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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release Sept. 27, 2010 |
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
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AWARDS HONOUR MINE RECLAMATION EXCELLENCE
VICTORIA – The reclamation achievements of Teck Coal Limited and CertainTeed Gypsum Canada Inc. are excellent examples of B.C.’s leadership in mining reclamation practice, said Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining, following the company’s win at this year’s Mine Reclamation Awards.
“I congratulate the leadership shown by the winners of this year’s Mine Reclamation Awards as they restore formerly mined land to other useful purposes,” said Hawes. “B.C. is a world leader when it comes to mine reclamation, the global mining industry learns from best practices developed here and I am proud of that.”
Awards were presented at the 34th Annual Reclamation Awards in Courtenay. Teck Coal was recognized for clean-up work and removal of historical mining debris at its Elkview Operations at Michel Creek. CertainTeed Gypsum was recognized for its ongoing and long-term success in reclamation efforts at the Windermere site. The site has been actively mined since 1950, making it the longest continuously mined open pit in B.C.
“This recognition for Teck Coal and CertainTeed Gypsum highlights how the mining sector can not only bring jobs and prosperity to the Kootenays, but can do it in a way that fully considers the environment,” said Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and MLA for Kootenay East. “Mining contributes billions of dollars to B.C.’s economy and employs thousands of people, but a big part of that success is industry’s commitment to world-leading environmental standards.”
Award recipients recognized this year were:
· B.C. Jake McDonald Annual Mine Reclamation Award awarded to Lehigh Materials, Sechelt mine
· Metal Mining Reclamation Citation awarded to Northgate Minerals Corporation, Kemess South mine
· Coal Mining Reclamation Citation awarded to Teck Coal Limited, Elkview Operations
· Mineral Exploration Reclamation Citation awarded to Alpha Gold Corporation, Lustdust
· Quarry Reclamation Citation awarded to CertainTeed Gypsum Canada Inc., Windermere Mining Operation
“As the current renaissance in B.C. mining takes hold, the significance of reclamation cannot be overstated,” said Pierre Gratton, president and CEO of the Mining Association of BC. “The ability to open new mines is not only based on economic feasibility but also the size of the footprint, the impact on water quality and the reclamation design.”
Mining uses less than 0.045 per cent of B.C.’s land base, a very small footprint. About 18,190 hectares of former mines have been reclaimed back to a productive use.
The award recipients were chosen by a committee that includes a representative from the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Environment, Mining Association of BC, and Thompson Rivers University, all of whom serve on the British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation who hosted the Awards.
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Media Contact:
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Jake Jacobs Media Relations Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell) |
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