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PROSPECTOR 2017-2018
The annual mining & exploration review An official publication of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association
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table of
Contents Message from the MSPDA president Stephen Masson
Manitoba Exploration and Development Highlights 2017 20 Saskatchewan Exploration and Development Highlights 2017 31 Copper Reef Mining Corporation: Focusing on two gold projects 40
46
Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association welcomes the graduating class of 2017 prospectors from UCN 48 Where it all began: the history of the ManitobaSaskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association 51 William Bruce Dunlop: Northern Explorer
58
A diamond in the rough: Lynx Consortium hopes to win big 60 Mergers and enhanced productivity boost potash output 62 The cash stash behind anti-pipeline activism
64
66 68
Rockliff Copper Corporation expands on one of the highest-grade base and precious metal property portfolios in North America 69 Far Resources looks forward to future of Zoro Lithium Property 72 Core box partnership supports adults with disabilities 73 SaskTel: Looking for a home away from home? 74
President & CEO DAVID LANGSTAFF
76
Publisher JASON STEFANIK
Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd. a powerhouse in the mining industry 79 Keeping the heritage: Western Heritage offers archaeological skill and heritage management training 80 Solutions with a vision
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Art Director / Design kathy cable Advertising Art DAVE BAMBURAK DANA JENSEN Contributing Writers Eckart Buhlmann, Lindsay Coffin, Peter Dunlop, Erin Eccleston, Melanie Franner, Justin Hunt, Vivian Krause, Stephen Masson, Darren Mirau, Victor Muñoz, Michael Schwartz, Edgar Wright, Penny Yeager, Alison Zielke
Hager Equipment: designing with your mine in mind 90
54
New report examines the HR challenges and changes unique to Canada’s exploration sector
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Letters of intent and confidentiality agreements 78
Reviving the Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention 18
The future is gas powered
Northern Prospector
Find more gold in your leach pad
8
Prospector Training Program of 2017
The Annual Mining & Exploration Review
The containment professionals: Winkler Canvas 92
©Copyright 2017. Northern Prospector.
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All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.
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The Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association, as a body of members, is not responsible for statements made or the opinions offered in the publication. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained, and the reliability of the source, neither the publisher nor the association in any way guarantees nor warrants the information, and are not responsible for errors, omissions or forward-looking statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by c ontributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher or the association, or the respective directors, officers or employees. Articles and advertisements in this publication are not solicitations to buy, hold or sell specific securities; they are for information purposes only. Investors should be aware that risk is associated with any security, strategy or investment, and are advised to seek the counsel of a competent investment advi sor before making any investment, or utilizing any information contained in this publication. Subscription, advertising and circulation can be obtained from the publisher.
Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, MB R3L 0G5 Email: david@delcommunications.com
See MSPDA and UCN Mining Academy articles inside, pages 46 and 48. 6
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
PRINTED IN CANADA 11/2017
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president’s message
Saskatchewan exploration continues but Manitoba’s mining industry fights off decline By Stephen Masson, M.Sc., P.Geo. President, Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association
E
xploration in Canada picked up
those getting into new-age metals related
it. In some areas provinces are destroy-
this year with new discoveries and
to batteries as the world moves to green
ing the economic potential by creating
more financings. It is still not at
energy attempting to use less of fossil fu-
enormous parks that restrict develop-
previous levels that we are nostalgic for
els. This has resulted in lithium and co-
ment. These limit a better quality of life
but this may be the new reality; a para-
balt stocks taking off and selenium and
for northerners and their communities.
digm shift occurred a few years back
REE maintaining strength. Diamonds
Deficient infrastructure, such as north-
when risk-adverse banks took over most
have been discovered in Manitoba in an
ern railways that are not maintained and
of the brokerage firms telling investors
area where indicator minerals from past
a lack of roads, is not helpful.
to sell their high-risk exploration stocks.
surveys had indicated enormous prom-
This destroyed investor confidence and
ise. This is exciting.
greatly affected the ability of most ju-
The mining industry would be doing
niors to raise money. The market and
much better if pre-development costs
the risk perception of investors have
due to increased definition require-
bounced back somewhat from this eq-
ments related to NI-43101 and feasibil-
uity destruction as they have begun to
ity requirements were not many times
see the undervalued state of many junior
what they were in the past. Government
stocks where many are truly available for
regulations, as well as increased envi-
pennies.
ronmental and permitting costs, have
Metal prices for copper, zinc and lead have increased or remained strong based
we are taxed more.
on demand. Gold has stayed relatively
The federal and many provincial gov-
strong as a standard bulwark against
ernments appear to view mining as a
uncertainty. Palladium climbed above
sunset industry or one that has a stigma
$1,000 an ounce for the first time since
as non-green and erroneously not envi-
2001 on hopes for rising demand from
ronmentally friendly; basically throwing
the car industry amid a shortage of sup-
the economic engines of many northern
ply. Palladium is one of this year’s best-
communities under the bus. One need
performing
advancing
only ask Saskatchewan if the reason they
48 per cent, more than three times the
are “a have province” was the added in-
increase in gold and about 10 times the
come from mining to pay for social pro-
gain in its sister metal platinum. Nickel
grams.
commodities,
continued to struggle as steel demand
Canada’s economic future lies in de-
fell off. However, this may be the time to
veloping its north but that requires plan-
pick up nickel stocks and deposits when
ning, balanced policies and infrastruc-
no one wants them, which seems to be
ture. The vastness of the undeveloped
what CanAlaska is doing.
north is huge, the mineral potential
The biggest upsurge has been from 8
not been offset by lower taxes; in fact,
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
enormous and we are not developing
MSPDA welcomes and supports Manitoba and First Nations communities working on new mineral development protocol On Aug. 1, 2017, I had the honour of attending a meeting in the office of Honourable Cliff Cullen, minister of growth, enterprise and trade. Attending was Honourable Eileen Clarke, minister of Indigenous and municipal relations along with Jim Downey and chief Ron Evans, co-chairs of mineral development protocol, as well as Jonathan Arnold, director of lands and economic development for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada — Manitoba Region; Dustin Remillard, manager of lands and economic development; Stephen Traynor, regional director general for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada — Manitoba Region; and Jim Crone, acting assistant deputy minister of growth, enterprise and trade. During the meeting, there were frank discussions on some of the issues related to mineral exploration and development in relation to permitting and consultation. Later, Ruth Bezy from the Southern
Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors & Developers Association magazine_Ad 2017.indd 1
2017-08-30 10:04 AM
president’s message
Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association and Ed Hubert, former president of the Mining Association of Manitoba, met with Jim Crone and discussed issues related to permitting and MEAP in a two-hour meeting. They briefly touched on mineral policy, regulations and structure of the mines branch and geological survey. This was our first chance to have input into the review the Progressive Conservative government is carrying out, to create a better investment climate for mineral exploration and development respectful of the needs and concerns of First Nation communities. It was a good meeting with a promise of the chance for further input. This promise was kept and we had a further meeting on Oct. 25 with chief Ron Evans, Jim Downey and Jim Crone. Our concerns from that meeting are outlined later on in this message under Increasing exploration in Manitoba.
Front row (left to right): Honourable Eileen Clarke, former minister of Indigenous and municipal relations; Ron Evans, chief of Norway House Cree Nation and co-chair of mineral development protocol; Jim Downey, former cabinet minister and deputy premier, co-chair of mineral development protocol; Cliff Cullen, former minister of growth, enterprise and trade. Back row (left to right): Stephen Masson, president, Manitoba - Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association; An-drea McLandress, president, Mining Association of Manitoba; Ruth Bezy, president, Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association.
Premier Brian Pallister suggests that the new protocol will establish more productive and respectful relationships (press release, July 31, 2017) NORWAY HOUSE CREE NATION
announced, joined by growth, enterprise
— The Manitoba government will be
and trade minister Cliff Cullen and In-
developing a new provincial mineral
digenous and municipal relations minis-
development protocol with First Nation
ter Eileen Clarke.
communities, premier Brian Pallister
“Working in partnership with First
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president’s message Nation communities to develop this
nations, employees, managers and as
munities have expressed a strong interest
protocol will enable us to establish a
companies providing services and sup-
in participating in resource development
clear pathway forward on mineral de-
plies. I look forward to working on this
projects but face significant barriers that
velopment with a stable and predictable
initiative.”
could be addressed through improved
consultation process that will ensure
The new protocol will define how
relationships, earlier and more frequent
Manitoba is informed of, and addresses,
consultations will occur during the
communications with government and
potential adverse effects to the exercise
phases of mineral development includ-
industry representatives, a clearer un-
of Aboriginal and treaty rights,” said Pal-
ing grassroots exploration, mechanized
derstanding of the benefits that will ac-
lister. “This will also provide a shared op-
disturbance, advanced exploration and
crue to their communities, and a more
portunity to enhance public confidence
mine development, Cullen said. It will
formalized role in the development of
in the mineral sector and the necessary
give greater certainty to companies in-
these projects.
assurance that Manitoba is the right
terested in mineral development in
“This process will advance reconcili-
place for business to invest, build and
Manitoba, as the different phases of de-
ation by fostering a mutually respectful
grow. First Nations communities must
velopment have dramatically different
relationship between the Crown and In-
be involved in all aspects of mineral
impacts on the exercise of Aboriginal
digenous peoples, and inform the com-
development, and share in the benefits
and treaty rights, he added. This proto-
pletion of a new strengthened and re-
resulting from projects, while ensur-
col will ensure that potential adverse ef-
newed government-wide duty to consult
ing that Aboriginal and treaty rights are
fects to Aboriginal and treaty rights will
framework that we are developing,” said
protected.”
be clearly articulated and addressed dur-
Pallister. “It will also provide mineral ex-
This process, which will be co-chaired
ing consultation processes in all phases
ploration and mining industries with a
by chief Ron Evans of Norway House
of mineral development in the province.
clear understanding of the requirements
Cree Nation and Jim Downey, former
“This is a win for all Manitobans, In-
and processes for mineral development
Manitoba deputy premier and cabinet
digenous and non-Indigenous,” said
projects in Indigenous traditional terri-
minister, will engage First Nations com-
Downey. “A mutually agreed-to mineral
tories.”
munities that have immediate or poten-
development protocol is a significant
The premier added that conversations
tial mineral development opportunities
initiative for fostering greater econom-
with northern communities as part of
and are interested in participating.
ic development opportunities across
Manitoba’s Look North initiative have
“First Nations leaders and communi-
Manitoba’s north and this includes gen-
demonstrated that mineral development
ties need to be directly involved in the
erating jobs and wealth for First Nation
is a priority in the north, and the gov-
process of mineral exploration and de-
communities. I am extremely pleased to
ernment is committed to strengthening
velopment,” said Evans. “We must work
work with Chief Evans, whose leader-
relationships with Indigenous peoples
together with governments to develop a
ship and determination has been a huge
to continue to build a more prosperous
protocol to meet the needs of our com-
part of the north.”
Manitoba with opportunities for every-
munities. We need to be involved as
Clarke noted many First Nation com-
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president’s message Northern Manitoba needs significant re-investment, a major exploration push is needed Although diamonds have been discovered in Manitoba in an area that indicator minerals from past surveys suggested has enormous promise, Manitoba’s share of Canada’s exploration expenditures has dropped further suggesting underlying reasons other than the certainty of mineral potential. The lack of exploration by junior and senior companies in Manitoba has resulted in a fall-off in the discovery rate across the province. Without new discoveries, mines rapidly approaching the end of their productive life will not be replaced and our once-vibrant mining camps and towns will go into slow decline. New mining camps will likely not be discovered at all. This does not bode well for the whole north especially with the shutdown of the Churchill
port and the northern railroad in seri-
— exploration — if we want any hope of
ous trouble.
saving its economy and infrastructure.
The Look North economic strategy
Exploration discovers deposits, some
I have seen so far is poorly researched
is how we make mining sustainable in a
The Look North economic strategy
with a lot of rather poor, almost desperate, solutions being presented to come up with an action plan to stabilize the
of which develop into new mines. This business that depletes its resource. Manitoba is not fine
Exploration in Manitoba has plum-
economy amid a mine closure, two im-
meted more than any other province
pending mine closures, a smelter shut-
despite the economic incentives that
down and the closure of the Churchill
the provincial government has brought
port, and it’s very likely our northern rail
in as far as grants, tax incentives for
line would follow soon. This affects the
Manitoba investors and the doubling of
cities of Churchill, Flin Flon, Thompson
assessment credits. Certainly, the cause
and communities in between, all north
of this is not potential. Manitoba contin-
of the 53rd parallel. The paper mill in The
ues to have world class discoveries and
Pas would have gone under this year if it
recently, Hudbay Minerals has opened
was not saved by Kraft Paper at basically
two new mines. So, in Manitoba, with all
the last hour. So, three out of four cities
the great potential, a proven track record
driving the economy north of 53 are in
of discovery, and provincial exploration
serious trouble and people think tourism
incentives, why is exploration activity
is going to save the day. Good grief, we
so exceptionally low? As good as these
need investment in what built the north
provincial incentives are, and the Mani-
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president’s message toba government deserves high praise for being a leader here, the province is not deserving of the Fraser Institute rating as the second-best place to explore in Canada. The issues The problem lies with the history of the province not addressing First Nations communities’ rights for consultation in a manner to ensure permitting for exploration is not held up because of First Nations objections to the whole process. Recently on Aug. 1, 2017, the Manitoba Government entered a protocol with many northern First Nations communities to deal with issues related to consultation and permitting. Revenue sharing will go a long way in reinvesting those dollars into First Nations communities derived from mining in their traditional lands. The other issue is the previous Manitoba government’s obsession with alienating vast areas of
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president’s message land (some greater than the province of Prince Edward Island) where economic development is very restricted. No mining, forestry or hydro is permitted. All this, carried out in the name of saving the boreal forest, has permanently alienated millions of hectares of land from exploration. In the far north, there is no logging or farming, and tourism is not a viable alternative but there is a continual drive to make a park of most of it, including almost the entire coast of the province. Vast areas in the north are essentially unexplored and to withdraw any of it from exploration without doing geological, geophysical and geochemical regional surveys is gross mismanagement of the future economic wellbeing of this province.
The Solutions: Increasing exploration in Manitoba with a major push This is a follow up to our conversation with the minister Cliff Cullen at the Look North conference in The Pas. Considering impending mine and smelter closures, we discussed creation of economic opportunities in the north through exploration leading to mine discovery, without cost to the province’s finances when money is tight. The economic spin-offs of a new mine would be enormous for communities and residents. Given the eventual closure of the two mines supplying the Hudbay mill in Flin Flon, possible closure of the zinc plant in less than four years, the closure of Vale’s Birch Tree Mine this month and Vale smelter in Thompson next year, Manitoba needs to encourage new outside money to significantly increase exploration for both making discoveries and the development of new mines and resources. Manitoba’s base metal potential significantly exceeds that of similar mining areas in Ontario and Quebec, with 14 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
much of the province remaining under explored. Ontario and Quebec have seen 20 times the exploration dollars spent on their greenstone belts. Our associations believe, given our current level of activity, that a 300 per cent increase in exploration is possible with the proper incentives in place to take advantage of the positive changes in the market for exploration investment. We also believe we can build upon this 300 per cent further. What we would like to propose would buy Manitoba the maximum PR at minimum cost and it will not only help a devastated junior exploration community in Manitoba but see it grow significantly. We understand budgets are tight but this really costs the Manitoba government little in comparison to losing possibly most of its junior companies and its mining industry, which is one of the mainstays of our northern economy. The efforts here would see Manitoba as one of the best areas in which to focus new exploration dollars. The Fraser Institute, I guarantee, would see this as very positive and it costs so little to achieve.
MSPDA proposes new incentives Our associations are asking to add further incentives to what we have so that we can really boost junior exploration by 300 per cent in northern Manitoba and I am strongly urging this to save our mining industry while we still have time. There are incentives that cost the government $0, but have a huge impact on attracting funds into the province: 1) Give an extra two years’ free assessment for those exploring in remote regions of the province (greater than 50 km from the nearest road) for a total of four years. The rational is that the remote areas of the province outside the traditional mining camps require a longer consultation process, which eats up time. The present regulations are dated and have not considered
the additional time required under duty to consult and more regulatory requirements related to the environment for permitting. 2) Five-year permitting. a) The rational is similar to above in that consultation takes longer and the regulations on permitting have not kept up with additional regulations imposed by duty to consult. In addition, First Nations and other communities can see the longer-term plan of a five-year permit so that they are aware of the stages of exploration and what to realistically expect with success or non-success. b) A company that raises funds can clearly outline to investors the stages of advancing their project, with a degree of assurance the market needs that the money raised will be allowed to be spent and not be shut down on the next step in the exploration program. We cannot emphasize how important this is to raising investment dollars. Timing is everything, and it must be seamless. It is no use getting a drill permit in the summer when drilling is required in winter or having to wait a whole extra season. Flow through investment does not work that way. It is time sensitive and caries a heavy tax penalty for junior companies if not spent. c) There is no excuse as to why claims are not being registered after staking. This is a great deterrent to prospectors trying to sell their properties or prospectors and juniors trying to get permits. This hold up may require additional qualified staff. Thirty-day permit waits for prospectors is plenty of time in the consultation process unless drilling is envisaged. 3) Create the perspective from outside that no more land will be removed
president’s message from exploration and that explora-
panies to come to Manitoba; giving this
will go a long way to getting hands-on
tion will be permitted in parks that
province an advantage over other com-
experience to receive mentored instruc-
have high mineral potential. Believe
peting jurisdictions for investment dol-
tion on correct procedures and tech-
me this will be seen as a province that
lars. It is necessary to maintain MEAP
niques. The prospector’s course pro-
even to maintain the current level of ex-
vides only the very basic training. This
ploration.
applies to not just prospecting graduates
2) Increase grant to prospectors from
of UCN, but university and college geol-
is pro-exploration and wants development.
Incentives that are net neutral to the provincial funds 1) An
automatic
MEAP
grant
of
$300,000 cap to any new company entering the province for exploration regardless of whether it’s a major or junior exploration or mining company provided the project is reasonable and that they employ at least two Manitoba residents (see the following second incentive). Rational: To increase exploration in the province to 300%, we need new
$10,000 to $25,000 per prospector.
ogy students as well. We cannot afford to
Rational: We are training First Na-
lose trained people. Those with more of
tions students to be prospectors but we
an entrepreneurial nature should receive
are not giving them the opportunities or
sustained funding of 50/50 prospector
the economic ability to actually make a
grants of up to $25,000 so their train-
living prospecting, especially in the first
ing and enthusiasm does not wither and
two years after graduation.
die, as prospecting costs money not just
We recommend programs of partially
time. It is usually sometime before pros-
funded apprenticing with an exploration
pectors see a return on their efforts and
company (through Manitoba Employ-
if they are starving in the meantime, the
ment and Training) with $12,500 grants
graduate attrition rate will be large. Re-
provided to companies that would match
ally, this is not a big budget item.
companies from outside bringing in new
this contribution providing training to
MSPDA is considering funding 50 per
capital to really kick start the exploration
First Nation students in the field and
cent up to $1,500 for a company or pros-
of Manitoba’s enormous potential. It is a
giving them practical experience with a
pector to give one student the needed
huge signal and added incentive to com-
minimum of three months’ work. This
experience following graduation. Details
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15
president’s message are still to be worked out. We encourage the Manitoba Mining Association and other associations to do the same. If we cannot offer meaningful assistance to get graduates the needed experience after training, then the prospecting programs and schooling should be shut down because they’re wasting money. 3) Increase grants ceiling from $200,000 to $400,000 for juniors only Rational: It is 20 times easier to bring in junior exploration companies to the province than a major or a producer; the majors will follow in on discoveries. This is part of the drive to increase exploration in Manitoba by 300 per cent. This is attainable if we have incentives to bring in outside investment dollars to a very exploration-friendly jurisdiction. Majors can get breaks through tax incentives as they have an income.
Longer-term Incentive If the province is serious about reaching a 300 per cent or higher increase in exploration, nothing is better than a staking rush. Such as would be provided by a new airborne survey. This has worked well in Ontario and Quebec and would work well here. With promotion, we could see levels of exploration well above 400 per cent. We are proposing that Manitoba and Saskatchewan fly a new state-of-the-art airborne survey over the sub-Paleozoic as far south as the Saskatchewan River delta in Manitoba and in Saskatchewan to the Saskatchewan River. This region is largely under explored and conceals a portion of the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt as large as the exposed portion. Such a survey should be extended east to cover the Nickle Belt. Areas already covered by recent surveys that are public can be excluded to reduce costs. This new airborne electromagnetic survey could be part of the budget for 16 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
next year, announced at the 2017 Manitoba open house, to be followed in the new year.
Certainty of land tenure In Manitoba Parks The recent announcement of the Manitoba Lowlands National Park proposal by the federal government is of great concern to our industry. The proposed park area straddles the extension of the Thompson Nickel Belt. This announcement will deter prospectors and juniors to work in this area. As well, the UNESCO site proposal on the east side of Lake Winnipeg has not been decided upon and now a new proposal is coming to the table to preserve the entire Seal River watershed for a national park. The Seal River area is highly prospective for conglomerate-hosted gold (all the rage in Australia) and is one of the most favourable areas for diamonds. All these areas have great potential for exploration opportunities, if not today, then in the future. TLE selections The provincial government must strive to close the books on TLE selections for Manitoba. Until this is done, no prospector or company will have a guarantee of mineral land tenure once an announcement is made on economic showings on First Nations traditional lands. Some solution to this must be found that does not hurt either party. Recommendations on policy and changes to the provincial mines branch a) Assessment requirements must be put on hold if permits cannot be obtained. The Manitoba Mining Act anticipates that in some cases property holders may not be able to access their properties. Cash in place of a work commitment is intended to address such cases. In the short term
this is fine, but long term it becomes a financial burden for a prospector or junior company. We understand this will take time to sort out but the assessment credits should not have to be maintained if it is not the fault of the holder of the claim. Otherwise, this is tantamount to expropriation by financial duress and inability to deal or work the property if the timeline is unreasonable. Without recognition of this principle mining rights are at risk because the Crown has had problems in meeting other policy objectives that are outside the control of the property holder. This has created a fair amount of uncertainty that curtails investment and undue hardship for the holder.
b) Bring back the trained mining recorder position. Over the past 10 years, the position of chief mining re-
corder was eliminated and the organizational structure and capability of the mine recorder position has been diminished. This important position needs to be revisited for legal reasons that matters are not bottlenecked by indecisions or poorly informed decisions creating uncertainty, and for simply expediting the process in dealing with dispositions in a timely manner.
c) Functionality of the mines branch.
Recently, there here have been substantial staff retirements in the mines branch. Professional staff with lands administration experience is be-coming increasingly scarce. There is a need to rebuild lands administration expertise. Paralegal training, MCIP certified planners, masters in natural resources management and Crown lands branch experience are ways to acquire such expertise. It is vital that future appointments demonstrate a qualified skill set in this important area.
d) Professional staff with exploration
experience is also scarce. Train-
president’s message ing and new staff are necessary as is transparency. We are very much afraid of burnout of present employees and a col-lapse of the system. Manitoba needs a separate director for the mines branch, a separate person to administer grants, a new person to be trained or is qualified to replace Jim Payne (assessment review) and a director of the Manitoba Geological Survey so that it has a voice in government and functions to attract investment in Manitoba. The Survey are an incalculable asset in providing up-to-date geological data and maps if we are to maintain a mining industry that provides the economic engines for our northern communities. e) E lectronic map staking or traditional staking? The mines branch has invested over $6 million over a 10-year period and it still does not work. Mineral resources division is at a critical point. Should it continue to work away at the iMaq system which has been 10 years coming or should a reinvestment in traditional mines administration staff be made? Currently it is not clear if either will be achievable. f) R ed-tape reduction. The exploration sector has been asking the mines branch to accept responsibility for administering work permits and extending the time period of work permits for up to five years. This function is
already in place in British Columbia as well as other jurisdictions. We understand that sustainable development needs to be informed where third parties are located for purposes as identified under the Wildfire Act. There are no prohibitions or restrictions that limit GET from serving as a proxy collection resource on this function. By having the mines branch administer work permits as a multi-year permit red tape could be reduced. For purposes of administering flow through share programs, the Canada Revenue Agency requires work plans be approved. Holders of approved plans are obligated to complete their programs within a year. There are significant penalties for programs where the money is not spent beyond 12 months and potential litigation for firms that go beyond two years. Adopting such a practice would eliminate red tape and improve efficiencies. It will also create certainty which the market likes. g) Further on incentives: We have heard that the Manitoba government prefers tax breaks as opposed to MEAP grants. Tax breaks can only be used by producers and those with an income. Juniors get no benefit from tax breaks as they don’t have an income and generally require the grant as hard money to pay overhead, legal, auditors and exchange fees that flow-
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h) Mining Table. Five years ago, the mineral exploration industry, First Nations and governments agreed to come together to form a mining table. The prospectors and the junior ex-ploration sector were not included. The MSPDA has requested that if this process resumes, we should be part of it to represent our members: junior exploration, prospectors, entrepreneur project generators, drill companies, line-cutters, geophysical operators and stakers who, in some areas, have different needs, hurdles and issues than mining companies. I remain optimistic of the great mineral potential of Manitoba. With its very favourable geology, the province is ready for many more great discoveries. However, we need to promote this hard through marketing and incentives to hold onto our mining industry that is currently floundering. Historically, our exploration industry and mines have had a huge impact on Manitoba’s economy and northern infrastructure. In partnership with our First Nations communities, we can realize this potential and build a better future for all Manitobans. 6
Majesta
Minerals Inc.
