| B.C. Chamber of Commerce's 58th Annual General Meeting & Conference |
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| AME BC participated in the B.C. Chamber of Commerce's 58th Annual General Meeting & Conference in Vancouver, B.C. from May 27 to 29. AME BC is a Corporate Member of the BCCC, and director John Murray is a member of the BCCC policy review committee. BCCC members passed a resolution recommending that the provincial government immediately inject $2.5 million in funding into the B.C. Geological Survey Branch and $5 million in Geoscience BC and ensure adequate funding for both organizations. Members also passed a motion to make seeking this investment a priority for the B.C. Chamber of Commerce in 2010. The BCCC also made the following policy recommendations to the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources: That the Provincial Government: - Continue to work to enhance aboriginal groups understanding of the industry, and their capacity to participate in the industry;
- Work with the mineral industry to develop “user friendly” Best Management Practices;
- Continue to work towards better harmonization of Department of Fisheries and Oceans and provincial fish and fish habitat management activities;
- Develop faster, more stream-lined approval procedures for mineral exploration projects, coordinated by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources;
- Reconfirm and continue to actively implement the Two-Zone land use system for mining;
- Educate the public regarding the enormous benefits of the mining industry and its miniscule “footprint”
- Better coordinate activities of MOE with MEMPR and the mineral sector to ensure that the when actions and government Action Orders which may affect the mineral sector are being considered there is active and early consultation with the sector.
- Add mineral potential and mine development as key factors as part of any GAR order being considered by the Minister; and
- Return the authority for No Registration Reserve decision-making to Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
BCCC has 125 member chambers throughout B.C. representing about 33,000 individual businesses. |
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| Nomination Time! 2010 AME BC Awards |
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| It's that time of the year again! Nominations for the 2010 AME BC Awards are now being collected. Do you know somebody who should receive one of AME BC’s prestigious awards? If so, please nominate them using our online form. Alternatively, you may fill out the hard copy form at the end of our Nominations Brochure and mail it to us at: Association for Mineral Exploration BC
800-889 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 3B2 For more information, visit http://www.amebc.ca/about-us/awards.aspx. |
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| AME BC Member Garth Kirkham Awarded the JC Sproule Plaque |
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| AME BC congratulates member Garth Kirkham, P.Geo., principal at Kirkham Geosystems Ltd. of Burnaby, B.C., with being awarded the JC Sproule Plaque in recognition of a long standing dedication to the development and practical utilization of 3D geological and geostatistical modelling for northern mining projects from the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. The J.C. Sproule Memorial Plaque was established in 1974 by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Council on the recommendation of many members of the Petroleum Society of CIM, to perpetuate the memory of, and give recognition to, the man who, through his visionary zeal and professional dedication, contributed so greatly to the early widespread appreciation of Canada’s Arctic resource potential. Kirkham Geosystems Ltd., provides 3D modelling and resource/reserve estimations to the mining and mineral exploration community and Kirkham is also Vice President, Industry Liaison for Geoscience BC. He holds professional designations in BC (APEGBC), Alberta and Northwest Territories and Nunavut. He is also a director Romios Gold Corp., Kivalliq Energy Corp., Lomiko Metals Corp. and Duncastle Gold Corp. Once again, AME BC congratulates Garth Kirkham. |
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| Follow AME BC on Twitter! |
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| You can now follow AME BC on Twitter at @AME_BC. Our twitter feed features news, events, announcements, and is a great way of keeping up to date with our activities. AME BC’s twitter feed is another one of the many ways that AME BC is striving to keep members informed and engaged. |
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| 7th Annual AME BC Photo Contest is now Open! |
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The 7th Annual AME BC Photo Contest is now open. The categories have changed slightly this year and are as follows: - People at Work
- Exploration Scenery
- Animals, Minerals, Harmony
- Health & Safety
To increase you chances of winning, get more details on each category at www.amebc.ca/media/photo-contest-2010.aspx $100 prizes will be awarded for each category winner. A top prize of $500 will be awarded for the overal best photo, along with an appearance in the 2011 AME BC Photo Calendar and on the cover of Mineral Exploration Magazine. Submission deadline is September 30, 2010. Please submit your photos to Mary Hughes, Coordinator, New Media & Creative, AME BC at mhughes@amebc.ca. View our past photo contest winners in our photo gallery! |
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| Mineral Exploration News |
