It’s important to reflect on the significance of mining, and how it contributes to the economic development of British Columbia. With over 150 years of mining history, BC is recognized as one of the most prosperous mineral exploration regions in the world.
At IWC Excavation, we have experience working within all aspects of the BC mining industry, offering turnkey solutions that span the entire lifecycle of any mining operation. This includes road building, mine and tailings pond construction, crushing and screening, material transport, overburden removal, and reclamation services.
Throughout our experience as a full-scale partner to the mining industry, we wanted to share some of the benefits that we’ve seen mining bring to the sustainability and growth of our province:
- Mining Invests in BC
- Mining Builds Communities in BC
- BC Mining Supports Innovation
- BC Mining Contributes to Future Industries
- BC Mining is Committed to Reclamation
1. Mining Invests in BC
The BC mining industry spends more than a billion dollars each year to operate their mine sites, supporting job and economic development across the province. Not only is mining a key contributor to the BC economy, it also contributes to Canada’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), with many types of minerals exported from BC’s multiple port cities.
2. Mining Builds Communities in BC
For every direct job in the BC mining industry, there are at least two jobs in mining supply and services, which are supported by rural, urban, and Indigenous communities across BC. This includes heavy equipment, manufacturing, fabrication, transportation, accommodation, hospitality, construction, road building, infrastructure, environmental sciences, engineering, financial, and legal sectors.
3. BC Mining Supports Innovation
Whether it’s finding new ways to reprocess mine tailings into aggregate by-products and bio-fuel energy, switching to low-emission fuels and biodegradable lubricants used in heavy equipment, or improving onsite safety and productivity with new technologies, innovation is changing the mining industry for future generations. This translates into an educated workforce with higher-paying and safer jobs.
4. BC Mining Contributes to Future Industries
Copper and other minerals play an important role as suppliers to various low-carbon and high-tech industries, including solar energy, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. As the only producer of molybdenum, a leading producer of copper and steelmaking coal, and top producer of gold, silver, aluminum, and zinc, BC’s mining sector is fundamental to support many future energy and tech industries.
5. BC Mining is Committed to Reclamation
BC was one of the first provinces to authorize mine reclamation legislation, and the first to extend this policy to exploration sites. This helps to reverse the impact of mining activity on the environment, ensuring that the land, watercourses, and cultural heritage resources are restored to a safe and natural state.
IWC Excavation is a proud mining partner, providing equipment, people, and experience to execute on multiple projects in the sector. We maintain critical infrastructure to the highest quality standards, while keeping safety top-of-mind throughout all stages of operation.
For more information on how IWC Excavation can meet your expectations as a Civil Contractor for your upcoming construction project, or to answer any questions you may have based on the information we’ve provided above, please reach out and contact us at any time.