Vancouver – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) welcomes Budget 2010’s focus on the implementation of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). 

“The implementation of the HST is one of the most important and innovative tax reforms the government could bring forward.  The HST will improve BC’s tax competitiveness, attract new investment, improve productivity and create jobs,” stated Pierre Gratton, President and CE0 of the MABC. “To proceed with implementation, despite some public concern, is the right thing to do for British Columbia.”

Today’s budget demonstrates continued fiscal prudence and a commitment to return to balanced budgets by 2013/14, achieved through responsible cost cutting while maintaining key core service levels.  Mr. Gratton states that, “while budget reductions in the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources are of concern, the MABC is particularly pleased to see that funding levels for the BC Environmental Assessment Office remain intact to ensure timely, effective environmental review of major projects.”  He elaborates that, “this follows on the commitment made in February’s throne speech to work with Ottawa on a single process for environmental assessment.” 

Currently over $3 billion in resource projects have been approved by the BC environmental assessment process but sit waiting for Ottawa to complete the federal process.  This holdup delays the creation of thousands of badly needed jobs in such rural communities as Williams Lake, Fort St. James and Mackenzie.

Finally, the MABC welcomes Budget 2010’s renewal of the Mining Flow-Through Share Tax Credit for another three years, providing the mineral exploration sector with certainty as the sector emerges from the economic downturn.

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For more information, contact:  

Pierre Gratton   1-778-828-5064 or pgratton@mining.bc.ca 
Ben Chalmers   1-778-828-2607 or bchalmers@mining.bc.ca 

 

For Immediate Release

Victoria – The Mining Association of British Columbia expressed dismay and disappointment at the announcement in the Throne Speech of a moratorium on exploration and mining in the Flathead Valley. 

“Today’s announcement of a ban on exploration and mining in the Flathead Valley appears to be politically driven rather than based on sound science” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC.  “This unfortunate decision disregards a comprehensive land use plan developed through the hard work of many stakeholders and eliminates a key source of employment and economic development in BC’s south

The Flathead covers 160,000 hectares of South East British Columbia and is home to metallurgical coal and precious metal deposits that could provide hundreds of jobs for local residents and millions of dollars in needed tax revenue for all levels of government.   “MABC believes that a more constructive means of evaluating whether mining should occur is through BC’s environmental assessment process that examines each project on its own merits” stated Mr. Gratton.

There was however, reason to be optimistic in today’s throne speech.  Mr. Gratton said that “the industry takes heart in the strong statements focusing on developing a one project, one review approach to environmental assessment.”  The federal environmental review process has long been an impediment to responsible resource development often delaying investment by a year or more after provincial approvals have been granted.  Mr. Gratton further stated that,“The industry applauds the BC government’s efforts to convince the federal government to amend the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to allow for equivalency agreements with provinces that have sufficiently robust processes already in place”. 

MABC represents companies involved in the exploration and development, mining and smelting of minerals, metals, coal and industrial minerals in British Columbia. It is regarded as the pre-eminent voice of mining in the province.

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For more information, contact:  
Pierre Gratton
 1-778-828-5064 or  pgratton@mining.bc.ca 

Ben Chalmers
1-778-828-2607 or bchalmers@mining.bc.ca 

 

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 21, 2010) - The Association for Mineral Exploration of British Columbia (AME BC) and the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) welcomed the decision by the Supreme Court of Canada that allows the Red Chris project in northern British Columbia to proceed to permitting and construction. The associations also welcome the Court's recognition that the respective environmental assessment processes of the federal and provincial governments can and should operate so as to minimize duplication.

"We are pleased that the Supreme Court has indicated that the ruling will not impact Red Chris, which means this important B.C. mining project can proceed to permitting and construction, creating jobs and opportunities in northern B.C. at a time when they are most needed," stated Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC. "The project was subject to a robust environmental assessment with full public participation, facts that were not questioned by the Court. At the same time, the Supreme Court has emphasized that that federal and provincial governments should avoid duplication and can act in a cooperative and coordinated fashion."

"The impact of today's ruling emphasizes that governments must act to ensure that environmental assessments advance the principles of avoiding duplication and therefore wasting resources," stated Gavin Dirom, President and CEO of AME BC. "Canada faces many environmental challenges; we must meet those with efficiency at every turn."

Specifically, the Court stated that the federal government, "...can and should minimize duplication by using coordination mechanisms..."

MABC and AME BC were joint interveners in this case. The associations argued that sustainable development and effective environmental review requires governments to maximize resources through better coordination and harmonization, as was done in the case of Red Chris. The case, which was concerned specifically with the ability of the federal government to exercise discretion in the scoping of project reviews, did not contest the quality and substance of the environmental review of this project. Red Chris was subject to a full environmental assessment by the province of British Columbia and a screening-level review by the federal government. The latter review was completed over three years ago.

