Thompson – Page 4 – Republic of Mining

Mine promises hope for Thompson – by Jonathon Naylor (Brandon Sun – March 27, 2014)

March 28, 2014

http://www.brandonsun.com/

THOMPSON — As one door closes, will another open? That’s the fundamental question facing this hearty northern mining city.

Nickel giant Vale’s announcement that it will shut down its smelter and refinery at the end of 2014 (later revised to the end of 2015) raised grim speculation about Thompson’s future. But overlooked is the fact that while those surface operations are nearly tapped out, Vale is concentrating on its subterranean prospects.

“Our recent exploration activities have focused on increasing the confidence of near-infrastructure reserves and resources with the goal of maintaining current production levels from our existing mines,” says Ryan Land, the personable manager of corporate affairs for Vale’s Thompson operations. “This strategy will continue in the near term, and will be re-evaluated on an ongoing basis in response to nickel market conditions.”

Not only does Vale still run three Thompson-area mines — T-1, T-3 and Birchtree — there remains the irresistible promise of a fourth, known as 1-D, a $1- billion-plus mega-development.

First Nations opposing mining and exploration in Northern Manitoba – by Ian Graham (Thompson Citizen – February 21, 2014)

February 21, 2014

The Thompson Citizen, which was established in June 1960, covers the City of Thompson and Nickel Belt Region of Northern Manitoba. The city has a population of about 13,500 residents while the regional population is more than 40,000.

Northern Manitoba’s Manto Sipi Cree Nation and Mathias Colomb Cree Nation announced their opposition to mineral exploration in their traditional and ancestral territories this week.

Manto Sipi Cree Nation at Gods River issued a press release Feb. 18 stating that it would block mineral exploration and work permits on its ancestral lands in northeastern Manitoba and will not consult with the provincial government until all land disputes are addressed and settled. The press release said the province had recently sent three work permit applications for Mineral exploration to Manto Sipi Cree Nation.

“I have been given a strong mandate to initiate legal, political and defensive action against outside encroachment,” said Manto Sipi Cree Nation Chief Michael Yellowback in the press release. “Manto Sipi Cree Nation will stop all three work permit applications immediately. One of the main issues is that Manto Sipi Cree Nation has exhausted all avenues in dealing with [Mineral Resources] Minister [Dave] Chomiak on Manto Sipi Cree Nation’s land claim which is on an expired mineral claim purportedly held by Jim Campbell. The minister’s legal position and opinion on this Godslith Claim has been refuted by our lawyers, so we will challenge it in court.”

[Northern Manitoba] Students drill down into minerals and mining – by Ian Graham (Thompson Citizen – February 19, 2014)

February 19, 2014

Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada brings its Mining Matters to Thompson and Nelson House

Students and teachers in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) and Thompson learned about minerals and mining from Feb. 10-14 as Mining Matters, in partnership with Vale’s Manitoba Operations, swept through Northern Manitoba to present its Mining Rocks Earth Science program, sponsored by the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada in Toronto.

“This is incredible,” said Barbara Green Parker, the aboriginal education and outreach programs manager for Mining Matters, a charitable organization in existence since April 30, 1997 that seeks to spread knowledge about Canada’s geology and the careers available in the country’s minerals industry. “This is the largest Mining Matters program that we have ever done. We are maximizing our exposure in Northern Manitoba. It’s a phenomenal amount. We’re very pleased to be in such high demand.”

Parker was in NCN at Nelson House on Feb. 10-11, presenting the Mining Rocks program to students from Grades 4 to 8 at Otetiskwin Kiskinwamahtowekamik Elementary School on Monday and to high school students at Nisichawayasihk Neyo Ohtinwak Collegiate on the morning of Feb. 11, with the afternoon dedicated to a teacher training workshop.

Idle No More – Northern Manitoba: A year on – Thompson Citizen Editorial (January 29, 2014)

January 29, 2014

Last year was the winter of our discontent to borrow the famous line from William Shakespeare’s 16th century play, The Tragedy of King Richard the third. What about this year? Until last week, an eerie quiescence had walked this land for months.

