Mining Explorers 2014: B.C. invests in thriving mining sector

The mining industry has built and sustained communities in British Columbia for more than 150 years and today B.C. is considered a global leader in mining and mineral production. Mining contributes nearly C$7 billion to B.C.'s economy and supports jobs for more than 30,000 people. Well over C$470 million was spent on mineral exploration in 2013, and British Columbia now accounts for almost 20 percent of the total exploration in Canada.

Since 2011, five new major mines have opened in B.C.: Copper Mountain near Princeton, New Afton near Kamloops, Mount Milligan northwest of Prince George, Bonanza Ledge near Quesnel, and Yellow Giant on Banks Island near Prince Rupert.

The Red Chris mine south of Dease Lake is expected to open in the near future and four new mines are permitted for construction: Treasure Mountain near Hope, Quintette near Tumbler Ridge, Roman near Tumbler Ridge, and Kitsault north of Prince Rupert. Expansions of seven existing major mines also have been completed at Elkview, Endako, Gibraltar, Highland Valley, Huckleberry, Quinsam, and Line Creek.

Building relationships and working with First Nations is a crucial part of resource development in British Columbia. Economic and Community Development Agreements underscore our government's commitment to help First Nations meaningfully participate in, and benefit from, resource activity happening within their traditional territories. British Columbia is the first province in Canada to share mineral tax revenues from new mines and major mine expansions. To date, 16 of these agreements have been signed and some of the first cheques have already been delivered to First Nations.

We're also investing now to ensure we have the infrastructure in place to power future mining development in B.C. In July 2014 the Northwest Transmission Line was completed. The NTL is a 340-kilometer (211 miles) transmission line that runs from the Skeena substation near Terrace to a new substation near Bob Quinn Lake. The NTL will deliver affordable, reliable and clean power to a part of B.C. that's never before had access to the grid, unlocking the economic potential of northwest British Columbia and growing our economy by supporting new jobs and investment in mining and clean energy at sites like the Red Chris mine and the Forest Kerr hydroelectric project.

On Aug. 4, the tailing storage facility at the Mount Polley mine near Likely, B.C. breached. This was a serious incident that should not have happened. We have a responsibility as the jurisdiction where this breach took place to take a leadership role internationally to find out exactly why it happened and ensure it never happens again, and we are taking steps to re-build public confidence.

On Aug. 18, the Government of British Columbia, with the support of the Soda Creek Indian Band and Williams Lake Indian Band, ordered an independent engineering investigation and inquiry into the Mount Polley breach. The inquiry will be led by a panel of three experienced geotechnical experts who will have the ability to compel evidence. They will submit their final report with recommendations by Jan. 31, 2015.

The B.C. Chief Inspector of Mines also has issued an order to all mining companies to conduct a Dam Safety Inspection for every tailings storage facility at a permitted mine in the province by Dec. 1. Under the order, those inspections must be reviewed by an independent, qualified, third-party, professional engineer from a firm not associated with the tailings facility.

The Mount Polley mine is not in a trans-boundary area that could directly impact Alaska, but I understand that it might raise questions about existing and proposed tailings storage facilities that are in trans-boundary areas. British Columbia is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, the Canadian Embassy and Canadian Consulate in Seattle, the U.S. Consulate in Vancouver, as well as directly with the Alaska government on projects, including the proposed KSM mine in northwest British Columbia, which recently received an environmental assessment certificate.

Mining is a critical industry in British Columbia supporting dozens of communities and thousands of families. Through the independent engineering investigation into the incident at Mount Polley and third-party reviews of Dam Safety Inspections for every tailings facility at a permitted mine in the province, we will get the answers necessary to provide the public with confidence.

Bill Bennett is Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, Government of British Columbia. He was re-elected to a fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Kootenay East, B.C. in 2013.