GUEST COLUMN — Facing the future of mining

The author is Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources. He has written this article at the request of Mining Works for Canada, a grassroots campaign designed to increase awareness of the importance of mining in this country.

As the new millennium approaches, the Canadian minerals and metals industry is positioned to continue to lead the world in mining.

I want Canada to enter the 21st century as the world’s smartest natural resources developer: the most high-tech, productive, environmentally friendly and socially responsible. I believe Canada’s minerals and metals industries will play a vital role in the upcoming century — not only by providing many of the materials essential to our society, but also by showing leadership in sustainable resource development, integrating economic, environmental and social considerations.

The current international emphasis on issues such as climate change has intensified the focus on managing the production and use of minerals and metals while recognizing their effect on the environment.

As the minister responsible for implementing Canada’s domestic actions on climate change, I will continue to look to the mining industry to work with me to seek solutions that respect our environment. Our solutions will help to create opportunities for new businesses, jobs, technology and exports.

The Mining Association of Canada’s launch of its innovative communications program — Mining Works for Canada — is very appropriate at this time, as is the theme of this year’s program: “connections.” Most Canadians now live in urban areas and often forget the contribution that mining and other resource industries make to our standard of living. This program can communicate how the mining industry is connected to many non-mining industries, and how a flourishing mining industry benefits us all.

The strength of some of these connections may surprise many people. For example:

* More than 128 communities, mainly in rural and remote Canada, depend on mining;

* Canadian minerals and metals production was valued at $19 billion last year;

* The mineral industry accounted for 3.8% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product in 1997 and employs more than 368,000 Canadians;

* Canada vies for the top spot as the largest exporter of minerals in the world, with 80% of its production destined for markets in some 150 countries; * Canadian mining companies have interests in more than 8,000 exploration or producing properties worldwide; and

* In 1997, some $6.7 billion of the total financing for world mining and exploration companies was organized through Canada.

We must not only inform Canadians about how important mining is in our lives, but also about the industry’s progress in becoming more environmentally and socially responsible. Approaches such as Mining Works for Canada are important to raise awareness and get Canadians working toward balancing the mutually dependent goals of economic growth and effective stewardship of our natural riches.