Randy Studer, President Cell: 306-425-7789 Phone: 306-425-3711 Email: Rtstuder@sasktel.net Box 1080, La Ronge, Saskatchewan, S0J 1L0
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
17
Reviving the Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention The continuation of the Mines and Minerals Convention is a topic of interest to the mining industry — in particular, the exploration and development sector. Will the convention be continued? It is probably important to consider how the convention started, what role it has played and what role it could play in the future. Prior to 1991, there was no Mines and Minerals Convention. There was an event known as the Meeting with Industry. The Meeting with Industry event was typically a half-day event where the Manitoba Geological Survey would issue a public release of the Report of Field Activities. There were posters and a meet-and-greet session with several speeches given by the minerals division marketing branch. In 1990, the Filmon government created the marketing branch, which established the business development section, technical editorial services, graphic services (formerly cartography) and public information. The Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention was established through the minerals division. At the inaugural Mines and Minerals Convention in 1991, business leaders were invited to present views on specific projects, exploration programs and market conditions. It was the first event where interested representatives were invited to present views to coincide with the then-Manitoba energy and mines release of the Report of Field Activities. Manitoba Geological Survey and the federal Geological Survey of Canada also presented papers. The marketing branch oversaw the marketing of Manitoba’s mineral sector nationally and internationally, developing policies focused on strategies to attract mineral investment in the province through the enhancement of fiscal, policy and regulatory frameworks The establishment of the business development team was mandated to track commodity trends and opportunities with a focus on identifying firms interested in Manitoba’s mineral potential. The marketing branch continued to promote mineral opportunities in Manitoba. The opportunity to profile prospector and junior firm’s properties at the convention started through this section. The business development group included many promotional trips to meet with industry and investors. This included high-level meetings with many junior and senior mining 18 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
companies. In 2000, the marketing branch was eliminated and some of the remaining functions were integrated into the Manitoba Geological Survey. Only one remaining business development position was retained — manager of minerals policy and business development. When the incumbent retired, there was an acting appointment made to this position. However, the position lapsed when that individual was appointed to another position. Prior to the 1991 Manitoba convention, the only dedicated minerals conventions were the PDAC annual convention, the BC Yukon Chamber of Mines Round Up (now AMEBC) and a Quebec event. Because federal dollars are invested through the mines minister’s process, there was an agreement that all provinces and territories would release an equivalent of Manitoba’s Report of Field Activities during the month of November. This was before the electronic release of information. The Manitoba event was copied by other jurisdictions such as Saskatchewan. At its height, speakers included Mike Spoko, Peter C. Jones, president and CEO of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co. Ltd. and president and CEO of Inco; Frank Pickard, president and CEO of Falconbridge, president of the PDAC, senior GSC; and many other well-known mining leaders. Having senior speakers did attract many convention attendees. Listing to conference feedback the stake a claim map series was developed to illustrate that not all the ground held in the Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt as well as the Lynn Lake and Bissett mining camps was held by a select few companies. This function has been taken over by private service providers and is provided for most Canadian mining camps. The marketing branch developed the original mineral exploration incentive program (MEIP) that, with some evolutionary changes, later became known as the mineral exploration assistance program (MEAP) in 1995. Other incentive programs developed in the early years of the marketing branch included the New Mines Tax Holiday, now offered in other jurisdictions, an enhanced mineral prospectors assistance program and the Manitoba exploration tax credit. The restart of the Bissett gold mine was in part attributed to the original MEIP grant allocated to Rea Gold Corp. Developments in Lynn Lake and Snow Lake were in large part encouraged through this event.
At the inaugural Mines and Minerals Convention in 1991, business leaders were invited to present views on specific projects, exploration programs and market conditions. It was the first event where interested representatives were invited to present views to coincide with the then-Manitoba energy and mines release of the Report of Field Activities. In the early years of the convention, Harvey Thorleifson of
the Geological Survey was quietly eliminated about 14 years
the Geological Survey of Canada presented the GSC diamond
ago. Without the efforts of the marketing branch, the work of
indicators mineral report, which spurred a diamond rush in
mineral deposits geologists and the potential elimination of the
Manitoba in 1999 and 2000. Beginning in 1996, the Manitoba
Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention, the marketing and
Geological Survey (MGS) continued to develop an indica-
attraction of investment to Manitoba becomes substantially re-
tor mineral program that further developed the data base to
duced.
encourage diamond exploration. Ultimately, Manitoba devel-
The Manitoba Mines and Minerals Convention has con-
oped a diamond mineral exploration initiative. There are signs
tinued to be shortened. For 2017 will be a one-and-a-half-day
in several locations in Manitoba that this early work may yet
event. Not too long ago it was three days long.
prove beneficial to Manitoba identifying diamond prospects.
The Manitoba government has an opportunity to use the con-
Over the past 25 years, the Mines and Minerals Convention
vention to start a recovery of Manitoba’s mining sector. It will
attracted respectable industry attention. As fewer senior firm
take a concerted effort to once again promote and market min-
CEOs presented papers, industry participation has declined.
eral opportunities in Manitoba. The Mines and Minerals Con-
The marketing branch was not the only victim of downsiz-
vention was once part of this initiative. However, we hope that
ing. The internationally respected mineral deposits section of
the provincial government sees value in doing so once again. 6
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manitoba exploration and development highlights
Manitoba Exploration and Development Highlights 2017 By Manitoba Geological Survey staff, Manitoba Growth, Enterprise and Trade Current as of September 29, 2017
INTRODUCTION Like the rest of Canada, mineral exploration activity in Manitoba has suffered from a prolonged period of low commodity prices that is manifest in junior explorers experiencing difficulty securing venture capital to finance exploration projects. Exploration spending in Manitoba has declined since 2011, including a decrease in Manitoba’s share of Canadian exploration spending. Although expenditures remain a fraction of the highs seen during the commodity supercycle, Manitoba’s exploration expenditures increased in 2015 and 2016. The recent appreciation in gold and zinc prices, coupled with the discovery of diamonds, are generating cautious optimism and upswing in the Manitoba exploration industry.
Base Metals With an 85-year history of mining operations in the prolific Flin Flon–Snow Lake VMS districts in Manitoba, Hudbay Minerals Inc. continues to be a major player on the Manitoba exploration and development scene. In Flin Flon, Hudbay maintains its flagship 777 mine, as well as an ore concentrator and stateof-the art zinc production facilities, whereas operations at Snow Lake include the Lalor and Reed Lake mines and the Stall Lake concentrator. Production at the 777 mine is expected to continue until 2020, whereas the Lalor mine has an anticipated mine life of 15 years, extending to 2029. In spring 2017, Hudbay announced an optimized mine plan at Lalor, which incorporates a throughput rate of 4,500 tonnes per day (tpd) at the Stall concentrator (from 3,000 tpd) with planned zinc production from Lalor to 20 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
manitoba exploration and development highlights
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
21
manitoba exploration and development highlights increase to 90,000 tonnes contained in concentrate in 2017 (from 71,000 tonnes in 2016). Ongoing feasibility work for the Lalor gold zone and copper-gold zone is targeting an additional 1,500 tpd through the New Britannia mill to fully utilize Lalor’s 6,000 tpd shaft capacity. The Reed mine, a joint venture between Hudbay (70 per cent) and Royal Nickel Corporation (30 per cent) continues to be an important source of high-grade copper ore. Hudbay maintains an active
exploration program for base and precious metals, with significant land holdings in favourable portions of the Flin Flon–Snow Lake greenstone belt. Callinex Mines Inc. continued exploration of its Pine Bay and Big Island projects within the Flin Flon mining district. The 2017 summer drilling program is anticipated to include approximately 6,000 metres of drilling to follow-up on the new zinc and gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) discovery at the
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Pine Bay project and conduct a maiden drilling campaign at the Big Island project. After the initial discovery intersected 10.3 metres grading six per cent Zn, 1.8 g/t Au, 60.4 g/t Ag, 0.7 per cent Cu and 0.4 per cent Pb in late 2016, a series of widely-spaced drill holes were completed to test the Cabin VMS Horizon that hosts the mineralization. Drill hole PBM-024, the last hole completed in the vicinity, intersected 2.6 metres of three per cent Cu Eq. and expanded the potential strike extent of the new discovery to 180 metres. As a result, this follow-up drilling campaign will test for additional mineralization more closely related to the new discovery and along a 300-metre wide by 600-metre long exploration corridor. Drilling at the Big Island project will be focused on the near surface Tara Lake deposit, one of the highest-grade zinc-rich VMS discoveries ever made within the Flin Flon mining district. This first-pass campaign will include confirmation drilling to obtain core samples along with subsequent lithogeochemical and geophysical testing to assist future exploration programs. Rockcliff Copper Corp.’s Snow Lake project is centered in Manitoba’s prolific Snow Lake VMS district and includes the Talbot, Rail, Lon, Bur and Morgan properties. In 2017, the company received exciting results from its recently completed Phase 2 drill program on the Talbot property, which includes several gold-rich lenses of coarse grained, stringer to massive sulphides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and pyrrhotite) hosted by quartzofeldspathic gneiss. The last two holes of the Phase 2 drill program, which were designed to test a large geophysical anomaly, intersected significant mineralization 250 metres apart. These intercepts constitute a new high-grade zone, termed the North Lens Deep Zone, with dimensions of approximately 400 by 1,000 metres. Discovery drill hole TB-019 intersected 3.94 metres grading 0.24 per cent Cu, 7.3 g/t Au, 0.88 per cent Zn and 112.5 g/t Ag, including 2.54 metres grading 0.16 per
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
23
manitoba exploration and development highlights cent Cu, 10.35 g/t Au, 0.23 per cent Zn and 156.02 g/t Ag. Step out drill hole TB-020 tested an area 250 metres below the discovery in drill hole TB-019 and intersected 6.65 metres grading 0.81 per cent Cu, 0.67 g/t Au, 1.91 per cent Zn and 17.03 g/t Ag, including 1.92 metres grading 1.44 per cent Cu, 1.66 g/t Au, 5.16 per cent Zn, and 26.5 g/t Ag. Most large VMS mines in the Flin Flon– Snow Lake mining camp are comprised of multiple VMS-rich lenses, suggesting considerable potential for additional discoveries on the Talbot property. The first phase drill program on the high-grade Bur Zinc property, located approximately 22 km by road from Hudbay’s copper-zinc concentrator at Snow Lake, is planned to commence in October 2017 and will focus on expanding the deposit by completing 10 to 15 holes totalling approximately 3,000 metres. In 2017, Vale Canada continued to transition its Thompson facilities to a mining and milling operation, which in-
cluded approved construction of an $82 million concentrate load-out facility and reducing of the Thompson smelter to a single furnace. Ryan Land, manager of corporate affairs for Vale in Thompson, said the company has been in a “prolonged down cycle” for some time, with its Birchtree mine closing in October as it approached the end of its life cycle. The 2017 winter drilling program by Wolfden Resources Corporation at the Rice Island nickel property in the Snow Lake area successfully extended nickelcopper-cobalt mineralization within a recently discovered feeder structure, proximal to the historic Rice Island deposit. The first four drill holes of the program tested a prominent electromagnetic conductor at shallow depth, believed to be reflecting mineralization located to the southwest of the known deposit, in an area where there had been no historical drilling. All four drill holes intersected significant nickel-copper-cobalt mineralization highlighted by hole RI-
17-30, yielding an intercept of 2.24 per cent Ni, 1.42 per cent Cu and 0.10 per cent Co over 8.30 metres. Mineralization within this new zone, referred to as the Boundary Zone (BZ), has been delineated over a strike length of 200 metres and to a depth of 250 metres. This zone consists of fine-grained gabbro, with stringer, semi-massive and massive sulphide (pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pentlandite), enveloped by sedimentary rocks consistent with a feeder dike or conduit. Such conduits are important components of magmatic Ni-Cu-Co systems, locally hosting economic deposits. The BZ remains open along strike to the southwest and to depth, indicating that additional drilling is warranted. In the Lynn Lake area, Corazon Mining Ltd. completed 13 drillholes in three phases of drilling (totalling 5,364 metres) at the Fraser Lake Complex (FLC) of its Lynn Lake Nickel project. Phase 3 drilling targeted a large geophysical anomaly, interpreted to be coincident
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manitoba exploration and development highlights with the “neck” of the feeder zone to the FLC, and was successful in intersecting extensive magmatic (Fe-Ni-Cu) sulphide mineralization, with all holes mineralized over their entire lengths. Sulphide content within the neck of the FLC feeder zone is significantly stronger than that encountered in Phase 1 and 2 drilling, which targeted the northeast extensions of the anomaly. Although assay results are pending from the latest round of drilling, results to date continue to substantiate the geological model, consistent with a long-lived Ni-Cu-Co sulphide-rich magmatic plumbing system. Downhole geophysical surveys have been completed to test for conductive massive sulphide bodies proximal to the areas drilled to identify additional drill targets. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.’s Nisku project is located 10 km east of the pastproducing Ruttan copper-zinc mine in the Rusty Lake greenstone belt of northcentral Manitoba. In 2017, CanAlaska
completed four reconnaissance drillholes to test a coincident VTEM magnetic and electromagnetic target within a volcanic-sedimentary sequence, with the characteristics of a large VMS deposit. The drilling intersected massive iron sulphides and yielded minor elevated base and precious metal values, setting the framework for more detailed interpretation of the Nisku zone and the localization of feeder pipes within the stratigraphic rock package.
Precious metals Following acquisition of the True North mine and mill complex in 2016, Klondex Mines Ltd. set about producing a revised mineral reserve and resource estimate, which now includes proven and probable reserves of 148k oz Au (25 per cent increase from prior estimate) in underground ore blocks and surface tailings. In addition, the company completed significant underground development, restarted the Tailings Reprocess-
ing Project, and constructed a material handling system for the 710/711 mining area, including ore/waste passes, loadout chutes and rail replacement to be used over the life of the mine. Alamos Gold Inc. continues to progress toward a definitive feasibility study on its Lynn Lake Gold project, which includes the past producing MacLellan and Gordon (Farley Lake) deposits, with anticipated completion in 2017. The company has spent $6.4 million to date. Environmental baseline and geotechnical studies are underway, including mine planning and equipment requirements and completion of site layouts for the MacLellan and Gordon deposits. In addition, the company purchased a two per cent Net Smelter Return royalty on the project for $9 million, which covers production on the Gordon deposit, as well as a portion of the MacLellan deposit and other exploration targets surrounding these deposits, and eliminates the only significant royalty obligation on the
MINING IN SNOW LAKE, MANITOBA – IT’S WHAT WE’RE KNOWN FOR! Mining has been the mainstay of Snow Lake. Currently the Chisel North Mine and Concentrator are operating. HudBay Minerals is in the construction stages of a new zinc mine at Lalor. There is also a large gold deposit at Lalor that will be developed in the future. There is currently exploration in Snow Lake area for gold, zinc, copper and various other metals, and it is expected that the area will boom again. 26 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
HudBay Minerals Inc. has been the major industrial company at Snow Lake. Hudbay operated one mine south-west of town at Chisel North which produces high grade zinc. Recent explorations have suggested new, untapped resources of gold, copper, zinc, and lithium.
manitoba exploration and development highlights project, improving its economics. Yamana Gold Inc. continues an aggressive infill and exploration drill program at its Monument Bay gold project, located east of Gods Lake. At Monument Bay, gold and tungsten mineralization occurs along steeply dipping shear zones. The indicated mineral resource stands at 1.8 million oz Au (36.6 million tonnes at 1.52 g/t Au), whereas the inferred mineral resource is 1.781 million oz Au (42.0 million tonnes at 1.32 g/t Au). In 2017, the company approved $2.2 million for 5,206 metres of scout drilling to test shear zones outside of the currently defined mineral resource area. Technical studies also underway include metallurgical testing, optimization of mining methods, and environmental baseline studies. Minnova Corp. continues to progress its Maverick Gold project near Sherridon, Man., by completing resourcedefinition drilling at the past-producing Puffy Lake mine. The Phase 1 infill drill-
ing program was designed to target the shallow portion of the deposit between surface and 150 metres vertical with a goal of upgrading current resources. Highlights include: 21.69 g/t over 0.95 metres; 7.90 g/t over 0.93 metres; 23.90 g/t over 1.17 metres; 12.70 g/t over one metre; 12.40 g/t over one metre; 10.30 g/t over one metre. At the North Star/Gold Rock property, Copper Reef Mining Corp. completed a winter drill program to test the extensions of known veins systems. Prospecting and detailed mapping was also carried out on the Gold Rock structure to extend the known strike of the veins and better plan future drilling. The goal of this work is to produce a new 43-101-compliant resource estimate that will include all previous drilling along both the North Star and Gold Rock structures. Following acquisition of the historic Laguna gold mine, Rockcliff Copper Corp. now has three gold properties in
the Snow Lake area, with plans to commence surface exploration in preparation for an initial fall 2017 drill program. The Dickstone North Property includes a regional structural break called the Morton Lake fault zone that hosts multiple high-grade gold showings in several quartz vein systems along a threekm long section of the fault. On the Laguna Property, a six-km long splay of the Crowduck Bay fault zone hosts numerous high grade quartz vein systems and the historic Laguna gold mine — the first and highest grade gold mine in Manitoba — with production of 60,000 ounces of gold grading 18.7 g/t. Results of surface and airborne geophysical surveys and Rockcliff ’s geological program will assist in identifying targets for the planned fall 2017 drill program. On the SLG Property, the McLeod Road thrust fault, another regional structural break, is associated with several gold-rich fault splays, one of which hosts the pastproducing New Britannia mine on an
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manitoba exploration and development highlights adjacent property. Within the property several areas of high-grade gold potential associated with the thrust fault will be explored in an upcoming geological program. In June 2017, Satori Resources Inc. announced a 2017 exploration program at the historic Tartan Lake gold mine. The program was planned to consist of approximately 4,000 metres of diamond drilling, split into two phases including: Phase 1, consisting of approximately 2,000 metres of drilling (six holes) designed to step out from known mineralization and expand the high-grade gold resources in the Main and South Zones, as well as increase understanding of the structural and lithological controls on mineralization; Phase 2, consisting of approximately 2,000 metres of drilling to follow up on the results from Phase 1 and to investigate other high-priority targets in proximity to the known gold mineralization. In June 2017, Alto Ventures Ltd. reHAILEYBURY
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sumed exploration on the Oxford Lake gold project, in the Oxford Lake–Knee Lake greenstone belt. The 2017 program involved mapping and sampling along historical trends known to contain gold and base metal mineralization. Several high-grade gold and base values were obtained from narrow quartz-sulphide veins and sulphide pods along the shorelines of Hyers Island, including 7.2 g/t Au with 83.7 g/t Ag, and 4.9 g/t Au with 51 g/t Ag and 12.7 per cent Zn. These zones vary in width but their extent, controls on mineralization, and continuity have not yet been determined. West of Hyers Island, another narrow quartz-sulphide vein assayed 12.4 g/t Au with 48 g/t Ag.
Diamonds In 2017, Altius Minerals Corp. optioned the Lynx Diamonds project (60,816 ha) from a consortium of prospectors and geologists who worked in conjunction with the Manitoba Geological Survey to discover microdiamonds at
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Knee Lake. Based on similarities to diamond occurrences near Wawa, Ont., the Manitoba Geological Survey identified unusual Archean volcanic conglomerates at Knee Lake that were thought to have potential for diamonds and selected sites for initial sampling, one of which (the Eastern Bay zone) returned 144 microdiamonds from a 15.8 kg sample. Although this area has been recognized historically for its abundance of kimberlite-indicator minerals (KIMs) in till, no source of KIMs or diamonds had previously been identified. In July 2017, Altius Minerals Corp. collected 23 additional channel and grab samples (16 kg each) from outcrops of Archean conglomerate and sandstone, and submitted these for microdiamond analysis. All 11 samples collected from the Eastern Bay zone were diamondiferous, yielding between 34 and 303 microdiamonds per sample, thus representing the first confirmed occurrence of diamonds in Manitoba. From these 11 sam-
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manitoba exploration and development highlights ples a total of 1,149 microdiamonds in the +0.106 mm to +0.850 mm size fraction were recovered from a total of 176 kg of sample material. Eight of the diamonds are considered macros, with the largest stone having a long axis of 1.42 mm. Descriptions for all stones larger than 0.3 mm indicate that 24 per cent of the stones are white/colourless and 45 per cent are off-white while 17 per cent are octahedral. The company plans to undertake further investigative work to assess the potential of this new discovery, including field mapping, sampling, indicator mineral studies and petrography. Application has also been filed for 60,268 ha of new mineral exploration licenses adjacent to the current project which cover potential extensions of the prospective rock units.
Uranium CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., Northern Uranium Corp. and East Resources Inc. currently hold dispositions covering the known extent of the Wollaston Domain in northwest Manitoba, and are currently devising plans to explore this region of basement-hosted uranium deposits, similar to those associated with the basal unconformity of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan.
Lithium Lithium prices have been steadily increasing since 2014 in response to increased demand for lithium, mostly driven by the manufacture of lithium batteries for use in electric vehicles and electronic devices. In Manitoba, the principal source of this metal is Libearing pegmatite, although potential for Li brines is currently being investigated by the Manitoba Geological Survey. Lithium was historically produced from the Tanco pegmatite in southeast Manitoba, as well as other Li-bearing pegmatites, but is not currently being mined in Manitoba. However, demand for this metal has sparked new exploration throughout the province. At the Zoro Lithium project, located on the east side of Wekusko Lake, Far Resources Ltd. completed an initial seven-hole (1,140 metres) drill program on the Dike 1 pegmatite occurrence in late 2016, followed up by 900 metres of drilling in early 2017. A third drill program (710 metres) was completed in October 2017 with the objective of testing the Dyke 1 occurrence where no modern drilling had taken place; assay results were pending at the time of writing. In September 2017, the company increased its property holdings by 2,200 ha through an option agreement with
Strider Resources Ltd., to acquire an undivided 100 per cent interest in prospective ground contiguous with its Zoro 1 claim and claims hosting the historic Thompson Brothers lithium-bearing pegmatite dyke. The Thompson Brothers Lithium project of Ashburton Ventures Inc., located adjacent to the Zoro project, is focussed on another lithium-bearing pegmatite dyke with an historic resource (non-compliant with NI 43-101) of 3.97 million tonnes grading 1.29 per cent Li2O. The dyke is currently under option to Ashburton Ventures, which reported that five of six recently completed drill holes encountered significant intervals of Li mineralization with widths that are comparable or exceed those reported from historical drill programs, including 1.37 wt. per cent Li2O over 11.6 metres and 1.55 wt. per cent Li2O over 5.43 metres.
