A February 2013 global mining survey says that Quebec has dropped out of the top 10 global mining jurisdictions after holding the number one spot from 2007 to 2010.
The Fraser Institute’s Survey of Mining Companies: 2012/2013 now places Quebec as the eleventh most active mining jurisdiction in the world, after ranking the province fifth in 2011.
The Fraser Institute says the survey was sent to approximately 4,100 exploration, development, and other mining-related companies worldwide. The survey represents responses from 742 of those companies, and had sufficient data to evaluate 96 jurisdictions.
The companies participating in the survey reported exploration spending of $6.2 billion in 2012, the survey says.
“Falling from number one to eleventh in just three years tells us that the mining policies of the Quebec government, particularly uncertainty around changes to the provincial Mining Act and proposed royalty hikes, are a serious concern to the global mining community,” Fraser Institute Senior Director of Energy and Natural Resources and Director of the survey, Kenneth Green, said in a February 2013 statement to media.
By comparison, Finland and Sweden ranked first and second globally, the survey says.
“The confidence miners have in Finland and Sweden proves that it’s possible to enact sound environmental protections and still maintain a successful mining industry,” Green added. “Quebec’s political leaders should take note.”
Canadian jurisdictions claimed three of the top 10 spots, with Alberta unchanged at third overall, New Brunswick falling to fourth from first, and the Yukon climbing to eighth from tenth.
The remaining provinces and territories generally were ranked in the survey as follows:
Nova Scotia: 12
Saskatchewan: 13
Ontario: 16
Newfoundland and Labrador: 18
Manitoba: 21
Northwest Territories: 29
British Columbia: 31
Nunavut: 37
Worldwide, the top 10 mining destinations are Finland, Sweden, Alberta, New Brunswick, Wyoming, Ireland, Nevada, Yukon, Utah and Norway.
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