About AME BC:

AME BC (www.amebc.ca) is the predominant voice of mineral exploration in British Columbia. AME BC is the host of Mineral Exploration Roundup, the world's premier annual technical mineral exploration conference, which is being held January 18-21, 2010, at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.

About the MABC:

The MABC (www.mining.bc.ca) is regarded as the predominant voice of BC's mining industry representing the collective needs and interests of operating coal, metal and industrial mineral mining companies.

Media are invited to call into a conference call at 11:30 a.m. PST today at the number below:

Phone number: 1-866-542-9023 (Canada & the United States)

Access Code: 5271107#

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

    AME BC
    Byng Giraud
    Vice President, Corporate Affairs
    1-778-233-6449
    byng@amebc.ca

or

    MABC
    Pierre Gratton
    President & CEO
    1-778-828-5064
    pgratton@mining.bc.ca

Vancouver – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) hailed the approval by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office of the Prosperity gold-copper mine located near Williams Lake, owned by Vancouver-based Taseko Mines Limited. 

“This is excellent news for B.C.’s mining sector and for the B.C. and Canadian economy,” stated Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC.  “The social and economic contribution of this project will benefit all British Columbians for at least a generation. To put it into perspective, Prosperity is larger than the province’s film and television industry.” 

Major mines are rare but very valuable to the economy, and Prosperity offers much in terms of job creation, royalties and tax revenues and new opportunities for First Nations and the Williams Lake region.  Mining is the largest private sector employer of First Nations in Canada and the jobs created as a result of Prosperity will build on this success.

The B.C. mining sector currently contributes over $8 billion to the B.C. economy. The long term prognosis is for a robust B.C. mining sector, supported by demand for minerals and metals from emerging economies such as China and India.  Over 20 B.C. mining projects are currently in or have recently completed the environmental review process.  More than five are well-advanced and are planning to move to development in the next few years.

 “MABC would also like to compliment the B.C. government for its continued commitment to and delivery of a robust, thorough and also timely and efficient environmental review process.  Today’s announcement was delivered within the scheduled time frame of the provincial EA process, which provides all industry with confidence and investment certainty.  The industry hopes for a similar, timely outcome from the federal government,” concluded Mr. Gratton.

BC’s environmental assessment process is considered one of the best in Canada and is guided by sound environmental principles that ensure the responsible development of B.C.’s natural resources.

The MABC is regarded as the predominant voice of BC’s mining industry representing the collective needs and interests of operating coal, metal and industrial mineral mining companies.

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For more information, contact:  Pierre Gratton 
1-778-828-5064 or pgratton@mining.bc.ca

Download press release

Editorial: Vancouver Sun
Tue Nov 10 2009

British Columbia has been faithful to the federal Conservative Party. In the election a year ago, it returned 22 Conservative MPs to the House of Commons and gave the party 44 per cent of the vote. Only nine New Democrats and five Liberals were sent to Ottawa from the province, drawing 26 per cent and 19 per cent of the vote respectively.

The Conservative ridings represent the heartland, the locus of B.C.'s vast resource wealth. Mining rules in these regions where deposits of gold, copper, zinc and coal have attracted people and investment for 150 years. The value of mineral sales in B.C. last year was $6.6 billion, and roughly 14 per cent of provincial exports, or $4.6 billion, was metallic minerals and fabricated metal products.

In 2008, the mining industry paid government $545 million in direct taxes, levies and payments related to employment. Speaking of jobs, mining companies employed 7,607 workers directly last year while the B.C. government figures the mineral and metal economy accounts for 28,000 jobs. And these are highly paid jobs. Average annual compensation in salary and benefits tops $112,000.

The provincial government seems to understand all this and has taken steps to enhance B.C.'s mining industry's competitiveness. For example, harmonizing the provincial sales tax with the federal goods and services tax, which the government has promised to do in July 2010, is expected to reduce the cost of building a mine by $10 million and cut operating expenses by $1 million a year. The province has also given a green light to a $404-million transmission line through northwestern B.C. that could create $15 billion in private investment. The federal government has pledged to cover $130 million of the cost.

Yet no major mines of sufficient size to replace the soon-to-close Kemess and Huckleberry mines have been opened in more than a decade. The main stumbling block is regulation; specifically, a duplicate approval process that delays projects for years.

B.C. has argued that Ottawa should leave regulation and permitting to the provinces to prevent delays in developing mines. But the federal government is dragging its feet, apparently because some provinces are not ready to take on that responsibility. B.C. boasts a relatively efficient environmental assessment process and there's no need for Ottawa to conduct its own. The federal government could simply rubber stamp B.C.'s rulings under a bilateral agreement -- of the sort it routinely negotiates with Quebec. The state of other provincial regulatory regimes need not be a factor.

Perhaps the Conservative government is wary of taking on the potentially controversial issue of relinquishing control over environmental assessments of mining projects while in a minority position. But other parties should see that it is in their interest to support the measure.

