http://www.miningweekly.com/page/americas-home
Fledgling nonprofit organisation the Canada Mining Innovation Council (CMIC) aims to reverse the significant decline of Canada’s reserves through its exploration initiative.
Government department Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) reports a reduction exceeding 80% in lead, zinc and silver reserves, while copper and nickel declined by over half in the past 25 years. Gold reserves in 2008 were around half those recorded in 1995.
“Reserves in Canada have declined substantially and continue to do so; however, this can be countered by putting technologies in place to better identify new ore deposits, both in remote and covered locations, and in deeper locations near existing infrastructure,” says CMIC executive director Tom Hynes.
Canada’s mining industry is a signifi- cant contributor to Canadian prosperity as it employs 308 000 workers in minerals extraction, processing and manufacturing, says the Mining Association of Canada economic affairs VP Paul Stothart. There- fore, development is crucial.