Mining Opportunites Explored

By 250 News

Russell Campbell, Ernie George and Robert Kalkman look at map of  hot mining areas in B.C. at the Mining Rocks open house

Right now, mining activity  involves less than .05% of the province's land mass, but with $220 million dollars committed to mining, exploration last year, the Province of B.C. is  working hard to encourage  the develpment of  mining for future economic growth.   

The bigger challenge  may be in  finding people to do the work.  

Like other trades, mining is facing a serious  shortage of  workers.  A recent study indicates mining in Canada could lose up to 40% of it's existing workforce over the next ten years.  With fewer young people entering the field, that could translate into a  shortage of 81 thousand jobs nationwide. (see Mining for Talent)

The "Mining-Rocks" open house in Prince George  drew capacity crowds for two presentations on the job opportunities.  Those who attended  represented a cross section of  the population  "We have seen  the unemployed, those who are concerned about the future of forestry and those who are looking for a career change, " says Glen Wonders, the Director of Coal Resources for the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

Wonders says  the Province is  very aware of the challenges facing the forestry industry, and is trying to  encourage  other activity, such as mining,  in those areas which will be hardest hit once the pine beetle trees have been cut.  "The development of a mine takes about 8 to 10 years from exploration to bringing the mine to  production" says Wonders, who, with a background in Forestry is sensitive to the pressures facing  the Interior.  "Certainly we need to work in areas that are prospect hot" says Wonders, "but we also need to encourage exploration and development in the Nechako region, so it is a delicate balancing act."

The province has already  added new money to the environmental  assessment office to speed up part of the process ( see previous story)  as there are 19 mining projects waiting for  clearance.  

There is a  huge spin off  for communities linked to mining says Wonders "It is not seasonal work, the jobs don't move from one location to another like a logging show,".  He pointed to the Mount Polley mine east of Lac La Hache, which created 200 jobs, as an example of the economic impact a mine can have.  

Northgate Mines was on hand looking for some people to fill out some of their employement needs  for the Kemess  copper-gold open pit operation north west of Mackenzie.

Mining Facts:
(Courtesy Coopers Lybrand report to Mining Association of B.C.)
-Mining is a $4.5 billion dollar industry in B.C. (2003)
-Mining (nationally) generates more than 50% of rail revenue
-Mining (nationally) accounts for 60% of total port volume  

More information on  employment, or mining, can be found at www.em.gov.bc.ca/mining

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us