Rock Talk 2018, February 14 and 15, Smithers

Rock Talk 2018 in Smithers will feature a half-day workshop on the Classic Collection of Cordilleran Rock Suites as well as our usual review of northern BC projects.  

Cordilleran Rock Suites Workshop Wednesday February 14

• Location: SEG Office, #101-3423 Fulton Avenue, Smithers BC
• Date: Wednesday February 14
• Time: 1:00pm to 3:30pm followed by recpeption
• Cost: no cost
• Registration: email Paul Wojdak at paul4841@gmail.com

Smithers Exploration Group (SEG) is launching its newly re-furbished Classic Collection of Cordilleran Rock Suites.  The collection was begun in the 1970s by local geologists and prospectors, as well as the BC Ministry of Mines, and is being updated by former regional geologist Paul Wojdak and local geologist  Lorie Farrell. The collection is organized, labelled and displayed in easily accessible trays, in a heated and well-lit facility. It’s an opportunity to examine samples from some of the region’s well-documented historic rock suites. It will also begin the process of expanding the collection to represent the region’s newer deposits.

The introductory workshop on Wednesday February 14 will take place at SEG’s new office at #101-3423 Fulton Avenue, Smithers BC from 1:00pm to 3:30pm with a reception to follow from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. There is no cost or formal registration for this event, but please notify Paul Wojdak at paul4841@gmail.com if you intend to attend. Space is limited and your RSVP will assist in event planning.

SEG Annual General Meeting

4:30pm to 5:30pm – at SEG office directly following the Cordilleran Rock Suite Presentation.

Northern Project Updates and Geological Talks Thursday February 15

• Date: Thursday February 15
• Location: Smithers Curling Club
• Registration 8:00am to 9:00am
• Geological Talks and Project Updates  9:00am to 4:30 with breaks for coffee and lunch
• Cost: $50 – includes coffee breaks and lunch

BCGS – Current Projects
GT Gold – Saddle Project
Metallis – Mt. Dunn Project
Allegiance Coal – Telkwa Project
Centerra Gold – Mt. Milligan & Kemess
Coeur Mining – Silver Tip Mine
Amarc – Duke Project
Dolly Varden Silver Corp – Dolly Varden Project
Garibaldi Resources – Nickel Mountain
And others TBC 

Reception and Curling 4:30pm to 6:00pm

Directly following the Technical Talks there will be a Reception and Curling Bonspiel hosted by ERM Consultants Canada Ltd. and P&R Exploration Services. Drinks and Appetizers will be provided. During morning registration you can sign up for the fun curling event.

Coast Mountain GM will provide a shuttle service during and after the technical talks to shuttle people to their hotels, homes or the airport.

Air Canada and Central Mountain Air (CMA) have flights daily in and out of Smithers. Vehicles can be rented at the airport or you can make arrangements ahead of time with Northwest Truck Rental (1-855-438-6987) or Frontier Truck Rental (250877-7769).

Aspen Inn is the recommended accommodations as they are across the street from the Smithers Curling Club (venue for the technical talks). A conference rate for single rooms of $90 per night is available 250-847-4551. Accommodation is also available at Sunshine Inn: 250-847-6668 Stork’s Nest Inn: 250-847-3831 Hudson Bay Lodge: 250-847-4581

OQGM Certification Training hosted by the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC Friday February 16 in Smithers

This full day OQM Certification Training session is for both individuals and representatives from organizations seeking or interested in OQM Certification. It is not officially part of Rock Talk but is scheduled for the convenience of people who want to attend both events.

It covers the seven quality management requirements in the Engineers and Geoscientist Act and Bylaws, and how to implement or adapt policies and procedures within your organization in order to become OQM Certified.  The OQM Training Session qualifies for seven formal Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.  Register directly

Note: Attendees do not need to be members of Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

Location: Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge

Address: 3251 East Highway 16, Smithers

Feb 16: OQM Certification Training

Register directly at https://www.egbc.ca/Events/Events/2018/18FEBOQ1

SEG at Roundup 2018, January 22-25, West Building at Vancouver Convention Centre

SEG will promote northwest BC as the province’s premier location for exploring and investing in the BC minerals industry during Roundup 2018. We will have several locations where you can pick up a directory; check out northwest prospectors;  and get the low-down on what SEG is doing to ensure exploration success in the northwest.

• 2018 directories: will be available at the publication table near registration, at the SEG regional table outside the trade show on Monday and Tuesday and at the SEG table in the Prospectors’ Tent.
• Prospectors’ Tent:  SEG will have a table featuring several northwest prospectors and their available properties on Monday and Tuesday. Our theme will be: Northwest BC: Golden Triangle and Beyond. Join the Rush. 
• Regional Table: On Monday and Tuesday SEG will also staff a regional table just outside the trade show area where you can pick up a Rock Talk brochure; enter a draw for a trip to our September golf tournament, get details on Minerals North 2018 in Houston BC; learn about the Classic Collection of Cordilleran Rock Suites, get a directory and check out our Outreach work to schools and local communities….one-stop shopping.

SEG is looking for someone who will have a vehicle at Roundup to take a few things back to Smithers, once the fun is over.  If you can help out please contact Jordan Eller at  ellerj@agi.ca  Help will be appreciated.

AME award winners represent the Northwest

The lineup of award winners for the Association for Mineral Exploration looks like a who’s who of northwest BC projects.  So hats off to:

Ron Burk, Ken Konkin and Ken McNaughton, recipients of the H. H. “Spud” Huestis Award for excellence in prospecting and mineral exploration in B.C. and/or Yukon. They are being honoured for their pivotal roles in discovering the Valley of the Kings (“VOK”) deposit at Pretium Resources Inc.’s Brucejack mine in northwest B.C.

Joseph Ovsenek, David Prins and Kevin Torpy, recipients of the E.A. Scholz Award for excellence in mine development in B.C. and/or Yukon. They are honoured for commitment and leadership in advancing the Brucejack mine to production.

Brent Murphy and Elizabeth Miller, recipients of the Robert R. Hedley Award for excellence in social and environmental responsibility for their significant contributions and advances in the realm of social and environmental responsibility related to Seabridge Gold Inc.’s KSM project in northwest B.C.

We don’t mean to ignore the rest of the recipients – just proud of our own.  

AME board election

It’s election time again for the board for the Association for Mineral Exploration. You can check out details on the nominees (of which I am one).

Listed alphabetically, the 9 Director Nominees are:

• Michael Buchanan*
• Tara Hassan
• Andrew Mathewson
• John Murray*
• Christine Ogryzlo*
• Steve Robertson
• Bruce Scott*
• Leilah Tate
• Scott Weston*

* indicates an incumbent Director

VOTING OPENS ON MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 2018 AT 9:30AM

VOTING CLOSES ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2018 AT NOON.

In accordance with the bylaws of AME, for the 2018 Board of Directors, there are six candidates to be elected for a three-year term. Voting is open to AME members only. 

Geoscience BC feedback

Geoscience is looking for feedback in planning for the future through its next strategic plan.  You can:

• take a short survey   
• participate in a focus group. The Smithers focus group is  the morning of Tuesday January 30 at the Prestige Hudson Bay Lodge.
• Arrange for a short telephone interview

If you have questions call GBC at 604-662-4147 or email info@geosciencebc.com