Mine site news

Top environmental award in Western Australia

LionOre Australia (Nickel) Ltd., the 80%-owned subsidiary of Toronto-based LionOre Mining International Ltd., has been awarded the Golden Gecko award. The award was established by the Western Australian Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to recognize excellence and leadership in the environmental area. LionOre Nickel was one of three Western Australian organizations to receive the award.

LionOre Nickel’s award was for its work at the Emily Ann nickel mine, 140 km west of Norseman, which was commissioned last year and completed its ramp-up to full production during the second quarter of 2002. The award citation states that LionOre Nickel not only carried out extensive research and planning to ensure that environmental issues were fully integrated into the mine’s construction and planning, but also established comprehensive safety, health and environment systems prior to its development. It notes, “LionOre’s attitude and accomplishment at the Emily Ann mine site is commendable and sets an excellent example for small-to-medium sized resource developers.”

Kemess mine recognized for outstanding reclamation achievement

At the 26th annual B.C. Reclamation Symposium in September, Northgate Exploration Ltd.’s Kemess mine was selected by the Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation for an award in recognition of outstanding reclamation achievements. This selection is based upon reclamation efforts of metal mining companies throughout British Columbia. The award recognizes the mine’s accomplishments in 2001 and 2002.

The Kemess South mine in north-central British Columbia produces 275,000 ounces per year of gold and significant copper. The mine and the nearby Kemess North project are Northgate’s principal assets.

Ken Stowe, president and CEO of Northgate, stated, “Along with winning the E.A. Scholz Award for excellence in mine development in January 2002 and the Edward Prior Award for mine safety achievement in April 2002, this award for reclamation activities at the Kemess mine again highlights the extensive achievements that management and employees have accomplished since Northgate acquired the mine in February 2000.”