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Exploration.
What we constantly see when interviewing individuals for stories in Canadian Mining & Energy is that the people in the exploration industry are an optimistic bunch. These passionate prospectors confess that this character trait is esse...
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Diamond miners sign agreement with Northwest Territories Metis
De Beers Canada and Mountain Province Diamonds signed an Impact Benefit Agreement with the Northwest Territories Métis Nation for the Gahcho Kué diamond mine project. The mine, located 280 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, is 54% complete and expected to begin production in Q3 2016 with projected annual cash flow of $630 million.
Geology advocate to present at Mineral Exploration Roundup
Andrew Randell, a professional geoscientist with Strata GeoData Services, will present at the 2015 Mineral Exploration Roundup about supporting unemployed geologists through workshops and addressing industry employment challenges. His survey shows 60% of respondents have been out of the geology industry for over a year, with 50% considering leaving permanently.
Roundup 2015 moves to new, roomier Vancouver venue
The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia's Roundup 2015 conference is moving to the Vancouver Convention Centre East from January 26-29, featuring a 25% larger exhibit space and expanded international scope. The event will introduce new best-practice sessions covering aboriginal engagement, corporate social responsibility, and other key industry topics under the theme of 'intelligent exploration'.
North Arrow Minerals exploring for diamonds in Saskatchewan
North Arrow Minerals completed a till sampling program at its Pikoo diamond project in Saskatchewan, collecting 441 samples over four weeks. The program follows up on the 2013 discovery of diamond-bearing kimberlite, with the most significant discovery being PK 150 kimberlite that returned 745 diamonds from a 209.7-kilogram sample. Follow-up drilling is planned for fall 2014 and winter/spring 2015.
Coalspur’s Vista project
Coalspur Mines is developing the Vista thermal coal project near Hinton, Alberta, which could become the largest export thermal coal mine in North America with 12 million tonnes per annum capacity. The company has secured major contractors and regulatory approvals but is conducting a strategic review to determine full funding options ahead of March 2015 repayments to EIG Global Energy Partners.
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.
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.
The challenge of infrastructure at Ontario’s Ring of Fire region
Noront is proposing a $400 million, 280-kilometre access road to develop its Eagle's Nest copper-nickel project in Ontario's Ring of Fire region. The company has received its mining lease and is the only active project in the chromite-rich region, which has an estimated $120 billion in potential revenue but lacks basic infrastructure.
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.
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.
A new book provides guidance on how to engage with First Nations
AME BC released the Aboriginal Engagement Guidebook: A Practical and Principled Approach for Mineral Explorers at Roundup 2014. The guide provides practical advice for prospectors and early-stage explorers on building relationships with First Nations, emphasizing early, informal engagement and two-way conversations. Industry experts highlight that First Nations engagement has become standard practice and is essential for project success.
Majors lead investment
Northwest Territories mining sector shows strong growth potential with major projects advancing through permitting stages. Ekati diamond mine seeks approval for 10-20 year life extension, while multiple projects including NICO, Gahcho Kué, and Prairie Creek receive federal approvals to proceed.
Yukon site could be the world’s largest undeveloped zinc deposit
Selwyn Chihong Mining announced a $56 million investment for 2014 to advance the Selwyn Project in eastern Yukon, potentially the world's largest undeveloped zinc-lead deposit. The company has scaled up plans from a 3,500 tonnes-per-day underground operation to a 25,000 tonnes-per-day open-pit mine, with construction costs estimated at $1.8 billion.
Mine investment firm bullish on BC
Royal Gold, a US $3.3-billion mining investment firm, praised British Columbia's mining-friendly policies and announced major investments in the province. The company has invested US $781.5 million in Thompson Creek's Mt. Milligan copper/gold mine and now receives 52% of gold production, with the mine expected to become Royal Gold's largest revenue source.
Suncor and partners set to develop Fort Hills
Suncor Energy and partners Total E&P Canada and Teck Resources have committed to developing the Fort Hills oil sands project in Alberta, with a $13.5 billion capital investment. The project has 3.3 billion barrels of bitumen resources and is designed for 180,000 barrels per day production, targeting first oil in Q4 2017.
Gold mine places BC project on hold
New Gold Inc. is postponing development of its massive $1.8 billion Blackwater gold project in British Columbia for two years due to declining gold prices, which have dropped US$600/oz in the past 16 months. Instead, the company will prioritize development of its smaller Rainy River project in Ontario, which has half the capital cost at $885 million.
An update on the Reed Copper Mine project
VMS Ventures discovered the Reed Copper Mine in Manitoba in 2007 using advanced VTEM technology, hitting high-grade copper mineralization including 10 metres at over 10% copper. The company partnered with Hudbay Minerals in a joint venture where VMS retains 30% and is carried to production, with commercial production expected in Q2 2014.
Rare earth metals critical to Canadian economy
Avalon Rare Metals' Nechalacho project in the Northwest Territories is positioned as the most advanced potential large new source of heavy rare earths outside China. The company completed a feasibility study after investing $90 million and is now seeking off-take agreements and strategic partners to finance the $1.5 billion development.
Tom Schroeter: B.C.‘s unofficial mining ambassador
Tom Schroeter, CEO of Vancouver-based Fjordland Exploration Inc., discusses the company's strategy of forming joint ventures with major mining companies to navigate the challenging exploration market. Fjordland focuses on copper-gold porphyry deposits in B.C.'s Quesnel Trough and has reduced its property portfolio from 38 to 18 projects during the market downturn.
Prospecting award goes to Saskatchewan uranium discovery
Ross McElroy, president of Fission Uranium, received the 2014 Bill Dennis award from PDAC for discovering the Patterson Lake South uranium deposit in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. The high-grade, shallow discovery has rejuvenated regional exploration interest, with about 20 junior companies now holding significant land positions in the area.
Bulk sample program results prove golden
Pretium Resources' bulk sampling program at its Brucejack gold project in northwestern B.C. exceeded targets by producing 5,865 oz. of gold from 10,302 dry tonnes, 47% above the original 4,000 oz. goal. The company also released an updated resource estimate showing 8.7 million oz. of measured and indicated gold at 17.6 g/t in the Valley of the Kings zone.
Revolutionizing prospecting and exploration in Yukon
Yukon prospector Shawn Ryan, who discovered the White Gold District, has developed revolutionary exploration methods that reduce costs from $500,000 over two field seasons to $100,000 in 2.5 weeks. The new approach combines eBee drones, DC resistivity surveys, Geoprobe drilling, and XRF analysis for environmentally-friendly gold exploration.
How G8 transparency rules affect Canadian mining companies
Legal expert Alan Hutchison discusses G8 transparency rules requiring mining companies to disclose government payments, noting the regulations should help rather than hinder the industry. He emphasizes that community relations and First Nations accommodation agreements are increasingly critical for project approval in Canada.
New president of Geoscience BC brings years of experience to the table
Robin Archdekin was appointed as the new president and CEO of Geoscience BC, effective October 1, 2013. He brings extensive experience across the resource sector and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with First Nations and government stakeholders. Geoscience BC is launching the TREK Project, a major regional minerals initiative covering over 25,000 square kilometres of BC's northern interior plateau.