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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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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.
Allied Steel Buildings settles in Utah to provide elite service to the West Coast and Canada
Allied Steel Buildings has expanded operations with a new Utah Design Center to better serve Western US and Canadian markets. The company forecasts a 50% increase in local business for 2015 and plans to add 8 new positions by Q1 2015. Recent installations in Alberta and Newfoundland demonstrate their growing Canadian presence.
Canadian diamond pioneer donates $9.1 million for Alzheimer’s research
Charles Fipke, the geologist who discovered Canada's first commercial diamond mine at Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories, has donated $9.1 million to the University of British Columbia for Alzheimer's research. The donation includes $3 million for an endowed professorship, $600,000 for laboratory equipment, and $5.5 million for advanced brain imaging technology, inspired by his friend former BC Premier Bill Bennett's battle with the disease.
New guidebook describes opportunities in B.C. mining and exploration
The B.C. Centre of Training Excellence in Mining (CTEM) published the first BC Career Pathways Guidebook: Mining Careers in August 2014, listing 47 educational institutions and training resources. The guidebook aims to connect students and employees with career pathways in B.C.'s exploration and mining industries through a virtual hub approach.
B.C. aggregates producer builds new terminal in California
Vancouver-based Polaris Minerals Corporation is building a new aggregates receiving terminal in the Port of Long Beach, California, scheduled for completion at the end of 2014. The terminal will serve the Los Angeles basin market and complement the company's existing operations that ship sand and gravel from their Orca Quarry on Vancouver Island to California markets. Polaris has become a dominant supplier in the San Francisco market, with about 90% of concrete in the city made using their aggregates.
Commerce Resources Corp. announces $4.5 million private placement
Commerce Resources Corp. announced a $4.5 million private placement consisting of flow-through shares and units to advance their Ashram Rare Earth Deposit and Blue River Tantalum-Niobium Project. The financing includes warrants exercisable at $0.30 per share for 18 months, providing additional potential capital.
Discovery Ventures - MAX Mill improvements underway
Discovery Ventures has engaged Sundown Holdings to begin maintenance and upgrades on the MAX Mill, which has been on care and maintenance since 2011. The work includes structural repairs and system modifications in preparation for larger upgrades planned for 2015.
Commerce Resources Corp. initiates downstream hydrometallurgical program
Commerce Resources Corp. has initiated downstream hydrometallurgical processing for material from its Ashram Rare Earth Deposit in Quebec. The program aims to demonstrate the entire flowsheet to produce mixed rare earth carbonate (REC) products, with testing conducted at facilities in Germany and Colorado. The work will culminate in a mini pilot plant to generate 1-2 kg of cerium and lanthanum depleted mixed REC concentrate for potential joint venture partners.
Over 1.5 Million EPA comments on Pebble Mine Bristol Bay according to Earthworks
Over 1.5 million public comments have been submitted to the EPA supporting restrictions on the proposed Pebble Mine in Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed, with broad opposition from Alaska Native Tribes, fishermen, and conservation groups. The EPA must decide by February 4, 2015 whether to finalize Clean Water Act restrictions that would block mine waste disposal from the Northern Dynasty Minerals project.
Nordex Explosives announces agreement
Nordex Explosives Ltd. announced a joint venture agreement with the Pacific Group of Companies to expand Nordex's explosives products and services into Western Canada. The partnership will establish new operational sites to serve western mining and construction industries, with initial product deliveries planned for 2014.
Westhaven hunts for bonanza grade gold on its Shovelnose Gold Property
Westhaven Ventures is conducting a 600-metre drill program at its Shovelnose Gold Property in BC, targeting the source of high-grade gold float samples up to 119 g/t. The company recently completed drilling at its Ben property and is searching for bonanza-grade gold discoveries in proven geological terrains close to infrastructure.
Canada needs to act now to hold onto its global mining leadership
Pierre Gratton, CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, warned that Canada is losing its global mining leadership position after falling from first to second place in exploration spending behind Australia. He cited rising costs, infrastructure challenges, and regulatory complexity as key factors, while defending the industry's social licence track record despite the Mount Polley tailings breach.
