Land use dominant issue at B.C & Yukon mining meeting

While Carter noted that new discoveries, scheduled mine openings and improved base metal prices point to a good year for the industry in 1989, he stressed that a successful approach to resolving land use issues and other key concerns “necessarily depends on the involvement of everyone in the exploration and mining industry.”

Citing the decision last year by the Strathcona Park Advisory Committee to rescind valid mineral claims near a producing mine as a case in point, Carter noted that of the 250 written submissions and 145 oral presentations considered by the committee, less than 25 were from companies, individuals and associations representing the forest and mining industries.

“There is no doubt that public pressure will continue to build to alienate additional Crown lands by way of park or other single-use designations,” he said. “Only recently several organizations have recommended doubling the area of existing parkland in the province, a proposal that has received a moderately favorable response from the current minister responsible for parks.”

Carter emphasized the need for a “better dialogue” with various public organizations and government agencies that support these land withdrawals.

“We have to get the message across that this industry has progressed from a `no damn way’ reaction to various proposals and in fact, consists of people attracted to this business in large measure because of an appreciation of the environment in which they have been fortunate to carry out field work across Canada.”

Specifically, Carter urged the industry and related organizations to continue to stress the economic importance of mining and the fact that it far outweighs the so-called economic benefits of single-use land designations.

“The point has to be made that while the area of the province disturbed by mining operations (most of which can be reclaimed) is about the size of Greater Vancouver, we need access to large areas of land in which to carry out environmentally responsible mineral exploration because of constantly changing geological concepts, technologies and economics.” Other concerns mentioned in Carter’s address were investor reaction to the new Canadia n Exploration Incentive Program and the noticeable decline in research and development in geosciences and exploration related technology in both the public and private sectors.

The B.C. & Yukon Chamber of Mines organized the Cordilleran Geology and Exploration Round- up held here in early February. The meeting attracted 1,500 participants.

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