At the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention (UBCM), the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) released information confirming that communities throughout British Columbia benefit from a strong and vibrant mining sector.

MABC and the Mining Suppliers Association of BC (MSABC) partnered to collect data on the economic benefits to Indigenous and local economies from 13 major metal and coal mine operations in British Columbia. The data shows that more than 125 municipalities and Indigenous communities have more than 3,000 businesses that support all aspects of B.C.’s mining operations.

Quick facts from the data collected –

• There are approximately 3,000 B.C. suppliers providing $1.35B worth of materials, goods and services to 6 of B.C.’s metal mines and 7 coal operations.
• The municipalities that make up the lower mainland, from Abbotsford to West Vancouver, cumulatively have approximately 1,200 companies that benefited from more than $460 million in spending.
• The municipality with most number of vendors active in B.C.’s mine supply chain was Kamloops with approximately 390 suppliers benefiting from nearly $219 million in spending.
• The City of Vancouver had the second most number of suppliers accessed with approximately 370 companies benefiting from $142 million in spending.
• Results are based on procurement data collected by iTotem – www.itotem.ca – on behalf of MABC and MSABC from 6 metal mines and 7 coal operations between May-August 2018. The data set covers 2017 cumulative procurement spend as self-reported by participating mining operations.
• Eligible costs are expenditures on goods, materials and services from suppliers in B.C.

Check out this interesting Infographic to understand how much local community throughout B.C is benefiting from B.C. mining operations.