Opportunity: Mining In Northern BC

• There are currently 9 operating mines, 2 mines under development, 19 proposed mines and 78 major exploration projects across the northern part of BC.


• Mining exploration expenditures in northern mining regions totaled $332.5M in 2011, up 45.2% from 2010.


• The dollars spent on exploration across the North have increased by an annual average of 26.4% over the past five years, leading to an increase in employment and the number of related businesses.


• Prince George is the service and supply hub for most activities across Northern BC, and therefore a considerable number of Prince George businesses are engaged in support activities for mining operations - 61.5% increase over the past 5 years.


• Employment in the sector has increased by an annual average of 54.3% over the same period, far exceeding the overall growth in employment in the city.

Project:  Mt. Milligan Mine

Employer: Thompson Creek Metals Company
Value: $1.5-billion mine located north of Prince George.

Mt. Milligan is an open pit copper and gold mine developed by Thompson Creek Metals Company that employs 350 people. Construction of the mine started in late 2010 and the first ore was processed in August 2013. Once operating at capacity, it is expected to yield approximately 60,000 metric tonnes per day, with average annual production of 81 million pounds of copper and 195,000 ounces of gold during the 22-year mine life.

Labour Force Training At College of New Caledonia

The Canadian Institute of Mining - the leading technical society of professionals associated with the Canadian minerals and materials industry  - has provided the College of New Caledonia $50,000 in an endowment funding and $56,000 overall. This money is going towards scholarships and bursaries for CNC’s mining certificate students as well as trades students who are associated with mining, such as millwright/machinist, welding, electrical and carpentry.

CNC’s mining certificate program has been successfully delivered at the Fort St. James and Burns Lake campuses, with more than 80% of graduates earning jobs. The program is offered on a rotational basis at CNC’s regional campuses and is currently underway in Quesnel and Vanderhoof.

About College of New Caledonia

Region served: Cariboo
Main industries: Agriculture/Ranching, Forestry, Mining and Tourism
Locations: Prince George, Burns Lake, Fort St. James, Mackenzie, Quesnel and Vanderhoof
Campuses/learning centres: 7
Students served annually: 5,000+
Programs offered: 50+ programs in health sciences, trades & technologies, social services, business & university studies.

CNC provides practical, hands-on learning in small classes. In as little as 10 months, students can acquire the skills for a stable and successful career.

College of New Caledonia Media Contact:
Randall Heidt, CNC Director of Communications and Development
Tel: 250-561-5869
Cell: 250-640-6161
Email: heidtr@cnc.bc.ca

Media Contact BC Colleges:
Cindy Ball – 604-828-8050
Alix Cameron – 604-839-2770