Potash In the Russell-McAuley area, Manitoba Potash Corp. (MPC) controls the largest land holdings with sufficient thickness and grade to sustain potentially economic underground potash mining; MPC received Expressions of Interest in 2015 to acquire these assets, and the divestiture process remains in progress. 6
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saskatchewan exploration and development highlights
Saskatchewan Exploration and Development Highlights 2017 Submitted by the Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy Current as of September 12, 2017
I
n its 2016 Annual Survey of Mining Companies, the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think tank, proclaimed Saskatchewan the world’s most attractive jurisdiction for mineral exploration investment. Saskatchewan ranked first out of 104 global mining jurisdictions in the survey’s Investment Attractiveness Index, which rates them based on a combination of their geologic attractiveness, and their Policy Perception Index, a composite measure of the effects of government policy on attitudes toward exploration investment. Saskatchewan continued to be a global minerals leader in 2016, combining the world’s largest potash-producing industry with the second-largest primary uranium industry. The province also had production of coal, gold, base metals, sodium and potassium sulfate, kaolin and other clay products. In 2016, the value of mineral sales, mostly from potash and uranium, was approximately $6.4 billion, down from $8.2 billion in 2015 and $7.3 billion in 2014. The decrease can be primarily attributed to lower realized potash prices. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) estimated that Saskatchewan accounted for 13.6 per cent of national mineral sales value in 2016, fourth highest in the country. A survey conducted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy estimated that $177 million would be spent on mineral exploration in Saskatchewan in 2017. This compares to actual expenditures of $199 million in 2016, $211 million in 2015, and $216 million in 2014 (Table 1). Most of the 2017 expenditures were planned for uranium and potash, but also reflect a renewed interest in base and pre-
cious metals. It is anticipated that provincial expenditures will continue to decline over the coming years as a number of potash projects move past the capital-intensive exploration phases. In a separate Canada-wide survey, NRCan found that national expenditures for mineral exploration plus deposit appraisal would be approximately $1.85 billion in 2017, down significantly from $4.23 billion in 2011. NRCan estimates that Saskatchewan’s portion of these expenditures will constitute approximately 10.5 per cent, the fourth-highest total in Canada, behind Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. NRCan also reported that Saskatchewan continued to lead all provinces in 2016 with intended capital investments in the mineral extraction sector, representing nearly 26 per cent of national expenditures. As of the end of August 2017, active mineral dispositions in the province (issued pursuant to The Mineral Tenure Registry Regulations) totaled 5.6 million hectares (ha), down from the 8.1 million ha held at the same time one year ago. A moratorium on staking lapsed mineral claims has now been lifted in the prov-
ince, and disposition numbers are once again on the rise. Total active potash dispositions (comprising permits and leases issued pursuant to The Subsurface Mineral Tenure Regulations) remained steady at 116 dispositions, totaling 2.8 million ha, compared to 118 dispositions, totaling 2.9 million ha, a year ago.
Uranium Saskatchewan produced approximately 22.5 per cent of the world’s primary uranium supply in 2016, with sales valued at $1.9 billion. Production came from three mines operated by Cameco Corporation (Cameco), which totalled 36.4 million pounds (M lb) U3O8. The McArthur River mine remained the world’s largest uranium producer, yielding 18 M lb U3O8. The Cigar Lake mine, the world’s second-largest uranium producer, produced 17.3 M lb U3O8. The Eagle Point mine at Rabbit Lake, which was placed on care and maintenance in April of 2016, contributed the remaining 1.1 M lb. Production for 2017 is forecasted to be 36 M lb U3O8, with 18 M lb coming from each of the two active operations. During July and August of 2017, Cameco shut
Table 1 – Saskatchewan mineral exploration expenditures, compiled by the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy from the annual survey of exploration spending intentions. M = million.
2012 ($ M) 2013 ($ M) 2014 ($ M) 2015 ($ M) 2016 ($ M) 2017 ($ M)
(preliminary estimate)
Uranium Gold Base Metals 1 Diamonds Industrial Minerals 2 Total 1 2
115.8 143.9 138.7 136.1 156.1 132.4 13.1 6.3 6.0 2.2 6.2 4.9 13.0 7.8 2.9 3.8 0.5 6.4 5.2 4.2 3.6 17.3 9.2 3.8 176.5 74.3 64.6 51.5 26.7 29.4 323.6 236.5 215.8 210.9 198.7 176.9
Includes platinum group metals. Includes potash, coal, rare earth elements, and clays.
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights down its northern operations at McArthur River, Cigar Lake and Key Lake for six weeks, for scheduled maintenance and to reduce costs amid a difficult global uranium market. The Rabbit Lake operation continues to be in a safe state of care and maintenance. The McClean Lake operation (AREVA Resources Canada Inc. (AREVA); Denison Mines Corp. (Denison); OURD Canada Co. Ltd.), which includes several uranium deposits as well as the McClean Lake mill, was granted a 10-year licence renewal by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. Ore from the Cigar Lake mine is processed at this facility. Despite challenging economic conditions in the industry, uranium exploration remains robust in the province, with actual expenditures of $156.1 million in 2016 and anticipated spending of $132.4 million in 2017. Major programs have continued in both the eastern and southwestern Athabasca Basin. In the southwest, activity is mainly focused in the Patterson Lake region, where NexGen Energy Ltd. (NexGen) announced a new NI 43-101-compliant resource estimate for the Arrow uranium deposit. By undertaking an aggressive infill drilling program over the past year, NexGen was able to convert 89 per cent of its Inferred Resource estimate into the higher-confidence Indicated category. The result is an Indicated Resource containing 179.5 M lb U3O8 grading 6.88 per cent, which includes an enriched portion of the deposit that contains 164.9 M lb U3O8 grading 18.84 per cent. An additional 122.1 M lb U3O8 grading 1.3 per cent remains in the Inferred Resource category. NexGen has also completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment, which envisions a 14.5-year, low-cost mining operation that produces at the same scale as the Cigar Lake and McArthur River mines. NexGen continues to be successful in intersecting uranium mineralization at its other discoveries, including Bow, Cannon and Harpoon. Adjacent to NexGen, Fission Uranium Corp. (Fission) continued to aggressively explore its Patterson 32 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
Lake South project. In addition to expansion of its Triple R deposit, for which a resource containing 108 M lb U3O8 (81 M lb U3O8 Indicated at 1.83 per cent; 27 M lb U3O8 Inferred at 1.57 per cent) was published in 2015, mineralization at the land-based R1515W zone has extended the overall strike length of mineralization on Fission’s property to 3.14 km. Just to the east of NexGen’s Rook I property, Purepoint Uranium Group (Purepoint), operator of the Hook Lake joint venture with partners Cameco and AREVA, continues to explore the Spitfire deposit. Recent work has determined that Purepoint’s Spitfire and NexGen’s Harpoon are likely part of the same deposit, with a total strike length of more than 550 metres. Purepoint’s work has also confirmed many of the key attributes at its Spitfire deposit are present at the Dragon zone five km to the northeast. In the eastern Athabasca Basin, Denison is advancing the Wheeler River property (joint venture with Cameco and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Ltd. (JCU)) toward completion of a prefeasibility study. The Wheeler River property hosts the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits. Combined resources for the Wheeler River property are 114.3 M lb U3O8 (70.2 M lb Indicated at 19.14 per cent U3O8; 44.1 M lb Inferred at 2.37 per cent U3O8). Much of the work in 2017 was aimed at further delineating the A-D series lenses of the Gryphon deposit. In particular the D-series lenses at Gryphon continue to produce thick, high-grade uranium drill intersections, many of which are from outside the current resource estimate for this deposit. High-grade zones of uranium intersected beneath Gryphon have also demonstrated the potential for further expansion at depth. Located nine km northeast of McArthur River mine is the historic Christie Lake property, operated by UEX Corporation (joint venture partner JCU), which hosts the Ken Pen and Paul Bay deposits. These two deposits have a combined, historical noncompliant resource of 20.87 M lb U3O8. Recent exploration by UEX has identified
mineralization at these deposits as well as at a new deposit, Ōrora, which now has a strike length of about 150 m. All three deposits are at depths of around 480 metres and are situated along the 1.5 km Yalowega Trend.
Potash Saskatchewan continued to be the world’s leading potash-producing jurisdiction in 2016, producing 17.9 million tonnes (t) KCl, about 28 per cent of total global output, with an estimated sales value of $4.2 billion. The Saskatchewan potash industry is nearing the completion of expansions collectively valued at $13.5 billion, which have substantially increased productive capacity at existing operations in preparation for future growth in the market. In the first half of 2017, Saskatchewan’s three potash producers each reported strong potash sales volumes, combined with modest increases in realized sales prices. While domestic sales have been slow, international markets, particularly South America, have strengthened demand. In the fall of 2016, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PotashCorp), the world’s largest potash producer, and Agrium Inc. (Agrium), one of the world’s leading fertilizer supply companies, announced a proposed ‘merger of equals.’ The business combination will create a global agricultural giant, to be named Nutrien, worth an estimated US$36 billion, with about 20,000 employees at operations in 18 countries. The proposed merger is supported unanimously by the boards of directors and by the majority of shareholders of both companies. While the arrangement received unconditional regulatory approval from the Canadian Competition Bureau, the companies are still addressing issues raised by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Competition Commission of India, which have delayed the merger until the end of 2017. In December of 2016, The Mosaic Company (Mosaic) announced a $2.5 billion acquisition of Vale Fertilizantes, which included several phosphate and
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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights potash operations. Through the deal Mosaic was to acquire five established phosphate mines, four chemical and fertilizer facilities, and one potash operation in Brazil. Mosaic also acquires a 40 per cent interest in the Miski Mayo phosphate mine in Peru, the Kronau potash project in Saskatchewan, and an option to include the Rio Colorado potash project in Argentina. Mosaic is poised to become one of the leading fertilizer producers and distributors in Brazil, and has received approval from Brazilian regulators to complete the acquisition. Mosaic also announced that two new shafts have been completed to 3,350 ft. (1,021 metres) at the K3 mine expansion at Esterhazy. The company can now begin mine development in the potash horizon while continuing to construct the overland conveyor system that will carry the ore to the processing facility. On May 2, 2017, K+S Potash Canada Inc (K+S Potash) held a grand opening for the company’s newly constructed Bet-
hune solution mine. The commissioning of the Bethune mine (formerly Legacy project) creates more than 400 permanent jobs and marked the commencement of the first new potash mine in Saskatchewan in nearly 50 years. K+S Potash intends to produce 600,000 tonnes of KCl in 2017 and 1.7 to 1.8 Mt in 2018, as the mine gradually ramps up to the desired capacity of two Mt per year. A number of companies, both major and junior, are continuing to evaluate projects that range from early exploration to advanced development. Giles Hellyer, president of BHP Potash Canada (BHP), is optimistic about the future of the Jansen project, noting that the work to sink the two shafts on this property is 70 per cent complete. The company believes in the long-term fundamentals of the industry but does not have an urgency to bring the project to production under current market conditions. BHP has stated that directors will not push for a production decision in the near future and that BHP
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is considering its options, which include waiting for a change in market conditions, diluting its interest in the project by bringing on a partner, or potentially selling the project. BHP has already committed US$3.8 billion to the project, including US$2.6 billion currently allotted for finishing excavation of the two main shafts. In 2011, the Yankuang Group Company Limited (Yankuang), through a wholly-owned subsidiary — Yancoal Canada Resources Ltd. (Yancoal) — spent $260 million to acquire a group of 19 potash permits from North Atlantic Potash. Subsequent to this purchase, Yancoal has spent $30 to $50 million evaluating the potential of these permits and continues to advance work on one of the permits towards the Feasibility stage of evaluation. Yancoal has completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment as well as prefeasibility and full feasibility studies on the Southey project, and the company has received a conditional approval of its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. Yancoal continues to work on meeting the terms of the EIA, while awaiting a decision on financial investment from its board of directors. Western Potash Corp. (Western), which recently completed a corporate reorganization and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Western Resources Corp., held a technical review meeting in Beijing with Chinese potash industry experts, with the aim of evaluating the proposed horizontal selective mining method to be implemented at the company’s Milestone project. Horizontal selective solution mining would be new to Saskatchewan’s potash industry and Western believes it could create a scalable operation that would have an initial annual production of 146 000 t KCl with an estimated capital cost of $80.6 million. Western stated that the expert group has affirmed the potash deposit is suitable for solution mining and suggested further testing be completed to optimize the project plan. In 2015, Beijing Tairui Innovation Capital Man-
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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights agement Ltd. invested $80 million for a 51 per cent share of Western. Western also announced it has received provincial approvals for its Environmental Assessment on the Milestone solution mining project. Encanto Potash Corp. (Encanto) finished a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its proposed solution mining project on the Muskowekwan First Nation. The PEA estimates an initial capital mine expense of $3.73 billion for a 3.4 Mt per year solution operation. Encanto announced it has reached a financing agreement with Taylor-Dejongh, an independent energy and infrastructure investment-banking firm, which would provide an initial investment of $10 million to support the Muskowekwan potash project through completion of a bankable feasibility study, and the potential for an additional $60 million toward mine development at a later date. Encanto also signed an agreement with the National Federation of Farmers’ Procurement, Processing and Retailing Cooperatives of India Ltd., to supply five Mt of potash annually for a minimum of 20 years. This is the second off-take agreement Encanto has signed with a group from India, and the company has now committed to seven Mt of annual shipments. Encanto believes these sales agreements will help
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secure the $3 billion necessary to build the proposed solution mine on the Muskowekwan First Nation. Gensource Potash Corp. (Gensource) announced results of a feasibility study completed on the company’s Vanguard project, approximately 125 km northwest of Regina. The study estimated the company could build a 250,000 tonnesper-year facility that would use selective solution mining techniques, for an initial capital expenditure of $279 million. Gensource subsequently entered into an agreement with India’s Essel Group ME Limited to create a joint venture company called Vanguard Potash Corp., with a focus to develop the company’s Vanguard project. North Atlantic Potash Inc. (a subsidiary of Russia’s JSC Acron) and Rio Tinto Potash Management Inc. created the CanPacific Potash Joint Venture to advance the Albany project, 30 km south-east of Regina. The partners have conducted extensive exploration and are proposing to build a 3.25 million tonne-per-year solution mine with an anticipated commissioning date of 2024.
Diamonds In 2016, actual expenditures for diamond exploration projects were approxi-
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mately $9.2 million. Spending in 2017 is anticipated to be $3.8 million and focused on the Star-Orion South project about 65 km east of Prince Albert, and on grassroots activity in the Deschambault Lake area about 290 km northeast of Prince Albert. Over the past year, Shore Gold Inc. (Shore) has completed test work and geotechnical investigations, working toward an updated feasibility study on the Star-Orion South diamond project. Work included X-ray transmissivity recovery of diamonds from the Star pyroclastic kimberlite, ore-processing data review, diamond parcel characterization, kimberlite particle-size analysis and over-burden removal investigations. This work also investigated the use of new technology for the efficient excavation of the open pit, improvements to the flowsheet of the diamond processing plant, and reduction of preproduction capital costs and time to initial diamond production. In January 2017, Shore was informed by the Saskatchewan Minister of Environment (the Ministry) that additional consultation was required between the government and First Nation and Métis communities for the government to meet its legal obligation with respect to the duty to consult and accommodate process. The Ministry has subsequently proceeded with a work plan and anticipates completion of this required consultation process during the third quarter of 2017. Once consultations are completed, all pertinent information will be reviewed before a decision is made under The Environmental Assessment Act. In June 2017, Shore acquired all of Newmont Canada FN Holdings ULC’s (Newmont) remaining 31 per cent participating interest in the Fort à la Corne joint venture, resulting in Shore owning 100 per cent of the Star-Orion South diamond project. Shore concurrently entered into an option to joint venture agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (RTEC) for the Fort à la Corne mineral properties, including the Star-Orion South diamond project; Shore has granted RTEC an option to
saskatchewan exploration and development highlights earn up to 60 per cent interest in the StarOrion project by investing approximately $70 million over the next 7.5 years. In the Deschambault Lake area, North Arrow Minerals Inc. (North Arrow) continued work on its Pikoo diamond project and acquired Stornoway Diamond Corporation’s remaining 15 per cent interest in the project. North Arrow conducted ground geophysical surveys to outline future drilling targets and additional till sampling to further delineate prospective indicator mineral trains. In late 2016, De Beers Canada Inc. (De Beers) drilled seven magnetic anomalies on its West Athabasca property, which was under an option-participation agreement with CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (CanAlaska). Drill targets were based on a detailed, low-level airborne survey flown earlier in the year, but drilling did not intersect kimberlite. Consequently, De Beers interpreted the 85 large anomalies discovered by the airborne survey to be associated with magnetic minerals
within organic material in the overburden. De Beers subsequently terminated its option agreement, returning 100 per cent interest in the project to CanAlaska. CanAlaska believes that many of the remaining targets in the area are not attributable to these organic-rich magnetic horizons, and that many of the anomalies are generated by deep-rooted magnetic bodies that fit the geometry expected from kimberlite pipes or dykes.
Gold The Seabee gold operation, owned by SSR Mining Inc. (SSR; formerly Silver Standard Resources Inc.), remains Saskatchewan’s sole gold producer. The Seabee operation, comprising both the Seabee and Santoy underground mines, achieved a new annual production record in 2016 of 77,640 Troy oz. of gold (Au) from 312,679 tonnes of ore grading 7.91 grams per tonne Au. Strong production levels were maintained at the operation into 2017, with production of 41,713 oz.
Au through the first half of the year. Due to this strong performance, SSR has increased production guidance for the year to between 75,000 and 85,000 oz. SSR has also recently completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment for its mine expansion plan to a sustained mining and milling rate of 1,050 tonnes-per-day for a seven-year period. Results of the study included estimated average gold production of 100,000 oz. of gold per year over the period from 2018 to 2023, including peak production of 120,000 oz. in 2020, with a total capital expenditure of $90 million and an all-in sustaining cost of $682 per payable ounce of gold sold. Gold exploration is ongoing at several locations in northern Saskatchewan. Estimated gold exploration expenditures in the province are $4.9 million for 2017, compared to actual expenditures of $6.2 million in 2016. Much of this exploration is taking place in the vicinity of the Seabee operation, about 125 km northeast
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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SASKATCHEWAN exploration and development highlights of La Ronge. SSR undertook 20,938 metres of underground drilling at the Santoy 8A and Santoy Gap areas of the Santoy mine and at the Seabee mine to convert and expand existing resources. SSR also undertook 7,727 metres of surface drilling to explore for extensions of mineralization close to both mines, as well as on near-surface targets up to several kilometres distant from the underground infrastructure. The latter yielded a highgrade intercept at the Carr target, located four km north of Santoy Gap, which will be further explored during an upcoming winter drill program. As part of a joint venture with Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (Eagle Plains), SSR is also undertaking exploration at the Fisher property, located along the southern extension of the Santoy shear zone. This exploration includes rock and soil sampling, mapping and prospecting over a 12 km by two km area to identify and prioritize future drill targets. Eagle Plains also conducted rock and soil geochemical sampling at its nearby Orchid property in 2017, and completed an airborne geophysical survey, mapping, trenching and soil geochemical sampling at its Chico property. Eagle Plains has entered into an option agreement with Aben Resources Ltd. to conduct further exploration at Chico. Comstock Metals Ltd. (Comstock) is undertaking gold exploration at its Preview SW deposit, located just 40 km north of Lac La Ronge. Since acquiring the project in 2016, Comstock has completed around 3,900 metres of surface
drilling during two drill campaigns, which included step-out drilling around the deposit and drilling at the proximal Preview North zone. Comstock has also completed ground geophysical surveys, humus sampling, high-resolution drone surveys, and structural studies on the property.
Base metals, platinum group metals and other metals Exploration expenditures for base, platinum group and other metals in Saskatchewan are forecast to be $6.4 million in 2017, up considerably from last year’s actual expenditures of $539,000 (Table 1). Prices for most base metals have increased over the last year, with the price of copper improving by about 40 per cent, lead and nickel by 10 per cent, and zinc by about 30 per cent. The price of cobalt, a specialty metal, has more than doubled in value since September 2016, from a low of US$12 per pound to about US$27 per pound in August of 2017. The increasing price of cobalt has led to interest in exploration for the metal in Saskatchewan. Canadian Platinum Corp. announced that a review of historical assay data from their Swan Lake Pt-Pd-NiCu showing in the Peter Lake Domain revealed elevated cobalt concentrations. One historical drill intersection assayed 0.02 per cent Co over a width of 71.6 metres, including one higher-grade intersection of up to 0.21 per cent Co over a width of one metre. Cobalt exploration is also being undertaken by U.S. Lithium Resources Inc., which announced that it
entered into an agreement with Diamond Hunters Ltd. to acquire 100 per cent of the Gochagar Lake Ni-Cu-Co project claims, located approximately 75 km north of La Ronge. The bulk of Saskatchewan’s projected 2017 base metal exploration expenditures will be focused on two projects, Foran Mining Corp.’s (Foran) McIlvenna Bay project and Murchison Minerals Ltd.’s (Murchison) Brabant-McKenzie project. In March, Foran commenced a winter drilling program to test a deep EM conductor (Target A) situated 1.5 km southeast of their Zn-Cu McIlvenna Bay deposit, which is located 60 km southwest of Flin Flon. The Target A conductor is reported to be similar in size and strength to the EM conductor associated with the McIlvenna Bay deposit. Drilling at Target A was prematurely terminated due to an early onset of spring breakup and is anticipated to resume at a later date. Foran has also engaged Micon International Ltd. to conduct a detailed technical review of the previously completed Preliminary Economic Assessment of the McIlvenna Bay project. Early in 2017, Murchison commenced a 10-hole, 5,653-metre diamond drill program and ground geophysical survey on its wholly-owned Zn-Cu Brabant-McKenzie project, located 175 km north-east of La Ronge. Copper-zinc mineralization was intersected in all 10 holes and the results of this drilling have the potential to add to the existing resource estimate. The company states that the deposit remains open at depth and plans to continue ex-
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saskatchewan exploration and development highlights ploration to test the down-plunge extent, as well as test other geophysical targets along strike.
Industrial Minerals Although exploration for industrial mineral deposit types was quiet in 2016 and the first half of 2017, there was significant production. There are four current salt operations, three as byproduct from potash production and one primary producer. K+S Windsor Salt Ltd. produces byproduct salt at Belle Plaine. Compass Minerals Canada Corp. mines primary salt at the Unity solution operation in west-central Saskatchewan. NSC Minerals produces byproduct salt at Rocanville and Vanscoy, and ERCO Worldwide processes value-added chlorine-alkali chemicals from salt at its Saskatoon operation. Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals Inc.’s long-standing operation at Chaplin in south-central Saskatchewan remains the only primary sodium sulfate producer in the province. Sodium sulfate is used in a variety of products, including detergents,
textiles and carpet deodorizers. In addition, Compass Minerals Wynyard Inc. produces value-added potassium sulfate, which is mainly used in specialty fertilizers, at a plant near Big Quill Lake in eastcentral Saskatchewan. Westmoreland Coal Company (Westmoreland) acquired the Boundary Dam, Bienfait and Poplar River coal mines in southern Saskatchewan in 2014 from Prairie Mines & Royalty Ltd. Since acquiring the Saskatchewan operations, Westmoreland has signed new long-term supply agreements with Crown Corporation SaskPower, and announced it was amalgamating the Bienfait and Boundary Dam mines of southeastern Saskatchewan into one operation, named the Estevan mine. Saskatchewan also produced a number of industrial mineral commodities that have varied uses. Canadian Clay Products Inc. excavates and processes bentonite at an operation near Wilcox, about 41 km south of Regina. Colored Shale Products Inc. mines clinker, a stony product formed
from naturally coal-fired clay, from quarries near Willow Bunch, roughly 190 km southwest of Regina, on an ‘as-needed’ basis for use as landscaping material. Premier Tech Horticulture Ltd. excavates horticultural peat from bogs in the Carrot River region of east-central Saskatchewan and processes it at a plant near the town. They are also developing the new Smokey Ridge Bog that lies 21 km northeast of the town of Hudson Bay. Two other companies, Berger Peat Moss Ltd. and Sunterra Horticulture Inc., are also actively exploring for horticultural peat in the central part of the province. Wapa Bay Resources produces leonardite on a campaign basis from a small quarry near Wapawekka Lake in northern Saskatchewan. Leonardite is used as an organic soil additive and fertilizer. Weil Group Resources, LLC opened a helium processing plant near Mankota in southwest Saskatchewan in August, 2016, and plans to produce 40 million cubic feet of helium per year. 6
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39
Copper Reef Mining Corporation:
Focusing on Two Gold Projects
C
opper Reef Mining Corp., based in Flin Flon, Man., holds polymetallic base metal, gold and diamond exploration properties throughout the Lynn Lake, Snow Lake and Flin Flon Greenstone Belts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Copper Reef is developing new targets in the Flin Flon Belt where it holds extensive mineral claim holdings. Copper Reef holds several Cu-Zn-Ag-Au deposits and has optioned out its East Big Island Zinc-rich Tara deposit 10 km east of Hudbay’s Flin Flon Mill and Processing Plant to Callinex Mines Inc., which plans to drill it this year. Other base metal properties are available for option. This year and next, Copper Reef has concentrated on its gold properties.
Gold Properties Copper Reef holds five primarily gold properties, three of which are presently inactive. The two active projects include; the Gold Rock and North Star Projects in the Snow Lake Camp and the Alberts Lake Property in the Main Flin Flon Camp. Currently Copper Reef is concentrating mainly on its highgrade Gold Rock Group. This summer’s prospecting has greatly extended the shower vein (300 metres) for a total strike length of 400 metres and the Gold Rock Vein by 325 metres to the north for a total of 700 metres of strike length.
