About
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 keeps its members up-to-date on everything in which SEG is involved and industry events in the province through regular emails. 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.
Elementary schools can apply for sponsorship of trips to historic mining sites, such as Barkerville. For example in the past SEG has donated to the following trips:
- Walnut Park (Smithers) – field trip to the School of Exploration and Mining bush camp
- Twain Sullivan (Houston) to Barkerville
- John Field (Hazelton) to Victoria (including the gold rush and mining section at the Royal BC Museum)
- Lake Kathlyn (Smithers) – 47 students to Coppermine Road near Terrace to study fossil beds
- New Hazelton to Barkerville
SEG also contributes to the community during its annual Christmas party. In December 2011 SEG members donated $1,194.50 to Smithers Community Services’ Christmas Hamper program.
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. SEG also focuses on general geology discussions at its monthly Rocks ‘n Rambling with more specific reports during its annual winter Rock Talk.