Resource World Magazine

BC over the next five to seven years. "These proposals are valued at more than $28 billion in capital costs and are expected to create more than 15,000 new jobs," he said. In addition to changes in government, Schroeter says there have also been changes in attitudes toward environmental stewardship. "During the 1970s, '80s and '90s, there was a strong environmentalist movement to preserve lands in Canada," Schroeter said. "It led to the establishment of many parks, as well as comprehensive government land use planning processes." Since the 1990s, he says, the radical environmentalist movement has lost some of its credibility, with the public questioning many of its goals and tactics. "Today, provincial and federal environmental regulations in Canada are some of the best and most stringent in the world," Schroeter said. "They are so good, in fact, that they have been adopted by more than 36 other countries around the world. The public february 2013 should understand and appreciate that governments in Canada are genuinely concerned about the environment." On balance, says Schroeter, most of the changes that have taken place during the time he has worked in mining and exploration, have been positive for the industry and for the country as a whole. "Most of what has taken place has been for the best," he said. An exception has been the loss of a personal connection between prospectors and the rest of the population. "In addition, there is a growing disconnection between the urban and rural areas of British Columbia," Schroeter said. "The negative perception of the industry in some quarters is weakening the link between economic prosperity and social well-being in our daily lives." Schroeter says BC is fortunate to be able to offer mineral explorers and investors more opportunities than most other mining jurisdictions. "British Columbia has a lot going for it," he said. "It's safe and secure and there is a stable political climate, and with regard to taxation, BC has the lowest rates of personal income tax in Canada and mineral exploration tax credits of 20% and 30%." In addition, Schroeter says, BC's mineral potential is excellent and the Minfile database system makes it easy to search for properties and file a claim. Infrastructure, including low-cost electric power, is firstclass and getting even better, and Vancouver is a long-time centre of excellence in mineral exploration, development and mining. "We're the gateway to the Pacific, we have a skilled labor force and there is an estimated $1 trillion worth of pipelines and plants waiting to be built for the export of liquefied natural gas," Schroeter said. "We have it all!" At the same time, Schroeter says, British Columbia faces a number of challenges from several different sources. "Mining and exploration in BC have opponents – environmentalists and NIMBYs www.resourceworld.com 61

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