Mineral Exploration

Scott Shellhaas Rob Pease S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 19 A major problem was how to analyze for the percentage of total nickel that was present as awaruite. Bradshaw stud- ied how nickel was partitioned between silicates, sulphides and awaruite to develop a unique geochemical method to determine the nickel-in-alloy. In 2008, while working on the Josephine complex in Oregon, Bradshaw found a method described in a thesis and also a different method in a Japanese reference to that thesis that purported to be selec- tive extractions for awaruite. The former proved unusable and the latter extracted both awaruite and nickel sulphides, although not nickel in silicates. First Point funded successful research at Acme Labs to develop a suitable method, which led to the selective extraction being certi- fied by an independent third party. This extraction procedure proved to be an effective and valuable tool for analyzing both rock and stream sediments during the initial exploration work and other properties. Bradshaw also guided metal- lurgical work on how to concentrate awa- ruite as well as the assessment of Decar's economic potential. Britten designed exploration programs for awaruite and focused on understand- ing the controls of awaruite abundance and grain size distribution throughout the Mount Sidney Williams complex. His leadership led to the definition of nickel- mineralized zones for this new type of deposit – the first potentially economic resource identified around the globe. Cliffs Natural Resources optioned the Decar property from First Point in 2009. From the beginning, First Point was interested in exploring for awaruite nickel deposits at a number of locations. The company's efforts have produced a working model that permits the identi- fication of prospective areas for awaruite formation along with the tools required to identify and undertake preliminary evaluation of these occurrences. The results of this work can be applied world- wide in similar geological settings. E.A. Scholz Award Excellence in Mine Development Recipients: Rob Pease and Scott Shellhaas Rob Pease and Scott Shellhaas are the recipients of the E.A. Scholz Award for excellence in mine development. These individuals led two separate teams that were responsible for advancing the Mount Milligan copper‐gold project in central B.C. through development to production from 2006 through 2013. Mount Milligan was discovered in the late 1980s, but the path to produc- tion began in earnest in 2002 when Pease, working for propert y owner Placer Dome Inc., initiated a metallurgi- cal drilling campaign. Studies continued through 2005 specifically focusing on metal recoveries – one of the most chal- lenging fields of study for the project – at a time when commodity prices were significantly improving. Placer Dome began to consider the project a high priority for development, but momen- tum stumbled in late 2005 when Barrick Gold and Goldcorp made a joint offer to acquire Placer Dome. Undeterred, in early 2006, Pease set out on his own and was part of a group of investors that arranged to purchase Mount Milligan and other Canadian projects for $120 million in preferred shares of a company that would become Terrane Metals. Terrane, with Pease as president, resumed driving Mount Milligan toward development. From mid-2006 through early 2010, Terrane completed several feasibility-related studies on the project. The project received federal and provin- cial environmental assessment approvals while concurrently achieving significant progress with First Nations and local communities. Then, in mid-2010, corpo- rate events once again provided change as Terrane was acquired by Thompson Creek Metals for approximately $700 million in cash and shares. Shellhaas was chief operating officer of Thompson Creek Metals and the following year he was appointed president. Shellhaas immediately took the torch from Pease to push the project onward, with Thompson Creek raising construc- tion capital through selling gold streams from Mount Milligan, as well as com- pleting equity and debt financing. This facilitated the team led by Shellhaas to construct the project and complete all necessary operational readiness matters. Of significant note is the safety perfor- mance during mine construction that recorded over five million hours worked without a lost-time incident. The mine commenced operations and ramp-up in late 2013. The Mount Milligan proj- ect is built to the highest standards and has reserves for more than 22 years. Significant additional defined resources have the potential to add several more years of mine life. The succession of teams led by Pease and then Shellhaas were critical in bringing this project to fruition. Both of these men were success- ful because of a team effort – teams that they formed, directed and led. They are consummate professionals with vision, capacity and drive, the type of people who make things happen no matter how tough the challenge. Murray Pezim Award Perseverance and Success in Financing Mineral Exploration Recipient: Clive Johnson Clive Johnson is the recipient of the Murray Pezim Award for perseverance and success in financing mineral explor- ation. He is recognized for his roles in financing mineral exploration com- panies including Eldorado Gold Corp., Bema Gold Corp. and B2Gold Corp.

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