Vale Reaches $700 Million Deal to Sell Cobalt Output – by Jack Farchy and R.T. Watson (Bloomberg News – June 8, 2018)

https://www.bloomberg.com/

Vale SA reached an agreement to sell future production of cobalt as battery makers look to shore up supply of the metal amid a nascent electric-vehicle boom, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The deal is for about $700 million of cobalt produced at the Voisey’s Bay complex in Canada that predominately churns out nickel, the people said, asking not to be identified because talks are private. Vale’s Rio de Janeiro-based press department declined to comment.

The Brazilian miner has been looking for financing to extend the life of the mine by transiting to underground from open-pit operations and has said publicly that a so-called streaming arrangement was among options.

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A Voisey’s Bay breakthrough? Significant mining announcement coming Monday – by Terry Roberts (CBC News Newfoundland-Labrador – June 8, 2018)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/

Government, Vale confirms plans for a media event

Nickel prices have soared in recent months, and it now appears that rebound will mean big news for Labrador’s mining sector. Government and company officials have confirmed that a “significant” mining announcement will take place in St. John’s Monday, regarding the long-delayed underground mine at Voisey’s Bay.

“Indeed, the government is making a significant mining announcement on Monday and we look forward to joining them,” a spokesperson for Vale wrote in an email to CBC News Friday morning.

The government confirmed Friday afternoon that Premier Dwight Ball will join leaders from the Brazilian mining giant at 10 a.m. Monday at the Sheraton Hotel. No one will confirm details, but sources say Vale plans to announce that plans to establish an underground mine at Voisey’s Bay are back on track.

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Former geologist rocked by current version of Rambler’s mine – by Cory Hurley (NFLD Western Star – June 5, 2018)

https://www.thewesternstar.com/

BAIE VERTE, N.L. — Some might say sequels are never as good as the originals, but Tom Al says it is obvious that’s not the case with Rambler Metals and Mining. The former geological technician and mine geologist with Rambler in 1981 worked underground in the mine prior to its closure in 1982.

Al, the keynote speaker for the Friday, June 1 formal dinner at the Baie Verte and Area Chamber of Commerce’s 31st annual Mining Conference, took guests for “a trip down memory lane.” The Ming copper and gold mine is back in production, and reportedly has a 20-year mine life with 312 million pounds of copper and 57,000 ounces of gold.

He took a tour of the Rambler operation at the Ming mine Thursday, May 31, and was amazed at the new equipment and technology as well as the newfound emphasis on safety.

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[Al Chislett] Money didn’t change Voisey’s Bay discoverer, son says (CBC Newfoundland and Labrador – April 16, 2018)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/

Brad Chislett says his dad was passionate about province, continued to enjoy the outdoors

As the Newfoundland legislature paid homage Monday to a mining pioneer who died last week of cancer, the man who called Al Chislett dad said he will miss the adventures and the conversation.

“My father was my best friend. I grew up idolizing him as a child because he was such a self-reliant man,” Brad Chislett told CBC Television’s Here & Now.

“As an adult we got to know each other very personally, working together as business partners, going on a lot adventures together, exploring Labrador, Newfoundland and travelling across the world. I’m just going to miss his company.”

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NEWS RELEASE: Development of the Labrador Trough – Position of the Innu of the North Shore (April 13, 2018)

UASHAT MAK MANI-UTENAM, QC, April 13, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ – In response to yesterday’s announcement of a new partnership between Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to the development of the Labrador Trough, the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam and the Matimekush-Lac John Council wish to highlight the fact that the Labrador Trough is largely located within the traditional territory (Nitassinan) of the Innu of Uashat mak Mani-utenam and the Innu of Matimekush-Lac John, both of whom assert Aboriginal title and rights to the trough and the minerals found therein.

“Quebec and Newfoundland continue to live in a bygone era, one in which they believe it is still possible to disregard First Nations on their own territories.

Not only was Quebec just recently trying to sideline us from federal environmental assessments, but is now entering into partnership agreements that we are learning about after the fact.” Said Chief Mike McKenzie of the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam.