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| General Notice - Bill 20 – Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act and proposed changes to Mineral Tenure Act |
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| Please be advised that government has introduced Bill 20 Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (no.3), 2010. This is a large miscellaneous bill and in it are proposed changes to the Mineral Tenure Act. AME BC has sought legal opinions on these changes and their implications to mineral exploration and mine development in B.C. Aside from changes proposed to Section 42, the government’s Mineral Titles Advisory Group was apprised of many of these changes. Click here to view the bill. Some key areas are sections 62 through 71 as well as section 248 which provides a table outlining the mechanism by which each section would come into law. |
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| New Deputy Minister - MEMPR, New Chief Gold Commissioner |
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| Greg Reimer, former Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, has been appointed the new Executive Vice President, Transmission & Distribution at BC Hydro, a position that will commence as of June 7. Robin Junger, current Deputy Minister of Energy and Clean Technology, has been confirmed as his replacement and has a start date of June 5. To contact Robin, email Robin.Junger@gov.bc.ca or phone 250.387.2987. Another change to report is that the former Chief Gold Commissioner Lisa Nye is now running her new company Pinpoint Consulting Inc. with the position of Chief Gold Commissioner now filled by Jody Shimkus, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. To contact Jody, email Jody.Shimkus@gov.bc.ca or phone 250.356.9569. AME BC wishes Mr. Reimer, Mr. Junger, Ms. Nye, and Ms. Shimkus well in their new positions. |
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| Opportunity for AME BC Members to comment on Fossil Management Framework for B.C. |
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| The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is seeking feedback on a proposed Fossil Management Framework for British Columbia. Some areas of the framework may have implications for mineral and petroleum exploration and development, so the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) encourages AME BC members to review the proposals. You are invited to comment and participate in online discussions by accessing the following website: www.al.gov.bc.ca/clad/strategic_land/Fossil_Consultation/Index.html and submit any comments to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands by Friday, July 2, 2010. The Fossil Management Framework (Framework) is the legislative, regulatory and policy tools the Province could use to manage B.C.’s fossil resource for its scientific, natural heritage, educational and commercial values. The Framework focuses on elements of fossil management such as collection and use, impact prevention, reporting, export, information management and protection of significant fossils and fossils sites. An initial consultation on what should be included in the Framework was conducted in 2005. The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands subsequently developed policy proposals based on the initial input, feedback from other ministries including the MEMPR, and on a review of fossil management in other jurisdictions. Through the consultation website, AME BC members have the opportunity to submit comments on the Framework elements, or engage in an online discussion with other participants on the different topics. MEMPR encourages AME BC members to review the posted information and provide feedback on potential implications for your sector, and for sub-surface resource development in general. AME BC in particular recommends feedback on the following documents: Impact Prevention, Protection of Significant Fossils and Protection of Significant Fossil Sites. |
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Northwest Transmission Line Agreements Will Create Jobs, Power B.C.’s Northwest
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources News Release, May 28, 2010 |
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| Clean energy agreements between BC Hydro, British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC), Coast Mountain Hydro L.P., a wholly owned subsidiary of AltaGas Income Trust Ltd. (AltaGas) and the Tahltan Nation will help to create jobs, provide clean and renewable electricity to B.C.’s Northwest, and power the development of the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL), announced Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “I congratulate all the partners for working to make these agreements a reality,” said Lekstrom. “These agreements will open up the Northwest by providing access to some of the up to 2,000 megawatts of clean energy potential that has been identified in the region and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They are part of our long-term vision for clean, renewable, low-cost energy for all British Columbians.” The agreements, which will support construction of the NTL, include: - A $180-million umbrella agreement between AltaGas and BCTC for the construction and development of the NTL.
- An electricity-purchase agreement between BC Hydro and AltaGas for the Forrest Kerr clean energy project near Bob Quinn Lake.
- An impact-benefit agreement between AltaGas and the Tahltan Nation for the Forrest Kerr project.