Outside the urban areas, NDP strength is in Skeena and the southern Interior. Skeena is home to Galore Creek, a property held jointly by NovaGold and Teck Resources, thought to be one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-gold-silver deposits. It is also the location of the Red Chris mine, approved by the province in 2005, but tied up ever since by the federal process and litigation.

In the southern Interior, Copper Mountain, with a reserve of five billion pounds of copper, could be producing 100 million pounds a year by 2011 if the approvals process can be accelerated.

The federal NDP should align itself with those who want to develop these mines and create highly paid, unionized jobs. Incidentally, the mining industry is the largest private sector employer of first nations workers in the province.

Similarly, the federal Liberals must recognize that many of their urban supporters depend on the mining industry for their Howe Street jobs. About 60 per cent of Canadian exploration companies are based in B.C., most with headquarters in Vancouver. It is the nation's capital for exploration financing. Thousands of consulting, accounting, banking, legal, engineering and other professional jobs are closely tied to the mining industry.

All parties have common cause in helping the mining industry overcome this bureaucratic barrier and support the minority government when it proposes to delegate environmental impact and other assessments to the province.

Additionally, as we've urged before, the province needs to set up a one-stop approvals shop, like the Oil and Gas Commission, to allow the mining industry to realize its full potential.

 

Terrane Metals has just released updated fact sheets.  Click on titles below to read new information:

Local Economic and Social Benefits Mt. Milligan

First Nations Engagement Mt. Milligan

Water Management Provisions Mt. Milligan

Landscape Management: Integrating Environmental Best Practices Mt. Milligan

 

Letter of thank you from BC Museum of Mining:

It was with great excitement and much appreciation that we received notification that we had received significant funding under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.  We are proud to be one of the 90 projects that were included in the British Columbia announcement by Premier Campbell.  Read  release

Video clip:  Global TV News Hour - Pierre Gratton

 

Courtesy: Global BC  

Vancouver – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) hailed key progress by two major B.C. mining projects, the Morrison copper gold project near Smithers and the Copper Mountain project outside Princeton. 

“Two major BC mining projects took important steps forward this week,” stated Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC.  “This is good news for British Columbia, particularly during the current economic downturn.  These projects will create new jobs and economic opportunities in north central and southern British Columbia.”

The B.C. mining sector currently contributes over $8 billion to the B.C. economy. The long term prognosis is for a robust B.C. mining sector, supported by demand for minerals and metals from emerging economies such as China and India.  Over 20 B.C. mining projects are currently in the environmental review process.  Around a half dozen of them are well-advanced and are planning to move to development in the next few years. 

Pacific Booker Minerals Inc’s Morrison project filed its application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate with the BC Environmental Assessment Office. This application, if accepted, will trigger a BC environmental review, a key step in the mine development process.  The project proposes a 30,000 tonnes/day open pit mine over a projected mine life of 21 years.  Pacific Booker Minerals Inc. plans to commence operations in 2012.

The Copper Mountain project received approval from the BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources to proceed with new mill foundation construction that enables the company to start building what should be BC’s next major copper mine.  Final mine permit amendments are expected in the near future.  The $70 million mill foundation construction work is expected to create at least 90 full time jobs this fall and is to be conducted by BC-based Gisborne Group, a multi-disciplined industrial construction company.  Copper Mountain plans to start production by mid-2011.

"The Gisborne Group is pleased to see a resurgence in the mining sector and trust this will be the beginning of long term growth and stability for all British Columbians," added Rae Clarkson, President of the Gisborne Group. "As a BC company with over fifty years experience in industrial construction, we are pleased to have been selected as the contractor for the Copper Mountain project. This work helps create and protect existing jobs at a time when BC needs them."

About the MABC
The MABC is regarded as the predominant voice of BC’s mining industry representing the collective needs and interests of operating coal, metal and industrial mineral mining companies.

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For more information, contact:  

Pierre Gratton       1-778-828-5064 or pgratton@mining.bc.ca  or,

Ben Chalmers        1-778-828-2607 or bchalmers@mining.bc.ca

Download media release

 

 Mining Association of BC's brief and presentation to the BC  Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services: 

• PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATIONS 2009 FOR BUDGET 2010
  
  MABC recommends measures that would assist BC’s mining sector in capitalizing on the opportunities that lie before it as BC emerges from a severe economic recession, for the benefit of all British Columbians and for Canada.  The recommendations are clustered into three areas...
  
  
• Going for Gold… and Copper…and Coal  MABC Presentation to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Service
  
  

• Six New Mines 

Vancouver – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) today applauded the federal government decision to invest up to $130 million in the construction of the Northwest Powerline along Highway 37 in northwest B.C.  The Mining Association of BC also expressed gratitude to Premier Gordon Campbell’s BC government for its leadership in pursuing federal government support and for its commitment to this major development. 

