BC regional mining offices to close

Vancouver — British Columbia’s Ministry of Energy and Mines will cut 106 positions and eliminate the prospectors assistance program as part of sweeping governmental reform in the province that includes the loss of 11,700 jobs over the next three years.

Citing the need to streamline and focus the direction of the Ministry, the Liberal government aims to cut the total operating expenditures 40% to $40.2 million by 2004-05. The largest impact will be seen next year when the budget falls to $50 million from the current $67.1 million. The number of employees falls from 280 this year, to 243 next year and 174 by 2004. The six regional mining offices will be hard hit with major operational function consolidating into one central location by the end of the mandate.

The government says that the Ministry will move towards a geoscience program delivered in partnership with the private sector. No details were given as to how this would be accomplished.