OMER Spring 2015

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Ontario Mineral

ExplorationREVIEW SPRING 2015

The mineral sector in Northwestern Ontario: An economic driver Important Ontario mining camps looking forward to a vibrant 2015

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Goldcorp merger could potentially push the Ring of Fire forward

New survey of ‘hidden’ supply sector nearly doubles mining contributions to Ontario’s economy

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Published by: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3L 0G5 President and CEO: David Langstaff

Ontario Mineral

ExplorationREVIEW

Publisher: Jason Stefanik

Minister’s update: Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

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Managing Editor: Shayna Wiwierski shayna@delcommunications.com

A message from the Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association (NWOPA)

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Advertising Sales Manager: Dayna Oulion

Eyes wide open: CEMI

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The mineral sector in Northwestern Ontario: An economic driver

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Making connections: New survey of ‘hidden’ supply sector nearly doubles mining contributions to Ontario’s economy

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Technology and innovation to optimize mining operations: Meglab

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Important Ontario mining camps looking forward to vibrant 2015

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Mining-claim staking in remote areas - Ontario Mining Recorder order confirms use of helicopters

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Could Goldcorp acquisition of Probe push the Ring of Fire forward?

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New initiatives and programs improve safety for Ontario’s mining sector

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Helping young children to cope when you work away

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A sustainable future: Canada’s mining association a global leader in sustainability

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Gone are the days of buildings with limitations: Britespan Building Systems Inc.

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Dynamic Earth underground renewal

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Pecor Anomaly; Serpent River Property - Elliot Lake, ON

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Is it time to re-evaluate the approach to mineral exploration in an effort to reduce budgets?

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GAL Group of Companies charts aggressive growth strategy for 2015

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How to ‘extract more’ in mining

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Equipment World: The mine dry locker experts

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Your only turnkey environmental engineering service provider: Canadian Shield Consultants Agency Inc.

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The importance of selecting an appropriate analytical package for your program

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Index to advertisers

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Spring 2015

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Minister’s Update

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines By Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines

For more than a century, Ontario has been a leader in mineral exploration and development. We are the number one producer in Canada for gold, nickel, copper and platinum, and thanks to the hard work of the men and women in the mineral development industry, Ontario is ranked one of the world’s top 10 jurisdictions for exploration investments. Whether it was driving North America’s industrialization in the th 20 century, welcoming immigrants into our northern communities, or expanding international trade, resource development has been a part of the fabric of our province and our nation. The mining industry has survived and thrived in commodity cycles stretching back 120 years. We have overcome many challenges, and we’re stronger for it. Looking forward, I am excited about the continued growth of the mining sector. Twenty-four mines have opened in the past 10 years, including a number of exciting projects like Detour Gold’s Cochrane mine, which began mineral production in 2013, and the opening of Vale’s Totten Mine last year. This was the first new mine for Vale in the Sudbury Basin in more than 40 years. We expect another three mines to open over the next couple of years despite the recent global challenges of lower metal prices and reduced investment. Building on this momentum, our government is also working to renew Ontario’s Mineral Development Strategy to further strengthen the sector. Renewing the Mineral Development Strategy

will set out priorities that will allow us to seize opportunities for Ontario’s mineral development sector to move forward in a prosperous direction. We are demonstrating our leadership in the proposed development in the Ring of Fire. Last year, our government took a number of important steps to lay the groundwork for its development, including the commitment of $1 billion for strategic transportation infrastructure in the region and establishing the ROF Infrastructure Development Corporation. We’ve also strengthened our partnership with First Nations through the signing of a framework agreement with the Matawa-member First Nations. It is an exciting time to be involved in mineral exploration and development in Ontario. The opportunities for growth in our communities and for our economy are endless. I look forward to continue working with you to ensure all Ontarians benefit from the potential of our natural resources.

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review


A message from the

Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association (NWOPA)

Booth display by Transition Metals, the recipients of last year’s Bernie Schnieders Discovery of the Year award.

The Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association (NWOPA) operates out of Thunder Bay with a membership of approximately 450 prospectors, geologists, miners, service industry personnel, and government employees. NWOPA’s mission is to “Represent and further the interests, serve the needs, and support the individual prospectors in Northwestern Ontario”. How the elected board members carryout this mission is driven by our members. Upcoming events for 2015 We have begun the year by designing and circulating a short online survey on Ontario’s changes to the Mining Act and how our members and others view these changes as they relate to mineral exploration in the province. This survey can be completed in the matter of a few minutes and we invite anyone who wishes to provide input to visit our website at www.nwopa.net for the link to the survey. Our board is represented on various government advisory committees that make recommendations and provide feedback directly to the government officials responsible for designing and implementing the new regulations that will directly affect explorers in our province for generations. Have your voice heard by filling out our survey. 2015’s activities and events will kick off with the Northwestern Ontario Mines and Minerals Symposium (NWOMMS) held in Thunder Bay on April 14th and 15th. This year’s theme is “Turning the Corner”, and we are hoping that the summer season ahead will reflect our optimism with many field projects in full swing and new discoveries made in Northwest Ontario. Registration and exhibitor forms will be available soon, so be sure to stay tuned to our website for updates. The symposium highlights recent discoveries and successes in Northwestern Ontario made by our prospector and junior mining company members. The speaker’s program is filled out with geoscience presen-

tations and the NWOPA’s Awards Banquet brings everything together with a dinner and awards ceremony to acknowledge successful people and projects during the previous year. Delegates find the event an opportunity to keep abreast of developments in the exploration field and a good place to network with more than 500 attendees while visiting the 100 exhibitors on the convention floor. Coming up on June 6th will be the third-annual Thunder Bay Mining Day, which will take place at Marina Park on Thunder Bay’s beautiful waterfront. Mining Day is presented by NWOPA and other local industry-related groups and is co-sponsored by many of the companies with offices or activities in the NW Ontario region. In 2014 over 40 exhibitors presented interactive games and activities with a mining-related theme to entertain the public and demystify the work of the mining and exploration community. The underriding theme is to “Bring the Bush to Town”. The response from the mining companies and the public has been overwhelming and contributes to an educated public. Check out the gallery of pictures from the first two years of the event, as well as information on this year’s event at www.thunderbayminingday.ca. NWOPA will also be participating in other local and regional shows (NW Ontario Trappers Festival and the Geraldton Trade Show) as part of our public relations work and outreach to the general public. Please check out our new website for details on all the upcoming and past events, and more information on our board members committees and what we’re doing for our membership. 2015 - Looking Ahead While the downturn persists, there seems to be more optimism noted early in the new year that our industry is beginning to stabilize and perhaps we’re “turning the corner” with respect to available capital and investment in grassroots exploration. Only time will tell. We still have some major issues to deal with in order to get back the confidence of the investors. The NWOPA board is participating in several ways and providing solutions to amend the problems, but it has been an uphill battle and time consuming. Please take the time to reply to the above-mentioned survey and be a part of the solution. Thank you. Eventually – yes, eventually – the upturn in the industry will happen. Remember this slogan: “From the stone age to the technology age, where would we be without minerals, metals and mines?” – Steven Siemieniuk, vice-president, NWOPA (January 2015). For information or membership, please visit our webpage at www.NWOPA.net. Spring 2015

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Eyes wide open

Canada’s Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) at the top of its game, creating solutions for the mineral exploration sector By Jillian Mitchell A prototype canopy from CEMI’s Single Heading Lateral Development project.

The word “innovation” has many definitions, but perhaps French novelist Marcel Proust said it best: “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Comparatively, Proust’s words are echoed in the mandate of the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), a leading-edge organization within the Canadian metal mining industry dedicated to innovation. Simply put, the centre focuses on the implementation of new and innovative so6

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

lutions in five strategic areas: exploration, deep mining, integrated mine engineering, underground mine construction, and environment and sustainability. These solutions are geared towards delivering innovation. “If you’re not making a change in the way things get done, then innovation hasn’t happened,” says Douglas Morrison, president & CEO of CEMI, who accredits the centre’s step-change procedure—a three-step plan involving research, development and implementation (R&D+I)—to the centre’s

successful introduction of new industry strategies. “A lot of people use the words ‘research’ and ‘innovation’ interchangeably— but they’re not the same. It has to have a practical outcome to be a successful innovation, whereas a research project is a success whether you get the answer you wanted, or some other answer.” Following these three technical steps, CEMI has now entered the commercialization phase to aid in bringing these innovations to market.


Exploration initiatives Currently, CEMI boasts three operational exploration-related developments: the Rapid Development Program (RDP), the Ultra-Deep Mining Network (UDMN), and the FindMine initiatives. As with all CEMI projects, all three initiatives will strive for a reduction in cost/capital demands and environmental impact, and will achieve a research-to-marketplace status in one to three years. Rapid Development Program – The RDP’s Single-Heading Lateral Development project, which includes the creation of an advanced canopy designed to foster parallel activities of support and drill processes at the development face, is the most active of CEMI’s exploration initiatives. The canopy is poised to reduce the number of re-entries required during the four major explorative mining processes, thereby rendering time lost through a shortened cycle. “What we’re trying to do is change the sequence of activities we have in our development cycle so that we can reduce its length,” says Morrison. “The hope is that it will excel the rate of advance. The rate of advance controls the speed at which we get to a new ore body. The faster you get to the ore, the better the present value of the project.” The mesh-concrete-steel design includes two overlapping canopies—a face canopy to protect the face machine and operators, and a support canopy to protect the support machine and operators. This allows for simultaneous activity, such as drilling and charging alongside ground support. Built to withstand 50 tonnes of ground fall, the prototype successfully passed the initial field trial in late 2014. “It’s performed better than we expected,” says Morrison, noting that the canopy was pushed to hold 80 tonnes during the trial. Two additional field trials will be implemented in 2015 with the goal of introducing a finalized design to industry by December 2015. Ultra-Deep Mining Network (UDMN) – Managed by CEMI, UDMN aims to become the leading expert in ultra-deep (below 2.5 kilometres) research and innovation, and to solve the challenges that impact resource extraction in these environments. By supporting solution-providers capable of creat-

Douglas Morrison, president & CEO of CEMI.

ing the industry-needed tools and technologies in the short term, it will lead the way in helping ultra-deep mines to operate more effectively and safely, generate more value, improve the human environment, and enhance mine productivity. Among these challenges is the need for improved integrated personal protective equipment (IPPE), such as helmets and specialized clothing better suited to hot underground conditions. According to Morrison, the new helmet prototype will better integrate industry add-ons, such as earmuffs, safety glasses, dust masks, and communications, into a completely hands-free helmet. Special consideration will be allotted to elements such as cooling, filtered breathing, air-quality monitoring, position tracking (RFID), noise reduction, medical monitoring (e.g., heart rate, breathing), and mine alerts. The improved IPPE are both poised to enhance the wellbeing and safety of miners working at ultra-deep levels. Though still in the early developmental stages, both IPPEs speak to the UDMN’s overall goals, such as increased productivity, decreased risk to workers, lower energy utilization, as well as lower capital and operating costs achieved through performance and efficiency improvements. In 2014, the Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) program awarded the network $15 million. Moving forward, Morrison shares that the UDMN will continue to diversify, as the program requires CEMI to have the capacity to take on new projects. FindMine - Mineral Exploration & Geophysics – Anticipated to significantly enhance structural evolution comprehension,