The combined investment of the B.C. and the federal governments, now totaling $380 million, illustrates their strong commitment to support infrastructure development facilitating economic development in the northwest corner of British Columbia.  The construction of the powerline has the potential to create thousands of jobs, generate new sources of clean power and provide additional revenues to government to help pay for important programs and services. The Northwest Powerline also has the potential to attract more than $15 billion in investment, create 10,700 jobs and generate $300 million in annual tax revenues to governments.
“Today’s announcement brings a new powerline in northern BC one step closer to reality, which is excellent news for northern British Columbia and for BC’s mining industry” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of B.C. “The federal government is to be congratulated for recognizing the significant opportunities this project offers northern communities and all of British Columbia.”

Delivering Green Power to Northern British Columbia (available online at http://www.highway37.com/), an up-dated study based on a 2008 report by the Mining Association of BC, outlines the major environmental benefits of the proposed power line along the Highway 37 corridor.  Report findings reveal that immediate greenhouse gas emission reduction from the shutdown of current diesel generation, combined with the estimated, avoided emissions from the generation of green energy of approved and licensed run-of-river projects from Terrace to Dease Lake, is 208,000 tonnes of CO2 per year; this is the equivalent of almost 35,000 cars. Powering all potential mining projects off the power line grid instead of reliance on diesel, which is the only current alternative, would exceed 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year or, the equivalent of removing 629,000 cars from the road.

“MABC would also like to thank Premier Gordon Campbell for his government’s efforts to bring the federal government to the table,” added Gratton. “Premier Campbell, who re-started the environmental assessment and First Nations consultation on the proposed power line last September, has demonstrated a consistent commitment to this project and vision for Northwest BC".

The Mining Association of British Columbia is part of the Northwest Power Line Coalition. The Coalition includes the Northern Development Initiative Trust with its forty member communities, the Association for Mineral Exploration of British Columbia, and a number of First Nations, mining companies, independent power producers and local businesses — including engineering firms and equipment suppliers — and concerned citizens. More information is available online at www.highway37.com.

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For more information, contact:    Pierre Gratton, President & CEO, Mining Association of BC    Tel: 778-828-5064

Message from South Peace Road Safety Committee:

On October 1st, 2009 key changes regarding the use of resource roads in the South Peace will come into effect requiring actions and change on your part as a user/driver; Your 2-way radios will need re-programming to add the 42 new resource road channels; new radio calling procedures will go into effect (calling up and down versus loaded and empty); new rules for oversized loads and convoy travel apply and increased enforcement of road rules and procedures by tenure holders and employers will occur...

Download bulletin

Please review the full suite of SPRSC Best Management Practices, Procedures, and Guidelines (http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pscripts/pab/whatsnew/index.asp?pm=sr&RecordID=4596) and be aware of the requirements as they apply to the roads that you operate or are responsible to maintain.

Vancouver – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) celebrated important milestones in the development of important new BC mining projects, with the granting of key provincial permits to the Mt. Milligan and Central South projects of BC-based companies Terrane Metals Corporation and First Coal Corporation, respectively. 

“Two major BC mining projects took important steps forward this week,” stated Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC.  “This is good news for British Columbia, particularly during the current economic downturn.  These projects will create new jobs and economic opportunities in northeastern and north central British Columbia.”
The B.C. mining sector currently contributes over $8 billion to the B.C. economy. The long term prognosis is for a robust B.C. mining sector, supported by demand for minerals and metals from emerging economies such as China and India.  Over 20 B.C. mining projects are in the environmental review process currently, and around a half dozen, including Mt. Milligan and Central South, are well-advanced and are planning to advance to development in the next few years.  Construction spending, which is in the millions of dollars, will inject much-needed private sector economic stimulus into the B.C. economy and create hundreds of new, high-paying jobs.

“The Mt. Milligan project, a $900 million capital investment, represents one of the next major copper mines that will keep B.C.’s copper mining industry flourishing for another generation. ” added Pierre Gratton.  “The project has now received its BC environmental assessment certificate and many of its necessary construction permits from the province including its Provincial Mines Act Permit with the remaining permits expected by month’s end.  Unfortunately, the federal government’s environmental assessment process continues to lag significantly behind the Province, otherwise Mt. Milligan would be even closer to realization.”

The Bulk Sample Amendment permit for First Coal’s Central South property builds on the significant re-emergence of B.C.’s northeast coal sector.  British Columbia is one of the top three jurisdictions in the world for high quality, steel-making coal, located mostly in the southeast and northeast of the province.  The rapid industrialization of emerging markets makes the future for B.C.’s steel-making coal sector very bright.

The MABC is regarded as the predominant voice of BC’s mining industry representing the collective needs and interests of operating coal, metal and industrial mineral mining companies.