North Star: Gold Rock Status The North Star Gold Property is located 36 km west of Snow Lake, Man. At both the North Star and Gold Rock properties gold mineralization is hosted in gabbro within a typical Proterozoic shear zone system. The North Star Gold Rock Group Property is an advanced exploration property with more than $9 million spent on it in the last 10 years with the much work completed: a) Five major drilling programs.
40 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
b) Ramp access and underground development and sampling. c) Large surface blast hole sampling and trenching together with extensive assaying for gold, trace elements and whole rock geochemistry. Average grade from blast holes and trench faces was over 0.35 oz/t gold. d) Metallurgical testing at Lakefield established 85 per cent recovery of gold by gravity alone. e) A large grid covers the gold shear with mapping, prospecting and geophysical surveys carried out. The shear is still open to the north and south and the grid can be extended to follow shear on strike (unexplored). f ) More than two km of all-weather road to the site, as well as 15 km of the Dickstone Road brought back to all-weather road status with creek crossings improved and adjoining swamps lowered to improve road quality. g) Several environmental surveys were completed, including ungulate, rare plant, raptor, fish surveys and other surveys required for the establishment of tailings facilities. h) A digital topographical airborne survey over the main area of the vein, and potential areas for tailings disposal and water intake. i) Campsites and storage areas were established and permitted. Permit still valid. A mill foundation; a concrete slab shop floor and a water waste disposal pond were completed. j) A VTEM survey was carried out over the entire claim group in 2010. Mining leases made permitting easier. There haven’t been problems getting permits to do work in this area to date. k) The group holds 21 claims: sufficient assessment credits to keep claims in good standing till approximately 2071, includes two mining leases.
Below: Northstar Gold Rock Property over the years.
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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The gold rock property The Gold Rock Property is 800 metres northeast of the North Star Property. Selected drill holes from Gold Rock 2010 winter drilling are listed in the table below:
Selected drillholes from gold rock 2010 winter drilling
Hole
Au (g/t)
Length (m)
From (m)
To (m)
GR-10-114
14.41
3.3
23.0
26.3
GR-10-115
15.65
1.5
65.0
66.5
GR-10-119
7.79
2.1
114.3 116.4
16.31
0.9
119.2 120.1
GR-10-122
2.94
3.65
249.05 249.45
GR-10-125
7.01
2.3
143.4 145.7 Above: South end of Gold Rock Vein where it narrows to 30-centimetre grades of over two ounces obtained from two grab samples. Left: North Star Gold Rock and Jupiter KU new discovery structures.
42 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
The Alberts Lake Gold Property The Alberts Lake 2011 drilling program completed its objectives of testing the Gold Shear Zone. Copper Reef Mining Corp. drilled four twin drill holes on the Alberts Lake gold zone. Previous non 43-101 resources by Granges outlined approximately 400,000 tonnes of 7.5 g gold.
RESULTS AL-11-61 BTW
From (m)
To (m)
Interval
Au (g/t)
Ag (g/t)
Average 253.2 304.7 51.5 1.02 2.4
AL-11-40TW Average 219.7 250.6 30.9 1.39 2.3 AL-11-57TW
Average 178.5 206.4 27.9 3.46 9.1
Includes 193.03 205.4 12.37 6.74 18.1
AL-11-72TW
Average
Includes 212.1 213.95 1.85 4.55
198.1
224.5
26.4
1.14
2.2 7.1
Active Base Metal Property under option • Big Island East Property – One VMS zone, diamond drilling between 1987 and 1991 delineated a deposit (Non 43-101) ranging between 100,000 and 150,000 tons at 10 to 15 per cent zinc, one to two per cent copper, one to three oz/ ton Ag and 0.05-0.09 oz/ton Au. The best intersection was 22.44 per cent Zn, 0.58 per cent Cu, 2.73 oz Ag and 0.17 oz Au/ 40.67 feet. – Untested Spectrum Airborne on same horizon toward Trout Lake Mine. – Two km east from HBMS’ Trout Lake Mine (>20,000,000 tons). – Has on-strike stratigraphy and same lithologies as the McBratney Lake (PGE) occurrence 500 metres to the south, best drill intercept of 8.9 g/t Pd, 1.6 g/t Pt , 1.6 per cent Cu and 1.2 per cent Ni (Hudbay’s McBratney Occurrence). – Recently Flown (2010) by a VTEM 35 Airborne Survey. – Callinex currently drilling. 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Royalty Holdings (Hanson Lake Belt, Sask. And Flin Flon, Man.) Copper Reef Mining Corp. has an underlying royalty of $0.75/t from Foran’s McIlvenna Bay Deposit (currently with estimated resource estimate of 16.3 million tonnes grading 1.82 per cent CuEq in the indicated category and a further 13.1 million tonnes grading 1.87 per cent CuEq in the inferred category, both at a US$45 per tonne NSR cut-off ) and a two per cent NSR on the Bigstone copper deposit (historic estimate 3.75mt grading 2.03 per cent Cu at a one per cent Cu cut-off ), the Balsam deposit, the Hanson property, the Sam property and the Comeback property. Copper Reef ’s 100 per cent owned Hanson Lake Property is on strike with the McIlvenna Deposit and is the site of the past-producing Hanson Lake Mine (production 147,000 tons grading 10 per cent Zn, 5.8 per cent Pb, 0.5 per cent Cu and 137 g/t Ag). Copper Reef also holds royalties in Callinex’s Pine Bay, Cabin Zone and Sourdough deposits in the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt and any new discoveries. Copper Reef holds a one per cent NSR in the high-grade Zinc Deposit presently under option to Callinex Mines Inc. from Copper Reef. Assuming all payments
and work obligations are completed, Callinex would own the entire 100 per cent ownership and Copper Reef will receive a total of $265,000, 750,000 shares of Callinex, and retain a one per cent net smelter royalty, which may be purchased for $1 million. In the Snow Lake Camp Copper Reef holds a two per cent NSR on the Morgan Lake and Woosey Properties and a one per cent NSR on the Cook Property, that will see CZC hold 1,600,000 shares of Rockcliff and $150,000 cash (received). More information on any of the active projects can be found at our website www.copperreefmining.com. SYMBOL: CZC: CSE
Corporate information 12 Mitchell Rd., P.O. Box 306 Flin, Flon MB R8A 1N1 Phone: 204-687-3500 Fax: 204-687-4762 Email: more@mymts.net Listing date: Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 URL: www.copperreefmining.com Auditors : McGovern, Hurley, Cunningham LLP (Toronto) Solicitors: Taylor McCaffrey LLP (Winnipeg)
Cradle to cradle
Share Information
Transfer agent: Equity Transfer and Trust Co. (Toronto) Investor relations: 204-687-3500 Shares issued and outstanding: 141,981,300 Warrants outstanding: 24,772,000 Options outstanding: 13,050,000 Fully diluted: 179,803,300
Directors, Officers and Advisors
Robert N. Granger, Q.C., chairman and director Exploration, feasibility, due diligence, engineering and operations through to mine closure. Our global experience gives you expert, integrated solutions on every phase of your mining project. Same team — start to finish.
Stephen Masson, MSC., P. Geo, president, CEO and director David W. Kendall, FCA, CFO and treasurer William J. Jackson, B.A.Sc., director William J. Phillips, director Warren R. Bates, P. Geo, director Laara Shaffer, corporate secretary Ed Thompson, technical advisor
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44 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Prospector Training Program of 2017 Northern Manitoba Mining Academy By Eckart Buhlmann
N
orthern Manitoba’s most important resource is its people. Empowering northerners to prospect the north will accelerate mineral discoveries in
Manitoba. Informal discussions among representatives of northerners, University College of the North (UCN) officials and Northern Manitoba Mining Academy personnel explored how prospecting, exploration and discovery in the north can be energized and intensified.
What do you want to achieve with your project? Members of northern communities are well positioned and supremely gifted for the activities involved in productive prospecting. The program will introduce them to searching techniques for mineralization, how to select ground and secure claims, and how to advance the new finds to properties that they can sell or work on in joint venture. The program will empower the northern communities to build portfolios of mineral properties, some of which eventually may become mines. The prospectors can take on contract prospecting assignments for their community, clients from the south or for their own account.
Prospector students from Opaskwayak Cree Nation stake their first Base Metal Property. Samples to be shown at Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention November 15th to November 17th.
46 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
Why is this important? Northern communities are ideally positioned to take an active role in the search for new mineral deposits. They should consider doing this for their own account and aiming for ownership in mining properties and mines. Aboriginal organizations are becom-
ing increasingly interested in staking their own claims and doing their own exploration. They will benefit from outside prospecting and geological expertise and from sound partnership arrangements Which groups will it be important for? The mining industry suffers from a lack of grassroots exploration. By joint venturing or partnering with northern communities with talented and experienced prospectors, both sides — industry and Aboriginal organizations — can benefit, sharing in the ownership of mineral titles and/or producing mines. Prospecting awareness by northerners will lead to new economic opportunities in the north. How will they benefit from being involved? Successful prospecting benefits all participants by increased economic activity and a multitude of opportunities. Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s past-president stated recently that the next step is communities actively using their own resources to go out and secure mineral claims, and then working either in partnership or alone to advance those claims into properties they can sell or work on in joint ventures. How will UCN benefit from being involved? For UCN, this is the perfect time to introduce the prospector training program to the northern communities. UCN’s foundation of mutual respect and partnership is the perfect base to deliver this program. Taking on a leadership role by offering this program in northern communities,
UCN will benefit from growing enrolments by community members in years to come. Will this project support priority initiatives identified by the mining sector? Yes, it will. Companies begin to realize that communities do have tremendous knowledge and ability to work on the land, and understand the land like no one else from outside. A huge partnership opportunity exists here. How do you plan to achieve the goals you have set for the project? The approach will consist of learning about some of the basics — minerals, geology, ore deposits — and about the prospecting techniques that help in finding them. Practicing the methods is important. Looking closely at several real-world ore environments will be a main ingredient of the methodology. The program includes several specific field trips by boat, ATV, snowmobile and float/ski planes. These will be based on choices and decisions made in close team work. What kind of timeline are you looking at to complete your project? It will take instructors five weeks to teach the material in the prospector training certificate program. Part of the program will be instructed in the field, with the will take place at the Northern Manitoba Mining Academy. How much money and resources do you think are needed to carry out this project? The cost per student is estimated at
$6,800. We are aiming at twelve students for a total of $81,600. Will other organizations (such as industry and Aboriginal groups) be willing to contribute money and/or in-kind contributions such as time or equipment to the project? Financial assistance can be found from federal sources through the communities’ employment and training coordinators, and through support from Employment Manitoba. Sponsors can play an extremely important, exemplary role in offering moral and financial support to prospector trainees. What kind of measurements will you use to evaluate the success of the project? Measures include the number of students passing the exams, the number of mineral claims staked by the communities in the next six to 12 months, the number of MPAP (Manitoba Prospector Assistance Program) applications submitted and approved. The number and type of samples submitted for assay and the results will be a powerful measure of individual projects. Could this project be replicated in other western Canadian provinces (Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C.)? The project can be replicated in Saskatchewan, Alberta and B.C. with few modifications. It can also be replicated in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. 6
Acknowledgements Special thanks to Fire Spirit Inc. for its support of the prospector trainees. We also thank the communities of OCN, Moose Lake and Gods Lake Narrows for their unwavering support.
Prospector Training Admission Requirements Successful completion of the Wilderness Safety Training program Classes offered for the Prospector Training Certificate Program: RRR0300 Manitoba Mining Industry RRR0301 Line Cutting RRR0302 Introduction to Rock Classification RRR0303 Introduction to Minerals
RRR0304 RRR0305 RRR0306 RRR0307 RRR0308 RRR0309 RRR0310
Navigation Skills for Prospecting Claim Staking Introduction to Geophysical Surveys and Techniques Introduction to Geochemical Surveys and Techniques Blaster Safety Training Drilling and Sampling Prospector Administration 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association welcomes thE Graduating class of 2017 prospectors from UCN
Above: Graduating prospecting class of 2017 with Glen Ross of OCN and deputy education and training minister Jamie Wilson, instructor Warren Heidman and Doug Lauvsta, UCN president (right). Below (left to right: God’s Lake Narrows graduates Nicole Spence, Brenden Hill and Samantha Captain.
T
he Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association (MSPDA) welcomes to our association all the University College of the North (UCN) prospecting graduates from the class of 2017 as full members. It is an exciting time for our association to gain these enthusiastic students as part of the fra-
ternity of explorationists. They will be part of building Manitoba’s future mineral discoveries and business partners in our exploration industry. Our association sees Aboriginal involvement in our industry, first starting as prospectors to full service contractors, as forming part of the base structure necessary to revitalize our mining industry in the north to benefit all northern communities. They are an important part of our future and these relationships need to be supported and nourished. We are hopeful that some will make great discoveries for their own economic benefit, their communities’ benefit and the north in general. We see this class blazing the trail for others to follow to fill a niche in our industry that is in short supply. Three have already acquired their first base metal property. Attached are some photos of this fine group of people representing the three communities of Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Moose Lake and God’s Lake Narrows. The class of 2017 consisted of nine graduates: • Logan Martin and William Head Jr. of Moose Lake. • Samantha Captain, Brendan Hill and Nicole Spence of God’s Lake Narrows.
48 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
Above: God’s Lake group – Warren Heidman (instructor), Joannie Dumas (OCN graduate) and William Head Jr. (Moose Lake graduate), affectionately known as Swamp Walker for his perseverance. Right: Teachers, instructors, associates and some students: (back, left to right) Dr. Eckart Bulmann, P. Geo., geologist, instructor, Mining Academy; Warren Heidman, Field and Lab Instructor, Contractor and Staker. (Front, left to right) Richard Masson, exploration manager at M’Ore Exploration, prospector; Logan Martin, graduate (Moose Lake); Peter Dunlop, distinguished prospector, taught blasting and trenching; Spenser Constant, graduate, (Moose Lake); Joannie Dumas, graduate (OCN); Stephen Masson, president of the MSPDA, P.Geo.
• Paul Personius Jr., Joannie Dumas, Spencer Constant and Malcolm Lathlin. These women and men have chosen the pursuit of the prospector, looking for buried treasure that lies out there, or as a geotech as part of an exploration team doing the same. Even as part-time prospectors employed in other areas, they have the potential to make a significant impact on our economy and in their own lives. The MSPDA is very enthused to see the prospector course re-introduced in Manitoba as a progressive development in our youth and in our exploration industry, and a salute to those communities that see a future for youth in the mining industry. This is very encouraging and welcomed. We realize this is the first year of this course and that improvements will be made to offer an even better course next year.
A crucial need for government funding and industry training through employment Fundamental to this initial training is employment follow up. Recommended are programs of partially funded apprenticing with an exploration company (through Manitoba Employment and Training). This hands-on experience will go a long way for students, who will receive mentored instruction on correct procedures and techniques. This applies to not just prospecting graduates of UCN, but university and college geology students as well. Those with more of an entrepreneurial nature should receive sustained funding of 50/50 prospector grants, so their training and enthusiasm does not
Samantha Captain (Gods Lake Narrows) uses a plugger drill.
2017-2018 Northern Prospector
49
Nicole Spence (God’s Lake Narrows) washing outcrop.
Joannie Dumas (Copper Reef Core Yard)
wither and die as prospecting costs money, not just time. It is usually some time before prospectors see a return on their efforts and if they are starving in the meantime the graduate attrition rate will be large. These recommendations, approved by the MSPDA, were presented in August 2017 as part of a larger package to foster increased exploration in Manitoba to Jim Crone, the acting assistant deputy minister, and Cliff Cullen, the former minister of growth, enterprise and trade. MSPDA is considering an annual award for the best new discovery made by a graduate of UCN as well as funding half of one student’s salary (total $1,500) with a company or prospector to do our part in getting new graduates mentoring and experience (details to come). We challenge others in the industry and in organizations such as mining associations and the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada to do the same here in Manitoba and throughout Canada. Our association is very proud of these students’ accomplishments and commends their enthusiasm. We wish them well and good luck in their search for new finds. 6 Malcolm Lathlin (OCN) looking at a drill core and core cutting, M’Ore Exploration Core Logging and Cutting Unit.
50 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
Mucking out the blast; supervised by Peter Dunlop, Joannie Dumas and Malcolm Lathlin (OCN graduates).
Where it all began:
the history of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association By Edgar Wright, MSPDA secretary
T
he story of the ManitobaSaskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association may have started in 1914 with Barney Stitt of The Pas staking claims in the gold rush at Beaver Lake, Sask., or when prospector Lionel “Bannock King” Moore of Saskatoon optimistically opened his store at “Golden City” near the Prince Albert gold mine on Beaver Lake. They prospected at a time when mineral resources belonged to Ottawa and their claim maps were issued by the Chief Draughtsman of the Mining Lands and Yukon Branch. Stitt and Moore went on to become partners in Flin Flon Realty but Stitt pursued politics and, after being mayor of The Pas, became member of Parliament for Nelson and then Churchill ridings. The Beaver Lake gold rush did not survive the Great War; some prospectors went off to dig trenches in Europe, some went east into Manitoba to follow up on the 1914 gold finds of Hackett and Woosey at Herb Lake, and some to stake in the 1915 rush at Flin Flon Lake. And some, like Tom Collins and William Baker, were settled in the area with their families as revealed by the 1916 census for Lake Athapapuskow. Beaver Lake is Amisk Lake on maps now. The 1900s were a time when politicians argued about the control and development of the resource-bearing lands of Manitoba and Saskatchewan in the provincial legislatures and Parliament. For the most part, it was the commissioners of northern Manitoba, J. A.
Campbell and then R. C. Wallace, who were most effective in the development of land access by lobbying the Manitoba government for roads to Lake Athapapuskow and to Herb Lake. This was made much easier in a prelude to the 1912 Manitoba Boundaries extension act, by Ottawa’s decision in 1911 to start building the Hudson Bay Railway, decades after Prime Minister John. A. Macdonald engineered the failure in 1887 of the first attempt. Prospectors, even when they have access to lands, only find what they believe are mineral deposits. After that they need funds to prove the deposit and then develop the mine. Most prospectors don’t have funds and in 1916 Campbell chided them on their unwillingness to give control of their properties to investors. Another gold rush followed when Jacob Cook mentioned a gold showing at Copper Lake to J.P. Gordon of The Pas. Soon after, Wallace argued for ambitious development of transportation by the Manitoba government, and said, “If this occasion is not seized, capital will be discouraged and the mining industry will receive a serious setback.” Land access became an overriding issue for prospectors in the 1920s and started under the early premiership of John Bracken, MLA for The Pas, when the department of the interior in Ottawa proposed to award pulpwood concessions to J. D. McArthur. The Northern Manitoba Prospectors Association (NMPA) was formed in The Pas on July 4, 1924, to “pool certain information” and by December NMPA secretary Lio-
nel Moore was protesting the threat of restrictions and prohibitions on prospecting operations carried out in the proposed pulpwood concessions. As it turned out, Bracken’s effort to lure paper mills into Manitoba through monopolistic cutting rights failed, partly through the fraudulent actions of others and partly through financial conditions. In March of 1925, the NMPA joined forces with the newly-formed Central Manitoba Prospectors Association to advocate the abolition of the 21-year lease system with the argument that it delayed the development of mines. The start of railroad construction from The Pas to Flin Flon in late 1927 was welcomed but, after the merging of the Northland Prospectors Association and the NMPA in February 1928, concerns about land access continued. In March the NMPA protested on the grounds that independent prospectors would be eliminated with “the granting of exclusive prospecting rights in Northern Manitoba to large companies,” following Sherritt-Gordon’s application for a large block on Chesterfield Inlet. Ottawa listened and in April withdrew the exclusive right. In the same month, the staking rush at Cold Lake caught the NMPA in a bind with the opening of a recorder’s office there. It was good for prospectors in the area but hampered the wheeling and dealing in The Pas because, before a deal could be finalized, the Cold Lake recorder had to be visited. In such an event, the dealmakers could count on being fed because recorder Dick Cox doubled as a cook. The 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
51
After changing the name to the Northern Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association in 1949, the prospectors finally came back to life in 1952 as the NMPDA urged the Manitoba government to keep all major water power sources to operate them as a public utility and call on Ottawa to help improve the roads. NMPA continued to examine new regu-
ing with some practical hints, the doings
there will be costly delays that will inter-
lations issued in advance of the transfer
of NMPA and to offer the experience
fere with mining exploration. The board
from Ottawa of the ownership of natural
of his group. Later, in 1936, the MPA
responded that they based their decision
resources. They supported the replace-
changed its name to the Manitoba Pros-
on statistics and no new charters would
ment of the “horse-age” one-line staking
pecting and Mining Association, and by
be granted unless they received substan-
with four-line staking, although one-line
March of 1939 Ski Stewart was the presi-
tial new evidence. Concerns about the
staking is eye opening to someone facing
dent of the MPMA. In January 1937, the
location of roads occupied 1957. In May,
online staking via the internet. By April
BLPA and the Saskatchewan Prospec-
the NMPDA submitted a brief to the
1929, they had, along with prospectors
tors Association discussed a merger and
Manitoba government explaining that a
in Winnipeg, submitted a list of two ma-
continued as the SPA to petition for a
proposed road to Snow Lake must fol-
jor and 30 minor suggested regulations
road at Goldfields in June 1939. During
low a more northerly route. The govern-
for securing provincial approval before
the war years, the prospector organiza-
ment responded that the southern route
submission to Ottawa. The NMPA ex-
tions went silent; times were good for
opened marketable timber and would
ited the 1920s being commended for its
those remaining in the mineral resource
be faster and cheaper. In October, the
constant pressure on the Saskatchewan
industry but Ottawa was forced to pass
NMPDA abandoned its support for the
and Manitoba governments that result-
legislation to encourage prospecting.
completion of Highway 35 from White
ed in the rehabilitating and improving of
After changing the name to the
Fox to Denare Beach and threw its sup-
the important portages and waterways
Northern Manitoba Prospectors and
port into the Hanson Lake road propos-
used by all.
