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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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Energy Insider: Mobile fleet of SaltMaker pilots treats demanding waste waters
Vancouver-based Saltworks Technologies successfully deployed four mobile SaltMaker pilot units during summer 2014 to treat challenging wastewaters from landfills, shale gas operations, and Alberta oil sands SAGD operations. The pilots demonstrated the technology's ability to produce freshwater for reuse and minimize waste volumes across diverse applications where conventional treatment systems have struggled.
Teck appoints Andrew Stonkus as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales
Teck Resources appointed Andrew Stonkus as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales. Stonkus brings over 30 years of mining industry experience and previously served as VP of Base Metals Marketing at Teck since joining in 1988.
BC mine reclamation committee to hold June get-together
The British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) is hosting its 39th annual mine reclamation symposium June 1-3, 2015 in Vancouver, concurrent with Mine Closure 2015. The event expects 600 attendees and focuses on sharing best practices in environmental protection, mine reclamation and closure across industry, government, academics and First Nations.
Imperial Metals issues outlook for 2015
Imperial Metals issued its 2015 outlook following the Mount Polley tailings dam failure investigation report. The company produced 41.5 million pounds copper in 2014 despite operational interruptions and expects 22.0 million pounds from Huckleberry in 2015. Mount Polley restart remains dependent on regulatory approval.
Mt Polley disaster results in $37.3 million loss for Imperial Metals
Imperial Metals reported a $37.3 million net loss for 2014, primarily due to $67.4 million in remediation costs from the Mt Polley tailings dam breach. The company swung from $41 million profit in 2013 to significant losses, with reduced metals production and foreign exchange losses contributing to the poor performance.
B.C. implements post-Mount Polley requirements in environmental assessment
British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office has implemented new requirements for tailings management at proposed mines, following recommendations from the Mount Polley disaster investigation. Mining companies must now provide detailed assessments of alternative tailings management options and clear rationale for their chosen approach during environmental assessments.
Carmax prepares for 2015 Eaglehead exploration program
Carmax Mining Corp. is preparing a two-phase 2015 exploration program at its Eaglehead copper-gold-molybdenum-silver project in northwestern B.C., starting with relogging historical drill holes in June followed by drilling in August. The company's 2014 program demonstrated continuity of copper mineralization between zones and supports the belief they are exploring a single large porphyry system with a current inferred resource of 102.5 million tonnes at 0.29% copper.
Wind farm planned for Peace region
Boralex Inc. and Aeolis Wind have partnered to develop a $480 million wind farm near Tumbler Ridge, BC, featuring 80 turbines that could become the province's largest wind farm. The Red Willow Wind Partnership project is currently undergoing environmental assessment with plans to start construction in 2017 and begin operations by 2018, providing 200 person years of employment.
Waneta Expansion Project is now generating clean, renewable, cost effective power
The Waneta Expansion Project, a $900 million 335 MW hydroelectric facility near Trail, B.C., has come online and is now generating clean renewable power. The project was completed six weeks ahead of schedule and on budget, injecting over $300 million into the local economy and employing over 1,400 people during construction.
Teck reports flash fire at Greenhills Operations
Teck Resources reported a flash fire at its Greenhills coal operation in BC's Elk Valley that injured three employees, two requiring airlift to hospital. The fire in the dryer complex was quickly extinguished with no major operational impact, though the cause remains under investigation.
Gibraltar’s Taseko Mines Wins 2014 John Ash Safety Award
Taseko Mines' Gibraltar Mine won the 2014 John Ash Safety Award for having the lowest injury-frequency rate among BC mines, working 1.7 million hours with zero lost time accidents. The company also confirmed its tailings dam integrity following third-party inspections after the Mount Polley incident.
Positive economic update on Crown Mountain Coking Coal Project
Jameson Resources reported improved economics for its Crown Mountain coking coal project in BC's Elk Valley, with favorable exchange rates reducing FOB costs to US$70.91/tonne in initial years. Contract mining approach could cut upfront capital costs by over $200 million to $123 million.
