AME BC: BCs Mineral Exploration Sector Supports Government Revenue Sharing with First Nations

AME BC: BCs Mineral Exploration Sector Supports Government Revenue Sharing with First Nations

Leaders of British Columbia’s mineral exploration sector applaud the announcement by the Minister of State for Mining, Honourable Gordon Hogg, of provincial government resource revenue sharing with First Nations. Resource tax revenues collected from new mining projects in British Columbia (BC) will be shared with First Nations and play an important role in building on the New Relationship. British Columbia is the first province in Canada to share direct revenue generated from mining.

“AME BC has been a strong advocate for revenue sharing,” says Laureen Whyte, Vice-President, Policy & Sustainability at the Association for Mineral Exploration in BC (AME BC). “We anticipate that revenue sharing will increase First Nation participation in the mineral exploration and mining industry and will facilitate new opportunities for co-operation and partnership.”

“Certainty regarding government resource revenue sharing is particularly important since no revenues are generated during mineral exploration and mine development,” said Robert Stevens, Chairman of AME BC. “The government’s new policy assures First Nations that they will benefit once a mine is in production and paying taxes.”

Revenue sharing will be negotiated for each new mine in BC. During mineral exploration, no revenues are generated, making tax revenue sharing possible only after development.

The mineral exploration and mining industry in British Columbia employs 28,000 British Columbians directly, and indirectly over 100,000, in communities throughout the province. With 20 operating metal and coal mines, and 30 mining projects in the environmental assessment and permitting process today, significant revenues will flow to First Nation communities throughout the province.

AME BC was established in 1912, and represents more than 5,000 members including geoscientists, prospectors, engineers, entrepreneurs, exploration companies, suppliers, mineral producers, and associations engaged in mineral exploration in BC and throughout the world. Through leadership, partnerships, and advocacy, AME BC promotes a healthy, sustainable, and environmentally-sound mineral exploration and mining sector. AME BC is regarded as the predominant voice of mineral exploration and related issues in British Columbia.

Share this post