| Inside AME BC - B.C. and Montana Sign Agreement Regarding Flathead without Public Consultation
- B.C. Government Bows to Narrow Special interests and Creates a De Facto Park in the Flathead Valley
- Mountain Caribou Update
- Mineral Titles Online Update – A Brief Summary
- 7th Annual AME BC Photo Contest is now Open!
- Name the Book: Fill Out the Book Ballot
- Club AME Current Offers
Health & Safety - AME BC Introduction to Exploration Safety Workshop – Saturday, March 27
- WorkSafe BC Winter Driving Safety Tips
Mineral Exploration News - Review Panel Announces Public Hearing for Proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project
- Minerals North 2010 Early Bird Registration Deadline March 1
- Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Mining Web Portal Now Complete
BC Geological Survey News - New Publications Available
In Memoriam: - James Knauer (1935-2010)
- James Thomas Fyles (1924 - 2010)
- John DeLeen (1919-2010)
Employment Opportunities
Courses & Education
Upcoming Events and Conferences
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| Inside AME BC |
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| B.C. and Montana Sign Agreement Regarding Flathead without Public Consultation |
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| AME BC is expressing its deep disappointment with the removal of mining, oil and gas, and coal development as permissible land uses in the Flathead River Basin through a partnership between the State of Montana and Province of British Columbia (see News Release - B.C., Montana Partner on Environment and Clean Energy ). The agreement contradicts the East Kootenay region’s existing land use plan that features over 16% of the land base in parks and almost the same amount in Special Management Zones. This is among the highest degree of protected areas in all of British Columbia (see The East Kootenary Land-Use Plan). The agreement signed by Governor Brian Schweitzer and Premier Gordon Campbell Schweitzer overturns existing land-use plans without public consultation. "Land use planning is under threat in B.C. and fast becoming a farce when foreign interests trump the decisions of local citizens," says Gavin C. Dirom, President & CEO of AME BC. Premier Campbell announced that the memorandum of understanding “will ensure the environmental values in the Flathead River Basin are sustained in a manner consistent with current forestry, recreation, guide outfitting and trapping uses to maintain the healthy eco-system that exists today.” However, the agreement was developed without public consultation in the Kootenays, an area that generates nearly three quarters of B.C.’s mining revenues, and accordingly over $200 million annually in tax revenue for the province. The signing reinforces Dirom’s comments following last week’s Throne Speech. “The citizens of B.C. have now lost even more of their mineral land base and future economic opportunities. As such, this is a sad day for those that believe in due process, high standards, and the ability of responsible mineral explorers and prospectors to share the land and play a major role in B.C. and Canada's much needed economic recovery.” |
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| B.C. Government Bows to Narrow Special interests and Creates a De Facto Park in the Flathead Valley |
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| News Release - February 10, 2010 - In response to the Throne Speech on February 9, AME BC calls upon the Government of British Columbia to respect existing land use plans and keep the Flathead Valley open to responsible mineral explorers. “Unfortunately, the Government of B.C. has decided to restrict access to mineral explorers and hindered our sector by banning mining and effectively creating a de facto park in the Flathead Valley without any real due process, public debate or sound science," stated AME BC's President & CEO, Gavin C. Dirom. “Despite the fact that over 1,200 mineral exploration and mining companies are based in B.C.; despite the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on mineral exploration in the province; and despite the fact that no new major metal mines have been opened in B.C. since 1998, government continues to minimize the public's mineral land base and harm the sector’s international reputation and ability to work at home. This is all on the basis of political demands from certain American interests primarily from the State of Montana.”
