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The Honourable Randy Hawes
Minister of State for Mining
Minister's Message
After the financial volatility of the past months, B.C. mining is starting to see evidence of growing activity. It’s encouraging to hear the Association for Mineral Exploration B.C. say they are ‘cautiously optimistic’ with new deals being made and new enthusiasm with respect to key commodities such as copper and gold.
It's important that we continue the work of the previous Minister of State for Mining, Gordon Hogg, in building relationships between industry, First Nations and the Province to find solutions for important issues including harmonization of the permitting process, the electrification of Highway 37, and ensuring a skilled labour force for the mining industry.
As the chairman of the Fraser Valley Aggregate Pilot Project, I had the opportunity to learn about an industry that’s vital to our province – aggregate. Now, as the minister responsible for this area, I’m looking forward to working with industry, communities and First Nations to explore some of the recommendations that came out of this pilot project.
The mining industry is a huge part of what makes B.C. an attractive place to invest and is integral in helping the province move towards economic recovery. As our economy improves, I look forward to working on behalf of the mining industry to ensure that B.C. remains an attractive, safe and productive place to do business.
Randy Hawes,
Minister of State for Mining
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Northwest Community College Expansion
Infrastructure monies from the federal and provincial governments have been awarded to Northwest Community College (NWCC) for the renewal and expansion of its Smithers Campus. The Smithers Campus main building will be upgraded and expanded to accommodate additional mining and mineral exploration programs including geo-science technician and environmental monitoring assistant.
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New QUEST-West Data
Geoscience BC released new lake and stream sediment geochemistry data collected as part of the QUEST-West Project on May 14 2009. The report, along with all QUEST and QUEST-West Project datasets, is available from Geoscience BC's website at Quest.
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Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition
The Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition was held at the Britannia Mine in Brittania Beach near Squamish on Saturday, June 6. Provincial teams competed in the annual event to test their emergency response and rescue abilities.
Trophies for the 54th annual event were handed out at the Provincial Mine Rescue, First Aid and Safety Awards Banquet. Winners included:
- Highland Valley Copper, Teck - Three Person Miners’ First Aid Trophy
- Highland Valley Copper, Teck - Kathy Lofstrom Memorial Trophy (Best Coach for 3 Person First Aid)
- Highland Valley Copper, Teck - Maurice Boisse Memorial Trophy (Best Bench for Surface Team)
- Greenhills Operations, Teck Coal - HVC Highest Non-Aggregate Points Trophy
- Greenhills Operations, Teck Coal - Overall Surface Mine Rescue Trophy
- Chris Crawford, Quinsam Coal Corporation - USWA Mine-Mill Trophy (Best U/G Coordinator)
- Quinsam Coal Corporation - Sullivan Cup (Best First Aid by U/G Team)
- Quinsam Coal Corporation - Barry Abbott Memorial Trophy (Best Bench for U/G Team)
- New Afton, Newgold Inc. - Keith Bracewell Memorial Award (Best Obstacle & Recovery)
- Quinsam Coal Corporation - Overall Underground Mine Rescue Trophy
For more information on the competition or awards, visit first aid.
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The Upper Similkameen Indian Band accept their Mining and Sustainability Award.
Mining and Sustainability Awards
This was a unique year for the award as it was presented to both Absorbent Products Ltd. and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, both located near Kamloops, B.C.
The award was presented to the winners on May 4, 2009 at the Mining Association of BC’s (MABC) Gala Award Ceremony in Vancouver. For more information on the winners and the runners’ up, visit Mining and Sustainability Award.
Information on the 2009 Mining and Sustainability Awards criteria will be released soon. Check criteria for more information.
For information, visit mine safety awards. Read more
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Minerals North Conference
The 2009 Minerals North conference was held in Fort St James on April 21 - 23. The theme this year was 'Exploration to Reclamation'.
The Ministry was well represented by staff from Victoria and the Prince George and Smithers regional offices with presentations by Jay Fredericks, Chris Newell, John DeGrace and Paul Wojdak. Attendance was estimated at 300-350 people with representatives from the mining and exploration industry, consulting companies, service companies, communities, First Nations and local and provincial governments.
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip addressed the conference and shared his perspective on recognition and reconciliation for First Nations. The BCGeoMap bedrock geology wall map was released at the conference and received significant interest. BCGeoMap available to download at map. |
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Mining Week- May 3 to 9, 2009
Mining is one of B.C.'s largest and oldest industries and BC Mining Week is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the importance of the modern industry to British Columbians. Activities were planned for Vancouver and communities all around the province of British Columbia. Highlights of the week include the release of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Report on the mining industry in B.C.
The annual report posted record financial results in 2008. Aggregate pre-tax net earnings for the industry were up by 88 per cent to $3.2 billion, the highest amount in the 41-year history of the PWC survey.
For details, visit survey.
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