The British Columbia MEND ML/ARD Workshop was created to address the limited long-term operating experience for most ML/ARD prediction and mitigation measures and the need for a cost-effective technical forum where challenges and field-scale results can be presented and discussed. Each year the workshop invites leading practitioners and researchers from British Columbia, Canada and abroad to share their knowledge and provide fresh insight into how the tool box of technologies and practices to address ML/ARD issues can be improved. The workshop also endeavours to enable the sharing or experiences and productive dialogue between people from similar and differing communities of interest. 

The event takes place late November/early December in downtown Vancouver. Prior to 2011, each conference addressed a single topic (e.g., prediction 1996, 2000, 2003; risk assessment 1998; underwater disposal 1999, 2001; dry covers 2000, 2004, 2009; treatment 2002, 2007, 2010; tailings 2008; and mine workings 2006). In recent years, multiple topics have been discussed. Many of the presentations are case studies, and First Nations and local community groups are invited to present their experiences and ideas. A number of organizations and individuals are thanked for their assistance with the workshop. The workshop is co-hosted by the British Columbia Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals and CanmetMINING of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Support is also provided by the BC Technical and Research Committee on Reclamation.

Comments and suggestions regarding case studies, research and field data for presentations at future workshops are always welcome!

Bill Price (CanmetMINING) and Kelsey Norlund (British Columbia Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals).