In spite of adverse economic conditions, mining in British Columbia stands in great stead for growth while Vancouver’s myriad of mining companies continue to operate in all corners of the world. British Columbia has all the characteristics of a first-class mining jurisdiction: access to booming Asian markets, progressing infrastructure development, skilled labor, a pro-mining government and bounteous natural resources. It is also home to Vancouver, the world’s exploration capital. With around 1,000 junior mining companies and 2,500 service companies, the city has grown from a staging post for the Klondike Gold Rush to a global mining hub. Vancouver-based mining companies now operate worldwide from Chile’s Atacama Desert to the jungles of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

However, over the next 12 months, up to a third of the junior market could disappear. It is argued, that this “spring clean” may not be a bad thing due to the profusion of companies vying for market share who were drawn to the industry during the boom years despite no real understanding of mining. There are tough times ahead, but companies with good assets should look to the future with cautious optimism. Urbanization in the developing world is expanding the middle-class consumer base and hence demand for British Columbia’s coal and mineral wealth. In the immediate term, the market presents a rare opportunity for companies to shop for great assets at bargain prices.