Government policy direction on land use and development – mining component : THE QUÉBEC MINING ASSOCIATION HOPES THAT REGIONAL COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES WILL SUPPORT MINING DEVELOPMENT
11/01/2017
Québec City, January 11, 2017 – Following the publication of the government policy direction on land use and development for mining activities, the Québec Mining Association (QMA) welcomes the government's objective of ensuring that mining development continues in Québec. However, it also calls on regional county municipalities to understand the importance of the power they have been given and to exercise it in cooperation with the mining industry, in order to ensure that mining development reflects a genuine commitment to the shared use of land.
"The QMA and its members support the principles behind this new policy direction and the fact that regional county municipalities will be able to identify zones that are mining-incompatible. History has shown that mining projects can be developed in a way that is respectful of local populations. Mining companies want to continue to be partners in their host communities and, for this reason, support the conciliation of land uses and take action every day for this purpose," says Josée Méthot, president and CEO of the QMA.
In the view of the QMA, the danger of the type of power given to the regional county municipalities is that land will be made unavailable for mining activities for no good reason, depriving communities of significant benefits. "Given that 97.3% of Québec's territory has never been mined, and that we have data on only 15% of the subsoil, it is clear that there is still room for mining development. This is why the mining industry hopes to continue to work with representatives from municipalities to designated mining-incompatible areas jointly, respectfully and fairly," Ms. Méthot concludes.
About the Québec Mining Association
The Québec Mining Association (QMA) was founded in 1936 and speaks proactively for mining companies involved in exploration, extraction and processing, mining contractors and junior mining companies, along with suppliers, institutions, non-profit organizations and other mining sector partners. It is proud of the 45,000 jobs and total expenditure of almost $6 billion generated by Québec's mining industry. The QMA’s mission is to promote, support and proactively develop a responsible, committed and innovative mining industry in Québec.