Things are certainly extremely busy at the Roundup of 2012! The time is here for mineral exploration - the melding of science and industry

The international presence at the conference becomes more apparent as I get involved in discussions with various attendees. There is a large and animated population of students from locations near and far. I stopped by the booth of the Mineral Deposit Research Unit (MDRU) from the UBC Earths & Sciences department, where I met Moira, a Geology grad student, who is originally from England. She is keenly looking forward to following her passion for the outdoors, and hopes to be working in the Yukon this summer; a popular choice for a lot of people for many reasons!

Later I found myself on the upper level at the Greenland Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum information booth. A variety of mineral discoveries have been made in recent times in Greenland. With advancing technology, the increasing value of raw ore materials, and a retreating ice cap, this area of the world looks to have an optimistic future in resource extraction. I had a great discussion with Ole Fjordgaard Kjær, The Deputy Head of Department Minerals. Originally from Denmark, Ole has chosen to live in Greenland for the last 6 years, something most of us have surely have not thought of doing.

And so goes another eventful day; tomorrow's talks will extend that theme of the involvement of other parts of the globe in mineral resources.

Infamous AME BC Hats

By Catherine Biollo

BC Night opened Tuesday at 7pm with anticipation as participants waited outside the Stanley Park Ballroom for the doors to open.  The open hall featured tables full of sandwiches and beer, so no frowns could have made it past the door. The room filled up fast as delegates met their friends and colleagues chatting and awaiting the BC Night’s local live band.

AME BC started a new trend at BC Night this year. With distribution of their hats from tables and representatives walking around it seemed that within a period of ten minutes nearly a third of the people in the room were wearing them. The hats, I must add, are really nice this year - the soft grey material seemed to suit everyone.

It didn’t take long for people to get their moves on once the band, The Famous Players, came on. With the band playing hits from today, the 90s and beyond the dance floor was packed. Others who were not as into the dancing spirit could be found in the adjacent hallway, it was considerably quieter out there which was perfect for conversation without missing out on the great tunes from the band.

“What makes BC Night BC Night?” - Besides the Granville Island beer, the local band, BC corporate sponsorship for the night, and AME BC hats floating around everywhere - I’m not sure, but I’d love to come again to find out.

Prospectors' Tent - Roundup 2012

The prospector’s tent is located just outside the main entrance in the outdoor “Core Tent”.  Exhibitors there display current projects in hopes to excite the interest of the geological community and potential investors. The tables were adorned with a backdrop of maps and figures and gleaned with beautiful rock samples displaying the best these prospectors have to offer. Crowds gather around the tables for a glimpse at where the mining industry may be headed next.

One of these exhibits was presented by Mikkel Schau, PhD, P.Geo. Schau has been working in Northern Vancouver Island on his claims for a number of years and now is in the later stages of prospecting. He says he is hopeful that what he has found on the surface is “just the tip of the iceberg”. He has found disseminated and vein-hosted copper minerals including bornite and malachite. He had some beautiful green and iridescent rock samples on display.

A forward thinker, Keith W. Steeves of Atlantic Pacific Spaceline Enterprise Inc., is looking to take the exploration industry into space. He hopes to open the door to asteroid mining through interstellar sampling using solar sail technology to retrieve samples and bring them back to earth.  It will be interesting to watch the industry to see when interstellar mining operations take flight.

There is a unique sense of excitement and adventure in the prospector’s tent. These prospectors can easily been seen as modern day treasure hunters. Trekking through the wilderness, staking claims and searching for that elusive ore-bearing outcrop. Armed with maps and extensive geological background and experience, they man the decks at Roundup seeking out those willing to join in their adventure - and help dig for the gold.

Thompson Creek Metals Company’s Mt. Milligan copper-gold Project, located approximately 90 miles northwest of Prince George in central British Columbia, and has been in the works for many years…

I remember in the 80s, flying in to work on the property. It was a mosquito haven and wet weather was a common occurance. It occurred to me more than once as we staked the property, placed grid lines and finished our soil samples that I wasn’t sure there was anything here!

Currently Mt. Milligan is very close to being in production mode (estimates place it at the first quarter of 2013).  Thompson Creek’s Feasibility Study states that reserve estimates are 6.0 million oz of Gold and 2.1 billion lbs of copper.

At Roundup 2012 a 3D video was used to show the pit and surrounding structures. It was very effective way to show how the mine would be developed. The deepest pit will be 550 meters deep and it will use an area no larger than 3 km by 4 km.

One of the biggest issues they foresee is getting a secure amount of skilled workers. Engineers, metallurgists, geologists and other professionals are all needed. What they are finding is that the 30 – 30 rule is at work;

either you have a  worker that has 30 years of experience and are approaching retirement
or
30 years old with no experience

They are working with the local colleges to get trained workers. The mine is involving all the communities in the area and working hard at keeping them informed to what is going on.

I attended a number of the afternoon tech sessions. I was particularly fascinated to learn that the plate tectonics theory, standard knowledge today, was not fully accepted by the geology community until the 1960's!  Growing up on the B.C. Coast,we were always made aware of the slipping, grinding, and moving of our fractured terrestrial crust, leading to the possibility of earthquake at any time.

