Mints are running out of gold; not enough physical silver to cover paper– former U.S. Mint Director
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Socio-Economic Study of Placer Mining BC
Lions Gate Consulting - Re: Socio-Economic Study of Placer Mining in BC
The Government of BC has engaged Lions Gate Consulting to assess the economic impacts of the placer gold and jade mining industry in BC. The purpose is to demonstrate its economic importance as well as identify factors that may be constraining its growth and opportunities to promote further development.
This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the importance of our industry. Provide your input by clicking on the link below!
https://www.research.net/r/SurveyofMiningOperations.
By completing the survey, you will be entered into a draw. Four gift cards of $200 each will be awarded.
Any information you provide will be held confidential and reported only in summary form with responses of other participants. They will not share your responses directly with government or with anyone outside of the project team.
Should you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to contact me, Steve Nicol at Lions Gate Consulting ([email protected]), or Garth Thomson of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation at [email protected]. A letter from the Ministry further explaining the study is available here.
Thank you!
The Government of BC has engaged Lions Gate Consulting to assess the economic impacts of the placer gold and jade mining industry in BC. The purpose is to demonstrate its economic importance as well as identify factors that may be constraining its growth and opportunities to promote further development.
This is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the importance of our industry. Provide your input by clicking on the link below!
https://www.research.net/r/SurveyofMiningOperations.
By completing the survey, you will be entered into a draw. Four gift cards of $200 each will be awarded.
Any information you provide will be held confidential and reported only in summary form with responses of other participants. They will not share your responses directly with government or with anyone outside of the project team.
Should you have any questions about the survey, please feel free to contact me, Steve Nicol at Lions Gate Consulting ([email protected]), or Garth Thomson of the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation at [email protected]. A letter from the Ministry further explaining the study is available here.
Thank you!
Please Welcome our New Gold Members
Please Welcome Mackenzie Gravel and our Member of Parliament Bob Zimmer as our latest Gold Members
http://www.ominecaminingassociation.com/corporate-members.html
http://www.ominecaminingassociation.com/corporate-members.html
OMA Can Now Accept Etransfers
July 13 2020 - As of Today the OMA can accept Etransfers http://www.ominecaminingassociation.com/become-a-member.html
Deputy Minister Dave Nikolejsin resigns
Dave Nikolejsin, B.C.'s deputy minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, has quit, and in a letter sent to colleagues appears to caution the NDP government against being too restrictive when it comes to its policies on natural resource
June 10/2020 - Business in Vancouver has learned that Nikolejsin, a long-time senior bureaucrat under both the Liberal and NDP government, resigned on Friday.His resignation comes on the heels of the dismissal in May of another senior bureaucrat – Mark Zahcarias -- as deputy minister of Environment and Climate Change, as reported by the Tyee.In a letter obtained by Business in Vancouver, Nikolejsin seems to hint at his dissatisfaction with NDP government policies and attitudes towards B.C.'s natural resource industries, although Bill Bennett, former Liberal Energy and Mines minister and a personal friend, says that's not the way he reads it.“B.C. is well endowed with natural resources that the world needs,” Nikolejsin writes in a letter to colleagues.“If those resources don’t come from a place like B.C. that has extremely strong environmental standards, they will come from somewhere else.” Read More
June 10/2020 - Business in Vancouver has learned that Nikolejsin, a long-time senior bureaucrat under both the Liberal and NDP government, resigned on Friday.His resignation comes on the heels of the dismissal in May of another senior bureaucrat – Mark Zahcarias -- as deputy minister of Environment and Climate Change, as reported by the Tyee.In a letter obtained by Business in Vancouver, Nikolejsin seems to hint at his dissatisfaction with NDP government policies and attitudes towards B.C.'s natural resource industries, although Bill Bennett, former Liberal Energy and Mines minister and a personal friend, says that's not the way he reads it.“B.C. is well endowed with natural resources that the world needs,” Nikolejsin writes in a letter to colleagues.“If those resources don’t come from a place like B.C. that has extremely strong environmental standards, they will come from somewhere else.” Read More
Guidance Document - Covid 19 Safety Plans |
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Reminder of Proactive Preparedness for Spring Melt Runoff and Freshet Flows
April 3/2020 - Hermanus Henning - Chief Inspector of Mines - This letter provides notification of higher than average snow packs in many areas of the province. overall, the province has an above normal snowpack as of March 1st (average of all snow measurements across the province is 111% of normal, locally up to 135% of normal). This information is expected to be updated April 8th. To view snow conditions, current water levels, and flood forecasting specific to yoru region, please refer to the
BC River Forecast Center Website:
With Spring melt and (read more)
BC River Forecast Center Website:
With Spring melt and (read more)
The beginning of the end of Canada’s high living standards
February 27/2020 - Nature abhors a vacuum and so does free enterprise and democracies. And Canada is about to show why.
