The Northern Interior Mining Group has a new mandate, a new magazine and a new event.
The mining group was launched about five years ago to connect the local mining industry with local businesses. That continues, said chair Fraser Deacon, and the group now encompasses all major industry - from forestry to natural gas to hydroelectricty to agriculture to large-scale construction.
The next gathering of the group on Nov. 21 will feature an evening dinner and social event with three featured speakers: provincial mining inspector (reclamation department) Jennifer McConnahie, New Gold mining company official Kathy LaForge, and Minister of Aboriginal Engagement and Reconciliation John Rustad.
"John Rustad is so important because he has so many of these major projects in his riding right here in our own region and his portfolio is absolutely critical to the success of mining and natural resource industry of any kind," said Deacon.
"We are happy to have Kathy because we think the New Gold project is a going concern and the next big project that will come to fruition in northern B.C.," he added. "It is another opportunity for local businesses to understand that project, learn what are the key things are that the New Gold decision makers are thinking through or having problems with, and can local business be part of those solutions?"
McConnahie is interesting, said Deacon, because most mining discussions, even at the business-to-business level, revolve around the exploration, construction and processing aspects. Less attention is paid to reclamation, but "there are certainly procurement opportunities there and opportunities to innovate using local business talent."
The mining group recently released its latest business directory and is about to launch a magazine detailing the kind of business relationships already underway in the north that they hope to see in greater numbers.
"We are very proud of the stories from our area," Deacon said. He gave, as an example, Northern Spirit Transportation, a local bus company that established a relationship to transport personnel to and from Mount Milligan Mine north of Fort St. James.
"I think it's important to have stories from the trenches of businesses working in our area," Deacon said. "We have some impressive capacity here. We have existing relationships of businesses supporting mining in British Columbia and other places too. In mining you have to think and be ready to operate globally."
Deacon noted that many of the natural resource projects proposed for the area are controversial but merit discussion.
"Those problems, those points of contention, those are where local innovators can look to think up marketable solutions," he said. "What we want is for as much local impact as possible into our economy when these large projects do happen if they are approved."
The mix and mingle event on Nov. 21 happens at the Coast Inn of the North starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35, available at the Community Futures office (1566 7th Ave.) or via email ([email protected]). Tickets must be purchased by 4 p.m. Friday.
