APRIL 2009

  The Honourable Gordon Hogg
Minister of State for Mining

Minister's Message

Spring has sprung, bringing with it a heightened sense of optimism in the mining sector.

Commodity prices are starting to show signs of recovery, most notably copper. Coal prices have also moved upward, and in the gold sector, input costs are falling while prices have been steadily rising since last November.

There are many reasons why B.C. is one of the top jurisdictions in the world for mining. We have one of the most competitive tax and regulatory systems in the world. We are ranked among the best in the world for the quality of our geological database, and we have a growing inventory of more than 12,000 mineral occurrences. 

The Minister’s Council on Mineral Exploration and Mining has ensured that industry and First Nations are informed and involved in the formation of public policy. The Council’s work has produced results, including Resource Revenue Sharing with First Nations on new mining projects and expansions to existing mines, funding for the environmental assessment of the electrification of Highway 37. I’d like to thank each and every member of the Council for their dedication, hard work and commitment to the success of the mining sector.

Across our industry, companies are working to retain their workforce while shoring up capital, reducing spending and in some cases, delaying expansion plans. These are trying times, but by working together, we have laid a strong foundation for B.C.’s mining industry. I know B.C.’s mining industry is resilient. I also know we have built a strong foundation since 2001.

We’re starting to see gains already, and when the economy recovers, I know the B.C. mining sector will once again continue its upward trajectory.
 

Mining Economic Task Force Report

On behalf of the Province, I want to thank the members of the Mining Economic Task Force (METF) for their work on the Mining Economic Task Force Report.

The Task Force brought together leaders of industry to explore and examine the sustainability of mining in the province and to bring forward recommendations to help mitigate the effects of the global downturn on the mining industry. The METF Report is now available online.

METF Report

Minister Hogg Thanks Minister’s Council

In a recent letter to the Minister’s Council on Mineral Exploration and Mining, I took the opportunity to thank the members of the Council for their time, effort and commitment, and recognize the achievements realized by the Council over the past seven months.

Milestones include:

• British Columbia was successfully represented at the China Mining Conference in Beijing, followed by a productive investment mission to Korea and Japan.
• Continued support for the development and implementation of a labour market strategy.
• Developed and recommended a framework and policy decision on resource revenue sharing with First Nations for new mines and on expansions of existing mines.
• Recommended funding for the environmental assessment process and First Nations and. community consultation on the expansion of the northern transmission line (along the Highway 37 corridor).
• Created the Mining Economic Task Force to develop recommendations to assist Government and the industry during the global economic downturn.
• Extended the Mining Flow-Through Share tax program for another year.
• Received a recommendations report from the Fraser Valley Aggregate Pilot Project.

It has been my honour to work with the members of the Council. Their contributions on behalf of their constituents and in support of the work of the Council in making recommendations to Government are assisting us in making sure the mining industry continues to be an integral part of our economy.