Although not widely appreciated or understood, mineral exploration is a low-impact activity. Actual mining takes place on less than one percent of the B.C. land base while providing the most financial return per hectare, by far, of any economic activity in the province. “The decision to ban mining in the Flathead completely shows a lack of respect for our permitting, environmental assessment, and land use planning processes in British Columbia and Canada. The Flathead is within a region that already has an existing land use plan, created with extensive local input, that protects more than 16% of the region's land base,” argued Dirom. AME BC recently conducted a public opinion poll in the Kootenay East provincial electoral district and found that the public is evenly divided on restricting access to the Flathead for mineral exploration and mining interests. The poll also indicated that small scale, underground metal mining would be acceptable to most residents. “Government has used a blunt instrument to address a specific challenge,” added Dirom. “B.C.'s world-class environmental assessment process exists to determine whether mineral development can proceed with minimal impact and maximum benefit, a reasonable process both we and the public are now being denied.” Combined with restrictions on uranium and thorium exploration, arbitrary wildlife regulations, and uncertainty regarding First Nations, this announcement further undermines the sector. AME BC has requested government to provide British Columbians with an accurate accounting of the total area of public mineral lands now restricted from mineral exploration and development. “This government has allowed certain special interests to trump effective, science-based planning that considers whether responsible mineral exploration and development can take place in B.C.,” stated Dirom. “Most importantly, the citizens of B.C. have now lost even more of their mineral land base and future economic opportunities. As such, this is a sad day for those that believe in due process, high standards, and the ability of responsible mineral explorers and prospectors to share the land and play a major role in B.C. and Canada's much needed economic recovery,” concluded Dirom. Related Links: Flathead Watershed Area Order of the Lieutenant Governor in Council Flathead Protected Tenure Area Map |
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| Mountain Caribou Update |
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| As many members are aware, in December 2009, the Ministry of Environment implemented Government Actions Regulation (GAR) orders for wildlife habitat areas (WHAs), ungulate winter ranges (UWRs) and associated general wildlife measures (GWMs). These orders and measures are designed to reduce the impact from timber harvest and road construction on mountain caribou and their habitat. Contrary to claims by environmental groups, rules concerning mineral exploration have not been relaxed through mountain caribou recovery initiatives. These initiatives were developed to include forestry values and now recognize mineral exploration values. The AME BC Land Use Committee and affected regional exploration groups had been working with government officials to minimize negative impacts on the mineral exploration community. Although the Implementation Plan does address some of the industry’s concerns, further important work needs to be done to ensure that permit conditions are more reasonably balanced, responsible mineral exploration can successfully proceed and the Mines Inspectors provide necessary exemptions in a timely and efficient manner. AME BC will continue to reinforce the following points: - Mineral exploration does not have a significant impact to mountain caribou or their habitat. The Mountain Caribou Recovery Implementation Plan Progress Board, which includes environmentalist participation, agrees. Most reputable Professional Biologists would agree and even some environmental non-governmental organizations (albeit privately) would agree that our sector poses little risk to mountain caribou.
- The mineral exploration sector has actively engaged government and non-government organizations on this issue over the past three years.
- The GAR order is a blunt instrument that is been used to deal with a specific challenge instead of using the Ministry’s own adaptive management principles. Essentially, lines on a map, that in some case enclose advanced projects in the environmental assessment process and even producing mines, do not reduce threats or save a species - only informed and responsible people can.
- New regulations, created with little science, come with considerable and needlessly onerous hurdles and much stricter requirements for mineral exploration companies to operate.
- The restrictions on mineral exploration will have a significant impact on responsible mineral explorers’ ability to work and develop mineral resources.
- Similar Wildlife Habitat Areas have also been declared for species such as grizzly, mountain goat, and heron without regard to mineral exploration activities.
