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Mineral Exploration in BC: Opportunities and Challenges
Dan M. Jepsen, RPFPresident & CEO
Association for Mineral Exploration BC
Canadian Diamond Drilling Association
Thursday, May 29, 2008
2
About AME BC
“AME BC promotes a healthy, sustainable and environmentally sound mineral exploration and mining sector in British Columbia
for its members.”
Established in 1912 in Vancouver, BC 4,660 individual & 340 corporate membersHosts Mineral Exploration Roundup – over 6,700 registrants in 2008
3
• 28,000 employed in BC
•$101,900/year wages and benefits
• $7 billion+ industry
• 25 major projects under review
BC Mineral Exploration and Mining Highlights
4
•BC companies raise over 50% of global mineral exploration financing
•Over 850 companies call Vancouver home
•Over 700 BC consultants and suppliers
•Mineral ores and products account for 50% of Vancouver port traffic
Mineral Exploration and Mining Highlights
5
BC’s Competitive Advantage
Proven mineral potential - great geology Expertise in geosciences, exploration & mine development
Rail, road & port infrastructure
Skilled workforce Low cost power
Competitive tax structure and incentives
6
Provincial government support
Mineral Titles Online – state of the art mineral tenure acquisition
Publicly available geoscience data
Trade Missions
7Data Courtesy: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
Exploration Expenditures in BC
8Data: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Natural Resources Canada
Mineral Exploration Drilling in BC
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20%
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
BC's Percentage of Canadian Exploration Expenditures
Data Courtesy: Natural Resources Canada
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
hect
ares
(millio
ns)
Mineral Tenure Acquisition in BCData Courtesy: BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources
11
Commodity Prices (US$)
2001 2008* % increase
Gold (oz.) $263 $899 242%
Silver (oz.) $4.07 $17.47 329%
Copper (lb.) $0.75 $3.74 399%
Molybdenum (lb.) $1.75 $33.12 1793%
Zinc (lb.) $0.42 $0.94 124%
*Prices as of May 28, 2008
12
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Fraser Institute Survey: Policy Potential Index
2007/08 (19/68)2005/06 (23/64)
2004/05 (44/64)
2003/04 (45/53)
2002/03 (44/47)
2006/07 (30/65)
2001/02 (45/45)
Top “5” Issues
1. Mine Permitting - Major Projects Management Office
2. Mineral Reserves/Geoscience
3. Aboriginal and Community Engagement: Social Licence
4. Land Access and Mineral Tenure
5. Labour Shortage/Education and Training
6. Infrastructure
7. Climate Change Initiative
Mine Permitting
• Number of projects under consideration (both EA and provincial mine permitting):
2001: 12008: 25
• Major projects management office to streamline environmental review process
Tulsequah
16
• Hit 25 year low in 2004 in Canada; rebounded slightly in 2005/06
• Current discoveries unlikely to meet global demand for metals (esp. in China, India)
Mineral ReservesCanada (1980=100) – adapted from NRCan
Geoscience
• BC government has committed $37 million toward Geoscience BC since 2005
Geoscience
• BC Geological Survey
• Geological Survey of Canada
• Federal commitments for data to lead tonew discoveries
(Targeted Geoscience Initiative)
Treaty Glacier
20
Aboriginal and Community Benefits/Social Licence
• Partnerships are key
• Engagement and cross-cultural understanding critical
• Provincial resource revenue sharing model needed
• Government commitment to consult ($30M) welcome
21
AME BC Initiatives
• Cultural Awareness Workshops
• ACE Guidebook
• Stepping Stone newsletter
• 10 Principles for Sustainable Relationships between the Mineral Sector & Indigenous Peoples
• Community Visits
Kutcho
22
Land Access and Mineral Tenure
•Access to land a key issue throughout BC – 2-Zone Model
•Land use plans continue to erode land base
•First Nations land title issues – Duty to Consult and Accommodate
• Mineral Tenure Act amendments threat to certainty; working with government to best approach this
Labour Shortage
• Up to 100,000 workers needed over the next 10 years throughout Canada
• 40% of personnel across Canada plan to retire within 10 years
•Majority of workers in BC over 45 years old (52%)• Average planned retirement age: 60• 85% male; 4% Aboriginal• 7,500 workers in next 5 years
Infrastructure
• Working with industry and governments on Northwest Transmission Line
• Kemess Power Line
• Worked with Water Highway BC to secure Hydrometric funding
Health and Safety Initiatives
Safety Guidelines for Mineral Exploration in Western Canada
Annual Report in conjunction with PDAC
Health and Safety Awards
Exploration Field Safety Awareness Workshops
Safety stickers and cards
Summary
• Commodity prices, improved regulatory environment have made BC a preferred destination for mineral exploration and mining
• Key challenges remain in mineral reserves; geoscience; Aboriginal and community benefits; land access; and labour shortage
• Opportunities exist to address these challenges so that all British Columbians can benefit
27
Thank you!
For additional information related to AME BC’s activities and to inquire about corporate membership contact:
Association for Mineral Exploration BCSuite 800 – 889 West Pender StreetVancouver, BC V6C 3B2
Tel: (604) 689-5271Fax: (604) 681-2363Web: www.amebc.ca