Who We Are

The Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) originated in the early 1970's, in response to a demonstrated need in British Columbia for greater government-industry communications in the area of environmental protection and reclamation associated with mining.  Membership is drawn from the corporate sector (several of the large mines are represented); the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM); the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (MWLAP); the Mining Association of British Columbia and British Columbia universities and colleges.  The Committee meets four or five times a year to discuss matters of joint concern and interest, exchange experience, plan activities and prioritize research needs.

Since 1977, the TRCR has annually sponsored the British Columbia Mine Reclamation Symposium to foster the exchange of information and ideas on reclamation.  Proceedings, published concurrently with the symposia, are a valuable source for anyone interested in this field.

In addition to the annual symposium dealing with the entire spectrum of reclamation issues, the TRCR also sponsors symposia and studies focusing on single issues.  For example, in 1985 the Committee sponsored a preliminary study of the practice of resloping waste dump faces, with support from the Canada-British Columbia Mineral Development Agreement.  A second study, with support from the Coal Association of Canada, focused on materials handling and cost.  In 1986, the Committee sponsored an International Rock Drain Symposium which drew attendance from the United States, France, Australia and the Soviet Union, again with support from the Canada-British Columbia Mineral Development Agreement.  In 1990, the Committee established a special project to improve the environmental management of cyanide and in July 1992 published a "Technical Guide for the Environmental Management of Cyanide in Mining".  As a follow-up, the TRCR, in cooperation with MEM, hosted the Cyanide Gold Heap Leach Workshop in Vancouver, May 27 and 28, 1995. In 1992 a TRCR committee was struck to direct a study to identify environmental and reclamation issues from which research and development priorities could be identified.  This initiative resulted in a report entitled "Key Environmental Issues Assessment", released April 1993.  In addition, TRCR members are currently involved with MEM, MWLAP and the industry in sponsoring work on Metal Uptake by Vegetation, and effects of molybdenum on cattle and fish.  The Acid Mine Drainage Task Force recently amalgamated with the TRCR to strengthen the Committee's scope to include all aspects of mine development and reclamation.  In 1999, the TRCR co-sponsored a workshop on molybdenum held in conjunction with the symposium in Kamloops, B.C.  The TRCR is also affiliated with the Canadian Land Reclamation Association (CLRA) and has co-hosted symposia on several occasions, including 2002 in Dawson Creek.

To promote excellence in reclamation, the Committee annually presents the British Columbia Mine Reclamation Award and several citations for excellence in mine reclamation. Citations are provided for the reclamation of exploration sites, metal mines, coal mines, placer operations, sand and gravel operations, and industrial mineral operations.

To encourage student participation in reclamation-related fields, the committee awards the Jake McDonald Memorial Scholarship, which is given to support a student (or students) in a scientific field related to reclamation. This scholarship was established in honour of Jake McDonald, former Senior Reclamation Inspector in the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. The TRCR also provides a $500 award to the Provincial Science Fairs Program.