| Inside AME BC - Request for Examples - Mineral Exploration Work Permitting
- We Need Your Help - Discourage the passage of Bill C-300
- Laureen Whyte to Serve on the Centre of Excellence in CSR Interim Executive Committee
- Call for Nominations - AME BC Honourable Service Roll
- Assembly of First Nations’ Annual General Assembly
- Follow AME BC on Twitter!
- Submit Your Photos by September 30 to Win $500! Time is Running Out
- It's PNE Time Again with Club AME
Health & Safety - Fire Risks in British Columbia
Mineral Exploration News - Public Comment Period - Proposed Regulations to Establish Timelines for Environmental Assessments
- The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor – August 2010 Update
- BC Museum of Mining Rebrands As Britannia Mine Museum
- Robin Curry Hired to Lead NWCC School of Exploration & Mining
- Mining Matters Column - August 11th Article
Geoscience BC News - Geoscience BC Releases New Geochemical Data for BC's Southern Interior
AME BC Announces New & Renewed Corporate Members In Memoriam Employment Opportunities
Courses & Education
Upcoming Events and Conferences
Sponsored By: 
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| Inside AME BC |
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| Request for Examples - Mineral Exploration Work Permitting |
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| In our last newsletter we asked you, our members, to take the time to provide specific examples of your exploration work permitting and / or enforcement experiences. Thank you to those who responded; your feedback has been invaluable. By letting us know your experiences, you have helped shape our discussions going forward. AME BC works hard to represent our members in relations with government agencies such as the Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources. To do this effectively we need to hear from even more of you. In the past, as a result from this type of feedback from our members, AME BC has been able to present strong arguments and suggestions, backed up by relevant examples, when meeting with government officials. AME BC has received a number of complaints regarding the delays in mineral and placer exploration Notice of Work approvals. We ask again that you please take the time to provide your specific example including any details you care to share and forward to Rick Conte, Vice President, Technical & Regulatory Affairs, at rconte@amebc.ca. |
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| We Need Your Help - Discourage the passage of Bill C-300 |
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| AME BC continues to work with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and other industry associations to discourage the passage of Bill C-300, an Act respecting Corporate Accountability for the Activities of Mining, Oil or Gas in Developing Countries. This is a private member’s bill introduced in Canada’s House of Commons in February 2009 and by mid-June 2010, has passed through first and second readings and through committee hearings. It is expected to go to third reading and a final vote in the fall of 2010. For more information about Bill C-300 and to read our position paper, click here. For more information about how Bill C-300 will affect you, visit www.pdac.ca/c300.
Please act now! Here, you will find helpful materials and suggestions for contacting Members of Parliament to explain the serious harm this Bill would do to our sector - and importantly to our ability to continue to work in partnership with government, host countries and willing non-profit organizations. To obtain a pre-printed postcard addressed to key MPs, you can contact Florence MacLeod, Membership Coordinator, PDAC by email at fmacleod@pdac.ca. For more information you may also contact Laureen Whyte, Vice President, Sustainability & Operations at 604.630.3928 or lwhyte@amebc.ca. |
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| Laureen Whyte to Serve on the Centre of Excellence in CSR Interim Executive Committee |
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| Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is important to AME BC. The Association works closely with the Canadian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy (CIM) and other industry partners on CSR. Recently Laureen Whyte, VP of Sustainability and Operations at AME BC, was asked to serve on the Centre of Excellence in CSR Interim Executive Committee. As such, AME BC will help contribute directly to the development of CSR initiatives that will support Canadian mineral exploration and mining activities here and abroad. For further information, please contact Laureen Whyte, Vice President, Sustainability & Operations at 604.630.3928 or lwhyte@amebc.ca. |
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| Call for Nominations - AME BC Honourable Service Roll |
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| The Honourable Service Roll was established in 2006 to recognize and honour AME BC Members for their long-serving support and significant contributions to the organization’s initiatives, activities and Committee participation. Visit www.amebc.ca/membership/honourable-service-roll.aspx to view AME BC’s current Honourable Service Roll. New candidates are nominated annually by the Membership Liaison Committee for inclusion on the Roll. To nominate a candidate please send a nomination letter and two support letters to: Shannon Norris
Mail: 800-889 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 3B2
Email: snorris@amebc.ca
Fax: 604.681.2363 If you have any questions, please call Shannon at 604.630.3921. |
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| Assembly of First Nations’ Annual General Assembly |
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| AME BC’s Laureen Whyte attended the Assembly of First Nations’ Annual General Assembly in Winnipeg July 20 to 22 to hear about the priority initiatives and issues on the national Aboriginal agenda. She joined colleagues and friends from the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, a major sponsor of the gala fundraising dinner hosted by the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Chiefs. 