Continue reading+ Reminder AME BC reminds members that the Public Comment period for the Northwest Transmission Line closes at midnight on Thursday, June 10. The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office accepts public comments through the following ways: - By Online Form: www.eao.gov.bc.ca
- By Mail: Kathy Eichenberger Project Assessment Director Environmental Assessment Office PO Box 9426 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9V1
- By Fax: Fax: 250.387.2208
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| Atlin Taku Land Use & Zoning Plan Update |
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| The Atlin Taku Technical Working Group released its draft zoning proposal for the Atlin Taku Area Plan Area on May 7, which resulted from extensive discussions between the Province of British Columbia and the Taku River Tlingit, in consultation with the local Atlin community and stakeholders. Following meetings with James Cuell, Technical Working Group leader with the Integrated Land Management Bureau, AME BC filed a response. The response reflected AME BC’s appreciation of land use planning and zoning that attempts to balance the values of the Taku River Tlingit with the Province of B.C. and those of the community of Atlin and stakeholders such as the mineral exploration and mining sector. However, AME BC also requested that the draft Land Use Plan and Draft Zoning Proposal fully reconsider and respect the unique land use requirements and low-impact nature of the mineral exploration and development sector. In particular, AME BC highlighted the importance of certainty for mineral exploration and mine development in proposed Area Specific Management Resource Zones and concerns regarding including areas with mineral potential in proposed protected areas. Access to land available to mineral exploration and mine development and compensation for tenure in protected areas were also highlighted in AME BC’s submission. AME BC representatives will attend the next workshop of the Technical Working Group on June 11 in Atlin. For further information on the Atlin Taku Land Use Plan and AME BC’s participation see www.amebc.ca/policy/land-access-and-use/atlin-taku-land-use-planning.aspx. |
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| BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA) Update |
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| The BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA) has launched its new website at www.bcamta.ca . AME BC invites its members to check out this new website and the range of information, tools and links it covers for careers in the minerals industry, especially for First Nations.
The mineral exploration and mining industry, First Nations communities and organizations, and educational and government partners formed the minerals and mining specific Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership (ASEP) last year to run a three-year program providing skills training in the northwest and central interior regions of British Columbia. The program is being administered by the BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association (BC AMTA) in conjunction with fifteen partners, six of which have made employment commitments of 148 jobs for Aboriginal participants. BC AMTA and its partners will provide training-to-employment plans that cover a broad range of opportunities including: academic upgrading, job specific training and apprenticeships, retention counselling and other on the job support. “The partners are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal people fully share in economic opportunities created by the mineral exploration and mining industry. Through this partnership, Aboriginal people in British Columbia will have access to skills training to participate in the exploration and mining industry, and industry will benefit from accessing a quality pool of workers,” says Laureen Whyte, Chair of the British Columbia Aboriginal Mine Training Association, and Vice President, Sustainability & Operations, at AME BC. ASEP is a labour market program that provides Aboriginal people with the skills development and work experience they need to participate in large-scale industrial sectors including forestry, mining, and gas, construction and hydro electric development. Human Resources and Skills Canada provides federal funding to the partnerships. |
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| Nominations Needed for the 2010 Annual BC Mine Reclamation Awards |
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| The BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) is requesting assistance with nominations of worthy recipients for the Annual BC Mine Reclamation Awards. These awards are given out every year at the annual British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium. This year the Reclamation Symposium will be held in Courtenay, B.C., from September 20 to 23, 2010. Click here for the Terms of Reference for the reclamation awards and a nomination form. AME BC encourages you to nominate any company or individual which you feel deserves special recognition for their reclamation efforts. Nominations are needed in the categories of Metal Mines, Coal Mines, Sand and Gravel, Quarries, Placer, Mineral Exploration and Coal Exploration. TRCT will also accept nominations made by mining companies with respect to their own work, or work done by individuals or organizations familiar with the goals of mine reclamation at a particular minesite. This is a great opportunity to recognize the importance of reclamation to sustainable mining practices and to highlight some of the fine reclamation work that happens in B.C. The deadline for nominations is August 13, 2010. Nominations should be submitted digitally to Kim.Bellefontaine@gov.bc.ca; please include clear photos of reclamation work. Visit the TRCR website for the latest information on this year’s symposium events (www.trcr.bc.ca). The theme is Reclamation from Planning to Closure. Field trips to Island Copper and Mt. Washington are planned. The website will be updated with information on symposium itinerary, field trips, technical sessions, registration etc. as the symposium approaches. |
