We all share a common interest in seeing successful and responsible mineral exploration and mining thrive in British Columbia and around the world. Members of AME BC are discovering and developing new mines that will bring significant benefits to so many others. For instance, with almost half of all proposed Canadian mining projects located in this province, the economic opportunity for B.C. can be measured in the billions of dollars. This year alone, B.C. has the potential to see some large new metal mines permitted and constructed. So despite ongoing financial challenges, many members of AME BC could be well positioned to take advantage of the next upswing. And according to the local B.C. Economic Index, the recession technically ended in the third quarter with a slight gain of 0.1% from the last quarter. So now is the time to explore for more in British Columbia, Canada’s gateway to the Pacific.

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On November 10, 2009, AME BC sent the following letter to Premier Gordon Campbell regarding land use planning and certainty in the Flathead region.

November 10, 2009

Honourable Gordon Campbell
Premier of British Columbia

Dear Premier Campbell:

Re:  Land Use Planning and Certainty in the Flathead Region

On behalf of the 300 corporate and 3500 individual members of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC), I am writing to you concerning the important issue of the status of the Flathead region in southeastern B.C. and, more broadly, regarding the entire issue of land use planning and its purpose in B.C.

Recently there has been considerable pressure raised by American political figures and environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) regarding the Flathead region. Self-appointed spokespersons are demanding that approximately 160,000 hectares of this strategic region of the province be added to the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and mineral exploration activities are completely restricted. For the most part these interests have bypassed First Nations, local, provincial, and national governments in Canada and have appealed to Washington and UNESCO—presumably because such interests would be more sympathetic to their arguments.

On behalf of the mineral exploration and development sector and in the interests of all British Columbians, I would ask you to reject any externally driven campaign that might restrict the ability of our sector to carry out responsible mineral exploration work. What is at stake here is larger than the Flathead itself. British Columbia’s sovereignty and ability to make properly considered land use decisions are threatened. The whole point of land use planning in B.C. is to provide certainty: certainty as to where our protected areas are; certainty regarding access for citizens; and certainty for industry to access land, develop resources responsibly, and create wealth and jobs. Any acquiescence to land use planning changes, without due process, undermines this certainty.

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For the second year, AME BC is pleased to present its Free Registration Draw. Simply register for Roundup before December 1 and you will be automatically entered in a draw for free registration.

To register now visit www.amebc.ca/roundup/roundupregistration.aspx.

As a reminder, Roundup 2010 will be held from January 18, 2010 to January 21, 2010, two weeks earlier than in previous years.

During World War II, the Chamber of Mines successfully advocated for the "War-time Prospectors' Grubstake Act", which provided a grant to prospectors to encourage the search for strategic metals such as tungsten. It also ensured that mines were allowed to hire new personnel throughout the war. The Chamber provided prospectors' training to returning veterans and facilitated their search for employment, whether in prospecting or mining. The Chamber provided the means for the vocational rehabilitation of many returning servicemen.

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.

If you can improve upon the following, please be in touch:

• The Chamber: A Hundred Years of the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia
• Prospectors and Mine Finders: 100 Years of Exploring in British Columbia and Beyond
• Hot Rocks: British Columbians and the Power behind the International Mining Throne

Please email your suggestion to jbuchanan@amebc.ca. Those with the best suggestions will receive a copy of the book at its release at Mineral Exploration Roundup 2012.

Until November 20, 2009 SAVE on Pre-Season Lift Tickets:

• Tickets are 100% transferable (makes a great gift for all ages)
• Offer may be extended to close friends and family
• There are no black-out periods

Go to www.amebc.intrd.com to purchase your tickets online now!

Order 8 or more tickets before November 20, 2009 and receive a chance to win a Whistler Prize Package valued at over $600!*

* Whistler Prize Package includes: 2 pairs of North Face 'Base Layer' tights, 2 Smith Scope Graphic Airflow Series goggles, 1 Columbia Sportswear 'Peak to Creek' puff jacket and 4 Whistler Blackcomb Peak to Peak lift tickets valid until May 2010.

Know a leader in health and safety in the mineral exploration sector? If so, nominate that person for the David Barr Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mineral Exploration Health and Safety.

The award was first presented to the late David Barr in 2005, and has since been awarded to Imperial Metals Corporation, Ian Paterson, and Bill Mercer. Please submit your nomination to the Health & Safety Committee, AME BC, at info@amebc.ca or by fax to 604.681.2363.

