It has been an exciting couple of months for PDAC and Canada alike. A change of government brings many new opportunities, along with fresh challenges.
We are busy arranging meetings with the Liberal Party of Canada to make sure they understand the importance of our industry through its significant employment and economic contributions. PDAC is also looking forward to discussing the proposed Canada Infrastructure Bank and maintaining the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC) to encourage investment in Canada.
I recently attended the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Summit for the adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that target economic, social and environmental improvements around the world for the next 15 years. The UN needs no introduction. As one if the most identifiable brands in the world, it makes their focus on our industry for their SDGs deserving of our attention.
The SDGs were agreed upon by the heads of all 193 UN member states and apply to all countries, not only developing nations.
Globally, the mining and metals sector employs around 2.5 million people and was highlighted as having a role in all SDGs. In particular, six were pinned as having the most direct impact:
- SDG 9: Infrastructure, Innovation and Industrialization
- SDG 8: Employment and Economic Growth
- SDG 7: Energy Access and Sustainability
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 15: Ecosystem and Biodiversity Protection
- SDG13: Climate Action
More detailed information about the SDGs and how they might affect our sector is available in the draft of the Mapping Mining to the Sustainable Development Goals: A Preliminary Atlas Executive Summary.