AME BC Members Directory & Buyers Guide - The Association for ...

The renaissance of mining was the
theme of B.C. Mining Week May 9 to 15.
Mineral explorers can take pride in the
opening of several new major mines in
the province (as well as helping raise $1.37
million for B.C. Children’s Hospital) this
year to date. We know one of the best
indicators of success in mineral exploration
is seeing the initial discovery move
through an effective and efficient project
review process to mine construction
and production.
Exploration is the lifeblood of mining,
and with 28 new mineral deposit discoveries
made in B.C. recently, the future
looks healthy indeed. There are currently
over 350 active exploration projects
underway and more than 30 proposed
new mines in the province, of which close
to a quarter are in final permitting and
nearing production. The economic
opportunity from mineral development
can truly be measured in the billions of
dollars. In May, the Conference Board
of Canada projected 3.8 per cent real GDP
growth in 2010 for B.C., exceeding
projected national growth of 3.3 per cent.
Last year, in comparison, the GDP in B.C.
shrank by 3.0 per cent. There are many
signs – high commodity prices, improved
credit access and increased investments –
that bode well for the future of mineral
exploration and mine development
in B.C.
Since Mineral Exploration Roundup,
we have continued to see optimism at
conferences held by the Prospectors and
Developers Association of Canada,
Kamloops Exploration Group, Minerals
North in Prince George and the Canadian
Institute of Mining, Metallurgy
and Petroleum. For the second year,
AME BC also participated, along with
Geoscience BC and the Mining
Association of B.C., in local government
conferences throughout the province.
As many AME BC members gear up
for a busy field season – for many their
busiest ever – we will continue to advocate
on key issues such as permitting,
land access and use, aboriginal engage-
President & CEO Message
Gavin C. Dirom
ment, taxation and economic incentives,
geoscience, infrastructure and human
resources. AME BC has maintained a
steadfast approach when advocating
for the two-zone land-use model so that
future land-use decisions bring increased
certainty to our members. And while
AME BC is very supportive of the principles
of corporate social responsibility,
we remain strongly opposed to federal
Bill C-300. More welcome have been
government commitments to reforming
the duplicative environmental assessment
process.
Exploration is the lifeblood of mining,
and with 28 new mineral deposit discoveries
made in B.C. recently, the future
looks healthy indeed. There are currently
over 350 active exploration projects
underway and more than 30 proposed
new mines in the province.
AME BC appreciates the extension of
flow-through mineral exploration tax
credits, but we will continue to advocate
for a permanent tax credit. As well, we
are exploring options for long-term
funding of geoscience, which will in turn
increase grassroots investment. And the
Northwest Transmission Line, which
is moving through its public review,
will potentially stimulate over $15 billion
in capital investment in the vicinity of
the “Golden Triangle” in northwestern
British Columbia.
Following our Speaker Series luncheon
on April 30 with guest speakers the
Honourable George Abbott, minister of
Aboriginal relations and reconciliation,
and Gwaans, negotiator for the Gitxsan
Hereditary Chiefs and chair of the B.C.
All Chiefs’ Task Force, we continue to
engage with Aboriginal communities to
build stronger, more respectful relationships.
Simultaneously, the new B.C.
Aboriginal Mine Training Association is
taking the first steps towards training
the mineral exploration and mining
workforce of the future.
This summer issue of Mineral
Exploration contains our annual Members
Directory and Buyers Guide. An article
by Peter Caulfield describes some of the
associations that contribute to our sector,
and Chuck Davis explores how our sector
began. Dr. Nick Carter, a past president
of AME BC who was awarded the prestigious
PDAC Distinguished Services
Award, is the subject of our profile.
On behalf of the staff and board of
AME BC, I thank all of our volunteers
and members for their efforts to build a
stronger, more unified industry in 2010.
No matter where you are in the world,
I wish you well in your prospects.
Have a safe day, every day. ■
Gavin C. Dirom, president and chief executive
offi cer, Association for Mineral Exploration
British Columbia (AME BC)
Photograph: AME BC SUMMER 2010 7