“With British Columbia’s mining industry emerging from recent economic challenges, MABC is encouraged by this federal budget’s initiatives that will help ensure that recovery does not falter” said Pierre Gratton, President and CEO of MABC.

MABC was pleased to see a federal recommitment to targeted geosciences funding, a one year extension of the 15 percent mineral exploration tax credit and continued investment in the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership Initiative.  These initiatives combined with a stay-the-course plan to continue reducing corporate income tax rates are important to the recovery currently underway in the mining sector.

MABC is also encouraged by steps announced by the federal budget to reduce regulatory red tape and looks forward to the release of details outlining how the government intends to tackle the “daunting maze of regulations that needlessly complicates project approvals” as committed to in this week’s speech from the throne.  Mr. Gratton states that “the follow-up to this commitment is critical for British Columbia as there are currently over $3 billion in resource project in our province that are awaiting federal approval in order to provide much needed economic stimulus to rural communities”.

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