SEG June 2015 Enews Update

With Minerals North 2015 in Mackenzie a success, it’s time to think about Minerals North 2016 in Smithers on May 18 to 20. ! But first let’s look ahead to June. Smithers hosts the provincial Mine Rescue competition on June 13 at Heritage Park; Also this month, NWCC Smithers/Houston/Hazelton is organizing its first ever fundraising golf tournament for June 19; Then the next event on the SEG calendar is our annual golf tournament on Friday, September 18th with registration the evening of the 17th. This month’s newsletter wraps up with a summary of the Outreach events that SEG has undertaken with the annual funding from AME BC. Check out the photo collage and the report to see how SEG and AME BC are getting out the message about the value of exploration and mining to local communities and First Nations.

Minerals North 2015 and 2016

Minerals North 2015 filled Mackenzie to capacity and more last week. The town put on an excellent event, with the support of the MacLeod Lake Indian Band. One of the highlights was a road trip to the Mount Milligan mine site, with two busloads of people taking advantage of Thompson Creek’s hospitality. Well done Mackenzie.

Next year Smithers will host Minerals North 2016 on May 18 to 20. Plans are well underway. If you want to help support Minerals North 2016, you can contact co-chair Danielle Smyth at DSmyth@nwcc.bc.ca. Allan Stroett at allanstroet@bveda.ca is also ready to talk to anyone who wants to be a sponsor of the event.

Provincial Mine Rescue & First Aid Competition in Smithers June 13

Hundreds of people responsible for keeping miners in BC safe will gather in Smithers next week. The Provincial Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition takes place Saturday June 13 at Heritage Park in Smithers and brings together mine rescue and first aid teams from across British Columbia to test their emergency response and rescue abilities.

The teams will participate in Saturday’s contest at Heritage Park from 8 am to 4 pm. The public is invited to watch the competition.

The Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in British Columbia requires all mines to have emergency response capabilities. This requirement has made the B.C. mining industry a worldwide model for the implementation of health and safety practices. The competition enables B.C. mines to maintain consistent standards of training and procedures so that they can provide mutual aid to one another in the event of an emergency. It’s co-hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Mining Association of BC and the Town of Smithers.

SEG annual golf tournament September 18

Final details are being put in place for SEG’s annual golf tournament and banquet in Smithers on Friday September 18 at the Smithers Golf and Country Club. Registration will be on Thursday evening September 17. Details on the golf tournament and field trip will be included in the July newsletter and on the website as soon as everything is in place.

GeoScience BC introduction June 17

The Bulkley Valley Research Centre is hosting a lunch on Wednesday June 17 to present Geoscience BC to the community of Smithers. It will take place at Northwest Community College as part of the BVRC’s Seminar Series from noon to 1 pm. Admission is free but you are asked to bring your own lunch.

Golf to Support NWCC bursaries June 19

NWCC Smithers/Houston/Hazelton is organizing its first ever fundraising golf tournament for June 19, 2015. They are raising funds for an endowment that will provide scholarships and bursaries for NWCC students in the area. The college hopes that local businesses will see a way to support the tournament, either through participating, providing item(s) for a silent auction table, sponsoring the event, or a combination. Check out the poster for more details.

Support NWCC students Help Buy a Seat

Northwest Community College School of Exploration & Mining has launched its 2015 "Buy a Seat" campaign to raise funds to deliver the Dual Credit Environmental Monitor Assistant Program (EMAP) at Smithers Senior Secondary School. Your donation will help 18 students in Grades 11 and 12 participate in this award winning program. It exposes students to career pathways in natural resources and provides hands-on employment skills while earning credits toward high school graduation. The full cost of a seat is $3675 but any and all donation amounts are welcomed. Please contact DSmyth@nwcc.bc.ca for more information on how to donate or check out the poster.

BCIT students available for jobs

BCIT has a group of fine Mining and Mineral Exploration Technology students who are currently seeking summer employment opportunities. BCIT students will complete the first year of the Mining and Mineral Exploration Technology program in April and are available to work in industry now until the end of August..

Previous employers have found hiring BCIT Mining students to be an effective recruiting model, providing many benefits such as direct access to a pool of qualified and enthusiastic workers.

Hiring a student is easy, just forward your job description directly to fmclafferty@bcit.ca. Her office will email you the student resumes for your review and hiring consideration. You select the students you wish to interview and the BCIT office will assist in making all of the arrangements to connect you with the students.

Program information can be found by visiting websites at http://www.bcit.ca/study/programs/6610diplt#details

Reaching out

SEG's Outreach work makes it possible for us to talk with any group, class or council that wants to learn more about the importance of exploration and mining to community sustainability.

The Outreach work is funded through a grant from the Association for Mineral Exploration BC with the focus of increasing awareness of the contribution of the mineral exploration sector to the economic health of BC and Canada.

Each year SEG plans an Outreach campaign that connects with local groups including schools, councils and bands, chambers of commerce and government ministries. These are some of the highlights of spring 2015

Rock Talk Education Day - AME BC Health and Safety Workshop
Gitanmaax Career Fair
Meeting with Ministry responsible for Driftwood Fossil Beds to discuss more open access to fossils
SEG – MEM - FLNRO Brown Bag Lunch
Gitanmaax Community Planning Information Sessions
Gitwangak Community Planning Information Sessions
Gitanyow Career Fair
Pacific Northwest Science Fair Earth Science Prize
Walnut Park Elementary School cupcake drilling & cookie mining activities with learning about the exploration life cycle
Mining Poster campaign on Smithers Main Street during Mining Week
Elementary School Field Trips
Two $1000 scholarships to School District #54 graduates

SEG is very interested in meeting with your group in the coming year. Please contact the Outreach Administrator at outreachsmithersexplorationgr@gmail.com to begin the conversation.