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Vale’s CEO dies in kit-built aircraft crash
Vale's former CEO Roger Agnelli died in a private aircraft crash in Brazil along with his family. Agnelli transformed Vale from a state-owned company into the world's largest iron ore producer during his tenure from 2001-2011.
NexGen Energy calls uranium drilling results, “simply stunning”
NexGen Energy reported exceptional drilling results from its Rook I uranium project in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, with hole AR-16-63c2 recording the strongest radioactivity ever seen at the Arrow zone. The results demonstrate strong continuity in the high-grade A2 sub-zone and suggest significant expansion potential for the deposit.
Saskatchewan tops for mining investment in Canada
The Fraser Institute's 2015 mining survey ranked Saskatchewan second globally for mining investment attractiveness, maintaining its position from 2014. The survey evaluated 109 jurisdictions based on mineral potential and policy factors, with Western Australia taking first place and Ireland leading on policy perception alone.
Karnalyte Resources Inc. announces agreement in principle for $700m US financing for potash mine
Karnalyte Resources Inc. announced an agreement in principle for $700 million US financing for its potash mine project. This represents a significant funding milestone for the Calgary-based company's potash development efforts.
First Quantum Minerals announces the sale of its Kevitsa Mine for US$712 million to Boliden
First Quantum Minerals has agreed to sell its Kevitsa nickel-copper-platinum mine in Finland to Boliden AB for US$712 million. The transaction is part of First Quantum's strategy to strengthen its balance sheet and improve capital structure to support development of its Cobre Panama project. The sale is expected to close in May 2016 pending regulatory approvals.
Hatch marks new era of positive change
Engineering consultancy Hatch announced a strategic repositioning to address changing market conditions affecting mining and energy clients. CEO John Bianchini outlined the company's enhanced services strategy at PDAC 2016, emphasizing innovation partnerships and improved client service delivery.
Land claims largest deterrent to mining investment in B.C.
A Fraser Institute survey reveals that uncertainty over disputed land claims is the biggest deterrent to mining investment in British Columbia, with 77% of respondents citing it as a concern compared to much lower rates in other provinces. Recent Supreme Court decisions have worsened the situation by opening private companies to aboriginal title litigation, putting both existing and future mining projects at risk.
BC Minister of Mines introduces new regulatory compliance, penalities and enforcement tools
BC Minister of Energy and Mines introduced amendments to the Mines Act that add administrative monetary penalties and increase maximum court penalties from $100,000 to $1 million. The changes implement recommendations from investigations into the Mount Polley tailings dam failure and align BC mining regulations with other provincial natural resource legislation.
Britespan wins 2016 Small Business of the Year Award
Britespan Building Systems Inc. has been awarded the 2016 Small Business of the Year Award by the AIR MILES Reward Program. The award recognizes the company's innovative engineering solutions and commercial success across North America.
Mining still strong
Pierre Gratton, CEO of the Mining Association of Canada, addressed a chamber of commerce luncheon in Cranbrook, B.C., acknowledging current economic challenges while expressing optimism about the medium and long-term prospects for Canadian mining. He highlighted that mining accounts for 20% of Canadian exports and directly employs over 375,000 people, emphasizing the need for Canada to prepare for the next upswing through infrastructure improvements and streamlined processes.
The Rare Earths Market: Thriving, but Threatened by Illegal Mining and Production in China
InvestorIntel announces Professor Dudley Kingsnorth as keynote speaker for the 5th Annual Cleantech & Technology Metals Summit in Toronto, May 10-11. His presentation will focus on how illegal rare earths mining in China threatens global supply chains and non-Chinese producers. The summit features technology metals experts discussing critical minerals demand growth and cleantech industry impacts.
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.
IMII enters into research funding agreements with the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan
The International Minerals Innovation Institute has secured $2.6 million in funding to establish the Mining Materials Research Cluster in Saskatchewan, focusing on corrosion research for potash mining equipment. The four-year initiative involves partnerships with the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, with funding from IMII ($1.2M) and Western Economic Diversification ($915K).
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.
Karina Brino recognized as one of BC’s top Influential Women
Karina Brino, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC, was recognized as one of BC's top Influential Women in Business by Business in Vancouver newspaper. Marcia Smith from Teck Resources also received the award, with both women being honored for their leadership in promoting diversity and social responsibility in mining.
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.
College of the Rockies offers program for displaced workers
College of the Rockies launched a 15-week Trades Exploration program to retrain displaced workers from Canal Flats mill and other regional industries. The program covers six heavy trades areas plus safety certifications, running April 4-July 15 with $1995 tuition.
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.