Bloom defends article
In a letter to the editor that appeared last week, William Johnson claimed that my article “Fusion key step in fire assaying for PGEs” (T.N.M., Feb. 25-March 3/02) contained a plagiarism. I feel oblig…
News
The legend of Henry Levac
Henry P. Levac, a well-known woodsman in the Canadian exploration community, died recently. He was 75.Levac worked with dozens of geologists, engineers and geophysicists. In the field, he was renown f…
Mining deaths rise in South Africa
Ninety-four workers died at South African mines in the first quarter — 47% more than the 64 who died in the comparable period of 2001.Health and safety inspectors have responded by threatening to clo…
Hecla posts loss despite improved performance
Although gold production was up and cash costs were down at Hecla Mining (HL-N), the company still posted a loss for the three months ended March 31.Revenue of US$23.8 million translated into net earn…
BC mines generate profits
British Columbia’s mining industry earned $61 million in 2001, compared with a loss of $8 million in the previous year, according to a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers.The survey notes that mining rev…
Barrick clears US$46m in quarter
The first quarter of the year was kind to most gold producers, including the company that probably suffered the least in gold’s prolonged slump.Barrick Gold (ABX-T) recorded a US$46-million profit for…
Breakwater’s output up
Mining of higher-grade pillars at the soon-to-be closed Nanisivik mine on Baffin Island resulted in higher production and a smaller loss for Breakwater Resources (BWR-T) in the first quarter.For the t…
Commerce Resources firms up Fir carbonatite
Vancouver — Drilling by Commerce Resources (CCE-V) in the Blue River area of British Columbia has confirmed the high-grade nature of the tantalum mineralization in the Fir carbonatite.Situated 10 km …
Noranda idles Bell Allard
Citing low metal prices and high inventories, Noranda (NRD-T) has decided to close its Bell Allard underground zinc mine for one month. The Matagami, Que., mine will be shut down beginning on June 29….
Pac Booker tables results
Vancouver — Ongoing drilling at Noranda’s (NRD-T) Morrison copper-gold porphyry deposit in British Columbia continues to show good continuity for operator Pacific Booker Minerals (BKM-V).The latest f…
Doe Run scrutinized for lead levels
Fresh air is a rare indulgence for kids in Herculaneum, Mo., these days. On the advice of health officials, street play is discouraged and most parks are off-limits until further notice. Parents may b…
Seven questions for you
It was at the World Economic Forum in 1999 that nine chief executives of major mining companies put their heads together and realized the public might have preferred those heads on a plate. Thus was b…