Left to right Front:
Nadini Sankarsingh-Wilson, Jason Wilson (Aboriginal Affairs, PDAC), Scott Jobin-Bevans (President, PDAC) Back:
Laureen Whyte (AME BC), Maureen Hatherley, Chief Glenn Nolan (1st Vice President, PDAC), Philip Bousquet (Senior Program Director, Regulatory Affairs) |
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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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| Time is Running Out – Submit Your Photos by September 30 to Win $500! |
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| The 7th Annual AME BC Photo Contest is drawing to a close so be sure to enter your photo submissions before September 30, 2010. A top prize of $500 will be awarded for the overall best photo, along with an appearance in the 2011 AME BC Photo Calendar and on the cover of Mineral Exploration Magazine. $100 prizes will be awarded for each category winner. To increase your chances of winning, get more details on each category and contest rules at www.amebc.ca/media/photo-contest-2010.aspx. View our past photo contest winners in our photo gallery. Think you’ve got what it takes? Submit your entry today! Please submit your photos to Mary Hughes, Manager, New Media & Creative, AME BC at mhughes@amebc.ca. |
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| It's PNE Time Again with Club AME |
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| 2010 marks the 100th Anniversary of the PNE - celebrate 100 years of fun! With over 800 performances and exhibits and more than 50 thrilling rides and attractions. The Fair and the PNE is the best part of summer. The Fair at the PNE
Fair Gate and Ride passes are now on sale. Save up to 25% off the gate price.
Fair Tickets are only valid during The Fair at the PNE (August 21-September 6, 2010)
Go to http://amebc.intrd.com to find out more. PLAYLAND
Fun for the whole family - Order online for up to 15% off 2010 PlayPasses!
Go to http://amebc.intrd.com to find out more. |
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| Health & Safety |
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| Fire Risks in British Columbia |
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| A hot, dry summer in British Columbia has created risks for many backcountry areas, members are advised to check the provincial Wildfire Management Branch website, http://bcwildfire.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/Bans.asp, for updates. Wildfires are always a danger in the backcountry, but fire safety affects everyone 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Fire safety guidelines for mineral exploration (many of which apply to camping and everyday life as well) are on pages 41 through 43 and 63 through 68 of Safety Guidelines for Mineral Exploration in Western Canada. For additional guidelines and resources also view the Fire Safety section of the PDAC e3 plus Health & Safety Toolkit at www.pdac.ca/e3plus/English/toolkits/hs/18-field-project-set-up.aspx. |
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| Mineral Exploration News |
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| Public Comment Period - Proposed Regulations to Establish Timelines for Environmental Assessments |
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| The Government of Canada is proposing new regulations that would establish mandatory timelines for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) when it is responsible for conducting comprehensive studies. Further to recent amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Agency now conducts all comprehensive studies except those for projects regulated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the National Energy Board. The proposed Regulations would complement the recent legislative amendments by ensuring that the Agency is accountable for conducting these environmental assessments within a prescribed timeline and in a predictable manner. The proposed Establishing Timelines for Comprehensive Studies Regulations are available for consultation in the August 14 edition of the Canada Gazette, Part I.