CEMI’s FindMine initiative is focused on the development of expedient exploration techniques, such as structural field analysis, remote sensing, 3D-kinematic restoration, and analogue modeling. For the past five years, CEMI’s initiative has been spearheaded by geophysics specialist Dr. Richard Smith of Laurentian University. Dr. Smith’s research is geared towards finding improved exploration techniques for ore bodies adjacent to existing mines and Greenfield sites. “Because of the nature of the mining businesses, we have focused most of our attention up until now on productivity issues. That was our primary target,” Morrison says. “Our secondary target now is beginning to look at the FindMine program, looking at exploration techniques.” Currently, this new phase of the program is in its infancy, but steps have been made towards the primary research goal, which is to further the processes and structures that control mineralization in the more nontraditional Cu-Ni-PGE ore deposits. Innovation To qualify as a CEMI project, a proposed project must first meet the centre’s three criteria: one, projects that have a good chance of being successful in the marketplace; two, that are achievable in a short time; and three, that have the potential to double—or triple—performance. As Morrison clarifies, “It’s not that we’re always going to be successful in doing that, but if we aim for double and we only make half, then that’s pretty good. But if we only aim for five per cent in the first place, the best we’ll achieve is five per cent. So the target is the best you can hope to achieve.” According to the company president and CEO, innovation rests in the gap between research components and practical marketplace solutions. It’s in this gap that the service and supply sector play a major role. “Essentially, today, if we don’t offer the mining companies a plug-and-play solution, it will not be implemented,” he says. “Our first big step forward was recognizing that the service and supply sector was the third component for a successful innovation process, because they’re the ones that will help us bridge from the researchers to the mining companies.” Spring 2015

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The mineral sector in Northwestern Ontario: An economic driver

Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario are hosts to new world-class gold, copper, nickel, palladium, graphite, chromite, and iron deposits. Northwestern Ontario mines produced $1.81 billion of metallic minerals in 2013; that number is expected to grow annually over the next decade. Current production from existing mines is one million ounces of gold annually. Twenty-five million ounces of new gold resources have been discovered in the area. 8

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Exploration/mining companies are expanding or continuing to move closer to actual production in the region: North American Palladium Ltd. (Lac des Iles) continues to increase production at the Lac des Iles Mine following a $400-million mine expansion. Aggressive exploration of various palladium zones on the mine footprint continues. Premier Gold Mines Ltd., (Geraldton) continues to explore its seven-million-ounce TransCanada Gold Project. A positive prelimi-


Five new gold mines will come into production in the next four years, adding to Northwestern Ontario’s annual gold production total of approximately one-million ounces (25 per cent of Canada’s total). nary economic assessment (PEA) was released for the Hard Rock and Brookbank gold deposits. Rubicon Minerals Corporation (Red Lake) completed the production shaft on the Phoenix Gold Deposit. Mill construction continues with the goal of gold production by mid-2015 at a rate of 2,500 tonnes per day. New Gold Inc. (Fort Frances) continues to advance the Rainy River Resources project to production. A positive feasibility study was released for the gold deposit. The completion of the environmental assessment in 2015 will lead to construction in 2015, and production by mid-2016. Goldcorp Inc. (Red Lake) has completed the underground railway (tramway) to access the five-million-ounce Cochenour Gold deposit under the waters of Red Lake. Production from the Cochenour Deposit is scheduled for 2015. Rockex Ltd. (Pickle Lake) completed a positive PEA for the onebillion-tonne Lake St. Joseph iron deposit. Treasury Metals Ltd. (Dryden) continues with the environmental assessment process moving toward completion of an environmental impact statement on the Goliath gold deposit. Treasury is working toward a feasibility study. The Goliath hosts 1.7 million ounces of gold; production is planned for 2015/16. Zenyatta Ventures’ (Hearst) 25.1 million tonnes grading 3.89 per cent graphite carbon is present at their Albany Graphite deposit. Zenyatta was the top-performing stock on the TSX Venture in 2013. Graphite of the spectacular grade contained in the Albany deposit has numerous high-tech uses, including electric vehicles. Pilot plant testing conducted in late 2014 was successful. Noront Resources (Ring of Fire) is planning significant exploration, geotechnical and development work on the Eagle’s Nest nickel-copper mine. Noront has spent over $200 million to date on exploration. Mining Readiness Strategy The Mining Readiness Strategy is a comprehensive, inclusive and integrated economic development plan designed to help Northwestern Ontario stakeholders focus and capitalize on the many opportunities that mining development will bring to the region. The strategy was commissioned by the City of Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), and the Fort William First Nation (FWFN), with funding support from a number of partners including FedNor, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, and other contributors such as the Thunder Bay International Airports Authority Inc., the Thunder Port Authority, Thunder Bay Hydro, TBay Tel, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), Lakehead University and Confederation College. Introduction and strategy context The Northwestern Ontario region is forecasting significant min-

ing development. This growth is expected to result in substantial economic and social development for Thunder Bay, its surrounding municipalities and First Nation communities. The discovery and development of major gold deposits, nickel in Northwestern Ontario’s Ring of Fire, and other mineral resources in Northwestern Ontario, including graphite, are expected to create a variety of business opportunities that positively influence the region’s economic outlook. This growth will place unique pressures on infrastructure and government services, as well as the current and future mining labour market. Five new gold mines will come into production in the next four years, adding to Northwestern Ontario’s annual gold production total of approximately one-million ounces (25 per cent of Canada’s total). New gold mines will include: Phoenix (Rubicon Minerals Corp.), Cochenour (Goldcorp Inc.), Rainy River (New Gold Inc.), Goliath (Treasury Metals Inc.) and Hard Rock (Premier Gold Mines Limited). For more information, please visit: www.ThunderBayCEDC.ca.

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Making connections

New survey of ‘hidden’ supply sector nearly doubles mining contributions to Ontario’s economy By Jillian Mitchell Ontario’s mining supply sector appears to have grown exponentially, almost overnight—from 7,851 direct jobs to a recalculated 41,000 jobs (68,000 jobs if you consider indirect) for 2011—but according to a recent economic impact study, the numbers have been there all along. “The supply and services sector for mining supply is hidden because it’s not directly measured by Stats Canada,” says Ryan McEachern, managing director for the Canadian Association of Mining Equipment and Services for Export (CAMESE), a national trades association based in Markham, Ontario. “We’ve always known this, and we’ve known it was significant, but we didn’t know any quantitative values. When we saw the survey results, it validated our assumptions.” According to the CAMESE-initiated study, 41,000 direct and 27,000 indirect jobs in the province’s mining supply and service (MSS) sector were occupied in 2011. That same year, the MSS sector contributed $3.9 billion to Ontario’s GDP in direct impacts; $6.2 billion with indirect impacts considered. The study executed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which has financial support from the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Natural Resources Canada, and the Mining Association of Canada, was based on information garnered from 913 mining supplier companies’ activities in 2011. According to McEachern, the results further solidifies the sector’s important economic contribution to the province and its important role to the national and worldwide market. “The group of suppliers and services to the mining industry is substantial—in 2011, it had two-and-a-half times more jobs compared to direct mining employment. That’s a big takeaway,” McEachern adds, citing that mining-specific jobs in banks, legal and accounting firms, business consultants and engineering firms tend to be overlooked as part of this sector. “Something tangible like mining equipment you can easily think about, but it’s all of these other services that tend to be overlooked.” A comparative study from the 2011 Rotman Report * published in 2012 initially claimed that direct employment in mining was “more 10

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

than 7,581”—a number significantly lower than the 41,000 outlined by the CAMESE study. McEachern attributed the differing stats to the fact that the new study captured significant MSS activities for non-Ontario mining operations. The CAMESE study further estimates the MSS sector’s production value accounts for 1.0 per cent of Ontario’s total GDP, when considering the sector’s global activities outside the province. By combining the direct mining sector with the MSS sector, the total output within the province doubles to about 2.3 per cent of provincial GDP. All told, Ontario’s mining supply is approximately 77 per cent as vital to Ontario’s economy as mining itself. “It’s always been considered a Northern Ontario story because that is where the mining operations are located in the province and there are a substantial number of mining service and suppliers up there,” says McEachern, “but what commonly gets missed is the other parts of Ontario.” An estimated 33 per cent of suppliers are based in the province’s north, 21 per cent are located in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), with the remaining 46 per cent located in other parts of the province. “They’re engaged in mining and not tracked accordingly. So it really is a pan-Ontario story,” he adds. For CAMESE, the study sparks much possibility, including the ability to garner MSS stats on a national level. “Now that we have this kind of information, it’s going to help the Ontario government when they’re creating policy. There are some numbers here that are meaningful,” McEachern says. “And what CAMESE would like to see is that this survey is done across Canada. It’s something the federal government would need to take on, and we’ve given them a sound methodology to kick-start something like that.” * A study released in 2012 on the impact of mining on the provincial economy in 2011 entitled Mining: Dynamic and Dependable for Ontario’s Future, done by the Policy and Economic Analysis Program of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management for the Ontario Mining Association (the “Rotman Report”).


Technology and innovation to optimize mining operations

Meglab: Electronic, electric, communication, control and engineering

All the workers, visitors and equipment are equipped with tags and tracked continuously through the Leaky Feeder and/or Fiber Optic system.

Meglab specializes in custom manufacturing, turnkey project management, and integrated problem solving. Our mission is to identify, design, manufacture and install innovative electrical and electronic solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of our industrial customers. These solutions are used to achieve three core objectives for said customers, namely, optimizing the pace of production, reducing operating costs and ecological footprints, and ensuring a safe working environment. “Our focus is to service our customers in the way they expect to be assisted and to communicate with them in order to identify their individual goals, budgets and timelines. The result of this concept is the development of products or solutions that are tailor-made to fit the customers’ needs.� Meglab essentially acts as a complete one-stop service and solutions provider, and is able to call upon the services of a group of employees or providers/partners who collectively possess a wealth of experience in various fields of expertise.

Tracking and VOD system Dynamic tracking is used to locate personnel and mobile devices in real time, in addition to interconnecting diverse equipment to render mining operations more effective and safe. By integrating different technologies, it is now possible to capture the information of the varied equipment and systems, and analyse the data to automate operations. For example, with the tracking, the VOD system is used to manage ventilation so as to reduce the amount of energy and operation costs in addition to providing improved air quality underground for the employees. Together with our customers, we are using off-theshelf tags from Aeroscout, Cisco access points, Safdy, Draegger and Conspec sensors, communicating through a Varis leaky feeder with Wi-Fi capabilities. This system allows to: - Locate personnel and equipment in real time - Reduce time to reach all the personnel Spring 2015

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Smart junction box consisting of two Elastimold circuit breakers for powering two in parallel.

