EDITORIAL & OPINION – COMMENTARY — Mining in the new millennium

On New Year’s Eve, as I said goodbye to 1998 and toasted the arrival of ’99, I experienced a wave of excitement and a twinge of trepidation. For the first time, the millennium no longer seemed to be a monumental milestone hovering in the distant future. For the first time, it seemed close at hand.

As the dawn of the new century draws ever closer, I would like to reflect on the contribution the Canadian mining industry has made during the past 100 years and look ahead to what it promises for the next hundred.

Canadian history books are filled with stories of European immigrants who arrived on Canadian shores with big dreams and empty wallets. Many of these ambitious men and women headed to fledgling mining communities across Canada. Thanks to a rich natural resource base and the hard work of Canadian mining people, the mining communities quickly grew and flourished. As a result of their work, all of Canada prospered and strengthened.

The mining industry not only propelled the Canadian nation forward by laying the foundation for hundreds of vibrant, healthy communities across Canada, it provided thousands of Canadians with intellectually stimulating careers and helped Canada become an international leader in the development and use of advanced technology.

The picks and shovels so commonly associated with mining are in fact nowhere to be found in Canadian mines today. Our mines house state-of-the-art machines and equipment that require highly skilled operators. During the 20th century, the industry that is as old as the hills became one of the most technologically advanced sectors of the Canadian economy. And Canadian mining people are showing no signs of slowing down. Talk about the state-of-the-art “intelligent mine” is spreading and, like the millennium, its arrival is imminent.

At the turn of the previous century, mining gave Canada expanded economic growth and a reputation as a leader in technological innovation. As the new millennium draws closer, I am increasingly excited about what mining will contribute to Canada in the 21st century.

— The author is the president of Quebec Cartier Mining and a director of the Mining Association of Canada. He wrote this article at the request of Mining Works for Canada, an organization designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.