MINING & MINERALS

British Columbia is one of the richest mineral regions in the world. With record levels of exploration and development, mineral exploration investment reached $265 million in 2006. This is an increase of more than 600 per cent since 2001. The mining industry is expanding to meet growing demand.

The B.C. Mining Plan helped the province reach its goal of a thriving, globally competitive, safe and environmentally responsible exploration and mining industry.

• 28,000 mining and mineral sector-related jobs in over 50 British Columbia communities.
• 4,600 seasonal exploration jobs
• 600 full time exploration jobs.
• Mining jobs pay family supporting wages averaging $99,000 with benefits.

British Columbia is the second largest exporter of metallurgical coal in the world. We also have the cleanest burning variety of coal in the world.

The British Columbia Mining and Minerals 2009 — Opportunities to Explore (PDF, 12.1MB) has more information about the British Columbia mining sector.