The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME), the Mining Association of BC (MABC) and the Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC) welcome Premier John Horgan; Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Michelle Mungall; and Cabinet, sworn in today.
During the recent election campaign, the three associations collaborated on Vote Mining, a joint advocacy initiative between BC’s mineral exploration and mining associations. The initiative ran throughout the course of the Provincial General Election to raise awareness about the importance of the mineral exploration and mining sector to the provincial economy and to encourage citizens to engage with candidates about issues impacting the BC mining industry.
Vote Mining also solicited policy positions from BC political parties on key issues ranging from competitiveness, environmental stewardship, infrastructure, skills training, land use planning and First Nations consultation.
All elected NDP members responded to the vote mining survey. Importantly, Premier Horgan and the BC New Democrats confirmed that they support mineral exploration and mining in BC. In the survey and their platform, they committed to policies such as continuing the flow-through share tax credit for mineral exploration, protecting trade exposed sectors like mining operations in order to maintain competitiveness, removing PST from electricity used for mining operations, ensuring permits are processed efficiently for both mineral exploration and mining, and investing in industry training programs.
Bryan Cox, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC, thanked the new government for their acknowledgment of the importance of the mining industry in BC, “We appreciate the new government’s support of the mining industry in BC and we look forward to working with Premier Horgan, Minister Mungall and their colleagues to ensure a competitive and thriving mining industry in the province.” Cox continued, “By ensuring the mining industry is strong and competitive, we have the potential to grow our industry, provide family-supporting jobs across BC and continue our long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship and positive partnerships with communities and First Nations.”
The mining industry in BC directly employs more than 10,000 people and supports more than 20,000 additional jobs in service and supply industries. In addition, millions are spent annually on suppliers’ services, generating economic activity and job creation in every corner of the province. BC’s major mines each spend hundreds of millions of dollars every year on supplier goods and services alone.
“Mineral exploration and development attracts tremendous investment and generates economic activity in BC,” said Edie Thome, President and CEO of the Association for Mineral Exploration. “We are pleased that Premier Horgan has acknowledged the importance of these contributions and confirmed that his government will do its part to enable and facilitate ongoing successful exploration and development. We look forward to working with the new government to progress key issues such as access to land, capital and public geoscience to enable mineral explorers and developers to continue conducting their important work, which is critical for a healthy, sustainable and ultimately successful exploration industry which will provide the mines of tomorrow. Exploration and development activities create jobs and contribute to the economies of rural and urban communities across the province.”
More than 6,000 British Columbians are employed in the mineral exploration industry, and mineral explorers and developers have a proud history of finding critical metals, like copper and gold over the past 150 years. The innovative and always evolving exploration industry forms an important research and development function, designing and using technologies and developing expertise that results in not only finding new mineral deposits, but also expanding the world’s geological knowledge base for everyone’s benefit.
“The reach of a single mining operation is truly extensive,” said Alec Morrison, President & CEO of Mining Suppliers Association of BC. “A copper mine near Princeton had a feasibility study prepared by an engineering firm in Vancouver, conveyor systems supplied by a company in Surrey, belting from a firm in Burnaby, explosives from a company in Williams Lake, fuel and steel balls from companies in Kamloops and haul truck tires from a company headquartered in Vernon.”
Mineral exploration and mining play a critical role in the growth and prosperity of communities across BC. The three associations look forward to working with the new government on delivering on the priorities important to British Columbians, including job creation, economic growth, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.
About the Mining Association of BC:
Established in 1901, the Mining Association of British Columbia is one of the oldest industry associations in the province. MABC represents companies who build and operate mines and smelters producing metals, coal, and industrial minerals in British Columbia. These mining operations provide family supporting jobs across BC and generate billions of dollars in economic activity in the province and hundreds of millions of dollars in direct revenue to government, contributing greatly to the services that all British Columbians enjoy. Mining matters in BC.
About the Association for Mineral Exploration:
The Association for Mineral Exploration is the lead association for the mineral exploration and development industry based in British Columbia. Established in 1912, AME represents, advocates, protects and promotes the interests of thousands of members who are engaged in mineral exploration and development in BC and throughout the world. AME encourages a safe, economically strong and environmentally responsible industry by providing clear initiatives, policies, events and tools to support its membership.
About the Mining Suppliers Association of BC:
Formed in 1986, The Mining Suppliers Association of BC comprises suppliers, contractors and consultants to the BC mining industry who are committed to promoting the sustainability of this valuable resource. Recognizing the importance of mining to the economic well-being of the province, the mission of the association is to promote the development of a sustainable mining industry in BC by “Building a Better Future for Mining.”
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Media Contacts:
Bryan Cox, President & CEO, MABC
604 681-4321 ext. 101
Jonathan Buchanan, Director, Information & Public Affairs, AME
604 630-3923
Alec Morrison, President & CEO, MSABC
604 681-4321 ext. 107