If you live in Chetwynd or Tumbler Ridge, you are probably attuned to just how important mining is to B.C.’s economy. After all, three metallurgical coal mines operating in the region are a major employer for those communities.
The importance of mining to the rest of B.C.’s economy is not as well understood. But a new study has now put a number to mining’s spinoff impacts for other businesses throughout the province.
There are 17 operating mines and two smelters in B.C. that generate more than $12 billion in economic activity, according to a new study by the Mining Association of BC (MABC) and Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC).
About one-third of that ($2.9 billion) went to more than 3,700 B.C. businesses providing goods and services to the mining sector. In Vancouver alone, the spend is worth about $248 million, according to the study, released today, September 24, at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention.
Roughly $265 million of goods and services are spent with First Nations contractors and suppliers.
For the rest of this article: https://biv.com/article/2019/09/mining-generates-3-billion-business-suppliers