Resource World Magazine

A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 9 www.resourceworld.com 47 MINING D uring the recent Prospectors and Developers Convention held in Toronto, the Canadian federal govern- ment announced its new Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan (CMMP). The Plan was created as a way for federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together to advance the country's mining industry and make it more competitive and efficient. Canada's mining industry contrib - utes $97 billion to national GDP and is responsible for 19% of the country's total domestic exports. The mining sector is a major employer with 634,000 people directly and indirectly involved. The industry is also the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples. `The CMMP is a pan-Canadian plan developed by federal, provincial and ter - ritorial governments in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. Minerals, metals and other natural resources are owned and managed by the government of the province or territory where they are located. Most mining activities are regulated by the provinces or territories, and each jurisdiction has its own mining, environmental, and occupational health and safety legislation. The federal, provin - cial and territorial governments also have shared responsibility in a number of areas, such as taxation and the environment. Currently, there are many countries trying to attract investment in their min - ing sector. In this competition for resource development, Canada has many advantages to offer investors, explorers and mining companies: • Preferred access to major markets • Stable and competitive fiscal, legal and regulatory frameworks • State-of-the art public geoscience • A competitive tax environment with world-leading fiscal incentives for exploration • The world's largest junior mining sector • The global hub for exploration and mine financing • A strong mining and supply and services sector • People and communities who participate and contribute to the success of this ecosystem. Resources on federal lands, in off- shore waters and on the continental shelf are owned by the federal government, which is also responsible for uranium mining. Some resources are located on Aboriginal treaty lands, for which modern treaty signatories have specific rights and jurisdictions related to lands and resources within those areas. The provinces and territories have their own priorities, plans and strategies in support of their respective minerals and metals industries. The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan does not supplant these efforts. Its aim is to encourage synergies and support existing provincial and ter - ritorial priorities, while bringing together resources from across Canada to address systemic challenges and take advantage of opportunities. The government sees The Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan as a way for "government, industry, Indigenous peo - ples and stakeholders to work together to build on our strengths, capitalize on opportunities, and support a minerals industry that drives Canadian prosperity." The Plan takes into account a number of considerations such as socio-economic benefits for regions across Canada, including northern remote and isolated communities as well as urban centres. The Plan would focus on responsible mineral development that integrates the concept of sustainability – human, social, economic and environmental. Beginning over two years ago with for - mer Minister of Natural Resources, Jim Carr, and based on the Whitehorse Mining Initiative, the Plan is ready after 146 engagement events with stakeholders. Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, who launched the Plan at the PDAC Convention, said, "The Canada Minerals and Metals Plan is comprehen - sive in scope, ambitious in vision, and practical in application." n Government launches Canadian Minerals and Metals Plan Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources, announces The Canada Minerals and Metals Plan at the PDAC Convention in Toronto. Photo by Ellsworth Dickson. THE MINING SECTOR IS A MAJOR EMPLOYER WITH 634,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY INVOLVED. THE INDUSTRY IS ALSO THE LARGEST PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYER OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

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