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Inside AME BC - News Release - Mineral Explorers Applaud BC Jobs Plan
- AME BC’s Pre-Budget Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: Recommendations for the 2012 Budget
- AME BC Speaker Series Presenting Robert A. Quartermain, November 2, 2011
- Registration for Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012, "Celebrating our First Century of Global Discovery", is now open!
Health & Safety - Recognize Health and Safety Leadership Today - David Barr Award Extended
- Bears, Water, and Exploration: Be Aware, Be Safe
- Emergency Preparedness
- Helicopter Fatality and Safety
Mineral Exploration News - New studies look at key HR trends and challenges in mineral exploration and knowledge workers in the mining industry
- Mineral Resources Education Program of BC 1,000 Club
- UBC Research – Highly Qualified Women in the Canadian Mining and Exploration Industry
- Site C Clean Energy Project Update
- Proposed Changes to National Instrument NI 41-101: Proposal to make QPs submit to jurisdiction
- Changes to National Instrument NI 43-101: Standards of disclosure for mineral projects
- BCIT GIS Student Projects/Practica with the mining sector
- Invitation to the Greater Vancouver Mining Women’s Association Christmas party!
- Mineral Deposit Research Unit at UBC (MDRU News)
- Welcome Bruce Madu as Director of British Columbia Mineral Development Office in Vancouver
Geoscience BC News - Geoscience BC Announces Collaborative Horn River Basin Water Study Phase II Activities
Employment Opportunities
Courses & Education
Upcoming Events and Conferences |
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| Inside AME BC |
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News Release - Mineral Explorers Applaud BC Jobs Plan
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Vancouver, BC – September 22, 2011 – Today the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC) applauded the release of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. In particular, AME BC thanked the provincial government for its commitment of $24 million toward reducing the time it takes to get decisions on approvals and permits for natural resource sectors. This will be done without compromising British Columbia’s world class safety and environmental standards or the requirement to consult with First Nations. The government has stated that once the permit and approval backlog is reduced, the target for turnaround on new "notices of work" for mines will be 60 days.
“Based on high commodity prices, our natural mineral potential, and proximity to Asian markets, BC is experiencing a modern-day gold rush built on safe, responsible and successful exploration,” said Gavin C. Dirom, President and CEO of AME BC. “There are more than 350 mineral exploration projects and 20 major mine projects active in BC. In 2010, we saw a doubling in exploration expenditures, up from $154 million in 2009 to $322 million as well as seeing almost $1.5 billion spent in construction and development of new mines or expansions. These new mines potentially represent the creation of 10,000 new jobs over the next ten years.”
“Our members, however, have identified the prolonged delay in receiving permits as a major challenge in advancing their exploration programs,” said Mona Forster, Chairperson of AME BC. “We thank Premier Christy Clark and her government for recognizing this challenge and addressing it directly in today’s announcement.”
Other highlights of the BC Jobs Plan that are related to mineral exploration and development include:
• A commitment to eight new mines and the expansion of another nine mines currently operating in British Columbia by 2015
• A Major Investments Office at the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation that will work with investors proposing significant projects in BC to coordinate and accelerate government's activities to support them
• A new BC Jobs and Investment Board that will promote investment opportunities and identify any issues and processes that may be limiting that investment.
• An Aboriginal Business and Investment Council to enhance Aboriginal people's capacity for economic participation, transcend traditional Aboriginal and industry silos in project planning and development and provide investors with the tools they need to engage and partner with BC First Nations.
“We are confident that once implemented, the BC Jobs Plan will lead to new opportunities that will allow the mineral exploration sector to advance their projects in BC. These will provide enhanced employment opportunities that will benefit families throughout every region of British Columbia,” concluded Dirom.
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AME BC’s Pre-Budget Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: Recommendations for the 2012 Budget
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The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) is the predominant voice of mineral exploration and development in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME BC now represents 4,000 individual and 330 corporate members including junior and major companies, geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, suppliers, mineral producers and associations who are engaged in mineral exploration and development in BC and throughout the world. Through leadership, advocacy, and partnerships, AME BC promotes a responsible and successful mineral exploration and development sector in BC and around the world.
