Mineral Exploration in British Columbia

• Mines and Mineral Exploration Review - Information Circular 2012-1 (province wide)
• Exploration and Mining in British Columbia 2011 (regional details)
• Exploration Finance Programs
• Handbook for Mineral and Coal Exploration in British Columbia
• Map of Operating Mines and Selected Major Exploration Projects in British Columbia, 2011 

• Mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia were $320 million in 2010, which was more than double the previous year's expenditures. 
• Mines in production at the end of 2010: 9 metal mines, 10 coal mines, 31 industrial mineral mines, hundreds of sand and gravel quarries.
• Number of mine development proposals in progress with the Environmental Assessment Office was 23; 3 under review, 20 in pre-application stage.
• Solid mineral production in B.C. was $7 billion with coal ($4 billion), copper ($1.5 billion) and molybdenum ($0.3 billion) being the three most important solid mineral products by value.
• Total exploration drilling was more than 634,000 metres.
• More than half of the Canadian exploration and mining companies are based in British Columbia, which has the world's largest concentration of exploration companies and mining professionals.
• Billions of dollars of equity capital was raised by more than 800 publicly listed B.C. companies.

• Mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia were nearly $154 million in 2009, the sixth-highest level in 20 years.
• There were more than 350 exploration projects for minerals, coal, industrial minerals and aggregate throughout B.C.
• More than 80 exploration projects with budgets in excess of $250,000.
• Total exploration drilling was more than 350,000 metres.
• Mineral tenure aquistions: 3.2 million hectares
• Mines in production at the end of 2009: 8 metal, 9 coal, over 30 industrial minerals, and hundreds of sand and gravel quarries 
• Number of new mine development proposals was 36: 21 metal mines, 10 coal mines, 2 industrial minerals operations and 3 large aggregate operations. At the end of 2009,
• 23 were under environmental review (with the Environmental Assessment Office);
• 7 were in the Mines Act Permitting Process; and
• 6 were in development.
• 28 new mineral deposit discoveries were reported.
• 60% of Canadian exploration companies are based in B.C., raising $2.9 billion in equity capital (about 40% of the total equity capital for Canadian-listed companies).
• B.C. is estimated to have accounted for about 10% of Canadian mineral exploration investments during 2009.
• Equity capital was raised by 770 publicly listed B.C. companies which account for 54% of the national total.
• Exploration figures are generated annually by the British Columbia Geological Survey's regional geologists, who visit many of the exploration sites and survey the industry for additional information.

2008 Exploration Highlights

• Mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia were $367 million in 2008.
• During 2008, one new metal mine, Lexinigton-Grenoble, commenced operation and the rich gold and silver producer known as Eskay Creek closed. 
• The operating metal mines remained at 10 and there were no changes in the number of operating coal mines in the province which remained at nine.
• Mineral exploration spending in 2008 marked the second highest year on record.

2007 Exploration Highlights

• Mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia soared to over $416 million in 2007, reflecting B.C.'s outstanding position as a leading international jurisdiction for mineral exploration activity and new mine developments.
• Exploration drilling, a strong indicator of activity and success, reached about 1.254 million metres during the year, up over 50% from 2006. 
• There were 10 coal, 11 metal, 36 major industrial mienrals quarries and mines, a number of placer mines, and more than 1100 aggregate pits in operation during 2007.

2006 Exploration Highlights

• Mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia were $264 million in 2006.
• There were 9 metal, 11 coal and approximately 40 major industrial minerals quarries and mines, numerous placer mines, and more than 1100 aggregate pits in operation during 2006.
• Three mines opened during the year:  the Trend and Wolverwine - Perry Creek coal mines in the northeast, and the Table Mountain gold mine in the northwest.
• Sixty percent of Canadian exploration and mining companies are based in British Columbia, which has the world's largest concentration of exploration companies and mining professionals.
• Commodity prices for nearly all metals rose over the year, including gold, copper, molybdenum and zinc.

2005 Exploration Highlights

• Mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia reached $220 million in 2005.  This is an increase of nearly 70% from 2004, when a total of $130 million was spent on exploration.
• Canada currently ranks number one in world mineral exploration spending and accounted for 19% of the worldwide total in 2004.  B.C. accounts for roughly 15% of the Canadian total.
• 650 exploration projects went on in British Columbia in 2005, up from 500 in 2004.  Regionally, the projects break down like this:

CLICK HERE for historical information on mineral exploration expenditures in British Columbia.