Your comments will help inform the finalization of the proposed Regulations. The public has until September 13, 2010, to provide comments on the proposed Regulations. Your correspondence must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of the publication. Comments, in the official language of your choice, are to be sent in writing to: Anik Génier
Manager, Regulations
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Ph:613.957.0277 or 1.866.582.1884
Fax: 613.948.0897
Email: anik.genier@ceaa-acee.gc.ca |
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| The Office of the Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor – August 2010 Update |
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| The Office of the Extractive Sector Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Counsellor was established in 2009 as part of the Government of Canada’s CSR Strategy for the International Extractive Sector. The Office of the CSR Counsellor has a mandate to review CSR practices of Canadian companies operating outside of Canada and advise stakeholders on recognized best practices. In fulfilling the review mandate, the Office will act an impartial advisor and facilitator, an honest broker that brings parties together to help address problems and disputes. This approach is based on the view that a credible, impartial and transparent process with appropriate checks-and-balances may find win/win options to resolve disputes. Marketa Evans, Extractive Sector CSR Counsellor announced that the public consultations on the review mechanism are now complete, with workshops and meetings in Calgary, Mexico, Ottawa, Montreal, Mali, Senegal, Vancouver and Toronto. Public reports on the workshops are available www.international.gc.ca/csr_counsellor-conseiller_rse. During the course of these workshops, the Office heard from stakeholders across all sectors, with several hundred participants to date. A webinar held in early July attracted a further 50 participants. The webinar presentation and related questions and answers are also available online. For more information, visit http://www.amebc.ca/policy/CSR.aspx. Alternatively, you may also contact Laureen Whyte, Vice President, Sustainability & Operations at 604.630.3928 or lwhyte@amebc.ca. |
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BC Museum of Mining Rebrands As Britannia Mine Museum
Launches New Name, Logo and Visual Identity |
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| The BC Museum of Mining, a prominent historical destination located south of Squamish on the Sea-to-Sky highway, has been rebranded with a new name, Britannia Mine Museum. Along with the new name, the Britannia Mine Museum has also launched a new logo and a refreshed visual identity designed to reflect the museum‘s soon to be transformed destination, showcasing the enhanced visitor experience, unique location and historic community. The rebrand comes before the completion of a major $14.7 million three-phase redevelopment project, transforming a mining legacy site into a vibrant internationally recognized destination. Soon to be completed in September 2010, the new museum will celebrate the contribution of minerals to society, the history of the storied community and the ideas and practices of renewal and sustainability. It promotes mining awareness through fun educational programs, historic collection preservation and insightful exhibits that enables guests to leave with a better understanding of mining in BC; past, present, and future. “As we head into a new frontier with our newly transformed museum and tourist destination, it is only fitting that we launch with a new name that brings us back to the importance Britannia Mines has played in this storied community,” says Kirstin Clausen, executive director of the new Britannia Mine Museum. “We want to change people’s attitudes as they travel along the Sea-to-Sky highway that we are now an attraction that will make an unforgettable experience for all ages.” The museum’s new, clean and bold visual identity highlights the dramatic features of the museum and the memorable visitor experiences it offers. It also features a striking and dramatic logo and design treatments, integrating a number of abstract references to the mine and emphasizing the unique location and geographic characteristics of the Britannia Beach region. The vertically offsetting letters of the logo represent the forested and mountainous area of the region, as well as the stepped roofline of the historic Mill 3 building. The refreshed identity also includes a new colour palette, derived from the appearance of polished and oxidized copper, the surrounding Britannia environment, and aged newsprint. The new design treatment will be featured on the Museum’s new concrete highway entrance sign, highway billboards, on-site event and interpretive signs and banners, as well as on newspaper and TV advertisements. The new name and visual identity were designed collaboratively by the Britannia Mine Museum staff, AldrichPears Associates, and consultants. For more information, visit www.bcmm.ca. |
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| Robin Curry Hired to Lead Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining |
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| A respected member of Northwest BC’s minerals industry, Robin Curry, will be the new Director of the Northwest Community College (NWCC) School of Exploration & Mining (SEM), effective Oct. 1, 2010. Curry has over 20 years experience in the BC mining industry, most recently as the Superintendent of Administration for Northgate Minerals Corporation’s Kemess Mine. Since leaving Kemess in 2007, she has been engaged in contract and volunteer work that facilitates capacity building, sustainable regional economic development and a better understanding of the mineral industry in Northwest BC. “We are delighted to have Robin join the NWCC team,” says NWCC President Stephanie Forsyth. “Over the years, she has been a huge supporter of the School of Exploration & Mining. Now she will be able to take her work with the College and the mining industry to another level.” Curry has a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and is also a Certified General Accountant. She currently