- Ensure personnel safety in case of emergency - Control fans depending on mine activity - Optimize airflow distribution in critical locations or after blast events to quicker and more effective gas clearing - Lower energy consumption - Read level of gas underground (CO, NO2 and LEL) Other achievements: • We have reduced excavation and installation costs using smaller switch gears in portable 13.8 and 25KV substations using the ABB Elastimold ArcFree breakers. Substations are pre-assembled, with YellowSub® is a skidable and plug-and-play electrical substation. controls and communications, transformers, fire suppression, PTOs, starters and distribution, ready are unique to Meglab. Such electronic products include its for underground. MicroCage®, MicroGuide®, ScoopCam®, Contiscan® and • We reduced time to reach employees in case of incidents, MicroData® solutions. Electrically, we find YellowCube® and deliver data, control and monitor levels of water or gas YellowSub®, each installed numerous times, and combined and air with our PLC or MicroData® cabinets. over the years to provide invaluable services to some of the • Cages can now travel to levels using our MicroCage® units, rendering the controls similar to that of an elevator, thus adding safety in and around the shaft. • Auto guidance systems are in operation between shifts or in hazardous conditions to increase safety and production. Together, our employees and customers have contributed towards the company’s ability to develop an industry that possesses a leading portfolio of products, many of which

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

most complex and remote operating mines. Our success resides in our partnership with our customers, working together with the diverse providers, choosing the best solution together, with the best delivery time. Choosing to work with Meglab offers sound solutions to optimize your operations in a safe and durable environment! Let’s innovate together!



Important Ontario mining camps looking forward to vibrant 2015 By Leonard Melman Throughout Northern Ontario’s long and productive mining history, mineral wealth has been recovered from several areas, with most public attention focused on the most famous of all metals, gold. According to Natural Resources Canada statistics, total historic gold production from Northern Ontario has amounted to almost 200 million ounces. While gold mining has taken place in several areas, the vast majority of those 200 million ounces has come from only five mining camps. These camps include Porcupine, Kirkland Lake, Red Lake, Hemlo, and Beardmore-Geraldton. As many mining observers have noted, price declines in several important metals since 2011 – specifically including gold – have caused some recent concern regarding Ontario’s mining future, and we note, for example, this quote in spring 2014 from the Ontario Prospectors Association: “There are lots of explorationists that are looking for work and as many junior companies that are short or totally out of cash. Claims staked in the province are dropping and claims coming open are growing also as no one has dollars to complete assessment.” However, as the year 2015 advances, it is beginning to appear that the current year may indeed witness a return to more vibrant times in the Ontario mining industry for gold and a host of other metals found within the province. Accordingly, we will review activity in these five historic mining camps with an eye toward identifying those projects, which might make significant contributions to the province’s mining industry and the general economy going forward. 14

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Porcupine Mining Camp The Porcupine Camp is located from just east of the mining-intensive city of Timmins toward the community of Matheson. Mining activity dates back to 1905 and historic gold production from this camp has been estimated at 67 million ounces, with production continuing to the present time. Timmins itself was founded in 1912 as a direct result of the Porcupine Gold Rush during the first decade of the 20th century. Early gold discoveries led to eventual production from some of the area’s most important mines, including Dome, McIntyre, and Hollinger, which became known as the “big three”. While other area operations occurred from time to time, it was the big three that accounted for the vast majority of gold production. Today’s most important area activity is centered on Goldcorp’s Porcupine operation consisting of underground mining at Dome; open-pit activity at Hollinger; several large tonnage stockpiles and a central milling facility. Aside from ongoing production, other present activities include exploration at the Hoyle Pond underground operation designed to extend mine life and to further knowledge of underground structures at depth. According to company figures, Goldcorp’s Porcupine operations now produce approximately 300,000 ounces of gold per year, employ more than 1,100 workers, and have a presently estimated future mine life of 13 more years. Other companies presently active in the camp include Moneta Porcupine Mines, Inc., St. Andrew Goldfields, Lakeshore Gold, and Temex.

Kirkland Lake Mining Camp The Kirkland Lake Mining Camp is located near the city of the same name in northeastern Ontario in a geologic area known as the Lower Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Like the Porcupine Camp, historic mining activity at Kirkland Lake also dates back to the early 20th century when an accidental discovery of a gold-bearing quartz outcropping took place, leading to the filing of mining claims. The ensuing gold rush ultimately led to the establishment of three important mines, the Sylvanite, Wright and Hargreaves, and the Lakeshore. Historic production at the camp totalled approximately 42 million ounces of gold. Although production from those and other projects has since ended, ongoing production, exploration and development is continuing in the area, with Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. being a leading participant. Gold production at the company’s Macassa & South Mine Complex was over 120,000 ounces during 2014, and the company website indicates estimated production for 2015 will be in the 140,000 to 150,000 ounce range. They also note that commitments are in place to maintain a significant exploration program aimed at developing reserves and extending the mine life for more than 10 additional years. Red Lake Mining Camp The Red Lake Camp is located in Northwest Ontario within the Red Lake Greenstone Belt in an area where some of the richest ore in Ontario’s mining history have been found. Total historic production of gold within the camp has been estimated at more than 25 million ounces, with produc-


tion having occurred from the 1930s right up to the present time. The most important area-mining centre is the community of Red Lake itself. Historic production has centered on the Campbell-Red Lake, Cochenor-Williams and Madsen deposits. These areas are now controlled by Goldcorp Inc., with 2015 gold production forecast to be in the 400,000 to 425,000 ounce range. While present production comes from the Red Lake mines, the company is working to develop additional ore in the Cochenor zone as well. At present, Goldcorp has a workforce in excess of 1,200 workers, and an estimated mine life of an additional 12 years. Other companies actively exploring and developing within the Red Lake Camp include Pure Gold Mining Inc. and Rubicon Minerals. Hemlo Mining Camp Throughout the 1980’s, gold mining discussion within Ontario was centred on one mining camp, the “Hemlo”, located along the Trans-Canada Highway near Marathon. Discoveries along that highway in the early 1980s led to the Golden Giant Mine being permitted, constructed and brought into production by 1985, with approximately six million ounces of gold having been recovered before the mine closed in 2006. Barrick Gold currently operates the Williams Property with production at that facility estimated to continue until 2018. One junior, Tashota Resources Inc., recently acquired an option on over 3,500 acres adjacent to the Williams Property. Beardmore – Geraldton Mining Camp Although there had been some limited exploration for iron ore in the mid-1870s, important activity in gold mining did not begin at Beardmore-Geraldton until the 1920s following word of the discovery of a large gold-bearing quartz vein in the region. However, the initial gold ‘boom’ quickly subsided due to a lack of followthrough development work. Significant production was initiated in 1934 at the Northern Empire Mine and this was followed by production at the Leitch

Mine from 1937 into the 1960s, where a total of nearly one million ounces of gold were recovered. In total, gold recovery in the Beardmore-Geraldton area amounted to over four million ounces before production ended. The camp remained relatively dormant until some limited exploration and discovery work began to take place in the past few years. However, given the camp’s geologic location within the Beardmore-Geraldton Greenstone Belt of the Wabigoon Subprov-

ince of the Superior Province, hopes are high that activity will increase when general economic news and metals prices improve. Mining in Ontario has been big business for more than a century, helping to develop many remote regions and making huge contributions to both job creation, establishment of numerous communities and improving the general standard of living for many Ontarians. Expectations are high that the future will be even better.

A Growing Production Profile with Reserve Grades in Excess of 17 Grams Per Tonne. A 14 Year Mine Life with Significant Exploration Upside in a Historic and Robust Camp. Generating Free Cash flow and Positive Earnings Per Share.

Spring 2015

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Mining-claim staking in remote areas – Ontario Mining Recorder order confirms use of helicopters By Richard Butler, Associatee

© Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP

On June 24, 2014, the Ontario Provincial Mining Recorder released reasons for his decision in Noront Resources Ltd. (Disputant) v Canada Chrome Corporation and KWG Resources Inc. (Respondents). In his reasons, the Mining Recorder dismissed Noront’s dispute against KWG’s mining claims, which KWG staked using helicopters. The Mining Recorder’s decision is one in a line of cases recognizing the challenges of mining-claim staking in remote areas, such as the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario. The decision also provides a pragmatic and modern interpretation of the Mining Act and its claim staking regulations. Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP acted for the Respondent and successful party KWG.

Background Noront Resources is a junior mining company developing the Eagles Nest Mine and Black Bird chromite project, both located in the Ring of Fire. KWG Resources is an exploration-stage company participating in the discovery, delineation and development of chromite projects in the Ring of Fire, including the Black Horse and Big Daddy deposits. The Ring of Fire is a region of significant mineral concentration in central and northern Ontario. It is located approximately 540 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, encircling McFaulds Lake in the James Bay lowlands area. While the crescent shape of the Ring of Fire covers approximately 5,000 square kilometres, most of the significant discoveries have been made in a 20-kilometre-long strip in the southeast, near Koper Lake. The mining claims at issue in this dispute are located in this area of focused exploration. Prospecting in the Ring of Fire is highly competitive. The logistics of mining claim staking in the Ring of Fire is a challenging exercise, due to topography and distance. Staking Rush and Helicopter Protocol Crown lands located near Koper Lake opened for staking on June 17, 2011. The mining claim staking proceeded pursuant to the 24-Hour Rule – special rules under O Reg 43/11 applied to the staking rush. 16

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Noront hired two men to stake the Crown land on foot. By contrast, KWG used two helicopters and more than a dozen stakers in a coordinated effort to stake the claims as quickly and efficiently as possible. At 9:00 a.m., KWG’s recording licensee Ken Pye inscribed the first mining claim post (with tags), erected the post in the ground and immediately proceeded to the helicopter. Mr. Pye was strapped into the back of the helicopter, which followed the mining claim boundary. He inscribed additional line posts and corner posts in the helicopter. He dropped the posts at predetermined locations along the mining claim boundary. Mr. Pye dropped posts from the helicopter at a height of approximately 10 to 30 metres (depending on surrounding tree tops). The posts entered the ground vertically, and stuck into the muskeg environment, remaining upright. Mr. Pye placed team members at key locations around the mining claims. The team commenced “blazing” the mining claim boundaries (marking trees and attaching flagging tape) after the 9:00 a.m. start time, and only after Mr. Pye erected the first post. Mr. Pye and all team members travelled in a clockwise direction. Mr. Pye finished at the number-one post, where he started, and inscribed his finish time (the Helicopter Protocol). KWG completed the Helicopter Protocol for two additional mining claims and completed three mining claims before Noront was


able to complete its first. Noront’s witness at the hearing admitted that they were “caught off-guard” by KWG’s Helicopter Protocol. Mr. Pye completed the Applications to Record Mining Claims and filed them with the Mining Recorder’s office on June 21 and June 23, 2011. Alleged Defects in Staking During the hearing, Noront alleged that the mining claims should not be recorded and should be disqualified on the basis that the Helicopter Protocol did not comply with the Mining Act. Noront argued that KWG’s staking was illegal because Mr. Pye was not present “on the ground” during staking. Noront also argued that KWG’s staking was void because it used multiple team members blazing the claim boundary in multiple locations. The Mining Recorder dismissed both arguments. • “On the Ground” – The Mining Recorder held that having the recording licensee’s feet on the ground at all times is not a requirement of the Mining Act or its staking regulations. The previous version of the claim staking regulation (O Reg 7/96) required the licensee to be present on the ground during staking. However, the current version O Reg 43/11 does not contain that language. The updated regulation states that the licensee must be present in the area under staking at the time of staking the area. The Mining Recorder found that Mr. Pye was indeed in the area, even though he did not have his feet on the ground at all times. The Mining Recorder further relied on a decision by the Mining and Lands Commissioner that held that the staking regulation does not require a licensee to proceed on foot at all times during staking. In the matter of Estate of Carl Forbes, et al. v Michael Tremblay et al., the commissioner held that the use of a vehicle is not prohibited by the wording of the Act. The commissioner held that it is increasingly clear that those engaged in competitive staking are now using every available means by which to save precious seconds. In this case, Mr. Pye’s mode of transportation was a helicopter, and although he was not on the ground at the time each post was erected, the posts were properly erected by dropping them from the helicopter and having them land vertically into the ground. • Multiple Team Members – The Mining Recorder also found that it was not fatal to the KWG’s claim staking to have Mr. Pye’s team members stationed at key locations around the claims. The team members commenced blazing the claim boundary only after Mr. Pye erected the first post. All team members proceeded in a clockwise direction. Consistent with the decision in Royal Oak v Strike Minerals, the Mining Recorder found that having multiple claim blazers acting in concert does not offend the claim staking regulation. Conclusion The Mining Recorder found that there is nothing in the Mining Act that prohibits erecting mining-claim posts by dropping them directly from a helicopter. The recording licensee need not be “on the ground” during every step of claim staking, and the wording of the regulation now permits the recording licensee to be present in each area under staking, as Mr. Pye was at all times. The Mining