BC is renowned as the world’s centre for mineral exploration and development expertise. With the largest concentration of professional geologists in the world, this province is home to over 800 companies exploring and developing mineral resources not just here in BC and Canada, but around the globe. Over 400 related consultant and supplier companies support the sector, including technical, legal, investment and accounting firms. On top of that, almost $3 billion was raised in risk venture capital in BC in 2010.
Mineral exploration and development is the one of BC’s foundational economic drivers. The sector spurs responsible regional development, creates family sustaining jobs, enhances infrastructure and increases government revenue to offset our rising health care and education costs. As such, AME BC is pleased to provide the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services with low cost, high return pre-budget recommendations that will provide confidence to industry and assist in attracting global investment, building lasting capacity & expertise and reducing the red tape that is currently hindering our potential prosperity during these economically turbulent times. Read more...
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AME BC Speaker Series - Robert A. Quartermain BSc, MSc, P.Geo, DSc, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director, Pretium Resources Inc.
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| AME BC is excited to present Robert Quartermain. Mr. Quartermain will relate his varied experiences in mineral exploration and development around the world, specifically Pretium’s B.C. projects , Brucejack and Snowfield. He will also discuss the commodity cycle, the economic outlook and opportunities for other B.C.-based companies.
Robert's Bio
Robert A. Quartermain has extensive national and international experience in the resource industry. Over his 35-year career in the industry, Mr. Quartermain has established a solid track record in building shareholder value in the field of precious metals exploration and development. Mr. Quartermain was the president of Silver Standard Resource Inc. for 25 years. Over this period, Silver Standard grew from a junior exploration company, with a market capitalization of $2 million, to a major silver resource company with one producing mine, five advanced exploration and development properties, a pipeline of early stage exploration properties and a market capitalization of over $2 billion. In 2010, after retiring from Silver Standard, Mr. Quartermain created a new company, Pretium Resources Inc. to focus on exploration and development of the high grade Brucejack and lower bulk tonnage Snowfield Projecst in northern British Columbia. Mr Quartermain has a number of philanthropic interests some of which are industry focused such as the Quartermain Earth Science Centre and Quartermain Geology Scholarships both at UNB. Mr Quartermain is a past President of the World Silver Institute, recipient of the AMEBC Murray Pezim Award for Perseverance in Mineral Exploration and the CIMM VALE Medal for Distinguished Service to the Canadian Mineral Industry. Mr. Quartermain holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from the University of New Brunswick, a Master of Science degree in mineral exploration from Queen's University and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of New Brunswick in May 2009. Wednesday, November 2, 2011: Keynote Robert A. Quartermain
Time: 12pm – 1:30pm
Place: The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver (845 Burrard Street)
Check-in time: 11:30am
Registration form available here. |
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| Registration for Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012, "Celebrating our First Century of Global Discovery", is now open! |
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Join us as we kick off AME BC's 100th anniversary at the world's premier technical mineral exploration conference at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver, January 23-26, 2012.
Click here to register on line, by mail, or by fax now. The early registration deadline (to qualify for discounted registration fees) is December 2, 2011. Register now for short courses, field trips and special events as spaces are limited and sell out quickly. Click here to learn more about the conference including the short courses line-up, special event keynote speakers, sponsorship opportunities, and more.
2012 AME BC individual members are entitled to discounted registration rates. To be eligible for the discounted rates, you must purchase a 2012 AME BC individual membership as part of your Roundup 2012 registration. A 2011 individual membership does not apply.
General questions? Phone the Roundup Hotline at 604.630.3930 or toll free at 1.877.689.5554, or email roundup@amebc.ca. Registration questions? Phone CONEXSYS Event Registration at 604.488.1435 or toll free at 1.877.307.6918.