Developers Association in 1949, the
al. With increased exploration and min-
In mid-1930, natural resources were
prospectors finally came back to life in
ing activity in nearby Saskatchewan, in
formally transferred from Ottawa to
1952 as the NMPDA urged the Mani-
February 1958, the NMPDA changed its
Manitoba and Saskatchewan. By Au-
toba government to keep all major wa-
name to Man-Sask Prospectors and De-
gust, the NMPA was receiving favour-
ter power sources to operate them as a
velopers Association. By the end of 1959,
able comments including getting the
public utility and call on Ottawa to help
the MSPDA proposed Manitoba adopt a
former requirement for 40-days assess-
improve the roads. In 1953, the NMPDA
prospector assistance plan like that in
ment work on each claim changed to
approved nine resolutions, including the
Saskatchewan and British Columbia: the
25 days. It became apparent by January
increase of the maximum claims staked
prospector would receive “grubstakes,
1932 that conditions were not satisfac-
from nine to 36, allowing geophysical
certain equipment, and some transpor-
tory for prospecting in Saskatchewan so
surveys and line cutting as credit for as-
tation, free licenses and free claim re-
the Beaver Lake Prospectors Association
sessment work, providing a nine-month
cording rights.”
was formed in The Pas and immediately
extension of assessment work for a
April 1960 got off to a good start with
asked for changes to the regulations. By
$25 fee, and compulsory legal survey-
a meeting of the MSPDA and the Mani-
May 1934, southern Manitoba also was
ing of claims not necessary until lease
toba department of mines. Prospectors
dissatisfied and the Manitoba Prospec-
is applied for. As well, the scope of the
would be allowed to carry claim tags with
tors Association was organized with the
NMPDA was extended to the Churchill
them in the field. Previously they staked,
call to form an active and aggressive as-
mining division of Saskatchewan. Once
returned for tags, then went back to tag
sociation for the prospector who too of-
again, 21-year mineral leases were pro-
and mark the posts. Permission was also
ten “comes out on the wrong end of the
tested. At the end of 1953, the NMPDA
given to survey in groups of 18 claims.
deal when he seeks finances.” A.L. “Ski”
blasted the Air Transport Board for let-
The 21-year lease, compulsory after five
Stewart, president of the NMPA, was
ting Central Northern Airways monop-
years, finally had a change anticipated in
there from The Pas to address the meet-
olize the Lynn Lake airbase arguing that
new legislation that would not require
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a lease to be taken out until a property went into production. In June 1962, there was a setback as fire destroyed the Flin Flon Hotel. Two men died in the fire and all the MSPDA records burned as well. Much of this story so far has been gleaned from old newspapers. In March 1969, the MSPDA was renamed to the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and Developers Association, and cash payment in lieu of work was proposed for assessment requirements. At the end of the year, Jack Murray received special recognition for keeping the association going when interest lagged. In August 1970, the MSPDA responded with a roar, advertising in the Winnipeg papers lambasting the Manitoba government’s Bill 115. The association accused it of being “an act to promote the death of the mining industry.” Editorials and Minister Borowski complained about the tone of the ad, calling it emotional and vicious, but nobody refuted the arguments listed in it. It presaged the advent of Manitoba Mineral Resources Ltd. Five years later, the Manitoba Prospectors and Developers Association still complained about MMR. Eight years on, the MSPDA asked that compulsory participation by government be eliminated and that prospecting and exploration activities carried out by the Department of Mines be discontinued. The August 1970 ad can be viewed at the University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections. The 1980s were not much better. In addition to MMR and the usual detailed
MSPDA housekeeping on the regulations, there was also the Saskatchewan Mining Development Corporation operating in Manitoba — a Crown Corporation exempt from certain taxes. Environmental concerns increased throughout the decade but paper staking could be dismissed due to the lack of good maps in the north. In the 1990s, the environment came to the forefront in both provinces. In Saskatchewan with the integrated land use plans, and in Manitoba with protected areas. Countless hours were spent to protect prospective areas by educating government appointees on understanding geological cartoons. In the 21st century, an additional challenge was consulting with First Nations and communities in the north. A framework was established in Saskatchewan, but was still nonexistent in Manitoba. The MSPDA still strives to protect the interest of prospectors, explorationists and the mining communities and people who depend on them for support and jobs. It has been increasingly difficult to preserve areas for exploration from organizations that do not live in the north and who do not support development. There is no farming and very few manufacturing jobs in the north, and even further north little forestry. This leaves us only hydro and mining to be the economic engines for the northern economy. Tourism and traditional economies are not a major stimulus with often low paying and seasonal jobs. Presently, we are focused on increas-
ing exploration and investment in Manitoba through changes in government programs and policy so companies will be attracted to exploring the great mineral potential of this province. We are also focused on supporting First Nations from benefiting far more now than in the past from mineral exploration. We are a strong advocate for Aboriginal prospector training, development of Aboriginal businesses tied to exploration and mining right up to government revenue sharing for northern communities. Northerners should have the opportunity to take part in the benefits of exploration and mining at every stage to see greater benefits flow into their communities from service contracts and individual enterprise. Place names and regulations may have changed since 1924. However, while stories and records have been lost or faded in memory, the prospector’s heart and characteristics that embody adventure and discovery remain. They are as memorable as ever, as prospectors and explorationists are still persistent, optimistic risk-takers. We remain strong advocates for the promise of the north, seeking the treasures that lie there through sustainable development while maintaining and protecting the beauty of this wilderness. Today, it is all about exploration with less or negligible impact on the environment as we seek to maintain our mining communities and a healthy northern economy in the beauty that surrounds us. 6
Place names and regulations may have changed since 1924. However, while stories and records have been lost or faded in memory, the prospector’s heart and characteristics that embody adventure and discovery remain. They are as memorable as ever, as prospectors and explorationists are still persistent, optimistic risk-takers.
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William Bruce Dunlop:
Northern Explorer By Peter Dunlop
W
William Bruce Dunlop with a freshly made claim post. Photographic evidence was often the only defence against claim jumpers.
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illiam Bruce Dunlop was born at his family’s home in Windsor, N.S. on June 23, 1924. When Dunlop was born, those in attendance of the birth were so concerned for the wellbeing of his mother that they placed him in a shoebox in the oven to keep warm while they took care of her. Dunlop led an exciting life growing up in Windsor and was very active in sports, especially hockey. Windsor claims to be the birthplace of the game of hockey when British soldiers stationed in the area started playing a game called “hurley.” Swimming in the tidal flats, although one time nearly losing his life due to getting stuck in quicksandlike mud with an incoming tidal bore, was another favourite pastime. On his seventeenth birthday, Dunlop was on a troop train traveling to report for basic training with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Up to that time Dunlop had been a member of the West Nova Scotia Regiment but had to hide his uniform from his father who knew the horrors of war well. You could join up at 17 at the time but only with parental permission. Both his father and uncle had experienced trench warfare during First World War, including Vimy Ridge. Permission was granted provided he join anything but the army. His brother Hugh choose the navy. The air force went on to have the highest mortality rate of all the services during the Second World War. For the trip over to England, Dunlop was assigned to the gun crew of the Aquitania, sister ship to the Lusitania of First World War infamy. Dunlop served his
Flight sergeant wireless air gunner William Bruce Dunlop, Royal Canadian Air Force.
William Bruce Dunlop staking the Island Lake Mine using the rubber stamp method in 1981 beating out competitors from British Petroleum. This was done in the presence of the mining recorder and was deemed legal.
country honourably overseas during the Second World War, being discharged with the rank of sergeant as a wireless air gunner. After the war, Dunlop studied at Acadia University at Wolfville, N.S., graduating with a masters in geology. It was there he met his future wife Josephine with whom he eventually had six children (one died in infancy). Dunlop was very active in sports at Acadia and was captain of the hockey team. Dunlop spent time with the Geological Survey of Canada, being involved in the mapping of G.S.C Montreal Island 1950 – Prest; G.S.C. Joggins, Nova Scotia 1950 – Shaw; and G.S.C. Memoir 297 Truro, Nova Scotia Map Area 1951— Stevens. One of his first jobs after graduation was for NALCO (Newfoundland and Labrador Corp.) on the south coast of Newfoundland at Roti Point in the Bay d’Espoir area where he and his growing family in a tarpaper shack with only boat access for resupply for three years. Here, Dunlop and his prospecting crew discovered many new showings, some of which are being worked on and developed to this day. To open the showings and without any dynamite, the crew used gunpowder wrapped in candlewaxed butcher’s paper rolled into sticks. One of his helpers for a time was John
Harvey, who went on to become president of Noranda Exploration. Dunlop’s next job was as an underground geologist and later a surface exploration geologist for INCO in the Sudbury Basin area. In 1956 INCO transferred him to Moak Lake as surface and underground geologist. In those
days, you went in for a six-month stint, and if you didn’t like it you were fired. Dunlop recalled having to run eight surface and underground drills plus the underground headings at once without any help until a 16-year-old boy from Thicket Portage was hired on as a helper. That boy was a quick study and soon
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William Bruce Dunlop mapping at Joggins, N.S. for the Geological Survey of Canada in 1950.
William Bruce Dunlop with Les (driller) conducting his own drill program at Reed Lake in the spring of 1994.
William Bruce Dunlop during overburden removal at #3 Zone, Snow Lake, Man. in 1987.
William Bruce Dunlop (left) with staking crew after staking Sourdough Bay Deposit in the Flin Flon area in April, 1992. His crews always included a strong Aboriginal presence.
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Dunlop had him logging core. That boy’s name was Ernie Guiboche who worked his way up to geologist and is now well known in mining and mining exploration circles in Manitoba. Moak Lake went on to be the forerunner of the great Thompson Nickel complex. In 1960, Dunlop took a job with Conwest Exploration Ltd. based out of The Pas, Man. conducting exploration programs all over Manitoba and elsewhere. At that time, the mining recorder’s office and railhead were in The Pas. It truly was the gateway to the north as all the trappers, prospectors, fishermen, railroad workers, construction crews, miners and mine developers passed through or were based there. He has maintained a presence in the area ever since. In 1964 Dunlop decided to form his own company, W. Bruce Dunlop Ltd. NPL, specializing in geological and geophysical surveys based out of The Pas and La Ronge, Sask. This work led him to conduct surveys across Canada. While in The Pas, Dunlop dabbled in politics as a passionate believer in a bright future for the north. He was, and still is, a strong advocate for the people and communities of the north. In 1975, he formed Mid-North Uranium, later called Mid-North Resources, and now Bison Gold. One of the property packages Dunlop put together included the former producing Central Manitoba and Ogama-Rockland Mines. Currently, Bison Gold shareholders are expected to vote on a friendly takeover bid from Klondex Mines Ltd. If it goes through, this will result in a very good chance the Ogama-Rockland Mine will be put back in production as feed for the nearby Rice Lake Mill owned by Klondex. This will go a long way to ensuring economic prosperity for the area and its people into the future. Dunlop was old school and a firm believer in the “handshake deal.” Unfortunately, he expected others would act honourably and in good faith in their business dealings with him, but such was not always the case.
Dunlop knew all the prospectors and was delighted to stop and talk with them and swap stories any chance he had. This was frequently accompanied by refreshments. Many times this would end up with a meal and a bed for the night at his house in The Pas and perhaps a few dollars in the form of a “loan” the next day. W. Bruce Dunlop Ltd. was involved in many new discoveries and exploration successes including Morgan Lake Zinc Deposit, Rusty Zone at Oxford Lake, War Baby in Flin Flon, New Britannia Mine including #3 Zone and Birch Zone at Snow Lake, and the now-producing Reed Lake Mine. If the often repeated saying “mines are made and not found” is true, then the unsung hero of the Reed Lake Mine story is undoubtedly Dunlop. For more than 40 years, he persevered and promoted the area as having options with Manitoba Mineral Resources (who almost broke him by not paying its share of exploration expenses in a timely manner while he always paid the workers as soon as the job was done), Granges, Noranda, Homestake Mining, Callinan Mines and finally VMS Ventures, which went on to discover the deposit, building on the database of previous explorers along with the luck factor. Some of the claims in the now-producing mining leases were claims held under option by VMS Ventures from W. Bruce Dunlop Ltd. If “mines are made and not found,” they are made with money in the form of risk capital. As any junior explorer or prospector knows it was and is a constant battle to secure funds to carry out any high risk exploration project. “What are you flogging today Dunlop?” was the usual response he could expect from some puffed up Toronto mining executive or, later, a slick Vancouver promotor attempting to put forth his ideas where the next mine was to be found. These people never rattled him, he just carried on. The more astute ones took the time to hear him out. For many years, Dunlop was regional representative for the Prospectors and
William Bruce Dunlop in front of New Britannia Mine. His claims, which included #3 Zone, Birch Zone and downdip of the main mine, were instrumental in the decision to put the mine back into production.
Developers Association of Canada, from which he received their distinguished service award. He never failed to make the convention in Toronto where he enjoyed hoisting a few and talking over ideas with like-minded explorationists. He is also past-president of the CIM Winnipeg Branch where he built the membership and treasury up to new
heights. Although now officially retired and living in Winnipeg, Dunlop was and is an eternal optimist always on the lookout for the next “big one” as he knows what economic prosperity and benefits a new mine, literally creating wealth out of nothing, can bring to an area and its people. 6
“We wel come over 35,000 p er year !” Our proposed new Air Terminal Building we are planning to construct in late 2018 to early 2019.
w w w . t h o m p s o n a i r p o r t . c a 204.677.0720
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New report examines
the HR challenges and changes unique to Canada’s exploration sectoR
By Lindsay Coffin, senior research associate, MiHR
M Canada’s Mining Labour Market Outlook allows for a more refined and accurate reflection of the labour market realities and challenges facing mineral exploration in Canada. Photo courtesy of Major Drilling Group.
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Thor Lake Exploration Camp in the Northwest Territories. Photo courtesy of the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR).
ineral exploration is the first stage of the mining process and requires collaboration between multiple stakeholders to be successful. The mineral exploration industry consists of a myriad of different organizations that come together to discover potential areas for economic mineral resource development. The industry is both highly volatile and poorly understood, prompting the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) to partner with the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) in early 2017 to investigate the experiences and perspectives of the wide variety of people working in Canada’s mineral exploration sector. This research offers a new look at many topics in exploration from a broad and national lens, including topics such as women in exploration, work integrated learning
and career awareness. These insights will support industry stakeholders in creating strategies to increase the sector’s ability to engage new pools of talent in mineral exploration work. By developing and deploying a robust research tool — a survey of individuals and organizations working in exploration — MiHR and PDAC were able to fill a gap in labour market information, allowing for a more refined and accurate reflection of the labour market realities and challenges facing mineral exploration in Canada. Responses from the 397 completed surveys represented six categories of people connected with the exploration industry: employers, contractors, workers, educators, students and affiliates. The key observations derived from information provided by respondents help foster a better understanding of the exploration
industry. Some issues contributing to the unpredictability cannot be mitigated; the exploration industry will always be cyclical as it is closely tied to commodity prices and stock market volatility. However, this survey identified key areas for improvement.
Figure1: Rate of female representation in the workforce for different industries compared to the survey response rate and headcount data provided by employers.
Key observations Key observations include a need for increased collaboration between industry and educational institutions and better career awareness and attraction efforts. Students reported the most negative career outlook. Results also illustrated an absence of a mid-career workforce. One of the positive aspects highlighted in these findings is the mineral exploration industry’s much higher proportion of women and immigrants compared to the mining industry. In an increasingly competitive market for talent, diversity in the workforce is becoming a prominent solution to address skill shortages. Diversifying the labour force requires an increase in participation, recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups. These results indicate the exploration industry is making progress in diversifying its labour force. Looking more closely at the results, although the rate of female representation is lower than the total Canadian workforce, it appears to be much higher in mineral exploration than other Canadian resource sectors (Figure 1). Thirty per cent of survey respondents were female, represented across all categories of respondents (Figure 2). This is supported by employer responses indicating that female representation is much higher in mineral exploration than in mining, and female representation rate of 27 per cent reported in employer-reported headcounts. Eighty-seven per cent of female respondents indicated they have a bachelor’s degree, and 40 per cent indicated they have a graduate-level degree (master’s or PhD) meeting the high educational and technical demands of the exploration sector. The increased representation of women with higher education levels is also reflected in the enrolment numbers
Source: Canadian Mineral Exploration: HR Outlook, 2017.
Figure 2: Number of male and female respondents by job category.
Source: Canadian Mineral Exploration: HR Outlook, 2017; Statistics Canada, 2016.
for Earth Science programs in Canada where women make up 52 per cent of bachelor, 53 per cent of master and 39 per cent of PhD programs (CCCESD, 2016). Furthermore, there is an increase in the number of women registering to become professional geoscientists (P.Geo). Currently only 20 per cent of P.Geo’s registered in Canada are women, but they make up 37 per cent of registered geoscientists in training (G.I.T.) (Geoscientists Canada, 2017). All mining stakeholders — employers, government, educators, associations, etc. — have a vested interest in optimizing the supply of labour, for today and tomorrow. A number of key observations were made
using data collected from this survey that help increase our knowledge of the labour market realities and challenges facing mineral exploration in Canada. This pilot study on the exploration industry provides valuable information about the least-understood labour market in the mining industry. This survey was the first step in a larger strategy that incorporates learning from all stakeholders in our sector — not just mining extraction — enabling us to better understand and address labour market issues related to the entire mining cycle. 6 Visit MiHR’s website to read the full report (www.mihr.ca). 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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A diamond in the rough: Lynx Consortium hopes to win big
By Melanie Franner So Day sat on his find, pursuing leads, but none too aggressively, until a chance encounter at the 2012 Cambridge Conference.
Timing is everything
Robin Day, one of four partners in the Lynx Consortium, is looking forward to the project’s potential impact on Manitoba and its people. In 2008, Day gathered a sample in the area that showed the presence of a microdiamond.
R
obin Day has been involved in the mining industry for more than 30 years. Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, diamonds were the commodity of the day and companies big and small swarmed to Manitoba based on the latest assessment work from the Manitoba Geological Survey (MGS), to no avail. “I looked at the area and all of the hard work that MGS had done,” said Day, now one of four partners in the Lynx Consortium. “I knew nobody had found
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anything but I decided to ignore the models and just follow the data. I took a purely empirical approach and found my target. Then I drove to Thompson, hired a float plane, gathered my sample and sent it off for testing.” And low and behold, the results showed the presence of a microdiamond. “That was in the fall of 2008 when we had the big financial crisis,” Day said. “Nobody was interested in diamonds at that time.”
At that conference was Mark Fedikow, another industry veteran who was working as a consultant for a nickel exploration company. Day stopped by to inquire about the company, got talking to Fedikow and eventually told him about his diamond find. Fedikow himself has more than 30 years in the industry, many of which were served working for MGS. It was, in fact, his work that had initially pointed to the area’s potential. “Day casually mentioned that he had discovered a diamond in the Knee Lake area and I was astounded,” said Fedikow. “Bedrock-hosted diamonds had never been discovered anywhere in Manitoba before.” As it turns out, Day still had half of his original sample. So the two men shook hands and formed a partnership. Fedikow then paid for the remaining portion of the sample to be sent for analysis. “The results were positive,” he says. “So I immediately took out a mineral exploration license at Knee Lake.” But the two men were unable to attract funding for the project. That is, until 2015, when Fedikow brought two more industry partners into the mix in the form of Harold Westdal and John Lee — two other industry veterans with years of diamond experience under their belt.
More positive news In 2016, Fedikow used his long relationship with the MGS to take Lynx Consortium to the next level. “I made a presentation to Dr. Scott Anderson, chief geologist with the MGS,” he said. “I’ve known Scott for years and knew he was working in the Knee Lake area. We left it that if he found anything of interest, he would collect some samples and my company, Mount Morgan Resources, would pay for the caustic fusion and kimberlite indicator mineral analyses.” Anderson eventually went back to the original site where Day had found his microdiamond. He took an additional sample from that site, along with two others. Fedikow’s company paid for the analysis. The first sample showed no presence of microdiamonds but did show a suite of kimberlite indicator minerals. The third sample had the same results. But the second sample showed the presence of 144 microdiamonds. Fedikow said it was “exceptional,” and that the Consortium had meanwhile been busy acquiring licenses in the Knee Lake area. The group now has licenses for an area covering 500 km. “Robin was in Edmonton at the time the results of the analysis came in and the three of us were in Winnipeg,” said Fedikow. “We did call Robin on the phone and share a drink at that point.”
there is any point in developing the site further. “The potential impact that this can have on the economy of Manitoba is significant,” he said. “And the impact it can have on the province’s northern communities, including Aboriginal communities, is also quite substantial.” Day is also looking forward to the possibilities inherent in the area and the impact to the province and its people. He is very appreciative of what’s been accomplished to date.
“I’ve been banging rocks for over 40 years,” he said, attributing the success achieved by the consortium to the partners within and the people involved, including the MGS. “Over the years, I’ve found a lot of interesting projects. The finding part is always exciting but the making of mines, that doesn’t happen very often. At this point, we just don’t know what we’ve found. What we do know is that we have a lot of interest in this project and that we hope to have a partner come onboard in the near future.” 6
Next steps The group quickly put together a report spearheaded by John Lee for dissemination at the upcoming March 2017 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC’s) annual convention. There, they met with much success. “We now have a number of potential candidates interested in the project,” said Fedikow, who adds that in his ideal world, Lynx Consortium will find an industry partner that is excited about the project and willing to invest the time, expertise and funds to determine exactly what’s there and whether or not
T: 306-651-1272 E: sales@prairiecrane.com
www.prairiecrane.com 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Mergers and enhanced productivity
boost potash output
An overview of what’s happening with the potash industry worldwide By Michael Schwartz
A
ny review of developments in the potash sector this year must be dominated by the merger of PotashCorp and Agrium. Since PotashCorp is tight-lipped and not at liberty to discuss some of the finer details of the merger due to the ongoing regulatory approval process, a certain amount of comment is available in the public domain. On Sept. 14, 2017, PotashCorp announced that the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) had granted unconditional regulatory approval for the merger by issuing a no-action letter three days previously. CCB’s conclusion is that the merger is unlikely to result in substantial lessening or prevention of competition regarding potash fertilizer, phosphate fertilizers, and nitric acid. Furthermore, CCB concluded that global potash prices are correlated with Canadian prices and also that customers can obtain potash from several suppliers. Three other major potash-producing countries, Brazil, Russia and India, have also given their approval to the merger, while at the time of writing, the United States is still reviewing the plans. China is also expected to accept the transaction. This leaves the industry with a new company called Nutrien, the largest global provider of crop inputs and services. PotashCorp is confident that Nutrien will play a critical role in feeding future generations by assisting farmers to increase food production sustainably.
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In simple terms, this largest crop nutrient company in the world will become the third-largest natural resource company in Canada; integration is claimed to result in a key global retail distribution system. In addition, Nutrien is promoting the annual efficiencies from the new company at US$500 million from its new headquarters in Saskatoon.
The Mosaic Company Other companies not facing the challenge of merger were more forthcoming. The Mosaic Company employs nearly 9,000 people in six countries, participating in all aspects of crop nutrition development. Its potash operations comprise of four sites in Canada, from where the product is processed into crop nutrients and then shipped via rail, barge, and ocean-going vessels. Total production in 2016 was 7.6 Mt, or 13 per cent of estimated global capacity and 42 per cent of North American capacity.
Mosaic operates three potash mines in Canada, two of which are shaft mines, and the other being a solution mine. Mosaic operates three potash mines in Canada, two of which are shaft mines, and the other being a solution mine (the fourth site is their Regina office); there is also a shaft mine in the United States For
the future, Mosaic is confident that the new Esterhazy K3 mine in Saskatchewan is on target for completion in 2024. The total Esterhazy complex is expected to be the largest underground potash mine in the world. K3 will be roughly one-km deep; as with traditional underground mines, mining machines will break down the ore deposits and send them to surface using massive skips and hoists. Sarah Fedorchuk, senior director, public affairs - potash, said Mosaic has seen tremendous accomplishments in 2017, despite challenging fertilizer markets. “Here in Saskatchewan, we hit potash at our new K3 mine in February, marking five years of shaft sinking. K3 is progressing very well and planned completion is for 2024,” said Fedorchuk, adding that Mosaic also announced plans to acquire Vale Fertilizantes, securing them a place in one of the fastest-growing agricultural regions in the world, Brazil. “We have a long-term view for our company and continue to make decisions that reflect our strategy and mission — to help the world grow the food it needs,” Fedorchuk said. “For the potash industry, we’re expecting demand to be strong, but prices to only modestly improve. We have new players coming into the market and a number of mergers and acquisitions to be completed. There’s lots of change to come.”
K+S K+S KALI GmbH, which is based in Kassel, Germany, extracts crude salts containing potassium, magnesium and
sulphur from its six German mines. These products go toward several fertilizer specialties and preliminary products for various technical, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. K+S KALI GmbH employs 8,000 people and belongs to the overall K+S Group. This latter is the fifth-largest potash producer in the world, and the largest in Western Europe.
While K+S KALI GmbH is German-based, it has been very active in Canada. While K+S KALI GmbH is Germanbased, it has been very active in Canada. The company has been building a new potash plant at Bethune in southern Saskatchewan. Commissioning of this plant’s facilities commenced in August 2016, with the first potash having recently been extracted. A future annual production capacity of 2.86 Mt is envisioned. Potash produced at Bethune will be transported in freight trains up to three-km long. The potash will then be unloaded, stored and loaded onto ships heading to customers primarily in South America and Asia. Reinforcing K+S KALI’s commitment to North America, it has partnered with Pacific Coast Terminals in opening a new potash storage and handling plant at Port Moody in Vancouver. The facility includes an unloading station for freight cars and 1,260 metres of conveyor belts, as well as a 263-metre-long shed for the storage of a total of 160,000 t of potash products. Freight trains carrying 18,000 t can be unloaded, and ships with a capacity of 70,000 t can be loaded at the facility’s quay. Looking at global potash demand, Michael Wudonig, a spokesman for K+S Group, said there will be a slight increase compared with the previous year (2016 saw around 66 Mt, including approximately four Mt of potassium sulphate and low-grade potash). “The contracts signed by the major potash suppliers with Chinese and In-
While the mega-merger tends to overshadow other operations, other companies are implementing their own ambitious strategies. dian customers halfway through the year should stimulate global demand in the second half of the year, particularly in Southeast Asia,” Wudonig said. “The recovery in the prices of a number of agricultural products should also give the agriculture industry incentives to increase yield per hectare by making greater use of plant nutrients in the medium and long term.” Wudonig also confirmed the sheer variety of mining methods at K+S KALI. “We do conventional mining, solution mining, operate an opencast salt mine and also operate some sea-salt production sites. That simply depends on the deposit and the local circumstances.” Regarding mining machinery, he said their capital expenditure in 2017 should be significantly lower than the prioryear level (2016: US$1.34 billion) because of diminishing expenditures for their Bethune plant in Canada. “Capital expenditure in our potash and magnesium products business unit is likely to remain significantly below the previous year’s level (2016: US$1.17 billion).”
Key markets Wudonig also identified the key markets for K+S Group at present: Western Europe, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and South Africa. For Fedorchuk at Mosaic, the equivalents are all the major agricultural markets in the world, such as China, Brazil and India. The company has customers in approximately 40 countries and has a strong premium product market in North America. Both companies listed emerging markets. For K+S KALI, they are China, India, Africa and Arabian countries, while Mosaic stated, “For some of our premium products, areas like Australia, Uruguay and Argentina are being explored.”
