Early this morning, a tragic accident occurred at Coal Mountain Operations resulting in the death of a 59 year old employee.

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, announced the decision to continue the Columbia River Treaty and seek improvements within its existing framework.

The government has issued orders to BC Hydro and the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) to implement the 10 Year Plan for BC Hydro.

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review announced the $8 million Yellow Giant underground gold mine project on Banks Island will receive its Mines Act permit.

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review is in Toronto at the one of the world's largest international mining conferences to promote exploration and mine development opportunities in B.C. to more than 30,000 investors, prospectors and mining industry executives.

Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett made the following statement today on the retirement of Charles Reid, Chief Executive Officer of BC Hydro:

Government held a geothermal permit sale this month, bringing a new opportunity for the exploration and development of geothermal resources in northern British Columbia

Environment Minister Mary Polak and Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett have issued a conditional Environmental Assessment Certificate to Narrows Inlet Hydro Holding Corp. for the Narrows Inlet Hydro Project, approximately 50 km north of Sechelt.