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For more information, contact:  

Pierre Gratton   1-778-828-5064 or  pgratton@mining.bc.ca 
Ben Chalmers   1-778-828-2607 or  bchalmers@mining.bc.ca 

Victoria – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) expressed support for Budget 2009, and applauded the provincial government’s decision to implement the HST in an effort to increase the competitive position of our province and stimulate the growth necessary to see our economy recover. 

“The new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) announced by the BC government is a significant step in ensuring British Columbia’s competitive position both within Canada and in the global market place,” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC.  “As governments around the world increase spending to try to stimulate activity and spark an economic recovery, BC has taken the necessary step of lowering the cost of production and making our province a more attractive location for investment.”

Due to falling revenues from all sectors of the province Budget 2009 projects a deficit of $2.8 billion this year with a balanced budget not expected until 2013.  “Given current fiscal challenges, the HST as a revenue neutral shift in tax policy offers a tremendous amount of economic stimulus without having to introduce significant spending increases that the province can’t afford at this time,” added Mr. Gratton. “Tax measures such as the HST lower production costs and put the B.C. mining sector on more secure financial footing, which will help to preserve current employment levels and bring back many workers who were laid off over the last year”. 

The B.C. mining sector currently contributes over $8 billion to the B.C. economy. The long term prognosis is for a robust B.C. mining sector, supported by demand for minerals and metals from emerging economies such as China and India.  Several B.C. mining projects are in advanced stages of permitting; timely approval of these major mines would together inject billions of dollars of private sector investment into the province.

The MABC fully supports the Throne Speech’s commitment to build a new transmission line along Highway 37 which will open up new opportunities in mining and clean power production.  This is good news for remote communities who will benefit from reliable and affordable energy and it will play an important role in helping our province achieve our greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.   The Highway 37 power line will also provide critical infrastructure that will enable the development of a new generation of mines that can contribute significantly to the province’s tax base and financial well-being.    

MABC represents companies involved in the exploration and development, mining and smelting of minerals, metals, coal and industrial minerals in British Columbia. It is regarded as the pre-eminent voice of mining in the province

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For more information, contact:          

Pierre Gratton
1-778-828-5064 or pgratton@mining.bc.ca

Ben Chalmers
1-778-828-2607 or bchalmers@mining.bc.ca

Vancouver – The Mining Association of British Columbia welcomes the provincial government’s recently announced plan to harmonize the PST with the GST. 

Pierre Gratton, the President and CEO noted that, “creating a single value-added tax reduces the complexity for business operators and eliminates the burden of collecting and administering the sales tax.  This new approach will result in lowered operating costs that can, in turn, be reinvested in our province.” 

The Mining Association of BC believes that reducing the cost of both capital investment and the materials necessary to the manufacturing process will result in an increased competitive position for those businesses involved in resource development and will enhance BC’s ability to attract investment. 

“When the mining sector is doing well, companies have money to invest in growth, and that means new job creation” he added.  “This new tax structure will help attract investment into BC and help speed the way to economic recovery.”

“This move by the provincial government builds on several years of action that has improved the tax competitiveness of BC mining“ concluded Mr. Gratton. “The Mining Association of BC looks forward to the introduction of this new tax structure, effective July 1, 2010.”

About MABC

The MABC is regarded as the predominant voice of BC’s mining industry representing the collective needs and interests of operating coal, metal and industrial mineral mining companies.

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For more information, contact:            
Ben Chalmers, Vice President, Environmental & Technical Affairs                  1-778-828-2607

 

 

The election of a new National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations marks a new chapter in Canadian history.  The Mining Association of BC offers its best wishes to Chief Shawn a-in-chut Atleo on his victory after what can only be described as an exhausting voting process.   “The road ahead as National Chief will not be an easy one” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC, “but Chief Atleo has proven that he is up to big challenges here in BC.  He has earned our respect, and we offer him our sincerest congratulations and support”. 
 
Mr. Gratton pointed out that, “Chief Atleo has played a key role in building a stronger relationship between the mining industry and First Nations in BC.  We hope the goodwill and mutual understanding between our industry and First Nations that has been developed will be taken to the national stage.  Working together, mining can be translated into meaningful economic opportunities in communities”.  

Chief Atleo now has the Nation’s attention and will turn his mind to the task of creating a unified vision for the future and moving forward on education, health and economic issues.  “I know he is up for the challenge” said Zoë Carlson, VP, Corporate Affairs at the Mining Association of BC, “with his family, his community, and many supporters across British Columbia, I hope he will be able to realize many of the hopes he has for Aboriginal people in Canada”. 

The long time former Chief Phil Fontaine has left some big shoes to fill.  “I have respected and enjoyed working with Phil Fontaine in Ottawa. I wish to express my thanks for his many contributions, and extend my best wishes to him and his family in the years to come” said Mr. Gratton.  He concluded that “There are also very big shoes being left to fill here in BC with Chief Atleo’s move. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Chief Atleo in his new role, and will look forward to welcoming a new BC Chief in the fall". 