For further information, visit the AME BC Mountain Caribou Recovery Initiative page. |
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| Mineral Titles Online Update – A Brief Summary |
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| The Mineral Titles Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources (MEMPR) has conducted a public consultation process to look at the current state of fees and regulations related to mineral titles and the use of Mineral Titles Online (MTO), the government’s online staking system. Consultation throughout the province has included discussion on fees, claim maintenance, streamlining tenure, placer titles, and other issues that have developed. The Mineral Titles Branch also maintains an industry advisory group which includes members who happen also to be AME BC board members, although they do not sit on the advisory group as AME BC representatives. This advisory group has also had input into proposed changes. The results of the consultations formed the basis of the initial fee change proposal, which was initially developed in 2008, and revisited last fall. AME BC has been working with others in the industry including the Mining Association of British Columbia, Geoscience B.C., regional exploration groups, interested individuals and exploration companies and MEMPR to improve recommended changes and minimize their impact on the industry. Further changes and suggestions have been incorporated although not all were accepted. An agreed upon solution is that industry, through mineral titles, will support a reasonable industry levy where funds will be redirected back to industry for priorities as set by industry. These priorities could include assistance to prospectors, better early stage data for exploration companies and prospectors and possibly outreach of reclamation activities that would improve the industry’s reputation in the face of increased land-use pressures. AME BC’s board is in general agreement with is approach and voted to support the necessary changes. Details of the proposed fee structure are available here. Although this proposal does present challenges such as increased upfront costs and costs to those holding claims for three years or less, it does eliminate costs associated with filing work and for amalgamating claims. If implemented, it should also reduce land speculation and land sterilization. Through revenue of approximately $7 million per year, the proposal also provides possible ongoing funding for government-funded prospecting and geoscience initiatives. For further information, visit www.amebc.ca/policy/land-access-and-use/mineral-titles-online.aspx or contact: Byng Giraud
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
AME BC
ph: 778.233.6449
byng@amebc.ca |
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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. The following rules apply for all photos. Entries must: - Include the photographer’s name and contact info, along with a brief description of the image, location and, if applicable, who is in the photograph. For photos of scenery, people and animals in particular, please also include how the image is relevant to mineral exploration (e.g. activity conducted, name of property, nearby geological feature).
- Be original and previously unpublished.
- Be digital with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (high resolution .jpeg is preferred).
- Note that photos submitted will not be returned. All photos submitted become the property of AME BC and may be used in future publications.
Submission deadline is September 30, 2011.
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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| Name the Book: Fill Out the Book Ballot |
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| A Commemorative Book Task Group has been planning a history of AME BC for release during the association’s centennial year in 2012. The book is being written by Chuck Davis, a well-known Vancouver writer who is also working on The History of Metropolitan Vancouver.
If you have any stories from your career that you would like to share with Chuck, email him: chuckdavis@shaw.ca. Better yet, visit him at his desk in the Charles S. Ney Library at the AME BC office at Suite 800, 889 West Pender Street, Vancouver, on Fridays.
You can also contact Jonathan Buchanan at AME BC regarding the project at 604.630.3923 or jbuchanan@amebc.ca.
Would you like a free copy and a chance at fame? Then submit a possible book title that best summarizes AME BC’s nearly 100 years of service to the mineral exploration community, and the members who have helped AME BC succeed. The person with the best suggestion will receive a copy of the book at its release at Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012. Choice of the title is at the discretion of AME BC. Thank you to Tom Cochran, Dan Parvaz, and Daniel Ferderber for their suggestions; we hope to receive more! Fill Out Our "Name the Book" Ballot Now! |
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| Club AME Current Offers |
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| Club AME is brought to you by AME BC and is designed to provide you with valuable insider discounts on the products and services you want and need. Offers can be redeemed in a variety of ways - online, in-store and by phone. Visit amebc.intrd.com to find out more. Below is a selection of current offers: Restaurants
LetsGoForDinner.com - Save up to $25 on Gift Certificates at a large selection of restaurants. Visit amebc.intrd.com for a current listing. Hotels
Clarion - Up to 20% discount
Comfort Inn - Up to 20% discount
Comfort Suites - Up to 20% discount
Econo Lodge - Up to 20% discount
Quality - Up to 20% discount
Rodeway Inn - Up to 20% discount
Sleep Inn - Up to 20% discount
Travelodge Hotels - 15% of Rate of the Day Merchandise
Ruby Sky - 15% discount Jewelry
Diamond.com - 20% discount, free shipping
ICE.com - 20% discount Tickets
Whistler Blackcomb Lift Tickets - 20% off lift passes and 35-50% off rentals *includes Peak to Peak access |
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| Health & Safety |
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| AME BC Introduction to Exploration Safety Workshop – Saturday, March 27 |
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| Presented annually by the AME BC Health and Safety Committee, this one-day workshop is designed to draw attention to safety awareness (particularly with respect to young employees), and to eliminate incidents. Who Should Attend? - Recently graduated geoscientists
- Field assistants
- Project geologists or managers interested in a refresher
Why Attend? - An awareness of the hazards and risks we encounter in exploration is imperative. Each person on the crew should be thinking about risk management and should take appropriate precautions to reduce risk.