Sustainability Meeting commitments to the environment figure strongly. “We continue to diligently work to meet our 2020 sustainability targets. We are making good progress on reducing our water, energy and greenhouse gas emissions, our goal being to reduce them by 10 per cent per product ton by the 2020 mark,” said Fedorchuk. “We’ve also set goals around waste reduction.” She also said Mosaic will continue to support the communities where it operates – last year Mosaic invested $9 million in Saskatchewan. “This month we have two projects underway that are aimed at improving food security here at home. In Moose Jaw, we had another successful harvest of fresh produce at the Mosaic Community Food Farm, which will benefit local agencies that provide hunger relief and support. In Regina, we launched an educational outreach program with the Regina Food Bank’s Urban Agriculture Project. The project encourages youth and educators to increase their understanding of where our food comes from by growing their own fresh food.”
Conclusion While the mega-merger tends to overshadow other operations, other companies are implementing their own ambitious strategies. As K+S, a European company, proves, a global strategy brings results in terms of the potash produced — and consumers ultimately fed — and the profits generated. Major investment by potash companies is leading to new mines being commissioned and a drive for productivity from machinery purchases and flexibility of mining methods. As Fedorchuk said, “there’s lots of change to come”. 6 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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The cash stash behind anti-pipeline activism By Vivian Krause Disclaimer: The reference to First Nation peoples in this article is solely the perspective of the author and, in our opinion, is too broad brushed. The MSPDA, although seeing the merit of reporting unfair outside influence and political interference on Canada's oil industry by the U.S. and not their own oil patches, feel that the editorial does not mention or accurately reflect upon those First Nation peoples and communities that are pro-development. The MSPDA has experienced a similar outside influence in northern Manitoba where mainly U.S. groups have tried to limit the areas for mineral exploration in the province through the Boreal Initiative, which would have sterilized much of northern and eastern Manitoba from economic development. This initiative driven by U.S. groups and non-northerners that do not live here would have only hurt the economy of the north and does little to give northern communities a better quality of life in our own backyard. Many of the First Nations leaders supported a similar position to the MSPDA that this initiative was not in our northern interest, showing great leadership and wisdom in defeating it. To this extent, we are sympathetic to the article.
P
ipelines are crucial to the safe transportation of oil and gas, and yet they have become unusually controversial. Let’s be clear: this is not by chance. This is squarely because a group of American funders, mostly from California, has financed a massive, antipipeline campaign against Alberta oil. Back in 2009, the anti-pipeline movement was put into motion by a trio of U.S. charitable foundations: the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the Tides Foundation. The Rockefeller fund is one of the charitable entities of the famous family of oil pioneers. The Hewlett Foundation was created by one of the founders of Hewlett-Packard, and the Tides Foundation (Tides) is an intermediary that receives funds from billionaire philanthropists, including Warren Buffett, and then distributes the money as the donor directs. Since 2009, Tides and its funders have quietly financed more than 100 First Nations and environmental activist groups in order to bring the Alberta oil industry to its knees. Under the banner of an international effort named The Tar Sands Campaign, Tides
has made more than 400 payments totalling $30 million to First Nations and environmental groups in Canada, the U.S., and in Europe, tax returns show. That’s more than 400 cheques and wire payments ranging from $12,000 to $700,000. To the average person, the Tar Sands Campaign is invisible. None of the participating organizations go around saying that they are part of a Rockefellerfunded campaign to put the screws to Canada. But that is exactly what they are doing. When the Tar Sands Campaign funding was first reported in The Financial Post in October of 2010, information about it was scant. In fact, the only reason that this campaign was discovered was because of three little words, “Tar Sands Campaign”, that were unexpectedly noticed in dozens of payments that were reported in the U.S. tax returns filed by Tides. Since the Tar Sands Campaign has come to light, public opinion about it has been split. Some scorn the activist groups and First Nations who are involved, accusing them of being bought and paid for by their American funders. But this view doesn’t fit the facts. Even
without U.S. funding, environmentalists have been trying to restrict the oil industry for decades. Indeed, activists have been against oil since long before the big U.S. cheques began to roll in. In general, the media has given the benefit of the doubt to the activists and First Nations, taking them at their word that their campaign is purely environmental. However, in light of statements made Michael Marx, the long-time director of the Tar Sands Campaign, this stance lacks merit. On his organization’s website, Marx said, “From the very beginning, the campaign strategy was to landlock the tar sands so their crude could not reach the international market where it could fetch a high price per barrel.” Evidently, the Tar Sands Campaign is not strictly about the environment. By the admission of its original director, this campaign is meant to hurt Canada where it matters: in our national wallet. No doubt about it, the Tar Sands Campaign also helps to protect American economic and trade interests, guaranteeing that the U.S. has exclusive access to Alberta’s heavy crude at lower prices than U.S. buyers would pay for the same oil from anywhere else.
From the very beginning, the campaign strategy was to land-lock the tar sands so their crude could not reach the international market where it could fetch a high price per barrel.” 64 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
The Apollo Alliance, which was created as an energy policy initiative, changed its logo, replacing the words “energy independence” with “clean energy” and then merged with labour unions to become the BlueGreen Alliance.
It is important to note that anti-pipeline activism is funded as a small part of a much larger effort to foster renewable energy. To understand the overarching motivations of the funders, it helps to look at the history of their effort and the way that energy independence has been re-branded as “sustainable energy”, and more recently, as “clean energy.” Saving the climate has become code for reducing U.S. dependence on the Middle East. As we know, renewable energy is domestic. Fostering renewable energy is tantamount to increasing energy independence and weaning the United States off of foreign oil, particularly from the Middle East. The California philanthropists that are funding the campaign against oil from Western Canada are doing no such thing in their own backyard. Against Texas, North Dakota or Oklahoma, there’s no multi-million-dollar campaign like there is against Canada. On its website, the Hewlett Foundation makes clear that it does not fund activism in the states that account for 95 per cent of U.S. oil production. Indeed, American charitable foundations are not funding a major campaign against domestic oil production. They are trying to restrict foreign oil production, particularly from Canada. Come to think of it, this isn’t so surprising. Canada is the only oil-exporting coun-
try that can be bullied out of the international market without risk of civil unrest and economic collapse. Back in 2001, on the heels of the California energy crisis and the beginning of the Iraq war, a group of California philanthropists set out to achieve something that had eluded the United States for decades: energy independence. Leading the pack were the Rockefeller Brothers and the Hewlett Foundation, which has since become the world’s biggest funder of climate activism. Since 2010, the Hewlett Foundation has granted more than $1 billion to organizations that spearhead the climate movement. By 2004, the Hewlett Foundation and like-minded philanthropists had put together a suite of energy policy initiatives, including Securing America’s Future Energy and the Apollo Alliance. Why that name? Its funders recognized that energy independence would be no less of a challenge than putting a man on the moon. The Apollo Alliance produced a landmark document titled New Energy for America that called for no less than $300 billion in U.S. government loans, subsidies, and grants to kick-start a global market for renewable energy. Around that same time, the Rockefeller Brothers and others produced a document titled How to Talk to Americans. This report gives tips for what to say
about touchy issues like getting off Middle East oil, and promotes the rebranding of energy independence in the name of protecting the environment. Eventually, the Apollo Alliance changed its logo, replacing the words “energy independence” with “clean energy” and then merged with labour unions to become the BlueGreen Alliance. In 2015, the United Stated ended its longstanding ban on exporting U.S. oil. By 2016, according to Bloomberg News, U.S. oil companies exported three-million barrels a day of refined products. Gasoline exports hit an alltime high of almost one-million barrels a day, up ten-fold from a decade ago. Of course, the U.S. couldn’t export its own oil without a lockdown on the Canadian crude that covers at least one quarter of domestic requirements. Since the Tar Sands Campaign began, anti-pipeline activism has come to be about much more than oil. First Nations who have felt powerless for decades have new power, purpose and more.
Saving the climate has become code for reducing U.S. dependence on the Middle East. If pipeline companies and their clients want to dial back the activism against their business, they need to deal directly with the big U.S. funders who have bankrolled the organization of anti-pipeline protests. The protestors aren’t paid, but the organizers sure are. Until pipeline companies deal directly with the big U.S. funders, the organizers of the anti-pipeline movement will continue to do what they are paid for. 6 Vivian Krause is a Canadian writer. On Twitter, she’s @FairQuestions. 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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The future is gas powered
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s the mining industry continues to adapt to the times, mining companies also need to keep up with the evolving industry and new trends. Flexibility is becoming increasingly important as the industry reacts to economic conditions, and that includes flexibility in power supply. Gaspower technology is increasing uptake, proving itself to be a reliable alter-
native to diesel that reduces operational and maintenance expenses. As the emphasis on efficiency in mining operations increases, mining companies are seeking power provision packages that are both more flexible and more economical. They need a reliable power supply that can be regulated between periods of high and low usage, ensuring a more cost-effective method of fuel consumption.
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Gas generators provide this increased flexibility and efficiency. Using lean-burn gas technology and integrated single-control systems, gas power can be used for many applications: it can provide parallel grid supply, work in island mode, or be used for special-purpose loads. The use of modular units means that power supply can be increased and decreased incrementally, in line with the demands of the project. This scalability makes fuel consumption much more cost-effective. Timing is another advantage, as modular units can be rapidly mobilized, transported and installed. In addition, gas generators have a significantly reduced environmental impact and a lower carbon footprint.
Flexibility is paramount Mining companies that need power urgently will find a rental option to be very attractive due to the fast-track nature of rentals. But companies are now considering renting for different reasons, including as a way to better
use working capital and ensure that it is not tied up in large capital purchases for items such as power plants. In addition, power rental guarantees fixed and regular payment schedules over an agreed term, with options to extend the rental period if required. This improves cash flow and allows for more accurate budgeting. One of the greatest advantages of the rental option is the cushioning effect it has on companies that are uncertain about the long-term future of their projects. By renting equipment, companies can ensure they will not be left with equipment that will sit unused. The flipside is the financial damage incurred by having purchased large amounts of heavy equipment, which can be a major blow for a company without large cash reserves. Renting power generation equipment enables mining companies to cut capital expenditure, as power generation rental does not incur any large down payment or interest costs. It preserves a company’s borrowing capacity
and frees capital to be spent on core activities. In the current economic climate, three factors are particularly important: timing, choice and flexibility. Rental power provides solutions in these key areas for several reasons: • It is rapidly available: rental equipment is available at short notice, and can be delivered and installed in the shortest possible time frame. • It can be configured as a turnkey solution: power project services can include everything from the initial assessment to service backup for the site. • It is flexible: the installed capacity of a power rental package can be increased or decreased incrementally, and equipment can be rented on a short-term or long-term basis. • The mining industry is under pressure to increase efficiency, and many companies will likely find themselves deciding that, during this period of economic uncertainty, ownership may not be worth the hassle. 6
No matter what your mining challenge, we power through it. Wherever your mine is located, you can rely on Aggreko to provide reliable power and temperature control solutions, quickly and affordably.
Temporary Power and Temperature Control Specialists in Mining. Aggreko operates from over 200 locations throughout the world. For the location nearest you, please go to: www.aggreko.com/contact
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Protect Yourself Using
Safety Senses
By Darren Mirau, LO, LCLP, occupational vision care (OVC) co-ordinator, Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO)
T
he human body receives sensory information using sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. These five senses allow us to enjoy our surroundings while, at the same time, warning us of hazard. A hazard is any practice, behavior, substance or condition, or a combination of these, that can cause injury or illness to people or damage to property. Work environments can pose countless hazards and it is our senses that will indicate to us when bodily protection is required. Protection of our sensory devices will ultimately guard against risk.
If workplace hazards cannot be eliminated they must be controlled. Eyes translate light into visual image signals for the brain to process. This imagery may be the most apparent way of detecting hazard and therefore eye protection is most obvious. This protection may be required in the home, on the job or while at play. Industrial safety eyewear must 68 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
conform to a high standard of impact resistance and follow specific standards that include non-prescription and industrial thickness prescription lenses. Recent improvements in design offer many stylish frame choices while current lens options can provide clear vision and protection for any working situation. Visit your optometrist for an examination and to discuss your vision and safety requirements. Ears use bones and fluid to transform sound waves into sound signals. Sounds reach the ear as sound waves in the air and activate nervous receptors sending signals through the cochlear nerve toward the brain, which interprets these signals. These sounds can act as warnings. Hearing protection devices should be used to reduce the hazard of noise exposure and reduce levels that reach the ear thus retaining hearing efficiency. Hearing and balance disorders can be assessed and information regarding prevention of hearing loss may be obtained from an audiologist. Specialized receptors within the layers of the skin detect tactile sensations and relay signals through peripheral nerves to the brain. Ensure skin protection by using a variety of safety apparel including gloves, footwear and headwear. Products must be appropriate for the risks involved and assistance
from experienced providers is industry recommended. Chemicals in the air stimulate signals the brain interprets as smells. When we inhale through the nose, chemicals in the air bind to nerve receptors at the top of the nasal cavity. Meanwhile, the tongue is home to our taste buds. Chemicals from food ingested stimulate specialized cells activating nervous receptors. In both cases, signals are sent to the cerebral cortex of the brain. The senses of smell and taste will warn of airborne threats. Air filtration and the use of specialized breathing apparatuses obtained from safety trade providers will protect the respiratory system. If workplace hazards cannot be eliminated they must be controlled. Studies have shown that safe and healthy workplaces generate 20 per cent more revenue per employee, four per cent higher profit margin, and can enhance market value by as much as 16 per cent. 6 To learn more about workplace safety or for information on a comprehensive prescription safety eyewear program personalized for your company, please contact Darren Mirau, OVC co-ordinator at the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists (SAO) at 306-652-2069.
Rockcliff Copper Corporation expands on one of the highest-grade base and precious metal property portfolios in North America
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ockcliff Copper Corp. has consolidated a significant Manitoba property portfolio of high-grade undeveloped copper and zinc volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits and high-grade gold properties in the world class Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt, one of the most prolific base metal and gold mining belts in the world. In 2017, Manitoba was ranked the secondbest place in the world for exploration, mining and finance. The project contains ten VMS properties hosting eight of the highest-grade undeveloped copper and zinc VMS deposits in North America with significant gold and silver credits. The project also hosts four high-grade gold properties associated with major gold bearing structural faults. To date, Rockcliff has spent over $25 million in exploration over the last 10 years, completed more than 80,000 metres of drilling and produced three NI 43-101 compliant resources. Its head office is in Toronto, Ont. with its field office and drill core facility strategically centered in Snow Lake, Man.
potential for expansion. Presently, an updated NI43-101 resource has been initiated with a planned 2017 completion date. Rockcliff ’s second copper deposit is the near-surface high-grade Rail Copper Deposit. It has an indicated resource of 822,000 tonnes grading three per cent
copper, 0.7g/t gold, 0.9 per cent zinc and 9.3g/t silver. The deposit is located 40 km west of Hudbay’s 4,500 tonne-per-day (“tpd”) base metal mill facility. It is open in all directions with multiple undrilled nearby VMS targets to test. Expansion of the present resource is considered excellent.
ROCKCLIFF’S HIGH GRADE COPPER PORTFOLIO Rockcliff ’s three NI 43-101 resources are copper-dominant deposits. The high-grade Talbot Copper Deposit is Rockcliff ’s number-one-ranked nearsurface copper deposit. It has an inferred resource of 2.2Mt grading 2.8 per cent copper, 2.4g/t gold, 2.2 per cent zinc and 54.6g/t silver. Drill results have returned spectacular intervals of continuous high-grade copper, gold, zinc and silver mineralization. The Talbot Copper Deposit remains open in every direction with excellent 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Rockcliff ’s third copper deposit, Tower Copper Deposit, was recently sold for cash and a 1.5 per cent net smelter royalty. Slated for production in 2019, it is expected to generate approximately $1.5 million per year over a seven-year mine life. Growth of the present resource to increase the mine life is considered excellent.
ROCKCLIFF’S HIGH GRADE ZINC PORTFOLIO Recently, Rockcliff expanded its VMS footprint by acquiring five of the highest-grade undeveloped historical zinc deposits in Manitoba. The high-grade near-surface Bur Zinc Deposit is Rockcliff ’s number-one-ranked zinc deposit. It has a historical resource of 1.35Mt 70 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
grading 8.7 per cent zinc, 1.8 per cent copper, 0.1g/t gold and 11.5g/t silver. Recently, a 5,000-metre drill program has commenced with the aim of expanding the high-grade resource. The Bur Zinc Deposit is located 22 km by road from Hudbay’s 4,500tpd base metal mill facility. Additionally, Rockcliff has several more high-grade zin deposits in its portfolio: • Morgan Zinc Deposit: O.27Mt @ 15 per cent zinc, 3.4g/t gold. • MacBride Zinc Deposit: 1.82Mt @ 8.8 per cent zinc, 0.3% copper, 0.1g/t gold, 4.5g/t silver. • Pen Zinc Deposit: dips onto the property below 350 metres vertical.
ROCCLIFF’S HIGH GRADE GOLD PORTFOLIO Originally known as a gold mining camp before its VMS dominance, the Snow Lake mining camp has seen a resurgence in gold exploration in recent years. Rockcliff has acquired four highgrade gold properties all within trucking distance to Hudbay’s 2,000 tpd gold mill facility. The Laguna Gold Property is Rockcliff ’s number-one-ranked gold property. It was Manitoba’s first and highestgrade gold producer with more than 60,000 ounces of gold recovered (around 20g/t gold) from approximately 100,000 tonnes of production between 1916 and 1939.
Since the Laguna acquisition in late 2016, Rockcliff has completed geological and geophysical surveys including a first ever in the camp, Drone Airborne Magnetometer survey. This detailed survey was instrumental in identifying gold target areas under thin overburden for future exploration. To date, there are multiple known structural high-grade gold bearing stockworks in the interpreted “Mine Gold Corridor,” a six-km-long gold bearing structural zone on the property. A diamond drill program is planned for 2018, the first of its kind since 1944. Rockcliff ’s second high-grade gold property is the SLG Gold Property. It is located adjacent to the former New Britannia Gold Mine which produced over 1.4 million ounces of gold since 1949 and beside Hudbay’s 2,000tpd gold mill facility. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization within the same gold bearing thrust zones that hosted the former mine. The gold bearing MacLeod, Birch Lake and Squall thrust faults strike on the SLG Gold property for tens of kilometres. Drilling is planned in 2018. “Our company is on the verge of becoming a mine finder and cash generator in a mining-friendly jurisdiction where people in the community want you to succeed,” said Kenneth Lapierre, president and CEO of Rockcliff Copper Corp. “Patience, persistence, a never quit attitude and world-class highgrade VMS and gold assets that are worth fighting for are very important variables that I believe will pay huge dividends for Rockcliff and our shareholders”. 6 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Far Resources looks forward to future of Zoro Lithium Property
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ar Resources Ltd. (CSE:FAT, FSE:F0R) is a mineral exploration company looking to develop our highgrade Zoro Lithium Property. Our mission is to leverage our experienced management team that has sought out underdeveloped projects, with low barriers to production. We are currently hyper focused on the Zoro Lithium Property near Snow Lake, Man. Why lithium and why Manitoba? With the lithium battery market increasing to 15 billion by 2020, the increase in the Chinese lithium price by 250 per cent this year and the electric vehicle market surging to 16 million units by 2025, lithium was the right choice. Manitoba, according to the Fraser Institute’s most recent surveys, was ranked the second-best place in the world to invest in mining. Why the Zoro Lithium Property? The team chose the project for several reasons, the first being the amount of historical work already done on the project. Secondly, there is already significant infrastructure in place — rail, power, roads and airport between four and 34 km away. Thirdly, the Province of Manitoba and the historic mining town of Snow Lake have been wholly supportive of our exploration project. Far Resources’ goal is to prove up the historical data gathered on the project in 1956/1957 when a total of 78 holes were drilled at Zoro Lithium, identifying seven pegmatite dykes (60 per cent of holes were drilled into Dyke 1) delineating a historical non-compliant reserve estimate of 1.8 million tons averaging 1.4 per cent Li20. The geological interpretation is led by Dr. Mark Fedikow, Far Resources’ qualified person on the project, and Shastri Ramnath, P.Geo and president/cofounder of Orix Geoscience. Dr. Robert Linnen of the University of Western Ontario and Dr. Tania Martins of the Manitoba Geological Survey are also conducting research on the controls of lithium mineralization
Coarse-bladed spodumene in a trench muck sample, Zoro 1.
Coarse bladed spodumene, Zoro 1.
Channel samples from Dyke 1, Zoro 1 claim.
at the Zoro pegmatites and the development of mineral exploration strategies, which will help move the project forward. Over the past year, Far Resources’ team has worked diligently on proving up the historical results at their Zoro Lithium Property in Manitoba with two successful drill and rock chip sampling programs. Subsequently, the team expanded the property position and acquired 100 per cent as success on the project kept growing with every program our team put together. Some of the strong results they achieved on the property are in the tables below. With a very strong team in place the company looks forward to doing more work on the project and developing a NI 43-101 compliant resource. 6 Please visit us at www.farresources.com and follow our social media channels: Twitter and Facebook at @FarResources. Weighted Averages 2016a Exploration Strategy was to confirm known mineralization & identify other lithium bearing dykes. DDHFAR16-1
1.49% Li2O over 1.64m
DDHFAR16-2
1.07% Li2O over 8.6m
DDHFAR16-3
1.12% Li2O over 11.1m
DDHFAR16-4
0.55% Li2O (Maximum value)
DDHFAR16-5
1.30% Li2O (Maximum value)
DDHFAR16-6
0.77% Li2O over 11m 1.31% Li2O over 1.42m
DDHFAR16-7
1.10% Li2O over 23.4m 1.18% Li2O over 4.11m
Weighted Averages 2017 Exploration Strategy was to confirm known mineralization & identify other lithium bearing dykes. DDHFAR17-8
1.1% over 2.4m
DDHFAR17-9
Pegmatite intersected over 1.8m but no significant assays
DDHFAR17-10
1.2% over 38.3m
including
2.3% over 4.6m
and
2.6% over 2.1m
and
1.4% over 7.7m
DDHFAR17-11
1.3% over 1.3m
DDHFAR17-12
1.7% over 10.7m
and
4.1% over 0.4m
and
2.1% over 5.1m
DDHFAR17-13
1.0% over 1.7m
DDHFAR17-14
Pegmatite intersected over 8.0m but no significant assays
Core Box Partnership Supports
Adults with Disabilities
A
35-year business partnership between mining, exploration and drilling companies and a not-for-profit is alive and well and still actively working to improve the quality of life of adults with intellectual disabilities. Porcupine Opportunities Program (POP), located in Porcupine Plain, Sask., is celebrating 35 years of core box production for the mining sector. Introduced to the agency in the early 1980s as a vocational opportunity, construction of the boxes has grown to become an integral part of the work and life skills programming at the agency. In addition to providing participants with purpose and structure, the revenue from core box production has helped fuel the wide range of residential and vocational services that POP is able to offer its participants.
Today, the agency supports an average of 35 participants in Porcupine Plain and Hudson Bay, Sask. with the help of 50 staff. POP offers a vibrant residential program with three group homes that accommodate 16 participants, as well as accommodations for another 15 individuals in more independent housing in Porcupine Plain. The vocational program at the agency includes the sheltered workshop, day programs in Porcupine Plain and Hudson Bay, a laundromat, and two SARCAN depots. Core box production at POP currently averages about 50,000 core boxes annually, along with extra associated lids, racks, and marker blocks. While most production is in the four standard sizes of NQ, HQ, BQ and PQ, the agency also produces specialized custom orders to meet unique demands.
In addition to the core boxes, the agency uses the byproducts from core box production to make survey stakes and kindling. POP also produces some specialized products such as wood benches, picnic tables, bird houses and several games. If it’s wood, program staff and participants are up to the challenge. The sustained business partnership between POP and various companies in the mining sector has helped to directly enrich the lives of all of POP’s participants. POP offers a heartfelt thank you to those companies and individuals that have supported us. We also offer an invitation to others to connect with us if they are interested in exploring a unique opportunity to access a quality product, which provides “give-back,” while meeting purchasing needs. 6
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Looking for a home
away from home?
Y
our operations may be so remote that creating your own server facility, much less a data centre, is out of the question. What if you could source an exceptional, robust data protection system that is offsite and comes with absolutely everything — including a kitchen sink.
