Mining associations in western and eastern Canada have formed innovative alliances with groups traditionally seen as being hostile to mining interests.
In western Canada, the British Columbia & Yukon Chamber of Mines (BCYCM) and the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) have signed a historic memorandum of understanding with that province’s Council of Tourism Associations (COTA). The memo is part of an overall effort to improve access to land and create a climate of business certainty that instills confidence and helps attract investment in British Columbia. Underpinning the agreement is a commitment by all parties to foster understanding and co-operation through better communication.
In the memo, the three parties acknowledge their mutual interests in land access and their joint support for the 2-zone system for mineral exploration and mining in British Columbia.
On Zone 1 lands, exploration and mining are prohibited, whereas mining is encouraged and permitted on Zone 2 lands. In their agreement, the BCYCM and MABC acknowledge that there are certain areas in Zone 2 that the COTA has identified as being popular with tourists and. All parties are committed to an open communication, with the objective of reaching an early agreement on aspects that could potentially affect each other’s operations.
Where existing mining tenure or tourism interests are displaced or subject to loss because of another party’s activities, a compensation process has been outlined. The memorandum also includes a conflict resolution process.
The two mining associations are optimistic about the collaboration.
“From our perspective, the most important component is our mutual recognition and support for the two-zone system for mining,” says Brian Battison, interim president of the MABC. “It is critical to mining’s future in B.C., helping to provide the land use certainty mineral investors are looking for.”
Shari Gardiner, BCYCM past-president, agrees: “In addition to the many benefits this agreement affords, it has allowed tourism, mining and exploration to have a frank discussion about the goals and challenges our industries share, as well as our mutual opportunities for growth.”
A similar willingness to discuss common goals underpins a new alliance on the other side of the country. The Quebec Mining Association’s board of directors has decided to establish a partnership with the Quebec Wildlife Foundation to support its bio-diversity and habitat fund.
A non-profit organization founded in 1984, the foundation promotes the conservation and development of wildlife and habitats throughout Quebec. Goals include supporting projects that preserve existing habitats, increasing their natural productivity, and ensuring the protection of sites where development is occurring.
The foundation also funds projects that evaluate and enhance development techniques and create new development methods for wildlife habitats.
“This is a concrete gesture that will contribute to maintaining biodoversity in Quebec,” says Mark Joncas, chairman of the Quebec Mining Association, “and is another sign of the industry’s commitment to sustainable development.”
— The preceding is from In Brief, a quarterly publication of the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada.
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