- One day spent learning about exploration risks may save an individual and company lost time and costs resulting from injuries.
- Years of attendance at universities and colleges are required for many jobs in the bush, but little is taught in classes about how people can look after themselves and their co-workers in the bush environment. We aim to remedy this.
- Increasingly young people are raised in urban environments with limited exposure to living and working in the bush. This means that many new employees need to be taught how to explore safely.
- For those with experience, and who may be responsible for less experienced personnel, this course will serve as a timely refresher.
Course Outline - Interactive field safety scenarios and strategies for dealing with them
- Regulatory environment and what to expect of your employer
- Health and safety trends in the mineral exploration sector
- Helicopter safety
- Recommended traversing equipment for mountain and bush environments
- 4x4 and ATV driving awareness
- Emergency awareness preparedness
- Safety around drills
- How to avoid bear problems
- Hypothermia and ice water survival
- Safety issues in uranium exploration
This workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Simon Fraser University Downtown Campus, located at 515 West Hastings Street in Vancouver. Click here for further information, including a list of presenters, and the event registration form. The registration deadline is Thursday, March 18. |
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| WorkSafe BC Winter Driving Safety Tips |
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| Every day, BC workers are injured or even killed while driving on the job. Driving in winter’s rain, fog, snow and ice can put you at even greater risk. Click here to brush up on your winter driving IQ to help you get there safely. |
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| Mineral Exploration News |
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| Review Panel Announces Public Hearing for Proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine Project |
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| The Panel reviewing the proposed Prosperity Gold-Copper Mine project announced on February 2, 2010, that the environmental impact statement (EIS) along with the additional information submitted by the proponent contains sufficient information to proceed to the public hearing on the environmental effects of the project. Public hearing sessions will begin on March 22, 2010. Click here for a detailed schedule. The public hearing will give interested individuals and organizations the opportunity to hear about the project and its potential impacts and to provide their views to the review panel. The hearing will also allow the proponent to present the project and to offer clarifying information as required. Participants who wish to make a presentation to the Panel at any of the hearing sessions are asked to register with the Panel secretariat 10 days in advance of the hearing sessions as follows: - General sessions – register and file submissions by March 12, 2010
- Community sessions – register and file any submissions by March 19, 2010
- Topic-specific sessions – register and file submissions by approximately April 16, 2010
To register, file a submission for the hearing sessions and schedule your presentation, contact: Colette Spagnuolo, Panel Manager
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Tel.: 613-957-0541 or Toll free: 1-866-582-1884
Cell phone: 613-282-8245
prosperity.review@ceaa-acee.gc.ca The Panel’s sufficiency determination letter and hearing procedures document, along with more information on the panel review are available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, under registry number 09-05-44811. |
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| Minerals North 2010: Opportunity Rocks! Early bird registration deadline Monday, March 1 |
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| Minerals North 2010: Opportunity Rocks! will take place in Prince George, B.C., at the Prince George Civic Centre Wednesday, April 21 to Friday, April 23. The early bird registration deadline is Monday, March 1. Minerals North is an annual northern BC minerals industry conference that seeks to establish contacts and build working relationships, inform communities about mining and exploration projects and issues, and hold a dialogue on the impacts and benefits of mining. For further information, click here for the conference brochure, or visit the Minerals North website at http://www.mineralsnorth.ca. Online registration is available at http://www.initiativespg.com/minerals_north_registration.php. AME BC is pleased to be involved with Minerals North this year. Laureen Whyte, Vice-President, Sustainability and Operations, AME BC, will host the pre-conference session “Aboriginal Engagement 101” on April 21 in partnership with the Aboriginal Business and Community Development Centre. Byng Giraud, Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, AME BC, will speak on April 22 as part of the technical presentations; his talk is entitled “If we can ever make red tape nutritional, we can feed the world: Government relations and regulatory affairs in the mining sector today.” Gavin Dirom, President and CEO, AME BC, will introduce the keynote speaker of the April 22 luncheon, Chief Glenn Nolan, Missanabie Cree First Nation, and Co-Chair, Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Aboriginal Affairs Committee. AME BC staff will also help moderate the technical sessions on April 22 and 23, and we will have a booth in the trade show. We hope to see you in Prince George at Minerals North 2010! |
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| Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Mining Web Portal Now Complete |
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| The Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako has constructed a “one-stop” web portal to promote the mining sector in our region. The web site has two main purposes: - To provide information to local residents and businesses regarding mining and exploration projects in the region with the purpose of attracting, retaining and expanding mining support services in the region; and,
- To provide relevant information regarding the regional District of Bulkley-Nechako to mining and exploration companies and other interested individuals, with the purpose of attracting, retaining, and accelerating mining and exploration operations in the region.
