British Columbia Mining – Page 80

MININGWATCH NEWS RELEASE: ATTEMPT TO REVIVE PROPOSED PROSPERITY MINE MUST END NOW Oct 19, 2011

October 21, 2011

Source: http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/861389/attempt-to-revive-proposed-prosperity-mine-must-end-now

Posted on behalf of the Tsilhqot’in National Government-MiningWatch

[MiningWatch is providing logistical support to the Tsilhqot’in during their Ottawa vist and will continue to support them with techncial reviews of the project and communications support.]

Company submits option already reviewed and found to be worse than original plan

OTTAWA, October 19, 2011: The Tsilhqot’in Nation, supported by BC and national chiefs, today called on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) and the federal government to reject the re-bid Prosperity mine project without further waste of time and tax dollars.

“The company is on record admitting this new option is worse than the one that was rejected last year, and a CEAA review panel has already agreed with that assessment,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Chair of the Tsilhqot’in National Government, which represents six First Nations.

Open Letter: UBCIC Supports Tsilhqot’in Nation and Call for Rejection of “New Prosperity” Mine (October 19, 2011)

October 20, 2011

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs was founded in November, 1969, by a majority of Indian chiefs in BC, partly in response to the federal government’s 1969 White Paper, which was a blueprint for assimilating Canada’s First Peoples, and partly as an inevitable outcome of a growing conviction of many of our people that our survival in the face of such policies depended upon our ability to work together. The goal of the UBCIC is to support the work of our people, whether at the community, nation or international level, in our common fight for the recognition of our aboriginal rights and respect for our cultures and societies.

October 19, 2011

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Government of Canada

Premier Christy Clark
Province of British Columbia

Dear Prime Minister Harper and Premier Clark:

Re: UBCIC Support for Tsilhqot’in Nation and Call for Rejection of the “New Prosperity” Mine

We are writing with respect to Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) Resolution 2011-35, “UBCIC Support for Tsilhqot’in Nation and Call for Rejection of the “New Prosperity” Mine” which was presented, affirmed and passed by consensus at the UBCIC’s 43rd Annual General Assembly on September 15, 2011.

Can $300M save Fish Lake and B.C. mining? – by Terence Corcoran (National Post – October 20, 2011)

October 20, 2011

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper. Terence Corcoran is the editor and columnist for the Financial Post section of the National Post.

First Nations appear to threaten B.C. mining over Taseko’s Prosperity mine

The benefits of mining to Canada are well known. A news story in the Financial Post Tuesday suggests the industry’s contribution to the national economy may be too well known, even taken for granted, to the point where nobody much cares if $11-billion worth of GDP growth is blown away in a protracted battle with First Nations groups and environmentalists over Taseko Mines’ gold and copper project in British Columbia.

At the centre of the project, near Williams Lake, some 400 kilometres north of Vancouver, sits Fish Lake, a small 118-hectare body of water. Call it the $300-million lake. That’s the amount of money Taseko Mines has anted up to preserve Fish Lake in response to a Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) claim that the destruction of the lake was grounds for killing the Prosperity mine. At $300-million, or $3-million per hectare, Fish Lake is likely more valuable than Lake Tahoe.

In a 250-page panel review last July, the CEAA could find few problems with Taseko’s open-pit mine project, a $1-billion investment that would create thousands of jobs over a 24-year operating period.

Taseko floats second plan for B.C. site – by Peter Koven (National Post – October 19, 2011)

October 20, 2011

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper. pkoven@nationalpost.com

TORONTO – The economic benefits appear to be massive. Now the main question is whether the federal government will approve it this time.

Nearly a year after Ottawa rejected Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Prosperity project in central British Columbia, the company is highlighting a third-party economic study that shows the proposed mine would increase real gross domestic product in Canada by $11-billion over the next two decades, while creating an estimated 71,000 jobs.

The study, prepared by the Centre for Spatial Economics, also suggests government revenue would rise by $9.8-billion over the life of the mine, and the B.C. population would grow by an estimated 5,400.

“It just shows you the kind of economic impact one mine can have. It’s unreal,” Taseko chief executive Russell Hallbauer said. Prosperity, 125 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, is already one of the most controversial mining projects in Canadian history, well before any shovel has been put into the ground.

NEWS RELEASE: Taseko’s New Prosperity Mine Would Increase Real GDP by $11 Billion, Add 71,000 Jobs over 20 years, New Study Reveals

October 20, 2011

October 18, 2011, Vancouver, BC- A new comprehensive economic study of Taseko Mines’ (TSX: TKO; NYSE Amex: TGB) (“Taseko”) proposed $1.5 billion New Prosperity Gold Copper Project located in British Columbia reveals that the project would provide a significant economic stimulus to the economy, and create thousands of new jobs for Canada over its 20 year mine life.

