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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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Gold’s glitter feeding appetite among investors
Kapuskasing Gold has assembled six gold exploration properties surrounding Probe Mines' Borden Lake project near Chapleau, Ontario, with ground samples returning up to 7.69 grams of gold per tonne. The company is led by Mike Tremblay, co-winner of the 2013 Ontario Prospectors Association Award for the Borden discovery, and targets similar geology in the underexplored Kapuskasing Structural Zone.
Vancouver’s Jagercor Energy is drilling as China eyes massive oil reserves in Argentina
Vancouver-based Jagercor Energy is generating $200,000 monthly from its first drilling program in Argentina's Catriel Oeste project, funding operations with 70% of proceeds from producing wells. The company is targeting underinvested mature oil fields while Argentina's local oil prices trade at a premium to global markets at $77 per barrel versus $50 internationally.
AME BC responds to Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies
AME BC responded to the Fraser Institute's 2014 mining survey which ranked British Columbia 28th globally for investment attractiveness, down from 16th in 2013. Despite the ranking decline, AME BC highlighted that BC's actual mineral exploration investment share tripled from 6% to 21% between 2001-2014, with several new major mines coming online including Copper Mountain, New Afton, and Mt. Milligan.
PM Harper announces tax breaks for LNG industry in B.C.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced federal tax breaks for BC's LNG industry, including a 30% capital cost allowance for liquefaction equipment and 10% for buildings. The tax relief applies to capital assets acquired between now and 2025 and aims to help the industry compete globally while spurring job growth.
Driving success at COTR
College of the Rockies' Haul Truck Operator Program has successfully trained over 150 prospective mining employees since launching in September 2013. The four-week program is unique in B.C., using advanced simulators and covering all aspects of haul truck operations to prepare graduates for Canada's mining sector.
More railway regulation will jeopardize Canada’s world-class system: MLI Report
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute released a report warning that increased railway regulation could harm Canada's freight rail system. The report argues that current regulation is sufficient and that over-regulation historically led to underinvestment and poor performance in moving commodities like coal, potash, and oil.
First production of copper concentrate at Red Chris mine
Imperial Metals announced first production of copper concentrate at its Red Chris mine in northern BC as mill commissioning progresses successfully. Both SAG and ball mills are operating at full capacity, with flotation circuits now being commissioned using low grade ore. This represents a major milestone for the company's flagship development project.
UBC announces new Executive MBA in Strategic Mining Management
UBC's Sauder School of Business and NBK Institute launched Canada's first Executive MBA in Strategic Mining Management, a 21-month program starting September 2015. The program was developed with input from senior mining executives to train the next generation of industry leaders in operational and financial decision-making.
Environmental assessment certificate application review of proposed Fording River Operations
Teck Coal Limited has submitted an environmental assessment application for the Swift Project, an extension to the Fording River Operations that would extend mine life by 23 years while maintaining existing coal production capacity. The Environmental Assessment Office has accepted the application for a 180-day review period starting January 28, 2015, with a 45-day public comment period from February 20 to April 6, 2015.
M&E at the Mineral Exploration Roundup
The 2015 Mineral Exploration Roundup in Vancouver attracted over 6,700 participants from 35 countries, showcasing junior exploration projects and new mining technologies. The event highlighted sustainability themes and featured autonomous drones making inroads into the mining industry, while emphasizing youth engagement in mining careers.
Mineral explorers express support for BC Budget 2015
AME BC expressed support for the 2015/2016 BC budget which increased funding for the Mines and Mineral Resources Division by $6.3 million to $17.1 million and extended the $10 million BC mining flow-through share tax credit. The association believes these measures will boost public and investor confidence in mineral exploration and development.
BCIT offers first-in-Canada Bachelor’s Degree in Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering
BCIT is launching Canada's first Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering program starting Fall 2015. The program combines geology, mineral exploration, and mining engineering skills to address an industry gap between geologists and engineers. The unique degree builds on BCIT's 50-year track record in mineral exploration education.