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About the Mining Association of BC

The MABC is regarded as the predominant voice of BC’s mining industry representing the collective needs and interests of operating coal, metal and industrial mineral mining companies.

For more information contact:
Zoë Carlson
Vice President, Corporate Affairs  
1-604-681-4321, ext. 116

Northern Development Initiative Trust Press Release
Over 30 communities and 350,000 people are connected to the future of Ridley Terminals as a public asset that moves the resources that drive our economy to the world.  Central and northern BC is the growth engine of BC’s economy producing two thirds of our provincial exports.  Industries based in our communities depend on the Port of Prince Rupert and Ridley Terminals as key parts of our vision to be a ‘knowledge based resource economy connected to the world’. 

The North Central Municipal Association and Northern Development Initiative Trust believe that Ridley Terminals is a strategic public asset for our growing bio-energy, wood pellet and high quality coal products to reach world markets.  We envision additional resource export products being bulk shipped out of Ridley Terminals’ deep ocean berths as well.  For that, we need a gateway to the world that operates in a public, fair and transparent manner with an understanding of the need for northern solutions to northern transportation issues.  As a public terminal facility, we have seen a substantial investment by the wood pellet industry in this storage and loading facility.  We believe other industries can be encouraged to invest in an effectively run bulk port that is respectful of the people and the economies of central and northern BC.

Ridley Terminals is key to the continued expansion of family by supporting jobs in our mining, forestry and bioenergy industries.  Efficient and cost effective export means that Ridley Terminals must remain a public asset to ensure there is growth and diversification in the wealth creating rural regions of British Columbia.  As mayors, regional district and community leaders working together with industry, we intend to pull our region out of this recession with a more diversified economy.  This region will be further insulated from a future recession as long as it has a diversified resource base with the most efficient and least congested public port system in western North America.  A publicly operated Ridley Terminals is critical to that vision.

Our northern federal politicians, like the Honourable Jay Hill and his supportive federal and provincial counterparts, clearly understand the importance of the public sector’s involvement in Ridley Terminals.  We believe that the next phase of growth of the Port of Prince Rupert should envelop Ridley Terminals to make it the premier public port on the west coast of North America.  The efficient and effective operation that Chief Executive Officer Don Krusel leads at the Port of Prince Rupert has gained the confidence of communities and industry.  The Port of Prince Rupert is a clear example of the benefits of a public asset with judicious partnership and private investments. 

We agree with Pierre Gratton, Chief Executive Officer of the Mining Association of BC, that there are obvious synergies and efficiencies between the two ports.  Our resource industries could play a partnership role ensuring that Ridley Terminals operates on a not-for-profit basis that is focused on delivering high quality, competitive service for northern economic interests and re-investing to build on the strength of our economy.

As northern leaders, we speak with one voice for the retention of Ridley Terminals Inc. as a public asset:
 
Mayor Larry White, District of Tumbler Ridge
Mayor Carol Kulesha, Village of Queen Charlotte
Mayor Cory Delves, Village of Port Clements
Director Des Nobels, Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District
Mayor Joanne Monaghan, District of Kitimat
Mayor Evan Saugstad, District of Chetwynd
President Karen Goodings, North Central Municipal Association
Mayor Alice Maitland, Village of Hazelton
Mayor Bernice Magee, Village of Burns Lake
Director Bill Miller, Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako
Mayor Dan Rogers, City of Prince George
Chair Art Kaehn, Regional District of Fraser-Fort George
Mayor Bill Streeper, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality
Chair Bruce Sutherland, Northern Development Initiative Trust
Director Lita Powell, Northern Development Initiative Trust
Mayor Stephanie Killam, District of Mackenzie
Mayor Fred Jarvis, District of Taylor
Mayor Carmen Graf, Village of Telkwa
Director Arthur Hadland, Peace River Regional District
Director Wayne Hiebert, Peace River Regional District
Director Tim Caton, Peace River Regional District
Councillor Lori Ackerman, City of Fort St. John
Mayor Karen Anderson, District of Hudson’s Hope
Mayor Mike Bernier, City of Dawson Creek
Mayor Bruce Lantz, City of Fort St. John
Mayor Lyman Clark, Village of Pouce Coupe
Mayor Jack Mussallem, City of Prince Rupert
Mayor David Pernarowski, City of Terrace
Mayor Angela Brand Danuser, District of Stewart
Mayor Frederick Clark, Village of Granisle
Mayor Dwayne Lindstrom, Village of Fraser Lake
Mayor Mike Frazier, Village of McBride
Chair Al Richmond, Cariboo Regional District
Director Ted Armstrong, Cariboo Regional District
Director Roberta Faust, Cariboo Regional District
Director John Massier, Cariboo Regional District
Director Deb Bischoff, Cariboo Regional District
Director Steve Mazur, Cariboo Regional District
Director Duncan Barnett, Cariboo Regional District
Director Al Richmond, Cariboo Regional District
Director Art Dumaresq, Cariboo Regional District
Director Jim Glassford, Cariboo Regional District
Director Alex Bracewell, Cariboo Regional District
Director Rick Mumford, Cariboo Regional District
Director Bruce Rattray, Cariboo Regional District
Director Sue Zacharias, Cariboo Regional District
Mayor Mary Sjostrom, City of Quesnel
Mayor Mitch Campsall, District of 100 Mile House
Mayor Jay Vermette, District of Wells

