Discover by Category
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...
1,000 stories
Unlikely miner becomes unexpected TV star
Ken Foy, an accidental gold miner turned TV star, discusses his experience on History Channel Canada's reality series 'Yukon Gold' which follows family-run placer gold mining operations in Dawson City. The show has brought increased regulatory scrutiny to Yukon mining operations and renewed public interest in gold mining, though Foy warns new entrants need deep pockets with minimum investments of $1 million.
Suncor’s Millenium Mine uncovered one of Alberta’s most important dinosaur discoveries
Suncor's Millenium Mine made a significant paleontological discovery in 2011 when shovel operator Shawn Funk uncovered a 115 million-year-old ankylosaur fossil during routine mining operations. This armoured dinosaur represents the first land dinosaur discovered in Alberta's oil sands and is 40-50 million years older than any other dinosaur specimen found in the province.
Game-changing new technology for mines
Vancouver-based MineSense Technologies is developing revolutionary sensor-based ore sorting technology that can measure mineral content in real-time at mining shovels and conveyors. The company's MineSense Solution aims for commercial production in 2016, with testing showing potential for 30-60% operational savings and 15-30% revenue improvements.
GE tests battery-powered loader dumpers at Canadian gold mine
Iamgold Corporation is testing General Electric's new battery-powered load haul dump vehicle at its Westwood underground gold mine in Quebec, marking the first such trial in Canada. The zero-emissions LHD operates entirely on battery power, eliminating diesel emissions while maintaining full operational capacity with 11,000-pound tramming capacity and 15-minute battery swapping capability.
Time to be proactive
Legal experts from Stikeman Elliott advised Canadian mining companies at the Minerals North 2014 conference to proactively recruit more women board directors before potential OSC legislation requires it. Currently, less than 7% of Canadian mining company board members are women, compared to 15% across all Canadian public companies.
Access to Ontario’s Ring of Fire a complex issue
The Northern Policy Institute has completed a research study examining infrastructure challenges in Ontario's Ring of Fire, where nearly 40 companies have identified deposits including major chromite resources that could generate $25 billion in economic activity over 30 years. The development faces complex issues around transportation corridors, First Nations agreements, and competing infrastructure proposals including a $1 billion commitment from Ontario's Liberal government.
Good timing for zinc
Canadian Zinc Corporation's Prairie Creek Mine in the Northwest Territories has been on the verge of production for nearly four decades, finally receiving its mining permit in November 2013. The company is now assessing infrastructure upgrades needed for the 30-year-old mining operation while waiting for improved zinc market conditions and financing opportunities.
Jim O’Rourke: Mine developer extraordinaire
Profile of Jim O'Rourke, CEO of Copper Mountain Mining Corporation, who has led the development of the company's copper mine near Princeton, BC from a $5 million market cap startup in 2006 to a $280 million operation today. The mine produced a 5 billion pound copper resource through extensive drilling and is expected to produce 80-90 million pounds of copper annually with planned capacity expansion.
Steering Baffinland’s Mary River Project
Tom Paddon, CEO of Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation, discusses the development of the Mary River Project on North Baffin Island, Nunavut. The project contains 365 million tonnes of high-grade iron ore (over 65% Fe) and is scheduled to begin mining operations later in the year with first ore shipments in 2015. Paddon emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement with Indigenous communities and building strong workplace culture at the remote Arctic operation.
Diavik Diamond Mine powers up with wind
Diavik Diamond Mine has successfully implemented a $31 million four-turbine wind farm that supplies 10% of the mine's power needs, saving 3.8 million litres of diesel fuel worth $5 million annually. The project addresses energy security risks highlighted during the 2006 mild winter when ice road conditions forced expensive fuel airlifts, and represents a new benchmark for wind generation in extreme cold temperatures down to minus 40 degrees Celsius.
Keeping it clean with magnetic filtration
One Eye Industries successfully implemented a high-flow magnetic filtration system at a diamond mine north of Yellowknife, exceeding guaranteed ISO cleanliness standards by improving hydraulic fluid from 25/24/16 to 17/14/10. The patented rare earth magnetic technology removes both ferrous and non-ferrous contamination to sub-micron levels, addressing premature equipment wear issues.
Starting the conversation about disclosure
The Canadian mining industry is pushing for mandatory payment disclosure regulation that would require governments to publish payments received from mining developments. Legal expert Catherine Wade outlines the benefits including transparency for investors and level playing fields between countries, while noting potential compliance costs and international relations risks.
Ore production begins at Cigar Lake
Cameco has begun ore production at its Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan, marking a significant milestone for one of the world's most technically challenging mining projects. The mine will reach full production capacity of 18 million pounds of uranium annually by 2018, using an innovative jet boring system developed specifically for this high-grade deposit.
Minerals North 2014
Minerals North 2014, a specialized northern BC mining conference, is being held in Vanderhoof from May 21-23, expecting 500 attendees. The conference highlights growing mining activity in the region, including New Gold's planned $1.8-billion Blackwater gold mine project. The event focuses exclusively on northern BC mining and exploration, differentiating it from larger Vancouver-based conferences.
CIM 2014 convention in Vancouver May 11 to 14
The Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) announced details for its 2014 convention in Vancouver from May 11-14, featuring the theme 'Mining 4 Everyone' to celebrate diversity in the mining workforce. The event will include technical sessions, workshops, an expo with 500+ exhibiting companies, and plenary speakers including government ministers and mining executives.
BC mining property faces possible rebirth
AuRico Gold Inc. filed a project description for its Kemess Underground Project with environmental agencies, proposing a copper/gold mine 250 km north of Smithers, BC. The underground block cave operation would produce 1.3 million oz. of gold and 563 million lb. of copper over 12 years, utilizing existing infrastructure from the closed Kemess South mine. The company expects a two-year environmental review process and has secured interim agreements with three First Nations bands.
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.
New mining advisory council in Manitoba to benefit First Nations communities
Manitoba has established Canada's first Mining Advisory Council in November 2013, comprising First Nations chiefs, mining companies like Vale and Hudbay Minerals, and provincial representatives. The council aims to improve consultation processes, benefit sharing, and environmental stewardship between First Nations communities and the mining sector.
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.
Executive confident about gold mine’s development
Pretium Resources CEO Robert Quartermain expressed confidence that the company's high-grade Brucejack gold project in northwestern BC will proceed to production by 2016, despite uncertain gold prices. The project contains 8.7 million oz. of measured and indicated gold at 17.6 g/t in the Valley of the Kings zone, with an updated feasibility study expected in Q2 2014.
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.