Smithers Exploration Group (SEG) has been serving and promoting the mineral industry in Northwest British Columbia since 1971. We’re dedicated to the advancement of geology, exploration and mining in the northwest.
We sponsor field trips and short courses; organize technical and general interest talks; host conferences and social events. These activities are an important part of continual upgrading for our members. They also help to educate the general public about the importance of exploration and mining to the local economy and community sustainability.
SEG publishes a quarterly newsletter that keeps its members up-to-date on everything in which SEG is involved and industry events in the province. SEG also publishes an annual directory of mining and exploration companies, prospectors and geologists, consultants and service industries in the northwest.
Funds from the sale of ads for the annual directory are funnelled back into the community. In 2008 SEG contributed $1000 to the Tahltan Summer Science Camp, a 5-day camp for Tahltan children ages of 8-14 that will highlight wilderness experience and science study.
Elementary schools can apply for sponsorship of trips to historic mining sites, such as Barkerville. This spring SEG donated $750 to Muheim Elementary for their trip to Barkerville, $750 to John Field Elementary (Hazelton) for their trip to Barkerville, and $150 to Walnut Park Elementary for their trip to Huckleberry.
Smithers Exploration Group works closely with the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia, the provincial organization that advocates for the mineral exploration industry. SEG directors sit on several of AME BC’s committees and are frequently consulted on issues that affect the mineral industry in BC, Canada and internationally.
SEG members participated in several Land and Resource Management Planning tables across the northwest. They represented the mineral industry in decisions about which lands were open to development and which were set aside in parks.
We are also partners in the Northwest Community College School of Exploration and Mining. It trains graduates for work in the exploration and mining industry in northern BC. The school is funded through a variety of grants from the provincial and federal governments and donations from the minerals industry.
Over the years SEG has put together the Northern Cordilleran Rock Collection, a large collection of rock suites representing regional geological units of mineral deposits and alteration assemblages. This is an excellent tool for training prospectors and geologists and will become part of the NWCC School of Exploration and Mining.