Mining Makes BC and Canada Stronger
BC mining is an economic powerhouse, creating once-in-a-generation nation-building opportunity that can secure our economic future, long-term prosperity, national security, and sovereignty.
Mining’s capital intensity, export focus, and extensive BC-based supply chain drive economic multipliers well exceeding other industries. A defining feature of the sector is the scale of its impact relative to the number of operations. With a small footprint, 18 operating mines and two smelters produce critical minerals, precious metals, and steelmaking coal which generate substantial economic activity directly and indirectly through the BC-based supply chain.
Mining in BC, by the numbers
56,000+ Jobs
BC mines and smelters support more than 56,000 workers in communities across BC
$5.4B in paycheques
Mining and smelting provided $5.4 billion in paycheques for BC workers in 2024
$28B
BC mines and smelters generated more than $28 billion in economic output in BC in 2024
28%
Mining and smelting accounts for 28% of BC’s total goods exports
5.7B +
Mining generated more than $5.7 billion in government revenue in 2024 to help support vital public services like healthcare, education and public housing.
31 Projects
31 proposed mines and mine extensions represent over $90 billion in economic activity for BC and Canada.
Mining strengthens BC communities
Every operating mine in BC depends on a robust BC-based supply chain. In 2022, BC’s mines purchased nearly $3.7 billion in goods and services from close to 4,000 businesses across 200 municipalities, towns, and First Nation communities. Vancouver, Kamloops, and Prince George all rank among the top five recipients of that spending — a sign that the sector’s economic reach extends well beyond resource regions.
In fact, mining and smelting supports more than 12,360 jobs and $3.5 billion in economic activity in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
Mining also contributed more than $5.5 billion in tax revenue to federal, provincial, and municipal governments in 2024, helping fund vital public services across the province.
31 projects. $46 billion in new investment. $90 billion in economic potential.
Thirty-one mining projects are currently in advanced development across BC — covering critical minerals, precious metals, and steelmaking coal. Independently assessed by Mansfield Consulting Inc., these projects have the potential to generate tens of thousands of jobs and $90 billion in economic output through their construction alone. Roughly 82 cents of every dollar generated would stay in BC.
Economic Research & Reports
MABC commissions independent economic analysis to provide policymakers, media, and the public with a clear, evidence-based picture of what BC mining means for the province. The studies below are available for download.
Work in Mining
Good pay. Real work. Careers worth looking at.
BC’s mining sector offers some of the highest-paying trades and technical careers in the province. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the next step, we’ve gathered the resources to help you understand what a career in mining actually looks like.
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Mining benefits BC more than most people realize
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