Mining Suppliers Applaud BC Job Plan's Focus on Building New Mines

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 25, 2011) - The Mining Suppliers Association of British Columbia (MSABC) applauds the Government of British Columbia's renewed commitment to building new mines in the Canada Starts Here: BC Jobs Plan. "We were very pleased to hear that opening eight new mines and expanding another nine mines currently operating in BC by 2015 was a key priority in the new BC Jobs Plan," said Patty Moore, Chair of MSABC. "The construction and operation of these new mines will create thousands of new jobs for mine suppliers, contractors and consultants working in communities across BC," added Moore.

MSABC was also pleased that the government will devote more resources for improving infrastructure and reducing permitting and environmental assessment backlogs. "The much needed infrastructure investments announced in the Jobs Plan will help assure producers that they will be able to get their product to markets," explained Moore. "By investing $24 million to reduce permitting and environmental assessment backlogs, without compromising on environmental and social values, this government recognizes that we can have a rigorous project approval process that is also efficient," said Moore.

The Mining Suppliers Association of B.C. comprises suppliers, contractors and consultants to the B.C. mining industry who are committed to promoting the sustainability of this valuable resource sector.