For the second year running, Alberta ranked as the most attractive jurisdiction in Canada and third among 112 jurisdictions worldwide for mining investment, according to the Fraser Institute’s Survey of Mining Companies 2013.
The results of the survey are based on the input from the executives of 690 mineral exploration and development companies from around the globe on the effects of policies in jurisdictions with which they are familiar.
The survey compiles the responses to a broad range of questions on policy factors that weigh on mineral investment decisions into the policy perception index (formerly referred to as the policy potential index).
Despite a slight improvement in its policy perception index score, Alaska dropped three spots to 22nd among 112 jurisdictions. Though the state slipped in the policy perception index, the survey respondents ranked Alaska as the top jurisdiction in the world when it comes to pure mineral potential.
Six United States mining jurisdictions made the index’s top 20: Wyoming (5); Nevada (8); Minnesota (15); Utah (16); Michigan (17); and Arizona (20).
Like Alaska, British Columbia’s PPI score improved, but the western Canadian province’s ranking slipped one spot to 32nd. This year’s survey recorded improved perceptions of B.C.’s political stability and availability of labor and skills.
All three Canadian territories’ PPI rankings slid this year. Yukon fell from 8th to 19th; Northwest Territories toppled from 29th to 47th; and Nunavut fell six spots to 44th.
In addition to Alberta and Yukon, other Canadian jurisdictions that made the PPI top 20 are: New Brunswick (7); Newfoundland and Labrador (9); and Saskatchewan (12).
The top 10 most attractive jurisdictions for investment worldwide include (from the top) Sweden, Finland, Alberta, Ireland, Wyoming, Western Australia, New Brunswick, Nevada, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Norway.
Fraser Institute Senior Director of Energy and Natural Resources Kenneth Green says the survey demonstrates that mining jurisdictions can have world-class environmental standards and still be perceived as good places for mining investments.
“The confidence mining executives have in Sweden and Finland, for example, proves that it’s possible to enact sound environmental protections and still maintain a successful mining industry,” he observed.
The 10 least attractive jurisdictions for investment worldwide (from the bottom) are Kyrgyzstan, Venezuela, Philippines, La Rioja (Argentina), Angola, Mendoza (Argentina), Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Indonesia and Madagascar.
