As we enter a new year and set fresh goals and resolutions, as well as work off the holiday calories, we should take a moment to reflect on the Canadian mineral exploration and development sector in 2015.
While there were many successes, we continue to operate in challenging circumstances. But it wasn’t all bad and there are some notable achievements worth mentioning.
For me, some of the highlights include:
- Success of the PDAC 2015 Convention, which attracted nearly 25,000 attendees from 116 countries.
- Renewal of the Mineral Exploration Tax Credit (METC) until March 2016.
- Implementation of the Extractive Sector Transparency Measures Act.
- Continuation of work to build relationships between companies and Aboriginal communities.
- Volunteering at the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, the only global intergovernmental policy forum for our sector.
- Continued Canadian exploration success in gold, uranium, diamonds, lithium and graphite, to name a few.
Last year was also the year I joined PDAC as the Executive Director. I came to the association to advocate on behalf of the industry and to represent the interests of more than 7,000 individual and 1,000 corporate members. Now, more than a year in, I am very proud of the work that is being done.
In October 2015 we witnessed a change of government, and we are now closely watching the 2016 Federal Budget developments to see how it might affect our sector. In particular, we are keeping an eye on steps the Government of Canada will take to help Canada maintain its leadership position as the number one destination to raise capital for mineral exploration. In addition to renewing and enhancing the METC, we also look forward to working with the government on strategic infrastructure investments that support responsible resource development in Canada.
Already, 2016 is shaping up to be an exciting year and I look forward to working alongside PDAC employees, the Board of Directors and 16 committees to find ways of turning obstacles into opportunities that benefit PDAC members the minerals industry.