Roundup is brought to you by AME BC. |
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| Health & Safety |
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| Recognize Health and Safety Leadership Today - David Barr Award Extended |
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The AME BC Health & Safety
Committee encourages you to nominate a leader or company that has
demonstrated extraordinary commitment to health and safety for the David
Barr Award. This award salutes leadership and innovation in mineral
exploration health and safety and is presented at the Health &
Safety Awards Breakfast and Awards Dinner at Mineral Exploration
Roundup. Send nominations by Monday, October 31 to Jonathan Buchanan at
jbuchanan@amebc.ca.
Click here for eligibility criteria and a list of past recipients. |
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| Bears, Water, and Exploration: Be Aware, Be Safe |
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| In the news: two bear maulings and a transmission tower collapse. Recent events across British Columbia should warn explorers in all areas about the hazards that a late summer brings. It has also been confirmed that a Lillooet area woman whose remains were found last week near her home had been killed by a black bear. On July 4, a man was mauled by a grizzly bear in Oweekeno near Rivers Inlet on the Central Coast as he was picking berries. Also on July 4, a hydro transmission tower on the bank of the Fraser River in Surrey collapsed due to erosion of the river bank as the river crested.
Although no mineral exploration personnel were involved in these events, these incidents serve as stark reminders that the late summer in British Columbia and elsewhere in North America poses hazards for mineral explorers and all people in or near the backcountry.
Bears
The AME BC Health & Safety Committee encourages members to:
• Be alert for signs of bear
• Avoid areas where bears are present in large numbers.
• Reduce food odours at camps and incinerate garbage.
• Make noise while traversing (use cans of rocks, air horns, etc.).
• Take bear awareness training courses and read relevant literature.
• Carry bear bangers or a canister of the bear repellent Counter Assault or an equivalent bear spray in a readily accessible location.
• Have a firearm available at camp and knowledge where to shoot to kill or disable a bear in the event of an emergency. Experience in the safe use of firearms is essential. Note that in Canada, only people who hold a PAL (Possession and Acquisition Licence) or POL (Possession Only Licence) can carry firearms.
• If an attack is unavoidable, be prepared to potentially fight off an aggressive predatory bear with anything at hand.
Further procedures are included in AME BC’s Safety Guidelines in Mineral Exploration in Western Canada. Two highly recommended videos are "Staying Safe in Bear Country" and “Working in Bear Country” available from the Safety in Bear Country Society. The Government of Yukon bear safety website and the University of Alberta Earth & Atmospheric Sciences bear safety website are also excellent sources of information.
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| Emergency Preparedness |
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A 20-year-old man doing mineral exploration work was airlifted off Dahl Mountain in central British Columbia on August 31 after a cliff edge he was standing on gave way. Due to the efforts of his colleagues and the local search and rescue agency, a helicopter rescue was eventually possible. However, as the crew only had a satellite phone in camp, which was about four hours away, and due to the rugged terrain of the area, the entire rescue took approximately 23 hours.
Click here for an account of the rescue.
Two key lessons from this incident are as follows.
1. Pay attention to your surroundings, assess risks, and prepare accordingly. Be very careful around steep slopes and unstable cliff edges.
2. Exploration parties should carry satellite phones (or cell phones in areas of cell coverage) or maintain regular radio call-in schedules with another member of their organization who does have satellite and/or cell communication.
Resources
The AME BC Health & Safety Committee encourages members to review guidelines in Chapter 7, Travel and Transportation, of Safety Guidelines in Mineral Exploration in Western Canada. Condensed safety procedures are also available in the Field Work and Traversing Safety (Code 1500) and Communication (Code 1600) safety stickers (Code 1700), which are available from the AME BC office and at http://www.amebc.ca/documents/Policy/Health/stickers-web.pdf.
Note that Emergency Response Procedures are necessary components of any exploration program. View Basic Emergency Response Guidelines.
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| Helicopter Fatality and Safety |
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A helicopter crash near Stewart, BC claimed the lives of a pilot and two passengers on July 31. This tragedy, the first fatal helicopter incident related to mineral exploration in Canada since 2008, occurred during a geological program in the area of Nelson Glacier. The deceased are a 35-year old pilot from Abbotsford and two passengers, one from Powell River, the other from Quebec. The investigation, which is still in progress, is being led by Transport Canada, along with the BC Coroners Service and the RCMP. AME BC is also in contact with the Chief Mines Inspector for the province regarding this incident.
