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History.
When we think of mining history, we often think of the gold rushes that lured frenzied prospectors to wild and untamed lands or early coal miners toiling deep underground. Countless communities sprang up because of these mining operations—...
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Province funding restoration of historic Nanaimo coal mine structure
The British Columbia government is providing $1.4 million to restore the historic Morden Colliery headframe and tipple structure near Nanaimo, one of only two such structures remaining in North America. The 22.5-metre concrete structure from the early 1900s will undergo stabilization and repairs over the next year to preserve this significant piece of Vancouver Island's coal mining heritage.
The Elkview Coal Mine celebrates a milestone
The Elkview Coal Mine in southeastern British Columbia is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its surface operations, which began in 1969. The mine produces steelmaking coal and is operated by Teck Resources with 42 years of proven reserves remaining. Public tours are being offered through the Sparwood Chamber during July and August to mark this milestone.
Two TVO original documentaries Northern Gold and The Shadow of Gold focus on impact of gold
TVO is premiering two original documentaries in March focusing on the impact of gold mining - 'Northern Gold' examining the history of Timmins and 'The Shadow of Gold' exploring global gold mining economics and environmental costs. The documentaries give voice to miners and communities affected by gold extraction in Ontario and worldwide.
British Columbia’s new fossil protocol
British Columbia has implemented a new fossil management framework requiring all natural resource companies to assess paleontological impact before construction and follow standardized protocols when fossils are discovered. The new rules create consistency across sectors and include mandatory reporting to the Heritage Branch, protective buffer zones, and proper specimen handling procedures.
Local dinosaur prints on display at Cranbrook History Centre
Teck Resources discovered theropod dinosaur tracks at their Greenhills Mine and Fording River Operations in the East Kootenays, with seven tracks now on display at the Cranbrook History Centre. The 140 million-year-old tracks from the Mist Mountain Formation represent a significant paleontological discovery made during mining operations.
Third-generation coal miner and local historian
Third-generation coal miner John Kinnear, who worked 31 years at Teck's Line Creek Mine, has dedicated his retirement to preserving the history of coal mining disasters in southeastern BC. He will speak at an April ceremony in Sparwood commemorating 181 miners lost in Elk Valley mines from 1901 to present, including the 15 who died in the 1967 Balmer North explosion.
Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia—not your typical mining town
Tumbler Ridge, BC has successfully diversified from a traditional coal mining town into a UNESCO Global Geopark, demonstrating how mining communities can balance industrial operations with natural heritage preservation. The town has survived three mining waves since 1981, with coal companies now working cooperatively with paleontologists to document and preserve dinosaur fossils discovered during mining operations.
The struggles and spirit of Canadian coal mining towns
The Michel-Natal-Sparwood Heritage Society has relocated its Community Museum to preserve the history of two demolished coal mining towns in BC's Elk Valley. The museum tells the story of Michel and Natal, which were forcibly relocated to Sparwood in the 1960s due to proximity to hazardous coke ovens, displacing families who had built vibrant communities around coal mining since the 1880s.
How to revive a gold mine
Broadway Gold Mining Ltd., a Vancouver-based junior explorer, is developing the historic Madison property near Butte, Montana, leveraging past mining infrastructure and data from the 1850s-era gold camp. The company raised over $2 million in private placement financing to advance exploration at the advanced-stage project in one of the world's richest metal concentrations.
Bob Moffatt: A pioneer of Canada’s energy sector
Fifth-generation coal miner Bob Moffatt, who began working at Alberta's Atlas Coal Mine at age 16, has returned decades later as a tour guide at the preserved historical site. Moffatt shares his family's mining legacy spanning five generations and provides authentic historical context about Canada's early coal mining industry in the Drumheller Valley.
Celebrate BC Mining Week with Family Fun Day at Britannia Mine Museum
The Britannia Mine Museum is hosting a Family Fun Day on May 14th as part of BC Mining Week, featuring educational activities, exhibits, and entertainment to promote mining awareness. The museum also debuts its new summer exhibit 'Water: Beneath the Surface' exploring the role of water in mining and geology.
Kickstarter campaign hopes to pay tribute to Robert Service and his influence on mining in Canada
Kurt Breede from Watts, Griffis, and McQuat Ltd. has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund production of a teaser trailer for 'Klondike - The Shooting of Dan McGrew,' a screenplay based on Robert Service's Klondike Gold Rush poems. The project aims to pay tribute to Service's contributions to Canadian literature and highlight mining's role in shaping Canada's northern identity.
Coal production in B.C. is a thriving industry
British Columbia's coal industry remains robust despite global headwinds, with Teck Resources operating five major open-pit mines in the Elk Valley that have produced over 500 million tonnes since 1898. The industry generated $4.6 billion in 2013, representing 58% of BC's mining revenues, with most production exported to Asian steel mills via expanded infrastructure at Westshore Terminal.
A BC company whose inventions improve mining equipment
Caliper Machine and Hydraulics, a Cranbrook-based equipment manufacturer, has developed several innovative solutions for mining equipment including steel dashboards for Komatsu haul trucks and industrial windshield wipers. Their latest invention, the Roller Saddle Block for P&H electric shovels, is being tested at Teck Coal properties and reportedly saves thousands of dollars monthly in lubricant costs while extending component life.
Working Together to Protect the Elk Valley Watershed
Teck announced up to $600 million in investments over five years for water treatment and selenium management in B.C.'s Elk Valley, following a new provincial Area Based Management Plan Order. The company operates five steelmaking coal mines in the region and is constructing its first water treatment plant at Line Creek Operations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Light at the end of the tunnel
After seven years of development, Fernie's Miners Walk memorial project is under construction and expected to open in November 2011. The installation features six educational sites and an optical illusion sculpture that forms a miner's face, celebrating the city's coal mining heritage that was overlooked during its centennial celebrations.
Knight Piésold turns 90
Knight Piésold, an international engineering and environmental consultancy, celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2011. The company has grown from a one-person South African consultancy to a global firm with over 700 employees internationally and 160 in Canada across Vancouver and North Bay offices.
Keeping gold heritage alive
A century-old gold mining cabin from Perry Creek in B.C.'s East Kootenay has been restored and repurposed as a goldsmith shop by Cathy Sywulsky and her husband Chris. The couple relocated and rebuilt the 1890s structure to preserve mining heritage while operating The Gold Gallery, which creates jewelry from local materials including gold from regional miners.