Republic of Mining

[Norilsk, Russia] Global Lenses: Diverse political films tackle war, energy and the impact of history – by Daniel Glassman (Point Of View Magazine – April 26, 2017)

May 3, 2017

Three new Canadian films take on contemporary global issues through radically different lenses. Stopping off in an Arctic Russian mining city, the ruins of Basra, Iraq and a massive thermonuclear reactor in Southern France, François Jacob’s A Moon of Nickel and Ice, Ann Shin’s My Enemy, My Brother and Mila Aung-Thwin and Van Royko’s Let There Be Light investigate the entangled issues of history, war, energy and ecology from the bottom up, through intense focuses on individuals and their stories.

Quebecois director Jacob makes his feature debut with A Moon of Nickel and Ice, a multi-faceted portrait of the Siberian nickelmining city of Norilsk. Three facts about Norilsk: It’s the world’s northernmost city with over 100,000 inhabitants; it’s one of the most polluted places in the world; and it’s a “closed city”—foreigners have been banned since 2001, and it was closed to most Russians as well during the Soviet era. Norilsk Nickel’s on-site smelting facility gives the gifts of acid rain, smog and fully 1% of the world’s sulfur dioxide emissions.

You may be wondering how they got 100,000 people to move there. Answer: they forced them. Yes, Norilsk was the site of a Soviet Gulag.

Christy Clark’s proposed tax on thermal coal would hurt Alberta, U.S. – by Brent Jang (Globe and Mail – May 3, 2017)

May 3, 2017

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/

VANCOUVER — BC Liberal Leader Christy Clark wants to slap a hefty $70-a-tonne carbon levy on exports of thermal coal from British Columbian ports, a move that would devastate producers in both the United States and Alberta while sparking a rift over interprovincial trade.

“I think in the fight against climate change, we all have a responsibility,” Ms. Clark said Tuesday during campaigning for the May 9 provincial election.

She is linking her coal-levy proposal to the Trump administration’s decision last week to collect countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber exports south of the border. British Columbia is Canada’s largest lumber exporter into the United States.

How I funded my studies by digging for Sierra Leone diamonds – by Umaru Fofana (BBC Africa – May 3, 2017)

May 3, 2017

http://www.bbc.com/

Freetown – In my teens, I worked as an artisanal miner, waist deep in water, sieving the gravel to find a diamond. Growing up in diamond-rich eastern Sierra Leone, it was the natural thing to do.

Jobs were, and still are, few and far between, so the gemstones were a magnet. They persuaded many to drop out of school, but I worked as a miner mostly during school holidays and sometimes at weekends. The Kono District was densely populated because the sparkling stones could be found virtually everywhere, sometimes through sheer luck.

My parents joined thousands of people from across the country, as well as The Gambia, Mali, Senegal and even Lebanon, to go to Kono in the hope of making a quick fortune. I grew up there and my work as a miner was hard. I dug the river beds for gravel and extracted the often muddy earth looking for diamonds.

OPEC Teaches Biggest Uranium Miner How to Handle Price Crash – by Nariman Gizitdinov (Bloomberg News – May 3, 2017)

May 3, 2017

https://www.bloomberg.com/

Kazakhstan, which mines almost 40 percent of the world’s uranium, thinks it has the market heft to function as a one-nation OPEC for the nuclear fuel.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, whose 13 members also pump about 40 percent of global output, is an “example” in the way it’s used its size to pursue higher pricing, according to Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna, which owns the state’s 100 percent stake in uranium producer Kazatomprom.

Already enjoying the advantage of being the lowest-cost producer in the world, Kazatomprom was able to turn a profit last year even after prices collapsed, said Berik Beisengaliyev, the fund’s management board member. It also plans to build its own trading arm to assert greater sway in the market, he said in an interview in Almaty. A decision on an initial public offering of shares in the company is due in the first half of next year.

Column: ‘Quick fix’ budget leaves Ontario’s North behind – by John Vanthof (Sudbury Star – May 3, 2017)

May 3, 2017

http://www.thesudburystar.com/

John Vanthof is the NDP MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane.

The Kathleen Wynne government released its latest budget last Thursday, and it is disappointing to say the least. The first thing that struck me was the Liberal government’s continued refusal to stop the sale of Hydro One. Their reasoning is disturbingly clear: The Liberals are using the one-time proceeds from the sale of Hydro One to balance the government’s books.

Even worse, the government has lost more than $1 billion of revenue; these funds are now going to private investors who have bought 30 per cent of Hydro One shares. Going forward, this revenue will continue to be lost every year to private interests, instead of funding the programs and services that Ontario taxpayers rely on.

While the government has proposed to lower the hydro rates by decreasing delivery charges, this plan is funded by the taxpayer through government borrowing. Ultimately, you and I will continue pay the full hydro bill and resulting interest on this government’s debts.

