May 30, 2012 – Republic of Mining

Axing outdated views: Mining Week gets an overhaul in Sudbury – by Lindsay Kelly (Northern Ontario Business – May 2012)

May 30, 2012

Established in 1980, Northern Ontario Business provides Canadians and international investors with relevant, current and insightful editorial content and business news information about Ontario’s vibrant and resource-rich North.

When it comes to modern-day mining, the pickaxe and shovel are out and robots and technology are in.

It’s a message the organizers of Sudbury Mining Week worked hard to promote this year as students from across the city participated in the annual event designed to raise the awareness of the importance of mining to the area and enhance its profile amongst would-be future miners.

The shift from traditional mining to a high-tech version has been occurring over a number of years, but many in the community aren’t aware of it, said Nicole Tardif, Sudbury Mining Week chair. The city needs to change long-held, outmoded perceptions of the industry if it wants to interest the next generation in mining as a viable career option.

“We have all these great companies and all these great things that are happening in our city,” Tardif said. “If we want those to continue when our baby boomers retire, who better to replace them than the people who have grown up in this area?”

AngloGold Ashanti plans for a mining renaissance – by Dick DeStefano (Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal – June 1, 2012)

September 7, 2018May 30, 2012

Dick DeStefano is the Executive Director of Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association (SAMSSA). destefan@isys.ca This column was originally published in the June, 2012 issue of Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal.

“The future of mining underground will change dramatically in the next few years and suppliers need to be ready for the shift”

SAMSSA Members were recently treated to a special strategic plan regarding the mine of the future by Michael MacFarlane who is a Senior Vice President with AngloGold Ashanti which is a leading gold mining company, headquartered in Johannesburg, with a portfolio of 21 operations spanning 10 countries. Born and educated in Canada, Michael holds a Bachelor of Engineer degree in Mining. He previously worked for Vale Inco for 16 years in Canada where he was Director for Mining and Milling for their Canadian operations. He became Senior Vice President with AngloGold Ashanti in 2010.

Mike was asked a number of key questions about this evolving mining event worldwide.

1. What is the key assumption you are using as a premise for the mine of the future?

Our specific view is what I had presented to SAMSSA members and addresses our deep gold mining issues in South Africa. We are working to unlock more than 70 million ounces of ultra deep resource. The problem we are solving is how to mine all the gold – only the gold, all the time. My presentation was specific to technology to address these main value drivers.

Anvil acquisition helps Minmetals turn the corner in Congo – by Geoffrey York (Globe and Mail – May 30, 2012)

May 30, 2012

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

KINSEVERE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Three months after a $1.3-billion takeover, the new owners of Anvil Mining Ltd. have posted an ambitious business plan on the wall of their Congo mining office.

At the top of the list: “savvy acquisitions” – with the goal of becoming one of the world’s three biggest mid-tier miners and creating a $20-billion global player. And the former Canadian-owned copper mine in Congo is crucial to the strategy.

Anvil’s acquirer, China Minmetals Corp., has learned its Canadian lessons well. Eight years ago, the state-owned company ignited a firestorm of controversy in Canada with its clumsy bid for Noranda Inc., sparking fierce criticism from Canadian politicians and leading to the eventual failure of the bid.

This time its expansion drive is shrewd and carefully planned. Anvil will become the springboard for Minmetals’ aggressive growth plan, which is focused primarily on Africa – especially the risky but mineral-rich terrain of Congo.

NDP leader Tom Mulcair invades enemy territory – by Tim Harper (Toronto Star – May 30, 2012)

May 30, 2012

The Toronto Star, has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

OTTAWA – Tom Mulcair brazenly parachutes into enemy territory Wednesday. The NDP leader is backed only by a tiny band of subversives, his energy critic, Peter Julian, his environment critic and deputy leader, Megan Leslie, and his lone Alberta MP, Linda Duncan.

As he journeys to Fort McMurray, he drags with him accusations he is “lecturing” Alberta on the oilsands, is seeking to divide the country and is carving up the nation in some Ottawa bunker, pitting region versus region, rubbing his hands in glee as he counts central Canadian seats on his way to forming the next government.

He is on the agenda of the western premiers’ meeting in Edmonton and is the subject of a politically motivated government motion condemning him in the British Columbia legislature.

Enough already with the wedge politics. Mulcair is a federal leader and, as such, he has the right — indeed, the obligation — to question federal environmental policies.

Anti-mining violence escalates in Peru – by Peter Koven (National Post – May 30, 2012)

May 30, 2012

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

TORONTO — Miners in Peru are operating under another black cloud this week after a wave of anti-mining protests turned violent and prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.

At least two people were killed and dozens more injured in protests against Xstrata PLC’s Tintaya mine, which is located in Espinar province in southern Peru. The protesters claim the mine has polluted two rivers, a charge Xstrata denies. Sources said that there are socio-economic factors behind the outbreak of violence as well.

