COMMENTARY — Supplying the mining industry

The managing director of the Canadian Association for Mining Equipment and Services for Export, Jon Baird, has written this column at the invitation of “Keep Mining In Canada,” a national grassroots campaign designed to increase public awareness of mining matters and encourage government to take action on key mining policy issues.

Canadian companies supplying the mining industry are known worldwide for their expertise, and are an integral part of the Canadian mining industry. This valuable base of knowledge and technological innovations translates into more than $1 billion worth of goods and services annually, half of which is exported.

These supplier companies (often the result of individual entrepreneurs) produce a myriad of value-added goods, employ thousands of highly skilled Canadians and contribute to the productivity and efficiency of the industry.

While the products and knowledge these companies market vary widely (from exploration through extraction, processing and environmental protection), all supplier companies have one thing in common: dependence on a healthy and robust domestic mining industry in order to remain viable.

The contribution to the Canadian economy that these companies and their 15,000 employees make is often referred to as a “spin-off.” However, many mining companies cannot afford to retain certain skills or inventories, and these industries provide highly specialized knowledge and products. In this sense, the contribution of these industries to the Canadian mining industry is not merely incidental; it plays an integral role in helping to keep mining profitable.

Canada is home to more than 500 equipment and service companies which have a vested interest in the mining industry. They are dedicated to supplying the latest in competitive technology.

It is essential for mining investment to grow in Canada. Our geological conditions are excellent, and our expertise in mine operation and exploration is unrivalled. Every Canadian — miner, supplier or consumer — has a stake in this. A vibrant mining and supplier industry will contribute tangibly to the standard of living of every Canadian.