Helicopter safety is a main concern of the AME BC Health & Safety Committee, which will analyze details of the incident once they are made available. AME BC will also be forwarding relevant details to help inform members of what happened and work toward communicating recommendations to prevent such an incident in the future.
Our hearts are with the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
Helicopter Safety Resources
Both in the air and on the ground, everyone is responsible for helicopter safety.
The AME BC Health & Safety Committee encourages members to review guidelines in Chapter 7, Travel and Transportation, of Safety Guidelines in Mineral Exploration in Western Canada. Condensed safety procedures are also available in the Helicopter Safety sticker (Code 1700), which is available from the AME BC office and at http://www.amebc.ca/documents/Policy/Health/stickers-web.pdf.
For detailed procedures and additional resources consult Chapter 16 of the PDAC e3 Plus Excellence in Health and Safety e-toolkit (log-in required) and the Basic Aviation Risk Standard.
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| Mineral Exploration News |
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| New studies look at key HR trends and challenges in mineral exploration and knowledge workers in the mining industry |
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| The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) has recently published two new studies that provide valuable insight into sector-specific occupations and workforce segments that have not previously been studied from a mining industry perspective.
The first study, Unearthing Possibilities: Human Resources Challenges and Opportunities in the Canadian Mineral Exploration Sector, conducted by MiHR in partnership with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), analyzes labour market issues and the short- and long‐term HR challenges facing the exploration sector and serves as the basis for developing an industry strategy and action plan to address key HR issues, such as the impact of high and increasing educational requirements of the exploration sector, the under-representation of key talent groups, such as women and Aboriginal peoples and the need for more direct links between educators and industry.
MiHR partnered with the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) to publish a second sector study, Making the Grade: Human Resources Challenges and Opportunities for Knowledge Workers in Canadian Mining, to help employers better understand the impacts of this workforce segment on a sector, or on the mining industry as a whole. Read more... Read more articles from MiHR's HR Prospector Newsletter. |
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| Mineral Resources Education Program of BC 1,000 Club |
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It is “back to school” time again, and I know that education is top of mind for many of us, whether it is the education of our children or grandchildren. We would like to remind you of our industry’s education program – the Mineral Resource Education Program of BC (MREPBC) – that is so vitally important as it supports geosciences and mineral resources education at the elementary and secondary school levels throughout our province.
MREPBC is a partnership program between teachers and the minerals industry, and it is entirely funded by the generosity of corporations and individuals like ourselves. Since its inception in 1991, MREPBC has supported more than 7,600 BC teachers through instructional workshops, field trips and conference programs as well as providing classroom materials and curriculum-based lesson plans. Over the years, these teachers have reached more than 700,000 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, who have benefitted from MREPBC’s mineral, mining and geosciences education programs. The enclosed newsletter clearly details MREPBC’s amazing work with our students and teachers.
The role MREPBC plays is vital to sustaining our industry as it exposes our young people (tomorrow’s adults!) to modern mineral exploration and mining practices and builds an understanding of the industry’s processes, the people who work in our industry and mining’s important contributions to society. Through MREPBC’s curriculum and special initiatives, mineral-focused education helps create a well-informed student body as well as an educated public. Students also gain exposure to the many career opportunities available in the industry.
MREPBC’s target is to raise $300,000 annually for operations through corporate donations and individual five year pledges. We encourage you to consider joining MREPBC’s “1,000 Club” where passionate individuals commit to donating $1,000 per year for five consecutive years.
To join the “1,000 Club” fill out the pledge form here return it to MREPBC today.
To learn more about MREPBC visit www.bcminerals.ca. |
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| UBC Research – Highly Qualified Women in the Canadian Mining and Exploration Industry |
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| Courtnay Hughes, a graduate student at UBC is conducting a research study on the career advancement and retention of Highly Qualified Women (HQW) in the Canadian Mining and Exploration Industry. This research includes a survey intended for women who are working (or who have worked) in the Canadian Mining and Exploration Industry, and have obtained a post-secondary bachelor's degree or higher.