Mount Polley mine owner served with search warrants
Imperial Metals Corp has been served with search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into the Mount Polley mine dam collapse that occurred in August 2014. The failure released 24 million cubic metres of wastewater into nearby lakes and streams, with an independent report blaming poor dam design built on sloped glacial terrain.
Bill Bennett on learning from Mount Polley
B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett outlined the government's response to the Mount Polley tailings dam failure investigation, implementing new requirements for operating mines including independent review boards and confirmation letters by June 2015. The minister emphasized the need for improved safety margins and engineering practices while maintaining that B.C. can remain competitive for mining investment.
Veris Gold Corp. obtains extension of CCAA stay period
Veris Gold Corp. obtained a court-ordered extension of its CCAA creditor protection until February 23, 2015. The company has been operating under bankruptcy protection since June 2014 and is currently reviewing results of its sales process with potential bidders through Deutsche Bank.
FortisBC finalizes LNG supply agreement with BC Ferries to fuel new vessels
FortisBC has finalized a 10-year agreement to supply up to 300,000 gigajoules of LNG annually to BC Ferries for their three new intermediate class ferries. The deal will fuel vessels from FortisBC's Tilbury facility in Delta and Mt. Hayes facility on Vancouver Island, providing the energy equivalent of 7.8 million litres of diesel fuel while reducing carbon emissions by 9,000 metric tonnes per year.
Great Lakes Graphite focuses on small manufacturers
Great Lakes Graphite has completed acquisition of its flagship Lochaber property in Quebec and finished diamond drilling to support a mineral resource estimate. The company is targeting smaller North American manufacturers within 600km of the deposit, positioning itself to become one of the first graphite producers in North America as Chinese supply faces uncertainty.
AuRico Gold announces positive results on northern BC property
AuRico Gold announced a 43-101-compliant resource estimate for its Kemess East deposit in northern BC, totaling 2.1 million indicated and 3.4 million inferred gold equivalent ounces. The deposit doubles the total indicated resource base of the Kemess property and has grades 10% higher than the nearby Kemess Underground deposit. The company plans an expanded 30,000-metre drilling program in 2015 to further delineate the mineralization.
MABC acknowledges Independent Expert Engineering Panel Report on Mount Polley
The Mining Association of B.C. (MABC) acknowledged the Independent Expert Engineering Panel Report on the Mount Polley tailings dam failure. The industry association committed to reviewing recommendations and working with stakeholders to maintain high safety standards across B.C. mining operations.
Guest Editorial: Special interest groups erode Canada’s prosperity says Gwyn Morgan
Business leader Gwyn Morgan warns that special interest groups and regulatory challenges are threatening Canada's resource sector prosperity. He highlights ongoing court challenges against multiple projects across Canada and uncertainty created by the Supreme Court's Aboriginal Title decision. Morgan argues that without understanding how resource wealth is generated, Canada risks losing its economic advantage.
Mining industry welcomes the release of BC’s independent panel report on Mount Polley
The Mining Association of Canada responded to the BC Government's independent panel report on the August 2014 Mount Polley tailings dam failure. The panel concluded the failure was caused by an unidentified clay layer beneath the dam, and MAC committed to reviewing recommendations to enhance tailings dam safety across the industry.
Joint panel releases report on Mount Polley failure: Government to take immediate action
The BC government announced immediate regulatory actions following the Mount Polley tailings dam failure investigation, requiring all mines with tailings storage facilities to confirm foundation material safety by June 30, 2015. New requirements include establishing Independent Tailings Dam Review Boards and implementing a comprehensive code review to adopt best practices.
Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) names new Board of Directors
The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) announced its new Board of Directors following its 103rd Annual General Meeting held January 26, 2015. The board includes both appointed regional representatives and elected directors from major mining companies including Teck Resources, Pretium Resources, and Antofagasta Minerals.
THEnergy study: Solar power without initial investment becomes reality for mining companies
THEnergy released a study showing how external investors can finance solar-diesel hybrid power plants for remote mining operations through rental and power purchase agreement models, eliminating upfront capital requirements for mining companies. The study identifies solutions to mitigate investor risks and notes growing market adoption of these financing structures.