This week, Canada’s massive megaproject, Teck Resources’ giant oil sands mine in Alberta, was obliterated — the biggest casualty of the #ShutDownCanada movement that’s been building and hurting the economy and country’s reputation.
The significance is not so much about a single project. It is the beginning of Canada’s irreversible economic decline caused by the anti-enterprise policies of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s regime. Read More
This week, Canada’s massive megaproject, Teck Resources’ giant oil sands mine in Alberta, was obliterated — the biggest casualty of the #ShutDownCanada movement that’s been building and hurting the economy and country’s reputation.
The significance is not so much about a single project. It is the beginning of Canada’s irreversible economic decline caused by the anti-enterprise policies of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s regime. Read More
Premier John Horgan fills vacancy, swaps jobs in B.C. cabinet shuffle
Jan 22/2020 Honourable Bruce RalstonBruce Ralston was sworn in as B.C.’s Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology on July 18, 2017 after winning re-election as MLA for Surrey-Whalley on May 9 of that year.He was first elected as an MLA in 2005 and re-elected in 2009, 2013 and 2017.The minister’s focus is on building a strong, sustainable economy that puts people first and creates good jobs and opportunity in every corner of the province.The minister’s portfolio includes economic development, immigration, international and national trade relations, international business development, small business, technology and innovation, and attraction of strategic investment throughout B.C. He also has responsibility for the Consular Corps and BC Stats.Minister Ralston was born in Victoria and grew up in Vancouver. He has degrees in history and law from the University of British Columbia and a degree in history from the University of Cambridge in England.
OMA Letter In Response to Update 38
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To: BC Ministry of Mines.
In response to Bulletin 38 I would like to take the opportunity to offer my thoughts. Limiting hole depth to 1.2 M is simply unworkable and unnecessary. If the goal is to eliminate hobby hand mining, this is surely one way to do it. We are already self-limited via the use of hand tools and any further regulation regarding hole size and depth is far to onerous. In addition, prohibiting hand work within the riparian zone eliminates the possibility of working on far too many creeks and streams that do not have large gravel bars. Having a riparian setback for commercial mining is certainly understandable, but should be eliminated for those of us only using hand tools. Again, we work on such a small scale that our environmental impact is virtually nil. Read more | ||
Claim stake has Kamloops couple calling for change in mining laws
Oct 2019 - On the afternoon of Sept. 6, Marie Reimer and Doug Hallat were sitting outside, having a drink, when a man drove up and notified the couple he had papers staking a claim to mineral beneath their property’s soil. A Knutsford couple unaware of a possible gold deposit beneath their private acreage is calling for updates to the B.C. Mineral Tenure Act after a stranger showed up at their home last month to stake a claim — reminding them of the gold rush days of the 1800s.“It’s unbelievable,” Marie Reimer said, objecting to the claim and calling B.C. laws “antiquated. READ MORE
Mineral Titles Releases Information Update 38
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October 2019 - No. 38 – Permissible Activities without a Mines Act Permit (Interim Guidance) - The purpose of this Information Update is to provide guidance to recorded holders and their agents regarding the types of activities that the Province interprets as unlikely to meet the definition of a “mine” under the Mines Act. As a result, these activities may generally be undertaken by recorded holders in the absence of a Mines Act permit (s. 10(1), Mines Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 293) or written exemption (s. 10(2), Mines Act [RSBC 1996] Chapter 293). Recorded holders or their agents are encouraged to reach out to regional permitting inspectors with the Mines Competitiveness and Authorizations Division of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources (EMPR) if they have any questions regarding whether a permit (or exemption) is required for their planned exploration activities.
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Province seeks public input on mining reforms
BC GOV NEWS - September 2019 - British Columbians are asked to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Mines Act to improve regulation and oversight of the province’s mining sector.
With a $20-million boost in Budget 2019, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has created a new Mines Health, Safety and Enforcement Division (MHSED). Independent from the Mines Competitiveness and Authorizations Division, MHSED’s priorities are health, safety, compliance management, enforcement activities and auditing.
