RAP students conduct field studies

Skills training boosted to help fill 8,500 new jobs

The B.C. mineral exploration and mining industry will create an estimated 8,500 new jobs by 2010. 

The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is working with community groups and post-secondary institutions to make sure that young people from rural and First Nations communities get the skills they need to take advantage of these new jobs.   Read more

From left to right: Minister Krueger; Pierre Lebel, past Chair MABC; Richard Tremblay, GM, Fording River Operations; and Boyd Payne, President and CEO, Elk Valley Coal Corporation

Miner’s greenhouse helps reduce footprint

Fording River Operations was awarded the 2007 Mining and Sustainability Award on February 28, 2008 for its reclamation efforts in the Elkford, Fernie and Sparwood communities.

It is the only mine in British Columbia to operate its own greenhouse where up to 50,000 seedlings are propagated annually from locally collected seeds and cuttings.  Read more

From left to right: Minister Krueger; Pierre Lebel, past chair of MABC and Gavin Dirom, MABC vice-president

$200,000 to enhance relations with First Nations

The B.C. government has provided $200,000 to provincial mining industry associations to build stronger relationships with First Nations, and ensure that Aboriginal people benefit from B.C.’s booming mineral exploration and mining sector.

The Mining Association of B.C. received $100,000 to encourage First Nations to get involved in the mining industry. A further $100,000 will be administered by the Association for Mineral Exploration in British Columbia to allow First Nations representatives to participate at major mining conferences and events. It will also provide support for special projects. 

$135,000 to enhance safety

The British Columbia government has amended its Health Safety and Reclamation Code, prepared a safety guide for aggregate operations and invested $135,000 to further enhance worker health and safety in the mining industry.

The Mining Association of B.C. was granted $60,000 to support the 2008 Mine Rescue Competitions that bring together mine rescue teams from across the province to test their skills in first aid, extrication, fire fighting, rope work and general mine rescue knowledge. 
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RCBM honours two mining pioneers

 At least two major figures involved in B.C. mining are featured in Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC -- a major exhibition at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the establishment of British Columbia as a Crown Colony.

The exhibit, which runs to Jan. 11, 2009, highlights a three-dimensional collage of 130 B.C. figures, some notorious, some famous and others little-known.  Read more

From left to right: Ministers Penner (standing), Krueger and Hagen are joined by volunteers on the Tsolum River, April 14, 2008

$4.5 million for remedial action at abandoned open pit mine

B.C. is spending $4.5 million to clean up an abandoned open pit copper mine on Mount Washington. The mine started up in 1964 and shut down after the company went bankrupt in 1967.

Taxpayers are no longer on the hook for remedial action involving any new mines because under current rules mining companies must post a bond to cover the cost of reclamation if the company goes under. The Province holds about $300 million of security for mine reclamation in B.C.   Read more

Minister Krueger and MLA Bill Barisoff at the May 2, 2008 Lakeview Dividend Mine reclamation celebration

Mine reclamation completed on time and under budget

The British Columbia government has completed stabilization and reclamation work at the historic Lakeview Dividend Mine on time and under budget.

Concern about the safety of people visiting the historic mine site on Mount Kruger above Osoyoos, as well as continued expansion of the housing development at the base of the mountain prompted the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources to hire EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. to stabilize and reclaim the mine site without disturbing the underground tunnels, which have since become important bat habitat.  Read more

From left to right: Minister Krueger, Chief Ron Ignace of the Skeetchestn Indian Band and Chief Shane Gottfriedson of the Tk’emlups Indian Band

Tk’emlups/Skeetchestn bands sign historic agreement

The Tk’emlups and Skeetchestn Indian Bands signed an historic mining and minerals accord on March 28, 2008 with the B.C. government that will ensure that mining development occurs in an environmentally and culturally sustainable manner in their territories.  Read more