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Minister’s Council on Mineral Exploration and Mining
One of my first actions as Minister of State for Mining was to start a Minister’s Council on Mineral Exploration and Mining. The intent of the council is to ensure that industry and First Nations are informed and involved in the formation of public policy.
The first meeting was held on September 3, 2008, attended by representatives from different facets of the B.C. mineral exploration and mining industry. Members include Brad Kohl from the Aggregate Producers Association of BC, Jim Jones from the Coal Association of Canada, Pierre Gratton, David Parker and Jim O’Rourke from the Mining Association of BC, and Laureen Whyte and David McLelland from the Association for Mineral Exploration BC. Grand Chief Ed John represented the First Nations Leadership Council at the meeting. Read more
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“I’m not afraid of learning new things. It’s been a great experience, full of new skills and new people. I would recommend this camp. It changes your life.” (Kenneth, student)
RAP Program
In July, the Reclamation and Prospecting (RAP) Pilot Project celebrated their second graduation class of 43 students—an impressive 84 per cent completion rate.
RAP is a three-year pilot project providing youth (aged 18–35) from rural First Nations communities with the knowledge and skills they need to find employment in the mineral exploration and mining industry. Read more
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Keeping Safety Top of Mind
Committed to uphold and build on B.C.’s strong environmental and safety standards, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources is providing a grant of $30,000 to the Aggregate Producers Association of B.C. (APABC) this fiscal year to complete Phase II of the Aggregate Workplace Safety Project. The grant will enable the APABC to print training materials for distribution at aggregate operations across the province. Read more
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24-7 Mine Emergency Line for B.C. Ambulance Service Paramedics
B.C. Ambulance employees responding to medical emergencies at mine sites will now be able to call the B.C. government’s new British Columbia Mine Emergency Line seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
The toll-free line, which went live on Sept. 3, 2008, gives ambulance responders access to a mine inspector on call, allowing them to better respond in an emergency. The emergency line was developed jointly by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, the Ministry of Forests and Range, and the B.C. Ambulance Service in response to recommendations from the coroner’s inquest on the Sullivan Mine incident. Read more
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Honourable Gordon Hogg
Minister of State for Mining
Minister's Message
It’s been a busy four months...
Since starting my new role as Minister of State for Mining in June, my days have been filled with learning more about this vibrant, productive industry. I have visited mines across the province, spoken at industry events and forums, and met people who make this industry prosper. In November, I am leading a trade delegation to the Asia Pacific to further build relationships with China, Japan and Korea and to promote B.C.’s lucrative mining investment opportunities.
Read more
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Asia Pacific Tour Update
Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for Mining is leading the Asia Pacific trade delegation composed of company, First Nation and Ministry representatives in November.
The Minister will be visiting China as well as Japan and South Korea to build on relationships begun in 2006 and 2007 by previous trade missions. The investment mission will be attending the China Mining Congress in Beijing, which is Asia’s largest mining exhibition, from Nov. 11-13.
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Geoscience BC’s QUEST and QUEST-West Projects
The success of Geoscience BC’s QUEST and QUEST-West projects continues, with over 1 million hectares of new mineral title staked within the boundaries of the two areas since project inception (over 850,000 ha in QUEST, and almost 200,000 ha in QUEST-West).
In April 2008, the Province provided $6 million in funding to the QUEST-West Mountain Pine Beetle Geoscience Project for mineral exploration across approximately 40,000 square kilometres of pine beetle-affected area, from Vanderhoof-Fort St James to Terrace. In partnership with the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the Northern Development Initiative Trust (Northern Trust) and the BC Geological Survey of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, this project will help to attract new investment and support the economic diversification of pine beetle affected communities in B.C. Read more
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Minister Hogg Tours Highland Valley Copper |
September 16, 2008 |
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From left to right: Wolf Nickel, president and general manager Highland Valley Copper; Minister Hogg; Emily Nicholson, Teck; Pierre Gratton, president and chief executive officer Mining Association of British Columbia; and Joe Seguin, regional director Exploration and Mining Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources, tour Highland Valley Copper near Logan Lake on September 16, 2008.
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