No more. Not after legendary former Winnipeg rocker Neil Young brought his “Honour the Treaties” tour to Canada to raise funds for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations, who have filed a legal challenge to a multi-billion dollar proposed expansion of Royal Dutch Shell’s oil-sands Jackpine Mine, Fort McMurray, Alta., from 7,500 hectare to 13,000 hectares.

And not after former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine, an Anishinabe from the Sagkeeng First Nation on the southern tip of Lake Winnipeg in Treaty Territory 1, who accepted a job in December with TransCanada Pipeline, a Calgary based natural gas and oil pipeline developer that wants to build the proposed Energy East Pipeline to transport oil from Western to Eastern Canada, postponed a scheduled talk Jan. 22 at the University of Winnipeg after being confronted with angry protesters, some armed with anti-oil sands signs, others with drums and some with their faces painted red and black.

Vale uncertainty set to end in 2014 – Thompson Citizen Editorial (January 8, 2014)

January 9, 2014

More than three years of uncertainty about the near-term future of Vale’s Manitoba Operations are about to end and that in and of itself is very good news for Thompson residents.

Whether it will be good news or bad news in an objective economic sense remains to be seen, but it will be substantive news, and given the uncertainty that followed the announcement on Nov. 17, 2010 that the smelter and refinery would close in 2015 – followed by even more uncertainty, as the Sword of Damocles hung over Birchtree Mine for 6½ months from Oct. 18, 2012 until last May 6, while the company considered returning it to care and maintenance – and you can perhaps better appreciate why any real and conclusive news out of Vale in relation to Thompson would be welcome at this point.

If you wonder what the effects of more than three years of uncertainty surrounding Thompson’s largest and most important employer have been, try putting your house up for sale right now or look around and see how many new investors have arrived in town since 2010. While houses have sold and investors have come, Thompson has been in something of a state of suspended animation – a city on hold – since that fateful November Wednesday more than three years ago now.

My Take on Snow Lake: Hard times on display at the Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention – by Marc Jackon (Thompson Citizen – December 6, 2013)

December 6, 2013

From Nov. 20-22, mining people from around the province, and from across the land, gathered in Winnipeg for the 45th Annual Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention. Included among them were mining experts, geoscientists, educators, community and aboriginal leaders, as well as resource and industry specialists, a number of them with a connection to the area.

Literature produced for the event advised that the convention highlights the value of minerals and petroleum to Manitoba’s economy and provides insight into the latest developments, opportunities and challenges facing the exploration and mining sector. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity for attendees to work together in order to advance Manitoba’s rich mineral potential and geologically diverse land base.

The convention also features a trade show, property showcase and presentations on recent geological findings and exploration projects from around the province. On Nov. 22 the public was invited to participate in various activities including digging for fossils with the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre in Morden, panning for gold with champion panner Yukon Dan, and visiting other mineral displays and activities with the Mineral Society of Manitoba.

Manitoba mining towns go boom or bust as industry taps resources (CBC News Manitoba – November 29, 2013)

December 2, 2013

http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/

Lynn Lake, Thompson tell tale of two mining towns dealing with very different fates

A Manitoba town with a thriving mine is hoping to avoid the fate of another mining town not far away, which recently saw a mass exodus of people. Thompson is enjoying the benefits of a thriving nickel mine operated by Vale, but even the mine operators know that won’t last forever.

“All mines have a finite life, regardless of how good the resource is,” said Mark Scott, the manager of mining for Vale. That’s why the company, Thompson’s city leaders, First Nations groups and local business owners have come up with a diversification strategy called the Thompson Economic Diversification Working Group (TEDWG) to bring variation to the town’s economy.

“It’s important to make sure the economy can stand on its own two feet when life after Vale Manitoba operations eventually does arrive,” said Scott. Life after mining has already arrived in Lynn Lake, 322 kilometres away. Christine Shortt has lived in Lynn Lake for 55 years. Shortt works at the Bronx Motel in town and said the town is markedly different than it was when mining was at its peak.

