Thursday, May 24, 2012 03:47 AM

While it will take 10 years to come to fruition, the Mining Association of Canada and BC are very bullish about the future of the industry in BC.

Karina Brino, President of the Mining Association of BC, quoting from studies done by the Federal Association, says the figure of "for sure" mines either in the permitting stage or under construction in the northern half of the province totals 30 billion dollars. The mines in question include, Table Mountain, Turnagain, Red Chris, Schaft Creek, Galore Creek, Mount Milligan, Kitsault and Berg.

In addition, exploration is underway at Tulsequah Chief, Foremore, Davidson Moly, and Spanish Mountain. There is also mention of exploration in the newly discovered Green Gold Property near Prince George.

Many of these new mines will be located along highway 37 north which will result in 6,000 workers being required to fill the jobs and Terrace, which has been in the doldrums for many years, will benefit from these openings.

The reopening of the Kitsault mine alone will mean 700 jobs for a community that had been mothballed several years ago.

So what’s in it for Prince George? She cautioned, this city will in all likelihood be the terminus for the required infrastructure and supplying those goods and services will sit well in this area.

30 Billion doesn’t seem like much when you say it fast, but if you add all of the other projects or works that are set to get underway , Prince George, and as a matter of fact the entire north, is about to get a bump in our economy.

I’m Meisner and that's one man’s’ opinion.