Bryan Cox is president and CEO of the Mining Association of British Columbia.
B.C.’s mining industry is an essential part of the economic and social foundation of the province. A vibrant, competitive, growing industry provides benefits to British Columbians in all corners of the province.
However, the rapid pace of change seen both in industry and in broader society requires bold and innovative solutions to ensure that the B.C. mining sector is fiscally competitive with jurisdictions throughout the world and maintains its place as a leader in economic development, environmental best practices and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
The opportunity is at hand to expand this foundational industry that employs tens of thousands of British Columbians and contributes billions of dollars annually to the provincial economy.
However, B.C. risks a contraction of this vital sector of the economy by not taking concrete, immediate action. B.C.’s competitors are advancing initiatives of their own, and B.C. needs to implement innovative, actionable ideas to maintain a healthy and competitive mining sector that is positioned to grow.
With commitments at all levels of government to invest in innovation, B.C.’s responsibly produced metals and minerals are needed to build the technology solutions that will help lead the province into the future.
For the rest of this column: https://biv.com/article/2018/12/mining-innovation-helps-lead-bcs-economy-high-tech-future