About the Northern Development Initiative Trust
Northern Development Initiative Trust is an independent regional economic development corporation focused on stimulating economic growth and job creation in central and northern British Columbia. Over $46.4 million in funding has been committed to 317 projects with a total project value of over $306.4 million. For information on funding programs and economic development in central and northern British Columbia, visit: http://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/

About the North Central Municipal Association
The North Central Municipal Association is an association of local governments whose mission is to address issues and to move forward initiatives for the benefit of its members. For information on the North Central Municipal Association, visit: http://ncma.enorthernbc.com/

Media Contact:

Mayor Evan Saugstad
District of Chetwynd, and Vice-Chair, Northern Development Initiative Trust
Phone:    (250) 401-4102
                 (250) 788-5572 (cell)
Email:     d-chet@gochetwynd.com

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Vancouver-- The Northwest Powerline Coalition today released its Delivering Green Power to Northern British Columbia, an updated report based on a 2008 document by the Mining Association of BC.  Delivering Green Power to Northern British Columbia provides a detailed and timely overview of the environmental and economic benefits the proposed powerline along the Highway 37 Corridor will have for northern BC, and all Canadians. 

The global economic crisis, coupled with increasing concerns regarding climate change, and the availability of new information related to many projects and communities that will benefit from access to reliable power along the corridor, made it clear that an update of the report was extremely important.

Coalition Co-Chair and CEO of the Northern Development Initiative Trust, Janine North said, “The coalition advocates for a partnership funding strategy to develop the Highway 37 transmission corridor.  The powerline will unleash economic growth and employment from new mine and power project developments in this resource rich area of BC.”

Elmer Derrick, Chief, Treaty Negotiator of the Gitxsan First Nation and Coalition Co-Chair, said, “ We are very pleased that the BC Government has committed $10 million to complete the environmental assessment process for the powerline, and has committed a further $250 million to construct the line if additional partners can be secured.” Derrick went on to say, “The powerline will provide a training and employment platform that offers local First Nations the ability to build transferable employment skills and improve the living conditions in their communities.”

The immediate greenhouse gas emission reduction from the shutdown of current diesel generation combined with the estimated avoided emissions from the generation of green energy of approved and licensed run-of-river projects from Terrace to Dease Lake is 208,000 tonnes of CO2 per year, or the equivalent of almost 35,000 cars. Emissions avoided by powering all potential mining projects off the powerline grid instead of diesel, which is the only current alternative, would exceed 3.7 million tonnes of CO2 per year or the equivalent of removing 629,000 cars from the road.

Governments around the world are dedicating significant capital to support infrastructure projects, such as the Highway 37 powerline, that are shovel ready to provide local employment and economic stimulus, and which encourage new capital investment.

Click title to read full report: Delivering Green Power to Northern British Columbia: A discussion on the benefits of a new power transmission line to Northern British Columbia

For Further Information Please Contact:

Janine North
CEO Northern Development Initiative Trust
Co-Chair, Northwest Powerline Coalition
Ph: 250-561-2525

Elmer Derrick
Chief, Negotiator, Gitxsan
Co-Chair, Northwest Powerline Coalition
Ph: 250-615-6469

Gavin Dirom
President and CEO
Association for Mineral Exploration BC
Ph: 778-233-6459

Pierre Gratton
President and CEO
Mining Association of BC
Ph: 604-681-4321 

The Northwest Power Coalition

The Northwest Power Coalition is a volunteer grass roots organization representing 74 active member groups including 49 communities and Regional Districts, First Nations Leadership and joint venture businesses, the Association for Mineral Exploration BC, the Mining Association of BC and the Northern Development Initiative Trust. In addition the coalition includes mining and independent power producers, major national and international consulting firms, Chambers of Commerce, Alaskan boroughs (communities) and several Alaskan independent power producers.

The coalition acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by the Mining Association of BC, Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and Levelton Consultants in the preparation of the original report.

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By Pierre Gratton
In a recent flurry of media activity, Daniel Veniez, Chair of Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI), has rightly pointed out that the future of the port terminal should not be a political football nor ideologically driven.  Unfortunately, it is clear through his actions and through his efforts to sell RTI to a single private interest that he is engaged in both.

