The province's mining sector invested an estimated $680 million in exploration last year, Premier Christy Clark said Monday at the opening of a conference of the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC).
That's a 47% increase over 2011's $462 million, which was a record year for exploration for B.C., Clark said.
Clark announced $7 million in new funding to streamline permitting and other processes.
Also coinciding with the mining conference, Geoscience BC announced a new airborne magnetic survey of Vancouver Island that will help exploration companies zero in on potential concentrations of minerals.
The survey was conducted, Geoscience BC said, because North Vancouver Island has a strong mining history but remains under explored.
The survey area includes Campbell River, Port Hardy, Port McNeill, Alert Bay, Port Alice and Zeballos.
"Our goal is to increase mineral exploration and attract investment to Northern Vancouver Island," said Pat Bell, jobs, tourism and skills training minister.
"We want those investments, which support families and communities, to continue, and we are showing our confidence by eliminating needless delays so the industry can create more well-paying jobs."
The AME BC Mineral Exploration Roundup Conference 2013 continues through Thursday.
