Metal Leaching/Acid Rock Drainage Field School

MLARD 2025 course dates have yet to be determined. Registration will be opened to those on the waiting list first. If you would like to be added to the wait list, please email info@bvcentre.ca with your full name, job title, email address and phone number. 

Course Description

The course objectives are to increase understanding of metal leaching and acid rock drainage by showing participants the tools, procedures and design requirements; providing an overview of the underlying science and vocabulary; and presenting examples of best practices. A unique feature of this course is that it allows students to see firsthand how ML/ARD test work is conducted and mitigation plans are developed, and the challenges that are encountered. Much of the course time is spent touring mines in the Smithers BC area, including Newmont’s Equity Silver mine, Imperial’s Huckleberry mine, and Glencors’s Bell mine. Students will hear from leading practitioners whose experience is the basis for much of industry-wide best practices. Participants are shown ML/ARD from the industry, regulatory and public perspective, and see the evolution in present ML/ARD thinking and practices. As part of its closure plan in 1994, Bell was one of the first mines to conduct a comprehensive ML/ARD prediction program and is a great site to discuss the management of different mine components. Equity Silver uses flooding, soil covers and drainage treatment to prevent off-site impacts and has perhaps the best long-term monitoring record of any mine. Huckleberry was the first mine site to make comprehensive ARD prediction and prevention an integral part of the mine plan throughout its mine life.

Who should take the course?

This course is designed for anyone involved with ML/ARD and is recommended to industry, regulating agencies, consulting companies, First Nations, and community groups. The knowledge provided can be used to better design and manage ML/ARD programs, ask the right questions at the right time, review results, regulate mines, conduct research, evaluate risks, and assist employees that conduct this work.

Instructors

Dr. Bill Price is the primary instructor and course organizer. Bill is the author of Guidelines for Metal Leaching and Acid Rock Drainage at Mine Sites in British Columbia (Price and Errington, 1998) and Prediction Manual of Drainage Chemistry from Sulphidic Geologic Materials (Price, 2009), which are documents used extensively in Canada and worldwide. Bill will contribute generic technical ML/ARD information, a regulatory perspective, and site-specific knowledge of the mines.

Mike Aziz and Cody Meints lead the Equity Mine tour. Mike manages closure at a number of mines and has authored numerous papers and reports on different aspects of Equity’s ML/ARD mitigation program. Cody is the Equity Mine manager.

Marke Wong will be our host for the tour of the Huckleberry Mine and is the mine manager.

Karen Petersen is the mine manager and will lead our tour of the Bell Mine.

Dr. Kevin Morin is the primary instructor on ML/ARD prediction at the Bell Mine. One of Canada’s foremost experts on ML/ARD, Kevin has worked as a consultant for many major mines and mining companies and has published widely on ML/ARD, including a large compendium of case studies.

Course Information

Location: Smithers, BC, Canada
Cost: $1950.00 (+GST) per person

The week starts with a day in the classroom. Mine tours (subject to availability) happen Tuesday through Friday (subject to availability):

• Bell Mine
• Huckleberry Mine
• Equity Mine
• Duthie Mine

The week wraps up with a half day in the classroom.  There are several evening social events throughout the week as well.

For more information:

Bulkley Valley Research Centre

Box 4274 Smithers, BC, Canada, V0J 2N0

Email: info@bvcentre.ca

Phone: 250-847-2827