Mining Association of BC Welcomes Balanced Budget 2014

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 18, 2014) - The Mining Association of BC welcomes the BC's Government's Balanced Budget 2014 and is pleased to see the province meeting its commitment to deliver successive balanced budgets and focus on debt elimination, maintaining BC's attractiveness as a stable and fiscally sound jurisdiction in which to do business. With reductions in spending throughout the budget, MABC is encouraged to see to funding levels maintained within the Mines and Minerals Division of the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

MABC recognizes a need for increased funding capacity in the Environmental Assessment Office to support improvements in the environmental assessment process. The increase of $9 million over the next three years is good news for the industry; however, the industry is also interested in understanding how the proposed collection of fees will be implemented. "We are resolved to work with government to ensure the application of fees will be in concert with reductions in timelines, from beginning to end of the assessment process, without compromising environmental protection," stated Karina Briño, President and CEO of the Mining Association of BC. "However," Briño continued, "we caution the province that we must remain cognizant that the implementation of any additional fees can cumulatively impact the competitiveness of the mining industry in British Columbia. We hope this initiative will help the province and industry realize the shared goal of 'getting to yes' and seeing mining projects approved in a timely manner," Briño concluded.

MABC commends the government's recognition of the ongoing need for investment in skills training. "Today's announcement of funding for the new NorKam Trades Centre of Excellence in Kamloops, new trades training facilities at Camosun College and new facilities at Okanagan College, is an important investment in workforce development and the future of young British Columbians," stated Briño. "It will help ensure," Briño continued, "that BC's young people will be the first in line for the high-paying jobs of tomorrow in BC's natural resources sector."