Bill C-300 was tabled as a private member’s bill in the House of Commons by John McKay (Liberal) on February 9, 2009. View the bill here. The bill proposes that Canadian services and benefits to extractives sector companies operating abroad be contingent upon meeting specific standards for corporate social responsibility (CSR). In other words, if a Canadian-owned mining, oil or gas company is deemed to have acted contrary to certain guidelines (not yet defined), punitive measures would result, including cutting off Export Development Canada (EDC) financing and Canada Pension Plan investment.

AME BC has expressed concern regarding Bill C-300 and is currently preparing a formal position statement. The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), as a national organization representing the mineral exploration community, has been very active on this file and has a position paper available at www.pdac.ca/pdac/publications/na/pdf/090812-bill-c-300-position-statement.pdf

Along with creating a task force to work on CSR, AME BC actively supports high standards in CSR by devoting considerable resources such as assisting members with information, networking and partnerships and innovation.

For more information, contact Laureen Whyte, Vice President, AME BC at 604.630.3928 or lwhyte@amebc.ca.

The 2010 sponsorship opportunities package for Minerals North 2010: Opportunity Rocks!, is now available. This event, which is being held at the Prince George Civic Centre from April 21 to 23, 2010, offers sponsors a unique opportunity to reach companies involved in the mining industry, as well as government representatives, economic development professionals and interested individuals. It is a great opportunity to support the industry and connect with current and potential clients. To view the sponsorship package, visit http://mineralsnorth.ca/conference/sponsor-opportunties.

The Organizing Committee provides an online summary of the high profile investment opportunities available and encourages you to review them to determine the sponsorship that is best suited to promote your company to the delegates.
It is important to note that Minerals North is not intended as a fund-raiser for the organization, or for the host community. Any sponsorship dollars considered surplus to the hosting of the event are used to develop a legacy for the mining industry. This year, surplus funds will be invested in mining education programs within the region.

Minerals North is celebrating over two successful decades of bringing the minerals industry together with a broad spectrum of representation from the private and public sectors and all levels of government. The objectives of the conference are 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.

The tradeshow registration package is also now available at http://mineralsnorth.ca/conference/tradeshow-information.

Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining (SEM) celebrated two important milestones in October.

The Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, Moira Stilwell, officially launched a $16.7 million dollar construction project at the Northwest Community College campus in Smithers, B.C. This project was launched to accommodate more mining and mineral exploration programs, including a geoscience technician certificate and a much needed administrative headquarters. The new campus will complement, but not replace, the two 40-person bush camps where SEM carries out most its training. Smithers Exploration Group (SEG), the partner in the School of Exploration & Mining, presented Minister Stilwell with a rock sample from Huckleberry Mine, which is an important supporter of the school. SEG is also starting a collection for a new mineral display area that will welcome people to the campus. Anyone with samples that reflect the geology and minerals of northern BC should contact Christine Ogryzlo by email at cogryzlo@telus.net to arrange their addition to the collection.

Also, on Friday October 16, Minister Stilwell, accompanied by Assistant Deputy Minister Ruth Wittenberg, took time to visit the Ganokwa training camp 20 kilometers north of Smithers to talk with the students from the Environmental Monitor Assistant Program (EMAP). Two classes of EMAP students have now graduated from the program in 2009, which is funded through the federal provincial Labour Market Agreement. Over the two-month courses, the students earned a number of safety and first aid certificates and focused on aquatic and terrestial environmental monitoring skills to prepare them for employment in the environmental assessment process at industry and band levels. EMAP training is compatible with the new e3Plus initiative of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and SEM has signed a license agreement with e3Plus for the use of its toolkits and logo.

William (Bill) Hainsworth passed away peacefully on October 17, 2009, in Parksville, B.C.

Bill attended the University of Western Ontario, graduating with a BSc (Honours) Geology and then embarked on a career in hard rock mining that lasted more than 50 years. His career allowed him to live in and explore the Canadian North, and finally settled in the Vancouver area in 1962. He was instrumental in bringing 4 mines into production; Lorado Uranium Mines (Uranium City, Sask), Red Mountain Mines (Rossland, BC), Highmont Mining Corp. Ltd (Highland Valley, BC) and the reactivation of Mascot Gold Mines (Hedley, BC), as well as working in South America, Africa and Fiji. He was a founding member and president of the Vancouver Engineers Club, an avid tennis player and lifelong hockey fan, and played Senior Softball until age 86. Condolences to the family can be forwarded to rob@naples.net.

AME BC has launched its new Job Board!

If you are looking for work, use the view jobs function and browse all of the current postings.

If you are an employer and would like to post a job, use the post a job function. 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.

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.