Using a macroeconomic model of the British Columbian economy, The Centre for Spatial Economics (C4SE), who has previously developed Canadian Department of Finance fiscal forecasts, reviewed the New Prosperity Project, starting with the 2013 construction phase and ending with the anticipated 2036 closure of the mine. The conclusions of the report suggest long term contributions to national, provincial and regional economies, including a significant increase in federal and provincial revenues and sustained job growth.

On June 6th, 2011, Taseko Mines responded to an invitation by the Federal government of Canada to submit a revised proposal for the development of its Prosperity Gold and Copper deposit in BC. New Prosperity, the company’s revised plan, includes an additional $300 million in capital investment to limit the mines environmental impact, notably the preservation of Fish Lake.

Premier Clark’s best move speeding up approvals for dozens of new mining projects – Vancoucer Sun Editorial (Vancouver Sun – October 11, 2011)

October 20, 2011

The Vancouver Sun, a broadsheet daily paper first published in 1912, has the largest circulation in the province of British Columbia.

Premier Christy Clark’s pledge recently to accelerate approvals for mining projects is a rare ray of light in the gloom of economic stagnation.

With weak GDP growth, fiscal deficits, slumping stock markets, high household debt and a slight improvement in personal disposable income for much of the past decade, the prospect of eight new mines opening and another nine expanding by 2015 should prove a game-changer for British Columbia.

These projects are expected to create 1,800 new, well-paid jobs in communities where good jobs are hard to find. The average annual wage in mining last year was $108,100, income that will support families and local businesses and provide tax revenue for government to spend on what people say matters to them, namely health care and education. Besides jobs on and under the ground, mining supports auxiliary jobs in Vancouver and other urban centres where the financing, accounting, regulatory and legal work are done.

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan Speech – by British Columbia Premier Christy Clark (Sept/22/11)

October 20, 2011

This Speech was given to the Vancouver Board of Trade on September 22, 2011

Check against delivery

Thanks, Dave, for the introduction.

I’d like to acknowledge my caucus members in attendance, as they stand up – please give them a warm round of applause. Iain Black is here today as well.

And most importantly I want to acknowledge all the job creators in the room and that’s you.

You know, my grandfather was a member of the trade delegation that went to Japan with this Board of Trade in 1954. I found this wallet of his from the trip when I was cleaning out some boxes in my garage a couple months ago. He worked for a B.C. small business, Nelson Brothers Fisheries. He was the production manager and he went on this trade mission that flew through Anchorage, Alaska and then on to Japan.

The whole point was to reach out to open new markets and create new jobs in British Columbia. I am really proud he did that, and that the Board of Trade had the foresight to lead that mission in the 1950s. Fifty-seven years later, I am standing here before the same organization to talk about the same thing – new markets, new opportunities and good jobs for families.

NEWS RELEASE: MINING ASSOCIATION OF BC WELCOMES NEW “CANADA STARTS HERE: THE BC JOBS PLAN”

October 20, 2011

22 September 2011 – Vancouver – The Mining Association of BC commends the provincial government’s Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan released today.

Of particular importance to the BC mining sector, the BC jobs Plan proposes a commitment of almost $24 million to natural resource ministries with a goal of reducing the time it takes to get decisions on approvals and permits. The Premier emphasized that this plan could be implemented without compromising BC’s strict environmental standards.

The plan also promises that, in collaboration with the private sector, BC will see eight new mines in operation; nine upgrades and expansions to currently operating mines; and, mining permit backlog (Notices of Work) will be reduced by 80 percent within twelve months noting that once the backlog is dealt with, there will be a new sixty day turnaround to process Notices of Work for mines.

“The mining industry is very encouraged to see government investing in its internal resources which allow private sector economic activity to occur,” said John McManus, Chair of the Mining Association of BC.

AME BC NEWS RELEASE: Mineral Explorers Applaud BC Jobs Plan

October 20, 2011

Vancouver, BC – September 22, 2011 – Today the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC) applauded the release of Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan. In particular, AME BC thanked the provincial government for its commitment of $24 million toward reducing the time it takes to get decisions on approvals and permits for natural resource sectors. This will be done without compromising British Columbia’s world class safety and environmental standards or the requirement to consult with First Nations. The government has stated that once the permit and approval backlog is reduced, the target for turnaround on new “notices of work” for mines will be 60 days.

