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Mines.
A great deal of exploration, assessment and consideration of logistical details must occur before a mine can begin operation—and once it does, there are many things that can impact its success. In Canadian Mining & Energy, we look at t...
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CRH Canada’s Dufferin Aggregates Acton Quarry certified as socially and environmentally responsible
CRH Canada's Dufferin Aggregates Acton Quarry has become the world's first quarry to receive certification as a supplier of responsibly sourced stone, sand and gravel from the Cornerstone Standard's Council. This landmark certification establishes a new pathway for sustainable aggregate sourcing and is expected to serve as a catalyst for industry-wide improvements in environmental and social responsibility practices.
Hitachi introduces five mining electric drive shovels
Hitachi Construction Machinery introduced five new electric drive mining shovels (EX1900E-6 to EX8000E-6) to U.S. and Latin American markets. The zero-emission electric drive motors are designed to reduce operating costs where low-cost electricity is available. The shovels feature reduced maintenance requirements and eliminate consumables like engine oil, filters, and coolant.
First Elk Valley water treatment facility begins full operations in Sparwood, B.C.
Teck Resources has successfully commissioned its first water treatment facility in the Elk Valley, achieving 100% of design targets for selenium removal. The $120 million West Line Creek facility reduces selenium by 96% and nitrate by 99% from mine-affected water at the Line Creek Operations.
AME BC supports B.C. budget 2016
The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) endorsed B.C.'s 2016 budget which extended the BC Mining Exploration Tax Credit through January 2020 at rates of 20% (30% for mountain pine beetle areas) and renewed the BC Mining Flow-Through Share tax credit. These fiscal incentives are designed to sustain grassroots exploration during the industry downturn.
Walter Energy puts their Canadian mines up for sale and sells other assets to Seminole Coal Resource
Walter Energy placed its Canadian subsidiary Walter Canada under creditor protection in December 2015, putting three metallurgical coal mines in British Columbia up for sale. The company separately sold its remaining U.S. assets to Seminole Coal Resources while excluding the Canadian and UK operations from that transaction.
Taseko files Supreme Court suit against Government Of Canada
Taseko Mines has filed a civil lawsuit in BC Supreme Court against the Canadian federal government seeking damages related to the 2014 rejection of their New Prosperity Project. The company claims the government failed to meet legal duties owed to Taseko, causing ongoing damages to the multi-billion dollar gold-copper deposit project in BC's Cariboo region.
Airborne survey unlocks resource potential - West-Central British Columbia
Geoscience BC completed a $2.415 million airborne magnetic survey covering 6,700 square kilometres in west-central British Columbia between Terrace, Kitimat and Smithers. The survey, the most detailed ever flown in the region, aims to unlock mineral potential in this under-explored area and guide future land use decisions.
Mining agreement builds training opportunities throughout British Columbia
The BC Centre of Training Excellence in Mining signed an MOU with five post-secondary institutions to offer distributed delivery of BCIT's mineral exploration and mining technology diploma program. The agreement creates a pilot project allowing students across BC to complete up to a full year of the program at local institutions, addressing the mining sector's demand for skilled workers.
Government takes action to keep mine workers on the job
The BC government announced a five-year program allowing metal and coal mining companies to defer up to 75% of their electricity costs over two years to help keep mines operational during low commodity prices. The program supports approximately 7,500 workers at eight metal mines and five coal mines in the province.
Teck ekes out profit despite challenging times
Teck Resources reported annual adjusted profit of $188 million despite challenging commodity conditions, down from $452 million in 2014. The company took $2.7 billion in impairment charges for 2015 but maintained strong liquidity and kept most operations cash flow positive.
Mining’s contributions to Canada strong despite downturn
The Mining Association of Canada's Facts & Figures 2015 report shows mining contributed $57 billion to Canada's GDP in 2014 despite market volatility. The industry directly employed over 375,000 people and remains the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal peoples proportionally.