Stellar Industries introduces new T-Boom Style Hydraulic Cranes
Stellar Industries announced its new TC Series T-Boom hydraulic cranes featuring proprietary radio remote control systems and capacities up to 4,520 pounds. The cranes offer up to 18.6 feet of hydraulic reach while maintaining compact design for minimal bed space usage.
Teck’s stock goes on wild ride on merger speculation
Teck Resources stock surged 11% on merger speculation with Chilean copper giant Antofagasta before falling 7% after Teck denied any deal discussions. The rumored merger would have created one of the world's largest copper producers, combining companies with a total market value of approximately $22 billion.
MAC strikes an independent task force to review its tailings management program
The Mining Association of Canada has formed an independent expert task force to review and strengthen its tailings management requirements under the Towards Sustainable Mining program, following the 2014 Mount Polley tailings breach. The task force, led by former Teck executive Doug Horswill, will publish its final report by end of 2015 with recommendations for preventing future tailings dam failures.
College of the Rockies leading new Tanzania project
College of the Rockies has been selected to lead a Canadian government-funded training program in Tanzania focused on heavy duty equipment mechanics for the mining industry. The three-year ISTEP initiative will strengthen Tanzanian technical training institutions and prepare workers for high-paying trades jobs in mining and other sectors.
Minerals North 2015 slated for end of May
Minerals North 2015 conference will take place May 27-29 in Mackenzie, B.C., with 400 attendees expected. The annual conference connects northern communities with the mining sector and includes technical courses, regional geological updates, and mine tours including Mount Milligan copper-gold operation.
Energy News: Super tugboats being designed for Northern Gateway tanker traffic
Vancouver marine engineering firm Robert Allan Ltd. is designing specialized super-tugboats for the Northern Gateway oil pipeline tanker escort service. The RAstar Raincoast Guardian series tugboats will cost $30 million each and feature 10,000 horsepower engines to safely escort oil tankers along the B.C. coast.
Saturn Minerals’ unique approach to partnering with First Nations
Saturn Minerals CEO Stan Szary pioneered an innovative partnership approach with Saskatchewan First Nations, forming the jointly-owned Inowending Exploration and Development Corporation in 2011. The company contrasts this collaborative model with traditional patronage approaches, emphasizing shared ownership and decision-making in coal and oil exploration projects near the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border.
Two former Teck employees find a second career in mining reclamation
Two former Teck employees established Sullivan Closure Company to manage long-term environmental reclamation of the closed Sullivan Mine in Kimberley, B.C. The company now employs nine people and handles ongoing water treatment, maintenance, and environmental monitoring of the 1,000-hectare former mine site. The reclamation project has become an international example of responsible mine closure practices.
New report stresses the importance of revenue sharing in resource development
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute released a report supporting resource revenue sharing with Indigenous communities, citing existing systems across Canada from Newfoundland to Yukon. The report argues that revenue sharing is a proven approach for securing Aboriginal support for well-planned natural resource projects.
Energy News: Lax Kw’alaams leadership endorses Eagle Spirit Energy project
The Lax Kw'alaams First Nation leadership has endorsed Eagle Spirit Energy's proposed oil pipeline project across northern B.C., citing environmental protections and economic opportunities. The First Nation rejected bitumen shipping and Kitimat as a port, while supporting Eagle Spirit's approach after two and half years of consultation.
AME BC welcomes federal government measures to encourage mineral exploration
The federal government announced an extension of the 15% Mineral Exploration Tax Credit through March 2016 and expanded Canadian exploration expenses to include environmental studies and community consultation costs. In British Columbia, this federal credit combines with a provincial 20% credit for a total 35% tax incentive for mineral exploration investors.
Cranbrook entrepreneur invents a solar and wind-powered construction light tower
Cranbrook entrepreneur Mike Hambalek has developed a solar and wind-powered LED light tower through his subsidiary Soleco Technologies to replace expensive diesel-powered lighting systems used at remote industrial sites. The third-generation device provides 480 watts of power for 72 hours and could save mining and oil companies up to $1 million annually in fuel costs.