First discovered in 1944, the Davidson Project is the largest undeveloped molybdenum deposit in Canada. Located on the east side of Hudson Bay Mountain and approximately nine kilometres from Smithers, the deposit lies 300 to 450 metres below ground and is currently accessed by a two-kilometre tunnel developed in the 1960s.
Blue Pearl Mining, a subsidiary of Thompson Creek Metals, plans to build and operate a molybdenum mine producing an average of 2,000 metric tonnes of ore per day. The mine life was assumed to be 10 years for the purposes of the feasibility study, but the deposit represents a long-life resource that would support mining for a much longer period if molybdenum prices remain strong.
Resource estimates
Note: based only on Measured and Indicated
Mo cut off
Tonnes
Grade Mo
lb Mo (Millions)
0.12%
77.2 million
0.169%
288.0
The mineral resource was estimated by Giroux Consultants Ltd.as of April 10, 2007. (Gary Giroux, P. Eng., is an independent "qualified person" in accordance with National Instrument 43-101).
Martina Namox
Office Assistant
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Environmental Assessment Process
Working on the Davidson Project since 2005, Blue Pearl has hosted numerous open houses and meetings in Smithers with the Public Liaison Committee. In addition, the company has held several focus groups for neighbourhoods around the various haul road options.
In the summer of 2008, Blue Pearl formally submitted its environmental application and a 55-day formal public review period began September 18, 2008 and ended November 12, 2008.
This review period was a phase when the company hosted public meetings, open houses and information sharing sessions. In addition to attending these events, members of the public were able to review and comment on the company's application.
The Environmental Assessment Office is currently reviewing the environmental application and the information provided by the community and will make a recommendation as to whether or not an environmental assessment (EA) certificate should be granted and what the conditions of the certification should be.
The recommendation will be made to the provincial Minister of Environment and the provincial Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
An environmental assessment evaluates how a project could impact the environment as well as economic, social, health and heritage effects. The process allows members of the public, First Nations, interested groups and government agencies to review a proposed development and the baseline environmental data. Environmental baseline data allows scientists to review everything from soil and air quality, to wildlife and community opportunities and concerns.
For more information on the environmental assessment process please visit www.eao.gov.bc.ca
Copies of the Blue Pearl application are also available for viewing at these locations:
Blue Pearl Office
1260 King St., Smithers, BC
Smithers Library
3817 Alfred St. Smithers, BC
Burns Lake Library
613 Government St., Burns Lake, BC
Fraser Lake Library
228 Endako Ave., Fraser Lake, BC.
Separate from the environmental assessment process, the company must apply for various permits to build and operate the mine. Through the Community Advisory Panel, the community will be able to participate in this process.
During construction, the company will work with the Community Advisory Panel, stakeholders and First Nations to maximize benefits to the community and minimize inconveniences.
Community
View of Hudson Bay Mountain from the highway at Smithers
Blue Pearl is working hard to be a good neighbour and responsible developer in Smithers. We've listened to questions about employment and business opportunity and comments about environmental and water protection. We've done this by hosting open houses, meeting with community based organizations and through one-on-one meetings. Together we've designed a project that is environmentally, socially and economically responsible.
How has the community improved the project?
Blue Pearl started out with seven different haul route options. Based on people's comments, and an extensive assessment, the haul route with the lowest potential for impacts was chosen and the road alignment was moved away from homes.
People commented on how the mine entrance would look from downtown. Based on people's suggestions, the mine entrance was moved to below the tree line, out of sight from town.
Input on Blue Pearl's water quality program led the company to design a water treatment facility on-site which will be constructed in the early stages of construction.
We look forward to more community comments and questions about the project as we move forward in the environment assessment process.
Environment
Blue Pearl is committed to building a project to the highest level of environmental management. We understand the environmental assessment process and what we must do, but we also appreciate the community's pride in where they live. We will protect the water, the air and the land. We are committed to developing a project that not only meets standards, but very often exceeds them.
Here are just a few examples of how we will minimize the mine's environmental effects:
A detailed water quality plan will protect the local water resources. This will include erosion and sediment controls, water treatment and monitoring.
Aquatic life will be protected by using buffers close to streams and by protecting fish passages.
Good air quality will be protected by minimizing the mine's emissions. Regular monitoring will ensure air quality falls well within provincial guidelines.
Noise will be controlled by enforcing traffic speeds to minimize truck noise and constructing an engineered sound barrier at the load-out facility.
Unique vegetation will be protected by avoiding them, or when coming upon them, moving them.
Several approaches will be used in the wildlife management plan to ensure animals are not affected by mine activities. A few of these approaches include: avoiding calving areas and keeping vegetation near the mine site to ensure adequate habitat.
Progressive reclamation will be a key component of Blue Pearl's environment management approach. This means the company will in a phased approach gradually re-seed and/or re-forest areas that are no longer being used in a phased approach.
People will have access to its environmental monitoring reports and, through various community working groups, suggestions and comments on the company's environmental performance will be encouraged.
Molybdenum
Core Samples from the Davidson Deposit
Molybdenum, often referred to as moly, is a very hard, silvery metal most often used in high-strength steel alloys, in steel used in corrosive or high-temperature applications, as a catalyst for the desulfurization of diesel and gasoline, and as a lubricant. Molybdenum has an extremely high melting point, 2,623 degrees Celsius, making it a key ingredient for manufacturing aircraft parts, electrical contacts, industrial motors and tools. Tools such as drill bits, saw blades or gear cutters contain anywhere from 0.5% to 9.5 % molybdenum. It is the molybdenum in the tools that increases their hardness, wear and corrosion resistance.
Canada is one of the world's top producers of molybdenum, along with the United States, China, Chile and Peru.
For more information, see the About Molybdenum page on this website.
Comments/Contact Our Team
Blue Pearl is a responsible developer working with the community and First Nations to design and build the best project for all of us. We want to hear your comments, questions and concerns.
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Molybdenum
Company Backgrounder
Smithers Office Contact Information
Mailing Address: Box 729, Smithers BC V0J 2N0
Street Address: 1260 King Street, Smithers
Phone: 250-877-6121
Fax: 250-877-6132
Julie Froese
Office Manager/Community Relations Coordinator
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Thank you for your feedback/Questions/Comments.
Smithers Office Contact Information
Mailing Address: Box 729, Smithers BC V0J 2N0
Street Address: 1260 King Street, Smithers
Phone: 250-877-6121
Fax: 250-877-6132
First discovered in 1944, the Davidson Project is the largest undeveloped molybdenum deposit in Canada. Located on the east side of Hudson Bay Mountain and approximately nine kilometres from Smithers, the deposit lies 300 to 450 metres below ground and is currently accessed by a two-kilometre tunnel developed in the 1960s.