Sherritt surrenders equity share at Ambatovy to cut $1.4B in debt – by Andrew Topf (Mining.com – May 1, 2017)

May 2, 2017

http://www.mining.com

Canada-based nickel miner Sherritt (TSX:S) has struck a deal with its partners at the Ambatovy nickel operation in Madagascar, allowing the company to eliminate $1.4 billion in debt.

In a news release, the Toronto-based firm said it will reduce its stake in the joint venture from 40% to 12%, and remain the mine operator. The nickel-cobalt mine and processing facilities are expected to run until 2024.

“After months of negotiation, I am pleased to be able to announce a resolution which removes the largest area of uncertainty for both Ambatovy and Sherritt. With this transaction, we eliminate $1.4 billion in debt from Sherritt’s balance sheet, and maintain our exposure to Ambatovy with a clean 12 per cent interest and continuity as the operator,” CEO David Pathe said in a statement.

LACK OF RING OF FIRE DEVELOPMENT AN EXAMPLE OF THE FAILURE OF LAZY ECONOMICS ACCORDING TO ONE NORTHERN MP [Charlie Angus] – by Aaron Mahoney (My North Bay Now – May 2, 2017)

May 2, 2017

http://www.mynorthbaynow.com/

Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains reaffirmed that the federal government is still committed to the Ring of Fire project during a recent trip to North Bay. The Ring of Fire project is expected to generate nearly $2-billion in tax revenues and up to 5,500 full-time jobs in the first 10 years of mining activity according to reports.

Bains and Nipissing-Temiskaming MP Anthony Rota called the Ring of Fire a process that will take time. However, Ontario’s provincial budget was released last week and contained no mention of the Ring of Fire which has lead to questions about its future. Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus was recently in North Bay for his Got Your Back tour while he vies for the leadership of the federal NDP party, and was asked about the development near his neck of the woods.

Angus says the Ring of Fire is a perfect example of the failure of lazy economics by the Wynne and Trudeau governments by showing a complete lack of interest in developing the chromite project. He says there’s a couple of steps that need to be done first in order to get the Ring of Fire going.

Nation-Building on Permafrost: Three Prime Ministers – by Geoff Norquay (Policy Magazine – July/August 2014)

May 3, 2017May 2, 2017

http://www.policymagazine.ca/

Contributing Writer Geoff Norquay, a former senior policy adviser to Prime Minister Mulroney, is a principal of the Earnscliffe Strategy Group in Ottawa. geoff@earnscliffe.ca

From the infrastructure ambitions of John Diefenbaker to the governance breakthroughs of Brian Mulroney to the resource development dreams of Stephen Harper, the North has enthralled and sometimes confounded Canada’s political leadership. Longtime political strategist and former prime ministerial aide Geoff Norquay traces half a century of policy trials and triumphs in a part of the world where change comes slowly

John Diefenbaker, Brian Mulroney and Stephen Harper are united by more than the fact that they were all Conservative prime ministers and politically dominant in their respective eras. For all three, northern Canada held a special place in their national policy agenda, they each had their “northern visions” and they took significant
steps to advance the economic and constitutional development ofthat region.

In the case of Diefenbaker, it was his “Northern Vision” and “Roads to Resources” programs; for Mulroney, it was the commitment and negotiations that led to the creation of Canada’s third territory, Nunavut;and for Harper, it has been asserting Canada’s sovereignty in the Arctic and the successful negotiation of a devolution agreement with the Northwest Territories.

[John G. Diefenbaker: His Northern Vision] A New Vision – by John G. Diefenbaker [This speech was given at the Civic Auditorium, Winnipeg, 12 February 1958]

May 2, 2017

http://www.canadahistory.com/

Ladies and gentlemen, we started in the last few months, since June the 10th, to carry out our promises, and I can tell you this, that as long as I am Prime Minister of this country, the welfare of the average Canadian will not be forgotten. We intend to launch for the future, we have laid the foundations now, the long-range objectives of this party.

We ask from you a mandate; a new and a stronger mandate, to pursue the planning and to carry to fruition our new national development programme for Canada. For years we raised that in the House of Commons, and those in authority ridiculed it. Day before yesterday, Mr. Pearson came out in favour of a national development policy. Why didn’t they do it when they Were in power?

This national development policy will create a new sense of national purpose and national destiny. One Canada. One Canada, wherein Canadians will have preserved to them the control of their own economic and political destiny. Sir John A. Macdonald gave his life to this party. He opened the West.

Ontario budget: $1B Ring of Fire promise is still nothing but a promise – by Staff (Sudbury Northern Life – May 2, 2017)

May 2, 2017

https://www.sudbury.com/

But Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault says just because the words ‘Ring of Fire’ aren’t in the budget, doesn’t mean Ontario has lost interest

A billion-dollar promise by the provincial government to fund an all-season transportation corridor to reach the Ring of Fire remains just that. A month after Ottawa made no mention and released no funding for the Far North mineral belt in the federal budget, Queen’s Park decided to followed suit.