At the end of the day my realization is that just as our planet's surface is constantly changing, so are our methods of understanding, aided by the amazing advances in technology that benefit us all.

By Patrick Craib

This Monday afternoon, the Stanley Park Ballroom at the Westin Bayshore was packed for Roundup 2012’s technical session on ‘British Columbia’s First 100 Years of Global Discovery.’ Much in the spirit of the session was Mark Edwards, Environment Director for Teck, who gave the audience an in-depth history of the Sullivan mine. As it turned out, at least half the audience had personal experience with the mine at one point or another in their lives. Mark’s presentation focused on the life the Sullivan mine and its connection to the local community Kimberly. Sullivan’s ability to stay innovative allowed it to remain competitive while operating, and remain a force within the community after the mine had closed. Similarly, Jason Sangha, Senior Mine Engineer, Highland Valley Copper presented on the past and future developments atHighlandValley. He touched on many of the same points, such as resource development, community enrichment, and Aboriginal engagement.

Much of the session involved the technical development of geosciences within the Province. The presentations showcased how the history of mineral exploration in British Columbian created the opportunity for fascinating technical and scientific innovations, from geochemistry to terranology, through the 20th century and into present day.

Peter Holbeck, Vice President, Exploration, Copper Mountain Mining was particularly informative in his presentation on volcanogenic massive sulphide ore deposits. His presentation was interesting for someone who does not have a technical background. However, these presentations were much more appreciated by the many geologists in the audience.

A definite highlight of the session was George Cross, Resource Specialist for Haywood Securities, recalled of the role that the Vancouver Stock Exchange and how it influenced world-wide investment, financing . It also created an environment that fostered the development of the province’s groundbreaking mineral explorers. His various speaking points about the social dynamics of the mind-century industry entertained the room and showed that while the industry has come a long way since its early days, it has definitely not lost its colourful character.

While all the presenters spent time emphasizing the “critical role” thatBritish Columbiaplayed in the world mineral exploration and geosciences, as Teck’s John Thompson, Vice President of Technology and Development, put it this was no backward-looking session. What was clear after the presentations were finished was that mineral exploration and mining in this province is anything but dead history. This perspective was epitomized by the final presentation, where Tom Schroeter, President CEO and Director of Fjordland Exploration, Mike Burke, Chief Geologist, Golden Predator Corp, and Shawn Ryan, President, Ryanwood Exploration showed that while gold started the first mineral rush into the province, it is now returning to mark its character in the 21st century.

Celebrate DEC with rock bottom rates -Standards Make $en$e

In honour of its new Drilling Excellence Certification (DEC) program launched at Roundup, the Canadian Diamond Drilling Association is cutting its rates. DEC brings a new, higher standard of quality to the diamond drilling industry. After certification through DEC, a drilling company will be safer, more cost effective and more environmentally friendly.

 The CDDA rates for junior exploration, mines and other stakeholders are the best deal in the drilling industry. Juniors pay only $100 a year plus HST; mining companies and other commercial operators pay $500 a year plus HST. Listing on the CDDA website is $50 a year.

 It all means real time access to a database of ‘peace-of-mind’ drilling contractors. DEC will help minimize accidents and mistakes, by requiring contractors to have health and safety, environmental and quality management systems that meet the new CDDA standard.

Check out www.cdda.ca to download membership application forms in early February. Support the CDDA and broaden your choice of  Drilling Excellence Certified contractors.

By Denis Delisle

The annual Yukon night again; many people, chocolate fountains, baron of beef and the ever flowing beer.

The trail of participants, were like chilkoots wandering up a mountain, each with a sheet of paper in their hands. The idea is if you fill the paper with stamps from the participating businesses around the room and you can win a variety of prizes donated to the Yukon night. Some of the prizes are; accommodation in the Yukon, a fight for 2 to the Yukon (likely needed to go with the first prize) and a picture. There are more but they are not outstanding enough to remember after a few beer. Not an easy feat considering there are about 20 stamps you need and the room is packed and moving about the area is about as easy as swimming in quick sand. Like the Yukon’s chikoots these are determined greased up sorts and they manage to get the sheets filled. It is a good way to get your product known for the contributors and entertaining for the participants.

By Denis Delisle

Monday coffee and all is abuzz; the interconnection is starting; deals, work, plans and catching up with old acquaintances and making new ones.

Melanie Karjala works for Resources North, a non-profit group whose purpose is to create a way of having potential resources users work together with Aboriginal people so that they all come out as winners. Integrated resource management at a strategic level for multiple bands in one area, working with forestry, mining, tourism and other users of the land finding common ground or not. Resources North has no interest for any one sector but would be the catalyst to have communities grow and prosper. Resources North supports the meetings, supplies materials and researchs for collaboration between different sectors. Obviously the Aboriginal people want to bring about some sort of land planning with themselves and other users of their inherited lands to make this work. It was the first time Resource North has attended come Roundup and impressed by the different people involved in the mining business. Find more by going to: www.resourcesnorth.org