| Although the world continues to cope with the ramifications of a severe economic downturn, there is an emerging sense of renewed confidence in the economy, perhaps signalling that the recession is almost over and that better times are ahead. As many members of AME BC can attest, the spring rally in commodity prices, led by metals, was strong and broad-based, reflecting improved market sentiment, U.S. dollar depreciation, and commodity-specific factors. Since the beginning of March, the TSX Composite has jumped 40%. Commodity prices have climbed 7.5% since May. The main driver of metal prices has been the continued strong demand from China. However, the strength in metals, which are priced in U.S. dollars, is also being attributed to the decline in the greenback. And now with signs that the U.S. economy might begin a recovery, especially in the housing and automotive sectors, prices are receiving yet another boost. According to the recent International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook report, Canada’s economy will shrink less than previously predicted in 2009 and grow more in 2010, helped by commodity prices that have rebounded ahead of a global recovery. Canada, the world’s eighth-largest economy, is predicted to contract 2.3 percent in 2009 and grow 1.6 percent in 2010. In April, the IMF had predicted the Canadian economy would shrink 2.5 percent this year before rebounding to 1.2 percent in 2010. While it’s too early to tell, with the banking crisis over, the second quarter of 2009 may prove to be a turning point for the global economy. Politically, with the re-election in May of Premier Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberal Party in British Columbia, we now have a new Minister of State for Mining, Randy Hawes. AME BC is looking forward to working closely with Minister Hawes to ensure that government policies reflect the importance of the British Columbia mineral exploration and mining sector. As well, AME BC is pleased to see Minister Blair Lekstrom remain in place, as he has been a strong advocate for our industry and for rural B.C. We also thank MLA Gordon Hogg for his dedicated service to the B.C. mineral exploration and mining sector - he has been a great and honourable friend to AME BC this past year. On the national level, as British Columbians we are proud of Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo’s election success as the new National Chief of Canada’s Assembly of First Nations. National Chief Atleo is an exemplary leader for First Nations, British Columbians, and all Canadians. He is a man of vision and high integrity. The mineral exploration sector looks forward to his time as National Chief. Over the past quarter, AME BC and the Mining Association of BC have coordinated a 14-member industry association working group to join ongoing discussions with the First Nations Leadership Council, including National Chief Atleo, about industry’s interests in recent recognition and reconciliation initiatives led by the Leadership Council and the BC government. On a related note, AME BC recently launched a groundbreaking Aboriginal engagement toolkit that provides practical tools to understand and implement effective practices. It is designed to help facilitate dialogue based on mutual understanding, respect, and a commitment to honest and transparent communication. Members of AME BC have determined the top seven priority issues for the B.C. mineral exploration community to be: (1) permitting, (2) land access & use, (3) aboriginal engagement, (4) economic incentives, (5) geoscience, (6) infrastructure, and (7) human resources. To support the development of sound public policy related to these issues, we have embarked on a new path to develop guiding principles based on input from working committees made up of volunteer experts, Board members, and staff. There are two main purposes for developing principles. The first is to clearly describe the views and interests of AME BC’s members to the public and government in a transparent manner. Second, these will serve as guiding principles for AME BC members, committees and staff. Guiding principles now approved by the Board relate to uranium exploration and health and safety. Come September, our Board will consider new guiding principles related to land access, Aboriginal relations, and the environment. Recently, committee chairs and several directors held a planning session to help determine how committees can maximize their ability to guide advocacy efforts and membership engagement. Throughout the spring, AME BC representatives met numerous times with regional BC exploration groups. We welcome the newest regional exploration group, the Prince George Exploration Group, who held their inaugural meeting on May 15. The grassroots knowledge provided by B.C.’s prospectors, explorers and miners will directly inform and shape AME BC’s principles and improve our ability to create change. Following on the heels of the PDAC conference in Toronto, AME BC held a successful Speakers Series function that featured Mr. Geoff Plant, Partner with Heenan Blaikie. Geoff’s talk was entitled “Silk purse or sow's ear? Legislating the New Relationship with First Nations in BC.” The talk attracted many to the lunch and created significant media attention. Looking back at some other key Q2 events, the BC Mining Week Community Fair in May, led by AME BC and Dr. Sheila Stenzel from the Mineral Resources Education Program of BC, was a great success. Also in May, AME BC organized its annual golf tournament, which raised $17,000 for the Mineral Resources Education Program of BC. Over 140 Corporate Members, non-members, and sponsors attended the event.
Planning for Mineral Exploration Roundup 2010 is well underway. In advance of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, AME BC is seeing significant interest from industry and international delegates to attend the premier technical mineral exploration conference in the world. On behalf of AME BC, I thank all volunteers and new members of the Association and look forward to celebrating our successes in 2010.
If you have not already done so, please take a moment and visit AME BC’s new, relaunched website at www.amebc.ca. Here you will find further details about Mineral Exploration Roundup 2010, AME BC’s new guiding principles, the AME BC Aboriginal Engagement Toolkit, and much more. This is the first overhaul of the website in six years, and it provides new opportunities to engage with our members and provide resources for BC’s world-class mineral exploration community. As always, I wish you well in your prospects and to “have a safe day, everyday”! Best regards, Gavin C. Dirom, M.Sc., P. Ag.
President & CEO, AME BC
www.amebc.ca | |  Gavin C. Dirom
M.Sc., P. Ag.
President & CEO,
AME BC
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