May was the first ever BC Mining Month and the Mining Association of BC had the pleasure of celebrating the BC mining industry with events across the province. From our annual Mining Person of the Year Award Reception to the Teck Celebrity Pie Throw, we participated in events all across BC, recognizing the people and communities that build and support this province through this foundational industry every day.
MABC kicked off BC Mining Month with the Mining Person of the Year Award Reception, honouring Bob Quartermain for his many contributions to the industry and his integral role in the development of the Brucejack Mine.
http://events.mining.bc.ca/mining-person-of-the-year/
Throughout the month of May, MABC attended community events around BC that recognized and celebrated the important role of the mining industry to British Columbians and BC communities. This year, MABC partnered with 15 different communities, including several local Chambers of Commerce, to celebrate the industry. You can see all the community hosted events at www.bcminingmonth.ca.
We travelled with our Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) promoting the integral role that BC’s mining industry is playing in our transition to a lower carbon future. Covered with facts about our industry, the MABC CEV attended events throughout Mining Month, including the Copper Mountain Mine celebration in Princeton.
A CEV can require up to 4 times the amount of copper as a standard combustion engine, and our CEV got an up-close view of where some of BC’s copper is mined. BC is Canada’s largest producer of copper.
We also showcased our role in clean energy and infrastructure with a mural at the Broadway-City Hall skytrain station, and MABC solar chargers which we distributed to lucky winners at Mining Month events.
Another MABC first included our participation in the #BCTECH Summit, which featured Bryan Cox’s Greater Vancouver Board of Trade Keynote. The #BCTECH Summit included a mining stream showcasing the many innovations and technologies being adopted by BC mines. Mining is a tech industry.
Mining is an industry that gives back and supports our communities. On May 24th, the BC mining industry raised an amazing $1.6 million, a new record, for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation at the annual Teck Celebrity Pie Throw, allowing the Mining for Miracles committee to present a cheque for more than $2.1 million to the Foundation during Miracle Weekend. Contributions from the BC mining industry represented more than 10% of the total funds raised at the annual BCCHF campaign.
As a wrap up to BC Mining Month, Bryan Cox sat down with the Vancouver Sun editorial board: http://vancouversun.com/business/local-business/mining-association-looks-to-rally-support-for-b-c-industry-rebound
We’d like to issue a big ‘thank you’ to our partners, particularly the Mining Suppliers Association of BC, and sponsors for helping us celebrate this important industry throughout the month of May! We look forward to coming to a community near you in May 2019!