Recorder upheld the Helicopter Protocol and dismissed Noront’s dispute.1 This decision confirms the validity of the modern practice of claim staking using helicopters. In remote and inaccessible environments, helicopter staking has become more and more common. The decision will help to advance mineral development in remote regions, including the Ring of Fire and the far north. The matter is currently under appeal to the Office of the Mining and Lands Commissioner. About the Author: Richard Butler is an associate at Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP. Butler practices civil environmental litigation and dispute resolution. He advises clients from the natural resources, mining and exploration, manufacturing and electricity sectors. He can be reached at 416-862-4837, or by email at: rbutler@willmsshier.com. Disclaimer: The information and comments herein are for the general information of the reader only and do not constitute legal advice or opinion. The reader should seek specific legal advice for particular applications of the law to specific situations. Copyright: Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP. This article first appeared on the Willms & Shier website: www.willmsshier.com. REFERENCE KWG launched its own cross-dispute against shortcomings in Noront’s mining claims; however, by finding the KWG claim valid, the Mining Recorder did not need to address Noront’s staking.

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Could Goldcorp acquisition of Probe push the Ring of Fire forward?

Implications of an important merger By Leonard Melman Canada’s mining media were startled during mid-January 2015 to learn of a news event which combined two very important subjects. The event was the proposed C$526 million buyout of Probe Mines by industry giant Goldcorp. In the first case, by acquiring Probe, Goldcorp sent a signal that it was committed to Ontario mining in particular and gold mining in general through its resultant acquisition of Probe’s significant Borden Gold project. Also, as noted in a Financial Post article, “…Probe’s shareholders would also receive shares of a new company focused on the Ring of Fire area of Northern Ontario.” The Borden Gold project, located approximately 160 kilometres southwest of Timmins, appears to represent a significant prospect for Goldcorp. According to a NI43-101 qualified mineral resource estimate filed in June 2014, geologists reported that over 220,000 metres of drilling had taken place since the property was first

discovered in 2010. Thanks to that drilling and other exploratory work, resources suitable for both underground mining and open-pit mining have been identified. In the underground portion, the estimate identified higher grade resources of 1.60 million ounces of gold (Au) in the Indicated Resource category, comprised of 9.3 million tonnes of ore grading 5.39 grams per tonne (gpt) Au and 0.43 million ounces Au in the Inferred Resource category, comprised of three-million tonnes of ore grading 4.37 gpt Au. For the proposed open-pit extraction of lower grade resources, the estimate identified 2.32 million ounces of gold in the Inferred Resource category comprised of 70.3 million tonnes of ore grading 1.03 gpt Au, and an Inferred Resource of 247 million tonnes of ore grading 0.80 gpt. Goldcorp’s CEO issued a statement that the Probe acquisition would, “…secure a high-quality deposit within a core area for the Vancouver-based gold giant.” It is also

worth noting that the Borden property is located about 160 kilometres from Goldcorp’s operating Porcupine Mine. The other property of consequence in the acquisition is the Black Creek Chromite property, which is located in a region known as the James Bay Lowlands. Those lowlands are also the location of one of the most controversial and interesting areas in all North American mining, a region known as the Ring of Fire. Goldcorp plans to develop the Black Creek property through a newly created company called New Probe. The Ring of Fire was first discovered in 2007 when two geologists made individual finds; first locating potentially important copper and nickel ore and then, much more significantly, a truly world-class discovery of chromite ore. It is the chromite ore that has been the main driver of subsequent events - and controversies. As exploration developed, the potential worth of the mineral resources seemed to

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grow exponentially until by late 2014, estimates as high as a total potential value of up to $60 billion were put forward. Major developers entered the scene, most particularly an American mining firm Cliffs Natural Resources, who quickly expanded their development work and established a regional office in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Miners, the general community, and politicians of all sorts eagerly looked forward to rising employment and powerful economic development into the future from the Ring of Fire, but serious problems began to develop – problems which have left these expectations mostly unfulfilled. To state that the Ring of Fire has devolved into an area of controversial attention would be an understatement as it involves at least four particular and sometimes-conflicting influences, namely environmentalists, First Nations people, governments at many levels, and private mining industry entrepreneurs. Many of the problems stem from the fact that this remote section of Ontario has virtually no infrastructure, particularly in terms of highways and railroads. Most mining engineers and economists have suggested that without efficient transportation for ore, mining and office equipment, concentrates, personnel, etc., no Ring of Fire mining enterprise could succeed. However, every serious proposal to build either railroads or highways into the remote area has met with serious opposition with resultant complexities, expenditures and delays. Environmentalists have opposed both railroad and road construction for several reasons, including disturbances to wildlife, impacts on streams and rivers, and the release of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels. Objections from the 38 area First Nations communities have included threats to their traditional hunting and fishing activities and, in particular, failure to engage in timely and sufficient negotiations regarding First Nations rights. Governmental conflicts have developed between the provincial government in Toronto and the federal government in Ottawa. Ontario authorities are asking for a carte blanche commitment from the feds to expend $1 billion to further development, while the feds are reluctant to give a timely

commitment given the lengthy delays which have already occurred and the apparent unlikely early resolution to remaining issues yet to be negotiated. In terms of private enterprise, Cliffs Natural Resources has abandoned work in the Ring of Fire and closed its Thunder Bay offices, with the resultant loss of jobs from both actions. Many mining entrepreneurs are moving ahead with Ring of Fire projects only in a cautious manner or have actually put further exploration and development projects on hold.

Without apparent question, the Ring of Fire area has enormous mining potential, but at present it appears that any early resumption of robust mining activity remains only a somewhat distant hope. However, there are those who believe that perhaps the Goldcorp acquisition of Probe and the resultant ownership of the Black Creek Chromite deposit will become the triggering episode that truly advances the Ring of Fire toward contributing mightily to economic and social development of the Ontario northland.

Spring 2015

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New initiatives and programs improve safety for Ontario’s mining sector 20

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review


By Lisa Fattori In the last decade, Ontario’s safety record has seen significant improvements. The number of reported critical injuries is down, despite a growing workforce, with the mining sector’s lost time injury rate below the average of Schedule 1 employers. There is room for improvement, however. Fatality rates have not declined, and as the industry faces an aging workforce and prepares to train new entrants to the mining sector, occupational health and safety will continue to be a top priority. Advances in technology and more stringent regulations are providing mine operators with enhanced equipment and best practices to improve safety within their organizations. While refuge stations have been mainstay in underground mines for decades, these safe havens for workers, in the event of a disaster or emergency, are becoming much more sophisticated and self-sustaining. Permanent and mobile refuge stations may now include air conditioning systems, communications systems, gas monitoring systems to

measure the quality of air both inside and outside of the unit, first aid equipment, and two to three sources of breathable air. “Refuge stations must be located within a 30-minute walk of workers, and depending on the size, can accommodate up to 50 people or more,” says Randy Waylett, sales manager for RANA Mine Refuge Systems, manufacturer of the Refuge One Air Centre and The Tommyknocker Mobile Refuge Station. “It used to be that you had to have at least 24 hours of operational time, but regulations have increased that time to 36 hours, and in some locations, as much as 96 hours. Regulations are always changing and have become much more stringent.” Since 2010, Workplace Safety North (WSN) has provided health and safety services to companies in Ontario’s mining, forestry, paper, printing, and converting sectors. For the mining sector, WSN provides consulting services, training, and oversees Ontario Mine Rescue, an 85-year-old orga-

nization that continues to train and equip industry volunteers who may have to fight fires, rescue injured personnel and respond to events in the province’s mines. WSN offers over 30 training courses, developed specifically for the mining industry, including legislated training for Joint Health and Safety Committees. The organization is an approved provider of the Supervisory Common Core program, which meets Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements for the mining industry. WSN recently released a Working at Heights safety training program in advance of new requirements that will make training law, anywhere there is construction activity, as of April 1st. New initiatives by WSN include an annual Mining Health and Safety Conference in Sudbury, a three-day event that features keynote speakers, information sessions, and open discussion forums. The event promotes best practices in a variety of areas, including mining hazards, ventilation, new equipment,

RANA Tommyknocker mobile refuge station. Spring 2015

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WSN offers over 30 training courses, developed specifically for the mining industry, including legislated training for Joint Health and Safety Committees. and new processes. This year’s April 14-16 event is expected to attract approximately 350 people. “This conference is very popular and has sold out quickly in the past two years,” says Candys Ballanger-Michaud, president and CEO of WSN. “It is unique because it focuses on the mining sector and we have great in-

volvement from people at all levels in mining. Mining is a very tight community and the Mining Health and Safety Conference gives attendees the opportunity to share best practices.” In 2012, WSN also initiated the Annual Workplace Excellence awards to recognize provincial workplaces that have a strong

Rescue training about to descend.

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

safety culture. Of the recipients, the top health and safety performer in each WSN sector qualifies for a President’s Award. This top provincial health and safety honour recognizes exceptional commitment to continuous improvement in occupational health and safety, and is presented at the WSN annual general meeting in September. “The President’s Award does not just consider the safety performance of a workplace in terms of low lost-time injury rates,” says Paul Andre, VP of prevention services for WSN. “The award recognizes companies who have active programs to improve occupational health and safety. Award winners are positive role models who make workplace health and safety an integral part of every job and every workday.” In January 2014, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour launched a Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review, for the purpose of implementing recommendations for improving health and safety in the underground mining sector. An advisory group of industry representatives and health and safety organizations, as well as working groups focused on key mining health and safety issues, is providing input to help shape the recommendations of the review. A progress report released last fall identified four areas of immediate concern: Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification, which had guidelines updated in May 2014; vibration research; disease prevention; and clothing visibility, which has already seen new guidelines and will have more stringent guidelines in the future. “WSN has been actively involved in a number of the Review’s Working Groups and has provided input about internal responsibility systems and emergency preparedness,” Ballanger-Michaud says. “The Ministry of Labour is looking at having the full report at the end of March and will focus on its recommendations at our Mining Health and Safety Conference in April. We will take these recommendations and, if necessary, modify our programs to ensure that they are meeting the requirements of the industry.”


