Finance Minister Kevin Falcon’s fiscally disciplined provincial budget has been warmly received by the Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME BC) for making B.C. a “safe harbour” for investment.
“The fiscally responsible provincial budget will help the government continue its proactive role in encouraging more mineral exploration in B.C.,” said Gavin C. Dirom, president and CEO of AME BC.
“[It will] help to ensure that the government is creating a prudent economic climate that attracts further investment to explore for and develop B.C.'s mineral resources.”
In his budget speech Tuesday, Falcon set out the provincial government's commitment to balance the budget by 2013/14 and reinforce awareness of B.C. as a safe harbour for investment.
AME BC expressed its support for government initiatives to build upon the record B.C. mineral exploration expenditures of $463 million in 2011.
“We have been encouraged by the government's strategic measures to reduce red tape and develop B.C. as a magnet for global investment,” said Dirom. “These measures include reducing the backlog of work permit application notices by 80% by the end of August 2012, investing $12 million in Geoscience BC and continued funding for regional government geologists.”
AME BC said it now encourages the provincial government to fund organizations such as the BC Aboriginal Mine Training Association, which aims to address the anticipated labour shortage of 10,000 workers over the next 10 years in the province's mineral exploration and mining industry.
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