SaskTel provides the highest level of data centre services to
customers throughout North America. With eight data centres across the province, it offers 51,000 sq. ft. of storage space. Many SaskTel customers have opted for Uptime-certified Tier III Data Centres, which provide peace of mind that their server environments will be provided the power and cooling to protect their environments. By occupying space at the data centre, you
SaskTel provides the highest level of data centre services to customers throughout North America. With eight data Northern centres across the province, it 2017-2018 Prospector 74 offers 51,000 sq. ft. of storage space.
have access to power and cooling infrastructure services, bandwidth capacity and 24-7 security personnel patrolling the building. “It’s the add-ons that make Tier III attractive to customers,” said Mike Merk, operations manager for the SaskTel data centres. “You can pretty well move right in. We have boardrooms you can use for meetings, workstations for your technicians, server lifts, secure storage cabinets for your shipments and tool carts equipped with everything from nut drivers to screwdrivers, thermal imaging tools, patch cables, labellers and Velcro ties. We even keep a lounge area for coffee breaks, lunches or midnight snacks.” Other customers rarely enter the data centre. SaskTel will create and accommodate any level of service that works. “Our clients can depend on us to be remote hands, remote eyes,” said Merk. “They can ask us to do anything, from ordering the equipment to installing and configuring it for them. We’ll rack it, stack it, configure it, connect it.” Whether you opt for a hands-on approach or decide to leave the setup and maintenance to the experts at SaskTel, all of the eight data centres will provide you with secure power, cooling and network connectivity. What makes a Tier III Data Centre unique is that it runs N+1 concurrently maintainable electrical and mechanical components. This means there are two of each component to ensure that the vital equipment housed by the centre won’t have any downtime, even during maintenance windows. To speed up installation or changes to your power configuration, SaskTel uses the Starline power busway system, which allows our staff to connect the power distribution units in the rack in a matter of minutes, eliminating the need for electricians. The redundant busway system provides an A and B path, which is connected to our redundant uninterruptable power supply, or UPS, to provide clean power to the facility. Should the power be disrupted from the utility, each side of the UPS has a wall of battery backup that can power the data centre at full capacity for approximately 20 minutes. Generators start up and are online in as little as 17 seconds, with a fuel supply to keep them going for three days. Security is very important to SaskTel and ranks high at its Tier III Data Centres. You’ll pass through multiple secure access points including biometric scanning, ID badges and key fobs. The whole centre has 24-7 onsite and remote video monitoring and guards. “In the SaskTel Tier III Data Centre, you maintain control of everything. Equipment, data, applications, even choice of network provider,” said Merk. “What SaskTel is bringing to the table is the management, maintenance, redundancy, security and safety measures to keep you up and running around the clock.” No matter how remote your operations are, SaskTel will customize a data centre solution to suit your needs. 6
At SaskTel’s Tier III Data Centres, you’ll pass through multiple secure access points including biometric scanning, ID badges and key fobs. The whole centre has 24-7 onsite and remote video monitoring and guards.
Whether you opt for a hands-on approach or decide to leave the setup and maintenance to the experts at SaskTel, all the eight data centres provide secure power, cooling and network connectivity.
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Find more gold
in your leach pad Increase gold recovery using remote real-time wireless sensors
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hrough data analysis collected from wireless sensors embedded inside a heap leach pile at a heap leach gold mine in Mexico, Scanimetrics determined there is incrementally 9.6 per cent more recoverable gold available to be leached and could identify the location of the additional gold in the leach pad. Moreover, process operating cost savings of up 13 per cent can be realized by reduction of the reagents and energy used to leach gold. Scanimetrics has developed a complete wireless hardware and data analysis solution for assessing leaching effectiveness of an operation and predicting yield. The system measures moisture, compaction and temperature of ore inside the heap of a heap leach pile using “WiTAP™ Motes” (Figure 1). The data is Figure 2. MoteScan™ Web Application
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Figure 1. WiTAP™ Mote
Figure 3. WiTAP™ and MoteScan™ Networks
collected from the sensor network to the Scanimetrics’ MoteScan™ cloud, analyzed and made available through a web application (Figure 2). The heap leach reports are used to maximize productivity, improve safety and lower the cost of regulatory compliance. Operators can be notified when critical heap leach parameters are outside their normal operating range. Scanimetrics has a successful track record of working with mining companies since 2008 and has more than 200 man years of experience developing innovative wireless and mining solutions used for monitoring machine health and heap leach piles. Geotechnical stability of a heap dictates that the flow of solutions through a heap is intended to occur under unsaturated conditions. The two key concerns are adequate flow and uniform flow of solution through the heap. Adequate flow is necessary for the heap to be leached in an economical time, while uniform flow is needed to allow all the ore to be thoroughly leached. If the solution does not flow evenly throughout the heap and instead flows preferentially through distinct paths, portions of the heap will not receive sufficient contact with the solution and remain unleached. We have reviewed studies authored by independent third parties and other published scientific literature and confirmed through our own column testing, that variation of moisture by 25 per cent affects gold recovery by up to 69 per cent. We also have observed that moisture within a heap is not uniform and varies up to 50 per cent. Scanimetrics has developed a solution incorporating a network of wireless sensors (Figure 3) to monitor a heap leach pile by embedding the sensors inside the heap leach pile to measure moisture, compaction energy, relative bulk density, force, pressure and temperature. The wireless sensors may be distributed horizontally and vertically within the heap leach pile to form an array of sensors. Mining companies monetize the sensor information and analysis by applying a treatment step to the heap
leach pile to improve the uniformity of heap moisture and reduce the amount of lixiviant used to leach the ore. The effect of the treatment steps can be observed in the sensor data. In addition to heap leach piles, the process and system may be used to monitor other areas of the mine including tailings, dams, liners, ponds, river banks, berms and hillsides. 6
Scanimetrics has a successful track record of working with mining companies since 2008 and has a more than 200 man years of experience developing innovative wireless and mining solutions used for monitoring machine health and heap leach piles.
WiTAP™ Mote
MoteScan™ Web Application
For more information on Scanimetrics’ products, please contact: 9468 51 ST Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB Canada T6E 5A6 W: scanimtrics.com E: info@scanimetrics.com P: 1-866-747-9441 or 780-433-9441 F: 780-433-9499
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Letters of Intent and Confidentiality Agreements By Penny Yeager
I
t often benefits parties to a potential transaction to enter into preliminary arrangements before committing to a deal, as the time, energy and cost to fully paper a business deal is often significant. In particular, it may be worthwhile to enter into a letter of intent at the outset of negotiations, and prudent to execute a confidentiality agreement. These tools can help identify “deal breakers” and minimize problems if negotiations break down. In the natural resources sector, letters of intent are commonly used as precursors to joint ventures, mineral disposition purchases, mergers and acquisitions. Confidentiality agreements are commonly used in the sector to provide protection in relation to projects, including for key areas of interest and exploration findings.
Letters of intent Letters of intent (LOIs) typically record the principal terms of a potential transaction. Much of the content is often nonbinding and focuses the parties on major detail points, such as price and timelines. Many supporting provisions necessary to complete the transaction are more thoroughly considered as negotiations progress. Importantly, an LOI serves to move the deal forward and makes it more difficult for a party to justify new demands. There are several additional advantages to LOIs: • an opportunity for a party to test the seriousness of the other party to the potential deal. • restrictions from shopping the deal around (if the parties decide to include exclusivity terms). • a starting point for confidentiality obligations. It is important to carefully draft an LOI to help prevent unintentional results. An improperly drafted document could lead to significant problems, including court 78 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
and Erin Eccleston
finding that the document legally requires a party to complete a transaction that it did not wish to pursue following due diligence. Parties may certainly include terms in an LOI that they intend to be binding. Common examples of binding provisions include exclusivity periods, the obligation for each party to pay its own legal fees, and confidentiality obligations (or a reference to a stand-alone confidentiality agreement). However, it is very important to clearly identify which provisions are binding and which provisions are non-binding.
Confidentiality agreements Negotiations surrounding a given transaction often entail a significant amount of disclosure to assist the parties in determining whether to proceed with a deal. The disclosing party will justifiably hesitate to provide information if it is not comfortable that the recipient will keep sensitive business information in confidence. A confidentiality agreement should ideally be executed before any confidential information is exchanged. If this is not done, the terms within the confidentiality agreement should make it clear that any information exchanged prior to when the agreement was signed is also subject to the same confidentiality obligations. There are important elements to consider when entering into confidentiality agreements. These include ensuring that the agreement clearly defines confidential information, and specifically identifies items of particular importance (such as certain key exploration results or properties of particular interest). It may also be appropriate to explain that certain information is not confidential. The disclosing party will want to include clear language that all of its confidential information be kept in strict confidence. To the extent that information may be shared with third parties (such as consultants, for example), the parameters of such disclo-
sure should be clearly set out. Often, prior written consent of the disclosing party will be required, and the receiving party will still be ultimately responsible for any leak of information that resulted from its disclosure to a third party. The parties should also consider the term for which information must be kept confidential and any obligations to return confidential information. As well, it is prudent to ensure that the parties to whom the information is to be disclosed are properly identified (i.e. a corporation, its employees, its affiliates, its contractors). Care should also be taken when entering into confidentiality agreements with public bodies (i.e. government ministries, rural municipalities, etc.) as these entities may be subject to freedom of information requests. The precise wording in a confidentiality agreement may impact the extent to which a public body must provide information to a requesting party. Practically speaking, it may be difficult to enforce a confidentiality agreement. The disclosing party must show that the receiving party has breached its duty of confidentiality and that the disclosing party has suffered damages as a result.
Summary LOIs and confidentiality agreements are good tools for parties negotiating a prospective transaction. The lawyers at MLT Aikins LLP are experienced in drafting, explaining and enforcing confidentiality agreements. 6 Note: This article is of a general nature only and is not exhaustive of all possible legal rights or remedies. These materials are not intended to be relied upon or taken as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult a legal professional for specific advice in any particular situation.
Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd.
a powerhouse in the mining industry
A
lex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd., started by the late F.A. MacIntyre in 1958, has earned and maintained a reputation for tackling and successfully completing some of Canada’s more difficult mining projects throughout its storied history. Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd. has been supplying mine contracting services to the mining industry for over 50 years. With head office, CWB certified shops and equipment yards located in Kirkland Lake, Ont., MacIntyre has successfully completed shaft sinking and mine development contracts throughout Canada, the United States and South America. Mining clients in recent years include Vale, De Beers, Barrick Gold Corp., Kinross Gold Corp., Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Sudbury Contact Mines Ltd., Hudbay Minerals (Hudson Bay Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd.), Canadian Malartic, Armistice Resources Corp. and Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.. “We are really proud of our history being one of Canada’s oldest mining contractors and that translates into a great resource of experience in very diverse projects,” said James McDougall, manager of operations for MacIntyre. “I think being around as a successful mining contractor for this long also speaks to the kinds or relationships we have with our clients and the level of quality work we always aim for. Our clients’ success is our success, that’s just how we look at the projects we take on. McDougall said MacIntyre’s commitment to safety and the results of that commitment speak to the company’s success. “We have always strived to be the best when it comes to safety, there’s no other goal anyone should ever shoot for than that,” he said. “It’s been very honouring to win some prestigious safety awards over the years, but for us it comes down to the sustained quality of life our people have working for us. People in many industries talk about safety culture and it is the cornerstone of a successful safety program. And there are some great safety programs out there, but without the buy in, it’s worthless. And the only way to get the buy in is to actually care about each individual that works for you. There’s nothing dollars and cents about that.” Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd. is a uniquely diverse mining contractor as it provides services in all areas of mining, from shaft sinking, mine development and production, mine construction, electrical mechanical installations, mechanized raise mining, mine dewatering and mine closures. They are also involved in surface mining and pits. “We pride ourselves on being a full-service solution for our clients’ mining projects and we have the experience and people to understand the project’s needs and see it through” McDougall said. 6 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Keeping the heritage:
Western Heritage offers archaeological skill and heritage management training
W
Local community members setting up screens for excavation.
A crew working in northern Manitoba.
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estern Heritage has worked with First Nations in Canada and professionals in other countries to provide training in archaeological skills and heritage management. In Canada, we have worked with First Nations from B.C. to Ontario. We believe that value can only be achieved when there is a sufficient understanding by all participants on what archaeological resources are present and what are the accepted best practices for managing those resources. Archaeology as it is practiced in Canada is a fairly technical discipline often focused on providing information to regulatory authorities. It is important for communities to understand several things: 1) the extent of their archaeology heritage. 2) how heritage is affected by current and future developments. 3) how a community can assess if potential effects are being properly addressed. 4) how the community can learn and benefit from its archaeological heritage. Archaeological heritage is used to distinguish archaeological sites and artifacts from other aspects of a community’s culture and heritage. For an example, an effect of a new road might be the loss of some traditional hunting activities. This is obviously important, but it may not be part of any effects on the archaeological sites in the region. As an example of a recent study, a northern community was planning a new development and the community
Youth learning archaeology techniques in northern Saskatchewan.
For community members who are participating on an archaeological excavation, basic training covers archaeological excavation and data recording techniques. was split between those who wanted the development and those who were concerned over the loss of heritage. Working with the community, we developed a non-intrusive plan to evaluate the concerns. The results in this case demonstrated that there would be significant impacts to the archaeological heritage and that a proper response would take years. We helped the community consider other more effective solutions and the development was moved. The training offered by Western Heritage can be customized to the need. For community members who are participating on an archaeological excavation, basic training covers archaeological excavation and data recording techniques. There is
training with an emphasis on why: why archaeologists collect data the way they do. But the training is mostly practical in the field. Although different archaeological companies have slight differences in how they collect information from archaeological sites, the fundamentals are the same. This type of training is transferable to other archaeologists. For more intensive experience, we run week-long courses that cover how archaeologists classify the types of archaeological sites in a region, the types of archaeological artifacts that will be found and where artifacts are likely to be found. This is important for learning what to expect. It is also important knowledge for
evaluating the effectiveness of other studies. For example, if an archaeological survey of a lake with a sandy shoreline found no archaeological sites, it is worth asking why. Perhaps the study was not properly done or perhaps it was well done and that is the result. Finally, Western Heritage can offer more extensive courses on the tools for intensive archaeological management. For this you need training in data standards and GIS so that you can obtain data that is easy to use, information on the impacts of construction and land clearing on archaeological sites (of which agencies have an interest in the results), and what should be best practices and responses. 6
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Solutions with a vision By Justin Hunt
“I
think it’s the solution for the future, and I think we’re almost there,” said Josh Ens, president of Ens Industrial, about how rapidly battery
technology has developed in the last few years. “Within the next two to five years, that’s going to become a big part of the way we do business.” Today, automotive and commercial vehicle applications are effectively us-
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ing battery power and electric drives to reduce the need for internal combustion engines and fossil fuels. Ens Industrial, based out of Saskatoon, Sask., is one of only a handful of companies worldwide driving the research, development and introduction of this electric vehicle technology to the underground mining industry through personnel carriers and service and support vehicles. The electric vehicle is particularly attractive to the
underground mining industry due to the potential reduction in ventilation and heat, and the obvious occupational health aspects related to diesel exhaust in an underground environment. The elimination of diesel-fuel dependency means the elimination of fuel costs. “Our approach was to take our underground mine-proven Toyota Land Cruiser cab and chassis, equip it with state-of-the-art dual lithiumion batteries providing 68 kilowatts of capacity, Remy 90S Electric motors and a battery management system developed for Ens Industrial by EV Drive Systems,” Ens said. “In keeping with our original concept, we have designed our electric vehicle drive system to be retrofitted to nearly any land cruiser underground application. We did this for a number of reasons — interchangeability and multiapplication use is central to our plan. The batteries replace the engine and the drive motor is coupled to the original power train.” It sounds simple, but rest assured it’s not an easy proposition. Ens Industrial has adopted the Toyota philosophy of “kaizen” to ensure the company continues to improve the processes and its products. After two years of product development and prototyping, Ens Industrial’s first production trucks are already in use underground at Mosaic’s potash mine in Colonsay, Sask. These electric vehicles are equipped with two on-board battery chargers: one 120-volt charger with a 12-hour charge time plugged into a 120volt outlet and a 600-volt charger with a one-hour charge time designed to be plugged into mine power. The vehicle offers self-diagnostics, a view of operational characteristics such as speed control and state of battery charge through a dash-mounted HMI (Human Machine
Interface) seven-inch touch screen, a regenerative braking system, and a driving range of 108 kilometers under normal load. Reaching this point is a significant milestone in achieving Ens’ vision for product development at Ens Industrial, but it is not the end post. “We have significant interest from the underground hard rock mining sector for our electric vehicles,” he said. “This poses a number of challenges with regards to a variety of factors. Temperature differences and grades of operating surfaces are the most significant hurdles. We have a few select clients who are willing to work with us in the early introduction of the electric Toyota Land Cruisers into this environment so we are very optimistic of being successful here.” Ens also announced that Ens Industrial has entered into a distribution agreement with Marcotte Mining Machinery Service Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of medium to large underground mining equipment, including shotcrete gear, anfo chargers, scalers, crane trucks, scissor lifts and scalers, to name a few. This is another important milestone in realizing Josh Ens’ vision of positioning Ens Industrial as a full product line and a full-service provider of underground service and support utility vehicles to the underground mining industry. This new partnership further enables Ens Industrial to serve customers to a greater capacity, offering a wider variety of products and services. 6
When
Dependability
Matters
the call
s at pert
ens
ALL-ELECTRIC LANDCRUISER NOW AVAILABLe!
ex
626 47th St east - saskatoon, SK
306.244.4441 ensindustrial.ca 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Graham Provides Value-Added Partnerships to Mining Projects in Saskatchewan By Alison Zielke
F
or more than 50 years, Graham has been providing construction services to hundreds of projects in the mining industry. While the company has grown to become a heavyweight in the Saskatchewan mining arena, it originally began by delivering civil work scopes. Now, five decades later, it’s grown in capability and capacity, providing selfexecuted multi-trade resources for mechanical, piping, electrical, structural, earthworks, civil and all related works. Graham has worked for numerous clients at remote uranium mining locations in northern Saskatchewan, to
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potash mines in central and southern Saskatchewan, as well as the Alberta oilsands, and hard rock mining in northern Manitoba. Graham has always been committed to successfully delivering its clients’ visions in a way that provides lasting value. This focus has kept the company continually evolving and adapting to the needs of clients, regardless of the size and scope of the project. Graham has performed work on projects executing single-standard work weeks, to schedule-driven plant turnarounds requiring multiple shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Graham also ensures its projects provide lasting value to the communities in which it operates. The company accomplishes this through the development of Indigenous partnerships in Saskatchewan and Alberta. As a socially-responsible company, Graham has embraced relationships with Indigenous people for many years. In 1999, it established Points Athabasca in partnership with Athabasca Basin Development, an investment company owned by seven largely Dene Indigenous communities in northern Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin region. The remote region also hosts the world’s rich-
est high-grade uranium deposits and covers about a quarter of Saskatchewan. Over the past 18 years, Points Athabasca has worked on many northern Saskatchewan projects, and has built a portfolio of projects totaling more than $600 million. Graham’s partnership with Points Athabasca enabled local communities to participate in mining activities in the region. It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Graham has continuing access to heavy industrial work in the region including uranium mines. Clients fulfill their commitments to boosting local economic development. Through their greater participation in industrial construction, the communities around Lake Athabasca are participating in local opportunities by building economic capacity among individuals, businesses and communities. Today, Points Athabasca employs about 300 people annually, with a team that has grown to include not only labourers and tradespeople, but professionals within the Indigenous communities holding degrees, diplomas and certificates. Building on this successful business model, Graham and Points Athabasca embarked on another partnership with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council to create a new partnership, Points Athabasca FHQ. The tribal council encompasses 11 communities, with 15,000 members within southern Saskatchewan’s large Treaty 4 area. Points Athabasca FHQ Contracting successfully completed numerous greenfield and brownfield projects for clients in the potash mining industry in southern Saskatchewan, all by hiring, training and mentoring Indigenous peoples through meaningful participation in the construction industry. Indigenous partnerships are a key aspect of Graham’s value-added service offering. These partnerships provide real value, delivered by experts in the field whose experience and passion for the work — from concept to delivery — ensures great project outcomes for every client, every time. 6 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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PARK DEROCHIE:
OVER 60 YEARS OF GROWTH, LEADERSHIP AND DIVERSITY
Park Derochie crew underground at Mosaic Colonsay mine. Crew performed abrasive blasting and spray applied coating while utilizing swing stages to avoid extensive scaffold builds and ensure cost efficiency. This project was completed ahead of schedule.
P
ark Derochie continues to lead the way as one of the top industrial coating contractors in North America, specializing in all types of industrial coatings, fireproofing, firestopping, blast cleaning and scaffolding as well as mechanical and spray foam insulation. The company has experienced continued growth and diversification, expanding not only nationally with branches located in Surrey, B.C., Edmonton and Fort McMurray, Alta., Saskatoon and Regina, Sask., and Winnipeg, Man., but internationally as well, with Park Derochie USA having locations in Cushing, Okla. and Sugarland, Texas. At Park Derochie, we are proud of our unique corporate culture. Park Derochie was built on the principles of strong work ethic, commitment to customer satisfaction, developing a skilled and
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dedicated workforce and the belief that loyalty begets loyalty. This culture, with part of it growing naturally from small company beginnings, sets us apart from the competition and has helped us become one of Western Canada’s most admired companies.
MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND SAFETY Providing uncompromising safety and quality workmanship to our clients is a strong component within our core principles of business ethics. When it comes to safety, we are proud to be leaders in the industry and our safety record confirms this.
ATTRACTING QUALITY AND DIVERSITY Attracting quality, long-term indi-
viduals is key to the success of our company and we recognize that job satisfaction is vital to employee retention. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer with a long serving workforce that includes diverse cultural backgrounds and we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. We respect and value the diverse backgrounds and traditions of all employees and the rich diversity of the communities in which we operate.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT It has always been a strong belief that investing in our community and our youth is as important as investing in the people within the company. Park Derochie regularly contributes to numerous sectors including school programs, youth sports, health foundations, charities and community programs. We
Park Derochie crew performing touch up painting on the exterior walls of the ECC building at K+S Legacy Project. Very little scaffolding was used, which allowed for an accelerated schedule and low cost impact to complete this job. Park Derochie has completed touch-up painting on more than 62,500 structural connections to date on the K+S Legacy Project. Crew size peaked at 60 employees for that contract.
firmly believe that supporting health, wellness and education builds stronger, healthier individuals who in turn pay it forward, creating stronger communities. We consider these donations and sponsorships, not an obligation, but a privilege.
ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT Despite being a non-Aboriginally owned company, a significant focus is placed on Aboriginal engagement, including local partnerships with First Nations, as well as working with various community educational groups and tribal councils throughout Saskatchewan. Since established, Park Derochie Coatings (Saskatchewan) and Park Derochie (Manitoba) have together built a workforce of more than 160 employees. Not only has Aboriginal engagement created
amicable working relationships with the First Nations groups, it has also provided Park Derochie with a workforce of young, enthusiastic workers that make up around of 30 per cent of employees. Park Derochie has employed cost control analysts, site superintendents, general foremen, foremen and general workers from various Saskatchewan Aboriginal communities. The company is also proud to note that 53 per cent of Park Derochie Saskatchewan’s operation is made up of Aboriginal peoples, women and visible minorities.
HISTORY OF EXCELLANCE BODES WELL FOR THE FUTURE PD Group of Companies has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2015 for excellence in business performance.
Park Derochie blasted, coated, and insulated the KCL 3 Crystallizer for K+S Legacy Project. This began with erecting the scaffolding and hoarding within the welding shop to ensure containment. Painters blasted and applied three coats to the exterior of the crystallizer, and the scaffolding and hoarding was removed and redesigned for the insulators. Insulators applied mechanical insulation and cladding to the exterior. This project came with a challenging schedule, including having crews working 24-7 for 17 days straight.
