NEWS RELEASE: Saskatchewan 2nd most attractive jurisdiction worldwide for mining investment; Quebec and Ontario also in global top 10 (February 22, 2018)

https://www.fraserinstitute.org

For entire document: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/annual-survey-of-mining-companies-2017

CALGARY—Saskatchewan is the world’s second most attractive jurisdiction for mining investment after Finland, according to the latest Annual Survey of Mining Companies released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

“Rich mineral reserves, competitive taxes, efficient permitting procedures and certainty around environmental regulations will still attract significant investment—even with slumping commodity prices,” said Kenneth Green, senior director of the Fraser Institute’s energy and natural resource studies.

This year’s survey of mining executives rates 91 jurisdictions around the world based on their geologic attractiveness for minerals and metals and the extent to which government policies encourage or deter exploration and investment.

Quebec ranks second in Canada (6th overall), followed by Ontario (7th), which improved its rank from from 18th last year.

British Columbia (20th) and Alberta (49th) both continue to receive low marks from investors for regulatory uncertainty and concerns regarding disputed land claims.

Nationally, Canada—based on the combined rankings of all provinces and
territories—is the world’s most attractive region for investment, beating out Australia for the top spot.

“Capital is fluid and one province’s loss can be another province’s gain because mining investors will flock to jurisdictions that have attractive policies,” Green said. “Sound regulatory regimes are an absolute must for policymakers who want to attract increasingly precious commodity investments.”

Canadian investment
attractiveness rankings

1) Saskatchewan
2) Quebec
3) Ontario
4) Newfoundland and Labrador
5) Yukon

6) Manitoba
7) British Columbia
8) Northwest Territories
9) Nunavut
10) New Brunswick
11) Alberta
12) Nova Scotia

Top ten global investment
attractiveness rankings

1) Finland
2) Saskatchewan
3) Nevada
4) Ireland
5) Western Australia

6) Quebec
7) Ontario
8) Chile
9) Arizona
10) Alaska

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kenneth Green, Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies
Fraser Institute

To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact:
Bryn Weese, Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute
Tel: (604) 688-0221 Ext. 589

E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org

The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute’s independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research.