015
The East Kootenay Chamber of Mines is hosting the 11th annual Minerals South Conference & Trade Show in Cranbrook, B.C., from November 3-5, 2015. The event will bring together over 100 delegates from various mining companies to showcase southeastern B.C.'s mining opportunities and discuss industry innovation and mine site reclamation.
Keeping Vancouver Island lit
BC Hydro is undertaking a $1.1 billion, five-year upgrade of the 68-year-old John Hart Generating Station on Vancouver Island to improve seismic safety, reliability and environmental performance. The project will increase capacity from 121 megawatts to 132.2 megawatts when completed in 2018, powering 80,000 homes annually.
Metro Vancouver municipalities among the biggest beneficiaries of spending by Coal Alliance Mines
The Coal Alliance released spending figures showing its B.C. steelmaking coal mines and terminals spent $5.16 billion on local goods and services from 2010-2014. Metro Vancouver municipalities were major beneficiaries, with Delta receiving $973.4 million and Vancouver $461.2 million, demonstrating the coal industry's economic impact beyond mining regions.