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

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 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...

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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