Conference Preaching to Converted

By Ben Meisner

The 2008 Minerals North Conference in Smithers has one problem, it is preaching to the converted.

Those on hand at the meeting are, for the most part, involved in mining, exploration or industries that feed off the industry.

We have reached the cross roads in the mining industry. We have a demand for metals never before realized in this country, and yet we have more road blocks placed in the way than ever before.

Since 1997 there have been no new large mines open. That speaks volumes about the industry and unless we as a public are prepared to address this problem, the mining giants will find a home in some foreign country, of course using our expertise.

Surprisingly enough the problem does not lie at the feet of the mining companies, they are prepared to work with whatever they are handed. Handed nothing, they have nothing to work with.

That expertise does not translate into jobs and the time has long since passed when we can afford to send yet more off shore and to other countries.

Kemess was a prime example of the lessons to be learned from a deal gone bad. We had the mine in the bag in this province but now that money has found a new home in Australia and the existing mine is set to close in a couple of years.

Regardless of how you feel on the matter, we have lost an important plug in our dike to prevent the water from flowing in during what are and what will become every increasingly bad economic times.

We all know the problems , we all know what the solutions should be, and yet the process of fixing the problem is like a circle going round and round and round and round.........

I’m Meisner and that’s one man’s opinion

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