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| Public Comment Period for Morrison Copper-Gold Project |
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| The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency invites the public to comment on the proposed scope of the environmental assessment of the Morrison Copper-Gold Project in British Columbia. Pacific Booker Minerals Inc. is proposing to construct and operate an open-pit copper-gold-molybdenum mine, located approximately 65 kilometres northeast of Smithers and 35 kilometres north of Granisle, B.C. The proposed ore production rate will be 30,000 tonnes per day over a minimum 21-year operation period. This project is subject to a comprehensive study environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. A cooperative environmental assessment is being conducted for this project with the Province of B.C., consistent with the principles of the Canada-British Columbia Agreement for Environmental Assessment Cooperation. Public comments received by June 23, 2010 will be considered and will become part of the public registry. Interested individuals and groups are invited to send their comments in the official language of their choice to: Morrison Copper-Gold Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Suite 320, Sinclair Centre 757 Hastings Street West
Vancouver, BC V6C 1A1
Tel.: 604-666-2431
Fax: 604-666-6990
MorrisonMine@ceaa-acee.gc.ca The draft scoping document is available on the Agency’s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca under reference number 09-03-48445. Copies of the document are also available. Click here for a complete listing. for public viewing at the above address, as well. Click here for a complete listing. |
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| Public Comment Period for KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell) Project |
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| The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency invites the public to comment on the proposed scope of the environmental assessment, factors to be considered, scope of those factors, and the ability of the comprehensive study process to address issues related to the KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell) Project in northwestern British Columbia. Seabridge Gold Inc. is proposing to develop the copper and gold deposits found in the Kerr, Sulphurets and Mitchell Creek watersheds located about 65 kilometres northwest of Stewart, B.C. The proposed development is expected to process between 100,000 and 120,000 tonnes per day of ore over a mine life of at least 30 years. The Agency prepared the scoping document on behalf of the responsible authorities, Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and Transport Canada. This project is subject to a comprehensive study environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.The scoping document incorporates the requirements of the federal environmental assessment process and identifies key issues to be addressed in the comprehensive study. Public comments received by June 30, 2010 will be considered. All written submissions received will be considered public and will become part of the public registry. Interested persons are invited to send their comments in the official language of their choice to: KSM (Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell) Project
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
757 West Hastings Street, suite 320
Vancouver B.C. V6C 1A1
Tel.: 604-666-1491
Fax: 604-666-6990
KSM.Project@ceaa-acee.gc.ca The scoping document, along with more information on the proposed project, is available on the Agency’s website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca, under reference number 09-03-49262. Copies of the scoping document are also available for public viewing. Click here for a complete listing. |
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| Engagement Sessions and Feedback Invited on Zero Net Deforestation |
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| AME BC members are invited to take part in a series of engagement session regarding the recently passed Zero Net Deforestation Act, which is part of British Columbia’s Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The provincial government is inviting input and suggestions to help British Columbians achieve zero net deforestation by 2015. They want to hear your ideas on how to avoid or minimize deforestation as well as want your thoughts on what can be done to encourage planting more trees on non-forest land. Deforestation occurs when forests are permanently cleared for a non-forest land use such as building a highway or logging road, developing a housing subdivision, or extracting oil and gas or mineral resources. The goal of zero net deforestation will be achieved when the area of deforestation is equal to or less than the area of afforestation (planting trees to convert non-forest land into forest land). Please note that timber harvesting followed by reforestation, as required by law in B.C., is not considered deforestation. The Province is seeking constructive, creative and meaningful input from First Nations, communities, sector associations, and industry on how zero net deforestation can be achieved. Engagement sessions will be held at the following locations: - June 1 in Victoria – from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- June 2 in Vancouver – from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- June 3 in Kamloops – from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- June 8 in Fort St. John – from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- June 9 in Prince George – from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- June 10 in Cranbrook – from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
To register for an engagement session go to www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/znd/sessions.htm or send an email to ZND@gov.bc.ca indicating which session you plan to attend. Interested parties can also participate via teleconference. Location and phone-in information will be sent to registered participants. Visit www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/znd for more information. |