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Ball, Couillard talk mining, roads – by David Maher (St. John’s Telegram – April 12, 2018)

http://www.thetelegram.com/

N.L. and Quebec seek to expand mining in Labrador Trough

Premier Dwight Ball and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard are sending a signal that the Labrador Trough is open for business for the mining industry.

The provinces entered an agreement on Thursday to send a signal that they aim to work together on jurisdictional and geological information. One of the goals is to eliminate jurisdictional squabbles over the Labrador-Quebec border that could delay mining the area.

“Both our jurisdictions are recognized as an attractive place to do business. What we want to do is make sure that we do a better job of sharing information,” Ball said.

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1995 PDAC Bill Dennis Prospector of the Year Award for the Voisey Bay Nickel Deposit – Albert E. Chislett and Chris L. Verbiski – by Stan Sudol

Chris Verbiski & Al Chislett (Wiki Source)

This excerpt is from the 2007 PDAC 75th anniversary publication.

Originally looking for diamonds in 1993, Albert Chislett and Chris Verbiski instead discovered one of the world’s major nickel sulphide deposits near Nain, Labrador. The Voisey’s Bay deposit was eventually bought and developed by Inco Limited. Most experts agree that the deposit will be a major source of nickel and regional prosperity for generations to come.

Chislett was born in Islington, Trinity Bay Nfld. in 1949. After studying business administration at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto and working in the accounting department at Swift Premium in Ontario for five years, he established a successful construction company in St. John’s Nfld., and operated it for fifteen years.

His interest in geology and mineral exploration began in the late 1980s, stemming in part from his love of the outdoors. In 1988 he started operating an independent mineral exploration company and began prospecting full time. He was soon one of the most active prospectors in the province and was the first to receive a provincial prospector’s assistant grant.

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Al Chislett, co-discoverer of Voisey’s Bay, dies at 69 (CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador – April 9, 2018)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/

Originally from Heart’s Delight-Islington, Chislett died of cancer

Al Chislett, the co-discoverer of the massive Voisey’s Bay nickel deposit in northern Labrador, has died in St. John’s at the age of 69.

Chislett, who with Christopher Verbiski discovered Voisey’s Bay in 1993, had been battling cancer. Before he died, he had been receiving care at the Miller Centre in St. John’s. He was originally from Heart’s Content-Islington but later lived in Conception Bay South.

The nickel deposit at Voisey’s Bay proved to be one of Canada’s most substantial mineral discoveries. The two men, who co-owned prospecting company Archean Resources, found the deposit while working for Diamond Fields Resources Ltd., which was later acquired by Inco Ltd.

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NEWS RELEASE: Anaconda Mining receives Industry Excellence Award for Environmental Stewardship

TORONTO, March 29, 2018 /CNW/ – Anaconda Mining Inc. (“Anaconda” or the “Company”) – (TSX: ANX) is pleased to announce it has been recognized with the Natural Resources Magazine’s Industry Excellence Award for Environmental Stewardship.

Natural Resources Magazine’s Industry Excellence Awards recognizes companies in Atlantic Canada’s natural resources sectors that are striving for and achieving greatness in resource development, health and safety, innovation, environmental stewardship and championing communities.

“Anaconda Mining strives to be an environmental leader in the mining sector with a focus on implementing proven and innovative green initiatives that contribute to the sustainability of the environment.

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[Shawn Ryan] Renowned Gold Detective Zeroing In On Major Discovery – by Jeff Nielson (Stockhouse.com – March 26, 2018)

http://www.stockhouse.com/

FULL DISCLOSURE: Labrador Gold Corp is a paid client of Stockhouse Publishing.

Early-stage mining exploration is not for the faint of heart. It’s hard work for the mining companies engaging in such exploration. And it can also tax the patience of investors. However, the rewards can be enormous.

Typically, early-stage mining companies are micro-caps. They have not (yet) established a mineral resource – with a quantifiable asset value. So their market cap reflects the speculative nature of such operations. But if one of these early-stage mining companies hits significant intercepts of mineralization, the company and its shareholders are generally very well-rewarded for such discoveries.