Ridley is a strategic asset critical to the growth of northeastern British Columbia and beyond.  It is one of the key reasons, for example, that the Northeast BC coal sector has undergone a remarkably strong reemergence in recent years, driven by the growing demand for high quality steel-making coal in emerging Asian markets. A recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers’ study of BC’s mining sector performance in 2008 reported record levels of production, new investment, job growth and the highest industrial wages of any sector, due in large part to the province’s steel-making coal industry. 

This dramatic re-emergence is not abating, despite the current economic downturn, as steel-making coal prices remain at relatively high levels from a historical standpoint.  Indeed, the future of BC’s and Alberta’s steel-making coal sector and that of communities such as Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek and Prince Rupert, has not looked so bright in many years. 

This new investment has not only meant high-paying jobs and spin-off benefits for what had been an economically depressed region of British Columbia, but also new revenues for governments and an important contribution to Canada’s trade balance. The strategic importance of BC’s and Alberta’s steel-making coal resource cannot be understated – it is one of the top three jurisdictions in the world for steel-making coal and can and will play a pivotal role enabling the rapid industrialization of emerging Asian markets – and the recovery of our own.

A key challenge for many of western Canada’s exporters is their inability to control its single largest cost element – rail costs – due to their captivity to monopoly pricing practices. Given this, it would exacerbate matters for current and future producers and exporters were RTI sold to a private company, which would lead to another monopolistic service provider or restricted access for property developers. RTI was never intended to become a profit centre for the federal government. In fact, it was created with the single purpose of enabling economic development in Northern BC.

To continue to do play this role and to drive future development, RTI’s throughput rates must be kept at competitive levels against international markets to direct volume to the terminal.  Sale to a private entity would hold all users of the port hostage to monopolistic pricing, which is not in their interests, nor the interests of the citizens of Northeastern BC and British Columbians and Albertans, generally.

Like Mr. Veniez, we were encouraged by the decision of the Conservative government to cancel the previous government’s proposed divestiture as their first order of government on February 7, 2006. His efforts to improve the viability of the port are commendable.  Nevertheless, the fundamental rationale for not privatizing the port in 2006 remains as true today as then.

We are thus heartened by comments made by the Honourable Jay Hill, who clearly understands the importance of the public sector’s involvement in RTI at this time. A sensible option would be to transfer the RTI asset to the Prince Rupert Port Authority, which would create obvious synergies and efficiencies. In addition, a new management structure should be formed comprised of port users, who would operate the terminal on a not-for-profit basis focused on delivering high quality, competitive service for Northeastern economic interests, a model seen elsewhere in Canada and around the world.

Vancouver - Absorbent Products Ltd.(APL) and the Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB) have jointly received the 2008 Mining and Sustainability Award for their efforts to promote sustainable development in the British Columbia mining sector, announced Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC).

“We congratulate Absorbent Products Ltd. and the Similkameen people for showing leadership in, and commitment to, advancing and promoting sustainable development in our industry and the province of BC”, said Pierre Gratton, President & CEO of the Mining Association of BC.  “After considering a very competitive slate of candidates for this year’s Mining and Sustainability Award, the adjudication committee decided that both of these organizations deserved to be recognized for their different but equally compelling contributions to sustainability in mining.” 

Absorbent Products Ltd (APL) is the producer of over 140 branded and private label pet, agricultural and industrial products and has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Products created from their Diatomaceous Earth deposit are approved for use in organic production and are sold throughout Canada, the US, Europe and the Middle East.  APL takes their reclamation obligations seriously and is ahead of schedule in completing its mine reclamation.  Throughout the years the company has improved its processing efficiencies and now uses about 6 per cent less natural gas per tonne and about 10 per cent less electricity in terms of kwh/tonne than in 2002. The company has a large percentage of First Nations employees and enjoys a close working relationship with the Tk’emlups Indian Band.

The other award winner, the Upper Similkameen Indian Band, has taken its members’ understanding and vision and applied it to creating and expanding an economic base to allow people to pursue a balance between a traditional and contemporary lifestyle. Renowned as traditional miners and traders of ochre, the USIB have lived through the gold rush, the discovery of the rich mineralization near Hedley, and the end of that wave of mine development in the late 1950s.  Their achievements include the preservation of the former Mascot Mine and Tulameen Ochre Bluffs and the development of the Snaza’ist Interpretive Center.  Their accomplishments have become a model of success for sustainability in mining in the Province of British Columbia.

The Mining and Sustainability Award is a joint initiative between the MABC and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and annually honours those committed to advancing and promoting sustainable development in the B.C. mining sector. 

The awards will be presented at the Opening Awards Gala Reception, to be held at Terminal City Club, on May 4th in Vancouver as part of BC Mining Week 2009 celebrations. For more information about this event, please visit http://www.mining.bc.ca/miningweek.html.

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For more information contact:
Pierre Gratton,
President & CEO
Mining Association of BC
1.604.681.4321, ext. 120