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| Northwest Community College Mining Program Wins Premier’s Award |
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| B.C.’s Premier has joined the list of people to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Northwest Community College’s School of Exploration & Mining (SEM). On May 26, Gordon Campbell declared SEM’s Reclamation and Prospecting Program (RAP) winner of the Partnership category of the 2009/2010 Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards. “Tonight’s ceremony recognizes public service employees whose contributions and accomplishments benefit all British Columbians,” says Premier Campbell in a news release from the Office of the Premier. “These employees think big, have achieved exceptional results, and have made a positive difference not just in their communities but across the province.” The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources led the partnership behind SEM’s RAP program. The partnership included a strong federal presence from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, First Nations, SEM's industry partner Smithers Exploration Group, and companies such as Huckleberry Mines. The program was the recipient of the partnership award in the northern region and overall in B.C.. “We are overjoyed. The School has worked very hard to provide exceptional quality training and our partners are at the heart of our successes,” says NWCC President Stephanie Forsyth. “Our partnerships are essential to SEM’s unique program development and delivery.” SEM develops industry-related courses and programs, and offers training in various areas of mining and exploration. In 2007 and 2008, the two-year RAP program trained and prepared First Nations students to work in the exploration and mining industry. Students lived and learned in real-life bush camp conditions. One year after the first RAP program, 85% of the First Nations graduates were employed or had returned to school. "The RAP program was an excellent example of how organizations with diverse goals can work really effectively together on a single project," says Smithers Exploration Group president Rob Boyce. Both SEM and the RAP program have won numerous awards for leadership, environmental excellence and partnerships. SEM’s most recent award was the 2010 Global Award for Partnership from the Conference Board of Canada, a not-for profit research organization, and the International Partnership Network (IPN), a group of international organizations dedicated to supporting and promoting best practice partnerships around the world. AME BC congratulates the School of Exploration & Mining on receiving winning the Partnership category of the Premier’s Innovation and Excellence Awards. |
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| Mining Matters Column - Joint Initiative between the Smithers Exploration Group and the Town of Smithers |
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| "Mining Matters"is a bi-weekly column that is published in the Interior News, posted on the Town of Smithers website, the Smithers Exploration Group website, and the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako Mining Portal. These articles profile the importance of the mining industry to the community and is a result of the joint initiative between the Smithers Exploration Group and the Town of Smithers. Current Article: June 2, 2010 Article
(click here for back issues) |
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| AME BC Announces New & Renewed Corporate Members |
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| AME BC Welcomes the Following New Corporate Member |
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North American Construction Group - http://www.nacg.ca *To all Corporate Members: Don't see your 50 word company description on our website? email it to info@amebc.ca. |
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| For more information on AME BC Membership or to become a member, visit www.amebc.ca/membership/overview.aspx. |
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| In Memoriam |
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| Eskil Anderson (1913 - 2010) Eskil Anderson, a mining geologist, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at the age of 96. Born of Swedish immigrant parents on August 12, 1913, Eskil attended Washington Grade School, Lewis and Clark High School, Whitman College, Gonzaga University, Butte Montana School of Mines and the University of Alaska where he received two degrees in mining geology. His work experience included underground mining in various mines, dredge engineer for the U. S. Smelting and Refining Company in Fairbanks, Alaska, teacher of mining and geology courses at the University of Alaska, and exploration geologist for the Territorial Department of Mines in northern Alaska. In this last position he walked as much as 150 miles at a time across mountains and tundra and traveled to offshore islands in Eskimo boats made of walrus skins. In the mid-forties he became self-employed and with three partners acquired mining properties throughout Alaska, the best known being the gold properties held by the Little Squaw Gold Mining Company (now called The Goldrich Mining Company) acting as president from 1972 to 2002. He was a life member of The Northwest Mining Association where he served as president for several years. He has been a member of many professional mining organizations including seventy years of membership in the American Institute of Mining Engineers. He has been a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity since 1933. A memorial service celebrating his life was held at Hamblen Park Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA, on Tuesday, June 1, 2010. |
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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 mhughes@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 Events Calendar
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. |