For Immediate Release
September 24, 2019
Mining Injects Billions Into Local Businesses and Communities Across British Columbia
Vancouver, BC – British Columbia’s mines and smelters are packing an economic punch in the province, purchasing $2.9 billion worth of materials, goods and services from more than 3,700 businesses in 215 urban, rural and Indigenous communities in 2018, according to a new report released today by the province’s mining and mining suppliers associations at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention.
“B.C.’s mining and smelting operations support substantial economic activity and jobs in urban, rural and Indigenous communities in every region of our province,” said Michael Goehring, MABC President and CEO. “Last year the industry injected almost $3 billion into 215 urban, rural and Indigenous communities through more than 3,700 mining suppliers.”
The report was commissioned by the Mining Association of BC (MABC) and the Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC) to study the province’s mining supply chain and quantify the dollar value of materials, goods and services purchased by the province’s 17 metal and steel-making coal mines and two smelting operations.
“The numbers show mining has become a major partner with Indigenous businesses and is helping advance economic reconciliation with BC’s Indigenous communities,” said Goehring. “Our industry purchased $265 million worth of materials, goods and services from 120 Indigenous-affiliated suppliers in 2018.”
The research also shows mining has a significant impact on BC’s urban population: 1,265 or 34 per cent of the province’s mine suppliers are located in 20 Metro Vancouver municipalities, providing $941 million worth of materials, good and services to the mining industry.
“Mining is a foundational industry and provides family-supporting jobs for communities in every corner of our province,” said Michelle Mungall, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “Following on the recommendations of our Mining Jobs Task Force, we will continue to work with industry, Indigenous communities and labour organizations to build a strong, sustainable economy that works for everyone.”
British Columbia is Canada’s largest producer of copper and steel-making coal, the second largest producer of silver and the only producer of molybdenum. The province’s mines and smelters have a lower GHG intensity than most of our global competitors and our products are essential to the transition to a low carbon economy.
“The supply chain involves thousands of talented local businesses who not only supply mines in BC, they also export a growing array of goods and services to the global mining industry, having earned a reputation for quality and innovation the world over,” said Alec Morrison, MSABC President and CEO. “Mines in the U.S., South America and elsewhere are using supplies and services made in B.C., supporting local jobs and businesses throughout the province.”
MABC
MABC is the voice of mining in BC, representing operating metal and steelmaking coal mines, smelters and industrial mineral producers in the province. MABC’s mandate is to support a strong and thriving mining industry that creates opportunities and wealth for all British Columbians
Fast Facts
Benefits of British Columbia’s Mining Supply Chain
- In 2018, mining and smelting generated $12.3 billion in economic activity in BC, supporting over 33,000 direct and indirect jobs, and contributing almost $1 billion in direct payments to the provincial government to support healthcare, education and public services British Columbians rely on.
- The industry—17 metal and steelmaking coal mines and two smelters—purchased $2.9 billion worth of materials, goods and services from 3,730 BC businesses in 215 urban, rural and Indigenous communities in 2108.
- 120 Indigenous-affiliated mine suppliers provided materials, goods and services to BC’s mining industry in 2018, valued at $265 million. These businesses are associated with 25 Indigenous Nations or Indigenous Development Corporations.
- Twenty Metro Vancouver municipalities are home to 1,265, or 34 per cent, of the province’s mining suppliers. They provided $941 million worth of materials, good and services to the industry.
- Vancouver is BC’s largest urban mining community with 485 mining suppliers, who generated $248 million in revenue in 2018. Surrey’s 190 mining suppliers generated $111 million.
- Kamloops is BC’s largest mining community by spend, with 410 mining suppliers selling $342.5 million worth of worth of materials, good and services to the industry. Prince George is second, with 300 suppliers generating $252 million.
- BC’s mining industry provided $6.5 million in community investments to approximately 340 organizations in 50 municipalities and Indigenous communities in 2018.
- The province’s mineral explorers spent $331 million in BC last year, and $4.9 billion over the last 15 years.
- The data set included the cumulative, self-reported procurement spend from British Columbia’s 17 operating mines and two smelters in the 2018 calendar year and was collected by iTotem Technologies Solutions –www.itotem.ca. The final data set was verified by each operation. All numbers are approximate.
For more information:
Cailey Murphy
(604) 837-0521
