Operating Mines and Selected Major Exploration Projects in British Columbia 2008
Open File 2009-1
Ministry of Energy, Mines & Petroleum Resources

The mining industry in BC generated gross revenues of $8.4 billion in 2008. Strong coal prices and increased demand resulted in record revenues in 2008.
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers 2008 Mining Report

The BC mining industry directly employed 7,607 people in 2008 compared to 7,449 in 2007. 
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers 2008 Mining Report

Average earnings in 2008 increased from $101,700 to $112,800.
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers 2008 Mining Report

Consistent with 2007, WorkSafeBC statistics reports that the provincial mining industry is regarded as the safest resource industry in BC. Since 1993 the employee injury rate has been reduced by half, to 1.9 injuries per 100 worker years.
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers 2008 Mining Report

There are 24 mining projects in BC currently under environmental review or in the permitting process.
Source: Government of Canada

Total mineral exploration spending in BC was $367 million in 2008 compared to $416 million in 2007.
Source: Government of BC

Mine reclamation is a fundamental part of the mining life cycle in British Columbia. The Technical & Research Committee on Reclamation (TRCR) has been dedicated to excellence in mine reclamation in B.C. since 1977.
Source: Technical and Research Committe on Reclamation

Actual land usage for a mine is extremely small relative to the area explored – less than 28,000 hectares are currently being used by mining which is less than 0.03%of BC's total land base.  Source: Government of British Columbia

Sixty percent of Canadian exploration and mining companies are based in British Columbia.
Source: Government of British Columbia

Major minerals produced in BC (as a % of Canada's production): Coal (66%); Copper (40%); Silver (50%); Gold, Lead, Molybdenum & Zinc.  Source: Mining Association of BC

Coal represents a third of the industrial traffic at the Port of Vancouver, the largest port in Canada.
Source: Vancouver Port Authority