“Based on high commodity prices, our natural mineral potential, and proximity to Asian markets, BC is experiencing a modern-day gold rush built on safe, responsible and successful exploration,” said Gavin C. Dirom, President and CEO of AME BC. “There are more than 350 mineral exploration projects and 20 major mine projects active in BC. In 2010, we saw a doubling in exploration expenditures, up from $154 million in 2009 to $322 million as well as seeing almost $1.5 billion spent in construction and development of new mines or expansions. These new mines potentially represent the creation of 10,000 new jobs over the next ten years.”

Minister Oliver says mine approval process to get better – by Peter Koven (National Post – October 14, 2011)

October 14, 2011

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper. pkoven@nationalpost.com

TORONTO – Federal Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says improvements to Canada’s endless regulatory approval process for new mines are “achievable” under the government’s current mandate.

Speaking to reporters after a presentation at the Toronto Board of Trade Thursday, Mr. Oliver expressed confidence he can eliminate duplication in federal and provincial reviews of projects, but warned it will be an extremely difficult process.

“We have to work with the provinces, so we can agree on a case-bycase basis whether it makes sense for one or the other to take over the review, or if there’s some way we can work together to avoid duplication,” he said.

One of the biggest frustrations for mining companies in Canada is that project approvals can be delayed for months because the federal and provincial governments are out of sync and are doing the same tasks.

Rio Tinto hiring hundreds of workers in Canada because of modernization projects – by Ross Marowits, Canadian Press (Winnipeg Free Press – September 27, 2011)

September 28, 2011

The Winnipeg Free Press is the oldest newspaper in western Canada and has the largest readership in the province of Manitoba.

MONTREAL – A couple of years after it laid off 14,000 workers around the world, global mining giant Rio Tinto has launched a mini hiring spree in Canada, mainly due to its modernization projects.

The Anglo-Australian company is actively searching to hire more than 210 workers for mining and manufacturing in alumina, aluminum, iron ore, diamonds and titanium dioxide.

“We launched the campaign to help our ongoing recruitment efforts for our modernization and expansion projects,” Rio Tinto spokesman Bryan Tucker said in an email. Rio Tinto employs more than 13,000 people at 35 sites in Canada.

The company has turned to Facebook and YouTube, posting a four-minute promotional video showing operations such as the Diavik Diamond Mine, Iron Ore Company of Canada, Rio Tinto, Fer et Titane, and Rio Tinto Alcan.

NEWS RELEASE: MINING ASSOCIATION OF BC WELCOMES NEW “CANADA STARTS HERE: THE BC JOBS PLAN”

September 23, 2011

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Vancouver –The Mining Association of BC commends the provincial government’s Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan released today.

Digging in: Beating the bad rap [British Columbia mining] – Peter Koven (National Post – July 27, 2011)

July 27, 2011

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper. Peter Koven is their mining reporter.

For all the criticism that British Columbia’s mining industry receives, Jim O’Rourke will tell you that it is a good place to do business.

He should know. Mr. O’Rourke is the chief executive of Copper Mountain Mining Corp., which is holding the grand opening of its namesake mine in B.C. next month. It is the most promising new operation to open in B.C. in years. He was also involved in a number of prior B.C. projects, including the Endako mine in the 1960s and the Gibraltar mine in the 1970s.

“The whole Copper Mountain project went very well. From the time of buying the mine, completing our preliminary assessment in the first year, we went right into the feasibility study and met all of our targets over the past four years,” he says. “I think things have gotten a little more complicated [in B.C.] but, overall, it went well.”

PwC NEWS RELEASE: BC mining companies are riding the wave of strong demand and high commodities prices: PwC report

May 11, 2011

Revenues and earnings reached near record highs in 2010

VANCOUVER, May 10, 2011 — According to a new report from PwC, British Columbia’s mining companies have rebounded from the global economic slowdown, turning in near-record results for revenues, net income and cash flows during 2010. Overall the industry’s aggregate pre-tax net earnings were $3.7 billion in 2010, up by 65% from $2.3 billion in 2009.

“The 2010 financial performance of the BC mining sector was outstanding, driven by strong coal and metals prices and a lot of hard-working people in the industry,” said Michael Cinnamond, leader of PwC’s BC mining industry practice and co-author of the report. “The PwC report shows that just about every aspect of the BC mining sector has done better than expected. Many of the positive trends we saw last year have continued into the first quarter of 2011.”

Gross mining revenues increased 13% to $7.9 billion in 2010, approaching the historic high of $8.4 billion in 2008. The Canadian dollar strengthened in 2010, creating an estimated aggregate negative impact of $856 million on gross revenues, excluding the impact of any hedging.