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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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B.C. launches a training strategy for LNG
The British Columbia government launched the Skills for Jobs Blueprint in April 2014 to address the expected shortage of skilled workers for upcoming LNG projects. The strategy aims to prepare workers for nearly one million job openings expected by 2022, with 58,700 jobs projected at peak LNG construction in 2018 based on five planned LNG plants.
Jim O’Rourke: Mine developer extraordinaire
Profile of Jim O'Rourke, CEO of Copper Mountain Mining Corporation, who has led the development of the company's copper mine near Princeton, BC from a $5 million market cap startup in 2006 to a $280 million operation today. The mine produced a 5 billion pound copper resource through extensive drilling and is expected to produce 80-90 million pounds of copper annually with planned capacity expansion.
Energy News: BigSteelBox Structures expands to serve LNG industry—luxury living to camplife
BigSteelBox Structures announced expansion into Northern B.C. to serve the growing LNG industry, planning new service locations in Kitimat and Prince Rupert. The BC LNG sector is expected to create over 100,000 jobs during construction and operation phases.
Investigating a new source of nickel
First Point Minerals Corp. and Cliffs Natural Resources Exploration Canada Inc. are advancing the Decar Project in British Columbia, which could become the world's first commercial source of nickel from awaruite, a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy. A 2013 preliminary economic assessment estimated initial capital costs at $1.4 billion for a 24-year open-pit mine, with Cliffs proceeding to a prefeasibility study expected by August 2015.
Teck jumps in to help Bulldoze Breast Cancer with PINK Cat
Teck's Elkview Operations unveiled a bright pink Caterpillar D10T bulldozer to raise awareness for breast cancer, with Finning Tractor donating the paint job. The initiative was employee-driven and aligns with Teck's community health focus at their British Columbia coal operation.
Geoscience BC receives $3 million for resource development research
The British Columbia government announced $3 million in funding for Geoscience BC to continue its resource development research, particularly the TREK project focused on the under-explored Cariboo region. The funding supports the non-profit organization's work in collecting and distributing geoscience data to attract mineral and oil and gas investment to the province.
It all started with a rock collection in Zambia
Scott Broughton, CEO of Roca Mines and chair of the Mining Association of British Columbia, discusses his mining career and current projects. His MAX Molybdenum Mine previously employed over 100 people and won development awards, though molybdenum market conditions have been challenging. He's also pursuing exploration at Santa Fe Metals near Cranbrook and developing frac sand projects in northeast B.C. through Stikine Energy.
Dave Sharples named BC’s Mining Person of the Year
Dave Sharples of SMS Equipment was named BC's Mining Person of the Year for 2013 by the Mining Association of British Columbia. With over 45 years in the mining industry, Sharples has been instrumental in charitable work and industry advocacy, particularly supporting BC Children's Hospital through Mining for Miracles fundraising efforts.
Mining Association of BC CEO is Guest Speaker at Influential Women in Business Luncheon
Karina Brino, President and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia, will be the guest speaker at the 3rd annual Influential Women in Business Luncheon on May 30th. The event highlights industry leadership and provides networking opportunities for business professionals in the Kootenays region.
A secondary crusher comes to Copper Mountain Mine
Copper Mountain Mining is installing a $40 million secondary crusher at its Copper Mountain Mine near Princeton, B.C., expected to increase production to 35,000 tonnes per day by mid-2014. The massive cone crusher, standing 10 storeys high, will replace three smaller portable crushers and solve bottleneck issues that have prevented the mine from reaching design capacity since commissioning three years ago.
Minerals North 2014
Minerals North 2014, a specialized northern BC mining conference, is being held in Vanderhoof from May 21-23, expecting 500 attendees. The conference highlights growing mining activity in the region, including New Gold's planned $1.8-billion Blackwater gold mine project. The event focuses exclusively on northern BC mining and exploration, differentiating it from larger Vancouver-based conferences.
Teck Resources to cut 600 jobs
Teck Resources announced 600 layoffs (5% of workforce) and deferred restart of its Quintette coal project in BC due to weak coal prices. The company will proceed with restarting the Pend Oreille zinc mine in Washington state based on improved zinc outlook.