The site includes extensive mining related information including employment opportunities, training opportunities, information on the progress of exploration sites, interactive maps, local service and supplier company listings and much more. The site was un-veiled at Mineral Exploration Roundup 2010 in Vancouver on January 18. This project was completed with funding assistance provided by Northern Development Initiative Trust and the Invest Canada Communities Initiative Fund. Visit www.mining.rdbn.bc.ca – your one stop for information on the mining sector! |
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| BC Geological Survey News |
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| New Publications Available |
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| Four new publications are now available from the BC Geological Survey. They are Open File 2010-04, Open File 2010-05, Geofile 2010-06, Information Circular 2010-02. Open File 2010-04 - Evidence of westward glacial dispersal along a till geochemical transect of the Copper Star Cu±Mo±Au occurrence, west-central British Columbia Open File 2010-05 - Biogeochemical orientation survey data from NTS 93F/2 and 7 (Davidson-Blackwater): Outer bark of lodgepole pine Geofile 2010-06 - Age of Cu-Au-Ag mineralization at Copper Mountain: Part of a ~200 Ma copper epoch in BC Information Circular 2010-02 - MapPlace and MTO shortcourse notes from the Mineral Exploration Roundup 2010 |
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| In Memorian |
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| James Knauer (1935-2010) |
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| James (Jim) passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at home in Ladner, B.C. on Saturday, February 6, 2010. He grew up in Guthrie Center, Iowa, where he taught swimming to many people. He attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa on a football scholarship. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1954 and moved to Vancouver following his graduation. He worked as a Geochemist for Noranda Exploration and took over Thomson and Page Limited when Mel Thomson retired. He touched so many people's lives with his generosity, smiles, hugs, laughter and his infectious enthusiasm for just about everything. He really appreciated life and all the adventures and people it brought his way. Service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's name to: Delta Hospital Foundation 5800 Mountain View Blvd, Delta, BC V4K 9Z9 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation 7000 Minoru Blvd No. 260, Richmond, BC V6Y 3Z5. |
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| James Thomas Fyles (1924 - 2010) |
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| James Thomas Jim Fyles died peacefully on January 26, at the age of 85. Born to Margaret and Tom Fyles on December 22, 1924, Jim grew up in South Vancouver with his brothers John and David. As a student at UBC, he studied geology and engineering. In 1950, Jim married the love of his life Shirley Ganong. Their life long journey took them first to New York City where he completed his PhD studies at Columbia University. In 1951, they returned to British Columbia and Jim began work as a geologist with the BC Department of Mines. His detailed field work and analysis laid the basis for understanding the structural geology of the Kootenay Arc. He was a committed public servant and agreed to leave field geology to serve as Deputy Minister of Mines from 1973 to his retirement in 1981. Jim then spent several field seasons around Greenwood, BC. enjoying knocking rocks. A celebration of Jim's life was held at St. Aidan's United Church on Saturday, January 30. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory may be made to Our Place Society, 919 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC, V8V 3P4. |
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| John DeLeen (1919-2010) |
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| John DeLeen, an Old Timer, and well-known geologist in the Vancouver mineral exploration community, passed away on January 31, 2010. John was born on September 18, 1919, and completed his bachelor’s degree at UBC in 1943, and a master’s degree in geology in 1946. John continued his education at the University of California, Berkeley, and received an Engineer of Mines degree in 1950. AME BC members may remember him from when he was a geologist for Phelps Dodge. He is survived by his wife Lila; a funeral mass took place on February 4 at St. Augustine’s Church in Vancouver. |
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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. |