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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...
161 stories
Callinex Mines makes headway in a low market
Callinex Mines completed a diamond drilling program at its Gossan Hill property near Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, covering 3,679 hectares with gold-bearing mineralization. The company maintains $3 million in the bank and is positioned to weather the current challenging market conditions with dedicated shareholder support.
Historic mine, modern technology and future hedges: the Wingdam gold project
Omineca Mining and Metals is developing the historic Wingdam gold mine in BC's Cariboo district using freeze-mining technology borrowed from Saskatchewan potash operations. The company's test mining recovered 4,704 grams of gold from a small tunnel, suggesting potential yields of 4.2-5.6 million grams across the full two-kilometre channel.
A thunderstorm: where his career began
This is a career profile of John Roozendaal, founder and president of VMS Ventures Inc., highlighting his journey from a chance encounter during a thunderstorm to founding a successful junior mining company. The company's major achievement was the 2007 discovery of a high-grade copper deposit at Reed Lake, Manitoba, which is now being developed with Hudbay as a 70% partner with production expected by late 2013.
Strengthening trade relations
Lou Naumovski of Kinross Gold Corporation discussed the company's successful mining operations in Russia at the CERBA conference during PDAC 2013. Kinross has produced over 80 tonnes of gold from its Kubaka Mine and surpassed 3 million ounces of gold-equivalent production at its Kupol Mine, with the Dvoinoye Mine expected to be commissioned by end of 2013.
How B.C. can win a gold medal in the economic Olympics
Mining executives at the BC Natural Resource Forum called for streamlined permitting processes and improved First Nations consultation frameworks to boost mining investment in British Columbia. The panel highlighted regulatory inefficiencies as barriers to development, with companies like Xstrata Coal investing $700 million in northeastern BC coal projects.
Greenland property could be the next site of an open-pit nickel mine
North American Nickel reported a significant discovery at its Maniitsoq project in Greenland, intersecting 123.94 metres grading 0.81% nickel at the Spotty Hill target. The company believes the 4,983-square-kilometre property could host a new nickel camp comparable to Sudbury Basin, with potential for open-pit mining operations.
Bill C-47 brings regulatory hope to Nunavut
The Mining Association of Canada is optimistic about Bill C-47, the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, which aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty in the territory after nearly 20 years of waiting. The legislation could unlock over $8 billion in northern mining investment over the next decade, with Nunavut potentially gaining 4,500 new jobs.
Could this be a new gold district?
Aben Resources' Justin property in southeastern Yukon is showing strong gold potential with recent drilling returning 1.49 g/t gold over 46.4 metres at the POW Zone. University of British Columbia geologists believe the discovery could represent a new gold district, with mineralization showing similarities to major deposits like Fort Knox in Alaska.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
BCGold Corp.
BCGold Corp. is advancing the historical Engineer Mine Property in northwestern B.C. toward near-term small-scale production, planning to produce 1,500-3,000 ounces of gold from a bulk sample this year. The company owns 75% of the high-grade gold property with an option to earn 100% interest by January, having invested $4 million in exploration and development since 2006.
Refining Canada’s natural resource industry
Federal Minister Joe Oliver announced new "one project, one review" regulations to streamline natural resource project approvals, with $165 million allocated over two years for responsible resource development. The Economic Action Plan 2012 includes extending the 15% Mineral Exploration Tax Credit and aims to attract over $500 billion in mining and energy investment over the next decade.
A deeper look at the Sully
Omineca Mining and Metals has signed an agreement to drill the Sully property near Kimberley, BC, which hosts a gravity anomaly similar to the world-class Sullivan deposit. The property has been advanced to drill-ready stage after years of geological work, with the potential for a Sullivan-scale discovery that could have significant regional economic impact.
Manganese on the horizon
American Manganese completed three phases of drilling at Artillery Peak in Arizona, establishing an NI 43-101 resource of over 277 million tonnes grading 2.84% manganese. The company believes this could make them the world's lowest-cost manganese producer, targeting production of 50,000 tonnes annually starting in 2014 with a 17-year mine life.
The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inducts the “father of flow-through”
John Hansuld, former PDAC president known as the "father of flow-through," was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame this winter. His adaptation of flow-through shares from oil and gas to mining helped raise over $3 billion in capital over five years, revolutionizing Canadian mining finance.
Blackwater is just the beginning
Dirk Tempelman-Kluit and Peter Bernier received the H.H. 'Spud' Huestis Award for their work discovering the Blackwater gold project in central B.C. The project achieved a March 2011 resource estimate of 1.8 million ounces indicated and 2 million ounces inferred gold resources, leading to Richfield Ventures' acquisition by New Gold in 2011.
Jeff Pontius hunts for treasure in North America
Jeff Pontius, CEO of Corvus Gold and veteran mining geologist, discusses his career spanning four gold discoveries that became mines, including the 20-million-ounce Livengood discovery in Alaska. Corvus Gold's key North Bullfrog deposit in Nevada posted an initial resource of 1.6 million ounces in late 2022, with drilling campaigns planned to assess expansion potential and a newly-discovered high-grade feeder zone.
New Gold locks up the Blackwater district
New Gold Inc. completed a major consolidation of the Blackwater district in British Columbia through three strategic acquisitions totaling approximately $608 million. The company acquired the majority of the Blackwater project from Richfield Ventures for $480 million, then purchased Geo Minerals for $18 million and Silver Quest Resources for $110 million, expanding its land package from 240 to 670 square kilometres. The acquisitions increased indicated gold resources to 5.3 million ounces and silver resources to 53.7 million ounces.
Reflecting on his experiences
Lindsay Bottomer, vice-president of business development at Entrée Gold Inc., reflects on his 40-year career in mining and exploration. He discusses his role in important discoveries including the Eskay Creek Mine in B.C. and international projects in Mongolia and South America. Bottomer remains optimistic about industry opportunities despite acknowledging the cyclical nature and challenges of the sector.
Drilling down for data
Century Wireline Services, a geophysical logging company based in Red Deer, Alberta, has achieved over 40% sales growth in recent years by providing cost-effective alternatives to traditional core drilling. The company operates across multiple sectors including coal, oilsands, and emerging hard rock mining applications, with current projects split 50% coal and 50% oilsands.
Seeking further evidence
Geoscience BC and the East Kootenay Chamber of Mines launched the SEEK project to compile mineral exploration data and stimulate investment in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. The project aims to identify deposit types beyond those similar to the historic Sullivan Mine, one of the world's largest lead-zinc operations that sustained the regional economy for nearly 100 years.
Rugged mining robots can go where no man has gone before
Inuktun Services Ltd., a Nanaimo-based robotics company, is developing remotely operated vehicles for mining applications including borehole inspection, flooded mine assessment, and hazardous environment operations. The company is addressing mining industry adoption challenges through flexible rental and lease options, with systems ranging from $9,000/week rentals to $200,000 purchases.