It’s been ten years since Noront Resources discovered its high-grade Eagle’s Nest copper-nickel deposit in the James Bay region, but Sudbury MPP and provincial energy minister Glenn Thibeault said the government is still committed to the cause.

“Absolutely nothing has changed,” Thibeault told Sudbury.com. “I know the Opposition members from Northern Ontario are all running around with their hair on fire saying there’s nothing in there for the Ring of Fire.

Washington takes note of Clark’s targeting coal exports – by Nelson Bennett (Business Vancouver – May 2, 2017)

May 2, 2017

https://www.biv.com/

American coal expert says Christy Clark’s posturing on thermal coal exports having intended effect

Christy Clark’s vow to ban or tax thermal coal exports moving through B.C. ports may be nothing more than election brinkmanship, but it seems to be having its intended effect in the U.S. According to Joe Aldina, a New York based energy analyst specializing in coal for S&P Global Platts, Clark’s recent targeting of thermal coal exports moving through B.C. ports has generated a bit of a buzz in the corridors of Washington.

“I know from my contacts that I was just talking to, already they’re lobbying and having conversations behind the scenes in Washington,” Aldina told Business in Vancouver. “It’s certainly got people’s attention.”

Last week, in response to new countervailing duties of 20% or more slapped on Canadian softwood lumber, Clark wrote the prime minister asking for a federal ban on thermal coal exports passing through B.C. ports, and then added that, if exports aren’t banned, a B.C. Liberal government would apply a levy “so onerous that there’s no percentage in shipping thermal coal through British Columbia.”

Philippine lawmaker says ’50-50 chance’ of Lopez losing environment minister job (Reuters U.S. – May 2, 2017)

May 2, 2017

http://www.reuters.com/

There is a 50 percent chance that Philippines Environment Secretary Regina Lopez may lose her confirmation vote after holding the position for nearly a year, said the head of the country’s Senate environment committee on Tuesday.

“It’s still a 50-50 chance for Gina,” Senator Manny Pacquiao, chairman of the committee, told reporters after Lopez gave testimony at a committee hearing, referring to the minister by her nickname.

Congressional confirmations in the Philippines typically happen months after ministers start work. President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Lopez on June 30, 2016. Lawmakers will vote on her fate on Wednesday.

Laurentian’s CROSH to take health and safety research on the road – by Angela Gemmill (CBC News Sudbury – May 2, 2017)

May 2, 2017

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/

Laurentian’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health to launch mobile unit June 28

Experts at the Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH) in Sudbury want to hear about health and safety issues from workers in rural and remote areas of Ontario. Next month the research facility at Laurentian University will launch a mobile unit meant to travel across the province.

The large vehicle will act as a portable laboratory for any of the 40 multidisciplinary researchers at CROSH, says Director Sandra Dorman. They’ll gather information from workplaces outside of Sudbury, where most of the studies and experiments currently are conducted.

“We’ve got the home lab where we can bring ideas back and test them out, but the mobile lab allows us to get the information in the field, bring it back to the lab for testing and then go back to the field, to ensure that the new ideas actually work,” says Dorman.

Aussie iron ore giants remain bullish despite price drop – by Kaori Takahashi (May 2, 2017)

May 2, 2017

http://asia.nikkei.com/

Big miners lifting output on optimism about long-term demand from China, India

SYDNEY — Major Australian iron ore miners are gearing up to bolster production despite falling prices, expecting demand from China and India to continue growing.

Rio Tinto’s production report for the January-March quarter shows its output in Australia declined 3% on the year to 77.2 million tons, due to bad weather. Shipments remained mostly unchanged at 76.7 million tons.

The Anglo-Australian miner is slated to begin production at the Silvergrass mine in Western Australia in the second half of the year. The company projects its 2017 iron ore shipments at 330 million tons to 340 million tons, up from 327.6 million tons last year, and is looking to lift annual volume to 360 million tons down the line.

Major parties tout plans for the future of mining – by Albert Van Santvoort (Business Vancouver – May 1, 2017)

May 2, 2017

https://www.biv.com/

Question of whether government should be industry overseer or collaborator is at centre of resource platforms of Liberals, NDP and Greens

The concerns of the mining industry have not been featured as prominently this provincial election cycle as they have in the past. In the 1990s, investment in mineral exploration was at a 20-year low, with large swaths of capital and people leaving the provincial mining sector. The industry wanted change.

In 2017, the mining industry is less vocal – and that’s likely a sign of the stability of British Columbia mining sector, says Stewart Muir, executive director of the Resource Works industry advocacy group. “This is not a phase where B.C. mining and exploration have any big asks of government,” Muir said. “If things were to continue more or less as they are, they would be in a good place.”

Yet while the BC Liberal government has faced criticism that it has too cozy a relationship with the mining industry – a CBC analysis released in April found that the party had received $4.7 million in industry donations over 10 years – the industry itself still has some concerns about B.C. government policies.