ONTARIO - Speaking at a joint address to the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, the heads of the Mining Association of Canada and the Ontario Mining Association told their Sudbury audience on Aug. 25, 2011, that Canada's mining industry will invest $130 billion in this country over the next five years.
"Multi-billion dollar investments are planned in virtually every province and territory of Canada," MAC president Pierre Gratton said. Global demand for commodities is creating opportunities not seen since the post-war boom of the 1950s. As a global mining superpower, Canada is well positioned to capitalize on this opportunity. Canada is fortunate to have a rich endowment of commodities and over the past several decades we've developed best-in-class expertise in extracting materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
"Canada is among the most attractive jurisdictions in the world for mineral exploration and new mine investment," noted Gratton. "We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us; we need to think strategically about how best to seize it by focusing on key challenges like regulatory efficiency, human resources and infrastructure.
"Sudbury, with its richly diversified mining cluster, is well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity not only for the commodities it produces, but as a Canadian supply and services centre and a key educator and trainer for the next generation of mine workers," he added.
Chris Hodgson, OMA president, said,. "The next 20 years present a window of opportunity for a jurisdiction with the geology, environmental protections, the safety record and the governement policies to build a deliberate and well planned strategy for new mines..
"The existing 20-year window of opportunity can be spent on permitting and approvals, or it can be spent opening mines. Our environmental and safety record will not be placed in jeopardy by compressing development timelines and aligning interests to ensure the province, industry and community all benefit," Hodgson added.
The associations' websites are at www.Mining.ca and www.OMA.on.ca.
Comments
Dean S Rogers
Apparently Prime Minister Harper has come to realize what we have known for some in the mineral industry we have the geology we have the expertise and the reputation for a safe and secure contry in which to invest.Let us not be afraid of foreign capital to make this country into the leading mineral producer in the world,Take the lead Mr harper and push the railroad to the Ring of Fire.The world is our oyster let’s grab it and run.