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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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Vale puts a breakthrough in mining to the test in Sudbury
Vale is investing $49 million in a demonstration plant at its Copper Cliff Mine in Sudbury to test innovative Rail-Veyor underground mining technology. The technology uses smaller tunnels and promises to double conventional mining advance rates from 200 to 400 feet per week while improving safety and energy efficiency.
Claude Resources pours its one millionth ounce of gold at Seabee
Claude Resources announced pouring its one millionth ounce of gold at the Seabee Gold Operation in Saskatchewan in August 2012, becoming the first gold mine in the province to reach this milestone. The company has been in production since 1991 and operates two ore bodies, with over 900,000 ounces coming from the original Seabee ore body.
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.
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.
Mike Ranallo named new head of Mining Suppliers Association
Mike Ranallo has been named the new chairman of the Mining Suppliers Association of B.C. for a two-year term. Ranallo brings 25 years of mining equipment industry experience and currently serves as vice-president of international sales and marketing for SMS Equipment, which has grown its presence at Rio Tinto's Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia to 250 workers.
New clean mining association is formed
A new nonprofit industry association called the Clean Mining Alliance has been formed to support and advocate for technological advancements that make mining cleaner and more environmentally responsible. The five founding members include American Manganese, CERM³ at UBC, Kemetco Research, and Nevada Clean Magnesium, focusing on technologies like membrane-based water filtration, hydrometallurgical processes, and closed-loop systems.
Technology for measuring just about anything
Digital Precision Metrology, a precision measurement services company, is expanding its focus on the mining sector using advanced laser tracking technology. The company currently derives 32% of its revenue from mining clients and aims to increase this to 50%.
Teck plans a Line Creek water treatment facility
Teck Resources announced plans for an $80 million selenium water treatment facility at its Line Creek coal mining operations near Sparwood, BC. The biological treatment facility will address naturally-occurring selenium in mine water, with construction set to begin in July 2012 and annual operating costs of $5 million.
Teck plans an expansion to Line Creek operations
Teck Resources announced Phase II expansion plans for its Line Creek coal mine near Sparwood, BC, proposing two new operating areas with 59 million tonnes of clean coal reserves. The expansion would extend the mine's life by 18 years to 2032 while maintaining current employment levels of 486 workers.
What is a mining consultant?
McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.'s Prince George branch is providing resource road design services for major mining projects including Copper Fox Metals' Schaft Creek project and Seabridge Gold's Kerr-Sulphrets-Mitchell project in northwestern BC. Senior mining engineer David Pow explains how the consulting business is evolving to focus more on environmental and stakeholder impacts as the permitting process becomes more complex.
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.
Thompson Creek Metals expands its Endako molybdenum mine north of Prince George
Thompson Creek Metals has received a Mines Act permit amendment to expand its Endako molybdenum mine near Fraser Lake, BC. The $600 million expansion will nearly double processing capacity to 55,000 tonnes per day and create 160 new jobs while sustaining 400 total employees.
Let the good times roll
A.J. Forsyth, a division of Russel Metals Inc., has seen its Prince George branch transition from primarily serving forestry to having 50% of business tied to mining companies and suppliers. Company manager Kevin McCormick expects a 5-10 year building boom in northern B.C. with 27 new mines in various development stages.
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.
New life and a bright future at the Huckleberry Mine
Imperial Metals announced a seven-year life extension for its Huckleberry copper-molybdenum mine in British Columbia, extending operations from 2014 to 2021. The extension involves $119 million in new acquisitions and $82 million for dam construction, preserving 230 jobs and adding 70 new positions. The company is also exploring potential operations beyond 2021.
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.
Red Eagle Mining
Red Eagle Mining Corp., led by CEO Ian Slater, operates gold exploration and development projects at Santa Rosa and Pavo Real in Colombia's Antioquia Batholish and mid-Cauca gold belt. The company employs 90 people, with only two non-Colombian employees, and benefits from strong community support and good infrastructure in what Slater describes as safe, historic mining districts.
Making mining accessible
The Kamloops Exploration Group (KEG) is promoting mining awareness and education through its 25th annual conference and various outreach programs. The organization has grown from a small group of geologists to thousands of members focused on educating the public about mining and exploration in British Columbia.
Near-infrared technology essential for rapid and accurate mineral sampling
ASD Inc. released its TerraSpec 4 line of mineral analyzers that use near-infrared spectroscopy to provide rapid and accurate mineral sampling, enabling analysis of over 1,000 blast hole chip samples per day. The technology dramatically improves on traditional laboratory tests by delivering results in seconds rather than hours, helping optimize mining operations from exploration through production.
UCore will benefit from experienced new COO
Ucore Rare Metals Inc. has appointed Ken Collison as their new Chief Operating Officer, bringing decades of mining experience including permitting expertise and Alaska operations knowledge. Collison will focus on advancing permitting, completing the preliminary economic assessment in the coming months, and moving toward feasibility study completion for Ucore's rare earth project in Southeast Alaska.
Gold-plated ambition
Mark O'Dea, recipient of the Murray Pezim Award, reflects on his successful track record including the $2.3 billion sale of Fronteer Gold to Newmont last year. He has now launched Blue Gold Mining with $25 million in blind-pool financing to pursue gold and copper-gold deposits in secure jurisdictions.
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 product reduces downtime
Hallen Specialties has developed a patented belt conveyor idler replacement bracket that allows mining companies to repair damaged conveyor systems in 20 minutes instead of replacing entire frames. The new product reduces both downtime and costs for mining operations by providing a quick-fix solution for failed center supports.
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