A career exploration for women in mining
College of the Rockies successfully graduated 15 women from its inaugural Women in Mining course at the Fernie campus on April 11, 2014. The course aimed to address gender diversity in BC's mining sector, where women currently represent only 16% of the workforce despite annual hiring needs of 1,500-2,000 workers through 2022.
Importance of resource sector can not be ignored says John Winter
John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, toured Interior BC promoting the importance of natural resource development. He cited federal estimates of over $500 billion in new mining, energy and forestry investments across Canada over the next decade, arguing that vocal opponents are stifling balanced discourse about resource projects that could drive economic prosperity.
Walter Energy idles BC operations at Tumbler Ridge
Walter Energy announced the idling of its Wolverine and Brazion coal mines in British Columbia due to poor metallurgical coal pricing, resulting in temporary layoffs of approximately 695 employees. The company produced 1.6 million metric tons from Wolverine and 2.0 million metric tons from Brazion operations in 2013, but current market conditions make operations uneconomical.
College graduates first all-female haul truck class
College of the Rockies graduated its first all-female haul truck operator class with six women from BC and Alberta completing the four-week program on March 28. The class was created through a partnership with the Aboriginal Mentoring and Training Association to address the underrepresentation of women in mining, who currently make up only 5% of the mine workforce. One graduate was offered employment with Ledcor Group at Gibraltar Mine before completing the course.
Teck Coal offers public consultation on Elk Valley Water Quality Plan
Teck Coal is conducting the second phase of public consultation from April 9-30 for its Elk Valley Water Quality Plan, which aims to maintain watershed health while ensuring sustainable mining operations. The consultation includes online feedback, written submissions, and open house meetings in Fernie, Elkford, and Sparwood communities.
Mount Polley copper mine selects Wenco Fleet Management System
Wenco International Mining Systems has secured a contract with Imperial Metals to supply fleet management systems for the Mount Polley copper-gold mine in British Columbia. The system will be installed on 27 vehicles including shovels and haul trucks, and is expected to improve production efficiency and material handling accuracy.
Veris Gold Corp. announces start up at Jerritt Canyon and Management Cease Trade Order
Veris Gold Corp. announced the restart of its Jerritt Canyon processing plant in Nevada following annual maintenance and installation of new monitoring systems. The company also disclosed a Management Cease Trade Order from BC securities regulators due to delayed 2013 financial statements, restricting insider trading while public trading continues.
Taseko files second judicial review on New Prosperity
Taseko Mines has filed a second judicial review challenging the federal government's rejection of its New Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project in British Columbia. The company alleges the decision process was unfair and violated principles of natural justice, citing closed-door meetings with project opponents and failure to properly evaluate Taseko's Fish Lake protection plan.
Northwest Community College School of Exploration and Mining celebrates 10th anniversary
Northwest Community College's School of Exploration and Mining in Smithers, B.C. is celebrating its 10th anniversary, having trained over 1,200 students for entry-level positions in mineral exploration and mining. The school boasts an 89% graduation rate and 72% employment success rate, with graduates working across Canada's natural resources sector.
PR Associates opens Terrace office and hires Dave Pernarowski
PR Associates, Canada's largest natural resource public relations firm, opened a new office in Terrace, BC and hired current Mayor Dave Pernarowski to lead their northern British Columbia expansion. The move positions the firm to better serve natural resource clients across northern BC and strengthen community engagement for responsible resource development.
CIM 2014 convention in Vancouver May 11 to 14
The Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) announced details for its 2014 convention in Vancouver from May 11-14, featuring the theme 'Mining 4 Everyone' to celebrate diversity in the mining workforce. The event will include technical sessions, workshops, an expo with 500+ exhibiting companies, and plenary speakers including government ministers and mining executives.
BC mining property faces possible rebirth
AuRico Gold Inc. filed a project description for its Kemess Underground Project with environmental agencies, proposing a copper/gold mine 250 km north of Smithers, BC. The underground block cave operation would produce 1.3 million oz. of gold and 563 million lb. of copper over 12 years, utilizing existing infrastructure from the closed Kemess South mine. The company expects a two-year environmental review process and has secured interim agreements with three First Nations bands.