If you are a woman who has a Bachelor's degree or higher and you are working, or have previously worked, in the Canadian Mining Industry, you are invited to complete this survey!
Secondly, you are welcome to forward this link to Highly Qualified Women within your own networks. The survey will be open until October 21, 2011, and takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
Begin survey here.
The data generated will be compiled into aggregate statistics to preserve the privacy of participants. If you have any questions about the research, contact: Courtnay Hughes (nee Bush) at cbush@interchange.ubc.ca, or Dr. Malcolm Scoble malcolms@mining.ubc.ca. If you have any concerns about your rights as a research subject, contact the UBC Office of Research Services at 604-822-8598 or RSIL@ors.ubc.ca.
Thank you in advance, for your participation in this research study! |
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| Site C Clean Energy Project Update |
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On September 30 the federal and provincial governments jointly announced a draft harmonization agreement that refers the Site C project to a Joint Review Panel by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office. The regulators will be inviting written public comments on this draft agreement.
More information is available at:
• CEA Agency
• BC EAO
BC Hydro is pleased to have direction about the regulatory process for the Site C project, and looks forward to a rigorous and independent Joint Review Panel process. For more information about the Site C Clean Energy Project please contact Susan Yurkovich, Executive Vice-President, BC Hydro at susan.yurkovich@bchydro.com.
NEWS RELEASE: BC HYDRO WELCOMES JOINT REVIEW PANEL PROCESS FOR SITE C
BC Hydro today welcomed the announcement that a draft agreement has been developed by the federal and provincial governments for a harmonized environmental review of the Site C Clean Energy Project (Site C). The draft agreement includes a joint review panel process for Site C, and initiates the environmental assessment.
“We are pleased that the Site C project has been referred to a joint review panel, and we look forward to commencing what will be a rigorous and independent process,” said Dave Cobb, CEO of BC Hydro. “The environmental assessment for Site C will provide multiple opportunities for consultation and input by the public, communities, Aboriginal groups, and stakeholders.”
As part of the environmental assessment of Site C, BC Hydro will identify and assess potential project effects — environmental, economic, social, heritage and health — and opportunities to provide lasting benefits for the region and First Nations. Where effects cannot be avoided, BC Hydro will identify and evaluate options for mitigation.
The Site C project requires environmental certification and other regulatory permits and approvals before it can proceed to construction. In addition, the Crown has a duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Aboriginal groups.
BC Hydro forecasts that electricity demand in the province will increase by approximately 40 per cent in the next 20 years, and new sources of clean, reliable and cost-effective electricity will be required.
“We are proposing to construct the Site C project as part of our overall regeneration program to invest in and renew the province’s electricity system,” said Cobb.
Site C would also contribute to economic development by creating approximately 7,000 person-years of direct construction employment through the seven-year construction period. The project is estimated to create up to 35,000 direct and indirect jobs through all stages of development and construction.
BC Hydro has adopted a multi-stage approach for the evaluation of Site C. The project is currently in Stage 3, Environmental and Regulatory Review. This stage includes an independent environmental assessment process led by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office. The multi-stage process provides the Province with milestones for assessing the project and deciding whether to proceed to the next stage.
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| Proposed Changes to National Instrument NI 41-101: Proposal to make QPs submit to jurisdiction |
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The Canadian Securities Administrators have published proposed changes to NI 41 101, General Prospectus Requirements and Companion Policy 41 101CP to NI 41 101 together with other miscellaneous amendments to related instruments.
The 90 day comment period closed October 15, 2011.
AME BC director Brian Abraham gives perspective to this proposal in this article. |
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| Changes to National Instrument NI 43-101: Standards of disclosure for mineral projects |
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Canada is the home to the majority of the world’s public mining companies, and the majority of mining company financings are completed in Canada. As a result, Canada has one of the most developed regulatory systems for mining companies, and its national rule NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) that establishes standards for disclosure of scientific and technical information for mineral projects has become somewhat of an international standard. Investors know, like, and understand NI 43-101, and often mining companies with no connection to Canada and therefore not subject to NI 43-101 will prepare technical reports and feasibility studies in accordance with NI 43-101 standards because of its acceptance in the mining and financing industry. NI 43-101 has become an international brand name conveying quality of the scientific and technical information on mineral projects.
