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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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Mining Association of BC statement on the Roger William Case Supreme Court Decision
The Mining Association of BC issued a statement responding to the Supreme Court of Canada's decision on Tsilhqot'in Nation v. British Columbia, emphasizing that the ruling confirms meaningful consultation requirements for resource development on Aboriginal title lands. The association views the decision as providing certainty while reinforcing BC's attractiveness as a mining jurisdiction.
Second Canadian company receives financing for Alaskan mine construction
Ucore Rare Metals Inc received authorization for up to $145 million in bond financing from Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority for construction of its Bokan-Dotson Ridge rare earth project in Southeast Alaska. The legislation was signed by Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and passed unanimously by the state legislature, marking a significant milestone toward bringing the project into production.
Alaska Governor signs bill for AIDEA financing of Heatherdale’s Niblack Project
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell signed legislation authorizing the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to issue up to $125 million in bonds to finance infrastructure for Heatherdale Resources' Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver project in Southeast Alaska. The legislation provides crucial infrastructure financing for the development of the Niblack Project, which contains 5.6 million tonnes of Indicated and 3.4 million tonnes of Inferred mineral resources.
Princeton’s Copper Mountain Mine achieves record first quarter copper production
Copper Mountain Mining Corporation reported record first quarter copper production of 19.1 million pounds from its British Columbia mine, representing a 34% increase over Q1 2013. The mine processed 2.6 million tonnes of ore and generated an estimated $69.6 million in gross revenue from concentrate shipments containing copper, gold, and silver.
Geoscience BC hopes to stimulate exploration
Geoscience BC's TREK Project is conducting a major data acquisition initiative across 24,000 square kilometres in BC's northern Interior Plateau to stimulate mineral exploration in an underexplored region. The multi-year project has completed airborne geophysical surveys and is continuing regional geochemical sampling, with 677 new basal till samples and 282 lake sediment samples collected in 2013.
Merrick Mainline project a key link in proposed natural gas export
TransCanada's NGTL subsidiary has signed agreements with Chevron Canada and Apache Canada to develop the $1.9 billion Merrick Mainline Pipeline, a 260-kilometre natural gas transmission line connecting to the proposed Kitimat LNG Terminal. The project is expected to transport 1.9 Bcf/d starting in 2020, pending regulatory approval and final investment decision for the Kitimat LNG project.
Teck recycles 44K tonnes of hazardous waste in 2013
Teck Resources reported significant environmental improvements in its 2013 sustainability report, recycling 44,559 tonnes of hazardous waste - a 98.8% increase from 2012. The company also reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 3% each, while improving workplace safety metrics.
59th Annual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition winners
The 59th Annual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition concluded in British Columbia, with teams from various mining operations competing in safety competitions. Elkview Operations won the overall surface mine rescue category while Nyrstar's Myra Falls operation dominated underground categories, winning multiple trophies including the overall underground mine rescue title.
B2Gold Corp. signs Merger Implementation Agreement with Papillon Resources Limited
B2Gold Corp. has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Papillon Resources Limited for approximately US$570 million, giving B2Gold access to the high-grade Fekola gold project in Mali. The transaction values Papillon shares at A$1.72 each with an exchange ratio of 0.661 B2Gold shares per Papillon share.
Avanti Mining and the Nisga’a Nation conclude Kitsault Mine benefits agreement
Avanti Mining and the Nisga'a Nation have concluded a comprehensive benefits agreement for the Kitsault Molybdenum Mine Project in northwestern BC, resolving all outstanding litigation and concerns. The agreement includes up to 2% net smelter royalty to the Nisga'a Nation and clears the path for construction to begin in 2014 on the $1-billion project that will provide 300 jobs over 14 years.
Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition heats up Smithers
The 59th annual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition took place in Smithers, BC on June 7th, featuring nine mine rescue teams and eight first aid teams from various BC mines. The competition highlighted the industry's commitment to safety standards and emergency response capabilities, with teams from Huckleberry Mines, Gibraltar Mines, Highland Valley Copper, and others claiming victories in different categories.
