Government takes action to create and sustain exploration and mining jobs

Mungall announced the Mining Jobs Task Force in conjunction with Mining Day events at the parliament buildings.

by Keith Powell — March 16, 2018

Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Michelle Mungall announces the creation of a B.C. Mining Jobs Task Force. — Photo courtesy Government of BC

Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Michelle Mungall has established a B.C. Mining Jobs Task Force that will review exploration and mining in the province and find ways to strengthen this important industry.

“Over the coming months, the B.C. Mining Jobs Task Force will work with First Nations, the mining industry and communities to develop recommendations on possible actions government could take to bring more certainty to the mining sector and create good jobs for people today, tomorrow and beyond,” said Mungall. “One of our goals with this review is to find ways to ensure mines in B.C. remain viable when commodity prices fluctuate, so that people can keep working and communities can thrive.”

The 12-member task force will include representatives from industry, First Nations, municipal government, an environmental non-governmental organization, labour, post-secondary/training and the financial sector. The task force will submit its final report, including recommendations for legislative and/or regulatory amendments to the minister by Nov. 21, 2018.

Mungall announced the Mining Jobs Task Force in conjunction with Mining Day events at the parliament buildings. Organized by the Mining Association of BC (MABC), the annual Mining Day in Victoria brings together 40 delegates from major mining companies, proponents and supplier companies, and provides an opportunity for industry and government to discuss the importance of the sector, while identifying responsible opportunities for growth.

“We look forward to working with the government, First Nations and other important stakeholders on the task force to ensure our industry is globally competitive and well positioned to sustain the mining jobs of today and, importantly, create the mining jobs of tomorrow,” said Bryan Cox, president and CEO of MABC. “A strong and thriving B.C. mining industry can continue to play a pivotal leadership role in Canada’s transition to a clean tech, lower-carbon future, for the benefit of B.C. families and workers.”

“We fully support the provincial government’s commitment to the future of mining in British Columbia and the employment it supports,” said Michelle Laurie from the United Steelworkers. “The Mining Jobs Task Force will help government find ways to strengthen the sector, so it’s able to sustain good, accessible jobs and training opportunities for British Columbians, workers and their families throughout the province.”

At the announcement, Mungall also highlighted the B.C. mining flow-through share tax credit, which was extended in Budget 2018. The previous tax credit expired Dec. 31, 2017.

“In an era when we will need minerals for an electrified economy and for transportation, we want B.C. to be the most attractive jurisdiction in Canada for exploration investment,” said Mungall. “The mining flow-through share tax credit is one of the tools we can use to get there.”

The Mining Jobs Task Force will look at all aspects of mineral exploration and mining in British Columbia, and provide recommendations to government on measures it might implement to make B.C. the most attractive jurisdiction for investment in this important industry.

Quick Facts:

Mineral exploration, mining and related sectors in B.C. provide jobs for more than 30,000 people in communities throughout the province and add over $6 billion to B.C.’s GDP.
Currently, more than 1,100 businesses in British Columbia provide supplies or services to mining operations in this province.
With rich mineral deposits, B.C. is Canada’s largest producer of copper, largest exporter of steelmaking coal and only producer of molybdenum (a key component in steelmaking).
Mining is the largest private-sector employer of Indigenous people in Canada and B.C. shares mineral tax revenue with First Nations.