“Our government’s number 1 priority for this foundational industry is safety — for workers, our environment and communities,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “We’ve invested $20 million over three years to hire more inspectors on the ground and ensure more frequent inspections. The feedback that we receive from British Columbians will be critical for informing how we improve our mining laws and ensure that mining in B.C. is done right.”
The ministry proposes the following amendments to the Mines Act:
The Mines Act regulates all mining activities in B.C., from early exploration, to production and mine closures. It also covers applications and permits, health and safety, and investigations, compliance and enforcement in the mining sector. In response to recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General for B.C. and the Mining Jobs Task Force, the proposed amendments would implement the government’s Budget 2019 commitment to improve regulatory oversight of mining in British Columbia.
Public engagement will be open until Oct. 25, 2019. To have a say:
PO BOX 9484 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9W6
With a $20-million boost in Budget 2019, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has created a new Mines Health, Safety and Enforcement Division (MHSED). Independent from the Mines Competitiveness and Authorizations Division, MHSED’s priorities are health, safety, compliance management, enforcement activities and auditing.
“Our government’s number 1 priority for this foundational industry is safety — for workers, our environment and communities,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “We’ve invested $20 million over three years to hire more inspectors on the ground and ensure more frequent inspections. The feedback that we receive from British Columbians will be critical for informing how we improve our mining laws and ensure that mining in B.C. is done right.”
The ministry proposes the following amendments to the Mines Act:
- Formally separate specific authorities and decision-making powers under the Mines Act to ensure authorizations and permitting are separate from enforcement and auditing powers.
- Formally establish an independent oversight unit with an auditing function.
- Enhance compliance and enforcement provisions.
The Mines Act regulates all mining activities in B.C., from early exploration, to production and mine closures. It also covers applications and permits, health and safety, and investigations, compliance and enforcement in the mining sector. In response to recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General for B.C. and the Mining Jobs Task Force, the proposed amendments would implement the government’s Budget 2019 commitment to improve regulatory oversight of mining in British Columbia.
Public engagement will be open until Oct. 25, 2019. To have a say:
- fill out a short survey at: https://feedback.engage.gov.bc.ca/876131?lang=en
- email feedback to: [email protected]
- or mail feedback to:
PO BOX 9484 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 9W6
Mackenzie locals present economic potential for environmental cleanup of Williston Lake Resivour
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September 2019 - This is what Cody Ross and I have been working on for Mackenzie. So far it is gaining interest at several levels. So far I have contact with one of the largest world companies that has expressed interest in exploring the potential of sand mining in this area. There is a lot of resource in this area and we are right on the doorstep of the pacific rim for a market. Mackenzie has to evolve its economy if it is going to survive. Local people are interested, local government is interested, our MLA Mike Morris is interested and yes I have managed to get Andrew Weavers attention as well. This is meant to resolve several problems with this lake while making a profit. Thank you.
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Ominca Mining Association has its own Logo
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August 2019 - This is it folks. Our very own Logo. Stay tuned as we add the OMA to this.
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Greetings Letter Sent out to all municipalities in the Omineca
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Omineca Mining Association (OMA) Greeting Letter was sent out on August 7/2019 to Municipality of
Fort Saint James, Valmount, Fraser Lake, McBride, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Smithers, Mackenzie. It was also sent to MLA Mike Morris and Shirley Bond Email Response from MLA Shirley Bond Prince George Valemount Good afternoon, Thank you for providing my office with an introduction to the Omineca Mining Association. I appreciate being made aware of the work that you are doing. |
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Some small mine operators find a problem with bond calculator
MACKENZIE - A recent change in the Province's mine reclamation bond calculation policy has a few small mining operators upset.
A small mine operator based in the community of Mackenzie has an issue with how the government calculates bonds and fears it’s the death of placer mining in B.C. Mitch Mortensen has been in small mining most of his life.
Since April 2018 the province amended the way bonds are calculated. Mortenson says the new way is affecting some small mine operators and in the long run the economy of the province.
The purpose of the of this policy is to help the protect environment. Mortensen says if the bonds are unreachable for small operators, there is a fear they will mine under the radar. CKPG News Clip -Feb2019
A small mine operator based in the community of Mackenzie has an issue with how the government calculates bonds and fears it’s the death of placer mining in B.C. Mitch Mortensen has been in small mining most of his life.
Since April 2018 the province amended the way bonds are calculated. Mortenson says the new way is affecting some small mine operators and in the long run the economy of the province.
