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MacLean manufacturing milestone celebrated 3,600 feet underground at Vale, Manitoba Operations
MacLean Engineering celebrated a major manufacturing milestone with the delivery of their 400th Series 900 Scissor Bolter to Vale's Manitoba Operations. The underground ceremony marked nearly four decades of innovation in mining safety equipment since the technology was first developed in 1984. The scissor bolter has become a staple in Canadian hard rock mining and is increasingly exported globally.
PM Harper announces tax breaks for LNG industry in B.C.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced federal tax breaks for BC's LNG industry, including a 30% capital cost allowance for liquefaction equipment and 10% for buildings. The tax relief applies to capital assets acquired between now and 2025 and aims to help the industry compete globally while spurring job growth.
More railway regulation will jeopardize Canada’s world-class system: MLI Report
The Macdonald-Laurier Institute released a report warning that increased railway regulation could harm Canada's freight rail system. The report argues that current regulation is sufficient and that over-regulation historically led to underinvestment and poor performance in moving commodities like coal, potash, and oil.
First production of copper concentrate at Red Chris mine
Imperial Metals announced first production of copper concentrate at its Red Chris mine in northern BC as mill commissioning progresses successfully. Both SAG and ball mills are operating at full capacity, with flotation circuits now being commissioned using low grade ore. This represents a major milestone for the company's flagship development project.
UBC announces new Executive MBA in Strategic Mining Management
UBC's Sauder School of Business and NBK Institute launched Canada's first Executive MBA in Strategic Mining Management, a 21-month program starting September 2015. The program was developed with input from senior mining executives to train the next generation of industry leaders in operational and financial decision-making.
For the first time in Quebec, Canada: World Uranium Symposium
The World Uranium Symposium is being held in Quebec City for the first time, bringing together over 100 international specialists to examine critical issues across the nuclear fuel chain from April 14-16, 2015. The symposium addresses key policy questions around nuclear energy's future, safety standards, environmental protection, and indigenous rights in the context of global nuclear industry challenges including Fukushima and rising costs.
Frac sand business is still booming; Select Sands develops fine mesh project close to wellheads
Select Sands has optioned a 520-acre Tier 1 frac sand property called Sandtown in Arkansas, strategically located 650 miles closer to Texas and Louisiana oil basins than competing Wisconsin operations. The company plans $30 million in capex for plant construction starting in 2016, targeting the premium fine-mesh sand market where demand has increased significantly due to new fracking techniques.
Environmental assessment certificate application review of proposed Fording River Operations
Teck Coal Limited has submitted an environmental assessment application for the Swift Project, an extension to the Fording River Operations that would extend mine life by 23 years while maintaining existing coal production capacity. The Environmental Assessment Office has accepted the application for a 180-day review period starting January 28, 2015, with a 45-day public comment period from February 20 to April 6, 2015.
Kennady Diamonds intercepts Kimberlite at NWT Kelvin property and gets private placement
Kennady Diamonds successfully intersected kimberlite at its Kelvin property in the Northwest Territories, extending the known pipe-like body approximately 40 meters beyond previous drilling. The company also closed a $20 million private placement to fund its winter exploration program, which includes bulk sampling and drilling across multiple kimberlite targets.
Mineral explorers express support for BC Budget 2015
AME BC expressed support for the 2015/2016 BC budget which increased funding for the Mines and Mineral Resources Division by $6.3 million to $17.1 million and extended the $10 million BC mining flow-through share tax credit. The association believes these measures will boost public and investor confidence in mineral exploration and development.
BCIT offers first-in-Canada Bachelor’s Degree in Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering
BCIT is launching Canada's first Bachelor of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Resource Engineering program starting Fall 2015. The program combines geology, mineral exploration, and mining engineering skills to address an industry gap between geologists and engineers. The unique degree builds on BCIT's 50-year track record in mineral exploration education.
Mount Polley mine owner served with search warrants
Imperial Metals Corp has been served with search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into the Mount Polley mine dam collapse that occurred in August 2014. The failure released 24 million cubic metres of wastewater into nearby lakes and streams, with an independent report blaming poor dam design built on sloped glacial terrain.