There has been significant anti-mining violence in Peru since President Ollanta Humala – a moderate leftist who supports mining — took office last year (it was also an issue under Alan Garcia, his predecessor).

In recent months, protesters have successfully disrupted development of Newmont Mining Corp.’s US$4.8-billion Conga project, as well as Southern Copper Corp.’s Tia Maria project and Bear Creek Mining Corp.’s Santa Ana project. At least 10 people died in those actions, according to reports.

Aging Canadian population an economic [mining sector] opportunity for youthful First Nations – by John Ivison (National Post – May 29, 2012)

May 30, 2012

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

The new census results reveal a challenge could put the brakes on Canada’s economic growth for years to come. Yet they also present an opportunity for the country’s First Nations to secure for themselves a future less dependent on welfare and hand-outs.

The new data show the Western provinces are aging more slowly than those in the East, in large part because of burgeoning native populations. Saskatchewan was the only province to see the proportion of over 65s fall in the last five years, thanks to its growing aboriginal communities.

Canada is facing labour shortages and most of its slack supply, such as the east coast provinces, has already been tapped. A study by Raymond James Investments earlier this year suggested cost inflation because of lack of available labour will be the major constraint on growth in the oil sands.

The Canadian Energy Research Institute has estimated the oil sands will require more than 450,000 positions filled across Canada annually. The challenge is clear – to marry the one remaining pool of slack supply – the aboriginal community – to the jobs that desperately need to be filled.

MiningWatch Canada: Plan Nord: The North challenges Charest government – by Frédéric Dubois (May 28, 2012)

May 30, 2012

http://www.miningwatch.ca/home

Frédéric Dubois is a Montreal-based reporter and producer. His attendance to the Forum Plan Nord 2012 has been made possible with the support of Mining Watch Canada.

The month of May is almost over. In Quebec it’s been a month marked by massive student demonstrations, mass arrests and tens of thousands of kids in pajamas and septuagenarians on their balconies hitting wooden spoons on pots and pans. May 2012 will be remembered in Québec as a month where a strong 3-month student strike turned into a general social movement.

The month of May may also prove to be a game-changer for the mining industry in Québec. Underreported in the mainstream media, one event should be looked at to understand why opposition to Charest’s aggressive resource extraction agenda has shifted in Québec. The Forum Plan Nord 2012 – The North Matters took place in Québec City at the beginning of May. The event brought together about 300 people from distinct sectors – environmental groups, women groups, First Nations communities, universities, unions, and many more.

Even a few civil servants and company representatives attended. But unlike most conferences about mining, this one was organized by a First Nations group. The Sustainable Development Institute of the First Nations of Québec and Labrador timed the conference to underline the first anniversary of Jean Charest’s unilateral announcement of the Plan Nord.

Vale looks for some [mining employment] help – by Carol Mulligan (Sudbury Star – May 30, 2012)

May 30, 2012

The Sudbury Star is the City of Greater Sudbury’s daily newspaper.

Vale Ltd. is embarking on an aggressive campaign to hire more than 40 engineers and hundreds of other employees by “selling” the quality of life in the Nickel City and the opportunities for advancement with the giant miner.

At least 400 new employees will be hired this year, many to work on the $3.4 billion in investments the company is making in its Clean AER project at the Copper Cliff Smelter.

Engineers are also needed to do preliminary work on Vale’s Victor-Capre and Copper Cliff Deep projects.

Vale employs almost 4,000 people at Sudbury in six mines, a mill, a smelter and a refinery. Kelly Strong, general manager of Vale’s Ontario operations, says his company is in stiff competition with mining companies, such as BHP and Rio Tinto — and from other industries such as oil and gas.

Part of the company’s hiring plan is promoting a new image of mining, starting in area high schools, and at colleges and universities.

Time to reinstate spring bear hunt – Thunder Bay Editorial (Chronicle-Journal – May 29, 2012)

May 30, 2012

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Sometimes, a dead horse has to be kicked, again and again. The former spring bear hunt in Ontario is one such animal.

If the provincial government is really serious about helping the region’s tourist industry and managing black bear populations in Northern Ontario, it will reinstate the spring bear hunt.

The hunt is currently a viable tourism and wildlife management option in nine other provinces and territories across Canada. Why not Ontario? Are their bears different from ours?

A Winnipeg man has already been bitten this year by a bear north of Sioux Lookout, hauled from an outhouse in a story that made national headlines. Children in the town’s Sioux Mountain School are reportedly being kept indoors at recess these days because bears are roaming the area. A longer fall bear hunt has not been sufficient to keep bear numbers in check and the number and reports of nuisance bears is rising throughout the province.