Province [BC] sets record for exploration spending

The Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) welcomed Premier Christy Clark’s announcement at Mineral Exploration Roundup last month in Vancouver that $680 million was spent on mineral exploration in British Columbia in 2012, a record for the province. Mineral exploration expenditures rose 47 per cent over the previous record-breaking number of $462 million set in 2011.

At the same meeting, (AME BC) also welcomed the signing of an Economic and Community Development agreement between four Ktunaxa Nation communities and the provincial government. This agreement will enable the Ktunaxa Nation, comprised of the four communities of St. Mary’s, Tobacco Plains, Lower Kootenay and Akisq’nuk First Nation to share revenues from new coal mine projects in the Elk Valley. The agreement also links to the Strategic Engagement Agreement between B.C. and Ktunaxa Nation, which provides for a decision-making and project-review process for new mine projects.