Northern Manitoba chiefs representing First Nations on province’s new Mining Advisory Counc – by Ian Graham (Thompson Citizen – November 15, 2013)

November 28, 2013

Several Northern Manitoba First Nation chiefs as well as mining industry representatives from companies such as Vale, Hudbay Minerals and San Gold are members of Manitoba’s new Mining Advisory Council which aims to help First Nations benefit from the development of new mines, Mineral Resources Minister Dave Chomiak announced Nov. 8.

“First Nations that want to participate will be partners every step of the way as new mines are brought on line and they will share in the benefits of resource development,” said Chomiak in a press release. “There will be new training opportunities, good jobs, revenue sharing and a range of social and economic benefits for First nations communities. This will also send an important message to those who want to invest in Manitoba’s mining sector that we’re open for business.

First Nations representatives on the Mining Advisory Council include co-chairs Chief Donovan Fontaine of Sagkeeng First Nation and Chief Ron Evans of Norway House Cree Nation, along with Chief Philip Buck of Mosakahiken Cree Nation, Chief Clarence Easter of Chemawawin Cree Nation, Chief Jerry Primrose of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Chief Andrew Colomb of Marcel Colomb Cree Nation, Chief Gilbert Andrews of God’s Lake First Nation, Keewatin Tribal Council Tribal Grand Chief Irvin Sinclair and Opaskwayak Cree Nation Chief Michael Constant.

Manitoba Prospector Kate Rice: Still making history – Thompson Citizen Editorial (OCTOBER 30, 2013)

November 25, 2013

On Jan. 16, Kate Rice, the “Red Lady” and “Lady of the Lake,” also known as “Mooniasquao”(White Woman) by her Cree friends, will become only the second woman ever inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in Toronto. For those of us here in Northern Manitoba, a land of “headframes, happiness and heartaches,” as the title of Jim Parres and Marc Jackson’s 2009 book goes, Rice’s induction is a very big deal.

After all, Inco came originally to Northern Manitoba as a result of her Rice Island copper and nickel claims, which were never developed but which Vale still owns today, although it would be the discovery on Feb. 5, 1956 of the Thompson ore body, known as Borehole 11962 – the so-called “Discovery Hole” at Cook Lake (later renamed Thompson Lake after Inco chairman John Fairfield Thompson for whom the City of Thompson is also named) that really got things rolling.

Viola MacMillan, mine finder and financier, as well as the driving force behind the transformation of the Prospectors and Developers Association from a small group of less than 100 to an organization of more than 4,000 internationally recognized association of professionals was the first woman inducted into the hall in 1991.

My Take on Snow Lake – by Marc Jackson (Thompson Citizen – October 25, 2013)

November 25, 2013

MARC JACKSON – EDITOR@UNDERGROUNDPRESS.CA

Mihychuk secures Kate Rice’s induction in Canadian Mining Hall of Fame

Kathleen “Kate” Rice; her name and exploits have long been a part of local lore, however, thanks to MaryAnn Mihychuk, many others throughout Canada will soon become familiar with her inspiring story. After hundreds of hours of research, performed with the help of dozens of analysts over a two-year, Mihychuk has accomplished a goal she set for herself upon taking the position of Community Development Officer (CDO) with the Town of Snow Lake. She has secured induction into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame for the “Lady of the Lake.”

Kathleen Creighton Starr Rice will be inducted with full flourish and formality into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame at a dinner and ceremony which will take place at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Jan. 16.

Rice was born in 1883 at St. Marys, Ontario. Schooled there, she graduated from the University of Toronto in 1906, with a bachelor of mathematics degree.

10 safety charges laid in fatal mine accident – by Kevin Rollason (Winnipeg Free Press – November 18, 2013)

November 18, 2013

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/

Vale Canada took corrective action

VALE Canada Ltd. has been charged with 10 offences under the province’s Workplace Safety and Health Act in a mining accident that killed a Thompson miner in 2011. The charges, laid last month, include allegations that Vale did not provide a safe workplace, did not have safe work procedures and had unsafe equipment.

Murray Nychyporuk, president of United Steelworkers Local 6166, said Friday it’s the first time the mine has been charged in connection with the death of a worker.

