For Immediate Release
May 8, 2020
MABC Names Jerry Asp as the 2019 Mining Person of the Year
VANCOUVER, BC – The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) is pleased to announced Jerry Asp, Chair of the Board and Co-Founder & CEO of Global Indigenous Development Trust, as the 2019 Mining Person of the Year.
The Mining Person of the Year award publicly recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding leadership advancing and promoting the mining industry within British Columbia. The award marks the beginning of Mining Month in BC, which celebrates the province’s mining industry and its positive contribution to British Columbians each May.
This year Mining Month will take place online to enable the industry, our employees, contractors, communities and stakeholders to connect and support each other through COVID-19 and the provincial state of emergency. This year’s award honours Jerry Asp for his decades of leadership creating and supporting training and employment opportunities in the mining sector on behalf of the Tahltan Nation and other Indigenous peoples across Canada.
“MABC commends Jerry’s dedication and advocacy in support of training and employment opportunities for Indigenous communities and for his enduring commitment to promote economic reconciliation and shared prosperity for his Nation and other Indigenous peoples through mining,” said Michael Goehring, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC.
“I am honoured to congratulate Mr. Jerry Asp twice in one year on his tremendous achievements and significant contributions towards mining and Indigenous relations in British Columbia,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “His dedication to building strong, inclusive relationships between the mining industry and the Tahltan Nation has shown us all that including Indigenous voices is not a hurdle, it is an important process that benefits everyone.”
Jerry began his career in mining in 1965 working on diamond drills and rose to become one of western Canada’s most prominent Indigenous leaders. He was the founder and President of the Tahltan Nation Development Corporation, the largest Indigenous-owned and operated heavy construction company in Western Canada. Jerry helped bring his Nation to near full employment by advancing and increasing the Tahltan’s inclusion and participation in the mining industry. Jerry was a pioneer in building partnerships between the mining sector and Indigenous communities and businesses. He negotiated the first notable Impact Benefit Agreement in BC’s mining industry, which set the foundation for the mutually beneficial agreements that are seen across Canada’s mining sector today. He has also led numerous initiatives to promote Indigenous skills development in mining in BC, Canada and globally. As Co-Founder & Chair of the Board of Global Indigenous Development Trust, Jerry remains an active and effective advocate for Indigenous communities globally, supporting them in developing their people and natural resources sustainably.
What makes BC such an attractive place for mining investment and development?
BC is uniquely positioned to play a leading role in providing Canada’s allies and partners with the minerals, metals, and steelmaking coal they need.
British Columbia has or produces sixteen of the fifty minerals the U.S. has identified as being vital to their national interest. Over half – are found or produced in British Columbia, including: aluminum, copper, germanium, gallium, indium, nickel, and many others.
What is the Mining Association of British Columbia?
The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) is the voice of British Columbia’s steelmaking coal, metal and mineral producers, smelters, and advanced development companies. Our industry benefits all British Columbians and supports more than 56,000 jobs, $27 billion in economic activity for British Columbians, and nearly 4,000 small, medium, and Indigenous affiliated businesses in every corner of our province.
Our members’ products have among the lowest carbon footprints globally and are helping Canada and our allies meet our decarbonization, technology, and national security objectives; safely and responsibly.
How does BC compare with other mining jurisdictions around the world when it comes to regulation, innovation, and investment opportunities?
British Columbia is recognized globally for its rigorous regulation and environmental and social responsibility standards.
The provincial government’s move towards accelerating permitting timelines and creating clearer regulatory pathways for mining and critical mineral projects also are helping make BC a very strong global mining jurisdiction.
BC is competitive, but we are not the only mining game in town when it comes to global investors. Jurisdictions that combine strong geology with fast, predictable permitting and innovation incentives are capturing the largest share of new investment. BC has the ingredients to lead — but must continue strengthening regulatory and permitting efficiency, infrastructure planning, and investment certainty to fully realize its potential.
BC can be a global leader in responsible, innovative, and future‑focused mining. The decisions made now will determine whether the province secures that leadership position in the decade ahead.
BC is uniquely positioned to play a central role in providing Canada’s allies and partners with the minerals and metals they need.
What economic impact does the mining industry have on British Columbia, including employment, First Nations partnerships, and local communities?
There are 31 proposed mining projects in BC mining that could deliver more than $90 billion in economic opportunity for Canada.
Mining is the biggest jobs and economic opportunity BC will see in a lifetime. Mining can secure our economic future and long-term prosperity.
Mining is already a cornerstone of British Columbia’s economy. The next generation of proposed mining projects presents major economic opportunities for BC.
MABC’s Mining and Metro Vancouver Economic Impact Study identifies 31 proposed new and extended mines across the province, including 20 critical mineral projects, seven precious metal projects, and four steelmaking coal projects.
Construction and development of these mines are expected to generate:
– $90+ billion in total economic activity
– $40+ billion in GDP
– $24 billion in pay cheques
– 286,000+ well-paying jobs
– $12 billion in government revenues
Which commodity is in most demand right now and which province has the most of it?
Right now, the commodities driving the greatest opportunities in BC are copper, gold, and critical minerals — especially molybdenum, battery metals like lithium, and rare earth elements.
BC is Canada’s leading producer of copper and steelmaking coal, second largest producer of silver, and only producer of molybdenum.
What role can BC’s mining industry play in boosting our economy?
Mining supports more than 56,000 jobs and generates billions in economic activity, while creating opportunities for thousands of small, medium, and First Nations businesses across our province.
At a time of growing economic uncertainty, mining can secure our economic future by creating jobs that strengthen communities in every region of BC.
What does BC’s mining sector offer Canada and its allies, and why is developing these resources such an important opportunity for the future?
BC’s mining sector has the critical minerals, precious metals and steelmaking coal that Canada and our allies need. Demand for these strategic resources is growing, and we are ready to deliver.
Developing our resources for new markets is a nation-building opportunity that will grow our economy, protect our sovereignty, and make BC and Canada stronger.
Why is now a great time to consider a career in BC’s mining industry?
BC’s mining industry is hiring.
In fact, with the growth of the sector, the industry needs to hire 35,000 workers over the next 10 years.
That means you can be part of a new generation of British Columbians who can take advantage of skilled, high-paying jobs in every region of the province.