sits on the executive of SEM’s industry partner Smithers Exploration Group and the executive of the Minerals North Association. Her leadership will be key in the next few years as the School adds certificate programs to its offerings as well as implements national curriculum training. “When I left full-time employment in the minerals industry, it was with the hope that I would be able to share my knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the industry at a community level. Now I have that opportunity,” says Curry. She adds, “I know first hand the opportunities sustainable mining and exploration activities can offer individuals and communities. I look forward to working with the School's staff, students and partners as we develop curriculum and programs to serve the needs of the minerals sector and Northwest BC residents." In partnership with Smithers Exploration Group and the Province of BC, SEM develops industry-related courses and programs, and offers training in various areas of mining and exploration. Staff work closely with First Nations and industry to offer applied training opportunities and current, industry-relevant curriculum. Since its inception in 2004, the School has won several regional, provincial, national and international awards. |
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| Mining Matters Column - Joint Initiative between the Smithers Exploration Group and the Town of Smithers |
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| The first "Mining Matters" article was published on March 10, 2010. This 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: August 11, 2010
(click here for back issues) |
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| Geoscience BC News |
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| Geoscience BC Releases New Geochemical Data for BC's Southern Interior |
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| On Wednesday, August 11, Geoscience BC announced the release of new geochemical results from the QUEST-South Project. Data released includes almost 1,000 new samples from regional stream-based and basal till geochemical surveys conducted in the Merritt area in 2009. Geoscience BC's QUEST-South Project, which is focused on BC's southern interior, was designed to provide new regional public geoscience information both to attract new mineral exploration investment into the region as well as provide support to companies already working in the historically active mining area. "The QUEST-South Project is providing exciting new geoscience information for the mineral exploration industry in southern BC," said Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining. "High quality public geoscience information is key to stimulating mineral exploration activity in BC, which in turn attracts new investment into our communities." Combined with previously released QUEST-South and other public geoscience datasets, this new geochemical information will assist in the identification of new exploration targets as well as encourage the reassessment of known mineral occurrences. Previously released QUEST-South datasets include a $2 million airborne gravity survey and the results of the reanalysis of an additional 8000 previously collected geochemical samples in the region. Noble Exploration Services Ltd. managed the QUEST-South geochemical project. "New public geoscience information is very useful to the mineral exploration industry," said Colin Russell, Vice President, Kamloops Exploration Group. "Regional geochemical surveys are the first step in identifying targets of interest for prospectors and geologists alike and are highly valued for the information they provide. The QUEST-South Project is providing information that will allow the industry the opportunity to focus on new targets quicker which means getting people into the field faster for follow up work which benefits everyone." QUEST-South is the third installment of Geoscience BC's "QUEST" Projects, which in the past have targeted BC's central interior. Since its inception in 2005, Geoscience BC has committed over $20 million to minerals geoscience projects in BC, which has been matched by almost $7 million in partnership funding. In addition, industry has spent millions following up on Geoscience BC's data releases. "Geoscience BC is very pleased with the industry uptake of our regional "QUEST" datasets," said 'Lyn Anglin, President and CEO of Geoscience BC. "We expect that there will be similar interest in this new geochemical data." For more information on the QUEST-South project, go to www.geosciencebc.com/s/QUEST-South.aspx or contact:
C.D. ('Lyn) Anglin, PhD, P.Geo
Geoscience BC
ph.604.290.1194 |
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| AME BC Announces New & Renewed Corporate Members | <>
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| AME BC Welcomes the Following New Corporate Member: BDO Canada LLP - www.bdo.ca |
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| *To all Corporate Members: Don't see your 50 word company description on our website? email it to info@amebc.ca. 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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| Derek Arthur Davidson (March 7, 1927 - July 8, 2010) passed away suddenly on July 8, 2010. Derek and was born in Toronto, and spent his early years in Rosedale and in Ottawa, with a fondly-remembered year spent driving across North America to spend time with Grandmother Chapin in California. Derek studied Geological Engineering at the University of British Columbia, graduating with a B.A.Sc. degree in 1950. Derek's first career in the mining industry took him to the wilderness areas of western Canada. Rarely could any of his children mention a place name in BC without him saying something like: "I was there in 1951...we carried all our supplies in on horseback". Adventures ranged from spending a year as the mine geologist on Texada Island, to, for a short time period, being co-owner of a gold mine. A celebration of Derek's life will be held sometime in the fall. |
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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
Mineral Exploration Roundup 2011 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. |