“It’s a strong message from the (province) to industry throughout Manitoba, not just Vale, that operations and companies need to provide safe working conditions,” Nychyporuk said.

“Corrective actions did take place following the incident, but we had to lose a friend, a brother, a father and a son, all for corrective measures to be put in place.”

Northern Manitoba chiefs representing First Nations on province’s new Mining Advisory Council – by Ian Thompson (Thompson Citizen – November 15, 2013)

November 15, 2013

Manitoba Reed Mine approval a ‘step back,’ says Wilderness Committee – by Ian Graham (Thompson Citizen – October 4, 2013)

October 4, 2013

The province’s approval of Hudbay’s Reed Mine copper project in Grass River Provincial Park, which was granted on Sept. 24, is not going over well with the Wilderness Committee, which opposed the mine because of its proximity to the habitat of woodland caribou, a provincially and federally protected species.

“It is hard news to take,” said Eric Reder, the Wilderness Committee’s Manitoba campaign director in a Sept 25 press release. “Canada stopped mining national parks in 1930. Eight decades later and Manitoba still can’t join the party?”

The Reed Mine, which is 70 per cent owned by Hudbay, is projected to produce 1,300 tonnes of copper per day and is located about 80 kilometres west-southwest of Snow Lake on the southern side of Highway 39. The mine is expected to be in production for approximately five years, during which time 2.16 million tones of copper ore will be extracted and then trucked to and processed in Flin Flon, according to a project overview prepared by AECOM on behalf of Hudbay. At full production, the mine will provide 88 jobs, the company says.

Vale’s Manitoba Operations has reached 95 per cent of cost savings goal, Lovro Paulic says – by John Barker (Thompson Citizen – September 18, 2013)

September 18, 2013

But smelter and refinery “base case” is still to close sometime in 2015

Vale, which is trying to find $100 million in cost savings at its Manitoba Operations in Thompson, has achieved 95 per cent of that goal over the last year – a cost savings of $95 million with $5 million still to go, vice-president Lovro Paulic told the Thompson Chamber of Commerce Sept. 11.

Paulic said $60 million was saved last year and $35 million has been saved so far this year. Ninety per cent of the money was saved between September 2012 and last April, while anther five per cent has been saved since then. That leaves another five per cent to go to reach the $100 million target.

The result of the collective cost-savings effort across the operation was a reprieve for Birchtree Mine from being mothballed again for a second time. Birchtree Mine, which was discovered for its nickel deposit in 1963 and opened in 1968, was previously on care and maintenance for nearly 12 years from 1977 to 1989, although regardless if it is mothballed or not, the current life of mine plan anticipates closure at some point in the next 10 years in any event.

Northern Manitoba First Nation tells mining company to stop work and get out – by Ian Graham (Thompson Citizen – July 5, 2013)

July 8, 2013

The chief, councillors and some citizens of Red Sucker Lake First Nation in northeast Manitoba near the Ontario border issued a stop work order and eviction notice at Mega Precious Metals Inc.’s Monument Bay Project mineral exploration camp 60 kilometres north of the community on July 1.

“This STOP WORK ORDER is issued because: Mega Precious Metals Inc. and affiliated companies have breached the Customary Laws of Mithkomaybin Thakaykun Ininiwak as represented by Red Sucker Lake First Nation by constructing, operating and extracting resources from Twin Lakes without the expressed permission of the owners Mithkomaybin Thakaykun Ininiwak as represented by Red Sucker Lake First Nation,” read the stop work order. “WARNING: The failure to stop work, the resumption of work without permission from the Mithkomaybin Thakaykun Ininiwak as represented by Red Sucker Lake First Nation is punishable by the Customary Laws of Red Sucker Lake First Nation.”

“On April 13, 2013, our people voted unanimously to halt all mineral exploration activity in our territory by whatever means possible,” said Red Sucker First Lake Nation Chief Les Harper in a press release. “It doesn’t matter how long it takes, we will abide by our people’s wish to enforce the Stop Work Order and the Eviction Notice.”