New to magazine, but not to industry

Welcome to my first issue as publisher of Canadian Mining Journal. I’ve worked with the retired publisher, Ray Perks, for 13 years doing sales and business development for CMJ’s sister publication, The Northern Miner Newspaper. I will be familiar to many of you on the trade show circuit. Before that, I spent nine years at the Financial Post newspaper. My background is not necessarily mining, but I did grow up with it. My father was a draftsman whose last position was with Strathcona Mineral Services when they managed the Nanisivik Mine on Baffin Island. I spent a memorable summer working at Nanisivik and it seems serendipitous that despite my career path in newspapers, I would end up involved in the mining industry.

As such, I am obviously a supporter of mining. It is an instrumental factor in Canada’s history and economy; a defining trait of our country. We would not be the haven we are without it. Even today mining is a major reason Canada has fared so well compared to our G8 companions during this recession. Mining, and all its related activities, from exploration, to extraction, refining, machinery, supplies and technology, employs close to a million Canadians in a high-paying industry. In a global economy, this is a sector we are amongst the world leaders and a competitive advantage we should increase our investment in. The world needs more resources, not less. Just ask China. With our expertise, we should be leading the world.

We have much to be proud of. We are amongst the world leaders in CSR practices, have staunch respect for the rule of law and order, and some of the best financial and banking practices, all important values we export around the world via mining. Our “best practices” are taught globally, especially on the exploration side, where Canadian companies can be found in virtually every country. This is why Bill 300 is a flawed piece of legislation. It puts our character into doubt and assumes guilt. Between existing laws, the laws of any host countries we may be in, and mounting public pressure, we are handcuffed enough. We know our standards and expect to live up to them. The BP oil disaster is a stark reminder we must never become complacent when it comes to environmental and safety standards.

The change in public sentiment may be the biggest issue mining faces in the 21st century. Let’s face it, we need improved public relations to fight all the negative branding that is going on. I’ll mention a 20-year-old we met in Vancouver who truly believed mining was dead and had no future! This perception is held by many. Too many more and they’ll eventually vote in the people who’ll enact restrictive laws on our industry. We can’t let that happen. Engaging over 5,000 children at the CIM Annual Meeting with a model of a home and educating them on how mining exists in everything, its inevitability, that is the kind of messaging we need to promote. We need closer coordination amongst all the industry organizations to voice a coherent message. This will also inspire future generations to become involved in the art and sciences of mining.

The Canadian Mining Journal will continue to cover all that is best and innovative in the Canadian mining industry. We will keep you up to date with all the changes in methodology, technology, laws and sentiments. And, as Canadian companies continue to move abroad in their quest for new mines, so will our coverage.

I hope you enjoy the read. And for Ray Perks, all of us at CMJ wish him the best. His ‘joie de vivre’ will be keenly missed.