Regarding John Sadowski’s letter (T.N.M., Mar. 16/92), it’s easy to criticize and it seems that is what everyone would rather do than put their shoulders to the wheel and help to correct the sad state of affairs in which the mining industry finds itself today.
All of the directors of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) are volunteers, and several have full-time jobs in industry. A small, efficient staff does much of the work and to do any more requires voluntary help and additional financial support from somewhere. You’re right, mining has taken a back seat in the face of the “greening of America” and Canadians are just now waking up to the fact that seals don’t eat fried chicken but they do eat cod fish, or at least cod fish fodder. PCBs might in fact inhibit rather than promote the spread of cancer and the deadwood around so-called acid lakes just might be due to too many beavers. A great hoax has and is being played on society and more specifically on our industry which is enriching the coffers of Greenpeace to the tune of $37 million per year.
If we are to be in a position to defend ourselves, then we must find a way to foot the bill. The PDAC, Mining Association of Canada, Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and all of the other associations, organizations and individuals even remotely interested in mining need to band together for common purpose.
Global economics decide the price of metals and minerals and Canada’s extracted material will only be ore if it can be brought to the marketplace cheaper than from any other country. Maximum effort is required on behalf of every citizen; make sure your name is on the list.
George Kent
Chairman — PDAC Education and Publicity Committee, Toronto
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