On June 30, 2011 amendments to NI 43-101 became effective, to produce an updated and more flexible rule (“New NI 43-101”) for mining issuers. New NI 43-101 reflects issuer and regulator experience with NI 43-101, and changes in the mining industry that has occurred over the years. Read the full article here.
For more information please contact the authors, Laurel Petryk at 604.691.7480 or laurel.petryk@mcmillan.ca, or Darrell Podowski at 604.691.6857 or darrell.podowski@mcmillan.ca. |
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| BCIT GIS Student Projects/Practica with the mining sector |
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Every year, the BCIT Geographic Information Systems (GIS) students undertake a project or a practicum with a government agency, or public company, such as a mineral exploration company, to fulfill their diploma. In past years, some of the mining companies that had a BCIT GIS student do a project/practicum are:
- Teck Resources Limited,
- Kiska Metals Corporation, and
- Capstone Mining
The current year of BCIT GIS students have started their classes this week. Part of their course load is to locate a sponsor (a company or government agency), who will undertake either a project or practicum with the student in the January – May 2012 time frame. Would your company consider having a BCIT student undertake either a project or a practicum with you?
A BCIT GIS Practicum or Project offers a valuable opportunity for sponsors to play a role in GIS technology education while benefiting from the student’s knowledge and skills. There is no cost to the sponsor for a GIS Practicum or Project. Liability for students will be covered under the Institute’s Coverage For Students On Approved Industry Project Practicums.
Project vs. Practicum Overview
A project is a unit of work defined in a Project Plan. Usually, the work is carried out independently by the student. The Project sponsor will approve the project definition as contained in the Project Plan, will be advised of the Project status on an ongoing basis and will review the completed project. BCIT faculty provides technical direction and project supervision. Past projects have included:
- Developing an open source web mapping application to show digital orthophotos for the Vancouver lower mainland,
- Development of a web map for the Okanagan Basin Water Board
- Land cover classification of a satellite image (Landsat) data set and comparison to Earth Observation for Sustainable Development of Forest (EOSD) data for Labrador Inuit Lands
- A Comparison of Technologies for Delivering GIS Data and Functionality to the Desktops of Parks Canada Staff
A practicum is suitable for a sponsor who has technical expertise and time sufficient to provide detailed work supervision for the work undertaken by the student. The practicum uses an employer/employee mentor relationship for a paradigm. Agencies that have had students work in their office in production setting have included:
- Creating geological maps for Riverside Resources and for Capstone Mining,
- GIS Model for Stanley Park Ecology Society Conservation Program (producing updated maps with various ecological elements such as invasive plants, environmentally sensitive areas, and urban wildlife in Stanley Park.),
- Applying ArcGIS knowledge at Stantec Consulting Group and for Kerr Wood Leidal
Both models can be flexibly defined to achieve an optimal solution for the three stakeholders: BCIT faculty, student and sponsor. You may also find a great student that you would like to hire after they graduate!
For more information, contact:
Karl Kliparchuk, M.Sc., GISP
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Tel: 604-451-6897
Email: karl_kliparchuk@bcit.ca
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| Invitation to the Greater Vancouver Mining Women’s Association Christmas party! |
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Celebrate with us this holiday season while supporting a good cause!
Save this date – Nov. 25, 2011
The Greater Vancouver Mining Women’s Association invites you to attend a Gala Event.
Dinner/Dance/Silent Auction
This will be a very special evening with lots of surprises!
All tickets purchased by Nov. 1st are entered into the Early Bird draw for a room at the Four Seasons on the party night.
