Beginning in the mid-1800s, with the
coal mines on Vancouver Island and the placer gold camps of the Cariboo, British Columbia
has become one of the worlds major mining regions. The province
encompasses the largest part of the Canadian Cordillera, a mountain belt rich in minerals
and coal. British Columbia is an important producer and exporter of copper, gold, silver,
lead, zinc, molybdenum, coal and industrial minerals.
Today, British Columbia is known for its high
quality metallurgical coal, its giant open pit copper-molybdenum and
copper-gold porphyry deposits, the
world-class Sullivan lead-zinc
sedex-deposit, and the
more recently discovered spectacular Eskay Creek silver-gold deposit.
British Columbias mining industry is internationally
recognized for its expertise in mineral exploration and mine development and Vancouver is
one of the great mining centres in the world.
British Columbia enjoys excellent geology, access to an ample
supply of low-cost power, good transportation systems, modern ports and a strategic
location with respect to Asian markets.
With our abundant mineral resources, a skilled industry and a
positive business climate, opportunities abound for growth in the mineral sector in the
years ahead.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines manages the development of British
Columbia's mineral resources, and implements policies and programs to encourage their
development while maintaining environmental integrity. In addition, the Ministry regulates
and inspects the exploration and mineral production industries in B.C. to protect the
workers, the public and the environment.
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Last updated
November 28, 2006