27 B.C. Mining Projects to Generate $984 Billion in Long-Term Economic Activity: STUDY

27 B.C. Mining Projects to Generate $984 Billion in Long-Term Economic Activity: STUDY

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British Columbia's 900 billion dollar mining opportunity, new study by MABC

A new jaw-dropping study by the Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) highlights the immense economic opportunities Canadians have to develop our vast mineral and metal resources.

Assessing the potential financial impact of 27 critical mineral, precious metal, and steelmaking coal mining projects in B.C., the MABC’s 2025 Economic Impact Study found they represent a potential near-term investment of more than $41 billion and could generate $90 billion in economic activity for British Columbians.

Over the long term, the numbers are even more staggering: $984 billion in economic activity associated with their operations over several decades. MABC’s new report and its findings echo those of last year, where the organization found $800 billion in potential economic impact of several proposed mines in the province – life-changing opportunities that Canadians must take advantage of if we’re to turn our currently poor economic trajectory around.

Study Highlights

Construction of 27 mining projects in BC worth 90 billion in near-term economic activity

While these 27 proposed B.C. mining projects still require regulatory approval, MABC’s analysis finds significant near- to long-term economic impacts of their construction and operation that would benefit Canadians immensely, including:

Development and Construction

  • $41 billion in investment
  • $90 billion in economic output
  • $43 billion in gross domestic product (GDP)
  • 340,683 person-years of employment
  • $27 billion in labour income for workers
  • $12 billion in tax revenues for government

Each mining project would take roughly three years to build, representing, on average, $1.7 billion of investment, 13,100 person-years of employment, and more than $1 billion in labour income, while generating more than $470 million in government revenues.

Ongoing Operations

Apart from the development and construction of these mining projects, the real economic impacts are felt long-term over decades. According to MABC, their operation over several decades would contribute exponentially more to the economy, including:

  • $984 billion in economic output
  • $506 billion in GDP
  • 67 million person-years of employment
  • $214 billion in labour income for workers
  • $222 billion in tax revenues for government

Each mining project would generate an average of $19.4 billion during its respective lifetime, averaging 20 years and support 102,838 person-years of employment, generating $8.5 billion in labour income. All levels of Canadian Governments would see approximately $7.3 billion in tax revenues per project.

Supply Chain Impacts

Economic impact of 27 BC mines on Northwest British Columbia - 37 billion dollars

The supply chain impacts of future B.C. mining projects cannot be overstated. Involving small, medium, and Indigenous-affiliated businesses across the province, these companies provide the necessary goods and services to B.C.’s operating mines and smelters and help inject billions into local and remote economies. According to MABC, in 2022, the B.C. mining sector spent $3.7 billion with nearly 4,000 B.C.-based businesses located in 200 municipalities, towns, and First Nations communities.

If built, these 27 proposed B.C. mining projects would inject billions more into supply chains for goods and services while supporting communities provincewide, with estimated economic impacts that include:

  • $20 billion in spending on goods and services from mining suppliers across the province, including in many remote communities
  • $9 billion in spending on goods and services from mining suppliers in municipalities and urban centres of southwest BC & Vancouver Island
  • $7 billion in spending in the Southern Interior
  • $1.5 billion in spending in the Central Interior
  • $1.4 billion in spending in Northwestern B.C.
  • $797 million in spending in Northeastern B.C.

Operational Impact on Supply Chain

  • $9.9 billion in spending on goods and services from mining suppliers across the province, including in many remote communities
  • $4.5 in spending on goods and services from mining suppliers in municipalities and urban centres of southwest BC & Vancouver Island
  • $3.6 billion in spending in the Southern Interior
  • $770 in spending in the Central Interior
  • $723 million in spending in Northwestern B.C.
  • $404 million in spending in Northeastern B.C.

Supply Chain Impacts on First Nations

MABC says that First Nations would also benefit immensely from the 27 proposed mining projects in B.C., which could enable $1.4 billion in annual spending on goods and services with Indigenous businesses.

First Nations communities already play a significant role in supplying goods and services to the mining industry. According to MABC, in 2022, roughly 150 First Nations-affiliated businesses, associated with 20 First Nations, sold $520 million in goods and services to B.C. mining and smelting operations, accounting for more than 14% of B.C.’s supply chain spend.

Developing B.C.’s mining resources translates to economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities across the province, much like resource development in related industries like liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewables.

How could anyone be against these economy-building projects?

B.C. Needs Mining Development

Mining in BC by the numbers - a catalyst for economic growth

B.C. is grappling with severe economic challenges, including U.S. tariffs on key exports like energy, coal, wood, consumer goods, metals, and electronic products and equipment. To add, consumers are facing increasing living costs, while the provincial economy is slowing, and the national economy has performed abysmally over the past several years.

To secure our economic future, B.C. must take bold action to strengthen our economic sovereignty through resource development. By advancing the province's mining sector – particularly critical minerals, precious metals, and steelmaking coal – B.C. can add billions of dollars in economic growth and create thousands of high-paying jobs for Canadians.

Canadians cannot afford to miss out on these 27 B.C. mining projects. Let’s take action now to build the mines, LNG plants, pipelines, railways, ports, and other infrastructure that will help Canada take control of our economic destiny once and for all.

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