Prince George, BC – British Columbia’s mining and smelting sector contributed $3.7 billion to 200 local and First Nations communities by purchasing goods and services from nearly 4,000 BC-based businesses in 2022, according to a new report released today by the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) and the Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC).
“Mining plays a pivotal role in BC’s economy. Mines and smelters provide thousands of well-paying family-supporting jobs and they sustain a large supply chain of nearly 4,000 small and medium sized businesses in urban centres, small towns and an increasing number of First Nations communities,” said Michael Goehring, MABC President and CEO.
The “One Province, One Economy” report, prepared by iTOTEM Analytics, assesses the scope of BC’s mining supply chain and quantifies the dollar value of materials, goods and services purchased by the province’s 17 metal and steelmaking coal mines, two mine development projects, and two smelters.
Kamloops, Prince George and Sparwood were the top recipients of mining supply chain spend among rural BC communities, with purchases totalling $377 million, $237 million and $188 million, respectively. Yet the report clearly shows BC’s urban centres benefit from mining, with the sector purchasing $1.4 billion worth of goods and services from 1,125 mine suppliers located across 18 Metro Vancouver communities in 2022. Vancouver-based companies were the top recipients of mining sector supply chain spend, with local purchases totalling $532 million.
“British Columbia is a world-leading mining jurisdiction, creating good-paying jobs and opportunities for workers, communities and First Nations across the province. And we have the critical minerals that the world needs to fight climate change and build a clean economy. Working together, we have a generational opportunity to attract investment throughout the supply chain and drive sustainable growth”, said Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.
The report also assesses the benefits First Nations are deriving from BC’s mining and smelting industry. In 2022, 150 First Nations or affiliated businesses provided goods and services valued at close to $520 million to BC’s mines and smelters, accounting for 14 per cent of the BC supply chain spend. Services provided ranged from consulting and technical expertise to IT services, health, and safety training, among others.
“BC’s mining sector is helping advance economic reconciliation with First Nations through partnerships, benefit agreements, employment, and actively procuring goods and services from First Nations businesses,” said Goehring.
BC currently has 16 critical mineral projects in advanced stages of development that represent $36 billion in new investment, along with five new precious metal mines representing nearly $2 billion in new investment for the province.
“New mines are valuable catalysts of economic development, providing new demand for goods and services and significant opportunities to grow and support the thousands of small, medium and First Nations businesses in the mining supply chain,” said Goehring. “However, if we want to unlock these opportunities, we need government policies that encourage mining investment in our province.”
“Finning was founded in British Columbia in 1933 and over the past 91 years we have grown to be the world’s largest CAT heavy equipment sales and service dealer. This growth was fueled by British Columbia’s vast construction and natural resource sectors. Mining continues to be a large and growing part of our business in the province today. Our Prince George and Kamloops facilities, which employ 650 people, proudly support more than 15 mine sites, and we have the capacity to take on more,” said Cheryl Gray, senior vice president of mining at Finning Canada. “Having specialized facilities covering northern and central BC for fast, reliable, and complex repairs and rebuilds is crucial to maximizing machine uptime for our customers.”
About the Mining Association of British Columbia
MABC is the voice of the British Columbia’s steelmaking coal, metal and mineral producers, smelters and advanced development companies. Our industry benefits all British Columbians and supports more than 35,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 small, medium, and First Nation affiliated businesses in every corner of the province through an annual spend of $3.7 billion on goods and services. Our members’ products have among the lowest carbon footprints globally and are helping the world transition to a cleaner, low-carbon future; safely and responsibly.
About the Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia
The Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC) membership provides equipment, products and related services to the BC mining industry. MSABC comprises companies located in Vancouver and in mining communities throughout the province, as well as Alberta and Ontario.
Fast Facts
Benefits of British Columbia’s Mining Supply Chain
- In 2022, BC’s mines and smelters purchased $3.7 billion in goods and services from nearly 4,000 BC-based businesses in 200 urban, rural and First Nations communities across BC.
- The sector purchased $1.4 billion worth of goods and services from 1,125 mine suppliers located in Metro Vancouver.
- The top five urban communities by mining supply chain spend, include: Vancouver ($532 M), North Vancouver ($338 M), Burnaby ($218 M), Delta ($126 M), and Surrey ($72M).
- The top five regional centres in rural BC by mining supply chain spend, include: Kamloops ($377 M), Prince George ($237 M), Sparwood ($188 M), Elkford ($168 M), and Chetwynd ($101 M).
- 150 First Nations or affiliated businesses provided $520 million worth of goods and services to BC’s mines and smelters, accounting for 14 per cent of the BC supply chain spend.
- At 25, Kamloops had the highest number of Indigenous-affiliated vendors engaged by the mining and smelting sector in 2022.
- BC’s mining sector provided $5.7 million in community investments to approximately 260 community and First Nations organizations in 2022.
Read the One Province, One Economy report, here.
Media availability:
Josie Osborne, Minister of Energy, Mines & Low Carbon Innovation, Michael Goehring, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC and Alec Morrison, President & CEO of the Mining Suppliers Association of BC will be available for in-person media interviews between 9 – 9:30 a.m. at the Natural Resources Forum in Prince George on Thursday, January 18. This will be held in Room 208 (second floor of the Prince George Civic Centre).
For media inquiries:
Jayne Czarnocki
Director, Communications
cell: 778-957-2597
email: jczarnocki@mining.bc.ca
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.
