By Chad Klassen

Experts say mining industry in B.C. ‘on a rebound,’ despite Ajax decision

Apr 10, 2018 | 5:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — Mining companies, prospectors, and geologist from around B.C. are in Kamloops for the next two days for the 31st annual Kamloops Exploration Group’s conference.

Despite projects like Ajax being rejected by the provincial government, experts in mining say the industry is still in good shape and actually prospering. 

“I think mining in British Columbia is on a rebound,” said Vice-President of Mining & Minerals for GeoScience BC Bruce Madu. “We had some tough times through 2012 to 2015. Metal prices are strong right now. Demand for metal such as copping is rising with the development of electric vehicles, wind turbines. B.C. is positioned to supply that metal to the world.”

According to the B.C. government, there are 20 active mines in the province and they are benefitting from rising metal prices. On the market, copper sits at $3.14 a pound, while gold is $1,343 an ounce. That gives the industry a tremendous amount of confidence moving forward. 

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

Question of the Week

Is 'Canada's Tournament Capital' an accurate description of Kamloops?

20h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Vulnerability

20h ago

There are also plenty of exploration options still in B.C., and that is what a conference like this is for to share ideas on where to go next. 

“Looking for copper, you can go anywhere from the northwest all the way down to the U.S. border. Gold, all through the province. Coal, in the Rockies. You can go to Vancouver Island, there’s copper. Anywhere you go in the province, there is potential,” said Madu. 

But at the conference, there is some concern over the NDP government, which nixed the Ajax mine project, and the impact it may have on further mining projects. 

“To put $1.4 billion into there for that kind of investment was a real travesty to shut it down for political reasons. What does that tell the rest of the world? It says ‘hey, we’re not going there,’” said treasurer for the Kamloops Exploration Group Jim Gillis.

Others have a more optimistic outlook, despite Ajax in Kamloops and Prosperity near Williams Lake being rejected, knowing you win some and you lose some. 

“Copper prices are strong, gold prices are strong, and we need to be looking for our next projects. Not all of them will get through the assessment process, some will get turned down, some will go through. I think people would expect that. It’s not easy getting a mine permit these days.”