Location: Four Seasons Hotel - 791 West Georgia Street
Cocktails: 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $100 each – book individually or for groups
Purchase Deadline: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011
Contact person: Tricia Prince-Wright (604) 732-4731
The GVMWA uses all proceeds to promote mining through education: -Bursaries for students at SFU, BCIT, and UBC -Transportation for schools to the BC Museum of Mining at Britannia Beach -Mineral kits for Gr. 5 students through the Mineral Resources Education Program of BC -Prizes at the Annual Greater Vancouver Regional Science Fair |
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| Mineral Deposit Research Unit at UBC (MDRU) |
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Four companies have decided to step up and more fully support MDRU as Foundation Members. The MDRU Board of Directors are happy to announce that ALS Minerals, Eldorado Gold Corp., Kinross Gold Corp. and Silver Quest Resources have joined with AngloAmerican, Barrick Gold, Goldcorp and Teck Resources as MDRU Foundation Members.
Foundation Memberships provide MDRU with additional funding to more fully deliver on its mandate of research, student training and professional development. In addition, these Foundation Member companies comprise MDRU's Board of Directors who determine the strategic direction of the unit.
MDRU Corporate Members can be invited to become a Foundation Member. If you are interested in stepping up, please contact MDRU Director Craig Hart, or any of the current members of the Board of Directors. Click here for membership details.
More MDRU news available here. |
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| Welcome Bruce Madu as Director of British Columbia Mineral Development Office in Vancouver |
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(A note from David Lefebure, Chief Geologist\Executive Director, British Columbia Geological Survey, Ministry of Energy and Mines)
Bruce Madu has now assumed the position of Director of the British Columbia Mineral Development Office in the Geological Survey Branch of the Mines and Mineral Resources Division. He recently relocated from Kamloops to Vancouver where he lived for the past 16 years and held the position of Regional Geologist. Vancouver is a new challenge for him and denotes the fourth geographic center he has worked for government in over the past 22 years: previously positions in mineral, land and water management also included Smithers and Prince George.
Bruce is looking forward to working with the BC mining and exploration industry in promoting the mineral and coal wealth of the province both at home and abroad for the benefit of all communities in the Province. He will also be actively profiling the province’s extensive geoscience databases and expertise to a wide variety of clients. The BC Mineral Development Office is located in the heart of downtown Vancouver and maintains an open door to all with an interest in the province’s mineral and coal resources.
Bruce can be reached at Bruce.Madu@gov.bc.ca. |
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| Geoscience BC News |
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| Geoscience BC Announces Collaborative Horn River Basin Water Study Phase II Activities |
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| Geoscience BC and the Horn River Basin Producers Group have launched Phase II of a collaborative geoscience project to undertake baseline research on water resources in the Horn River Basin. Phase II of the Horn River Basin Water Study expands and builds on the deep saline aquifer research completed in Phase I, to include surface and ground water hydrological research.
"British Columbia is committed to a safe and responsible oil and gas sector," said BC Minister of Energy and Mines, Rich Coleman. "This research will help protect B.C.'s water resources and will ensure our province continues to implement best practices for natural gas production."
Specifically, Phase II of the Horn River Basin Water Study includes three core components: - A three-year surface water study focused on collecting data on the
quantity and quality of surface water sources in the Horn River Basin
and assessing its availability for shale gas development. Kerr Wood
Leidal Associated Ltd. (KWL) is carrying out this work with assistance
from Peace Country Technical Services and Environmental Dynamics Inc.
The program has commenced and KWL is currently working with local First
Nations and the Horn River Basin Producers Group to finalize the program
components.
- A previously announced pilot project to examine the applicability of
airborne electromagnetic surveys to mapping of near-surface groundwater.
The data collection was completed in April 2011 by SkyTEM Canada Inc.
Interpretation of the results is underway.
- A continuation of the Phase I data collection and integration on select
deep saline aquifers. This research, done by Petrel Robertson Consulting
Ltd. and Canadian Discovery Ltd., has already produced significant
results and has supported shale gas producers reducing their use of
surface water for shale gas development in some parts of the basin.
This project work is supported by the Province of British Columbia through grants to Geoscience BC, and by the Horn River Basin Producers Group and individual member companies.