Dominion Diamond Corporation reports MVEIRB’s recommendation for approval of Jay Project
The Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board has recommended approval of Dominion Diamond Corporation's Jay Project, subject to specific measures outlined in their environmental assessment report. The Jay deposit could extend Ekati mine life by 10-11 years beyond the current 2020 closure date to at least 2030.
Imperial reports Huckleberry Mines Ltd. provides notice to suspend operations
Imperial Metals announced that Huckleberry Mines Ltd. will suspend operations at the Huckleberry Mine by the end of August 2016 due to declining copper prices. The mine will be placed on care and maintenance until copper prices improve, despite significant cost reduction efforts.
Liebherr-Canada Ltd. unveils impressive new and improved facilities
Liebherr-Canada completed $24 million in facility investments during 2015, including a new state-of-the-art mining remanufacturing facility in Acheson, Alberta and an expanded facility in Burlington, Ontario. The company also appointed Tim Petersen as Managing Director to help lead the expanding business with over 330 employees.
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.
New Procon CEO John McVey is ready to tackle Canada’s toughest mining challenges
John McVey has been appointed as the new CEO of Procon, a 700-employee mining services company focused on underground mining and industrial solutions across Canada. The company is diversifying geographically and expanding its service offerings to weather challenging commodity price conditions, with strong performance in diamond and potash mining sectors.
Discovery Ventures Inc. appoints new “QP” and Head of Technical Services
Discovery Ventures Inc. has appointed Lorne Warner, P.Geo, as its new Qualified Person and Head of Technical Services. Warner brings over 30 years of experience and was instrumental in discovering several mineral deposits including the M Gold Zone at Detour Lake Mine. The appointment aims to advance the company's WillaMAX Project in British Columbia's Kootenays region.
Teck sues Alaska over massive tax hike
Teck Resources has filed a lawsuit against Alaska over proposed tax increases that could more than triple the company's annual payments and threaten the competitiveness of its Red Dog zinc mine. The Vancouver-based company argues the tax hike could put jobs at risk at one of the world's largest zinc operations.
MGX Minerals receives approval of mining lease for Driftwood Creek magnesium project
MGX Minerals received approval for a 20-year mining lease for its flagship Driftwood Creek magnesium project near Brisco, BC. The company has also purchased a former Tembec millsite in Cranbrook to process the magnesium, potentially employing 40-50 people.
Oil price drop improves mining companies’ position regarding long-term renewable energy contracts
Falling oil prices have improved mining companies' negotiating positions for long-term renewable energy contracts. While lower diesel costs make the immediate business case for solar and wind less attractive, mining companies can now lock in favorable 20+ year power purchase agreements before oil prices recover.
Widow of geologist Michael J. Fitzgerald wins litigation and clears her late husband’s name
Marisa Fitzgerald, widow of geologist Michael J. Fitzgerald, has won a 16-year legal battle against Mountainstar Gold Inc. Multiple courts across jurisdictions cleared her late husband of improper conduct in staking claims that led to Barrick's Goldstrike gold deposit in Nevada. Courts ruled Mountainstar's claims were vexatious and brought in bad faith.
New B.C. mines moving ahead in 2016
B.C. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett highlighted several new mine developments moving forward in 2016 despite challenging market conditions. Pretium Resources raised US$540 million for its Brucejack gold mine construction, while JDS Silver's Silvertip project and other developments are also advancing.
Kaminak Gold Corporation announces positive feasibility study results on Yukon Coffee Gold Project
Kaminak Gold completed a positive feasibility study for its Coffee Gold Project in Yukon, showing a C$455 million NPV and 37% IRR with 10-year mine life producing 184,000 ounces annually. The company plans to begin permitting in 2016 with mine construction targeted for mid-2018, supported by $28 million in current financing.
Saskatchewan’s Cameco sets production outlook for Cigar Lake operation
Cameco announced that its Cigar Lake uranium operation is expected to produce 16 million packaged pounds of uranium concentrate in 2016, with Cameco's share being 8 million pounds. The production target is subject to regulatory approval to increase the McClean Lake mill's licensed production capacity from 13 million to accommodate the higher output.