The Park Derochie difference is apparent. Through striving to provide well managed, turn-key, hassle-free services to clients, and dedication to enrichment of the communities in which we operate, Park Derochie has proven to be an unparalleled sub-contractor when it comes to corporate social responsibility, innovation and expertise. Our mission at Park Derochie is to provide best in class services. 6
ECO Technologies delivers dredging services to mining projects on two continents
E
CO Technologies was recently selected to deliver dredging services for a tailings management project at Quebec’s first diamond mine. Renard Mine, Stornoway Diamonds Corp.’s flagship asset, is located approx. 350 km North of Chibougamau (QC) and reached commercial production in January 2017. The dredging project was scheduled to start mid-August 2017. Meanwhile, in South America’s largest country, ECO Technologies’ Brazilian subsidiary, ECO Minas Dragagens Ltda., was recently awarded a multiyear dredging and dewatering contract with Vale Fertilizantes S.A., the fertilizer business of Brazilian mining giant Vale S.A. The project, which launched with a kick-off meeting and official signing in Uberaba (MG) in June 2017, introduces an innovative concept to dredge and dewater phosphate from one of the sites containment cells. The dewatered phosphate will be utilized in Vale Fertilizantes’ product stream. The contract will be carried out over the next 36 to 42 months at Vale Fertilizantes S.A.’s
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Uberaba operations, in the State of Minas Gerais. “We are extremely proud to have been selected as a preferred service provider by these industry leaders. We look forward to delivering safe, professional and efficient services to our clients, as we strive to meet their objectives,” said Marc Maurice, president of ECO Technologies. Established in 1992 after having identified a lack of marine and environmental dredging capacity, ECO Technologies has since become a preferred supplier and trusted advisor for a variety of clients and organizations requiring aquatic interventions. Operating a rare fleet of amphibious excavators allows this New Brunswickbased company to offer an array of efficient aquatic intervention options to its’ clients across Canada and Brazil, all while maintaining a minimal footprint being applied to the target environment. Nimble, efficient, and operated by a team of operators boasting decades of experience at the helm of these types of dredges, the ability to offer services in a variety of industries has been
instrumental to ECO Technologies’ growth. Whether it be for conventional dredging (excavation), hydraulic (suction) dredging or any other type of water-based intervention, odds are ECO Technologies’ vast baggage of expertise is exactly what your project team needs to succeed. Today, ECO Technologies offers industrial and tailings dredging, trenching and pipeline/cable laying, aquatic habitat restoration, preventive ice breaking, passive sludge dewatering, as well as operational support for waterbased infrastructure projects. Projects in recent years are as complex and varied as they are challenging and rewarding for our staff and management, such as pumping contaminated sediment from a river, cleaning out industrial ponds and tailings ponds (i.e.: active mine sites, refineries and smelters), restoring wetlands, removing invasive vegetation from a fish habitat, breaking ice to prevent flooding during spring thaw, and as always, dredging navigation channels to create safe passage for fishermen and boating enthusiasts alike. 6
TM
Hager Equipment:
designing with your mine in mind
H
ager Equipment Co. is a leading innovator in the underground mining equipment industry. It is what we do and it is all we do. Located in Bessemer, Ala., our sole focus is on the underground miner, and to provide him or her with the safest, most cost-effective and durable equipment possible. We understand the demanding environment in most mining operations. Through our products, we have been improving safety and productivity for customers in Canada and the United States for more than 40 years. We offer a wide range of coal, potash and salt mining equipment including shuttle cars, undercutters, loading machines, locomotives and personnel carriers.
Tailored design One of our main core competencies is building custom mining equipment. We understand that conditions are different in every mine and that tailoring our design to meet your needs is paramount to successful operation. Our highly-skilled team of engineers, draftsmen and salesmen will work with you to create the best solution for your mine. We take pride in our work and focus on every detail — even the small ones. If the machine needs to be wider, we will make it wider. If you prefer using a different type of engine or component, we can make that happen. Even if it is something as small as changing the location of one light, we will work with you until the machine fits your specifications.
Safety first Many underground mines require the use of heavy machinery in close quarters with mine personnel. Our number one focus when designing and building our equipment is the safety of the underground miner and his or her colleagues. Every operator cab we build is F.O.P.S. (Falling Object Protection System) and R.O.P.S. (Rollover Protection System) certified. We take this very seriously and do our best to provide the safest equipment possible.
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Built to last The underground environment can be harsh and unforgiving, and the employees of Hager Equipment Co. know it well. In fact, many of us are former miners or have spent countless hours underground. Our focused experience enables us to better understand the conditions in your mine and design accordingly. We build every machine with a super-duty frame that is fully welded. Combining this with heavy-duty components and a maintenance-friendly design, Hager Equipment Co. can provide a quality machine that will last for years to come.
Our mission statement To be the preferred supplier in the minds and actions of our customers by being the best at what we do, by doing what we say we will do and by providing the best equipment and after the sale service of all; to be profitable in doing so and to provide a good living and a life-long happy place to work for our team members. 6
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The Containment Professionals
Winkler Canvas
W
inkler Canvas was founded in 1978 in a small shop in Reinfeld, Man. as a truck tarp manufacturer. The company grew its product line to include custom fitted tarps for the local market, as well as haystack covers, roll tarp systems and cable retracting systems for gravel trailers. Winkler Canvas quickly expanded into the fabric structure industry, with some of its first buildings designed for the hog industry. Then in the late 1990s, a local firefighting supply company, Firetak Manufacturing, approached Winkler Canvas to begin development and manufacturing of berms, open top and enclosed water tanks for retaining chemical spills. This partnership led to the creation of a full product line dedication to spill containment and decontamination at Winkler Canvas. Today, Winkler Canvas continues to partner with Firetak, and works closely with fire departments and oil and gas field service companies who use its product line. “Strict government regulations and environmental laws have placed a large responsibility on companies to be equipped with products to prevent and contain any contaminants created by their processes from entering the environment,” said Calvin Thiessen, custom sales manager for Winkler Canvas. “And that’s where Winkler Canvas comes in. Our products adhere to government requirements and are constructed using only the best domestic materials available. The simple setup and user-friendly design are of utmost importance when time is of the essence, which is why none of our spill containment products re-
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quire tools for set-up and take down. Storage is also a breeze with compact features built in.”
Bladder water tanks Primarily used for longer term storage of fuels, potable water, or waste water, the bladder water tank product line is manufactured with NSF Standard 61-approved fabrics. The waste or grey water tanks are used to contain mild chemicals such as detergents or household cleaners. These tanks are also ideal for water used in fracking
A potable water tank.
A septic tank with insulation.
operations. Potable water tanks can be used in remote locations where sanitary water is not readily available. Bladder water tanks come in standard sizes (custom is available upon request) and can be made out of heavy duty PVC vinyl or urethane materials.
Berms Designed for larger storage or spill containment for hydrocarbon fuels, fertilizers, chemicals or other hazardous liquids, berms from Winkler Canvas can be either flip-up/angle-wall
A flip-up berm.
or rod-wall berms. Both styles have collapsible sides to allow for vehicle entry and can be constructed from a variety of materials, such as XR-5 geomembranes, urethane and ORLTA (Oil-Resistant Low Temperature Arctic) fabrics.
Heated Septic Tanks Heated septic tanks, made from heavy duty PVC vinyl, are a cost-effective alternative for septic containment in remote areas as well as for extreme winter temperatures. This product has been tested in the western Canadian oilfields for the past decade with excellent reviews. These tanks are collapsible and light weight, making it easier to transport multiple units, saving time and money while simultaneously leaving a smaller environmental footprint. The unique design incorporates a 120-volt heat cord strategically placed throughout the outer area of the tank. For extreme weather conditions, there is an optional insulated fitted blanket cover which snugly encases the bladder tank and provides an additional R4 insulation value. 6
A heated septic tank.
A wastewater tank.
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GMR Electric Motors:
a solution to many problems
G
MR Electric Motors Ltd. is one of the bestequipped facilities in all of Canada. We now have one of the largest VPI systems and our new load testing capabilities are some of the greatest in North America. We are proud to announce we now have virtual witness testing. We have been testing this service for several months and it is now ready. It offers our customers the ability to log into our website from their own computer and witness test their electric motors. The live feed features a camera on the motor and dynamometer, which shows related information including speed and temperatures. GMR Electric Motors in Saskatoon, Sask. was founded in 1979 to provide industry in the prairie provinces with complete repair facilities for a wide range of electric motors, pumps and generators. Since then, GMR Electric Motors has continually grown with the ever-increasing needs of our customers. While we specialize in electric motor repair, the GMR Electric of today offers a diverse program of electrical sales and repair services. You will find that we work with our valued customers to beat deadlines, solve emergencies and keep equipment in top operating condition to prevent breakdowns. At GMR Electric Motors we're aware that your business may shutdown if you suffer equipment breakdowns. All of us at GMR Electric Motors share a commitment to serving you promptly, efficiently and honestly. GMR Electric Motors is an active member of the Electrical Apparatus Service Association, better known as EASA. Doing business with an EASA member assures that your equipment will be repaired to EASA's high standards using the latest equipment and techniques. EASA members are unquestionably the most technically advanced and qualified sources for all your electrical equipment needs including repairs, rewinds, redesigns and new equipment. GMR Electric Motors Ltd. remains locally owned and operated and will continue its commitment to valued customers by striving to lead the industry in technology and service. GMR Electric Motors is pleased to become the first SKF-certified electric motor rebuilder in Canada. 6
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Eye in the sky: M3 Aerial Productions offers UAV solutions to help companies save on outsourcing By Matthew Johnson, president and CEO, M3 Aerial Productions Inc.
M3
Aerial Productions is a pioneer in the Canadian UAV landscape. We have been providing clients with high precision aerial data since 2015. Operating across the Canadian Prairies, Ontario and Atlantic Canada, our company excels in services and training. We operate Unmanned Air Vehicles, more commonly referred to as drones, to providing high-quality, high-efficiency and low-cost process solutions to the mining industry. Ultra-high resolution orthomosaic maps and 3D modelling allows clients to track commodities unlike anything previously available. Our aerial solutions can be applied to mitigate risk, provide management perspective and consolidate resources in a timely manner. Using novel remote sensing technology, we can estimate the volume of aggregate piles or excavated holes, and collect surveygrade elevation data precise to within two cm X, Y, and Z. We can also inspect infrastructure quickly and effectively, without risking life and limb. High-resolution imagery, collected from within a few feet of the subject can be analyzed on computers, slowing down the inspection process to reduce costly errors. Impress management with 360-degree 4K virtual-reality video inspections of chimney stacks, cranes, turbines and tours of limited-access locations. Our clients have been thoroughly impressed with our methodology when they put on a virtual reality headset and are transplanted to the mine-site or hydroelectric facility, getting a first-hand look of water as it blasts through the turbines. Vegetation encroachment can be a problem along powerlines and pipelines, and we can tell you where and to what extent that problem has become. The same technology that helps farmers identify problems in their crops to make management decisions can be applied to determine these potentially hazardous conditions along these routes. Though we specialize in aerial photography in remote locations, we possess the skills, knowledge and qualifications to operate in busy urban centers. Our crew includes Ph.D. GIS experts, education professionals and a range of Canadian military backgrounds. M3 Aerial is also a leader in the education and training frontier of the UAV industry. As of December 2016, all commercial UAV operators, whether operating under a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) or exemption, are required to complete UAV Ground School training. Our UAV Systems in Industry course is the first UAV Ground School training solution in Western Canada to be offered as a university credit course (currently
Windfarm infrastructure inspections.
GPS-enabled ground control points.
through Brandon University). We offer private, and semi-private company-level training courses, and our courses are taught from coast-to-coast. We are flexible in our scheduling to meet client requirements. The M3 Aerial Pilot Network contains nearly one hundred certified UAV pilots and continues to grow with every course. We hold a Standing Complex Restricted SFOC for operations across most of Canada, meaning we can legally fly drones almost anywhere in the country. Interested in incorporating UAV solutions into your operations to help save on outsourcing? We offer training and consulting packages to get your company certified and Transport Canada compliant in one smooth process, rather than having to bounce around between several points of contact. 6 Visit m3aerial.com or email m3aerial@gmail.com to request information about our training and services packages.
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Maintaining of the emergency response team
vital for safety
A
lthough almost every mine site, large construction project or industrial site has an emergency response team (ERT), maintenance of the required training skills to remain current is always a concern. The following recommendations to maintain skills come from our observations over the last 40 years of ERT training across Western Canada.
Set goals for training dates
Team member involvement
Always train as a real incident and treat mannequins as real people — “you do as you train.�
Individuals need ownership of the team. This is vital for morale and involvement. Team members need to be involved in training requirements, setting team training goals and purchasing equipment.
Set priorities Ask yourself: What skills need to be maintained? How much time is required? How often is retraining required with new equipment?
Use skill check sheets, and document skills tested and acquired.
Set training dates and times Set training dates at least six months in advance to allow managers to make shift arrangements and members time to prepare.
Train for real
Stick to your schedule Members must apply themselves and attend training. This requires a commitment from the employer, management and the workers. The reward of this planning is having a skilled, proficient rescue team. 6
For more information on Trans-Care Rescue, visit www.trans-carerescue.com.
Always train as a real incident, treat manikins as real people.
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Team members need to be involved in training requirements, setting team training goals, and purchasing equipment.
New from ROSTA:
The MBSL 70 Superior Lift motor base
T
his new MBSL motor base from ROSTA Inc. is designed for vertically-driven slurry and dewatering pumps for new and retrofit applications. The MBSL motor base uses ROSTA’s rubber suspension technology providing exceptional belt life, optimal belt tension and energy savings, and reduced wear on belts and sheaves. The ROSTA MBSL Superior Lift motor base compensates belt slack offering energy and maintenance savings. The MBSL Superior Lift motor base’s ingenious design allows it to be mounted directly onto the pump’s support base using existing booker rod hole locations, or in some cases may require an additional pedestal spacer where longer drive belts have been used.
Customer benefits There are several benefits to purchasing the MBSL Superior Lift motor base: • Higher degree of operator safety. • Energy savings. • Increased service life of belts and sheaves. • Increase service life of motors. • Reduced costs through minimal maintenance. • Ease of access for pump servicing. Established in 1988, ROSTA Inc. has been supplying various industries in Canada with rubber suspension elements and special machine components designed to help reduce maintenance costs and increase productivity. We pride ourselves in working closely with our customers to select or design components to meet their require-
ments and provide a long lasting and reliable product. We have a range of standard components available from our extensive inventory and our factory in Switzerland is always ready to assist with specific design requirements. We also have an extensive local distribution network
with trained and competent staff across Canada. 6 For more information on how ROSTA’s MBSL Superior Lift motor base can help you save money, please contact us at 1-800-361-0556 or go to www.rosta.com. 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Watson Gloves:
protecting hands for 100 years
W
atson Gloves, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, has been protecting the hands of resource workers since its beginning. The company was started by John Watson and Wayne Stanley in Vancouver, B.C. The two would sew leather work gloves and sell them to the dock workers. What started as a two-man show has become Western Canada’s largest retail distributor of great quality gloves for work, home and play. Workers’ safety is still Watson Gloves’ top priority and because of that the company offers over 1200 different styles of gloves. Its unionized Canadian factory is still going strong in Burnaby, B.C. and employs 45 workers, almost half of the company’s 110 employees. President Marty Moore with box of Storm Trooper Gloves, made in Burnaby BC factory.
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While the factory workers sew leather gloves, they also have purchasers that source the globe for gloves made of different materials and with the latest designs. Storm Trooper is one of the bestsellers for the northern Canadian resource sector and it is sewn in Watson Gloves’ factory. Gridlock, pictured below, is an example of amazing new glove technology as it offers needlestick, puncture and cut protection.
One style is not suitable for all jobs and that’s where Watson Gloves comes in as the glove expert. Staff will help you find the right glove for each task you or your employees do. Watson Gloves offers a no-obligation, no-fee service, called a SWAT — a Specialized Watson Assessment Team. Watson Gloves is serious about hand protection and wants to help you get it right. Statistically, the most common worksite injuries occur to the hand and/or fingers. These incidents account for more than 25 per cent of all occupational injuries. Even more shocking is that 70 per cent of those injuries happened because the worker was not wearing gloves. Protect your and your employee’s hands by calling Watson Gloves. They have three branches with fully-stocked warehouses, in Burnaby, B.C., Calgary, Alta. and Mississauga, Ont. so you can get the gloves you need quickly. 6 Check out Watson Gloves at www.watsongloves.com or call at 1-800-663-9509. 2017-2018 Northern Prospector
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Integrating
climate change into engineering design
By Victor MuĂąoz, senior consultant, SRK Consulting
Integrating climate change into engineering design.
D
uring the last several decades, global climate change (GCC) has emerged as a key driver of environmental processes. However, hydrologic analyses assume local climate is constant and can be directly understood from historical records. To meet the challenge of incorporating GCC into predictions of meteorological events and trends, this article presents a combination of methods that uses publicly available historical records to determine meteorological engineering design values under climate change conditions. Environment and Climate Change Canada (EECC) is a database for GCC data. They provide access to information from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports (ARs) one to five, which contain a wide range of variables (for example, precipitation, temperature, and wind speed). A purpose-built script was developed using R statistical computing language. The script compiles all available GCC models from EC that included scenarios from AR1 to AR3 (i.e., A2, B1, A1B, GA, GG) to representative concentration pathways or RCPs (i.e., RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) from AR4 and AR5. These were selected to show the respective rate of change in multiple cli-
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mate variables for a given longitude, latitude, and time (up to year 2100). The available GCC models are weighted equally during statistical evaluation of the cumulative results. Results are then compared to trends in historical data associated with the selected climate change parameters obtained from ERA-Interim reanalysis, which is produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast and encompasses more than 30 years and the entire planet. The engineering design value is chosen as the maximum value between the median obtained from the cumulative probability curve that describes the GCC models and related scenarios and the mean of the historical regression trends obtained with a statistical significance higher than 95 per cent (p-value<0.05). This procedure marries the most conservative result between the GCC and the historical values at the defined geographical place. This overall procedure combines analysis of GCC models and historical data to define appropriate design values. 6 For more information, call Victor MuĂąoz at 1-778-785-8478 or email vmunoz@srk.com.
KES Equipment:
customizations for your mining needs
L
ocated in Elliot Lake, Ont., KES Equipment started out as a mining equipment repair company. Slowly, the company began to expand into the design and manufacture of their own mining equipment, with a focus on utility vehicles. KES Equipment has designed and developed a top-of-theline scissor lift for use in various mining applications. Unique to KES Equipment, the deck on the SL4500X scissor lift can safely move in and out, which drastically expands the working surface of the machine. For those looking for a more traditional option, the SL4500 and SL4500SS are also available, and the deck sizes can also be customized.
Each mining vehicle has a front end that exclusive to KES Equipment, found in all models for easy end-user maintenance and built to handle any mining environment. KES Equipment also fabricates portable bridges, with a preengineered beam design ideal for logging applications. These bridges have been designed for quick installation and to keep quality and cost at its best. We work on a per-client basis to provide mining equipment customized for you. KES Equipment is always looking for new ideas and is willing to take on custom manufacturing jobs given the opportunity. We look forward to working with you. 6
SUITE 300, 6 ROSLYN ROAD, WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA
www.delcommunications.com
DEL Communications Inc.
The key to success. We offer outstanding personal service and quality in the areas of... • Creative Design • Advertising sales • Trade Publications • Video Production & Editing • Qualified Sales & Editorial Team
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Orix provides business solutions and resources for geological companies
O
rix Geoscience Inc. (Orix) is a geologic consulting firm that partners with exploration and mining companies to increase shareholder value by providing geological expertise and business strategy for grassroots, brownfields and advanced projects. Orix assists clients by understanding the geologic story of projects by interpreting rock features on and under the surface of the earth
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through comprehensive analysis of all available scientific data. In addition, Orix forms strategic partnerships with smaller exploration companies by providing marketing, information technology, and administrative support along with geological interpretation, GIS (Geographic Information System) compilation, field work and project management services. Orix creates geological 3D models that are accessible and affordable to
companies by providing a complete and simplified understanding of the geology and exploration potential of their projects. This contributes to strategic target generation, faster discovery and more profitable mining of ore deposits. A strong client partnership reduces OPEX and CAPEX, thereby conserving capital and improving the accuracy and integrity of NI 43-101 resource estimates while reducing the time and cost associated
with generating qualified reports. Orix supports and underpins corporate marketing campaigns, financing efforts and valuations, and has an increased capacity to offer field management of drilling and mapping programs, scanning of historical datasets and the development of new software programs. The Orix team specializes in 2D and 3D modeling of large geoscientific datasets and has a significant amount of experience compiling, analyzing, interpreting and creating digital data models from geological, geochemical and geophysical information. Projects with large datasets typically include historical mine and brownfields exploration sites as well as advanced projects that are being evaluated for potential exploitation. A full compilation includes data organization and cleanup, verified drillhole and geochemical databases, interpreted geological sections and plans, mineralogical and lithological solids, and final summary reports. Deliverables are generated through ongoing client collaborations with their internal teams and include organized digital data, paper geological interpretations, advanced digital 3D interpretive models and drill targets. Orix recently expanded its services to include marketing and strategic alliances, and offer services that include the creating business plans, designing marketing materials and networking to assist junior companies in all stages of growth. Orix began in May 2012. Its three founders wanted to lead the mining industry in delivering unique highquality geological services that bridged a gap between historical paper and modern digital methods to data inter-
pretation and exploration. The founders were motivated to create an environment where people enjoy the team they work with everyday, act on their own ideas and are entrepreneurial. In the beginning, Orix underestimated the demand for its comprehensive services, resulting in faster growth than expected even though the exploration sector was in a significant downturn. Among Orix's top achievements is continued growth during one of the mining industries' most significant downturn cycles and reaching revenues that greatly exceeded initial expectations. The head office is in Toronto, Ont., but to meet client demand, a Sudbury, Ont. office was opened early on. In addition, as a means of acquiring additional market share and as a strategic business venture, a complementary GIS company was acquired, Zone 14 based in Winnipeg, Man. Within five years, Orix has set-up three offices
(Toronto, Sudbury and Winnipeg) and has 53 employees. Orix attributes its success to 6 key factors: 1) Adhering to core values. 2) Diversification of workforce. 3) Partnership-based business model. 4) Implementing unique human resource philosophies. 5) Reinvesting earnings into entrepreneurial ideas and collaborations. 6) Marketing initiatives. Business success is ultimately a result of the strong team Orix has fostered and the clients the company has partnered with. Orix Geoscience Inc. strives to provide a one-stop resource for geological companies needing assistance with a variety of projects, from data management and compilation, to running field programs, to re-focusing a company’s business plan to maximize its potential in the competitive junior mining marketplace. 6
Orix Geoscience Inc. partners with exploration and mining companies to increase shareholder value by providing geological expertise and business strategy for grassroots, brownfields and advanced projects
• Digital Libraries • Data Entry • Database • • Auditing • Field Work • Compilation • • Interpretation • 3D Modeling • Targeting • ORGANIZE • RETHINK • INTERPRET • EXPLORE
www.orixgeo.com / Toll Free (844) 770-ORIX (6749) / info@orixgeo.com Winnipeg • Toronto • Sudbury
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Index to Advertisers Access Helicopters Ltd............................................................. 3
MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman Llp.....................................IFC
Aggreko................................................................................... 67
Majesta Minerals Inc.............................................................. 17
Aggressive Drilling Ltd........................................................... 13
Major Drilling Group International Inc.................................... 4
Ajg Exploration Ltd................................................................ 11
Manitoba Growth, Enterprise & Trade................................... 25
Alair (Mha Enterprises Ltd)................................................... 22
Manitoba-Saskatchewan Prospectors and
Alex MacIntyre & Associates Ltd........................................... 29 Arrowhead Helicopters Ltd.................................................... 39 Association for Mineral Exploration B.C................................ 45 Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Saskatchewan...................................... 33 Best Western Thompson........................................................ 25 Bureau Veritas Commodities Canada Ltd............................. 15 Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy & Petroleum........... 7 Canalaska Uranium Ltd......................................................... 19 Dimatec Inc............................................................................. 10 Durama Enterprises Limited................................................. 38 Eco Technologies................................................................... 89 Ens Industrial........................................................................ 83 Far Resources........................................................................ 25 Gmr Electric Motors.............................................................. 12 Graham Construction............................................................. 23 Hager Equipment Company................................................... 91 Heli-Lift International Inc........................................................ 5
Developers Association.................................................. 48
North-Sask Ventures Ltd....................................................... 28 Orix Geoscience.................................................................... 103 Osprey Wings Ltd.................................................................... 36 Park Derochie Inc..................................................................... 1 Porcupine Opportunities Program Inc................................... 73 Prairie Crane.......................................................................... 61 Provincial Helicopters............................................................ 11 Rockcliff Copper Corporation................................................ 30 Rosta Inc................................................................................. 27 Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists.......................... 34 Saskatchewan Ministry of The Economy............................... 37 SaskTel.................................................................................. IBC Scanimetrics........................................................................... 77 SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc................................................. 44 Thompson Airport Authority.................................................. 57 Time Ltd.................................................................................. 28 Town of Lynn Lake.................................................................. 22
Hitachi Mining Canadian Construction & Forestry John Deere Canada Ulc.................................................... 2
Town of Snow Lake................................................................. 26
Jrl Industrial Hygiene Consulting Service........................... 28
Trans-Care Rescue Ltd.......................................................... 15
Kes Equipment....................................................................... 24
Watson Gloves.......................................................................... 9
Lawson Consulting & Surveying Ltd..................................... 10
West Wind Aviation................................................................. 35
Leon Mfg. Company Inc. & Ramrod Equipment................... 55
Western Heritage.................................................................... 81
M3 Aerial Productions............................................................ 95
Winkler Canvas....................................................................OBC
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