Veris Gold Corp. obtains extension of CCAA stay period
Veris Gold Corp. obtained a court-ordered extension of its CCAA creditor protection until February 23, 2015. The company has been operating under bankruptcy protection since June 2014 and is currently reviewing results of its sales process with potential bidders through Deutsche Bank.
Brandt begins transit of 300-ton coal dragline boom
Brandt Engineered Products completed manufacturing a 300-ton, 330-foot replacement boom for a coal dragline excavator, marking the company's largest project ever undertaken. The boom, destined for a U.S. mine, is being transported in phases from Brandt's Regina facility, with the top section scheduled to depart February 3rd.
Commerce Resources Corp. initiates drill program at the Ashram Rare Earth Deposit
Commerce Resources Corp. has begun mobilizing for a 4,000-metre drill program at its Ashram Rare Earth Deposit in Northern Quebec. The drilling aims to upgrade resource confidence from inferred to indicated/measured categories, which is required to convert mineral resources to ore reserves for the ongoing Pre-feasibility Study.
FortisBC finalizes LNG supply agreement with BC Ferries to fuel new vessels
FortisBC has finalized a 10-year agreement to supply up to 300,000 gigajoules of LNG annually to BC Ferries for their three new intermediate class ferries. The deal will fuel vessels from FortisBC's Tilbury facility in Delta and Mt. Hayes facility on Vancouver Island, providing the energy equivalent of 7.8 million litres of diesel fuel while reducing carbon emissions by 9,000 metric tonnes per year.
Great Lakes Graphite focuses on small manufacturers
Great Lakes Graphite has completed acquisition of its flagship Lochaber property in Quebec and finished diamond drilling to support a mineral resource estimate. The company is targeting smaller North American manufacturers within 600km of the deposit, positioning itself to become one of the first graphite producers in North America as Chinese supply faces uncertainty.
MABC acknowledges Independent Expert Engineering Panel Report on Mount Polley
The Mining Association of B.C. (MABC) acknowledged the Independent Expert Engineering Panel Report on the Mount Polley tailings dam failure. The industry association committed to reviewing recommendations and working with stakeholders to maintain high safety standards across B.C. mining operations.
Women In Mining Canada have announced the winner of the 2015 WIM Canada “Trailblazer Award”
Women in Mining Canada announced Betty-Ann Heggie as the winner of the 2015 Trailblazer Award, the first national award in Canada recognizing women's contributions to mining. Heggie is a former senior VP at PotashCorp and member of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame.
CanAm Coal diversifies with frac sand property purchase
Alabama-based CanAm Coal Corp. completed a $1.5 million acquisition of mineral rights for a 1,200-acre frac sand property in central Alberta. The strategic purchase allows the coal company to diversify into the growing frac sand market, with initial testing indicating tier 1 and tier 2 quality sands suitable for oil and gas fracking operations.
Guest Editorial: Special interest groups erode Canada’s prosperity says Gwyn Morgan
Business leader Gwyn Morgan warns that special interest groups and regulatory challenges are threatening Canada's resource sector prosperity. He highlights ongoing court challenges against multiple projects across Canada and uncertainty created by the Supreme Court's Aboriginal Title decision. Morgan argues that without understanding how resource wealth is generated, Canada risks losing its economic advantage.
Mining industry welcomes the release of BC’s independent panel report on Mount Polley
The Mining Association of Canada responded to the BC Government's independent panel report on the August 2014 Mount Polley tailings dam failure. The panel concluded the failure was caused by an unidentified clay layer beneath the dam, and MAC committed to reviewing recommendations to enhance tailings dam safety across the industry.
Joint panel releases report on Mount Polley failure: Government to take immediate action
The BC government announced immediate regulatory actions following the Mount Polley tailings dam failure investigation, requiring all mines with tailings storage facilities to confirm foundation material safety by June 30, 2015. New requirements include establishing Independent Tailings Dam Review Boards and implementing a comprehensive code review to adopt best practices.
Association of Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) names new Board of Directors
The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) announced its new Board of Directors following its 103rd Annual General Meeting held January 26, 2015. The board includes both appointed regional representatives and elected directors from major mining companies including Teck Resources, Pretium Resources, and Antofagasta Minerals.
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