Britannia Beach, BC – April 19, 2012 - The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) launched 100th anniversary celebrations during “AME BC’s Exploration Days” at the Britannia Mine Museum on Thursday.

“On the upcoming occasion of AME BC’s 100th anniversary, we salute the thousands of men and women who have contributed to the success of AME BC and the BC mineral exploration and development industry over the past century,” said Michael McPhie, Chair of AME BC and Co-Chair of the Britannia Beach Historical Society.
                                                    
AME BC will officially turn 100 on April 23, 2012. Originally formed as the Vancouver Mining Club in the City of Vancouver Council Chamber with Robert R. Hedley as president, the Association was renamed Vancouver Chamber of Mines later that year, followed by becoming the British Columbia Chamber of Mines in 1921, and the British Columbia & Yukon Chamber of Mines in 1945. The Association changed to its current name in December 2005.

Looking back, the year 1912 was a fortuitous year for Vancouver – during which, the first professional hockey game in Vancouver was played in Canada’s first artificial rink,  the Vancouver Sun was founded, and James Hewitt, a Province sports reporter became the first airplane passenger in British Columbia on an eight-minute flight. The value of mineral production reached a new record of $32 million in 1912 – compared to $8.6 billion in 2011. While AME BC has been based in Vancouver for 100 years, it has now grown to include over 4,800 members from across Canada and 37 other countries.

“Over the past century, our members have explored throughout British Columbia and the world, and our hundredth anniversary gives us the opportunity to celebrate their great accomplishments,” stated Gavin C. Dirom, President & CEO of AME BC. “In BC alone, the mineral exploration and mining industry has contributed thousands of jobs and over $700 billion to the economy over the province’s history and our members have been active in most of the discoveries that had led to the development of these mines.”

“Mineral exploration has been a cornerstone of BC’s economy for generations.  It has helped to support job creation, provided opportunities for growth, enhanced infrastructure and helped to fund health, education and other public services,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines.  “AME BC has grown from what was once the Vancouver Mining Club into the leading voice for mineral exploration for British Columbia.  Congratulations to AME BC on your 100th anniversary.”
 

In addition to AME BC Exploration Days, which runs through Saturday, April 21 at Britannia Mine Museum (www.bcmm.ca), the City of Vancouver has proclaimed Monday, April 23 as Mineral Exploration Day in the City of Vancouver.  View the proclamation here: http://bit.ly/JbNYx4.



About AME BC:
AME BC is the predominant voice of mineral exploration and development in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME BC represents over 4,800 members including geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, exploration companies, suppliers, mineral producers and associations who are engaged in mineral exploration and mine development in BC and throughout the world.

Printer Friendly Version