Resources Minister says Canada on ‘brink of vigorous mining recovery'

Although it's too early to declare the recession over in Canada, the nation's Resources Minister says "it's evident that mining is on the road to recovery."

RENO, NV - 

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources Lisa Raitt said much needs to be done in mining to boost Canada's competitiveness, improve environmental performance, support northern development, increase social responsibility, boost research and innovation, and advance women in mining and its related professions.

In the inaugural meeting of the new Women in Mining Canada organization, Raitt told women mining professionals, "We're on the brink of a vigorous mining recovery in this country. This is going to open up new and exciting opportunities for women who want to make a difference in this industry."

"Given developments in the mining world today, it's especially important for women to encourage each other and advance their careers in this industry now," Raitt stressed.

Although the minister admitted it was too early to declare Canada's recession over, "it's evident that mining is on the road to recovery.'

As proof, she noted that the prices of most minerals and metals have rallied, while during the third quarter, 26 Canadian mines were reopened or expanded production and 3,600 mining jobs were either created or reinstated.

"This recovery has progressed so well that some anticipate the minerals and metals industries may grow at double the rate of Canada's total economy over the next three years," she said.

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government has extended the 15% mineral exploration tax credit and the accelerated capital cost allowance for business investment in machinery and equipment, Raitt said. The government has also reallocated Cdn$8 million this year to the Green Mining Initiative to expand and develop greener technologies and practices in the nation's mining industry.

Raitt stressed that mining "has an important role to play in the development of Canada's North. For this reason, geo-mapping is a prominent aspect of our government's Northern Strategy. That's why we're delivering $100 million for a new Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals Program for public geosciences, with a particular emphasis on Canada's North. Under this program, we will map the 60% of the North that is currently not mapped to modern standards."

"But my overall point is that most of this activity-and a key objective of our Economic Action Plan-is to create jobs and careers in a newer and smarter economy," she added.

"One of the most key shortages we are currently facing how, which will become a longer-term issue should it not be dealt with is the shortage of a highly skilled workforce in mining," Raitt noted.

"We've also got to deal more effectively with issues related to mining and the environment," she stressed. "This is perhaps one of our greatest long-term challenges and one reason for our government's Green Mining Initiative."

"So to conclude-and as it's often said in speeches-there is much to be done," Raitt said, adding "there are tremendous opportunities to make progress" in boosting Canada's competitiveness, improve mining's environmental performance, support Northern development, increase social responsibility and boost research and innovation.

Disclaimer

MINEWEB is an interactive publication, with rolling deadlines through each day, commencing in the Sydney morning,  and concluding, 24 hours later,  in the Vancouver evening.  If you believe your side of an issue deserves inclusion, but has failed to meet one of our deadlines, you are invited to notify the Editor in Chief in Johannesburg, and we will include you in our editing and expanding on our stories. Email him at alechogg@gmail.com

Print story      Email story      Subscribe to free newsletter

Back

 

responses to this article

Need technologists? I am an Electronics Engineer Technologist. Which mining company's need skilled employees? I have been researching, mining and gas fields in BC., for a long period of time. I am at a loss, to which mines and gas fields are hiring? by hinotes on October 24 2009, 13:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mine site development To improve environmental performance we should used 3D Animations for mining. Here's one of the top site that create a Mining 3D Animation. http://www.mininganimation.com by Larry on November 07 2009, 16:44 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Name
Subject
Comment