British Columbia is a recognized leader in environmental protection and a province that strives to balance resource development with a world-leading commitment to habitat protection and sustainability. Companies are legally required to reclaim all lands they disturb by mining or through exploration.
Five mines in B.C. were recently recognized by the British Columbia Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) for their outstanding achievements in reclamation practices, and these companies were honoured at the annual B.C. Mine Reclamation Awards in Kamloops in September 2012.
One of the big winners at the awards event was a Vancouver Island partnership, the Tsolum River Partnership, which won the British Columbia Jake McDonald Annual Mine Reclamation Award for its successful remediation of the historic Mount Washington copper mine near the Comox Valley. Work was aimed at reducing copper leaching from the closed mine, which operated in the 1960s.
According to the B.C. government, four other mines were recognized for their achievements as well.
• A Metal Mine Reclamation Award was given to Gibraltar Mines Ltd. for its forward-looking approach to reclamation; it utilized research trials to determine best methods in order to set the stage for future reclamation success at the Gibraltar Mine near Williams Lake.
• An Industrial Mineral Mine Reclamation Award was presented to Quinto Technologies Inc. for the Lumby Mine. Quinto Technologies was commended for its solid efforts to clean up this site and close access to underground mine workings.
• R.E. Postill and Sons Ltd. and the Coldstream Ranch Ltd. received an Aggregate Reclamation Award for their excellent reclamation at the Rosebush Pit sand and gravel operation near Vernon. Reclamation practices at the Rosebush Pit centred on returning mined areas to useful agricultural land. Reclaimed areas have shown successful growth of grass, alfalfa and hay crops.
• A Placer Mine Reclamation Award was handed out to Eli Christiansen for the Douglas Property near Terrace. Christiansen and Moril Daigel are recognized for consistently demonstrating a responsible approach during operation and reclamation of their placer property.