"The Horn River Basin Producers Group is pleased to continued working with Geoscience BC, building on the success of the Phase I research," said Rob Spitzer, Chair of the Horn River Basin Producers Group. "The Producers Group is an innovative collaboration between natural gas producers working to minimize surface impacts from shale gas development in the Horn River Basin, and this initiative will help achieve this objective."
To date, individual companies operating in the Horn River Basin are undertaking specific studies to better understand local surface and ground water. In addition, the Ministry of Energy and Mines recently completed an initial evaluation of surface and ground water resources in the Horn River Basin. As surface and ground water supply will undoubtedly play a key role in the development of the basin, there is a need to establish hydrological conditions in the key watersheds and sub-watersheds within the basin. This will provide government, the pubic, First Nations and industry with a better understanding of the basin-wide water supply sources being used for the development of the shale gas reserves.
"The Horn River Basin is an incredibly important resource opportunity for British Columbia, and research is required to provide baseline data on water resources the region." said Dr. 'Lyn Anglin, President and CEO of Geoscience BC. "Geoscience BC is pleased to be assisting the companies and the government in this collaborative effort to generate some of the geoscience research and knowledge that will help us develop BC's natural gas resources in responsible way."
The Horn River Basin Producers Group consists of 11 of the companies involved in the Horn River play, namely: Apache Canada Ltd., ConocoPhillips, Devon Canada Corp., Encana, EOG Resources Canada, Imperial Oil Resources/ExxonMobil Canada, Nexen Inc., Pengrowth, Petro-Canada, Quicksilver, and Stone Mountain Resources. The purpose of the group is to facilitate cooperation and communication between major industry players, key stakeholders and First Nations in the area.
Geoscience BC is an industry-led, industry-focused not-for-profit society. Its mandate includes the collection, interpretation and marketing of geoscience data and expertise to promote investment in resource exploration and development in British Columbia. Geoscience BC is funded through grants from the Provincial Government and works in partnership with industry, academia, government, First Nations and communities to attract mineral and oil & gas investment to BC.
For more information, please contact:
'Lyn Anglin, Ph.D., P.Geo.
President and CEO
Geoscience BC
(604) 290-1194
www.geosciencebc.com |
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| Employment Opportunities |
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| Want to Post an Ad on the AME BC Job Board? If you are an employer and would like to post a job, use the post a job function here. The cost for each posting is $200, which will remain active for 45 days. AME BC corporate members receive one free posting with a yearly membership or renewal, with all subsequent postings at a 50% member discounted rate. To use your free posting, please email the complete job posting information to cpanagio@amebc.ca. To use your subsequent 50% discount, simply make sure you are logged in and let the payment calculator do the rest. |
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| Courses & Education |
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| AME BC’s tradition of education for the mineral exploration sector dates back to 1918, when it held its first prospecting seminar. Since then, thousands of students have received training in prospecting, mineral exploration, health and safety, and aboriginal engagement through AME BC. Click here to view AME BC’s Education and Professional Development section. Other Professional Development Opportunities Several of AME BC’s Corporate Members have professional development programs geared toward our diverse membership. Current offerings are available here. |
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| Upcoming Events & Conferences |
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| AME BC will be involved in the following events during the fall: • Mining Risks Business Summit, Toronto – Oct 25 – 26
• AME BC Speakers Series Event - Bob Quartermain, Nov. 2
• China Mining & International Mining Finance Conference, Tianjing & Beijing – Nov 5-11
• Canadian Aboriginal Minerals Association, Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver - Nov 6-8
• Bright New Day/Britannia, Britannia Mine Museum, Nov 8 – 9
• Minerals South, Kimberley, Nov 15 – 18
• AME BC Staff Strategy Session, Westin Bayshore – Nov. 21
• AME BC Speakers Series Event – Ross Beaty, Nov. 23
• AME BC Annual Open House, Nov 24
• Past Presidents / Chairs Luncheon, Nov 25
• Northwest Mining Association Conference, Reno Nevada, Nov 28 - Dec 2, 2011 Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012
January 23 to 26, 2012
More Information+ External Event Calendar AME BC helps to facilitate and promote external events that benefit our members. Use this calendar to see what events are on the horizon and get detailed information. |