Discipline Cases Highlight Improper Public Disclosure for Two Mineral Exploration Projects

BURNABY, BC--(Marketwired - January 12, 2016) - Two professional geoscientists have been disciplined for their conduct while acting as a Qualified Person (QP) in the disclosure of technical information for separate mineral exploration projects. The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC) disciplined Mr. Ian J. Foreman, P.Geo., and resolved a disciplinary action against Mr. Peter T. George, P.Geo. 

In Canada, National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) governs how mining and mineral exploration companies disclose scientific and technical information about mineral projects to the public. This information must be prepared by or under the supervision of a QP.

Mr. Ian James Foreman, P.Geo., was the QP for Cherry Hill Mine in northern California, owned by Golden Sun Mining Corp. (formerly Silver Sun Resource Corp). APEGBC found that Mr. Foreman failed in his duty as a QP to prevent or correct the public disclosure of information about the mine that was misleading and contrary to NI 43-101. He was also found to have violated APEGBC's Code of Ethics and demonstrated unprofessional conduct under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act. Mr. Foreman was suspended from practice for two years, must meet a number of requirements in order to resume practice as a professional geoscientist in B.C., and must pay costs of $80,000.

Mr. Peter Thomas George, P.Geo., was the QP for the Barkerville Project in B.C., owned by Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. Faced with a public hearing, Mr. George entered into a Consent Order with APEGBC by which Mr. George admitted to unprofessional conduct in producing a substandard technical report for Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. that failed to meet the requirements of NI 43-101. Mr. George also admitted to producing two substandard technical reports for Rubicon Minerals Corporation for its Phoenix Gold Project in Ontario. Mr. George must pay a fine of $15,000, costs of $20,000, and is subject to a number of conditions on his membership with APEGBC, including the requirement that he not perform mineral resource or reserve estimations as defined by NI 43-101.

B.C. professional geoscientists and engineers are committed to high standards of ethical and professional practice, holding paramount the health, safety and welfare of the public. Where an engineer or geoscientist has failed to meet those standards, it is APEGBC's regulatory duty to act to protect the public interest.

Information on the decision concerning Mr. Ian J. Foreman, P.Geo., can be found at apeg.bc.ca/News/160112-IJF. Information on the Consent Order agreed to by Mr. Peter T. George can be found at apeg.bc.ca/News/160112-PTG. More information on APEGBC's complaint, investigation and discipline processes can be found at apeg.bc.ca.

APEGBC is British Columbia's regulatory and licensing body for the professions of engineering and geoscience, and is charged with protecting the public interest. With over 33,000 members, APEGBC is one of the largest professional associations in B.C. and maintains high academic, experience and professional practice standards.