Helping young children to cope when you work away By Angie Willcocks, Mining Family Matters psychologist One of the big worries for fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) parents is that their children might not cope with the lifestyle. Mining Family Matters founder Alicia Ranford actually came up with the idea for a support website for families after her three-year-old daughter Abby started rocking herself to sleep, sobbing, whenever her FIFO dad was away. With a few simple strategies and a positive attitude, Alicia and her husband Joe were amazed how quickly Abby settled down into the new FIFO routine. The first thing to note is that kids will accept a wide range of lifestyles without question, provided they think the adults in their life are coping and that there is a fair degree of predictability. Generally, children just go along with whatever’s happening, watching their parents for clues about whether to be scared or stressed or happy. By the age of four, most children sort of get the idea that people work to get money, and that money is necessary to buy things like food and clothes. This can be a good way of explaining why you go away: to make money to buy ice cream and toys, and things that are important to kids. Next, explain what work you do, and the fact that you need to go far away to do it. By explaining that you can’t get there and back in one day (maybe even getting out a map), you’re showing your children that it’s not your choice to stay away from them. Kids are also very literal, and for this reason you should never talk about dad/mom “leaving”. It should always be dad/mom is “going to work”. They are only words, but how things are talked about makes a big difference to little kids. On a final note, sometimes children “wear” the anxiety of the family, so it’s really important to be honest about whether the rest of you are coping with the current roster. Addressing your own worries or concerns – and talking honestly to your partner or trusted friend/ family member – will indirectly help your children to cope. Here are a few other ideas: • Allow your child to talk about how they feel. Avoid saying things like “be brave” or “don’t be silly” because they might start hiding feelings from you, thinking that you are not interested or that they are unacceptable feelings to talk about. • When your child feels sad, ask questions like “can you think of anything that might help you feel a bit better?” Perhaps suggest

drawing a picture, watching their favourite video, going out for a play, cooking, or another fun activity. This lets your child know there are things you can do to help yourself feel better and take your mind off sad thoughts. • Ask your child “what upsets you when I go to work?” Again, this sends your child the message that you are interested in what is happening, and you might even get an answer that clarifies their fears or worries. If your child is worried about your safety, for example, you can talk through (and show if possible) all the safety equipment that is worn/used. A thoughtful answer will ease their fears much better than simply saying “I’ll be fine”. • Maintain strong connections with phone and video calls, letters and cards. When you’re home, make a special bracelet, card or book that the kids can keep close to remind them of dad/mom. Something that can fit into a pocket is extra useful – even something as basic as a piece of cardboard with the words “daddy/ mommy loves you”. • Lovely picture books that encourage strong connections between parents and young children include You, Me and the Rainbow and The Invisible String by Australia’s Petrea King, and The Daddy Book by Californian children’s author Todd Parr. For further expert advice on mining and exploration relationships and parenting, visit the Mining Family Matters website at www.miningfm.ca. Spring 2015

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A sustainable future

Canada’s mining association a global leader in sustainability; Sudbury INO recognized for corporate responsibility By Jillian Mitchell

Mining Association of Canada president Pierre Gratton. Copyright Helene Anne Fortin.

What does it take to be an industry leader in sustainability? According to the Mining Association of Canada (MAC), it takes a lot of diligence—and a level-A ranking. MAC has long since been an advocate for sustainability in the mining sector. Since 2004, the association’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Leadership Award has been awarded to companies that meet or exceed the designated six performance areas: safety and health, aboriginal and community outreach, crisis management, tailings management, biodiversity conservation management, and energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management. According to MAC president Pierre Gratton, the award has positioned the mining association as a global leader in sustainability. “There isn’t another national association in the world that has anything like TSM,” says Gratton. “It’s completely unique. In fact, there’s no other system in the world measuring and reporting publicly on 24

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Marc Boissonneault, Glencore Canada’s vice-president.

site-level performance in mining—and with external verification at that. It’s unique in the world.” The big year Fostering sustainability leaders is the spirit behind MAC’s awards. And for Gratton, the past year has confirmed that the association is on the right track In 2014, MAC recognized three TSM Leadership Award winners— Glencore’s Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (Sudbury INO), Teck’s Cardinal River Operations, and Teck Trail Operations—which essentially triples the association’s annual average. “I think what we’re seeing this year is a bit of a jump, and I think we’re going to see more of that in the coming years,” he says. “It’s really nice to see because it shows the program is working and it shows that companies are taking it very seriously.


“I think for the industry as a whole, having leaders in that area is really helpful because it helps other companies figure out what they need to do,” he adds. To qualify for the TSM Award, entrants provide an annual sustainability self-assessment, which is then verified by a third party every three years. Past winners over the TSM’s 11-year history include Syncrude Canada’s oil sands facility (2007), Barrick Gold Corporation’s Hemlo Mine (2011), and Teck’s Elkview operations (2013). A local hero Glencore Canada’si Sudbury INO has been mining nickel-copper ores in the Sudbury area of northern Ontario since 1929. The mining company, which occupies two underground mines (Nickel Rim South and Fraser Mine), Strathcona Mill and the Sudbury Smelter, boasts a history of excellence within the region. For its recent TSM Leadership Award win, Sudbury INO met the level-A requirements in all six performance areas (based on 2013 scores), and achieved the highest possible ranking—level AAA—in the energy use and GHG emissions management category. According to Glencore vice-president Marc Boissonneault, Sudbury INO’s success boils down to a dedicated team. “Many of the milestones that we have accomplished in our sustainable development performance are a direct result of the contributions of our employees across all levels in our organization, and so this is quite special,” said Boissonneault in a recent press release. MAC’s Gratton is especially optimistic about Sudbury INO’s energy ranking. “Until a few years ago, energy was one of the weakest areas for the industry as a whole. Sudbury INO’s energy scores of AAA, it’s quite exceptional,” he says. “The people of Sudbury can take comfort that they have a major employer that operates responsibly.” Next to offer congratulations to the TSM-award winner is the City of Greater Sudbury. “Mining is very important to the city of Greater Sudbury and has been for over 100 years. It is the foundation of our economy,” says Mayor Brian Bigger. “I think sustainability is very important; it’s the bedrock of our economy, and Sudbury INO is a model for other companies.”

Sudbury INO received an additional TSM Performance Award based on their 2013 scores. Also in 2013, the company’s Nickel Rim South Mine received the John T. Ryan Award, a designation recognizing the site as the safest metal mine in Ontario. Footnote i

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Gone are the days of buildings with limitations Building solutions designed for the oil and gas industry By Amanda Monaghan, marketing manager at Britespan Building Systems Inc.

With oil and gas production continuously on the rise in Ontario, operating companies are more and more looking for ways to construct safe, strong, and reliable site buildings for the exploration, drilling, production, and storage of commodities, equipment, and worker housing at remote sites. Conventional buildings, such as steel buildings, have traditionally been the choice for these sites, but are they the best choice? These buildings can be costly, difficult to ship to remote areas, can be time consuming to construct, and are essentially permanent structures. None of these are ideal in an industry that often requires buildings to be rapidly constructed, has a variety of building uses, and may, at some point, have to be moved to a new work site. One of the first things that make fabric buildings a preferred solution for oil and gas operators is that they can either be permanent, temporary, or entirely portable. This 26

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

is achieved by offering a number of foundation options, from concrete blocks, shipping containers, or a base rail foundation. These are all options for temporary or portable building solutions, in addition to the many permanent options. Fabric buildings can be completely deconstructed and moved or stored when a site is finished with it, creating little environmental interference. Using shipping container foundations allows fabric building manufacturers to create hybrid building solutions that are particularly ideal for the oil and gas industry because the containers themselves act not only as a foundation for the building, but as functional space used for employee housing, change rooms, washrooms, workshops, storage, etc. This really allows fabric building owners to maximize the use of their buildings. In addition to the foundation options, fabric buildings are also completely custom-

izable, from door sizes and types, insulation option, and length, width and height. What would you use a fabric building for? Just about anything. The buildings can be used for warehousing, workshops, vehicle, equipment and commodity storage, and coverage for working machinery. The possibilities really are endless. The extra-high clearspan design of the buildings allow for large and heavy equipment and machinery to operate within the building without issue. Fabric buildings also increase the longevity and maintain the condition of equipment and machinery by protecting them from the elements. Employee safety and creating a healthy working environment is another reason fabric buildings far exceed traditional buildings. Customers of fabric-covered buildings often say the environment is the most comfortable and safest environment for their workers, with superior air quality and ventilation, and the floods of natural light create a shadow-free, safe working environment. And of course, another reason a fabric building is the best choice for the oil and gas industry? They can be constructed anywhere, no matter how remote the location. They are often built in less time than traditional buildings, making for almost immediate job sites. It’s important for oil and gas operators and companies to know what building solutions are available to them. Gone are the days of buildings with limitations. Fabric buildings allow the opportunity to design and build whatever it is an operator or company needs.



Dynamic Earth underground renewal

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review


By Christine Catt, Science North In the rocks of Sudbury there are stories that resonate across 4.5 billion years of Earth history, including the unique geology and rich mining heritage of Northern Ontario. In Sudbury, at Dynamic Earth – Home of the Big Nickel, an iconic underground tour located seven storeys below the Earth’s surface plays a key role in introducing thousands of visitors annually to the world of mining and its rich history. “Greater Sudbury has been producing ore for more than 100 years and has long been considered the nickel mining capital of the world,” says Julie Moskalyk, senior manager at Dynamic Earth. “For many people, a visit to our science centre offers the first opportunity to go underground, learn about the industry and explore careers in the mining sector through hands-on, fun and engaging science experiences.” Dynamic Earth, which has been welcoming visitors since 2003, is in the process of an exciting multi-year exhibit renewal to enhance the visitor experience. The first phase, set to open in March 2015, includes a

renewed underground experience that uses a variety of multimedia techniques to bring to life the stories of mining, innovation and the mining heritage of Sudbury. Historic film footage, along with the latest in lighting, audio, video and special effects techniques, will bring realism to the tour and create a fully interactive and immersive experience. Throughout the tour, visitors will feel as if they are walking in the footsteps of thousands of miners that have worked over the years in the Sudbury area. Visitors can follow the stories of generations of miners from early mining in the late 1800s through to modern day. Above ground, new science exhibits in the Earth Gallery and the MacLeod Rock Gallery will add new content and highlight the industry’s commitment to constant innovation through interactive, hands-on exhibits and experiences while showcasing the cutting-edge science and technology products and services developed in Northern Ontario. Content will include mine safety, new mineral discoveries in Ontario,

Canadian diamonds, Ontario fossils, as well as Sudbury’s re-greening and sustainable mining practices. Nickel City Stories, an engaging multimedia object theatre that uses a number of different effects to bring Sudbury’s mining history to life, is also being renewed and upgraded with new equipment and footage. “The impending retirement of the baby boom generation will have a big impact on the mining industry across Canada. As such, our renewal goals are very focused on raising awareness about the career opportunities in earth sciences, mining and technology,” says Brenda Koziol, renewal project manager, senior scientist. “We want Dynamic Earth to engage visitors of all ages so that they are interested in exploring and pursuing the various educational and career opportunities available to them in these fields. We have an important role to play in the future of the mining industry and this multi-year renewal will ensure our exhibits accurately reflect the changes and advancements in this field.”

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A new outdoor science park and exploration trail system featuring engaging earth science and mining-themed exhibits opens in July 2015. Large-scale exhibits will include a crawl-through cave, musical instruments made of natural materials, and real mining equipment with interactive components. “Our unique approach to science delivery, and our commitment to making every visit engaging and interactive, ensures a positive and memorable experience,” says Moskalyk. “Visitors to Dynamic Earth, no matter their age, get to work and play with real mining equipment and technologies. Many of them leave here with a different perspective about mining, as well as a renewed appreciation for all that the industry has to offer.” About Dynamic Earth Dynamic Earth – Home of the Big Nickel – is a Science North attraction. Dynamic Earth is a popular tourist attraction and an educational resource for children and adults across Ontario. Dynamic Earth’s attractions – an underground mine, highdefinition theatre, galleries and exhibit hall – delight thousands of visitors each year. The science centre’s fun and friendly approach to Earth science education is led by bluecoats, scientists and science communicators who make interacting with the exhibits more informative and fun, in both English and French. Open during daytime hours, seasonally from March to October. Visit dynamicearth.ca. 30

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Century-old mine concept.


Pecor Anomaly;

Serpent River Property - Elliot Lake, ON

Exploring for the next major nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, gold and PGE’s deposit near Sudbury, Ontario By Greg Shafransky, investor relations/corporate shaman

“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.” - Arthur Schopenhauer The above quote applies directly to International Montoro Resources Ltd. “Pecor” magnetic and gravity anomaly at the Serpent River Property in Elliot Lake, Ontario. As in all good stories, it started with a phone call. It was early 2009, the market correction still blistering the TSX Venture exchange and we were tasked with raising funds via private placement to make the final property payment for the Serpent River property. Despite the hard fact that the company had made a huge U3O8 discovery at Uranium City, Sask. just weeks before, we were challenged to meet the deadline. Then the call came late Friday afternoon from a gentleman who said he was a professor of geophysics from MIT. He asked if we knew that we had a major nickel deposit on our Serpent River Property, and that when we discover the nickel it would be the final proof to his theory that all the nickel in Sudbury and surrounding regions came from “outer space” (see the first two stages in above quote). He further stated that you can draw a straight line, “a trajectory” from Pecor to Vale’s Totten Mine (which opened

Drill Target Chart.

Inversion of Pecors Magnetics. Spring 2015

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Pecors anomaly, L.E. Reed Geophysical Consultant Inc., as reported 2011 through 2014.

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

in December 2013), to the Victoria Mine (eight kilometres from Totten, opening in 2016) to Lundin Mining’s Eagle Mine in Michigan, U.S.A., which opened June of 2014. At the time all that was to be known about the property was that it contained approximately 15 million pounds of U3O8 in non 43-101 reserves from Rio Algom’s U3O8 mine. When the “professor” spouted these truly staggering facts I was a wee bit apprehensive, so I passed his call onto International Montoro Resources’ (IMT) president Mr. Gary Musil for some comic relief. They spoke for some time and Gary kindly pointed out to the caller that he should really bring up his “theories” with the Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) and their inhouse geophysics department in Sudbury, Ontario. Well we guess he did because on the following Monday we received a call first thing in the morning from the OGS, who said that they seemed to have made an error in the interpretation of the “Pecor” Magnetic/Gravity anomaly (initially they thought it was iron due to the huge corresponding Canadian Government “Bouger” Gravity Survey), and would we accept $50,000 to utilize our data and allow them to complete a lake sediment/geochemical survey on our property. Miracles do happen, expect them… we completed enough of the private placement to make the final payment and now own the Serpent River property outright, less a NSR agreement. The OGS completed their survey of the Pecor anomaly in 2009, making a significant discovery of their own. “At 1,400 metres, just below the unconformity, lies a Sudbury-like occurrence, but of higher intensity,” states the OGS in a summary of the 2009 Pecor lake sediment survey. I queried the meaning of this statement with the OGS report author in January 2014 at the Round Up Mining Conference in Vancouver. The author stated to me that he and his team have been building a database of lake sediment survey results in the Sudbury mining camp for the last 35 years. These results include the lake sediment geochemical they obtained


from above the Totten and Victoria mines, which are the two richest mines in the 100+-year-old camp. He stated to me that the numbers obtained above Pecor were “higher overall”, and that’s why the property has been featured from 2009 to 2013 in the OGS publication Recommendations for Mineral Exploration. Montoro secures drilling contractor for Pecor Drill Program International Montoro Resources Inc. has secured Orbit Garant Drilling Services Inc. of Val d’Or, Quebec for a minimum of 2,000 metres of NQ (1.875-inch core) drilling for the Pecor anomaly drill program. The contract will require one helicopter-portable drill rig. Montoro has also contracted Heli Explore Inc. of Sudbury, Ontario for the transportation of equipment, supplies, drill crew, and other support employees as required. Dan Patrie Exploration Ltd. of Massey, Ontario has completed the heli-pad and drill-pad cutting for hole number one, and drilling is expected to commence in February 2015.

Magnetic View of Map - Ontario Geological Survey, with annotations by International Montoro.

“We are excited to test this potentially large (estimated 7.8 x 3.45 kilometres) NICu-PGE anomaly,” says Gary Musil, president, IMR. Since the revelation of nickel being present on our property we now have some new information. In the 1950’s, Teck Exploration discovered Nickel–Cu-PGE (two

miles) to the west of our property on the other side of Pecors lake. Five Nines Ventures discovered Ni-Cu-PGE (one mile to the east) of the Pecor Anomaly. And lastly, the Shakespeare Ni-Cu-PGE mine operated in 2008 and 2013 approximately 30 kilometres from the Pecor anomaly, or 70 kilometres west of Sudbury.

www.montororesources.com

Ph: 604-683-6648

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Is it time to re-evaluate the approach to mineral exploration in an effort to reduce budgets? By Dale Sutherland Most approaches to mineral exploration start out in the search for specific geological situations that have been found to be favourable in their association with mineral deposits, or in the review of historical records of previous discoveries. Often the next major step in assessing claims is to use geophysical methods to obtain an insight into the number of possible targets that might also lead to mineralization. Although some exploration decisions for drill testing might only rely on geophysics, most companies later choose to collect surficial samples for geochemical testing. As geophysical methods are often more expensive than geochemical ones, an alternative approach might be to conduct a less expensive geochemical survey to identify possible targets for consideration, and then follow up with smaller, more focused, and thus less expensive geophysical programs. The spatiotemporal geochemical hydrocarbon nano-geochemistry (SGH), previously referred to as soil gas hydrocarbons

(even though gases are not measured and other sample types can be used), has been proven to be useful in widely spaced regional surveys. SGH is an easy-to-use, flexible, deep-penetrating organic geochemistry, which is of significant use to the explorer as a method of detecting blind mineralized bodies. SGH detects 162 specific hydrocarbon compounds that have migrated from bacterial activity associated with mineralization in the subsurface through cover rock and overburden and have been adsorbed on the surficial materials. Recent research has shown that there are relationships between specific commodities and SGH compound classes. Identifying these relationships provides a “hydrocarbon fingerprint” that is unique to a specific commodity. The SGH analysis is conducted by drying the surficial sample materials that have been dried at 40°C and collecting a portion that passes through a 60-mesh sieve. The hydrocarbons are subsequently extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass

spectrometry (GC/MS). This highly developed nano-geochemistry allows for monitoring of specific compounds and provides reporting limits of one part-per-trillion (ppt). This technique can vector to specific locations of potential mineralization and identify the type of target. SGH uses a rating system to then critique the quality of the target detected. With the use of the SGH Rating System, this geochemistry can guide further exploration to a specific location that is worthy of additional work. This allows the use of smaller, more focused, and thus less expensive geochemical surveys, geophysical testing, and drilling programs. To reduce the sampling program costs, companies may be required to use a variety of geochemical methods to best ensure that they have the most information available to consider and develop future plans for geophysical surveys. Any sample taken for analysis by an inorganic geochemistry technique can also be used for SGH, as it currently represents the most flexible geo-

Claude Gravelle MP NDP Mining Critic porte-parole minière

Mining Rocks! Have a good conference Avoir une bonne conférence Claude.gravelle@parl.gc.ca | 1-800-267-4829 34

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review


chemical method available. SGH sampling is very easy, as only one trip to the field is necessary, almost any type of sample can be used, and only small samples need to be collected, carried, and shipped. Even sampling equipment can be reduced, as only a shovel and zip-lock bags are needed. With the increase in the number of samples able to be collected in a day, sampling survey accommodation and travel costs can be reduced. SGH is thus ideal to help reduce costs, especially in surveys over difficult terrain. SGH has shown success in winter program snow surveys, which can be highly useful in areas of difficult or seasonal access. This geochemistry has been extensively tested in regions and situations often too difficult for other geochemical methods to perform well. Samples can be easily collected from dry and wet areas of soil, peat, humus, sand, till, silt, etc., then analyzed and mapped together within the same grid or set of transects. This reduces the time to collect samples and can avoid missing planned sample locations, eliminating an unwanted bias from an inadequate survey. This extends to more extreme situations as well where, as a nano-geochemistry, SGH can provide data through barriers of permafrost, basalt, and carbonate caps as cover previously thought to be impenetrable. The SGH templates that we have developed are able to be applied to a wide variety of lithology. As an example: the general gold template for SGH has been successfully used for vein hosted, epithermal, porphyry, and Carlin types of gold deposition; the uranium template has been used for unconformity-style deposits in the Athabasca and Thelon basins, Roll Front deposits in Wyoming and Mongolia, as well as for Breccia pipe deposits in Northern Arizona. To provide the ultimate in cost reduction, exploration companies can capitalize on previous sampling surveys. SGH is able to be used on samples that have been stored even if they have previously been prepared for most other geochemical methods. SGH has had success in knitting together surveys taken in different seasons, even from the analysis of samples that have been stored for up to three years. This organic-based geochemistry, research-tested and fine-tuned over the last 20 years can identify a buried deposit. It is a technique that has been able to detect a wide variety of targets of gold,

3D visible gold find of 2013.

copper, nickel, VMS, SEDEX, platinum, polymetallic, uranium, tungsten, lithium pegmatite and kimberlite targets, as well as oil plays, gas plays, and coal seams for the petroleum sector, even in areas of deep cover and complex overburden. SGH is truly a deep-penetrating geochemistry and has been demonstrated to be able to detect deposits at over 950 metres in depth. It is one of the most advanced geochemical methods available, as it is the only one that has been successful at estimating target depth based on the study and advancement of the Redox/Electrochemical cell model. The SGH nano-geochemistry certainly offers high value for your exploration dollar. This technique has the ability to locate Redox cells with a high level of sensitivity, discriminate between barren and ore-bearing conductors, and provide an identification signature that can identify the type of mineralization at depth. This allows the identification of priority targets for a focused localized geophysical program. The included SGH interpretation report and target ratings

can be used in conjunction with geophysics, geology, and inorganic geochemical methods. As a result, exploration managers will have a highly confident data set for use in assigning fewer, but higher-quality drill targets with a smaller exploration budget. The measure of success is drilling results. The depicted 3D view of an SGH anomaly in 2013 resulted in the intersection of mineralization having visible gold. For a more recent example of target prioritization, also refer to the January 29, 2015 press release from Aura Silver Resources Inc. at www.aurasilver.com. In such challenging economic times, perhaps making the use of a rapid, information-rich, multi-faceted geochemistry as one of the first steps of exploration upon which to base more focused geophysical surveys and drilling programs, may significantly reduce exploration budgets. Dale Sutherland is a forensic scientist, organics manager, and director of research at Activation Laboratories. He can be reached at dalesutherland@actlabs.com.