The key, for both mining companies and investors, is to maximize the odds for exploration success. One junior mining company that is especially excited about its odds for success is Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX: V.LAB, Forum).

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Voisey’s Bay poised to capitalize on demand for cobalt, but Vale silent – by Terry Roberts (CBC News NL – February 06, 2018)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/

Sources say ballistic surge in cobalt prices makes underground mine project more likely

A ballistic surge in the price of cobalt could mean positive things for Labrador’s Voisey’s Bay mine, but if executives at Vale are excited, they certainly aren’t saying.

Reuters is reporting that the Brazilian mining giant, which owns the Voisey’s Bay mine and processing facility at Long Harbour, Placentia Bay, is looking to cash in on cobalt.

The international news agency is reporting that Vale is looking to sell unmined cobalt, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to investors and that could be a positive sign as the company decides whether to proceed with an underground mine at Voisey’s Bay.

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Baie Verte Mayor reigniting talks around former asbestos mine – by Cory Hurley (Western Star – January 18, 2018)

https://www.thewesternstar.com/

Proposed federal asbestos regulations do not mention former operations in province

BAIE VERTE, NL — Baie Verte Mayor Brandon Philpott says it’s time for all key players to start talking about the open pit and exposed asbestos fibres at the former Advocate Mines site again.

His comment came following Canada’s recent action toward its promised ban of the use, sale, import and export of asbestos and products containing that hazardous material.

The federal health and environment departments are supporting changes to eliminate the market for asbestos products in the country. The proposed regulations include an exemption to allow for cleanup of asbestos residue around former mines in an attempt to redevelop the sites.

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Rare earth element mine could mean big changes for Labrador town – by Evan Careen (St. John’s Telegram – December 20, 2017)

http://www.thetelegram.com/

Public asked to comment on project located near St. Lewis

ST. LEWIS, NL – The federal and provincial governments are looking for comments on a proposed rare earth element mine on the south coast of Labrador. The Foxtrot Rare Earth Element Mine Project is currently the subject of an environmental assessment by the provincial government.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) is deciding whether a federal environmental assessment is required. Both processes are currently asking for comments from the public and impacted groups.

The proposed project is near the Town of St. Lewis. Mayor Helen Poole said council certainly plans to submit comments. “I know it’ll have an impact in all the communities in the area, but it’ll really impact us,” she said. “We’re excited but we have to be cautious on how it’s going to impact us, so we want this environmental study done.”

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Movers, shakers, even rock-breakers meet for mining conference in St. John’s – by Stephanie Kinsella (CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador – November 5, 2017)

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/

Old meets new at the Mineral Resources Review in St. John’s — billed as the largest event of its kind in Atlantic Canada, with more than 700 delegates and exhibitors.

The four-day conference, which started Thursday, has courses, technical sessions and a trade show — and it’s a chance for participants to network and show their strengths.

CBC caught up with a couple of them: prospectors who are keeping it in the family, and the creator of a new app for rock enthusiasts or the curious types. Prospecting might seem like a trade of the past, but it’s still very much alive. Just ask Mark Stockley who, with his brother Stephen and cousin Troy, “go out in the woods, cracking open rocks” in Gambo.

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Indigenous workers at Voisey’s Bay anxious about Vale review of nickel operations (Canadian Press – August 23, 2017)

http://nationalpost.com/

MONTREAL — Global mining giant Vale’s decision to review its global operations in light of depressed nickel prices is causing anxiety among Indigenous workers at its Voisey’s Bay mine in Labrador.

As part of its 60-day audit, the Brazilian miner (NYSE:VALE) has put on hold a decision about an underground expansion project at the Atlantic mine that would create more than 400 jobs and extend its life for 15 years.

“These are some of the higher paying jobs you find in our communities,” said Darryl Shiwak, Lands and Natural Resources Minister for the Inuit people of Nunatsiavut. “So with the high unemployment rate and the amount of seasonal work, these jobs are extremely important.”

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