Energy News: Randall MacEwen appointed President & CEO of Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems announced the appointment of Randall MacEwen as President and CEO, effective October 6, 2014, replacing retiring CEO John Sheridan who led the company since 2006. MacEwen brings extensive clean energy sector experience including roles at hydrogen and solar companies. The appointment follows a comprehensive search process as the fuel cell company positions for its next growth phase.
BC geoscientist writes that Mt Polley tailings aren’t toxic.
BC geoscientist James Morton argues Mount Polley tailings are not toxic, comparing heavy metal content to pre-mining natural sediment levels from 1981. His analysis shows tailings arsenic (10.6 ppm), mercury (70 ppb), and lead (4.9 ppm) levels are within or below natural background ranges, with calcium content preventing acid generation.
Editorial: Mount Polley a wake-up call for Canada’s mining industry
Dr. David Suzuki discusses the Mount Polley tailings dam failure that spilled millions of cubic metres of mining waste into B.C. waterways, calling it a predictable disaster that highlights systemic problems in Canada's mining industry. He argues that the industry must adopt safer waste management technologies and work more closely with First Nations, as current regulations and oversight are inadequate to prevent future environmental disasters.
Morrison Mine Assessment suspended pending provincial review
British Columbia's Environment Minister has suspended the environmental assessment of the proposed Morrison copper-gold mine pending results from an independent panel reviewing the Mt. Polley tailings dam breach. The Morrison project is a planned open-pit mine northeast of Smithers with a 21-year mine life and 30,000 tonnes per day extraction rate.
Seabridge Gold’s KSM application receives final approval from BC
Seabridge Gold received final approval from British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office for its KSM gold project near Stewart, with ministers concluding the project won't cause significant adverse effects. The company expects federal approval within several months, having already received a positive federal environmental study report in July 2014.
Imperial announces agreement with Tahltan Central Council on Red Chris Project
Imperial Metals has reached an agreement with the Tahltan Central Council for an independent third-party review of the Red Chris tailings impoundment to confirm world-class standards. The review is targeted for completion by September 24, 2014, with Imperial committing to address any material issues identified.
Green light to Fraser Docks coal transfer
Port Metro Vancouver has approved Fraser Surrey Docks' $15 million coal transfer facility after a comprehensive two-year review process. The facility will handle up to 4 million metric tonnes of coal annually, representing about 10% of the port's total coal shipments, while creating 50 jobs.
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) request to licensees with tailings facilities
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued an urgent request to seven licensees with tailings facilities following the Mount Polley tailings dam breach in British Columbia on August 4, 2014. Companies including AREVA, Cameco Corporation, and Denison Mines must review their tailings dam safety cases and confirm compliance by September 15, 2014.
College of the Rockies gets $164K for welding programs
The College of the Rockies received $164,000 in provincial funding to expand their welding programs, adding 16 foundation seats and 16 apprenticeship seats. The funding addresses the increasing shortage of skilled tradespeople in the region.
College signs SunMine agreement
College of the Rockies signed a collaboration agreement for the SunMine solar project in Kimberley, BC, which will be Western Canada's largest solar facility at 1.05 MW capacity. The project is built on reclaimed land from the former Teck Sullivan Mine site and involves partnerships with the City of Kimberley, Teck, and EcoSmart Foundation.
Top paid mining executives in BC
Business in Vancouver published their annual list of BC's highest-paid executives, revealing that 48 of the top 100 were mining industry leaders who collectively earned $145 million. Goldcorp CEO Charles Jeannes topped the mining executive compensation at $10.2 million, with Teck Resources CEO Donald Lindsay close behind at $9.9 million.
Guest Editorial: Too early to tell what happened at Mount Polley
A Fraser Institute analyst argues it's too early to implement policy changes following the Mount Polley tailings pond breach on August 4, 2014. The editorial criticizes calls for a mining moratorium while the incident is still being investigated, emphasizing that BC's mining sector generates $8 billion annually and employs 30,000 people.