Mining News: AME BC celebrates century of discovery

Mining advocacy group reflects on events that shaped Vancouver into a mecca of global exploration; looks ahead to next 100 years

Shane Lasley

Mining News

VANCOUVER, B.C. – To commemorate 100 years of advocating for mineral exploration and mining in British Columbia and around the world, the Association for Mining Exploration British Columbia’s 2012 Mineral Exploration Roundup, held Jan. 23-26 in Vancouver, B.C., chose as its theme, “Celebrating our First Century of Global Discovery.”

“A century ago, a group of B.C.’s mining professionals gathered a few blocks from here, in what was then the council chambers of Vancouver City Hall, to form what would become AME BC. According to the historical record, these were well known mining figures that ‘have recognized technical and have lots of practical experience’. That sounds like a lot of the people in the room today,” observed Don Lindsay, president and CEO of Teck Resources Ltd., the patron sponsor of the 2012 Roundup.

The April 23, 1912 meeting of mining professionals to which Lindsay referred marked the formation of the Vancouver Mining Club, a group “organized to foster mining in British Columbia.” Over the ensuing century, the Vancouver Mining Club grew and evolved into the Association for Mining Exploration British Columbia – an organization that continues the tradition of shaping the future of mineral exploration and mining in British Columbia, along the Canadian Cordillera and around the world.

“As the scope of the young association’s efforts evolved, the name changed accordingly – in November 1912 to the Vancouver Chamber of Mines, in 1921 to the British Columbia Chamber of Mines, in 1945 to the BC & Yukon Chamber of Mines, and finally in 2005 to the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia,” AME BC Communications and Public Affairs Director Jonathan Buchanan wrote in a guest column for the Vancouver Sun.

Incidentally, the Vancouver Sun published the first edition of its broadly distributed daily newspaper on Feb. 12, 1912.

“THE MORNING SUN is here and we believe, to stay,” proclaimed the editorial of that first edition.

“We know that we will be judged by our performances quite regardless of any promises which might be made here,” continued the column.

A century later the mining advocacy group that planted their roots in downtown Vancouver and the daily paper that has chronicled the events of the British Columbia metropolis are still going strong, a testament to the performance of the these long-lived establishments.

“AME BC is an advocate for successful and responsible exploration and development,” AME BC Chair Mona Forster told attendees of the 2012 Roundup. “Our organization represents 4,000 individual members and over 360 corporate members so far and it has been serving its membership since 1912.”

Global exploration hub

“The necessity of a reliable center in Vancouver where mining men can meet, exchange views, and discuss matters relating to mining, was recognized long ago,” read the 1919 Year Book of the British Columbia Chamber of Mines. “A big city is the natural mecca of the miner and prospector, the logical place for him to gravitate to in the hope of attracting capital either to buy or develop his prospect.”

Over the past 100 years, Vancouver has developed as a hub where global exploration companies can seek funding and professional services for their projects in British Columbia and around the globe.

“B.C. is the center of excellence in the world for global exploration and development companies. We are the home to 1,200 companies exploring here in B.C. and around the world. These firms are supported by 2,400 service companies, consultants and suppliers with world-class expertise ranging from environmental and geological services to engineering and construction,” Forster told Roundup attendees. “Additionally, an unparalleled network of legal firms; financial institutions; and the presence of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the TSX Venture Exchange in Vancouver contribute to this unique community that is leading the world in mineral exploration and development.”

Mining powerhouse

He said the Canada’s influence on mining radiates well beyond borders of the northern country.

“Canadian mining and mineral exploration companies operate in over 100 countries and have cumulative assets of more than C$109 billion,” touted Oliver. “That is quite a success story – B.C. and Vancouver are a major part of that success.”

In addition to touting mineral exploration and mining revenues of nearly C$8 billion in British Columbia during 2010, the commissioner noted the importance of the province as a seat for global exploration.

“Canadian listed companies are responsible for as much as one-half of all global equity raised for mineral development. Almost 60 percent of the world’s publically listed mining companies list on Canadian exchanges,” continued the commissioner.

A large share of this global exploration investment is routed to exploration companies that make Vancouver their corporate headquarters.

“B.C. is home to half of all the Canadian exploration and mining companies, making this province the world’s largest concentration of exploration companies and mining professionals,” Lindsay pointed out during his welcoming remarks.

Mineral exploration spending and mining revenues in British Columbia for 2011 are currently estimated to top C$9 billion.

For more details see “Roundup headliners see C$1B exploration” on Page 19.

Next 100 years

“Let’s look to the future for a second,” said British Columbia Minister of Energy and Mines Rich Coleman. “We have made a commitment to British Columbian’s that I intend to keep – that there will be 17 new or expanded mines by 2015. This could expand B.C.’s mineral mine production value by more than C$1.6 billion per year; add more than 1,800 new jobs; and sustaining 5,000 existing mining jobs.”

He said this will have a tremendous impact on the economy of the province, which has a population of about four million people.

Oliver said the federal government is also committed to promoting mining growth in Canada and is looking to looking to Asia as emerging market for the country’s resources.

“As you know, the economy remains our government’s top priority. Our government understands the importance of diversifying our markets, especially in the wake of the U.S. government’s disappointing Keystone (pipeline) decision. We must seek new markets for our products and services and the booming Asia-Pacific economies are showing great interest in Canada’s minerals, oils, gas and metals,” said the resources commissioner.

“For our government, the choice is clear – market diversification and create jobs and economic growth for Canadians across the country. So we must expand our trade with the fast-growing Asian economies,” he added.

As both a resource-rich province and Canada’s gate to the Pacific Rim, British Columbia is positioned for significant economic gains from the federal government’s initiative to expand its markets in Asia.

“Canada is one of the world’s mining giants and we are positioned for continued growth,” said the resource commissioner. “Even with a century of global discovery behind us, the best is yet to come.”

Lindsay brought the message back to the association that has been advocating for the well-being of the mining industry for the past century.

“As we look forward to the next 100 years, it is certainly a different province from the one a group of industry leaders were facing in 1912,” said Teck’s Lindsey. “Today we have the confidence of a modern world-leading industry. We are the center of mineral exploration for the world and with a growing awareness of the role we play in the provincial, national and world economies. But at the same time we recognize that the spirit and vision that led to the formation of AME BC continues to be alive and well in our industry and will be the key factor in making the next 100 years even better.”