The annual Manitoba Mining and Mineral Convention ran Nov 19-21 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
Although the organizer, Manitoba Mineral Resources, hoped the convention would be better than the previous year, many in attendance felt it fell short.
It seems the industry is still in the throes of an extended downturn and perhaps all the extra cash that would be spent in a good year attending such things is instead being put where it is needed.
Nevertheless, there were over 1,000 delegates in attendance at this 46th annual convention, which included representation from business and community and Aboriginal leaders, along with experts in geosciences, exploration, mining, investment, education, training and community development.
In addition to highlighting the industry and its many successes, the convention drew attention to, as well as from, about 140 mining supply firms, prospectors, promoters of potential deposits, and mining companies.
As is perennially the case, the convention featured a series of short courses designed to provide attendees with up-to-date and in-depth overviews of the geology and potential of the province’s mineral belts.
This year, many courses focused on the deposits in the Rice Lake and Bird River belts in southeastern Manitoba. Also, a space was set aside just outside the conference area that featured gold panning, rock polishing, a fossil dig and a variety of displays and activities for young prospectors. Classes of schoolchildren could be seen coming and going throughout the three-day affair.
It wasn’t all business, either, as there was a chance for attendees to celebrate their own. This was evidenced by a presentation to former provincial mines minister MaryAnn Mihychuk for providing support to women in mining.
As well, there was the Industry Dinner and Social Evening. It featured a fabulous meal followed by some exceptional entertainment and even a bit of dancing for those so inclined.
Several Flin Flon-Snow Lake region deposits were showcased in short courses.
Gorden Glenn gave an interesting presentation on Minnova Corporation’s Maverick Gold Project. Maverick would be better known locally as the former producer called Puffy Lake, situated outside Sherridon and formerly owned by Pioneer Metals.
Mr. Glenn, president and CEO of Minnova, said several mistakes were made on the project during that previous incarnation. He said the mill was far too large for the size of the ore body and that former owners went after the deposit on a tonnage basis, rather than by grade, as should have been the case with the narrow vein occurrence.
Minnova plans to mine Maverick with the SAMS (Shallow Angle Mining System), which is an overhead double-rail system that can be adapted or customized to the requirements of specific ore-extraction processes and most underground mining operations.
Mr. Glenn said the system solves the long-standing problem of ore extraction at sloping surfaces between 10 and 45 degrees, which do not allow for mechanized operations on wheels.
He said it is a fully integrated mining method, from development to production to backfilling. His company believes it can operate Maverick at a cash cost of $800 per oz.
An overview of Victory Nickel/Victory Silica’s Minago deposit was also put forward.
Victory’s Sean Stokes handled the presentation and brought those in the audience up to speed on the company’s innovative way of financing the project.
It seems Minago is now a frac sand project rather than a nickel play! Frac sand is used in the oil and gas industry to increase flow to the wellhead and, of course, is in high demand.
As luck would have it, frac sand is contained in the 10-metre thick sandstone cover overlying the Minago nickel deposit. This layer must be removed in accessing the open pit and, according to Victory’s engineering, the proposed pit area contains a marketable frac sand resource of 11.2 million tonnes, with additional tonnage potential for the future.
The Lalor project was also a topic of discussion of several courses. These dealt with the structure and interpretation of the deposit, the last of which was cut short when the fire alarm at the convention centre went off and the building was cleared.
Nevertheless, it was a great conference to take in and it makes one proud of the industry and mine finders of our area.
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