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Mining Beat.
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Don't call it a comeback
Sparwood, BC is undergoing a major transformation with Elk Valley Resources building a new 550-person central office and the community shifting from transient workforce housing to family-oriented developments. The town is positioning itself to become a hub for mining innovation and ancillary services by 2030.
Teck Resources purchases land in Elk Valley to protect fish and wildlife
Teck Resources purchased 7,150 hectares of private land in BC's Elk Valley and Flathead River Valley for $19 million to protect wildlife and fish habitat. The land acquisition demonstrates Teck's commitment to environmental stewardship alongside mining operations.
W.S. Tyler expands with new Rocky Mountains facility
W.S. Tyler has opened Haver & Tyler Rocky Mountains (HTRM), a new sales and service center in Chilliwack, British Columbia, to serve mining and aggregate producers across the Pacific Northwest and northern Canada. The facility offers 24-hour parts delivery within BC and focuses on vibrating screens and optimization services for the mining industry.
K+S Potash Canada provides major funding to SIAST’s mining program
K+S Potash Canada donated $121,800 to the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology to support mining engineering programs and student scholarships. The funding includes $25,000 in scholarships that will be matched by the provincial government, bringing the total value to $145,000.
Huakan International Mining appoints an independent director
Huakan International Mining appointed David Bo as an independent director and audit committee member following shareholder approval at their Vancouver AGM. Bo brings 25 years of resource sector experience including roles at PetroChina and Ivanhoe group companies. The company holds exploration properties in British Columbia totaling 6,700 hectares focused on gold, silver, and base metals.
Veris Gold Corp. fills two key positions
Veris Gold Corp. appointed Robert L. Chapman as president and Joanne C. Jobin as vice-president of investor relations, effective April 23, 2013. Chapman brings 32 years of mining experience and will oversee operations at the company's gold-producing Jerritt Canyon property in Nevada, while Jobin contributes 25+ years of investor relations expertise from major mining companies including Barrick Gold and IAMGOLD.
Kootenay Silver announces a strategic investment by Agnico Eagle Mines
Kootenay Silver announced a $4.75 million strategic investment from major gold miner Agnico Eagle through a private placement, giving Agnico Eagle nearly 10% ownership. The financing will advance Kootenay's flagship Promontorio Silver project in Sonora, Mexico, with potential for additional $3.4 million if warrants are exercised.
PM announces the conclusion of Northwest Territories devolution negotiations
The Government of Canada has reached consensus on devolution negotiations that will transfer lands and resource management authority to the Northwest Territories government. This will give the territorial government control over onshore minerals, oil and gas rights issuance, and allow them to collect and share in resource revenues.
A new gold mining reality series airs in spring 2013
A new reality television series called 'Yukon Gold' will premiere March 13, 2013, featuring four gold mining crews operating in northern Canada. The 10-episode series will air on History Channel Canada and National Geographic Channel in the U.S., showcasing miners from Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec.
Avanti Mining is trying to restart the Kitsault mine
Vancouver-based Avanti Mining is seeking environmental approval to restart the shuttered Kitsault molybdenum mine in northwestern B.C. The project is under review by provincial ministers who have 45 days to decide on an environmental assessment certificate. If approved, the company plans to extract 232 million tonnes of ore over 16 years and create 350 permanent jobs.
Taseko is looking for new prosperity
Taseko Mines' New Prosperity gold-copper mine near Williams Lake, B.C. is facing regulatory uncertainty as a federal review panel seeks clarity on environmental assessment criteria under revised legislation. The billion-dollar open-pit project has already been rejected once and faces opposition from local First Nations.
Major takeover in Canada’s diamond business
Harry Winston Diamond Mines Ltd. is acquiring BHP Billiton's diamond business, including the Ekati diamond mine in Northwest Territories, for $500 million in cash. The deal combines Harry Winston's diamond expertise with a world-class operating asset and includes BHP's employees at Ekati and marketing operations in Antwerp.
Five B.C. mines are recognized for reclamation
Five British Columbia mining operations received awards from the BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation in September 2012 for outstanding mine reclamation practices. The awards recognized diverse operations from copper mine remediation on Vancouver Island to agricultural land restoration at sand and gravel operations, highlighting the province's commitment to environmental stewardship in mining.
Diamond drilling has begun on Eagle Plains’ Findlay property
MMG has commenced diamond drilling on Eagle Plains Resources' Findlay/Greenland Creek property in BC's East Kootenay region, where MMG can earn up to 75% interest. The property shows Sullivan-style mineralization potential with lead-zinc targets and includes the historic Silver Key Mine that averaged 3,431 g/t silver.
New commercial geochemistry lab opens in Cochrane, Ontario
SGS opened a new commercial geochemistry laboratory in Cochrane, Ontario, strategically located to serve the minerals exploration industry in northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec. The facility offers comprehensive analytical services including fire assay for gold, trace metal analysis, and sample preparation for soils and drill-core samples.
B.C. government and First Nations sign third significant agreement for 2012
The British Columbia government and Kaska Dena Council signed a Strategic Land Use Planning Agreement covering 7.4 million hectares in northern B.C. The agreement provides a framework for natural resource development while protecting cultural and environmental values, including establishment of the new Ne'ah protected area.
Australian prisoners take mining training
Prisoners in Queensland, Australia are taking mining training courses while incarcerated to help address workforce shortages in the mining industry and reduce reoffending rates. A pilot program at Maryborough correctional facility achieved an 81% completion rate with 13 of 16 participants earning Certificate 2 qualifications.
MIRARCO hires new CEO
MIRARCO, a non-profit mining research and technology organization, has appointed Vic Pakalnis as its new president and CEO. Pakalnis brings extensive experience from major mining companies including Inco and Falconbridge, as well as academic and government backgrounds.
The QR Mine will process ore from Bonanza Ledge
Barkerville Gold Mines received an amendment to its Mines Act permit allowing the QR Mill to process ore from its new Bonanza Ledge gold mine in BC. The mill will provide 40 jobs over four years and process up to 300,000 tonnes of ore from the Bonanza Ledge deposit discovered in 2000.
MIRARCO investigates solar and wind power for mining
MIRARCO is investigating renewable energy solutions for remote mining operations in Ontario's Ring of Fire, comparing wind and solar power alternatives to expensive diesel generation. The organization proposes offshore wind from Hudson Bay and floating solar arrays as cost-effective alternatives for upcoming mining projects requiring 25-30 MW of power.
Rio Tinto is looking to publish a new magazine
Rio Tinto announced plans to launch a new corporate magazine called 'Mines to Markets' starting in 2012. The publication will showcase the company's mining activities from exploration to product delivery, emphasizing sustainable development and community engagement.
Aboriginal mining training program closes
The B.C. Aboriginal Mine Training Association program is closing due to lack of funding after successfully placing 310 aboriginal workers in mining careers over two and a half years. The program exceeded its original mandate of placing 148 people by more than double.
Castle Resources gets right of way for 17-kilometre tunnel
Castle Resources received a 30-year renewable right of way from B.C. for the 17-kilometre Granduc Tunnel, providing private road access to its past-producing copper mine in Stewart. The tunnel connects the underground mine to year-round port facilities and allows for mineral exploration including underground diamond drilling.
Mini-series about mining coming to TV sets this fall
A new TV mini-series 'Mining Your Future' premieres September 8, 2012 on CTV, showcasing mining career opportunities in British Columbia. The show will feature 24 high-paying mining jobs across eight episodes, targeting job seekers amid expectations of over 10,000 new mining positions opening in BC over the next decade.