The new Earth Sciences Building at UBC (ESB) is officially open - benefitting B.C. students and our future economy while cementing UBC as a world leader in geosciences education, research and training.

"We expect more than 10,000 job openings for skilled workers in B.C.'s mining, oil and gas and mineral exploration industries by 2020, and UBC earth sciences graduates are going to fill those jobs and help grow these industries," said Premier Christy Clark. "That's why we are investing in facilities such as the Earth Sciences Building at UBC to ensure British Columbians are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow."

The B.C. government provided $37.5 million for the Earth Sciences Building, and to date, more than $26 million has been invested by the mineral exploration and mining communities. Lead donors include Ross Beaty, Goldcorp Inc., Teck Resources Limited, Lundin Mining Corporation and Pan American Silver Corp.

"By investing in post-secondary facilities such as the Earth Sciences Building at UBC, we're supporting B.C.'s Jobs Plan by helping prepare British Columbians for future jobs and supporting demands for education and research," said Minister of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology John Yap. "As part of our Skills and Training Plan, we're taking an important step to ensure we have qualified geosciences professionals to meet the anticipated labour market demands in British Columbia."

The centre will help ensure B.C. continues as a global hub for the mineral exploration industry, and support the university's research in sustainable mining practices and climate change. The 17,500-square-metre building brings together many of UBC's natural resource research groups in collaborative lab spaces, and features a lecture theatre complex and customized computer labs. More than 7,000 students and hundreds of researchers will use the new facility.

"This magnificent building will enable us to provide undergraduate and graduate students with an unparalleled education in the earth sciences, as well as to continue developing knowledge and expertise in sustainable natural resource management to serve the industry in British Columbia and around the world," said UBC President Stephen Toope.

The new Earth Sciences Building will provide research collaboration by bringing together in one facility the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, and related departments, including the Mineral Deposits research unit, Department of Statistics and the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

"Great facilities help create great graduates who in turn build great companies and institutions," said UBC geology alumnus Ross Beaty, chairman of Pan American Silver Corp. and Alterra Power Corp., and chair of the UBC Earth Sciences Building Campaign. "UBC's world-renowned reputation for excellence in earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences is enhanced with this fine new building, which I am most proud of helping establish for future generations."

The building features modern research and teaching spaces, a state-of-the-art lecture theatre complex, seminar rooms, quiet study spaces, and common areas. Complementing the glass-shrouded Beaty Biodiversity Museum across UBC's Main Mall, the building features nine-metre tall high-head labs on the first storey with floor to ceiling windows.

Learn More:

UBC Earth Sciences Building:  http://science.ubc.ca/about/esb

Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan:  http://www.bcjobsplan.ca

Media Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education, Innovation and Technology
250 952-6400
Dan.Gilmore@gov.bc.ca