Mining boom in BC’s north is good news for suppliers
The recent mining boom in B.C.’s north has mining suppliers on their toes, as development places demand on goods and services north of Prince George.
Approximately 55 per cent of the province’s mining activity is located in the north, where only seven per cent of the population lives.
Demand has increased steadily over the past seven or eight years, particularly in and around Prince George. Williams Lake’s Gibraltar copper/molybdenum mine reopened thanks to higher copper prices in 2004, and milling operations at Mount Polley copper/gold mine restarted in 2005. Tumbler Ridge, northeast of Prince George, has also enjoyed the reopening of coal mining operations.
Supply companies that traditionally rely on the forest industry are looking at up to 50 per cent of their operations focused on mining companies and service providers.
The trend is spreading. There are approximately 27 new mines seeking permits or in the environmental review stages in B.C.’s northeast, north central and northwest regions, indicating that the activity is not about to slow down—it is expected to hold fast for at least 20 to 30 years.
Experts say the next boom will be in new technologies and green innovations that mitigate environmental concerns associated with mining activity and that help mining companies comply with strict provincial regulations.