The purpose of the of this policy is to help the protect environment. Mortensen says if the bonds are unreachable for small operators, there is a fear they will mine under the radar. CKPG News Clip -Feb2019
New reclamation bonds threaten livelihood of small miners
Mark NIELSEN / Prince George Citizen June 7, 2018 09:19 AM
A Mackenzie-based developer of small-scale mines fears a new method for calculating the cost of reclaiming a site will drive him and other "mom and pop" operations out of business. For years, developers put up a bond amounting to $5,000 per hectare but beginning in 2017, the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources began to implement a process purported to provide a more accurate assessment of returning a site to its original condition.
The so-called reclamation bond calculator sets out the per-unit rate for the various types of work - be it removing debris, deactivating a road or planting trees - while a ministry inspector determines how much effort is needed.
Long leery of the new approach, it all became too much for Mitch Mortensen when recently told one of his clients would have to put up a bond worth $216,997 before he could work a one-hectare portion of a claim in the Manson Creek area north of Fort St. James...Read More
The so-called reclamation bond calculator sets out the per-unit rate for the various types of work - be it removing debris, deactivating a road or planting trees - while a ministry inspector determines how much effort is needed.
Long leery of the new approach, it all became too much for Mitch Mortensen when recently told one of his clients would have to put up a bond worth $216,997 before he could work a one-hectare portion of a claim in the Manson Creek area north of Fort St. James...Read More
20Mile Creek Mine handed a $216,000 reclamation bond demand. Mine owner takes steps to create the Omineca Mining Association to fight it. June 6/2018
Attention placer miners of the BC, Omineca region.
Are you interested in the forming of "Omineca Miners Association"? In my opinion we need to become organized as a group in order to be heard by the ministry. We can then affiliate with the Caribou miners association & Atlin as well, this will give us some added strength in our fight to save & preserve placer mining in BC.
Our way of live is under threat to be stripped away forever. I would like all BC miners & interested persons who wish to help with supporting our effort to please contact me at the listed email to inform me of your wish to become a member of our new association.
Many of you are not yet aware of the brand new bond calculator which has increased our bond from $5'000.00 to $10'000.00 to $216'997.00. Who can afford to put a 1/4 million dollars up for a bond? I feel if we were to pay this new bond so we can go back to mining we would be condoning this action & setting a precedent. This precedent would make it impossible for the many others following in our footsteps. So, we've hired a lawyer & are initiating a well-organized media blitz.
Those about to receive their client letter from the ministry will be getting the same kind of bond requirement depending on certain items such as disturbance, camp, equipment, ect.......regardless your bond will be enormous compared to what we are used to.
Please help support Placer mining in BC by becoming a member. We will soon have memberships available, the amount of each membership will depend on how many people want to join & support our causes. We will also explore ways to fund legal costs for our fight to preserve placer mining in BC. If we do nothing this way of life is gone forever. We have more than one issue to resolve by forming our group but we can be a voice that will be heard.
Thank you
Mike McKone - [email protected]
Are you interested in the forming of "Omineca Miners Association"? In my opinion we need to become organized as a group in order to be heard by the ministry. We can then affiliate with the Caribou miners association & Atlin as well, this will give us some added strength in our fight to save & preserve placer mining in BC.
Our way of live is under threat to be stripped away forever. I would like all BC miners & interested persons who wish to help with supporting our effort to please contact me at the listed email to inform me of your wish to become a member of our new association.
Many of you are not yet aware of the brand new bond calculator which has increased our bond from $5'000.00 to $10'000.00 to $216'997.00. Who can afford to put a 1/4 million dollars up for a bond? I feel if we were to pay this new bond so we can go back to mining we would be condoning this action & setting a precedent. This precedent would make it impossible for the many others following in our footsteps. So, we've hired a lawyer & are initiating a well-organized media blitz.
Those about to receive their client letter from the ministry will be getting the same kind of bond requirement depending on certain items such as disturbance, camp, equipment, ect.......regardless your bond will be enormous compared to what we are used to.
Please help support Placer mining in BC by becoming a member. We will soon have memberships available, the amount of each membership will depend on how many people want to join & support our causes. We will also explore ways to fund legal costs for our fight to preserve placer mining in BC. If we do nothing this way of life is gone forever. We have more than one issue to resolve by forming our group but we can be a voice that will be heard.
Thank you
Mike McKone - [email protected]
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