The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia and BC Minster of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett opened Toronto Stock Exchange Thursday, as part of the association’s trade mission to Toronto.
Bennett says BC is still the most competitive market in Canada for mining investment.
“BC’s a great place to invest, and the commodity cycle will come back, prices will go up for copper, coal, and gold, and other minerals, we know that,” Bennett says. “The industry knows that, so they want to get their mine discovered and built before those prices come back.”
The mining industry has had a tough time in BC lately, given the looming closure of the Endako Mine near Fraser Lake, and the Mount Polley tailings pond breach in August.
Bennett says an independent panel will give its report into that accident to government and local First Nations before this month is over.
“It’s my committment to release that report to the public as fast as possible,” he says. “I think it’s important that we don’t hang onto it for long, it’s important we get it out to the public.”
As for a timeline, Bennett says “The public can expect to see that report very quickly, after we have it in our hands on the 30th of January.”
Bennett says BC is still the best place in Canada to invest in mining, citing low corporate taxes, a stream lined environmental assessment process, along with solid geology.
“We’ve got all the minerals and coal that the industry is looking for, we’ve got proximity to Asia, we’ve got great investment in infrastructure,” he points out. “From ports, to highways, to railways, airports … A lot of things, that if you look around the world, other jurisdictions don’t have to offer.”
(BC Gov’t photo)
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