Copper Mountain Dept: B.C. CELEBRATES ASMINING INDUSTRY LEADS THE PROVINCE VICTORIA B.C. s mining industry isleading the provincial recovery, providing ample reason to celebrate B.C.Mining Week, announced Minister of State for Mining Randy Hawes. The week ofMay 9 to 15 was officially proclaimed B.C. Mining Week in the legislaturetoday. We have a lot to be optimisticabout when it comes to the mining and minerals industry in the province, saidHawes. With rising commodity prices, our B.C. metals are in demand and we areresponding. Expected mineral tax revenues are on the rise and, despite adifficult economic climate in 2009, we have two new major metal mines underconstruction, providing jobs and economic opportunities to our ruralcommunities. Twonew major metal mines, Copper Mountain outside Princeton and the New Afton Mineoutside Kamloops, are both currently under construction. Copper Mountain isexpected to provide about 200 jobs during the construction and another 250 whenthe mine is fully operational. At New Afton, up to 550 jobs will be createdduring construction and 250 when the mine is fully operational. Construction isalso set to begin this year at the Mount Milligan mine site, northwest ofPrince George. Overall, B.C. s mining and minerals sector employs about 28,000people in more than 50 communities throughout the province, and those numbersare set to grow. Mining Week aimsto raise public awareness of the importance of mining and the collaborationbetween industry, government, First Nations, and communities to promote theindustry. The mining and mineral exploration sector helps fund vital socialservices such as health care and education and supports families across B.C.With 150 years of history, from placer mining to our aggregate industry, thecoal belts in the northeast and southeast and B.C. s metal mines, there isplenty to celebrate this year. To provide greatercertainty to the mining industry, the B.C. government has recently extended theFlow Through Share Tax Credit by three years, to 2013. Commencingin July the industry will see benefits from the implementation of theHarmonized Sales Tax. HST will save the mining industryabout $55 million annually and industry has identified additional millions insavings for new mine development and construction. Mining Week, atradition for the past 103 years, celebrates the role the industry plays inmaking B.C. a great place to live, work and play. With major new mines inconstruction, existing mines expanding and proposed projects nearing finalapprovals, B.C. is on the cusp of a renaissance in mining, said PierreGratton, president and CEO of the Mining Association of BC. As a gateway, withits world class geology, world leading mining expertise and welcomingcommunities, British Columbia is poised to play a major role supplying the emergingmarkets with mineral and metal commodities. That is something to celebrate. The Men of theDeeps will be celebrating Mining Week in B.C. with performances in Duncan onMay 9, Campbell River, May 10, and Vancouver, May 13. For more information, seetheir website at www.menofthedeeps.com . As
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