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GAL Group of Companies charts aggressive growth strategy for 2015

Recent merger and new president signal start of strategic redirection for the Ottawabased emergency-power solutions provider By Gloria Taylor

President Luis Salazar (right) and CEO Guy Adrien Lapierre shake hands on a new partnership.

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

GAL Power is growing. In December of 2014, GAL Power, an Ottawa-based emergency-power solutions provider, acquired L.M. Temperature Control Inc. (LMTC), a 14-year-old Torontobased climate control and power company specialized in temporary heating and cooling rental solutions. The merger saw Luis Salazar, P.Eng., founder of L.M. Temperature Control, assume the presidency of GAL Power on December 1, 2014. Now, the expanded company has charted an ambitious “customer-centric” strategy to deliver an unprecedented portfolio of innovative, reliable, agile power and temperature-control products and services. GAL Power is committed to growth that will see it expand its locations, markets and employee base this year and in the years to come, says the new president. “We’re a growing company with an aggressive and customer-centric vision,” declares Salazar, who wants to double the company’s size through a combination of organic growth, mergers and acquisitions. Plans call for the company to also double its revenues within the next few years, a target Salazar is confident is achievable. “We think we’ll get there sooner given our mindset right now.” That mindset is reflected in the vision to


CEO Guy Adrien Lapierre.

join the elite group of Canada’s Top 50 Best Managed Companies in the next few years. Salazar graduated as a mining engineer from Laurentian University/Université Laurentienne, in Sudbury, Ontario. Over the next 12 years, his career took him to major mining projects in North and South America to locations such as Northern Ontario, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua, and Peru while working with some of the world’s largest mining companies. After several years of mining overseas, he returned to Canada where he then founded and grew L.M. Temperature Control to offer specialized power and temperature-control solutions and equipment to various industries, including the mining sector. Speaking to the recent strategic move, GAL Power founder and CEO Guy Adrien Lapierre states the recent acquisition of L.M. Temperature Control benefits more than just the customer base of the two companies. “The expansion will create more job opportunities; suppliers will have the opportunity to provide their hardware and solutions to both businesses, therefore gaining access to a much broader client base. Employees will also benefit as they gain further opportunities to grow and develop their careers across the GAL Group of Companies. Strategically, it was important for us to continue developing and expanding our footprint to deliver differentiated

President Luis Salazar.

value to our customer base across Ontario and Quebec,” says the CEO. “We saw a number of strong synergies between GAL Power’s customer-first philosophy and L.M. Temperature Control’s established reputation for quality service in the GTA market. We look forward to leveraging those synergies and delivering a consistently high level of service in the critical power field to an entirely new customer base.” An important part of the new company’s growth strategy involves expansion outside of Toronto, beginning with setting up new locations in Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. Currently GAL Power operates out of established offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Chicoutimi and Fermont. “Our vision is to be Canada’s foremost customer-centric power generator and temperature-control services company, offering the highest-quality services 24/7,” comments Salazar. Top service will continue to lead the growth, he is convinced. “We provide a lot of value added when we offer project-specific tailored service and do that consistently. Our company sells, services, and rents equipment, and we are a solutions provider. People come to us for custom solutions, especially for the rental part of our business,” he says. “It’s not always about having the best equipment to sell or rent, because equip-

ment can be sought out by any of our competitors, but the culture we have built and the team that we have developed, one that goes the extra mile, is what really sets us apart. We ask and pay attention to customer needs and what they want to accomplish. Based on an in-depth understanding of a project’s unique requirements, we then package the solutions that make sense and are effective for our customers. Finally, we are sensitive to time constraints and downtime, and therefore offer 24/7 emergency service for all of our services.” Salazar says the company will continue to build its dedicated and skilled professional teams, not only in its current markets, but will seek out new opportunities for GAL Power in a variety of industries, including greater penetration in the mining industry, which it has already begun to focus on. This would be a natural move for the new president who worked in the mining sector globally for years with his own company, selling and servicing equipment, and providing fuel and rental equipment to companies for a variety of uses. “GAL Power and LMTC currently have power and heating equipment on certain mining projects in Ontario and Quebec,” says Salazar. “Mining is not a new direction for us, but I want to focus more on it in the future as we grow and expand in the years to come,” he concludes. Spring 2015

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How to ‘extract more’ in mining

Using modern technological innovations creates a more effective and secure business for employees and operators.

In today’s “pinched” commodities markets, Emerson mining specialists are working with miners who have come to understand that running a safe, effective, and efficient mine, mill and refining process goes a long way towards improving the bottom line. Using modern technological innovations creates a more effective and secure business for employees and operators. A safer “uptime engineered” mine helps mitigate operational and financial risk for owners and shareholders alike. Miners globally are implementing the latest Emerson technologies, including energy-efficient mechanical and electrical drive systems; wireless communications; advanced sensing-like sonar and radar; industry-leading efficient computer power and cooling; and machinery health monitoring. These are just a few of the innovations currently available to the mining industry. Emerson provides design and diagnostic tools that are supported by thousands of application specialists and engineering staff; expertise that is available worldwide. Emerson invests in innovation, registering over 1,000 patents per year, and offering hundreds of tried-and-tested advanced systems and technologies to help facilitate miners’ goals. These mining solutions are available through each of the Emerson five specialized business platforms. Trusted brands such as Fisher valves, Rosemount analytics, DeltaV and Plantweb are well-known technologies under the Emerson Process Management platform. These brands are known for controlling and monitoring essential systems in real time. Also within this platform is CSI, which is designed to predict and prevent unscheduled shutdowns due to equipment failure.

The term “reliability” can be used to describe the brands within the Emerson Industrial Automation group. Kop-Flex, Appleton Electric, Asco Numatics and Browning are just a few brands with specialized mining expertise. Emerson Network Power provides datacentre solutions, anywhere. Telecommunications and data management infrastructure are essential to a successful mine. Liebert, Asco Power, and Emerson Energy Systems are just a few brands within this platform that specialize in grid-to-chip connectivity. Vilter and Copeland compressors are wellknown for their industrial gas-compression capabilities. These hard-working Emerson Climate-Technologies brands bring efficiency to the mine through their innovative heatmoving capabilities. Rounding out the five platforms is the long-established RIDGID tool brand. Professionals in mining have relied on these hand and advanced diagnostic tools for decades. These are just a few examples of the multiple brands within the five Emerson platforms that are dedicated to providing efficiencies and increased reliability in mining. Supporting uptime is the focus of Emerson in mining; uptime that will help the mine extract more. Emerson is a 120-year-old, $24.4-billion per year Fortune 500 company with 135,000 employees, 235 manufacturing facilities worldwide, and more than 80 years of global-experience in minerals and mining. Emerson was founded on leading-edge technology, and continues to be a leading-edge technology provider today. For more information, visit Emersoncanada.ca, or email Mining.Canada@Emerson.com.

Emerson is a 120-year-old | $24.4 billion per-year | Fortune 500 company

235

Global Manufacturing Facilities

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Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

135,000 Employees

80

Years’ Global Mining Experience


Equipment World: The mine dry locker experts

Equipment World’s installation team is highly trained and fully equipped to tackle any job.

Things at Equipment World are looking up, way up – in fact, mounted to the ceiling of mining locker rooms throughout Canada. Over the past few years, Equipment World has become a specialist in designing, supplying, and installing mine dry lockers and specialty mining lockers. Equipment World has been serving northern Ontario since it opened in Thunder Bay in 1973. The company offers a diverse approach to material handling, storage, packaging, safety and maintenance products for industrial, mining, commercial, and institutional applications. Through customized consultations, coupled with expert design, layout and installation, customers have a plethora of options available to suit their needs. Whether a company is considering expansion, improving efficiencies or addressing ergonomic concerns within existing facilities, Equipment World provides input from project inception through to completion. Equipment World often works with building designers, engineers and architects to ensure original design specifications are best suited to meet both the customer’s needs and current-day industry compliance. “We are space-efficiency experts,” says Lyle Knudsen, owner and president of Equipment World. “Our objective is to focus on the best solutions within our wide area of expertise, including construction speciality products and services we can offer throughout a building, from the rear-loading door through to the front office. We have a great team of knowledgeable experts in our Construction Specialities Division, headed by Ernie Ukrainec, who is Equipment World’s

veteran employee, having started working for the company in 1979.” For the mine dry lockers, ideally companies will bring Equipment World in during the design stage so that the architects and engineers are aware of the physical, HVAC, electrical, and other considerations needed for this specialized space. “The mine dry overhead locker basket system includes the pulley system with an optional decent-locking device, venting, mounting components and baskets,” says Ukrainec, corporate manager of Equipment World’s construction division. “What makes the system so unique is that it allows for 100 per cent air flow ventilation; it is sanitary, extremely secure, pilfer-proof and safe. The system also maximizes the space, as it creates a bright, open change room with an open floor area, resulting in lower clean-up costs and easy visual inspection. It can reduce change room costs up to 40 per cent.” Ukrainec continues, “Part of the reason there aren’t more mine dry designers is that it is a relatively small market.” He says Equipment World averages about one new mine dry per year, though recent construction in the northern Ontario area over the last five years has kept them busy. Equipment World also does locker-room retrofits. “Most of the time, when we’re doing a project, we’re also doing the warehouse. That includes shelving, racking, and equipment like forklifts. We design the warehouse around specialty material handling equipment to maximize cubic storage.” The construction division provides support to the sales division, with on-site evaluation surveys and expert computer CAD layout and design capabilities for projects of all sizes, providing full turnkey Spring 2015

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Underground installation of a high density storage system.

project management. Full-time construction estimators are available to conduct accurate take-offs from the blueprints of any project, and the company’s installation teams are highly trained and fully equipped to tackle any job. Some of the products designed, supplied, and installed include pallet racking and shelving, ergonomic workstations, modular offices, air curtains, high-density mobile shelving systems for record storage, space-saving mezzanines, high-speed doors, loading dock equipment, wire-mesh partitions, lockers, and architectural products such as washroom partitions and accessories. With the focus on value-added service, presentation quality has been a huge component of the technical drawing portfolios now being generated by the teams within each construction department. Evolutions toward high-end software programs and scheduling are only a few of the initiatives introduced within the past few years. “Detailed and complete drawings are mandatory when offering any customer a solution-based recommendation,” says Ukrainec. “The information provided must be clear, concise and outline the true benefits that can easily be relayed to those reviewing and making decisions.” With the knowledge Equipment World’s in-house experts provide, along with new technologies being adapted from computerization and vendor manufacturing, their staff have been able to produce and complete comprehensive proposals in as little as 24 hours. Local architects and project managers know Equipment World through their long-term membership in local and regional construction associations, and have come to rely on them for many product specifications and applications. Equipment World provides innovative solutions that make workplaces safer and more functional. Equipment World has done many unique and interesting installations. Some of the specialized installations include complete underground warehouse systems, gym-divider curtains, electronic scoreboards, bleachers, large projection screens, hanging mine dry baskets, vented mining lockers, oversized athletic equipment lockers, electriccharging station lockers, conveyors, retail display shelving and showcases, and custom dock and door equipment. With highly trained and fully equipped installation teams, Equipment World’s Construction Division serves a diverse array of clients including small shops, large warehouses, automobile dealerships, farms, schools, hospitals, office buildings, paper mills, and mines. “In recent years, Equipment World has been awarded and has successfully completed some notable projects in various areas, such as Indonesia, South Carolina, Florida, British Columbia, Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec, the Maritime provinces, and all across Ontario,” states Knudsen. 40

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

Completed mine dry locker room installation in operation.

