LETTER TO THE EDITOR — Show your support for Canadian

During the recent Toronto ’94 show in Toronto, I was able to spend some time as a volunteer at the “Keep Mining in Canada” information display of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC). It was a pleasure to be able to promote Canadian mining to the delegates and I especially enjoyed having the opportunity to discuss some exploration issues with Natural Resources Minister Anne McLellan.

The delegates frequently commented that we were speaking to the converted; our reply was that they were correct but had they written to their federal or provincial members of parliament in support of the campaign? The campaign is collecting copies of supportive letters, petitions and mining town resolutions sent to politicians. To date, it has received 158 copies from suppliers (including junior resource companies, exploration consulting firms and contractors) and 121 notifications of municipal resolutions. Eventually, these documents will be presented to governmental authorities to show the degree to which companies and communities depend on mining. It is important that politicians be aware of our existence and of our need for government endorsement of Canadian exploration and mining. Even though the industry is currently preoccupied with foreign exploration, it can’t afford not to support efforts to promote exploration in Canada as well — for there may be a time in the future when activities will be focused at home.

The “Keep Mining in Canada” campaign is about putting Canada’s mining industry on a level playing field with the rest of the world, and is not in any way opposed to foreign exploration and development. We Canadians have been working abroad for decades and will continue to do so. However, we should also remain active at home; we have the right geology and plenty of opportunity for new discoveries.

Eileen Wykes, the campaign’s program co-ordinator, is accepting copies of letters written to parliamentary representatives by juniors, consulting firms, geologists, geophysicists, contractors, etc. She may be telephoned at (416) 480-7342 or faxed at (416) 483-4945. Also, the MAC has a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-263-MINE, so that callers may receive information about the campaign.

Allan Willy, President

Patricia Exploration Services

Toronto