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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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Pretium’s high-grade gold strike wins it the “Academy Award of the geologic profession”
Pretium Resources won the prestigious PDAC Bill Dennis Award for its high-grade gold discovery at the Valley of the Kings zone within the Brucejack Project in northwestern BC. The company has established 8.5 million oz. of indicated gold resources at 16.4 g/t and plans to begin mine construction in 2015 with production starting in 2016.
Women in Mining comes to B.C.’s East Kootenay
A new Women in Mining Kootenays branch has launched in B.C.'s Elk Valley, targeting networking and professional development for women in the region's mining industry. The group was started by senior geologist Alison Seward and aims to address challenges like childcare access and workplace networking in the male-dominated industry.
A sand-and-gravel company wins for reclamation
R.E. Postill & Sons won the Aggregate Reclamation Award at the 2012 B.C. Mine Reclamation Awards for outstanding environmental restoration work at their Rosebush Pit sand-and-gravel operation near Vernon, B.C. The company has successfully reclaimed 40 of 60 hectares mined since the 1970s, converting the land from Class 4 to Class 2 Agricultural Land and improving water retention for farming operations.
Orca Quarry: pursuing a rock-solid business plan
Polaris Minerals Corporation operates the Orca Quarry on Vancouver Island, potentially Canada's largest sand-and-gravel quarry, which has survived the economic downturn despite demand dropping 45-50% since opening in 2007. The company reported 1.5 million tonnes sold in the first nine months of 2012, up 36% from the previous year, with 90% of production exported to California markets.
Dr. Norman Keevil of Teck receives the Order of B.C.
Dr. Norman Keevil, chairman of Teck Resources Limited, received the prestigious Order of British Columbia in 2012 for his contributions as a mining industry pioneer and philanthropist. Under his leadership, Teck grew from a $20 million company with three small underground mines to a major integrated resource company with almost $30 billion in assets over five decades.
Planning for a mine’s closure—before it opens
Thompson Creek Metals is constructing British Columbia's first major new metal mine in 15 years, the $2-billion Mount Milligan copper-gold project near Mackenzie. The company is implementing comprehensive environmental planning from closure design backwards, featuring zero-discharge water recycling, compact five-square-kilometre footprint, and extensive monitoring programs.
Seeking another Sullivan
Eagle Plains Resources is actively exploring for SEDEX-style deposits in British Columbia's East Kootenay region, seeking another deposit comparable to the historic Sullivan Mine. The company has formed joint ventures on its Iron Range and Findlay properties, with partners including Providence Resources and Australia's Mineral Metals Group completing drilling programs targeting base metal mineralization.
A coal mine and college partner on the Mothers to Miners program
Peace River Coal partnered with Northern Lights College to launch the Mothers to Miners program, a 12-week tuition-free training course for stay-at-home mothers to become haul truck drivers. The program received $88,000 in provincial funding and provides graduates with 200 hours of work experience and full-time employment opportunities at the coal mine.
With Luquman Shaheen at the helm, Panoro Minerals has seen success
Panoro Minerals CEO Luquman Shaheen reflects on four years of leadership that transformed the company from a $5 million market cap to $100 million, with $50 million in financing completed. The Vancouver-based company focuses on copper and copper/gold deposits in Peru's Andahuaylas-Yauri province, with significant exploration success at its flagship Cotabambas project driving future growth potential.
A family visit to the Britannia Mine Museum
The Britannia Mine Museum in British Columbia, located on the historic site of what was once the largest copper mine in the British Commonwealth, has been recognized as a top destination by TripAdvisor. The National Historic Site offers underground tours, gold panning activities, and educational exhibits that showcase the importance of mining to British Columbia's history and economy.
Alexco transforms the Keno Hill Silver District with environmental technologies
Alexco Resource Corporation's executives received the prestigious E.A. Scholz Award for successfully reopening the Bellekeno Mine and reviving Yukon's Keno Hill Silver District through innovative environmental management strategies. The Bellekeno Mine produced 2.02 million ounces of silver in 2011 and is currently Canada's only primary silver mine. Alexco is targeting 100 million ounces of silver resources and seven million ounces of annual production within the next decade while managing $50-60 million in environmental liabilities.
The BC AMTA will continue to provide valuable services
The BC AMTA, which had to close in 2012 due to funding issues, is set to resume operations with a new three-year government agreement. The organization has successfully placed 335 First Nations people in full-time mining jobs and plans to expand into two new regions in British Columbia.