Over the years, Equipment World has provided complete turnkey design, supply and installation in coordination with various Canadian and U.S. manufacturers, including shelving, racking, structural mezzanines, in-plant modular offices, and more. “We have faced many interesting and exciting challenges with this division, but it has become an ever-expanding part of our business. Our team loves new project opportunities, and is always researching new products and suppliers to be able to adapt to changing market demands,” Knudsen states, adding, “we have even been able to help design custom products with our manufacturers to solve some unique product application requests.” Another advantage that Equipment World offers is their maintenance program. The Equipment World team is available 24/7 for emergency maintenance work. These value-added products and services make it easier for mines and contractors because they only have to deal with one sub-contractor to cover each of those needs. “Equipment World has made a name for itself as a sub-contractor that finishes jobs on time,” says Ukrainec, adding that this is something especially important since their job tends to be at the end of construction, when the company is anxious to get quickly operational. “Equipment World is proud to be working with such important mining and industrial projects. The more we work in these specialized environments, the more we learn about the industry and respect the work that is being conducted,” Ukrainec states. Mine dry lockers, although a small but very important part of their business, have helped Equipment World delve deeper into the mining industry. Knudsen concludes, “Much has changed over the past few decades, but the predominant philosophy remains the same: Equipment World provides innovative solutions, high-quality products, and knowledgeable service from purchase to performance.”



Your only turnkey environmental engineering service provider

Canadian Shield Consultants Agency Inc.

Robinson R44 Raven II Helicopter.

Canadian Shield Consultants Agency Inc. (CSCA) was formed more than 15 years ago, and today has become the only turnkey service company in Ontario in the world of wastewater treatment business. Through the years, CSCA has developed expertise in engineering, construction and maintenance of wastewater treatment systems, as well as becoming a member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario. The mining sector is at the core of their engineering projects, and includes services such as assessments, feasibility studies, hydrogeo42

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

logical studies under the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA) Aggregate Resources Act (ARA), consulting, engineered design, Environmental Compliance Approval applications, etc. CSCA strives to be an innovative consultant to help clients tackle all types and sizes of wastewater projects. From domestic to high-strength wastewater treatment, each project is approached from the clients’ viewpoint in order to meet and exceed all requirements and expectations. Recently, CSCA has designed a wastewater treatment plant for the destruc-


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The importance of selecting an appropriate analytical package for your program AGAT Laboratories, as an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, is required to show that continuous improvement is routinely addressed in our day-to-day operations. Part of our commitment to this continuous improvement is AGAT’s active and on-going training to assist geology and exploration professionals to select fit-for-purpose and cost-effective analytical techniques for varied geochemistry programs. Over the past 20 years, the modern analytical laboratory community has seen an explosion of accessibility to sophisticated analytical instrumentation. In turn, this has driven the assaying industry to make available an often-dizzying array of analytical packages for exploration programs. It has been AGAT Laboratories’ experience that a discussion of analytical packages prior to a project starting is crucial to the success of the geochemical program. This article will endeavour to lessen the mystery behind various assay packages. Digestion/Fusion The majority of modern analytical instrumentation utilizes an aqueous solution created by digestion of the solids to be analysed. The digestion/fusion stage is a critical component of the decisionmaking process when making an analytical selection. Aqua-Regia digestion – Aqua-Regia digestion is the most common, as well as the most cost-effective digestion technique available. This digestion has a number of advantages and importantly, a number of disadvantages. Aqua-Regia digestion is a ratio of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and nitric acid (HNO3), and is, essentially, a strong leach. One major disadvantage of Aqua Regia digestion is that major elements in the matrix may not completely dissolve. Examples of mineral phases that are not brought into solution by Aqua Regia include chromite, ilmenite, and cassiterite. This may makes information for elements Al, Fe, Mg, Rb, Sr, Zr limited. For the most part, data collected for base metals (Ag, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn) remains valuable. 4Acid (Multi-Acid) digestion – The 4Acid digestion is the most chemically aggressive acid digestion available. By using strong acids, such as HF, HClO4, HNO3 and HCl, this results in most elements being dissolved into solution. It is important to consider that this type of technique is not recommended for accurate REE information, or for when a total Ba number is critical. One of the important rules to remember when considering 4Acid digestions is that volatile elements will not be available or will have low recovery. This is due to the aggressive nature and the tempera44

Ontario Mineral Exploration Review

ture of the digestion. Therefore Hg should never be reported from this digestion and low recoveries of As and Sb are likely. There are options available to report volatiles from a separate digestion (AquaRegia), with all other elements being reported from 4Acid digestions. Litharge Fusion (fire assay techniques) – Fusions are used to “melt” or separate various matrices to allow acid attack on the melt to get the elements of interest into an aqueous phase. The most common fusion technique is the litharge fusion – commonly referred to as fire assay. Fire assay fusions are based on the fact that precious metals are soluble in metallic molten lead, while the majority of elements (Si, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn) are not. This is why fire assay is such a powerful technique for the determination of precious metals – essentially, the laboratory separates out the precious metals from the sample and concentrates them. Thirty grams or 50 grams of sample material is weighed and litharge (PbO), and a variety of other chemicals (borax, flour, etc.) are added to each crucible containing the sample. The crucibles are placed in a furnace and all of the precious materials in the sample are dissolved into the lead. Following the fusion, the material from the crucible is poured out into moulds, with the lead (containing all of the precious metals) settling into the bottom of the mould (Figure 1). After cooling, the solidified slag (Si, Ca, Mg, etc.) is physically removed from the cooled lead button. The lead button is then placed into another, smaller crucible (cupel) placed into another furnace where the lead becomes molten again and is absorbed by the cupel, while the precious metals stay intact to form a silver bead (Figure 2).

Figure 1: Pouring of fire assay samples following fusion stage.


Figure 2: Ag beads following cupellation.

This bead is then “parted” with nitric acid to remove the Ag. Finally, hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining Au, Pt, Pd. Borate Fusion – This technique uses a mixture of lithium metaborate / lithium tetraborate. Samples are fused at a moderately low temperature. The resultant melt is either poured into acid and dissolved, or cooled on a platinum mould to create a fused disk. Borate Fusions play an important role in determination of REE, Zr, Rb, Ba, etc. (Figure 3).

Detection limit – For the purposes of this article, a detection limit is the lowest result that the laboratory can reasonably report (also known as lowest reporting limit). For example, if Tl is an important pathfinder for your soil program, then a package that offers the lowest possible detection limit will need to be discussed with your geochemistry assay laboratory. Conversely, if your program requirements dictate the importance of major elements, such as Fe, then a lower detection limit will likely not be a driver in your selection of an analytical package. Upper limit – Upper limit is defined as the highest value reported and is important in determination of over limits. For example, a Trace Au by fire assay package likely has an upper limit of 10 g/t Au, so if the sample reads 11.5 g/t Au then a result of >10 g/t Au would be reported on the assay certificate. A discussion with the laboratory needs to include steps to be taken after any over limit is reported. In this instance, recommendations from the geochemistry assay laboratory may be to proceed with fire assay Au by gravimetric finish or metallic screen analysis upon detection of overlimits. Analytical range – Analytical range is the range reported from a package between detection limit to upper limit. For example, the range of Ag reported from a routine 4Acid digestion package may be 0.5-100 ppm, while the range reported from an ore-grade 4Acid digestion may be 2.5-500 ppm. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) – Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) is one of the most robust analytical finishes available. A sequential technique (one element at a time), this instrument is ideal in remote settings (e.g. mine sites, pulp and paper mills, and geological research vessels) due to its ease of setup and operation. The AAS suffers from a moderately high to very high detection limit, and its inability to analyse more than one element simultaneously (Figure 4).

Figure 3: Fused disks poured into mould following borate fusion.

Peroxide Fusion – This fusion technique uses a powerful oxidizer (sodium peroxide) mixed with the sample material and samples fused at a relatively low temperature. This fusion is very effective with high base-metal content and/or high sulphide content materials; however, detection limits may suffer due to the high dissolved solid content and high dilution prior to analysis. Analytical Instrumentation (Finishes) The final step in choosing an appropriate analytical package is the important stage of analytical finish. There are a number of factors in choosing which finish is appropriate.

Figure 4: Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS).

Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICPOES) – The introduction of the ICP-OES into the geochemistry industry truly revolutionized the assay laboratory. With the ability to analyse multiple elements simultaneously, and wide linear range, the multi-element scan is now an almost-universal standard. Detection limits, while significantly lower than reported by an AAS, may be a limiting factor for some programs (e.g. Tl at 5 ppm when 0.01 ppm is required) (See Figure 5). Spring 2015

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Figure 6: Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS).

the analytical range available can be over many orders of magnitude (e.g. Tl 0.01 ppm – 10,000 ppm) (Figure 6). Figure 5: Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES).

Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) – Using the power of a mass spectrometer, the ICP-MS has the capability to report detection limits in the part-per-billion (ppb) and part-per-trillion (ppt) range. This makes the ICP-MS extremely valuable to the analytical requirements of typical environmental reporting. This technique also plays an important role in geochemical programs. ICP-MS is routinely employed to detect pathfinder elements (e.g. Tl, As, Bi, Hg) and detect elements that are simply unavailable by ICP-OES (e.g. Re). When combined with ICP-OES,

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Conclusion The modern analytical geochemistry assay laboratory is a full partner working with the client to contribute to the overall success of the geochemical program. A client’s criteria for deciding on which lab to choose should always include: quality of data (ISO 17025 accreditation), location, and of course, price. The decision should also include a review of the scope of the laboratory’s analytical packages to suit each particular type of program. An open dialogue with the assay laboratory regarding analytical packages will be ongoing as part of a successful program and partnership.

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