Finning announces CFO Dave Smith is leaving company
Finning International announced that CFO Dave Smith is leaving the company effective June 30, 2014, after five years of service. The company has engaged an external search firm to find a replacement while Anna Marks and Greg Palaschuk will assume interim financial leadership responsibilities.
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.
Teck recognized in two separate sustainability rankings
Teck Resources was recognized in two separate sustainability rankings, named one of the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada by Corporate Knights and one of the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations by Sustainalytics. The recognitions reflect the company's commitment to responsible operations and sustainable practices across environmental, social and governance indicators.
Teck exercises option not to build Red Dog effluent pipeline
Teck Resources announced it will not build a proposed 52-mile effluent pipeline from Red Dog Mine to the Chukchi Sea after extensive studies costing $1.7 million showed the project was not technically feasible or environmentally beneficial. The company will pay an $8 million civil penalty as stipulated in a 2008 consent decree for this decision.
Time to be proactive
Legal experts from Stikeman Elliott advised Canadian mining companies at the Minerals North 2014 conference to proactively recruit more women board directors before potential OSC legislation requires it. Currently, less than 7% of Canadian mining company board members are women, compared to 15% across all Canadian public companies.
Goldcorp donates $300K to Dalhousie University’s Mineral Resource Engineering program
Goldcorp donated $300,000 to Dalhousie University's Mineral Resource Engineering program to establish a professorship focused on curriculum design, health and safety, and environmental aspects of mining. The donation addresses a projected shortage of 50,000 skilled mining workers by 2020 and represents the company's commitment to developing talent for the industry.
Boss Power Corp. announces closing of Blizzard Settlement with the province of British Columbia
Boss Power Corp. has received $30.4 million in full settlement from the Province of British Columbia related to the Blizzard uranium project dispute. The settlement resolves a legal action dating back to 2011 and will be distributed among various parties according to a pre-existing agreement.
Danae Voormeij: Going for gold in the tropics
Exploration geologist Danae Voormeij, principal of Mynah Exploration Inc., has built a career discovering gold deposits in tropical emerging markets. She led the discovery of Tuzon deposit in Liberia containing 2.4 million ounces at 1.5 g/t gold grade and now offers training courses on tropical gold exploration.
Energy News: Jessica McDonald appointed new BC Hydro President and CEO
BC Hydro appointed Jessica McDonald as its new President and CEO effective July 14, 2014, following a three-month search process. McDonald brings extensive public sector leadership experience, having served as deputy minister to the Premier and cabinet secretary from 2005-2009, overseeing 36,000 employees and a $40 billion budget.
Mineral tax revenues benefit First Nations and Bulkley-Nechako
The BC government signed Economic and Community Development Agreements (ECDAs) with four First Nations to share mineral tax revenues from the Huckleberry Mine expansion. The agreements represent the 11th through 14th such deals, surpassing the province's goal of 10 new agreements by 2015. The mine extension sustains 260 jobs and will generate 50 new positions, contributing $20 million annually to local economies.
Exploration in B.C. gets a boost
British Columbia's energy and mines minister announced $3 million in funding for Geoscience BC to boost the province's flagging exploration industry. The funding will support aerial surveying programs that have already contributed to discoveries at New Gold's Blackwater Project and extended the Huckleberry mine's life by 10 years. Despite exploration spending dropping from $680 million in 2012 to $476 million in 2013, the minister emphasized that B.C.'s mining industry continues to perform well.
Kimberley Sun Mine selects the Calgary office of CONERGY for project
The City of Kimberley has selected CONERGY to build BC's first large-scale on-grid solar plant under an EPC/turnkey contract. The 2 MWp project will be built on former Sullivan Mine lands owned by Teck Metals, with potential expansion to 200 MWp in the future.