NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010EMPR0038-001149 Sept. 27, 2010

Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources

 

AWARDS HONOUR MINE RECLAMATION EXCELLENCE

 

VICTORIA – The reclamation achievements of Northgate Minerals Corporation and Alpha Gold Corporation are excellent examples of B.C.’s leadership in mining reclamation practice, said Randy Hawes, Minister of State for Mining, after both companies won provincial 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 34^th Annual Reclamation Awards in Courtenay. Northgate Minerals’ work at Kemess South represents one of the largest-scale reclamation projects in the province, and the company was recognized for its strong commitment and innovative large-scale solutions. Alpha Gold was recognized for its reclamation efforts to address historical disturbances on the Lustdust property, in addition to more recent exploration disturbances.

 

“Northgate Minerals and Alpha Gold are both recognized for their commitment to reclamation and it’s great to see them honoured provincewide,” said John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes. “Mining is a key job creator and economic driver, in our region and throughout B.C., but it’s important to acknowledge the environmental planning that is central to these projects.”

 

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.”

 

B.C.’s mining sector is a key economic driver, contributing $5.7 billion to the provincial economy and employing 7,688 people in 2009; however, 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 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:

Jake Jacobs Media Relations Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources 250 952-0628 250 213-6934 (cell)

 

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