Fab Rite celebrates 30 years
Fab Rite Services Ltd., a Cranbrook-based machining and fabricating company, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012. The company has grown to employ over 80 people and serves mining, forestry, and oilfield industries internationally, with plans to add another 20 staff members.
Maintaining a positive outlook
TTM Resources Inc is advancing its Chu Molybdenum Project in central British Columbia through environmental review processes while maintaining a resource of 370.6 million tonnes containing 482.2 million pounds of molybdenum and 286 million pounds of copper. The company plans to complete an updated preliminary economic assessment by end of year, with potential mine development targeted for 2015-2017 if molybdenum prices improve from current $14-15/lb levels.
Big wheels keep on turning
Rimex, a leading industrial wheel manufacturer founded in 1976, has grown from a truck-based operation to a global supplier with over 200,000 square feet of manufacturing space in British Columbia. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing steel wheels and rims for mining, forestry and industrial equipment, serving markets worldwide including Indonesia, Chile, South Africa and Australia.
BC’s Association for Mineral Exploration turns 100
AME BC celebrated its 100th anniversary in April at the Britannia Mine Museum, marking a century of representing British Columbia's mineral exploration industry. The association has grown from the original Vancouver Mining Club in 1912 to nearly 5,000 members today, supporting an industry that contributed $700 billion to BC's economy over its history. AME BC continues to advocate for land access, permitting improvements, and public education about mining's importance.
Mike Ranallo named new head of Mining Suppliers Association
Mike Ranallo has been named the new chairman of the Mining Suppliers Association of B.C. for a two-year term. Ranallo brings 25 years of mining equipment industry experience and currently serves as vice-president of international sales and marketing for SMS Equipment, which has grown its presence at Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia to 250 workers.
East Kootenay mine rescue and first aid teams show they’re well prepared
Teck's East Kootenay mining operations held their 91st annual mine rescue and first aid competition on May 12, 2012, at Elkford fire hall. Greenhills mine rescue team placed first overall, with both Greenhills and Coal Mountain teams qualifying for provincial championships in Revelstoke.
Teck plans an expansion to Line Creek operations
Teck Resources announced Phase II expansion plans for its Line Creek coal mine near Sparwood, BC, proposing two new operating areas with 59 million tonnes of clean coal reserves. The expansion would extend the mine's life by 18 years to 2032 while maintaining current employment levels of 486 workers.
Teck plans a Line Creek water treatment facility
Teck Resources announced plans for an $80 million selenium water treatment facility at its Line Creek coal mining operations near Sparwood, BC. The biological treatment facility will address naturally-occurring selenium in mine water, with construction set to begin in July 2012 and annual operating costs of $5 million.
Northwest British Columbia opens up
Imperial Metals Corporation received a Mines Act permit for its Red Chris copper-gold-silver mine in northwestern BC, with a 28-year approved lifespan and $450 million in capital costs. The project shows significant resource growth with a 103% increase in measured and indicated resources to 1.26 billion tonnes containing 8.89 billion pounds of copper and 12.9 million ounces of gold. Production is scheduled to begin mid-2014 with 300 employees and annual production of 30,000 tonnes per day.
What is a mining consultant?
McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.'s Prince George branch is providing resource road design services for major mining projects including Copper Fox Metals' Schaft Creek project and Seabridge Gold's Kerr-Sulphrets-Mitchell project in northwestern BC. Senior mining engineer David Pow explains how the consulting business is evolving to focus more on environmental and stakeholder impacts as the permitting process becomes more complex.
The McLeod Luck: a Hard Rock Story
This article profiles mining pioneer Don McLeod's memoir 'The McLeod Luck: a Hard Rock Story,' which recounts his 40-year career including successful ventures like Brandywine, Newhawk and Northair. McLeod opened the first gold operation in B.C. in 40 years without major investor assistance, with his Brandywine Mine producing $70 million worth of precious and base metals from 1977-1982.
This prospector’s secret: never stop looking
Dave Forshaw, a 63-year-old retired millwright and prospector, discovered gold and silver at Moose Creek near Mackenzie, B.C. in 1985 while camping. This discovery led him to establish Moose Creek Minerals Ltd. and acquire multiple properties across British Columbia, embodying his prospecting philosophy of 'never stop looking.'