Action needed to save mining! ‘ Victoria — Tom Waterland has some advice for the new government: “Treat the mining industry fairly, and it will grow; abandon it and, in a few years, mining will cease to exist as an economic force in British Columbia.” Waterland is president and chief executive officer of the Mining Association of British Columbia. During the Bill Bennett administra- tion, he was minister of mines. Waterland knows what he’s talking about. In and out of politics, Waterland has always been a moderate, which is why the government could do a lot worse than listening to his advice. “Government can’t do just nothing; it must remove some of the obstacles that have kept the industry in limbo for the past few years,” Waterland told me in a recent interview. “It’s no longer a question of not piling the next straw on the camel’s back; the back is breaking already. Government must remove some straws.” Moderately-priced electrical power, Waterland said, is the key to kick-starting the mining industry. That's what prompted the boom of exploration and development in the 1950s. Cheap electrical energy, however, is a thing of the past. The previous government's decision to Taise revenue by imposing water rental fees on industry has sharply increased the cost of produc- tion. So has the policy of making B.C. Hydro pay dividends to the government, the cost of which is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher power rates. In the early 80s, new mines were given a tax break for the first few years. That helped, but the practice was discontinued. “Whenever govern- ment starts disliking incentives, they become loopholes and are eliminated,” Waterland said. Another problem is the time it takes to bung a mine on stream. The smallest environmental concem can hold up a multi-million-dollar devel- opment for years, even sink them. Right now, there’s about $2 billion worth of new mining development waiting in the wings, but investors will wait only for so long before taking their money elsewhere. Waterland has no problem with genuine envir- onmental concems. In a recent speech to the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, Waterland said he believes that the mining industry in this province has been very co-operative in the pursuit of environmentally sound mining practices. “British Columbia miners are amongst the most environmentally friendly miners in the world and have, in co-operation with goverment, developed a set of regulations and mining approval processes which are second to none,” he said. “Today’s mining industry, as a group, is much more environmentally responsible than society as a whole. All you have to do is look at the mountains of disposable diapers, beer cans, and green plastic bags that we bury each day and the smog over Vancouver from the thousands of single-occupant cars that stream in ant out of town every day,” he added. : “TI get a little tired of the holier-than-thou west-end apartment dwellers in Vancouver point- ing their fingers at us when they contribute much more to environmental degradation than we ever could, or would.” Mining is important to British Columbia. It is the number two industry after forestry. Here are some figures that should give everybody cause to think. The industry employs about 15,000 people directly in British Columbia and indirectly sup- ports another 29,000 jobs in this province and other parts of Canada. Mining generates between $3 billion and $4 billion a year in revenue for British Columbia’s economy. Mining operations exist in nearly every economic region of the province, benefiting many communities. Mineral products account for 22 per cent of British Columbia’s total exports. Roberts Bank, Prince Rupert, Vancouver and other ports ship an average of 25 to 26 million tonnes of mining products a year. Most important, with today’s environmental standards, the mining industry causes no perma- nent damage to the environment. After a mine is exhausted, the land is returned to nature. Tailing ponds are reclaimed, water quality is monitored, and waste dumps are resloped, seeded and planted, with consideration given to the right type of vegetation and animal habitat. Some reclamation takes place while the mine is still operating. There are those who consider any mine a degradation of nature. Others say the same about our forest industry. They would shut down the works. Which begs the question where the money would come from to pay for all the things to which we have become accustomed. TheReview Wednesday, February 5, 1992 — A7 Qur Reputation is on Your Head HOUSE OF RUSSELL HAIRSTYLISTS LTD. UNISEX 656-1522 eK © Precision Cutting IN SIDNEY CENTRE #102-2367 Bevan Ave., Sidney, B.C. (Next to Safeway) Saanich North and The Islands Constituency Residents of the Constituency are invited to visit or call their new office at #11 - 9843 Second Street (Marina Court, behind the Landmark) Sidney, B.C., V8L 3C7 Telephone: 656-0488 Fax: 655-4906 Open Monday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Other times by Appointment CLIVE TANNER M.L.A. Highway alternatives ee us TRANSPORTATION, WOOD SMOKE and the need to reduce garbage were the main concems expressed at a recent open house on the Saanich Peninsula organized by the CRD task group on atmospheric change, coordinator Laura Porcher said. “People came up with many alternatives to expanded highways, mainly focus- ing on enhancing the transit system, making it safer for cyclists. Several people wanted to see light rail transit, carpooling and reduced parking downtown and at major institutions,’ Porcher said. Protection of agricultural land was also a priority, she said. The task force will complete its report in the coming months. * OK A TB VET SECRET-NUMBER tags are in the mail to Peninsula residents, a press release from the Tuberculous and Chest Disabled Veterans’ Association said. In Sidney alone there were 4,797 tags popped in the mail, representing those who have contributed in the past to the campaign, now in its 47th year. The mini-tags enable the TB Vets to trace lost keys. Over 700,000 are being distributed in B.C. and donations are used to provide year-around permanent employment for 25 persons at the headquarters in Vancouver; and for purchase of respiratory equipment given to hospitals across the province. Those who have not- received tags and would like one can call the TB Vets at 1-800-665-7796. * OK OX NEW NUMBER SIGNS in use by some blind people in Greater Victoria work great, B.C. Transit drivers report. However, they do caution that all passengers waiting at bus stops unsure UT: Sones? there is a clear line of sight from the individual displaying cards to oncoming buses. The visual aid was designed to ensure the blind board the right bus in an easier manner. The idea was developed by driver Trev LeFeuvre, who worked with CNIB staff to develop it. KK * VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP DEVELOP- MENT is the name of the game this weekend for United Way organizers. Saturday and Sunday there will be a weekend training conference for boards and staff of non-profit organizations, held at Red Cross House, 909-Fairfield Rd. 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