A pilot project in Campbell River involving the B.C. government, local government, business, industry and First Nations has resulted in an investment of $930,000 to develop the North Vancouver Island Exploration Geoscience Project to support mining and create jobs.

With an investment of $530,000 from Geoscience BC and $400,000 from the Island Coastal Economic Trust, the Northern Vancouver Island Exploration Geoscience Project aims are:

•  To generate new, leading-edge, technical geoscience data for northern Vancouver Island.

•  To increase knowledge and understanding of the mineral potential of northern Vancouver Island.

• To attract mineral exploration interest and investment to northern Vancouver Island.

• To provide First Nations and communities on northern Vancouver Island with more up-to-date geoscience information on their region.

The project was identified as a community priority at the Regional Economic Investment Pilot forum held in Campbell River on Monday, Jan. 30, 2012. Following the forum, the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation funded a $24,000 study to develop a stakeholder engagement and investment attraction strategy for the project.

Technical survey activities are expected to take place over the next few months, with the analysis of the results to be completed by the spring of 2013. Shortly thereafter, the mining industry will be invited to Vancouver Island to view the release of the data and network with First Nations and local communities.

The Regional Economic Investment Pilot is a key component of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan'. In keeping with the BC Jobs Plan, the pilot is part of the B.C. government's initiative to engage the public to generate ideas aimed at creating jobs throughout the province, making smart investments in infrastructure and making sure British Columbians have the right skills for tomorrow.

Quotes:

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell -

"This is exactly the kind of progress I have expected to see coming out of these regional economic investment pilots. This is a community-led and driven initiative that has the potential to create good-paying jobs."

"I applaud the work of Geoscience BC and the Island Coastal Economic Trust for seeing the need to produce data that will show the untapped economic potential of the North Island."

Kirstie Simpson, vice president minerals research, Geoscience BC -

"Geoscience BC is excited to be partnering with the Island Coastal Economic Trust to launch the Northern Vancouver Island Exploration Geoscience Project. The results from the project will help guide future mineral exploration activities and are expected to contribute to new investment in this region."

"Geoscience BC is an industry-led, industry-focused not for profit society that works to attract mineral and oil and gas exploration and investment to British Columbia. The Northern Vancouver Island Exploration Geoscience Project is the latest in a series of successful large-scale projects that have been designed and funded by Geoscience BC in response to industry's needs."

Camela Tang, vice chair, Island Coastal Economic Trust -

"This is the trust's first project in the mining sector intended to increase our knowledge of the mineral potential in the northern Vancouver Island. This type of project continues ICET's tradition of funding economic initiatives for the creation of long term employment in the north Island such as the Campbell River airport expansion, the harbours at Port McNeill, Port Hardy, Port Alice and Coal Harbour, the Cape Scott North Coast trail and many others."

"We are also pleased to complement the objectives of the Province's Jobs Plan and work closely with the communities in the North Island to help bring this project to realization."

Learn More:

• To find out more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/
• To learn more about Geoscience BC, visit: http://www.geosciencebc.com/s/Home.asp
• To learn more about the Island Coastal Economic Trust, visit: http://www.islandcoastaltrust.ca/

Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104

BACKGROUNDER

July 11, 2012 Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation

Facts about British Columbia's mining industry

•  In 2011, the mining industry increased its production value by 20 per cent from the year before to approximately $8.6 billion.
• On May 15, 2012, PricewaterhouseCoopers reported a 25 per cent increase in B.C.'s gross mining revenues, up $2 billion to $9.9 billion in 2011 from $7.9 billion in 2010.
•  The average number of direct employees in B.C. mining companies increased in 2011 to 9,310 - up from 2010's 8,195, an increase of 13.6 per cent. Average salaries and benefits rose seven per cent to $115,700 per employee, up from $108,100 in 2010.
•  Mining revenues to government in 2011 were a record $805 million - up $114 million from 2010 levels.
• B.C. accounts for approximately 15 per cent of all exploration spending in Canada.
• In 2011, more than 29,000 people were employed in mineral exploration, mining and related sectors, mostly in rural B.C.
• * More than 15,000 job openings are expected in B.C.'s mineral exploration and mining sector.
• As committed in the BC Jobs Plan, eight new mines will open and nine will be expanded by 2015. This is expected to result in:
• An increase annual mine-operation revenue by $1.6 billion.
• Approximately 2,000 construction jobs.
• 2,000 new direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs. 
• Sustain 12,500 existing jobs (5,000 direct and 7,500 indirect).
• Over $150 million annually in government revenue.

Contact:
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 356-7104