Ravina Bains and Taylor Jackson: Native claims will kill investment in Bc… – The Province
February 5, 2015
More than 10,700 British Columbians were employed in the mining sector in 2013 with an average salary and benefits totalling $114,600. That same year, the mining industry contributed $511 million in revenues to the B.C. government.
However, the industry faces an uncertain future. Depreciated commodity prices, a tough financing market for juniors, and a slowdown in global demand will make it difficult to attract mining investment in the near-term.
Last week, the B.C. government announced that it will establish a Major Mines Permitting Office to streamline the permitting process for the industry.
But a lengthy permitting process is not the biggest policy issue hampering mining investment in the province. That distinction belongs to disputed land claims — the greatest deterrent to investment in B.C.
