Government representatives were joined by staff and executive from BluEarth Renewables Inc., local officials and members of the Squamish Nation for a Traditional Potlach Ceremony to celebrate the commissioning of the Culliton Creek Hydro Facility yesterday.

To further support its work in encouraging mineral, coal, and oil and gas exploration investment in British Columbia through the collection and distribution of publicly available geoscience data, Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett has announced that the Province will provide $5 million in funding to Geoscience BC.

Statutory decision-makers with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment have authorized an amendment of the restricted operations permits for Mount Polley Mining Corporation, allowing the mine to extract an additional one million tonnes of ore.

Mining industry representatives from throughout the province gathered in Victoria earlier this week to recognize B.C. mining operations for their health and safety accomplishments at the 54th annual Mine Safety Awards banquet.

At the 2016 Globe Conference on Sustainability and Innovation Premier Christy Clark announced funding of $11.9 million from the Province’s Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund for three programs aimed at promoting clean-energy vehicles, clean air and clean water.

The B.C. Centre of Training Excellence in Mining (CTEM) has made it easier for British Columbians to train for careers in mineral exploration and mining, thanks to a memorandum of understanding signed with five public post-secondary institutions in the province.

In response to the findings and recommendations of the Chief Inspector of Mines’ (CIM) investigation into the tailings storage facility (TSF) at Mount Polley Mine in August 2014, Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett announced that government will introduce new regulations and requirements that will make British Columbia a national and international leader in safety standards for tailings storage facilities. 

When the holiday season rolls around, it’s easy to forget that without B.C. resources such as wood products and minerals, many of the gifts you see would not be sitting under your Christmas tree.